Camaro: buy or wait?

[Stevo]

The worst thing would not getting my ordered car at all. A close second (and actually worse now that I think about it) would be to wait until late in the year after they are commonplace and below MSRP. Again it begs the old " why pre-order?" and with the obvious answer " I am sticking with it because I said so".

[lakestar]

It would depend. If they shut everything down for two months or more until it's over like Chrysler, I'm out. I've been drooling over incredible deals on Corvettes right now anyways, my dealer was showing me some 2008 Z06's that he would make an awsome deal on last night. But, I'd probably hang in if production was allowed to continue.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Stevo

GM says they can't make their bond payments June 1. This is a signal that bankruptcy is a real possibility.

Indeed. But bankruptcy does not mean "out of business". They will continue operations while in bankruptcy court.

Originally Posted by Stevo

I learned yesterday that my Camaro's delivery date has been delayed and that it will not be delivered before June 1.

See the link in my signature if you haven't been there already. This could be for a great many reasons, and most likely isn't tied to GM's troubles.

Originally Posted by Stevo

Chrysler's Bankruptcy on May 1 abruptly ended deliveries of Challengers anywhere in the pipeline. Chrysler reps continue
to assure customers that the orders will be built...someday.
Many who ordered are now looking a dealer lots and some bought Monday-Wed for MSRP or more. On Thursday
Challengers could be had for much less. One guy got a $38k MSRP car for $32k yesterday.

There was also the parts supply disruption to think about -- it's tough to build a car without parts. I'm not aware of any evidence stating that the Challenger's hold was due to the Bankruptcy filing, but I could be wrong...

Originally Posted by Stevo

Questions about warranties/financing should scare off all but the well-heeled or intrepid enthusiasts.

There should be no questions. GM will be here for another 100 years. The question is whether they walk over the bridge or get dragged there. So warranty's WILL be honored. Second, the government has stepped in to guarantee any and all GM or Chrysler warantees, as well...so again; warrantys WILL be honored.


I say buy it now, and wait. There's no reason not to, unless you (God forbid) lose your job or something bad like that.

[Stevo]

There was also the parts supply disruption to think about -- it's tough to build a car without parts. I'm not aware of any evidence stating that the Challenger's hold was due to the Bankruptcy filing, but I could be wrong...

Who would ship the cars? Is a trucker/shipping company going to risk providing service with the possibility of not being paid?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevo
Chrysler's Bankruptcy on May 1 abruptly ended deliveries of Challengers anywhere in the pipeline. Chrysler reps continue
to assure customers that the orders will be built...someday.
Many who ordered are now looking a dealer lots and some bought Monday-Wed for MSRP or more. On Thursday
Challengers could be had for much less. One guy got a $38k MSRP car for $32k yesterday.

[CaMario]

Looks like I'm going to wait. Not because of bankruptcy cause the Camaro will live!! It's the delivery time. I haven't ordered and if I have to wait until Nov to get one than I might as well wait until next year so I can have it in the spring (not driving it in the winter).

[pmb1010]

Originally Posted by 01pewterz28

I will wait and see and pick up a 2SS/RS later in the year or next year.

same with me.

[2010SSRSM6]

As long as the current administration doesn't get its hook into auto industry, everything should be fine. IF they are sucessful and get a large stake in the company's, the Camaro and anything else that isn't "green" could be in serious trouble.

I have faith in GM to find a way to pull through this dark time. I have faith that my Camaro will get here someday and I will drive it until she can't take it anymore, then I'll rebuild her and start the cycle all over again.

[ClaymoreZ28]

Right now I am being told November/December outlook for a car ordered now - so hopefully that wont slip further.
Mind you this gives me more time to clear out my garage - but it is also meaning more money "invested" in my Z28 while I wait.

Reality is that my shortlist of next cars was camaro, pontiac G8, Challenger and all 3 are now impacted by company/financial viability issues.

Ford simply does nothing for me - I am not a blue oval hater - the cars simply dont get me excited.
I simply have no interest in japanese cars - again - not a hater - I simply waited years to own a big American V8 and when I got here in 2000 from Scotland I bought my Z28 and it has simply been a fantastic vehicle.

I will own this car for at least 7 years in all probability so I will stay the course and based on where I am in the waiting list I there will be lots of opportunity for teething problems to be dealt with before I get my car - and - in any case - it has a 3 year warranty so we are covered from anything horrendous.

I dont see current GM challenges shutting it down - it will simply give impetus to some overall restructuring and its hard to see why Camaro would not be a strong element of post-restructuring brand. GM is not stupid and has clearly invested a lot in this vehicle.


Really unfortunate that after getting collectively hyped up so much we are going to have to be a lot more patient but such is life


Another element of this I see is that this will reduce GM ability to sell options with related higher profit margins - especially to the primarily enhusiast, early adopters - since by the time they have good production numbers going the aftermarket folks will have their own stuff available. My own "build" will be simplified quite a bit based on reducing some GM options on the basis that by the time I get the car late this year or early next there will be a lot more tr choose from and the 5k or so for GMPP ground effects, intake, headers and exhausts will probably go a lot further on parts from other sources.

All in all it is a very strange time for the world and it is a bizarre twist of fate that it coincided with the renaissance of the all american muscle car - but hopefully in a few years time we will be able to look back and reflect on being part of this transition and having an icon from those days in our driveway

[Koru]

Originally Posted by Cyberfan

I don't have to be the first in town to have one. I'll wait till the car is out a while, I can test drive one, discounts are available and bugs and initial recalls are out (AND we know more about what is happening with GM).

Best post here.

[GMtothecore]

I will wait....until final word of it's "going out", then I will run and get the first SS I can find....hope it doesn't come to that.

[fixxer56]

I've waited a long time for my car lie many people here. I can't imagine bailing on this one(at 3300 as far as I know). I know a few people with Mustangs and Challengers...I never ASKED them when their car was being delivered as much as they are asking me..keeping the faith and then some!

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by 01pewterz28

I will wait and see and pick up a 2SS/RS later in the year or next year.

WORD!!!

[Zabo]

If and only if the plant is shut down for more than 10 months.. I'm lot shopping. 3 year lease, wait for the bugs to be pulled and more goodies to come in. I have plenty of time, and besides, by then insurance will be chump change (25yrs), so it's in my best interest anyway.

If the plant doesn't shut down, this is still option #2. Maybe even #1 if paying for my desired car becomes unfeasible at that point time time (meaning later on down the road I'll pick 'the dream' up.) For now though, I'll be happy in any color, any car. For me, a Camaro is a Camaro; and I couldn't enjoy any single one more over the other.

[MrIcky]

It wouldn't scare me away from buying a Chevy, but it would make me want to buy one off the lot as opposed to waiting for pipeline. Yes, people are right- Bankruptcy doesn't necessarily mean out of business. However usually everything does get put on hold for some length of time while the judge gives permission to spend funds. It could take a while for that process to be worked out and could lead to mucho frustration. More frustration than I'd be willing to take.