fuel economy???

[rolnslo]

I keep holding out hope that GM will somehow squeeze a couple more MPGs out of the 3.6 DI V6 while retaining all or most of it's 300+hp. I'm replacing my C1500 truck (14 mpg avg.) and need to do something about the rising cost of fuel. I've been keeping an eye on what people are seeing with this engine in the CTS and they seem to be averaging roughly 19-22 mpg combined. At that rate, I'll only shave about $90/mo off my $250+ monthly fuel bill. Not nearly enough to make a good dent on my monthly payment for the Camaro.

As much as I hope to be able to hold out for the Camaro's launch before replacing my truck, I might have to come up with a plan b for now. My wife and I spend an average of $550-$600/mo just for gas right now. Maybe I'll pick up a '00-'02 Camaro Z28 or Trans Am with a manual tranny to save a few bucks on gas for the next year or so. I'll try to keep my foot out of it like I'm having to do with my truck right now.

What kind of average gas mileage are those of you with either an '00-'02 Camaro Z28 or Trans Am seeing right now?

[Chevyrocker]

it all really depends on the motor. if it's the LS2 then the vehicle should be able to pull off 27-28 hwy. The 07 vettes going 70 mph in 6th gear are barely pushin 2,000 rpm's, so the engine is just barely above idle which is what allowed people ot get the 27-28-29 mpg's. You also have to consider that GM wil probably put AFM in the both the V6 and the V8 like the impala with the 3.9 or any of the 5.3's. If the AFM finally works properly (stays on for more than a minute at a time) then at cruising speeds, your V6 will be running on 3 cylinders and your 8's on only 4.

As far as a gas guzzler tax, don't worry about it. It definitely won't happen. The Z06 is the only 500+ hp car in the world that you don't have to pay the GG tax on and it's only rated at 16/25 for 2008. There's no way we will have to pay that tax.

[GothamCamaro]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

As much as I hope to be able to hold out for the Camaro's launch before replacing my truck, I might have to come up with a plan b for now. My wife and I spend an average of $550-$600/mo just for gas right now. Maybe I'll pick up a '00-'02 Camaro Z28 or Trans Am with a manual tranny to save a few bucks on gas for the next year or so. I'll try to keep my foot out of it like I'm having to do with my truck right now.

No offense but if you're spending that much on fuel a month, why would you even consider a muscle car? If your truck does 14 mpg, the Camaro is already better in mpg off the bat. If you're looking into even more gas savings.. wouldn't a hybrid be better or even the upcoming Volt in 2010? I know gas prices are high and for GM to try to help out with the 3.6 DI V6 and the possible 4 cyc Turbo is great.... but as someone stated in an earlier post... there's a sacrifice to be paid in buying a muscle car, gasoline being the villian of this story.

Originally Posted by jsenn

it all really depends on the motor. if it's the LS2 then the vehicle should be able to pull off 27-28 hwy.

There is no LS2, already confirmed.

[eR1c]

I had heard early rumors that the Camaro would possibly be driving off 4cyl's to save gas during cruising and switch to all cyl's (6 or 8 depending on model) when not cruising ...like during acceleration.
What happened to this rumor?? Was it just that?

I read that the 2007 Impala has this technology. Yet didn't really follow up to find out how succesful this was or if it really happened. Here's a quick article I found on the subject:

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/05...switch-to-thr/

[eR1c]

oh, this was to save gas of course

[Mr. Wyndham]

Nope; not a rumor. Ed Peper, and Bob Lutz, I believe, both mentioned the use of AFM in the Camaro's powerplants.

[eR1c]

that's very promising.

I could see the Camaro as a decent car in terms of mpg then, and 30 being very realistic.

[LadiesMan217]

AFM works. I was driving all weekend in my Avalanche with AFM and I was getting 19.5-20.3 mpg for the duration of the trip. (19.5 one way...20.3 the other). Each way used about 3/4's of a tank.

My Silverado never would've come close to that.

[rolnslo]

Originally Posted by GothamCamaro

No offense but if you're spending that much on fuel a month, why would you even consider a muscle car? If your truck does 14 mpg, the Camaro is already better in mpg off the bat. If you're looking into even more gas savings.. wouldn't a hybrid be better or even the upcoming Volt in 2010? I know gas prices are high and for GM to try to help out with the 3.6 DI V6 and the possible 4 cyc Turbo is great.... but as someone stated in an earlier post... there's a sacrifice to be paid in buying a muscle car, gasoline being the villian of this story.

Why consider a muscle car in the age of insane gas prices?

Reason #1: Because I just can't see myself driving a 4 cylinder import no-style econobox that doesn't get much better gas mileage! (2008 Camry 4-cyl - 21/31 mpg, 2008 Accord 4-cyl - 22/31 mpg.) Oh and it can barely get out of it's own way.

Reason #2: I just can't sit around and wait for the Volt to come out. By late 2010, they should have everything ready for production - ugh. I've waited 2 years for the Camaro, I sure as hell don't want to wait another 2+ years for the Volt. Besides, sticker on the Volt is likely to be pushing $40k initially according to Lutz. Tack on any dealer premium and I might as well buy a Tesla Roadster.

Reason #3: Sure a hybrid would be better on gas but even averaging 30 mpg (Ford Escape Hybrid), it would only cost me about $50 more per month to fuel a 3.6 DI v6 Camaro. $50 buys a lot of fun, way better acceleration, and a hell of a lot more style.

Reason #4: I've already sacrificed my 1955 Chevy Bel Air and my 1956 Chevy 210 Wagon to the fuel economy gods. Fun as all get out to drive those 50+ year old cars but they averaged 9-12 mpg when I could keep my foot out of it.

Now, I'm sure EVERYONE could care less why I want a Camaro. And for most people, I've already been written off because I'm more interested in the v6 than the v8 version. Does that matter to me? Nope, not in the least bit. I just want a good handling car with great styling that gets decent gas mileage. I've got no problem being on the supporting side of everyone else's top dog, mpg-be-damned, faster than anything addiction. I may be pushing a 6-figure salary but I have other competing priorities for my income.

Off my soapbox now...heading off to watch the latest Nurburgring video (in slow motion since I want to see what it will be like with a v6).

[theholycow]

So, a related question...how will CAFE and other government regulations requiring high MPG average across a model or manufacturer's product line affect the Camaro? I'm guessing they're going to make lots of V6 Camaros and hope people buy them, to offset the V8s that they know will sell easily.

[eR1c]

I would agree w/ ronslo's arguements (for the most part).

I am seriously going to purchase a new car very soon and am ranking fuel economy high on my list. Yet I just can't drive a car w/o soul and character no matter how good the fuel economy is on it. Prius's are arguably one of the most fuel efficient cars out there, but it has also got to be one of the most boring cars to drive. Doesn't handle worth a crap, doesn't have acceleration, isn't fun to drive and is god awful ugly.

[GothamCamaro]

Originally Posted by rolnslo

Why consider a muscle car in the age of insane gas prices?

Reason #1: Because I just can't see myself driving a 4 cylinder import no-style econobox that doesn't get much better gas mileage! (2008 Camry 4-cyl - 21/31 mpg, 2008 Accord 4-cyl - 22/31 mpg.) Oh and it can barely get out of it's own way.

Reason #2: I just can't sit around and wait for the Volt to come out. By late 2010, they should have everything ready for production - ugh. I've waited 2 years for the Camaro, I sure as hell don't want to wait another 2+ years for the Volt. Besides, sticker on the Volt is likely to be pushing $40k initially according to Lutz. Tack on any dealer premium and I might as well buy a Tesla Roadster.

Reason #3: Sure a hybrid would be better on gas but even averaging 30 mpg (Ford Escape Hybrid), it would only cost me about $50 more per month to fuel a 3.6 DI v6 Camaro. $50 buys a lot of fun, way better acceleration, and a hell of a lot more style.

Reason #4: I've already sacrificed my 1955 Chevy Bel Air and my 1956 Chevy 210 Wagon to the fuel economy gods. Fun as all get out to drive those 50+ year old cars but they averaged 9-12 mpg when I could keep my foot out of it.

Now, I'm sure EVERYONE could care less why I want a Camaro. And for most people, I've already been written off because I'm more interested in the v6 than the v8 version. Does that matter to me? Nope, not in the least bit. I just want a good handling car with great styling that gets decent gas mileage. I've got no problem being on the supporting side of everyone else's top dog, mpg-be-damned, faster than anything addiction. I may be pushing a 6-figure salary but I have other competing priorities for my income.

Off my soapbox now...heading off to watch the latest Nurburgring video (in slow motion since I want to see what it will be like with a v6).

Fair enough. I hope you end up getting a Camaro, it's just going to be so much fun to own.

[ralniv]

Originally Posted by theholycow

So, a related question...how will CAFE and other government regulations requiring high MPG average across a model or manufacturer's product line affect the Camaro? I'm guessing they're going to make lots of V6 Camaros and hope people buy them, to offset the V8s that they know will sell easily.

That is the general line of thinking. Historically the V6 pony cars have outsold the V8 by a wide margin. Look at average household incomes in the US and you will understand why V6's outsell V8's. Additionally, many people don't care about 400hp and would rather save a few thousand dollars and drive a car that looks sexy and has ample (300hp) power.

As an aside, be weary of fuel economy numbers from other vehicles that share the same engine (e.g. Corvette) because fuel economy is dependent on vehicle weight, drag coefficient, gearing and tires to some extent.

[Scotsman]

Nice to see that there are other sensible people on this board.

Fuel economy is a very serious issue on many levels, but most importantly and most immediate is cost. I'm single and plan on being that way for some time, meaning no portion of my income will be going to caring for a child, if it were then I'd have to reevaluate my car purchasing decisions. Therefore a larger portion of my income can be allocated to gas/fuel for a car. However I'm not too incredibly sure I want to spend the amount of money that may be required to fuel my 5th-gen V8 on gas only with oil being so incredibly unstable. If the cars are equipped with flex-fuel engines that would be fantastic, but therein lies the question of whether or not cellulosic ethanol will take off and become widely available for public consumption. As much as I truly want a 5th-gen and being that this will be the car I will have going into the next stage of my life (marriage +) I'm not so sure I want a car that runs on gas only. Right now I'm leaning towards a diesel fueled powertrain for my next car, but a lot can change in 5 years.