6'8" Member Test Drive & Review 4/20/09

[b4z]

We've had several 6'8" members tell us that the car fits fine. I just got in it and it does. I've got long legs in proportion too my height.

Drove a silver V6 w/ 19s that was built first day of production.
This car had a sunroof and my head touched the headliner. But could live with it if i had to.
Tons of legroom.
Visibility out front is fine. No problem seeing overhead stoplights.
Blind spot for me was the rearview mirror. I had to duck to the left when making right turns. Drove the car for 4 miles and never got completely comfortable with right turns.
I had the feeling i was going to hit something with those wide rear shoulders.
The car drives big initially, but after a mile or so I got used to it.
It's been years since i've seen a front fender stretch out that far to the front.
Over the shoulder vision is poor, but not as bad as some have made it out to be.
The sideview mirrors have a great view of the rear shoulders/hips and the mirrors can cover the blind spots if adjusted properly.
Backing vision was good for me also.
The high rear deck didn't bother me at all. It was actually maybe better than the GTO. Don't know why it felt like that.

Upon start up the cold engine held higher rpms and the exhaust was very noticeable. After the rpms dropped the engine was very quiet and the exhuast was only audible on moderatley hard and above acceleration.
The car was quiet but not Cadillac quiet.
front end and engine noise were nonexistent, but there was a coarse road and tire sound that was audible from the rear at all times and got louder as speeds increased. Reminded me of the pre '01 Wbodies before they put the double rear fender liners in.
I would like to see the road noise from the back quieted down some more.

This car only had 144 miles on it and I never floored it but kicked it down moderatley hard several times and it felt pretty much identical to the CTS DIs i have driven.
Drivetrain and shifting were nice and refined.

Steering was very quick and responsive. Significantly more connected than my GTO. Cornering was pretty flat. Flatter than the GTO, but I never went fast around any corners due to my placement issues with the car in right turns.

i think they could have made some improvements with softer plastics, but the look of the plastic was fine. Maybe a soft touch area above the armrest like the GTO has?

Overall, i'd say i still want one and will get one, but it does have a little old school feel that people have talked about. It is not light years ahead of say, a GTO. I'm looking forward to driving a SS.

Also, I have to say that some of drivers coming the other way practically lost control of their cars when they saw it. I'll never forget the look of the old guy in his clapped out pickup when I made a right turn in front of him . He just sat at the stoplight as I drove down the road. And we were the only 2 cars around. Priceless.

[Zeus95]

That is good news !! I am 6'4. Thanks for the review !!

[Rock]

Originally Posted by Zeus95

That is good news !! I am 6'4. Thanks for the review !!

+1 'cept I'm 6'3"

[ravensjeff]

Nice write-up B4Z. How easy was it getting your legs/feet inside the car? I got a bum left leg that doesn't bend so well. It's a little strain getting it past the floor emergency brake in an 08 SS Impala, but I can deal with it. I'm hoping this emergency handbrake near the center console will be much better. Funny how you get older, and other things are more important. 20 years ago I'd want to know all about the radio & HP.

[DevilKnightFalcon]

Anyone know how the visibility compares to that of a 2000 era Mustang? I imagine it can't be much worse.

[b4z]

ravensjeff,

A lot more room than an Impala. I used to have an '01.
doors open out really wide too, which could casue probs in a tight parking space.

[LosXC451]

I loved that last bit...hopefully people wont be too busy staring at these camaros instead of the road

[Vash]

Very nice report! I am 6 3.5 or so and have only 1 inch of headroom in my CV4. So that's another reason on my justification list.

[camaro5]

Good info. 6'4" here.

[GothamCamaro]

Man, I feel short at 6'0 !

Nice review and good to know the tall guys can get it too.

[delius]

Originally Posted by b4z

We've had several 6'8" members tell us that the car fits fine. I just got in it and it does. I've got long legs in proportion too my height.

Drove a silver V6 w/ 19s that was built first day of production.
This car had a sunroof and my head touched the headliner. But could live with it if i had to.
Tons of legroom.
Visibility out front is fine. No problem seeing overhead stoplights.
Blind spot for me was the rearview mirror. I had to duck to the left when making right turns. Drove the car for 4 miles and never got completely comfortable with right turns.
I had the feeling i was going to hit something with those wide rear shoulders.
The car drives big initially, but after a mile or so I got used to it.
It's been years since i've seen a front fender stretch out that far to the front.
Over the shoulder vision is poor, but not as bad as some have made it out to be.
The sideview mirrors have a great view of the rear shoulders/hips and the mirrors can cover the blind spots if adjusted properly.
Backing vision was good for me also.
The high rear deck didn't bother me at all. It was actually maybe better than the GTO. Don't know why it felt like that.

Upon start up the cold engine held higher rpms and the exhaust was very noticeable. After the rpms dropped the engine was very quiet and the exhuast was only audible on moderatley hard and above acceleration.
The car was quiet but not Cadillac quiet.
front end and engine noise were nonexistent, but there was a coarse road and tire sound that was audible from the rear at all times and got louder as speeds increased. Reminded me of the pre '01 Wbodies before they put the double rear fender liners in.
I would like to see the road noise from the back quieted down some more.

This car only had 144 miles on it and I never floored it but kicked it down moderatley hard several times and it felt pretty much identical to the CTS DIs i have driven.
Drivetrain and shifting were nice and refined.

Steering was very quick and responsive. Significantly more connected than my GTO. Cornering was pretty flat. Flatter than the GTO, but I never went fast around any corners due to my placement issues with the car in right turns.

i think they could have made some improvements with softer plastics, but the look of the plastic was fine. Maybe a soft touch area above the armrest like the GTO has?

Overall, i'd say i still want one and will get one, but it does have a little old school feel that people have talked about. It is not light years ahead of say, a GTO. I'm looking forward to driving a SS.

Also, I have to say that some of drivers coming the other way practically lost control of their cars when they saw it. I'll never forget the look of the old guy in his clapped out pickup when I made a right turn in front of him . He just sat at the stoplight as I drove down the road. And we were the only 2 cars around. Priceless.

well...good thing ive been driving my 77 Trans am forever...that thing has a hood area of a small country...(which i love)...should be pretty easy to drive it.

[stovt001]

OK fine, larger drivers can fit in, but I'm not built like a linebacker and I'd like to know how the seats do with smaller drivers. I keep hearing how the seats are plenty wide to be comfortable for giants, but that kind of design won't hold my 5-8 140 lbs body in place in even the slightest turn.

I'm glad the steering felt good, nice and connected. That's a concern for me. I can't wait to sit in one and see if I can deal with the visibility and if the interior is good enough.

[paulv7260]

I'm only 5'9" but this means I can still drive to costume parties dressed as Abraham Lincoln

Sorry, cheezy humor I know but I had to decompress somehow.

[b4z]

I think the seat has a lot of vertical adjustment. I didn't try that cause I would have broken the sunroof.