[11Past9]

Today I was driving by a dealership and I saw a new yellow V6 Camaro on the lot. I took it for a drive. Here's what I thought.

V6 (non RS) Camaro w/ automatic transmission, leather and sunroof. Let me tell you, budget performance my ASS. The stick price was $29,XXX.00! The car without anything is listed at $26,XXX.00 so I don't know where they are getting all this $22,000-23,000 BS.

Interior:

I was impressed by the solidity of the dials and buttons, they were not typical cheap GM. I started poking around and let me tell you, the panels are garbage. I could push in any select spot on the interior and see the entire thing flex like tupperware (sp?). The retro guages for oil etc were just as horrid, I pushed on one of them and the entire set flexed as if they had NOTHING behind them. Worst of all though was a panel I saw below the rear/side window in the back seat, one side was flush with the window and the other side was warped and humped over the bottom window line.

Exterior:

Attractive but bland, fake side vents looked tacky because of the ripples in metal. They couldnt even put fake plastic side scoops instead.

Power:

It actually had a solid powerband and didn't feel sluggish, though it is no neck snapper it was a solid 14 second car. Not bad for the $23,000 it will never be though.

Transmission:

It was an automatic, but the only Camaro on the lot to drive. It didn't shift poorly, and the paddle shifter/buttons didn't lag too much but it is nothing more than a basic slush box that I'd do my best to avoid.

Braking:

The feel was great, I was impressed with the braking of the car but peddle feel to me is a big deal and this one did a good job.

Handling:

It was no STi, but it felt MUCH better than your typical stock Mustang GT. The steering felt good and it wasn't floppy and rolly polly. It held well, and was comfortable.

Overall:

I liked it more than the Challenger R/T I drove earlier this year, it offered much more feedback and was more fun to drive though I think that it'd be a different story if that Challenger had bolt ons and some springs at least. I'd think it was safe to say however I'd take a manual RS Camaro (not base) over one but NOT for this price. This is supposed to be a value, $23,000 for the V6 and $30,000 for the SS is being plastered everywhere when it simply isn't true. The SS is fetching $40-45,000 new and the stripped base base base Camaro V6 price is listed at $26k and change. No thanks, I'll wait until the depreciation wacks the SS and then I will consider it below $30,000 with some miles on it but until then, I will touch none of these guys.

[brandon @ eas]

Nice review. You gotta love that BS marketing base price stuff.

[Year's_End]

thanks for the straight up review.

[BForbes]

That was a great review. Thanks for this. Trust me, the prices wont be that high for long. They're only doing this b/c its the newest and greatest thing GM has going for it right now.

[EpicE92]

Ive been saying forever that the new Camaro is way overrated. I myself am picking up a 2010 mustang gt with the track pack option. Which i believe in Motor trend out did the camaro in every way shape or form in the handling tests... But im sure the car will still need some work . So Steeda is on my list of first stops. And as u said a 2SS camaro is going for about 40k right now. In my eyes its not such a bang for buck performance car being you can pick up a mustang and throw a pro charger on it and be looking at bout 500whp on about 8 psi, still for well under 40k.

[Garduna]

Originally Posted by BForbes

That was a great review. Thanks for this. Trust me, the prices wont be that high for long. They're only doing this b/c its the newest and greatest thing GM has going for it right now.

newest and greatest that breaks down and requires recalls -_-; poor GM, getting no breaks this year.

[BlackSapphireZ]

yeah Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track FTW

[11Past9]

I don't think the new Camaro should have even been compared with the Genesis Coupe. They just aren't the same type of car, even with a V6 the Camaro is still and always will be seen as a Pony. I did see an RS V6 today and it looked MUCH better with the smoked halo headlights, different wheels and tail lights. I think the new Mustang GT is a MUCH better deal than the V6 Camaro though, it even comes with HID's or has the option I believe and hit 0.93 G (or so I read) besides, I'd rather hear the V8 than a 6 of the Camaro and I'd surely rather have a Genesis Coupe in either 2.0T or 3.8 over the Camaro.

The SS is impressive, but only if depreciation smacks the hell out of it and it truly becomes a bargain. I'm really tired of things being put on paper to intrigue someone and then whoopsie, you actually see the sticker and it makes you want to throw up. I would like to see manufacturers get out of the anything to make a buck scheme and more towards we make and sell because we love what we do and want to do it the best, it's all money money money now a days. I'd rather have 3 trims than 300 different packages and options and bla bla bla.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by 11Past9

I don't think the new Camaro should have even been compared with the Genesis Coupe. They just aren't the same type of car, even with a V6 the Camaro is still and always will be seen as a Pony. I did see an RS V6 today and it looked MUCH better with the smoked halo headlights, different wheels and tail lights. I think the new Mustang GT is a MUCH better deal than the V6 Camaro though, it even comes with HID's or has the option I believe and hit 0.93 G (or so I read) besides, I'd rather hear the V8 than a 6 of the Camaro and I'd surely rather have a Genesis Coupe in either 2.0T or 3.8 over the Camaro.

The SS is impressive, but only if depreciation smacks the hell out of it and it truly becomes a bargain. I'm really tired of things being put on paper to intrigue someone and then whoopsie, you actually see the sticker and it makes you want to throw up. I would like to see manufacturers get out of the anything to make a buck scheme and more towards we make and sell because we love what we do and want to do it the best, it's all money money money now a days. I'd rather have 3 trims than 300 different packages and options and bla bla bla.

You probably drove a 2LT or a 1LT model instead of the base LS. That is why the price was so high. Right now I'm sure GM is not making any base models because they want as much profit as possible, but I think that as demand cools you'll see more base cars.

FYI, Hyundai dealers are marking up the price on the Genesis:

[e92man]

Great review. I think my Father is going to get the SS. I'll be sure to do a little comparo to the 335

[Schn3ll]

Those markups are insane... really do Hyundai dealers think they can get a $5,000 premium? For a Hyundai? A Hyundai? Maybe I am old school but even 1 year ago, this would be unfathomable.

[11Past9]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

Those markups are insane... really do Hyundai dealers think they can get a $5,000 premium? For a Hyundai? A Hyundai? Maybe I am old school but even 1 year ago, this would be unfathomable.

I HATE dealers, I think they are thieving douche bag whores. When something is competitively priced they go and fuck that up too.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by 11Past9

I HATE dealers, I think they are thieving douche bag whores. When something is competitively priced they go and fuck that up too.

They are all getting stabbed in the back now (Well, everybody except Hyundai dealers).

[ALPINE6SPD]

Originally Posted by 11Past9

Today I was driving by a dealership and I saw a new yellow V6 Camaro on the lot. I took it for a drive. Here's what I thought.

V6 (non RS) Camaro w/ automatic transmission, leather and sunroof. Let me tell you, budget performance my ASS. The stick price was $29,XXX.00! The car without anything is listed at $26,XXX.00 so I don't know where they are getting all this $22,000-23,000 BS.

Interior:

I was impressed by the solidity of the dials and buttons, they were not typical cheap GM. I started poking around and let me tell you, the panels are garbage. I could push in any select spot on the interior and see the entire thing flex like tupperware (sp?). The retro guages for oil etc were just as horrid, I pushed on one of them and the entire set flexed as if they had NOTHING behind them. Worst of all though was a panel I saw below the rear/side window in the back seat, one side was flush with the window and the other side was warped and humped over the bottom window line.

Exterior:

Attractive but bland, fake side vents looked tacky because of the ripples in metal. They couldnt even put fake plastic side scoops instead.

Power:

It actually had a solid powerband and didn't feel sluggish, though it is no neck snapper it was a solid 14 second car. Not bad for the $23,000 it will never be though.

Transmission:

It was an automatic, but the only Camaro on the lot to drive. It didn't shift poorly, and the paddle shifter/buttons didn't lag too much but it is nothing more than a basic slush box that I'd do my best to avoid.

Braking:

The feel was great, I was impressed with the braking of the car but peddle feel to me is a big deal and this one did a good job.

Handling:

It was no STi, but it felt MUCH better than your typical stock Mustang GT. The steering felt good and it wasn't floppy and rolly polly. It held well, and was comfortable.

Overall:

I liked it more than the Challenger R/T I drove earlier this year, it offered much more feedback and was more fun to drive though I think that it'd be a different story if that Challenger had bolt ons and some springs at least. I'd think it was safe to say however I'd take a manual RS Camaro (not base) over one but NOT for this price. This is supposed to be a value, $23,000 for the V6 and $30,000 for the SS is being plastered everywhere when it simply isn't true. The SS is fetching $40-45,000 new and the stripped base base base Camaro V6 price is listed at $26k and change. No thanks, I'll wait until the depreciation wacks the SS and then I will consider it below $30,000 with some miles on it but until then, I will touch none of these guys.

UM 40-45 for an SS is wrong. I priced up an SS in orange with black racing stripes, the best packages and the upgraded leather orange interior and the RS package and it was 35500. I dont know what your talking about. We have an automatic at our cheve store for a little over 25k. If you get the automatic with the hupper trim level then its 28-30 but we have here that is a little over 25 and I have NEVER seen one for 45 as you claim. In the dealership family I work at the HIGHEST you can pay is list for a Camaro SS or 6cyl. We dont EVER charge over list. So you can get an SS close to the 35k you want.

[ptack]

The only way GM would be getting away with those prices is if there is strong demand. I suppose it would be good that they have a hit. I wouldn't touch it for $40k though.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by ptack

The only way GM would be getting away with those prices is if there is strong demand. I suppose it would be good that they have a hit. I wouldn't touch it for $40k though.

It isn't GM pricing the Camaro that high, it is the greedy dealers who think they can get away with it in this economy.

[11Past9]

Originally Posted by ALPINE6SPD

UM 40-45 for an SS is wrong. I priced up an SS in orange with black racing stripes, the best packages and the upgraded leather orange interior and the RS package and it was 35500. I dont know what your talking about. We have an automatic at our cheve store for a little over 25k. If you get the automatic with the hupper trim level then its 28-30 but we have here that is a little over 25 and I have NEVER seen one for 45 as you claim. In the dealership family I work at the HIGHEST you can pay is list for a Camaro SS or 6cyl. We dont EVER charge over list. So you can get an SS close to the 35k you want.

Bullshit, I have spoken to several dealerships... they do not even have SS cars in stock, they are all pre-order cars. The only thing on the lots to sit that has not been paid for is the V6 Camaro. Don't try and tell me that $35,500 is the SS price when the 2LT V6 is at $29,999.00 and the base option V6 is $26,XXX. Markup is inevitable with this car as well. People don't even want to drive before they buy, they just order and live with.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by 11Past9

Bullshit, I have spoken to several dealerships... they do not even have SS cars in stock, they are all pre-order cars. The only thing on the lots to sit that has not been paid for is the V6 Camaro. Don't try and tell me that $35,500 is the SS price when the 2LT V6 is at $29,999.00 and the base option V6 is $26,XXX. Markup is inevitable with this car as well. People don't even want to drive before they buy, they just order and live with.

So what?

Markup will only be temporary (if it even exists) because the Camaro is not made in limited numbers. He is right about the actual list price of the car, a performance bargain regardless.

[ptack]

Originally Posted by quagmire

It isn't GM pricing the Camaro that high, it is the greedy dealers who think they can get away with it in this economy.

Name me a dealer that's not greedy. If GM was against the pricing they could put a stop to instantly - the dealers are totally at GM's mercy right now. GM is also more interested than anyone to see what the going rate is for a Camaro. If it looks like people are willing to pay a higher price, the price will be raised and you can bet your bottom dollar that GM will be taking it's share of the spoils.

[11Past9]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

So what?

Markup will only be temporary (if it even exists) because the Camaro is not made in limited numbers. He is right about the actual list price of the car, a performance bargain regardless.

It's not just the frigging mark-ups. The car is not that cheap to begin with. BLA BLA BLA super performance bargain huh? No, an SVT Cobra (03-04) was/is a performance bargain, an SRT-4 (03-05) is a performance bargain. List price means nothing, even without a markup you are going to see $40,000 if not close to for it unless you have a stripped and gutted version.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by 11Past9

Bullshit, I have spoken to several dealerships... they do not even have SS cars in stock, they are all pre-order cars. The only thing on the lots to sit that has not been paid for is the V6 Camaro. Don't try and tell me that $35,500 is the SS price when the 2LT V6 is at $29,999.00 and the base option V6 is $26,XXX. Markup is inevitable with this car as well. People don't even want to drive before they buy, they just order and live with.

Your numbers are way off. A base LS V6 w/ manual is $23,040. A 2LT with leather, Boston Acoustics sound, the four pack guages, etc. starts at $27,375 for the manual. And the 1SS starts at $31,040.

A LS only really has one option (besides stupid things like hood stripes and bigger wheels, and that is the auto transmission. With that the price is $24,035.

A manual 1LT with RS and Convenience package is $26,890 (The perfect V6 model IMO).

Go on the Chevy site and price them out, and you'll see how you're wrong.