Impressions After a Week

[l008com]

I know half the people in this forum get real pissed off when you compare a camaro to something else but I guess I like problems because I'm posting this anyway.

I've had my 2LT for about a week and a half now. Here are all the impressions that come to mind. Mostly compared to the RX-8 because I've owned two so thats my basis for comparison.

The Camaro has some SERIOUSLY limited visibility. Not just out the back but even out the front. You have to position the seat just right so you can see over the steering wheel and under the roof. But honestly, you actually get used to that very quick. I'm not sure about the backup sensors yet. Sometimes I think it's just a random beeper. It could use some bigger mirrors. Since you really can't see much at all out the back, being able to see in the mirrors would be nice.

Sounds like a v6, drives like a v8. I almost feel like it's a sleeper in that sense. I mean it would only work if someone was blindfolded, but it sounds like its going to be slow, but omfg you hit the gas and the thing explodes. v6 stick feels MUCH better than the v6 automatic I test drove. The auto felt like it sounded. The v6 has a TON of power when you get on it. So much more off-the-line oomph than the RX-8. And of course, torque can be fun.

It's definitely a sports car, but it's noticeably less sharp than the 8. All around in fact. From the blinker lever, to the clutch and brake pedals, to the steering and throttle response. The shifter is not very smooth going through the gears, and you really have to throw the lever pretty far. And it's particularly rough going from 1st to 2nd. But I think I might just need to let the RPMs drop more. Just today I noticed that they seem to take a second before they start to fall. The brake is weird, its like you have to push it in a ways before it starts actually braking hard. Like its not a consistent rate. The steering is loose, particularly on the highway. But this compared to the RX-8s electrical power steering, its hard to compete with that. Even though the wheels are bigger, the tires are also bigger, so the camaro has a lot more sidewall than the rx8. So while the handling isn't as sharp, the ride is a lot more bearable over bumps. Which is nice because all the roads in my state are completely shit.

So far the only thing I really hate is the clutch lever. Its pressure is not constant, and it jumps in with more pressure right as it catches. So I've been stalling it like I'm a stick newb. SO besides stalling, your options are super gentle take off, or mashing it and spinning the tires. You really can't get any middle ground at all. That annoys me.

Aas far as driving goes, the car has a much looser feel, way more power, way more low end acceleration, but it's not as good cruising on the highway, and doesn't feel like its as solid when you're going really fast. It does get WAY better MPGs on the highway though!

Hows about the inside? I figured out how to telescope the wheel the other day and its much more comfortable now than it was the first few days. The seats get hot, thats important. The phone integration is on par with other factory bluetooth units i've seen, but not nearly as good as the bluetooth built into navigation units. The main issue is that the car doesn't access your address book, so you can't see whos calling you. This drives me nuts. My Garmin will just use my phone's address book. But it's mic sucks so I can't actually use it. The iPod integration is great. Much better than the aftermarket solution I had to buy for my RX-8. Even shows song info right on the radio. I just need to get a newer ipod. My 3rd gen iPod is Firewire. I need (want) a 5th gen. Sometimes I plug in my iphone but thats a hassle. The DIC is very poorly named. Also its a pretty big screen that shows very small pieces of information. Why not show several things at once? Seems odd. My non RS headlights look kind of lame. RS would have looked much better I just didn't want to spend another $1500. Back to the radio, the sound is ok. Its not amazing but its not bad. The seats do fold forward pretty easy, but its still not as nice as the back doors the RX8 had. I probably miss that the most. I have a big work bag that I put in the back every time i get in and out of the car. In a related problem, the doors on this car are so friggin huge, its hard to open them without hitting the car next to you! They are crazy long.

Camaro is definitely more spacious in the front, than the rx8. I'm especially not fat, so it doesn't really effect me, but some larger friends find the camaro more comfortable than the 8.

Thats all I can think of now. Its a nice car. I do like the RX8 better overall, but the 2LT camaro compared to the GT RX8 is about $3000 cheaper, plus i got $3000 on my GM card, plus it gets at least 50% better gas milage, possibly more.

Oh and the gas tank is on the right side of the car. This is the first car I've ever had with the tank on the right. But thats actually a really good thing because there are always much smaller lines right side pumps. So between that and the better milage, i'm going to spend a lot less time at the gas station.

Where are the pics you ask? I drove it home in a snow storm and it's been covered in salt ever since. Monday its going to pour but Tuesday I hop on a plane for three weeks so I might not have pics for a while.

[TheClassicCarKid]

Cool review

[TJ91]

I like this review alot since its not biased. good job, hope you enjoy yopur camaro alot
Too bad you didnt get th RS pack lol

[Booneabal]

The visibility issue was a key concern in getting this car but when I test drove it I found it wasn't as bad as I thought and I've found that in MOST real world situations that I face it isn't an issue. Having said that, there are things I don't try with this car due to visibility - a sacrifice outweighed by the tremendous benefits of the car in price, performance, style e.t.c.

[Blade]

Good review…but nothing new. This stuff has been mentioned plenty of times already.

[Nutbutt]

Great write up. I felt the same way as you on a lot of these items, especially the roads in Mass. The shifting I addressed by going to a short throw Barton shifter, best I have tried. And the head lights, I didn't care for the halo look, I wanted something like my 69 camaro. So I got a set of HID from BFXENON and they are fantastic. I have gotten use of the doors by just sucking it up and parking away from everyone else. My wife says I need the exercise anyway, I'm not letting her drive my car for awhile.
I still love my Camaro even with a few quirks. The permagrin Lives !
Now If the snow will melt in New England I can get those winter tires Off !

[TooCool5]

Originally Posted by Booneabal

The visibility issue was a key concern in getting this car but when I test drove it I found it wasn't as bad as I thought and I've found that in MOST real world situations that I face it isn't an issue. Having said that, there are things I don't try with this car due to visibility - a sacrifice outweighed by the tremendous benefits of the car in price, performance, style e.t.c.

Just takes getting used to then your good to go. A lot more 2nd checking before making moves.

[mjlash22]

Nice review! Cant wait to get mine!

[born-to-fish-]

Originally Posted by l008com

Oh and the gas tank is on the right side of the car. This is the first car I've ever had with the tank on the right. But thats actually a really good thing because there are always much smaller lines right side pumps.

The advantage of having the fuel filler on the right is that you have clear, open space to get out of the vehicle, not trying to fight getting out while your door hovers dangerously close to the pump island. That's assuming you're pumping your own gas....

[Scrappy Doo]

Nice review. The gas on the right would throw me for a loop too.

[l008com]

Anyone else have any input on the clutch thing? My car is the only stick camaro i've ever driven, so i want to make sure this isn't a problem with my clutch spring.

[IndyDave]

Enjoyed the review, seemed very non-bias. Can't wait to get mine, however, I did get the Hurst shifter & I hear that it makes a world of difference in shifting.

[tangorover]

Nice review. I will give you one thing. The RX-8 is perhaps the most user friendly car I had ever driven In fact Its one of the few cars that makes you feel you are driving a real sports car and hence very few cars can hold a candle to The RX-8's overall driving feel even the G37 dosent feel as visceral as the RX-8. A quick example of how awesome the RX-8 is if you have seen a cutaway of the RX8 you'll see that the damn Transmission is RIGHT UNDER the shifter. When you shift you really feel like you are putting your hands into the damn transmission and are shifting the gears around yourself.

[l008com]

Originally Posted by tangorover

Nice review. I will give you one thing. The RX-8 is perhaps the most user friendly car I had ever driven In fact Its one of the few cars that makes you feel you are driving a real sports car and hence very few cars can hold a candle to The RX-8's overall driving feel even the G37 dosent feel as visceral as the RX-8. A quick example of how awesome the RX-8 is if you have seen a cutaway of the RX8 you'll see that the damn Transmission is RIGHT UNDER the shifter. When you shift you really feel like you are putting your hands into the damn transmission and are shifting the gears around yourself.

Yep. I sure don't regret buying a Camaro, all things considered I think it was a wise choice. But I do miss my RX-8s. Especially on the highway. But never at the pump.