Topic: Sport compacts: be afraid, be very afraid.

[Mitlov]

Pricing for the new Camaro, at least for the US market, has been released.  And it starts at US$22,995.  And that $23k will get you:

* 300 hp direct-injection V6
* six-speed manual
* independent rear suspension ("4.5 link," whatever that means)
* four-wheel disc brakes

And while it's no luxury car, it's not stripper either, a car where even someone with spartan tastes starts looking to check options boxes.  It has the following standard:
* air conditioning
* power windows
* a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
* cruise control (not standard on a Volvo C30, for the record)
* six airbags, including side curtains that cover both rows
* stability and traction control
* iPod jack for the stereo

That's a lot of car for US$23 grand, especially when you consider that it shares a platform with the very-capable Pontiac G8.  I mean, this car starts at the same price as a three-door GTI.  That's compelling.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/13/2010-ch...-995-ss-30-995/
http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro/pdf/2010+Camaro+Order.pdf

While I'm guessing that pricing will be higher in Canada, Chevy doesn't have a proportionately higher price increase than anybody else, and is more fair to Canada than many.  So I think there's a good chance that a 300hp Camaro will actually undercut the price of a base GTI in Canada.

[EV Dan]

23k  That may easily be the cheapest horse: 23000/300= $77! Very good timing after all as well - gas is way down, and is probably going to drop further. I only wonder if GM has already drawn the pricing plan for Canada or they are still going to with the new dollar in mind.
If I needed a car now Camaro would be the winner (on paper at least) hands down.

[Triple Bob]

Whoah that could be back on my list!

[tpl]

I am sure it will be priced to undercut the GTI. I am sure it will outsell the GTI.
The rear suspensions looks as if it will do a great job although difficult to modify I'd think ( compared to the Mustang)

For me, that incredibly ugly interior means I would never consider one... I would not even go for a test drive.   Why they could not put a simple ( BMW like? VW like, even just take the CTS interior) console and dashboard in is their  decision and I am sure that the focus groups agree with it.

[The Mighty Duck]

  That's a steal of a deal.  If they price it at $29 995 in Canada, I don't see how they would be able to keep them on the lot.  Only concern would be the fuel mileage versus other cars in its price range, like the GTI or Civic Si.  But it's got an extra hundred ponies... well worth it.

I still like the Challenger better, but that's compelling pricing...

[Snowman]

Wow!....how much does this thing weigh?

[Snowman]

After thinking about this a bit I don’t see the LS being a real concern considering that most sport compacts are more practical with hatch options and are sedans. Young people these days want a fun and practical car while the camaro is just fun.

[rrocket]

After thinking about this a bit I don’t see the LS being a real concern considering that most sport compacts are more practical with hatch options and are sedans. Young people these days want a fun and practical car while the camaro is just fun.

I agree.  And the weight is somewhat high at 3800 or so.  Another big part about sport compacts has been cheap mod-ability.  While this car will certainly be able to be modded, I don't think it will be easy and cheap like the Cobalt SS or HHR SS or other sport compact.

Seems like a great deal for the $$ though.  FWIW I'm not fond of the interior either.

[SkiBunny]

Isn't 300hp a bit too low to impress?  My mom's car has more! 

What about a Z28 or trans am version with extra power or the vet engine in it to blow away the imports.

Wonder how much the insurance will be 

[The Mighty Duck]

Isn't 300hp a bit too low to impress?  My mom's car has more! 

What about a Z28 or trans am version with extra power or the vet engine in it to blow away the imports.

Wonder how much the insurance will be 

 

Camaro SS: 422hp/408tq.  6.2L LS3 V8.  Happy?

[SkiBunny]

yeah but i dont like the gas mileage 

[johngenx]

Will be $$$$ in Canada, even for the base model.  No way a model will sit on the showroom floor for under $30K.  A "base" Challenger is about $33K. (the least expensive one available to buy...)

[Wolverine]

Wow, seems like a great deal to me (23K won't get you any new car here in Brazil  )

Lets see what Ford puts on the new Stang to face the Camaro, they gonna have a heck of a trouble if they don't offer something similarly equipped and priced.

[EV Dan]

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro/multimedia/

I'd like mine with a chrome grille. 

[Mitlov]

For me, that incredibly ugly interior means I would never consider one... I would not even go for a test drive.   Why they could not put a simple ( BMW like? VW like, even just take the CTS interior) console and dashboard in is their  decision and I am sure that the focus groups agree with it.

I don't get it?  Looks pretty simple to me.  Almost bland.  Really, the only unique styling detail I see are the four small gauges near the shifter, and that's an ode to the original [edit]Camaro[/edit].



For comparison:

[Mitlov]

After thinking about this a bit I don’t see the LS being a real concern considering that most sport compacts are more practical with hatch options and are sedans. Young people these days want a fun and practical car while the camaro is just fun.

I can't speak for Canada specifically, but for North America as a whole, I disagree.  Honda has no trouble moving Si coupes...indeed, they vastly outnumber Si sedans in my experience.  Chevy does the same with the Cobalt SS coupe, Cobalt SS sedan, and HHR SS.  Even setting aside that the coupe has been around for much longer...which do you think Chevy dealers sell the most of? 

Heck, my first car was a Civic coupe, and it served me just fine until I had a baby.  Four seats and two doors is all the practicality that most 16-25-year-old males need and want, in my experience.

Why are most sport compacts hatches and sedans?  Because sport compacts are based off of economy cars, and not many companies offer coupe economy cars anymore.  And nobody wants to design a unique body style JUST for their sport compact.  But considering the excitement about the rumored Toyota/Subaru RWD coupe and the Genesis coupe, and considering how well Honda and Chevy have done with their sport compact coupes,  and considering how well Scion has done with the tC, I have to say, coupes will have a loyal audience in the 16-25 male segment for a long time to come.  Come on...if Subaru offered a WRX 265 coupe, do you really think it would languish on dealer lots?

[Mitlov]

That's a steal of a deal.  If they price it at $29 995 in Canada, I don't see how they would be able to keep them on the lot.  Only concern would be the fuel mileage versus other cars in its price range, like the GTI or Civic Si.  But it's got an extra hundred ponies... well worth it.

Mazdaspeed3: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 20 mpg combined.
Cadillac CTS 3.6 DI 6MT:  16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 19 mpg combined.  (same drivetrain as the base Camaro)
Lancer Ralliart: 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 20 mpg combined.

Yeah, the Civic Si gets significantly better fuel economy than any, but for 139 lb-ft, it better.

[The Mighty Duck]

on all three counts.  I do like the Civic's interior better, but the Camaro's is perfectly acceptable.  The gauges by the shifter are a bit off, but as you say, they have history (in another car?  ).  Fuel mileage is absolutely worth it for the performance offered.

As for coupes...  I'd say we're seeing something of a surge in popularity for them.  Altima coupe, Genesis coupe, Subaru/Toyota coupe...  bring them on! 

[Mitlov]

The gauges by the shifter are a bit off, but as you say, they have history (in another car?  ).

Sorry, my bad, those gauges are from the original CAMARO, not the original Mustang.  Post is edited.

[mmret]

I just don't get nouveau-American-retro design language.

SO terrible (imho of course).