2014 Camaro Z/28 pricing announced at $75,000

[mkorgan]

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

Ehhh. That's not the official time because it wasn't recorded which is amazing considering they were there for a couple of weeks.

GM was sure to include the note in the press release that the Z/28 ran 6 seconds faster on a dry track prior to the official lap that was ran in the rain.

I am simply stating that if you are going to bloviate as if you are the smartest guy in the room, you should be careful to include all of the facts available, not just the ones that support your side of the argument. Running a 7:31 puts the Z/28 in a completely different group of exclusive cars at the ring in which the mustang just simply does not compete. Period. Point. End of story.

[matt55]

Originally Posted by Number 3

I have a question with regard to this issue.

Forgetting the Mustang, forgetting the rules of current racing organizations, and forgetting the Gen 2 through Gen 4 where Z28 and SS had different meanings, should the Z/28 be capable of beating the ZL1 around the track?

If your answer is yes, then you have to accept that simply within the world of Camaro, GM set the bar very, very, very high.

I have tried to make the point all along that if you simply put an LS7 in the 1LE you would have a GREAT car. A car I would want and many of you would also. But you MUST accept that the LS7 is a very expensive engine. Many want it to be a few thousand. Others think GM should simply discount it because they want it to be cheap. Accept the fact that it is a premium hand build engine and cost a LOT more than the LS3. I know it's hard we all want something for nothing, but the LS7 is expensive. That car WOULD NOT beat a ZL1 around any track. It would have an 80 HP disadvantage. All things being equal, engine to engine, you have a great car that costs about $55,000 and can't beat the ZL1 around the track.

So if you want the Z/28 to be the track king in the Camaro family you needed to drop some weight, do some unique dampers, go with unique smaller wheels, ANNNNND Carbon Ceramic brakes.

If you accept the notion that the Z/28 was conceived after the ZL1 and it's reason for being wasn't to be a car between the ZL1 and the 1LE then you have to accept the cost for the content and engineering it took to make this car.

Again, the guys on this site that know me, know I have a "thing" for the LS7. It is pure naturally aspirated awesomeness. And I would have paid a huge option price for an LS7 in a 1LE, but from GM's perspective they would simply have two $55,000 Camaros in the stable. One with the LSA and MR shocks and another with the LS7 and a pretty great chassis. But if you went into that showroom and saw 2 cars for about the same money wouldn't you buy the faster car on the track? The faster car for the 1/4 mile? Or would you be like me and just by the LS7 because you had love for that engine? Most people would want the "better" car.

So the cost is driven by making a car significantly faster than a ZL1 on the track. Period. I doubt a Z/28 can take a ZL1 in the 1/4 mile. I'd be pretty shocked by that.

GM set a high bar with the ZL1 and anyone that is making the case for the mythical $60,000 Z/28 is making a case for a car that isn't the top car in it's own family.

Again, for me I would have wanted an LS7 powered 1LE over a ZL1 even if it didn't have the same level of performance and with price being equal. But that's me and I didn't get asked.

How much more does the ls7 cost ?
From what I can find its less than $7000 price difference . (Ls3 =$7799 vs ls7=$14099 per summit racing for long blocks)
The 1le comes in under $40000

[2cnd chance]

I'd love to see the 1LE enhanced or a 2LE package (think V8 Concept) with some more of the Z/28 goodness. For instance, the Z/28 rear spoiler, rear diffuser, intake and DSSV shocks. Even add the ZL1 front brakes (BTW, they'll be on the new Mustang GT) and the ZL1’s rockers.

Forget the LS7 (we know that wouldn't happen). Forget the CCB brakes.

[LOWDOWN]

Originally Posted by mkorgan

GM was sure to include the note in the press release that the Z/28 ran 6 seconds faster on a dry track prior to the official lap that was ran in the rain.

I am simply stating that if you are going to bloviate as if you are the smartest guy in the room, you should be careful to include all of the facts available, not just the ones that support your side of the argument. Running a 7:31 puts the Z/28 in a completely different group of exclusive cars at the ring in which the mustang just simply does not compete. Period. Point. End of story.

The 7:31-and-change was run when others were on-track and/or on-property. a "gentleman's agreement" exists where, when other prototypes are present, cameras are turned off, excepting a short window near the end of each day...

Originally Posted by matt55

How much more does the ls7 cost ?
From what I can find its less than $7000 price difference . (Ls3 =$7799 vs ls7=$14099 per summit racing for long blocks)
The 1le comes in under $40000

As I quickly found out, several years ago, it is NOT a simple "plug-n-play", deduct this and add that proposition. DEVELOPMENT CO$T$ exist, and MUST be covered in the final price.

See Number 3's astute posting in the Houze of Z thread.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Hall of Fame

Folks cried foul in 69 when the L88/L89 Corvettes cost more. Then came some Callaways .. Who in their right mind would pay such a premium? Then 69 ZL-1 Camaros were built in 1969. What a crock to pay such stupid money for them...and the GMMG Camaros.. who in their right mind would pay huge money for them?... Well the way I see it.. The New Z28 is such a specialty vehicle sorta like the ZR1. It is pure bred factory performance sold to folks who will appreciate such a car. Years later some of you will say... hey , I remember when those machines came out and I could have bought one. I wonder when one will come up for sale and how come when they do they want both my arms and legs for it. We are at a pivotal time in hot rods. Enjoy the moment.

GREAT post and all very salient points!

[Novie LE]

Originally Posted by Number 3

I have a question with regard to this issue.

Forgetting the Mustang, forgetting the rules of current racing organizations, and forgetting the Gen 2 through Gen 4 where Z28 and SS had different meanings, should the Z/28 be capable of beating the ZL1 around the track?

If your answer is yes, then you have to accept that simply within the world of Camaro, GM set the bar very, very, very high.

I have tried to make the point all along that if you simply put an LS7 in the 1LE you would have a GREAT car. A car I would want and many of you would also. But you MUST accept that the LS7 is a very expensive engine. Many want it to be a few thousand. Others think GM should simply discount it because they want it to be cheap. Accept the fact that it is a premium hand build engine and cost a LOT more than the LS3. I know it's hard we all want something for nothing, but the LS7 is expensive. That car WOULD NOT beat a ZL1 around any track. It would have an 80 HP disadvantage. All things being equal, engine to engine, you have a great car that costs about $55,000 and can't beat the ZL1 around the track.

So if you want the Z/28 to be the track king in the Camaro family you needed to drop some weight, do some unique dampers, go with unique smaller wheels, ANNNNND Carbon Ceramic brakes.

If you accept the notion that the Z/28 was conceived after the ZL1 and it's reason for being wasn't to be a car between the ZL1 and the 1LE then you have to accept the cost for the content and engineering it took to make this car.

Again, the guys on this site that know me, know I have a "thing" for the LS7. It is pure naturally aspirated awesomeness. And I would have paid a huge option price for an LS7 in a 1LE, but from GM's perspective they would simply have two $55,000 Camaros in the stable. One with the LSA and MR shocks and another with the LS7 and a pretty great chassis. But if you went into that showroom and saw 2 cars for about the same money wouldn't you buy the faster car on the track? The faster car for the 1/4 mile? Or would you be like me and just by the LS7 because you had love for that engine? Most people would want the "better" car.

So the cost is driven by making a car significantly faster than a ZL1 on the track. Period. I doubt a Z/28 can take a ZL1 in the 1/4 mile. I'd be pretty shocked by that.

GM set a high bar with the ZL1 and anyone that is making the case for the mythical $60,000 Z/28 is making a case for a car that isn't the top car in it's own family.

Again, for me I would have wanted an LS7 powered 1LE over a ZL1 even if it didn't have the same level of performance and with price being equal. But that's me and I didn't get asked.

Why are you assuming adding a ls7 to a 1le would make it a 55k car? If they did that then people would bitch. They SHOULD do that however the 37.5 should be 46k and they have a winner. The ls7 is 14k. How does that equal 55? Plus you don't pay for the ls3.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Z/284ever

Just stopped by to say hello to my friend Scott Settlemire. Hello Scott!

We've been discussing this morning's announcement on another site and wanted to share a few thoughts with you guys.

No one has been a bigger cheerleader for a REAL Z/28 than I have. When did I start bugging you Scott, 1996? Probably bugging other people before that, but that's when I started bugging you.

Ironically, at this particular moment in my life, with two kids in college and one on the way, this Z/28 - which I HONESTLY feel has been made for ME - may be slightly out of my reach at this exact moment in time. In a weird way, I almost feel as much satisfaction that GM actually made this damned car, as I would owning one. I know, weird.

Cost. To be honest, I was expecting it to be around 10K less. I guess it really doesn't matter what it MSRPs at, with it's limited volume, very few folks will be getting much change back from their $100,000 bill. And really, when you consider the level of exotic components, their cost to develop, certify and produce,*AT SUCH LOW VOLUME*, 75 big ones isn't so out of line.

Okay, not many of us will own one of these Z/28s. Maybe 1500 over two years. What about a 6th gen Z/28? Will GM make one to match this one's performance? Will it be more attainable for more of us?

Could be, for a number of reasons.

Take care.

Yup! It was 1996-- and frankly, you and a few others are who we dedicate this "Z/28" to -- we heard you loud and clear - but a funny thing happened on the way to bankruptcy.......we're now clear of that and we're able to bring you the car of your dreams....BUT - we were told in no uncertain terms that we could not LOSE money on the car - thus the $75K pricetag - which is stilll a bargain (some of us know what the internal costs are!)

[LOWDOWN]

Originally Posted by Novie LE

Why are you assuming adding a ls7 to a 1le would make it a 55k car? If they did that then people would bitch. They SHOULD do that however the 37.5 should be 46k and they have a winner. The ls7 is 14k. How does that equal 55? Plus you don't pay for the ls3.

BTW, read the thread...

[1leNPP]

I know GM put a lot of hard work into the z/28 but it still a Camaro first and I think a 65k to 68k price would have and work .Now at 75k for this car it misses it market price point sad to say .Just so you know I think the Z06 Z07 & ZR1 corvette at a 100k missed there market price point to . The 1LE had the right price point to performance ratio for me and that one of reasons why I got one.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Here is a quick point of business that some people aren't getting.

You charge the price for your product that you can get based on the volumes you intend to sell.

GM did prototypes of what ended up being the C5 Z06. Had a chance to drive one of the cloth seat base cars. Someone realized that providing an opportunity for the customer to give you less money for a Corvette likely was a bad deal. So the cheaper but lighter weight body style got a nicer engine, titanium exhaust, etc. and became the most expensive car rather than the cheapest.

GM doesn't have to charge what we think it adds up to they only have to charge the amount the number of cars they intend to sell can be sold at. If there is a limited volume, then the price is whatever they think they can get and sell that number of cars.

It's really that simple.

Anyone complaining they should charge less is, LIKE ME, disappointed it's at a stratospheric price point that we likely can't pay or at least very much unwilling to pay.

Sure it would be great if they put all that stuff into that car that makes it far superior to any Camaro ever built and far superior to any Pony car ever built and go "gee, we love you guys so much, let's charge the same price as an SS".

That was never going to happen.

I'll make my case again. Take a 1LE (awesome car) and add the LS7 (my favorite engine anywhere. That car with that hand built engine is $60,000. Don't argue it, that is what a 1LE with the LS7 would cost based on the mark up for the LS7. Now you have a care that costs more than the ZL1, but can't and won't keep up with it around the track. Anyone think that the 2nd best Camaro around the track is worthy of being called a Z/28? GM didn't and a few people high up didn't either (or so I've heard) and making the car lighter, better handling, and better braking needed to be accomplished. So low volume parts just for the Z/28, Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Special wheels and very expensive tires. Our now $60,000 1LE (I told you not to argue it, it's true) is now pushing $70,000 (CC brakes alone would add $5,000 or so). Now throw in some development cost, amortize some tools and TA DAAAAAAA you are at $75,000. And keep in mind that $75,000 includes the Gas Guzzler Tax as well which I think is several thousand.

Yes, it seems high. But for the content it's fair. And add in that exclusivity (and GM is pricing for that too, bet on it) and it's more than fair. Keep in mind, even the Z06 is far more common than this Z/28 will be.

Anyway, this is the food for all of us enthusiasts.......................and I'm far from full.

Number 3 knows of what he speaks. For those of you who do not agree - I'll be happy to meet with you in person along with Number 3 and we'll make you look foolish.

I hate to be abrupt - but some people pretend to know this business when in fact they haven't a clue. (......and they buy a 2007 Shelby.....) Sorry, I could not resist.

[LOWDOWN]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Yup! It was 1996-- and frankly, you and a few others are who we dedicate this "Z/28" to -- we heard you loud and clear - but a funny thing happened on the way to bankruptcy.......we're now clear of that and we're able to bring you the car of your dreams....BUT - we were told in no uncertain terms that we could not LOSE money on the car - thus the $75K pricetag - which is stilll a bargain (some of us know what the internal costs are!)

[Novie LE]

Originally Posted by LOWDOWN

BTW, read the thread...

Thanks for the helpful post. Really, above and beyond

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Unreal

Fully loaded out with everything yes, but you can also get them $20k off MSRP. Plus anyone really track focused is swapping brakes/etc out anyways. You can get a very nicely loaded 3lz carbon package 2013 z06 brand new for $65k, and spend $10k on track wheels/tires and some really badass brakes/roll bar/seats/etc to have a track ready car for same or less money that would be much quicker.

and isn't it great that Chevy DOES offer you alternatives? Let's also celebrate that - but let's also not sell the Z/28 short - esp. until you see REAL numbers from Nurburgring.

[sengli]

I had a C6 Z06 that had AC, and a radio, and only weighed 3180lbs. And it didnt cost that much. They arent going to fly off the showroom floor at that rate. Yikes!