Camaro Owner Grudges and Etiquette

[CaniacFan]

A dozen of us took a Camarovan ride to the NASCAR Hall of Fame yesterday (about a 3 hr ride). Can't tell you how many people broke their necks to see this awesome string of nose to tail Camaros driving down the highway.

We got more thumbs up, waves, honks - you name it.

We need to come up with our own Camaro Wave (like Jeep Wranglers and motorycyclists have)..

[DIGthat2SS]

I have an SS and if i ever snub or disrespect anyone one of you guys for the fact you own a V6.i give you permission to punch me in the face.

[wer2foxs]

Love reading all the stories how everyone enjoys the meets, waves, fellow C5 and older generations and competitors. Its really cool being with all fellow enthusiats! Here was a cool day when I was parked at a Wal Mart far out in the parking lot. A Mustang the same color as mine protecting my Camaro! People were driving up admiring this as much as I was!

[Hobgoblin42]

I went to the Nascar Race at Watkins Glen today, when I came back to the car, Ruby had found a friend to play with!

[Gunmetal]

Looks like 2 warriors back to back on the field of battle, bwaahaa

[Sevn86]

Originally Posted by LoneCynic

Being a new Camaro owner myself, I am slowly learning things on the road and in public about being a part of this country-wide club of Camaro owners. The very first day I drove my new 2011 Camaro LS to work, I parked out at the back of the lot to hopefully prevent being "dinged" by someone in a crappier car with even less respect for other cars than they show for their own.

When my shift was over, and I went to leave for the day, I was in for a startling surprise. I walked out to my car, and saw that two other 5th gens were parked right next to me at the back of the lot. There were three of us lined up, parked side by side. I took a picture with my cell phone, and then left. I didn't think TOO hard about it, but I assumed the customers who had driven there in their Camaros cared as much for their cars as I did, and by parking together, we collectively reduced our chances of getting "dinged" to 0%.

I then stopped by Wal*Mart to pick up a couple things before I headed for home. I again parked at the far end of the lot, and went through the store quickly to grab what I needed and get back to my car to reduce the chances of the unthinkable happening. When I returned to my car, there was a completely restored, 1986 Camaro guarding my left side from harm! I took another picture, smiled, and left. I was starting to realize what it meant to be a Camaro owner.

I haven't had anyone else park next to me these past few days, but I now look for other Camaros when I pull into parking lots. Am I correct in assuming that our universal code is to park together for a "safety in numbers" parking protection sort of thing? (And to make the Mustang owners two rows over envious in the process?)

I've had a couple other Camaro owners I passed out on the road give me a smile and a nod, or even a friendly wave in a couple of instances. I am also assuming that is a part of it, not unlike Jeep Wrangler owners or Harley Davidson Motorcyclists having a code of conduct that demands the reciprocated and customary wave?

These aspects of owning a Camaro were unknown to me, but are things that I am enjoying so far. I did mess up once already, possibly twice though. I waved to a Corvette driver, and he intentionally looked the other way on me after I did that. We're GM brothers, but I guess they feel they are above us?

I give the Challenger and Mustang owners the scowl when they drive by when they give me the same. I got that part too, we're rivals, so we don't extend any courtesy to each other.

The other thing I think I messed up on was when I went to the laser car wash with my new Camaro yesterday. I was prepping my car for the wash by picking bugs out of the grill and using my microfiber cloths to get bug gunk off the front bumper before going through when a Firebird Trans Am drove up and its owner was doing the same. I figured since he was a GM little brother to the Camaro I ought to extend him a courtesy.

I waved and told him I liked his car. He acted dumbfounded that I acknowledged him and said, "Um, thanks, your ride is the really sweet one though." He then went to go through the wash and seemed like he was shocked that I spoke to him.

What is the etiquette for that? Do we not acknowledge Pontiac Firebirds? I want to know so I don't break the Camaro code again.

This whole thread isn't meant to be taken entirely seriously, this is just a series of observations from my first week out with my new Camaro. Serious and humorous responses both are welcomed. Anything else I ought to know about the code that I haven't figured out yet are also welcomed. Thanks guys!

My first wave and appreciation for my car came from a Corvette owner...and most of the camaro owners ive seen on the road next to me don't even bother to wave or anything...

[LoneCynic]

I have the pictures of that day in an album under my profile now. Didn't have them uploaded yet when I made the topic.

[Jayhawk500]

Originally Posted by Alaskan SS

The "safety in numbers" thing is a great idea. IMHO, we all are muscle car lovers, and we all should look out for each other. A few weeks ago, I went to a store near my house and I saw these two cars at the back of the lot. I thought I'd join them, and I couldn't pass on the pic opportunity as I was walking away. I thought it would be a great thing to share, and this seemed to be the perfect thread to share it in. Sorry bout the quality. It's a phone pic...

You know I did the same thing one day. I parked next to a Yellow Dodge Charger w/ the Super Bee package. He was parked out in left field at the mall. I parked with at least a half of a parking space between as not to crowd him. Should have gotten a picture. Damn.

[YELLOW2SS]

Hey we all love our cars, weather it be a ford a dodge or whatever. Different people like different cars, but we all feel the same about them, Wave to all the great cars, old or new and if the drivers are anything like us they will return the favor, and if they don't what the hell, nothing lost, you are just showing what kind of person you are!!!!!

[Wgrenon]

Originally Posted by raqball

Is it just me but do the SS owners snub their nose at non SS owners??

Kinda rude IMHO but I have noticed it...

Beauty is Beauty, no matter what's under the hood.

[Z28RockStar]

I will be nice and compliment anyone on their car or bike whatever it is if they're not acting like a douche. Most people see me on my bike and avoid me, IDK some have stated it's to damn loud as am I. Apparently some find me intimidating when really I'm a really nice person. When I see others being friendly I could care less what they drive or ride and return the kindness. I do admit a little friendly teasing towards rice rockets and Fords though lol! In a friendly way though. If I am ever actually goaded into a confrontation, (extremely rare), it's only in self defense, I wouldn't waste my time with some ignorant hateful sad person by feeding their need to get others down to their level.

[Bond]

I get the Mustang owner's "scowl" now and again but I don't do it myself. I'd really only scowl at smart-ass Civic drivers... or anyone else with a baby-stroller handle for a spoiler and a fart box/ juice can muffler.

A couple days ago I got a peace sign from a dude in a beautiful black SRT8 Challenger, while on the same day getting a "too cool for you" glance from a hero in a dropped Sierra with big chromes and straight pipes.

Express your love man!! Some will get it... some won't.

[babaron]

Interesting thread. one side note: Years ago, when I owned a 2002 Mitsubishi 3000 VR 4, I parked way the hell out in a Kmart lot and came back to find it keyed. No apparent reason except jealousy. It goes to show you can't be too obvious about wanting to protect your car or some envious sadist might take notice.

[xXSilencerXx]

Originally Posted by LoneCynic

I did mess up once already, possibly twice though. I waved to a Corvette driver, and he intentionally looked the other way on me after I did that. We're GM brothers, but I guess they feel they are above us?

I give the Challenger and Mustang owners the scowl when they drive by when they give me the same. I got that part too, we're rivals, so we don't extend any courtesy to each other.

The other thing I think I messed up on was when I went to the laser car wash with my new Camaro yesterday. I was prepping my car for the wash by picking bugs out of the grill and using my microfiber cloths to get bug gunk off the front bumper before going through when a Firebird Trans Am drove up and its owner was doing the same. I figured since he was a GM little brother to the Camaro I ought to extend him a courtesy.

I waved and told him I liked his car. He acted dumbfounded that I acknowledged him and said, "Um, thanks, your ride is the really sweet one though." He then went to go through the wash and seemed like he was shocked that I spoke to him.

What is the etiquette for that? Do we not acknowledge Pontiac Firebirds? I want to know so I don't break the Camaro code again.

Vette owners around here are cool and will wave back. But not all are like that.

I own a Trans Am and unless I'm at a car show with it or the track, majority of 5th gen owners will ignore a 4th gen. Just something to deal with since it's a new car and not all the buyers are "car guys". Although I have come across a few with the view that their 5th gen is superior to all other generations.

I acknowledge all my GM performance brothers and sisters: Vettes, Camaros, G8's, Solstice and Sky's, Cobalt SS's etc.