Impressive Sound

[ShowSStopper]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...-new-cars.html

That's a great story...and it says "5 years from now" also...not right this second.

A better judge of how bad a decision this move is would be to Google consumer responses to this decision:


"I just got done reading up on Honda's HondaLink, which is their version of Chevy's MyLink and will be standard in the higher end 2013 Accords.

Honda is going to keep offering customers a CD changer with their smartphone link system. I'm not very happy that GM is not."

"So you mean even on a 1SS there is no longer a CD player? ... Do not tell me to quit using CDs and get with the modern times."

"Do the 2013 SS Camaro with all the fancy gadgets not have a CD player in there somewhere??"


Yeah...it's looking like everyone is just eating up the idea.

[ShowSStopper]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...-new-cars.html I've had my 2011 now for 1.5 years, I have never even had a CD in the car. You sound like my Dad. He wanted a new cell phone this past year because his was taking a dump. I took him to the store and he wanted one that was NOT a smart phone. He said he wouldn't know how to use it. He wanted an old school flip phone that was new, had a camera and video capabilty. The sales people all looked at him like he was nuts. The only flip phones they had were bargain basement with no camera! He had to go to 100 different stores before he finally found what he wanted. Technology and older people (My Dad is 55) don't mix well a lot of the time. I'm sure I'll be the same way when I get older. "Where in the Hell are all the phones with the rotary dial? Where are the new cars with the turntable on top of the dash?".

Umm..I'm only 31. It doesn't take someone old school to see how bad this sucks.

Once again, GM is not listening to its customer base. In fact, in a way, you just proved my point.

Who buys more cars? You..or your Dad? You have to remember, there are a LOT of consumers aged 40+ buying Camaros who don't want to deal with having to learn how to use MP3s. For the average Joe, all they see is "This car has a CD player, this car doesn't." They aren't an auto enthusiast, they aren't on Cars.com reading articles, and they don't even know Camaro5 exists.

The car enthusiast is heavily outnumbered by the average Joes of the world. If that weren't the case, we would still have the WS.6 Trans Ams and GTOs, as well as a lot of other cars that probably went to the shredder before they even had a chance to get into production.

Think about it....GM killed Pontiac because they were focusing more on SUVs and trucks...does that sound like they are targeting the performance enthusiast market? No. It's like that with all makes and models. In the end, the manufacturer has to make money just like any other business.

At any rate, nobody will ever be able to convince me that now is the time for a move like this. At it's price point, the Camaro should definitely have a CD player..at the very, very least as an option. But now, as I said, when consumers are comparing their lists of what they want to see in an automobile, that is going to be a big blank check box.

How many people, do you think, want to buy a car to have their friends say, "Dang...my 2000 Hyundai has a CD player! I can't believe your car doesn't"? Not many.

Combine this with the other less-than-stellar changes on the 2013 model and I think we will see Camaro sales start to cool.

[colingordon]

Originally Posted by ShowSStopper

Would you like to place money that GM is in the minority on this move? The bank is open.

By the way, I can go right now to the Ford dealer...pick any trim Mustang...and play all the CDs I want.

You don't have to take your whole collection with you, you just take the ones you want to hear. It's not that difficult.

Besides, what about people who don't have access to PCs? Believe it or not, they are still out there. Plus I find CD sound quality to be better than MP3.

I understand tech moves fast...I'm an I.T. specialist by trade. But many times companies make the leap too fast and regret it. I feel that is exactly what GM is doing here.

If you can afford a Camaro you can afford a computer and if you are to out of touch with society that you don't own a computer I don't think you have any CDs or MP3s anyway still probably rocking the records.... I agree GM should of kept the CD player to at least the 6th GEN but hey pretty soon everyone will be getting rid of it people just need to adapt.... "Evolution"

[ShowSStopper]

Originally Posted by colingordon

If you can afford a Camaro you can afford a computer and if you are to out of touch with society that you don't own a computer I don't think you have any CDs or MP3s anyway still probably rocking the records.... I agree GM should of kept the CD player to at least the 6th GEN but hey pretty soon everyone will be getting rid of it people just need to adapt.... "Evolution"

There's so much wrong with that logic that it is mind-boggling. I won't even go into it.

[DRKS1D3]

Ford Automotive USA:
"The decision to scrap the once popular feature has been accredited to the continued decline in physical CD sales, with Ford pointing out that digital downloads now account for 98 percent of all single sales.".

[ShowSStopper]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

Ford Automotive USA:
"The decision to scrap the once popular feature has been accredited to the continued decline in physical CD sales, with Ford pointing out that digital downloads now account for 98 percent of all single sales.".

It took you awhile to find that...you must be bored.

At any rate, of course sales are falling. But it doesn't change the fact that you can still get a CD player with MP3 capability in a Mustang...and NOT in a Camaro.

[DRKS1D3]

Showstopper: I'm not arguing with you at all. I just don't care about the CD Player (others feel the same), you do care about the CD Player (others feel the same). Like I already stated, I bought my Vert off the showroom floor April of 2011. There has NEVER been a CD in the car. When I bought my '08 Wrangler (new in May of 2008), it had an MP3 hook up. I converted all my CD's to MP3's. A trunk full of CD's or an MP3 smaller than a credit card? Everybody likes different things. People are creatures of habit and don't conform well to change. I'm no tech savy, computer guru by any means, that needs the lastest and greatest tech gadgets, but give me the option of CD or MP3, it's no contest. To each his own, enjoy your music.

[Ebbsnflows]

I guess this is definitely one of those subjective/personal opinion types of observations...but I HATE the stock system. The system in my daily driver Audi and the old lady's Infiniti M series make the SS sound like an old phonograph. I kind of assumed that everyone felt the same way. Fortunately I generally just roll the windows down and listen to the roar of the exhaust and leave the stereo turned off.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by Ebbsnflows

I guess this is definitely one of those subjective/personal opinion types of observations...but I HATE the stock system. The system in my daily driver Audi and the old lady's Infiniti M series make the SS sound like an old phonograph. I kind of assumed that everyone felt the same way. Fortunately I generally just roll the windows down and listen to the roar of the exhaust and leave the stereo turned off.

This! I bought an exhaust to hear it. The stereo rarely gets used.

[SPARTAN sui]

The CD is dated technology. I wish my Camaro didn't have one because it doesn't get used. I bought a $10 flash drive and it can hold my entire music collection. The sound quality isn't any different than a CD. At least I cannot tell the difference between a high quality MP3 and a CD.

To me, it doesn't matter either way. If you don't want a Camaro, no one is making you buy one. Find a vehicle that suites your needs and wants.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by ShowSStopper

Well, I guess that makes my decision easy....this is my last Camaro.

I'm not going to buy a car that won't play the hundreds upon hundreds of music CDs that I have...and I am certainly not going to make a point to go out and buy an MP3 player JUST to listen to in my car.

Not including a CD player will cost them sales. I guarantee that.

Bad decision.

Stop your ranting.

You don't need to learn how to use an MP3 player either or even purchase one.

Buy a large capacity USB like I have and just copy your CDs into individual folders (like Artist or Album name) and use a USB. I did it. Its way easy, just plug in the usb in the car and go. You can search and find the song/artist you want using the radio or just have the radio randomly pick a song.

I see your argument for CD players, although it is a little weak no matter how you spin it. But the USB thing is just so simple and easy.

As for the original post...most of my music is downloaded and was originally burned to CD. Since then I have moved it to USB and have only used the USB in the Camaro. I'm not sure if the quality of my downloaded songs is a bit lower (probably the case) or what, but at one point I did listen to a friend's CD in the car and it sounded amazing. Better overall rich quality sound than my stuff.

[mattsfirstSS]

If not having a CD player makes up your mind to buy a mustang instead you arent really a camaro enthusiast, not a bad thing, just a fact. There are plenty of aftermarket CD players still available. I'm sorry but a CD player wouldnt make up my mind just like not having a cassette player wont.

Ive never had a CD in my car either and I dont intend to, too inconvenient with the USB port available and bluetooth and google music and pandora and XM etc etc. However you cant tell me there is no sound difference between CD and MP3 if there isnt a difference you are listening to the wrong "music" my friend. MP3 is lossy...

[SPARTAN sui]

Originally Posted by mattsfirstSS

However you cant tell me there is no sound difference between CD and MP3 if there isnt a difference you are listening to the wrong "music" my friend. MP3 is lossy...

Sure I can, well I should rephrase, the quality differences are not substantial enough for me to care about having my collection in lossless quality. I have decent computer speakers, heck, I even have a record player that I frequently listen to music on. Most of my music I've gotten through my Zune Pass.

Both digital and vinyl sound great to me. Live performance trumps absolutely everything, so comparing media formats is null when you've experienced the music performed by your favorite artist right before your eyes. Nothing compares to that.

Here's a good article about the topic
http://www.lincomatic.com/mp3/mp3quality.html

All my music is encoded at 192Kbps, I'm not an audiophile, so again, it doesn't make much difference to me.

[Coyotekiller]

You could just buy the better looking Camaro and have an aftermarket head unit installed. It's not a big deal to me.

Oh and btw, I'm able to afford a camaro and have no computer access. BUT I use my iPhone as a mobile desktop and download songs on iTunes with it. I rarely use my CD player but I still think its foolish to take it out completely.