My Rental Car Review

[Glider]

My Rental Car Review and a few questions (I posted on the Vert section but not much response there).
I've been monitoring this forum for a few months as my interest in purchasing a Camaro has been growing. I love the looks and when I test drove one, I really I was very pleasantly surprised how good it was, especially for the price. I have only leased German and Japanese cars for the last 20 years including BMW, MB, Lexus and Acura. Last week I had the opportunity to rent a 2LT vert in So Cal and it was a blast. Of course in 75-80 degree temps with zero humidity you couldn't ask for better convertible weather.

So here are my observations, comments and a few questions after my extended "test drive" of a "brand new" car with only 400 miles on the odometer.

I found the V6 to be more than adequate. In fact, it felt very quick to me. I even liked the sound.

I was in a lot of heavy stop and go (405 near LA). My mpgs for about 80 miles of driving was 13. I was very surprised it was that low.

The steering was nice and heavy like I like, but I found it perhaps a bit too heavy at very low speeds (parking etc.). I had the car mostly in Sport Mode. Does that tighten the steering as well?

The car had the RS package, I assume, since it had the PZero tires and I think it had HIDs, but not sure. Does that change the suspension from base vert?

I had no problem with so called "Blind spots" with top up. I adjusted my mirrors properly and it was fine. Maybe people aren't used to sports cars.

The Mylink worked great in synching with my blackberry for streaming and bluetooth calls. The music quality was OK, not bad, not great but definitely acceptable for a vert. Are the extra subs available in the vert and do they improve music sound or just add bass for more kick?

Back up camera was great. Hard to do without it once you have it.

My main reason for wanting an extended "test" was to see if the noise level of the vert would be tiresome with top up. Realistically, I would only get about 6 months use where I live so I wanted to see how "live-able" the car is as DD with top up. I found the noise level on the higher side, but with radio and fan on, not really objectionable. That is the one aspect that I am still considering and would welcome input from those who DD with top up in major congested cities and/or long highway drives.

I also had some difficulty in closing the top. It seemed to require a bit more effort than it should. So perhaps it was difficult because mine was new? Something was wrong with it? Or that is just they way it is? Please let me know.

Looks- Fantastic- I was stopped in Beverly Hills by a woman in a Mercedes who wanted to know what kind of car it was. If you can impress people there with a car, you know it's something special.

All in all I think it's amazing what GM did with this car. The style is knock out. It has all the "gadgets" of most luxury cars (the HUD is as good as what I had on my BMW). I hear some of the "pundits" talk about the Mustang being better, lighter etc. but to me the heavier feeling of the Camaro is what makes it feel like a much more expensive car. And it isn't even close in the looks department.
So in spite of the 5th bow problems I've read about here, the water leak problems etc. I am really seriously loving this car.

Thanks for reading my synopsis.

[sswiss3000]

Glider,

I own a 2SS Vert in the Chicago area. Most of my DD is done with the top up and on 55mph back roads. I would not have purchased this car if I lived in the city as in my opinion it needs room to roam.

I guess the cabin noise level is a matter of opinion. I have no issue with it, but then again I have been a convertible driver most of my life. To be honest, the noise level in my car is not much better than it was in my 97 Sebring . But this fact is more than offset by the enjoyment of driving it with the top down. The Camaro is by far the best looking convertible on the market in the sub 100K market.

In conclusion, you have to be realistic. You get what you pay for. The Camaro kicks every European cars A** (in its price class) in exterior looks as well as the power department, but it can't match them in interior fit & finish, suspension, or noise cancelation.

I am sure I will get some grieve for this statement, but these are the facts the way I see them.

[crateish]

'I found the V6 to be more than adequate. In fact, it felt very quick to me. I even liked the sound.'

I drove a bunch of V8s and V6s. That quote describes my conclusion.

'Sport Mode' is what I drive in much of the time. It will tax your mileage.

[SkullDuggery]

Well I can't comment on the vert questions but I also found my V6 to be plenty powerful enough. That's not to say that I haven't thought about getting an SS but I usually come back to my senses and I can honestly say that I'm satisfied with my cars power and never felt like it wasn't enough. And I also like the sound of the stock V6 exhaust. I've owned my LS for about 3 years now and I stll get a huge grin on my face when I drive it.
As far as your gas milage. Your rental wasn't even broken in yet with 400 miles on it. I imagine the MPG's would get better after break in. Plus city driving your milage will drop, I get about 21mpg or so city and like up to 33mpg highway.
Oh mine's a manual btw.

[jpwickl]

the fat that it is a rental car, im sure all the people that rented it before you dogged the heck out of it.

The road noise isn't that bad. It's quieter than my 08 hyundai accent.

i really don't have a problem with the top being difficult. Use the pull ring and latch or unlatch it. Sometimes, I have to help it find the holes where the top meets above the windshield.

I also like how GM has changed the top. After lowering my top in my 96 Sunfire, it would be in the well with the inside facing up, whereas this one keeps the top on the top in the well.

[LessSinister]

Originally Posted by Glider

My Rental Car Review and a few questions (I posted on the Vert section but not much response there).
I've been monitoring this forum for a few months as my interest in purchasing a Camaro has been growing. I love the looks and when I test drove one, I really I was very pleasantly surprised how good it was, especially for the price. I have only leased German and Japanese cars for the last 20 years including BMW, MB, Lexus and Acura. Last week I had the opportunity to rent a 2LT vert in So Cal and it was a blast. Of course in 75-80 degree temps with zero humidity you couldn't ask for better convertible weather.

So here are my observations, comments and a few questions after my extended "test drive" of a "brand new" car with only 400 miles on the odometer.

I found the V6 to be more than adequate. In fact, it felt very quick to me. I even liked the sound.

I was in a lot of heavy stop and go (405 near LA). My mpgs for about 80 miles of driving was 13. I was very surprised it was that low.

The steering was nice and heavy like I like, but I found it perhaps a bit too heavy at very low speeds (parking etc.). I had the car mostly in Sport Mode. Does that tighten the steering as well?

The car had the RS package, I assume, since it had the PZero tires and I think it had HIDs, but not sure. Does that change the suspension from base vert?

I had no problem with so called "Blind spots" with top up. I adjusted my mirrors properly and it was fine. Maybe people aren't used to sports cars.

The Mylink worked great in synching with my blackberry for streaming and bluetooth calls. The music quality was OK, not bad, not great but definitely acceptable for a vert. Are the extra subs available in the vert and do they improve music sound or just add bass for more kick?

Back up camera was great. Hard to do without it once you have it.

My main reason for wanting an extended "test" was to see if the noise level of the vert would be tiresome with top up. Realistically, I would only get about 6 months use where I live so I wanted to see how "live-able" the car is as DD with top up. I found the noise level on the higher side, but with radio and fan on, not really objectionable. That is the one aspect that I am still considering and would welcome input from those who DD with top up in major congested cities and/or long highway drives.

I also had some difficulty in closing the top. It seemed to require a bit more effort than it should. So perhaps it was difficult because mine was new? Something was wrong with it? Or that is just they way it is? Please let me know.

Looks- Fantastic- I was stopped in Beverly Hills by a woman in a Mercedes who wanted to know what kind of car it was. If you can impress people there with a car, you know it's something special.

All in all I think it's amazing what GM did with this car. The style is knock out. It has all the "gadgets" of most luxury cars (the HUD is as good as what I had on my BMW). I hear some of the "pundits" talk about the Mustang being better, lighter etc. but to me the heavier feeling of the Camaro is what makes it feel like a much more expensive car. And it isn't even close in the looks department.
So in spite of the 5th bow problems I've read about here, the water leak problems etc. I am really seriously loving this car.

Thanks for reading my synopsis.

I have a similar vehicle to the one you tested except I swapped out my exhaust as I found the stock mufflers to be too quiet for my tastes. Other than that I absolutely love the car. I don't get why people complain so much about the cheap plastic interior. It's plastic for god's sake what do you expect. BMW plastic is better? Unless it's leather lined then who really gives a crap - I don't. The wind noise (top up or down) is nothing that can't be fixed with a new exhaust and turning the volume on the radio up.

Get the car, you won't be disappointed. Love the HIDs too.