Economy Camaro

[Chevyrocker]

plus, the Coblat SS is like $25K...there's no way the Camaro with the same power plant could be less than the Cobalt...I'm not against a base model with less than 300hp, I just wouldn't buy it...

[Hooy]

Originally Posted by Joe Remi

Hey everybody, first post here. I drive an '06 Civic 5-speed (a lot) that will be paid off and half worn out in a couple years. By that time the new Camaro will have survived high initial prices, scarcity and teething problems - not to mention GM's financial woes (hopefully). What I would like to see in a Civic-priced sporty commuter: Turbo-four, 32mpg highway, keep the four console gauges, and - the one I really want them to do - wide steelies with poverty caps! If you don't know what that last one is, ask your dad. What do you think?

[littlecammi]

GM is still on the brink of bankruptcy and will have to go back to the government and ask for more money again and again. At some point the government will only provide more help if their input is followed regarding fuel efficiency and low emissions. The Camaro will then either cease production entirely or see all V8 engine choices eliminated and replaced with much smaller direct injection engines. Don't think this can happen? Think again.

[Joe Remi]

Originally Posted by Chevyrocker

plus, the Coblat SS is like $25K...there's no way the Camaro with the same power plant could be less than the Cobalt...I'm not against a base model with less than 300hp, I just wouldn't buy it...

The SS is a fully optioned track-day car. My "economy Camaro" would have standard suspension and interior and steel wheels.

This attitude some of you have that I don't want a Camaro is bad for the American auto industry. As you can see, I already own a "ricer". I think Chevy can make a mid-size coupe with a little more power and a little less mpg than my Civic for about the same price. If they do I'll buy it. If it comes down to a direct competitor to the Civic, that's a pretty tall order. The Civic is an excellent car due for a probably even more excellent redesign in a couple years. Drivers like me are more likely to buy an American car that has no import equivalent than a direct competitor. Chevy may not be able to pull off a better Civic, but Honda aint makin' Camaros.

[Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by Miamimatt

There are many V4 turbos etc they are called ricers. you can go get once any time you want.

So you call the Cobalt SS/TC a ricer? Nice.

[Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by littlecammi

GM is still on the brink of bankruptcy and will have to go back to the government and ask for more money again and again. At some point the government will only provide more help if their input is followed regarding fuel efficiency and low emissions. The Camaro will then either cease production entirely or see all V8 engine choices eliminated and replaced with much smaller direct injection engines. Don't think this can happen? Think again.

Thinking hurts, especially when it is DOOM and GLOOM!

[Hooy]

I take pride in my cars. The history they had and the history they're making. I do not want to see a lifetime of V8 pedigree to turn into ecoboxes. I'd rather see it die out.

My reasoning for ordering my Camaro SS is "Smoke 'em while you got 'em."

[fierodeletre]

Well you DID say in a CAR, but Honda has made several excellent V4s for motorcycles.

Here's what the article said:

"As for the base car's V-6 (which makes almost as much hp as the V-8 in the Mustang GT), it's now reported that a new, less expensive engine will join the lineup. One possibility is the new direct-injected 255 hp 3.0 L V-6, but there is another option; a turbocharged direct-injected 2.4 liter I-4 from the ecotec family as an alternative to a plan that was rejected a year ago involving the 2.0 liter turbo Ecotec from the solstice GXP. Currently, this engine is not turbocharged, but it could be. The fact that the block was strengthened over the older non-direct-injected engine leads us to believe that it was designed for a forced-induction application, and a turbocharged 2.4 would supply ample torque, fuel efficiency and performance for a base camaro. So, would buyers prefer a 255-hp 3.0 L V6 or a 260-hp (I think it would be higher if it was the 2.4, closer to 300 hp -me) 2.4 L turbo I-4?"

The base camaro crowd is the more open minded one. V8 people are often those who grew up in the original muscle car era (not always), and for whom the layout of the cylinders in the engine is much more important than the actual specific output or efficiency. As this forum shows there is a big contingent of camaro fans who don't need/want a V8, and for those people, either of those proposed engines would be welcome I would think. Although, if GM's looking to do this in order to be cheaper, I can't see a turbo engine of any kind being less expensive to produce, and if I had to bet, I'd put my money on GM using the smaller V6. I myself would prefer the turbo, just because turbos are cool.

Also, ricers are people, not cars. I think the cobalt SS is a wicked cool looking car. (I think people who automatically knee-jerk react and scream "rental!" don't really appreciate the car's lines. well, as long as it's a coupe I suppose, the sedan's a bit blorpy.) The only and I mean ONLY thing that makes me think twice about it is it's layout. I hate front drive cars. Apparently this FWD car handles pretty dang well though, so maybe I owe it to myself to test drive one. You want a chevy coupe with more horsepower and slightly fewer mpg than your civic? look no further than a 25K Cobalt SS.

[Joe Remi]

Originally Posted by Hooy

I take pride in my cars. The history they had and the history they're making. I do not want to see a lifetime of V8 pedigree to turn into ecoboxes. I'd rather see it die out.

I totally disagree with this. The Camaro has a long history of being produced in many different guises, including econ-stripper and luxury barge. There's no reason the proposed economy 4 or 6 can't be part of the pedigree. I think the Base 6 is already slated to come with steel wheels. I'm just asking for a smaller engine and tiny hubcaps.

Then whatcha do - once folks are you used to all them plain vanilla Camaros running 'round upholding CAFE standards - is, pull the power windows and locks, yank the radio and A/C, thin the window glass, drop in a smokin' V8, and paint it pea green. Sleeper!

[JMAN311]

To me, and it's just my own personal opinion, I feel like if Chevy decided to drop in a 4 banger it just isn't a Camaro anymore. Look at the model line-ups. Cobalt, Camaro, Corvette. They each have different price ranges for a reason and they each serve their own purpose.

The Cobalt coupe is a great entry level sporty car that's pretty much geared for the younger crowd. The SS version has good power and handling and there are lots of mods out there for it if they want to get into the tuner scene.

The Camaro to me has always been about bang for the buck V8 power for people that couldn't or didn't want to pay the extra money for a Corvette and that wanted a more functional daily driver with 4 seats. But then you also have the V6 version of the car. What better way to have an awesome looking ride without spending more money for V8 horsepower that isn't wanted or wouldn't be used.

The Corvette is the top dog. It's purpose built. And that purpose is to rip up any type of track. It's all about the V8 and mass horsepower with lighter weight and only 2 seats.

To put a 4 cylinder engine in a Camaro would be like putting a V6 in a Corvette and to me that just doesn't seem right. It goes against my own personal thoughts of what makes these cars what they are. I know it's a pretty close minded believe but I've just always been such a huge fan of late 60's early 70's muscle cars. Ever since seeing a '69 Camaro SS I wanted every sports car I'd get to have a V8. If the V6 was 400hp and the V8 was only 350hp, I'd still take the V8. Just old school thinking I guess and I'm only 30, lol.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Joe Remi

The Camaro has a long history of being produced in many different guises, including econ-stripper and luxury barge. There's no reason the proposed economy 4 or 6 can't be part of the pedigree.

So long as it's not another emasculated "iron duke"....I think I agree with this.

EDIT: The LNF didn't work for fuel economy...we already know it. But that new 4 cylinder in the 2010 Equinox is promising. If it can get 30mpg in a freaking SUV...I have to think that it has to achieve that much in a smaller, more aerodynamic (or at least not worse) car.

A $20,995 30mpg Camaro?

[Muscle Master]

Call it the Chevy Camaro XFE

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by JMAN311

To put a 4 cylinder engine in a Camaro would be like putting a V6 in a Corvette and to me that just doesn't seem right. It goes against my own personal thoughts of what makes these cars what they are. I know it's a pretty close minded believe but I've just always been such a huge fan of late 60's early 70's muscle cars. Ever since seeing a '69 Camaro SS I wanted every sports car I'd get to have a V8. If the V6 was 400hp and the V8 was only 350hp, I'd still take the V8. Just old school thinking I guess and I'm only 30, lol.

What if the V6 had a twin turbo'd 550 hp and beat 550hp chunkstangs. Would you still only get the V8 with only 400hp even though you would be esentially losing?

EDIT: BTW in before the close

[JMAN311]

Originally Posted by camaro_corvette

What if the V6 had a twin turbo'd 550 hp and beat 550hp chunkstangs. Would you still only get the V8 with only 400hp even though you would be esentially losing?

EDIT: BTW in before the close

I would. That's what I was trying to get at with the 400hp vs. 350hp. I wouldn't care if the V6 was faster I'd just prefer the V8. I'm all about the rumble/sound of the V8 I guess.