Shno's House of Z

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Had a house / shop guest over the weekend. Subject: why is the 6th Gen not selling in larger numbers?

I know the subject has been beat to death in other threads. I am asking the question here, #becausehouse

It has to be price considering it's the best performing of the 3. You'd have to ask a non Camaro lover how much an impact the conservative styling change had on sales. I would have liked something more different but you can't deny how good looking the 6th gen is. They must be fine with how it's selling since the incentives haven't started. I would love to see a repeat of the big discounts on the higher performance models towards the end of the generation.

[Mr Twisty]

I haven't seen the 6th gen on dealer lots on a regular basis until the last month or so.

The 4 cylinder car is definitely a rare bird it seems, once it hits decent production numbers that will help sales numbers.

I finally saw my first 6th gen Camaro commercial about a week ago. Do non enthusiasts even know it exists?

[2cnd chance]

Wow, slow day in the forums...bored.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Had a house / shop guest over the weekend. Subject: why is the 6th Gen not selling in larger numbers?

I know the subject has been beat to death in other threads. I am asking the question here, #becausehouse

Well instead of the negatives let's discuss the reasons it's not not selling.

It's not not selling due to lack of performance.

It's not not selling due to poor fuel economy

It's not not selling because of lack of features or technology

It's not not selling because of improvements in the interior or refinement

These areas had huge and noticeable improvements over the Gen5 Camaro.

They made a great Camaro. So it's not not selling because they didn't continue the brand and its heritage.

[Stormcloak]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Well instead of the negatives let's discuss the reasons it's not not selling.

It's not not selling due to lack of performance.

It's not not selling due to poor fuel economy

It's not not selling because of lack of features or technology

It's not not selling because of improvements in the interior or refinement

These areas had huge and noticeable improvements over the Gen5 Camaro.

They made a great Camaro. So it's not not selling because they didn't continue the brand and its heritage.

Prior owners have been accustomed to the availability of the special models (ZL1 etc), and the gen 6 versions of these aren't out for a while yet. So that, along with a notable price hike in the SS and a motor that simply isn't as time tested as the prior, might make some current owners hesitant to jump ship right now.

Outside of the GM faithful (or non-V8 heathens ), perhaps Ford simply beat GM to the punch with the Mustang makeover in '15.

[2cnd chance]

The 6Gen looks even more aggressive than the 5Gen, however not as pretty. The 5Gen had a perfect combination of aggressive to pretty. But hands down the 6Gen is a better GT.

[IOMZL1]

A few things that could account for lower 6th gen sales:

Everyone that wanted a Camaro for 10-15 years had to wait for the 5th gen and most likely bought one if their financial situation allowed. Now those would-be buyers already have a Camaro and may not be willing / able to trade up every few years.

Without the lapse in production you'd have a more averaged stream of turnover and higher average sales for repeat Camaro customers, now everyone is more aligned in their purchase phase. (there may be an uptick later in the 6th gen cycle or for the 7th gen if this theory holds water).

I really like the look of the 6th gen having finally seen it in person but it is similar enough to the 5th gen that it those who would have gravitated toward a newer / different design already sort of have that in the 5th gen. Also those who aren't concerned only with performance might see the smaller size as a negative.

Personally, the 6th gen seems hands down a better car than the 5th, especially considering performance. The 1LE / ZL1 are going to be in another league when compared to their 5th gen versions. The only question is will the Z/28 have some new high performance NA engine, that would be the only thing keeping it from dethroning the 5th gen Z/28 as the "high water mark" track Camaro IMO (no doubt it will be faster, but for my $$ you'd need an LS7 equivalent or better). I do think team Camaro will deliver on that.

[Mr. Wyndham]

What if we're looking at a track-package ZL1...a "ZL2", if you will...that absolutely demolishes anything Camaro team built before it...because there is no N/A engine, therefore there will be no Z/28...

Would people buy into the concept?

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

What if we're looking at a track-package ZL1...a "ZL2", if you will...that absolutely demolishes anything Camaro team built before it...because there is no N/A engine, therefore there will be no Z/28...

Would people buy into the concept?

I would find it strange since their number 1 competitor upped the "N/A Track-Car" ante with the GT350R.

[IOMZL1]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

What if we're looking at a track-package ZL1...a "ZL2", if you will...that absolutely demolishes anything Camaro team built before it...because there is no N/A engine, therefore there will be no Z/28...

Would people buy into the concept?

Sounds good in theory but in reality might be a tough sell? The track purist market is already small, now add the weight of a rear seat and the SC engine and it appeals less and less to that market vs the competitors NA 2 seaters. It would be too hard core and expensive for the ZL1 crowd. Fast in theory but sort of red the headed step child. If it's a package to add to the ZL1 you'd think it would be announced already but not sure. While it would mirror the direction of the Z06 And would not surprise me the approach seems a bit flawed for the track.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Sounds good in theory but in reality might be a tough sell? The track purist market is already small, now add the weight of a rear seat and the SC engine and it appeals less and less to that market vs the competitors NA 2 seaters. It would be too hard core and expensive for the ZL1 crowd. Fast in theory but sort of red the headed step child. If it's a package to add to the ZL1 you'd think it would be announced already but not sure. While it would mirror the direction of the Z06 And would not surprise me the approach seems a bit flawed for the track.

I ask because it would be something I'd be interested in...

Truth be told, I'll be daily driving this car, and likely wouldn't purchase such a package because I don't want to be buying tires every 4 months (or less), which sort of proves your point.

I wonder how many people opt for the Z07 package. And how many use it...

But either way...I want that wing.

[Number 3]

Assuming GM doesn't have a NA engine coming, and I'm still hoping they do, and I'm beginning to believe it will happen, does a turbo or SC prohibit the use of the Z/28 name? Or is it simply the name for the best track weapon? GM had no problems using Z06 on a Supercharged 6.2 so I doubt they will here.

Also you have to remember, the Gen5 ZL1 WAS ACTUALLY the Z/28 until just before the Chicago reveal. GM had second thoughts, but that doesn't mean they won't go there, they almost did.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Assuming GM doesn't have a NA engine coming, and I'm still hoping they do, and I'm beginning to believe it will happen, does a turbo or SC prohibit the use of the Z/28 name? Or is it simply the name for the best track weapon? GM had no problems using Z06 on a Supercharged 6.2 so I doubt they will here.

Also you have to remember, the Gen5 ZL1 WAS ACTUALLY the Z/28 until just before the Chicago reveal. GM had second thoughts, but that doesn't mean they won't go there, they almost did.

Not in my opinion it wouldn't, and I'm usually kind of a hard sell. I won't be in the market for the car either way (priorities), but turbines have been spinning on F1 cars for a lot of years.

One issue is adding all that weight to an already front heavy car. This is where the Leno TT V6 car was interesting. Still adding weight, but to a lighter engine, and they could make serious HP.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Assuming GM doesn't have a NA engine coming, and I'm still hoping they do, and I'm beginning to believe it will happen, does a turbo or SC prohibit the use of the Z/28 name? Or is it simply the name for the best track weapon? GM had no problems using Z06 on a Supercharged 6.2 so I doubt they will here.

Also you have to remember, the Gen5 ZL1 WAS ACTUALLY the Z/28 until just before the Chicago reveal. GM had second thoughts, but that doesn't mean they won't go there, they almost did.

I don't think there is a need to follow the Z06. They already have the supercharged Camaro covered with the ZL1. Plus, I don't know if team Camaro would want to power their track weapon with the LT4, with the struggles the Z06 has had, whether or not the struggles are overblown.

The ZL1 is likely to be a fantastic car, both on and off the track. If the can't bring an n/a engine to the Camaro, I really don't see the point in having a Z/28.