Steering Feel - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

stovt001 · 01-24-2009, 08:53 PM

For those of you who've had actual time behind the wheel of a Camaro (looking at you, CTF drivers) is the steering very mechanical, or does it feel artificially assisted? How's the feedback and communication with the tires and road? Heavy and tight or loose and light? I think good steering feel will go a long way for compensating against this car going so far outside my preferred weight range.

Inspector 17 · 01-24-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001

For those of you who've had actual time behind the wheel of a Camaro (looking at you, CTF drivers) is the steering very mechanical, or does it feel artificially assisted? How's the feedback and communication with the tires and road? Heavy and tight or loose and light? I think good steering feel will go a long way for compensating against this car going so far outside my preferred weight range.

Hey man, fat cars need lovin' too.

stovt001 · 01-24-2009, 08:57 PM

Well the mags mostly agree it feels lighter than it is. If that's true and the steering feels good, then the actual weight numbers don't matter all that much at all.

fad1 · 01-24-2009, 09:03 PM

What ever it is, I bet you will be satisfied.

Number 3 · 01-25-2009, 12:37 AM

Number 3 has very nice steering feel. Not over boosted if that is your concern. It is linear and feels very responsive. Keep in mind this is a 1LT with the 18" wheel/tire so I imagine the 20s on the RS or SS will feel even better. The 1LT with 18s is on par with a base CTS in my opinion. Very good for ride, handling, steering and braking. SS with Brembos and 20s can only make it better, with the ride probably a bit firmer.

stovt001 · 01-25-2009, 01:05 AM

Perfect. If I recall correctly, it uses a true hydraulic power steering system and none of this electric boosting nonsense. If true, then I imagine the steering is just great. Since this car will see a fair amount of time on roads like Glendora Mountain Road, where messing up means crashing into a mountain or flying off a cliff, clear, honest, and communicative steering is absolutely vital.

Thanks #3.

Number 3 · 01-25-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001

Perfect. If I recall correctly, it uses a true hydraulic power steering system and none of this electric boosting nonsense. If true, then I imagine the steering is just great. Since this car will see a fair amount of time on roads like Glendora Mountain Road, where messing up means crashing into a mountain or flying off a cliff, clear, honest, and communicative steering is absolutely vital.

Thanks #3.

If you are flying off a cliff, I am pretty sure it won't be the fault of the Camaro

SScattergunSS · 01-25-2009, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovt001

For those of you who've had actual time behind the wheel of a Camaro (looking at you, CTF drivers) is the steering very mechanical, or does it feel artificially assisted? How's the feedback and communication with the tires and road? Heavy and tight or loose and light? I think good steering feel will go a long way for compensating against this car going so far outside my preferred weight range.

This whole feel in the wheel thing is one of my main concerns, other than knowing if I'll fit in it with the sun roof! (6'4) I love a nice heavy feel, with quick response! Also if I run over a pebble in the road, I want to know by the feeling in the steering wheel just what part of the tire ran over it. (At least which third, or better yet, which quarter of the tire took that pebble!!!)

That's what I love about that old WS6 T/A of mine!!! One other thing that does concern me is the steering ratio. My old Trans Am has the (constant) ratio 12.7-1 gear box, (2.25 turns lock to lock). I just read that these 2010's have a steering ratio (variable) of 16.1-1. The jury is still out as to whether or not I'm going to be able to live with that?!!! I really think at the very least, the SS's should have had a better ratio than what we're getting!!! At least it's got a 2.5 turns to lock...which isn't what I'm used to, but better than alot of other cars.

garfin · 01-25-2009, 08:34 AM

After my limited time behind the wheel of the V8 IVER car and the more finished V6 in Milford last year, I came away with a very good impression of the steering feel in both cars.
Steering feel is very important to me and it felt direct and very responsive to me. No "numbness".
FWIW, the V6 car did feel a touch lighter to me, if my memory serves correct.

Best regardSS,

Elie

HeatherR · 01-25-2009, 11:16 AM

Having driven the V8 with 20 inch wheels/Brembos I can confirm that it has a great feel. It feels just "heavy" enough, so that you feel the steer-no assisted feeling. It handles well with good road feel, with independent rear suspension. It is very responsive, and I don't think you'll be disappointed even if you're used to a much lighter car-our personal cars are vettes and a Solstice and this was great! I have also driven the CTS and agree the Camaro rates up there, but a different ride IMO. The Camaro is not as "smooth" and it grips the road much different. Hope this helps

ArcAngel · 01-25-2009, 11:40 AM

thanks Heather

HTWLSS · 01-25-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garfin

After my limited time behind the wheel of the V8 IVER car and the more finished V6 in Milford last year, I came away with a very good impression of the steering feel in both cars.
Steering feel is very important to me and it felt direct and very responsive to me. No "numbness".
FWIW, the V6 car did feel a touch lighter to me, if my memory serves correct.

Best regardSS,

Elie

Heh, heh. Just yesterday I was watching your online video of the V6 drive (gm.ca website, in Camaro multimedia). As your back seat passenger, I remember the car felt strong & nimble, stuck to the road with minimal body roll, and was pleasantly responsive. The V6 was definitely our big surprise of the day.

*TAG UR IT* · 01-25-2009, 12:29 PM

^You lucky dogs!!!

It's great to hear this info. I was concerned that the steering would be overly assisted (if that's a phrase) as well....similar to the Ford's (where you could turn the steering wheel w/ a pinkie finger and it would spin uncontrollably...lol). I hate that feel.

*Mr. Wyndham* · 01-25-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

(where you could turn the steering wheel w/ a pinkie finger and it would spin uncontrollably...lol). I hate that feel.

You just reminded me....this is *slightly* on-topic.

My Cobalt has that same feeling when you're standing still, or going REAL slow. Literally---pinky-finger.

It's got Electric-power steering (Instead of being attached to the engine, there's an electric motor pressurizing the power-steering system), but it's speed-sensitive, so when you get up to highway speeds, the steering stiffens, and you actually have to try to turn the wheel. I think that's the coolest thing in the world!

hrmhrm...back on topic.

These reports are good to hear from all you guys (^). I'm glad they've thought this car all the way through.

01-24-2009, 08:53 PM	#1
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	Steering Feel For those of you who've had actual time behind the wheel of a Camaro (looking at you, CTF drivers) is the steering very mechanical, or does it feel artificially assisted? How's the feedback and communication with the tires and road? Heavy and tight or loose and light? I think good steering feel will go a long way for compensating against this car going so far outside my preferred weight range. __________________ "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day There's a great big beautiful tomorrow Just a dream away

01-25-2009, 12:37 AM	#5
Number 3 Hail to the King baby! Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 12,301 View My Garage	Number 3 has very nice steering feel. Not over boosted if that is your concern. It is linear and feels very responsive. Keep in mind this is a 1LT with the 18" wheel/tire so I imagine the 20s on the RS or SS will feel even better. The 1LT with 18s is on par with a base CTS in my opinion. Very good for ride, handling, steering and braking. SS with Brembos and 20s can only make it better, with the ride probably a bit firmer. __________________ "Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

01-25-2009, 01:05 AM	#6
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	Perfect. If I recall correctly, it uses a true hydraulic power steering system and none of this electric boosting nonsense. If true, then I imagine the steering is just great. Since this car will see a fair amount of time on roads like Glendora Mountain Road, where messing up means crashing into a mountain or flying off a cliff, clear, honest, and communicative steering is absolutely vital. Thanks #3. __________________ "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day There's a great big beautiful tomorrow Just a dream away

01-25-2009, 08:34 AM	#9
garfin Resident Disciple Drives: 2010 CTS-V 6MN '98 Camaro SS (Sold) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Roches Point, Ontario, Canada Posts: 607	After my limited time behind the wheel of the V8 IVER car and the more finished V6 in Milford last year, I came away with a very good impression of the steering feel in both cars. Steering feel is very important to me and it felt direct and very responsive to me. No "numbness". FWIW, the V6 car did feel a touch lighter to me, if my memory serves correct. Best regardSS, Elie __________________ 2010 Cadillac CTS-V 6MN Thunder Gray 1998 Camaro SS # C079 SOLD

01-25-2009, 11:40 AM	#11
ArcAngel Drives: 07 Black Cobalt SS/SC Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Manalapan-NJ Posts: 2,872	thanks Heather __________________ Through HIM you believe in GOD, who raised HIM from the dead and Glorified him..

01-24-2009, 08:57 PM	#3
stovt001 Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,810	Well the mags mostly agree it feels lighter than it is. If that's true and the steering feels good, then the actual weight numbers don't matter all that much at all. __________________ "It's kind of fun to do the impossible" - Walt Disney There's a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of every day There's a great big beautiful tomorrow Just a dream away

01-24-2009, 09:03 PM	#4
fad1 Drives: Future 5th gen Camaro Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 1,108	What ever it is, I bet you will be satisfied.

01-25-2009, 11:16 AM	#10
HeatherR Drives: 2009 CTS, 2008 Solstice GXP Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 769 View My Garage	Having driven the V8 with 20 inch wheels/Brembos I can confirm that it has a great feel. It feels just "heavy" enough, so that you feel the steer-no assisted feeling. It handles well with good road feel, with independent rear suspension. It is very responsive, and I don't think you'll be disappointed even if you're used to a much lighter car-our personal cars are vettes and a Solstice and this was great! I have also driven the CTS and agree the Camaro rates up there, but a different ride IMO. The Camaro is not as "smooth" and it grips the road much different. Hope this helps

01-25-2009, 12:29 PM	#13
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,544 View My Garage	^You lucky dogs!!! It's great to hear this info. I was concerned that the steering would be overly assisted (if that's a phrase) as well....similar to the Ford's (where you could turn the steering wheel w/ a pinkie finger and it would spin uncontrollably...lol). I hate that feel.

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