My Rental Car Review and a few questions

[Glider]

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.

[babaron]

I've driven a lot of verts and quietness with top up I think is one of the Camaro's strong points.

[GnyaTek]

Mileage in heavy stop and go is not very good, even with the V6, though likely would improve some after the first 1000-1500 miles. The car is heavy and doesn't do well with the heavy stop and go, especially if you drive somewhat spiritedly. Mileage in steady traffic (40-ish+ MPH is quite good).

What difficulties did you have closing the top?

[Glider]

Originally Posted by GnyaTek

Mileage in heavy stop and go is not very good, even with the V6, though likely would improve some after the first 1000-1500 miles. The car is heavy and doesn't do well with the heavy stop and go, especially if you drive somewhat spiritedly. Mileage in steady traffic (40-ish+ MPH is quite good).

What difficulties did you have closing the top?

The amount of force I had to use to get handle to pull down and snap shut.

[GnyaTek]

Likely had not raised the top fully and were "forcing" the top closed?

Generally, I use my left hand to operate the top button, and as the top gets within reach, grab the handle with my right hand, twist the handle to the open position, and as the top comes fully closed, then twist to lock.

Some folks prefer to stop the top short of fully closed, then twist the handle to open, then using the button fully cycle the top closed, then lock the handle. Either way should work fine and be rather smooth operation.

If you are having to "pull" on the handle to finish closing, the top has not fully cycled up, or something is bent/broken in the mechanism.

[Glider]

Originally Posted by GnyaTek

Likely had not raised the top fully and were "forcing" the top closed?

Generally, I use my left hand to operate the top button, and as the top gets within reach, grab the handle with my right hand, twist the handle to the open position, and as the top comes fully closed, then twist to lock.

Some folks prefer to stop the top short of fully closed, then twist the handle to open, then using the button fully cycle the top closed, then lock the handle. Either way should work fine and be rather smooth operation.

If you are having to "pull" on the handle to finish closing, the top has not fully cycled up, or something is bent/broken in the mechanism.

Thanks. Sounds like "operator error". Glad to hear it's smooth to operate when done properly.

[GnyaTek]

Probably so ... or since it was a rental, it is possible that a previous renter may have damaged the top mechanism not being aware of how to operate it.

I rented a 2SS convertible a few months prior to buying mine, and it took me a while to figure out how to operate the top (with no manual in the glove box to refer to). Took me a few minutes to figure it out, and then all was good.

If you do decide to buy, the new ones (2013 and beyond, as well as the late build 2012's) shouldn't have the same top issues and water management issues widely talked about here. The vast majority of the top issues are with 2011 and early 2012 cars... (mine included). And even though I have top issues currently (luckily non-catastrophic), I still have VERY strong opinions of the car as a whole. I have put about 25k miles on it with almost all of the miles top down with a smile on my face.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by Glider

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.

Glad that you loved the Camaro! I will definitely document all of this positive feedback into our system.

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

[motorhead2011]

You said the car seemed pretty quick to you.Maybe some of the low MPG was due to your right foot.LOL

[pincoin]

Convertibles are great! I wouldnt have it any other way in a 5th gen!