Why Regrets for selling your 4th Gens

[TPAJETSKI]

I"ve had third and fourth gen formulas and trans ams and a 1LE Firehawk. While I'll agree that the quality and safety features are not up to par with the Camaro, the driving experience to me is a lot better. They feel more limber, lighter, quicker, the ergonomics in my fourth gens were infinitely better. Full gauges right where they should be. HVAC controls with nice big knobs, not little tiny buttons. Same with the radio. I also appreciated the plastic body panels which were a lot less likely to become victims of door dings. I drive a lot and once my cars pile up the miles I get rid of them. I enjoy the camaro, but it doesn't give me the same fun feeling my third and fourth gens gave me.

[ka1]

I missed my 4th gen.........until I got my 5th gen.

[fbodfather]

Interesting question -- each of us reacts a bit differently.

I'm fortunate in that I've been involved very intimately with the 4th and 5th gen F-cars....
....no question that the 5th gen is light years ahead of the 4th gen in many respects. That said, a 4th gen will STILL shame cars costing many thousands of dollars more on a road course.....and that's with a basic architecture going back to the late 70s!

Now - that said - I have a 2002 SS Brickyard 400 Convertible with
RPO "Z7D" (one of 57 built) - in Mom Settlemire's garage back in Pennsylvania. I only drive it a couple of times a year - and at one point, I took it to "Camaros at Carlisle" and put a 'For Sale' sign on the windshield......and I felt terrible doing it - but again, I don't drive it very often.

I had no serious offers - as most people don't know what they're looking at.........

I'm glad to say that I "woke up" -- and decided that I simply can't part with it (as long as I'm healthy and have the financial wherewithal to keep it)

I still thrill to the sound of the LS1 as it roars to life - I love putting the top down on a Summer day (or better yet, a warm summer night) and cruising the back roads of Western PA - or taking it to Mount Washington overlooking the Pittsburgh Skyline......or perhaps driving along the Allegheny River thru the hills and mountains of Pennsylvania - this car was MEANT to be driven on curving roads with great amounts of elevation......

This particular car has many memories for me -- one of the most memorable was in September of 2002 - when I drove it to Auburn, Indiana to auction off the "Last saleable 2002 F-car" -- We'd just raised $72,500 that day for S.A.V.E. by auctioning off a Bright Rally Red Z28 Coupe - VIN 22172461 -- and as you can probably imagine - I was very distraught.

We'd built the last F-bodies at Ste. Therese on August 27th -- and I knew that the Camaro was on "hiatus" -- with no real plans for a rebirth.......

I was thinking of the men and women who had built over 4 million new GM cars in that plant - and about the fact that the plant would soon have an appointment with a wrecking ball..........and that an era had truly come to an end.......

I went out around 10pm -- put the top down - and went for a longgggg ride thru the Indiana Countryside......hearing crickets - smelling the smells of a warm late summer night - and as I drove this amazing convertible, I was questioning myself as to how we could possibly allow such a great car with such great heritage -- to 'ride off into the sunset' -- ???

To say that it was an emotional evening is an understatement.......just writing about it makes me get a bit misty.....

.....and to this day, I look at "Lord Quicksilver" (I finally named the car) and it's a reminder that we have a great responsibility to ensure that we protect the Camaro nameplate.....it's legendary - and we as custodians of the brand must ensure that it never - ever - ever - goes on "hiatus" -- ever again!

Now - I don't know that this lil walk down memory lane changed anyones' mind - but if it does and someone decides to keep a beloved Camaro - (or Firebird) -- then I'm just as happy as a clam at high tide!

(...that's pretty darn happy, by the way....)

Here's a picture of the "handsome Lord Quicksilver"

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Interesting question -- each of us reacts a bit differently.

I'm fortunate in that I've been involved very intimately with the 4th and 5th gen F-cars....
....no question that the 5th gen is light years ahead of the 4th gen in many respects. That said, a 4th gen will STILL shame cars costing many thousands of dollars more on a road course.....and that's with a basic architecture going back to the late 70s!

Now - that said - I have a 2002 SS Brickyard 400 Convertible with
RPO "Z7D" (one of 57 built) - in Mom Settlemire's garage back in Pennsylvania. I only drive it a couple of times a year - and at one point, I took it to "Camaros at Carlisle" and put a 'For Sale' sign on the windshield......and I felt terrible doing it - but again, I don't drive it very often.

I had no serious offers - as most people don't know what they're looking at.........

I'm glad to say that I "woke up" -- and decided that I simply can't part with it (as long as I'm healthy and have the financial wherewithal to keep it)

I still thrill to the sound of the LS1 as it roars to life - I love putting the top down on a Summer day (or better yet, a warm summer night) and cruising the back roads of Western PA - or taking it to Mount Washington overlooking the Pittsburgh Skyline......or perhaps driving along the Allegheny River thru the hills and mountains of Pennsylvania - this car was MEANT to be driven on curving roads with great amounts of elevation......

This particular car has many memories for me -- one of the most memorable was in September of 2002 - when I drove it to Auburn, Indiana to auction off the "Last saleable 2002 F-car" -- We'd just raised $72,500 that day for S.A.V.E. by auctioning off a Bright Rally Red Z28 Coupe - VIN 22172461 -- and as you can probably imagine - I was very distraught.

We'd built the last F-bodies at Ste. Therese on August 27th -- and I knew that the Camaro was on "hiatus" -- with no real plans for a rebirth.......

I was thinking of the men and women who had built over 4 million new GM cars in that plant - and about the fact that the plant would soon have an appointment with a wrecking ball..........and that an era had truly come to an end.......

I went out around 10pm -- put the top down - and went for a longgggg ride thru the Indiana Countryside......hearing crickets - smelling the smells of a warm late summer night - and as I drove this amazing convertible, I was questioning myself as to how we could possibly allow such a great car with such great heritage -- to 'ride off into the sunset' -- ???

To say that it was an emotional evening is an understatement.......just writing about it makes me get a bit misty.....

.....and to this day, I look at "Lord Quicksilver" (I finally named the car) and it's a reminder that we have a great responsibility to ensure that we protect the Camaro nameplate.....it's legendary - and we as custodians of the brand must ensure that it never - ever - ever - goes on "hiatus" -- ever again!

Now - I don't know that this lil walk down memory lane changed anyones' mind - but if it does and someone decides to keep a beloved Camaro - (or Firebird) -- then I'm just as happy as a clam at high tide!

(...that's pretty darn happy, by the way....)

Here's a picture of the "handsome Lord Quicksilver"

Good job Scott! In your next life you need to be a writer!

[Macky]

I had two 4th gens, a convertible 98 SS and a 00 SS coupe and I loved them both. I traded the coupe for a GTO in 2005. Although the GTO was a superior car in every way, I still missed the Camaros. And my 5th Gen is much better as well.

I think the second post sums it up for me, too. I forget about the bad things that the my 4th gens had and only remember the good. Do I wish that I still had them? You bet, and the GTO, too! Mostly because of their sentimental value.

[SS4Fun]

Previously owned two 4th gens....... 1994 Z28 and then a 2001 SS. The Z28 not so much because I really wanted an SS. The SS on the other hand...... I cried like a baby when I sold that car. Kept the SS for about 5 months after getting "Miss Thing". I guess I don't regret it.......... I do miss her because I babied that car, took her to cruise in's and car shows and was my DD. I felt that know one would/could ever take care of her like ME!!!! Oh yeah........... the reason I sold her was someone approached me with CASH!!

I'm well over it................ I love "Miss Thing" now!!!

[demonspeed]

If it's not hurting you to keep it, then keep it! There's nothing wrong with having two different generations; one doesn't have to "pick a side."

I sold my 2000 SS (had a 2001 Z28 before that) and picked up a 2005 GTO. The GTO was nice (especially since it was my DD), but I missed the "raw" feeling of the 4th gen. After I drove a 5th gen at Carlisle in 2009 I knew that it would be a perfect replacement for my GTO as a DD; however, I wanted a toy.

I picked up my 2002 SS last February and have been enjoying it for what I wanted it for -- a toy to beat around on the street and the track. I only put 3000 miles on it this year, and most of that came from when I drove it home from Virginia and when I drove it to Carlisle for the GM show.

I personally had to choose between one or the other, so I chose another 4th gen. If I could have both, I would. However, I won't give up my 2002 to do so.

Again, don't do it unless you need to.

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Interesting question -- each of us reacts a bit differently.

I'm fortunate in that I've been involved very intimately with the 4th and 5th gen F-cars....
....no question that the 5th gen is light years ahead of the 4th gen in many respects. That said, a 4th gen will STILL shame cars costing many thousands of dollars more on a road course.....and that's with a basic architecture going back to the late 70s!

Now - that said - I have a 2002 SS Brickyard 400 Convertible with
RPO "Z7D" (one of 57 built) - in Mom Settlemire's garage back in Pennsylvania. I only drive it a couple of times a year - and at one point, I took it to "Camaros at Carlisle" and put a 'For Sale' sign on the windshield......and I felt terrible doing it - but again, I don't drive it very often.

I had no serious offers - as most people don't know what they're looking at.........

I'm glad to say that I "woke up" -- and decided that I simply can't part with it (as long as I'm healthy and have the financial wherewithal to keep it)

I still thrill to the sound of the LS1 as it roars to life - I love putting the top down on a Summer day (or better yet, a warm summer night) and cruising the back roads of Western PA - or taking it to Mount Washington overlooking the Pittsburgh Skyline......or perhaps driving along the Allegheny River thru the hills and mountains of Pennsylvania - this car was MEANT to be driven on curving roads with great amounts of elevation......

This particular car has many memories for me -- one of the most memorable was in September of 2002 - when I drove it to Auburn, Indiana to auction off the "Last saleable 2002 F-car" -- We'd just raised $72,500 that day for S.A.V.E. by auctioning off a Bright Rally Red Z28 Coupe - VIN 22172461 -- and as you can probably imagine - I was very distraught.

We'd built the last F-bodies at Ste. Therese on August 27th -- and I knew that the Camaro was on "hiatus" -- with no real plans for a rebirth.......

I was thinking of the men and women who had built over 4 million new GM cars in that plant - and about the fact that the plant would soon have an appointment with a wrecking ball..........and that an era had truly come to an end.......

I went out around 10pm -- put the top down - and went for a longgggg ride thru the Indiana Countryside......hearing crickets - smelling the smells of a warm late summer night - and as I drove this amazing convertible, I was questioning myself as to how we could possibly allow such a great car with such great heritage -- to 'ride off into the sunset' -- ???

To say that it was an emotional evening is an understatement.......just writing about it makes me get a bit misty.....

.....and to this day, I look at "Lord Quicksilver" (I finally named the car) and it's a reminder that we have a great responsibility to ensure that we protect the Camaro nameplate.....it's legendary - and we as custodians of the brand must ensure that it never - ever - ever - goes on "hiatus" -- ever again!

Now - I don't know that this lil walk down memory lane changed anyones' mind - but if it does and someone decides to keep a beloved Camaro - (or Firebird) -- then I'm just as happy as a clam at high tide!

(...that's pretty darn happy, by the way....)

Here's a picture of the "handsome Lord Quicksilver"

Hi Scott,
Thank you for your inspriational thoughts.
You actually signed my 2002 Camaro SS at the 2002 Bowling Green F-Body celebration at the Corvette Museum. Actually the other day I was going through old photos and I found a couple of 8x10 photos of the big group with the cars circled around the front of the museum and the last Camaro and the last Firebird to roll off the assembly line. I was right in front holding one of the placards that were made showing the VIN for the last Firebird in that photo. I have many great memories of that trip to Bowling Green. It was a blast.
So this reason along with many others in 11 years have crossed my mind about selling the car that has so much history with me and it's signed by the F-Bod Father himself.
Now I just need to get to an event to have you sign my 2011 Synergy Green Camaro. Hmmm, maybe GM needs to have an option code when ordering a new car to have certain people like you sign the vehicles at the plant. People like Yourself, Al Openheiser, and maybe some of the other key development engineers and assembly line workers. I'm sure there could be a spot on the cars like the underside of the trunk deck lid or something that these signatures could be placed so they are in a hidden spot normally but easily displayed at car shows and such.

[BadAssBumbleBee]

No regrets about selling my '02 Firehawk to get the 2010 Callawy SC572, but I do miss the T-Tops in the summer time.

Here are a few pics of my Firehawk.........

[SS11]

I don't miss my '95 Z28 at all. Leaky T-Tops, noisy, less power, handling, and the list goes on. I was sad the day the transmission died but quickly ran out that morning and bought a new SS. What a difference. I never got compliments like I do now on a regular basis. To me the 5th gens are the best thing since sliced bread and I should have traded my old car in much earlier than I did. Don't get me wrong, I really liked that car but I love my new car. I've had it two years and am still very proud to drive it.

[SS4Fun]

Originally Posted by Nick S

Hi Scott,
Thank you for your inspriational thoughts.
You actually signed my 2002 Camaro SS at the 2002 Bowling Green F-Body celebration at the Corvette Museum. Actually the other day I was going through old photos and I found a couple of 8x10 photos of the big group with the cars circled around the front of the museum and the last Camaro and the last Firebird to roll off the assembly line. I was right in front holding one of the placards that were made showing the VIN for the last Firebird in that photo. I have many great memories of that trip to Bowling Green. It was a blast.
So this reason along with many others in 11 years have crossed my mind about selling the car that has so much history with me and it's signed by the F-Bod Father himself.
Now I just need to get to an event to have you sign my 2011 Synergy Green Camaro. Hmmm, maybe GM needs to have an option code when ordering a new car to have certain people like you sign the vehicles at the plant. People like Yourself, Al Openheiser, and maybe some of the other key development engineers and assembly line workers. I'm sure there could be a spot on the cars like the underside of the trunk deck lid or something that these signatures could be placed so they are in a hidden spot normally but easily displayed at car shows and such.

Scott signed my 4th gen SS too. Here's a picture of where my 5th gen is signed by Scott, Al, John and various other GM people responsible for bringing the Camaro back!! I really appreciated them taking time out to do this for Camaro Lovers!!! My other strut tower has signatures too.

[Nick S]

Originally Posted by SS4Fun

Scott signed my 4th gen SS too. Here's a picture of where my 5th gen is signed by Scott, Al, John and various other GM people responsible for bringing the Camaro back!! I really appreciated them taking time out to do this for Camaro Lovers!!! My other strut tower has signatures too.

Looks nice!! I really need to get some signatures on my 2011 SS!!

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by Nick S

Looks nice!! I really need to get some signatures on my 2011 SS!!

That time would be camarofest 4

[steveo9043]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Interesting question -- each of us reacts a bit differently.

I'm fortunate in that I've been involved very intimately with the 4th and 5th gen F-cars....
....no question that the 5th gen is light years ahead of the 4th gen in many respects. That said, a 4th gen will STILL shame cars costing many thousands of dollars more on a road course.....and that's with a basic architecture going back to the late 70s!

Now - that said - I have a 2002 SS Brickyard 400 Convertible with
RPO "Z7D" (one of 57 built) - in Mom Settlemire's garage back in Pennsylvania. I only drive it a couple of times a year - and at one point, I took it to "Camaros at Carlisle" and put a 'For Sale' sign on the windshield......and I felt terrible doing it - but again, I don't drive it very often.

I had no serious offers - as most people don't know what they're looking at.........

I'm glad to say that I "woke up" -- and decided that I simply can't part with it (as long as I'm healthy and have the financial wherewithal to keep it)

I still thrill to the sound of the LS1 as it roars to life - I love putting the top down on a Summer day (or better yet, a warm summer night) and cruising the back roads of Western PA - or taking it to Mount Washington overlooking the Pittsburgh Skyline......or perhaps driving along the Allegheny River thru the hills and mountains of Pennsylvania - this car was MEANT to be driven on curving roads with great amounts of elevation......

This particular car has many memories for me -- one of the most memorable was in September of 2002 - when I drove it to Auburn, Indiana to auction off the "Last saleable 2002 F-car" -- We'd just raised $72,500 that day for S.A.V.E. by auctioning off a Bright Rally Red Z28 Coupe - VIN 22172461 -- and as you can probably imagine - I was very distraught.

We'd built the last F-bodies at Ste. Therese on August 27th -- and I knew that the Camaro was on "hiatus" -- with no real plans for a rebirth.......

I was thinking of the men and women who had built over 4 million new GM cars in that plant - and about the fact that the plant would soon have an appointment with a wrecking ball..........and that an era had truly come to an end.......

I went out around 10pm -- put the top down - and went for a longgggg ride thru the Indiana Countryside......hearing crickets - smelling the smells of a warm late summer night - and as I drove this amazing convertible, I was questioning myself as to how we could possibly allow such a great car with such great heritage -- to 'ride off into the sunset' -- ???

To say that it was an emotional evening is an understatement.......just writing about it makes me get a bit misty.....

.....and to this day, I look at "Lord Quicksilver" (I finally named the car) and it's a reminder that we have a great responsibility to ensure that we protect the Camaro nameplate.....it's legendary - and we as custodians of the brand must ensure that it never - ever - ever - goes on "hiatus" -- ever again!

Now - I don't know that this lil walk down memory lane changed anyones' mind - but if it does and someone decides to keep a beloved Camaro - (or Firebird) -- then I'm just as happy as a clam at high tide!

(...that's pretty darn happy, by the way....)

Here's a picture of the "handsome Lord Quicksilver"

That right there made me miss my 4th gen even more and I only had a 94 LT1. I never was a convertible person but boy do I miss T-Tops! What I would do to be behind the wheel of a 4th gen ss with T-tops on a nice summer night.