Women lining up for new Camaro

[apples and oranges]

Women currently make up between 20 to 30 per cent of overall Camaro sales, although the majority are buying the V-6 model, says Saratlic. "When we first launched, sales were skewed toward the V-8 -- those were the guys who were the performance enthusiasts," he says. "What we were hoping for, and has come true, is we would see that balance out as we got into production of the V-6. Now, it's almost at a 50-50 rate."

http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=2150850

A friend of mine wants to get one but I thought the car might look too masculine. Ladies would you drive this?

[DJ13]

1. My wife hates it

She fell in love with our (long gone now) 1969 Camaro, and says the new version is too big.

I have to agree, its much bigger than it needed to be.

[EOTE]

5. It's not the size that gets me so much as the weight.

And there's not always a very proportional relation between the two. There's little excuse for having a stripped down model weighing close to two tons when we're talking about a pony car. If they could have shaved about 3 or 4 hundred pounds off the weight, they'd have a monster.

As it is, it's a nice performing vehicle due to its good power (even the V6 makes 300+ hp) and LSD. But it doesn't hide its weight very well, especially in the twisties. If I were to get one, the first thing I'd do is start looking for things to toss to bring down the weight, then I'd see if there were any reasonably priced carbon fiber hoods and trunks. I know that there are a lot more components in cars that are required due to emissions testing now and loads of safety features that are either required or just accepted as being standard, but there have also been many gains in weight saving techniques in the past 40 years. Would it be too much to ask that a 2009 Camaro be closer in weight to the '69 model?

That said, I think it's a sweet looking car and it's still a lot of fun to drive. I might pick up a jet black SS in a few years after depreciation has taken a sizable chunk of the purchase price away.

[mkultra]

12. it only weighs about 100lbs more than the 69

comparing the manual SS to the 69 z28.

[EOTE]

17. I thought the 4 speed '69 was around 3600lbs, no?

Perhaps it was the '67 that was more of the lightweight. But even 100 lbs is significant, especially when there has been 40 years to work on weight reduction. The standard for pony cars now seems to be 3200 to 3600 lbs. Even the hulking, auto only Challenger manages to undercut the Camaro's weight by a good margin and it's on a luxury sedan platform.

Again, I really like the car and I hope to pick one up maybe in a few years. I just don't see why it couldn't have been 3 to 4 hundred pounds lighter. There are plenty of RWD sedans with LSD that manage to undercut the Camaro's weight with 2 extra doors and heavier OHC engines. GM decided to put their corporate V6 in the Camaro which is also seen in the Cadillac CTS, how is it that a frigging Cadillac with the same engine (as the LS and LT models) and very similar rear suspension can be lighter? The CTS is a proven platform, why not work on a cheaper, lighter, two door version of that (I know there's a CTS coupe in the works, but it wouldn't be the first time Chevy has cribbed from Cadillac)?

[mkultra]

20. i did a bunch of searchs and found no solid numbers

most people seem to think is was around 3200 so that would put it considerably lighter than then the new SS2 at 3800

[RamboLiberal]

2. Hell yeah if I could afford a 2nd car

But I can't so I'll have to stick to my Suzuki SX4.

[HeresyLives]

3. Say wut?

'Might look too masculine?' It's a car. Transportation, not a lifestyle image.

I'd be more concerned about mileage, driveability, engine power, safety and all that kind of thing.

[DainBramaged]

14. And that is what separates those of us who live to live from those of you

who consider cars applainces........

[JuniperLea]

19. I'd say it separates those of us who want to drive a car...

From those of you who need to drive a big fat penis.

Edited to say my middle son bought the 2010 Camaro last summer, and even he admits it's better than driving around with your penis hanging out.

[seabeyond]

4. i like it. i was first in line for the new one in 90's. loved the car. met and married

the guy who had the first Z.

[debbierlus]

6. Who the hell has the money for a new Camaro?

[apples and oranges]

7. Base model around 23k

Not bad. The only problem is there is a shortage so some dealers are jacking up the price.

[debbierlus]

10. Like I said, who the hell has the money for a new Camaro!

23,000 dollars is a LOT of money.

What the hell would the payments be on that?

[EOTE]

18. 60 mos at 0% APR (as GM has been offering as of late)

Would come out to $433.33 a month. I know not everyone can afford a payment like that, but that's a reasonable car payment for a lot of people.

[DainBramaged]

15. About 60,000 customers so far this year............

[wolfgangmo]

16. Who has money for a new Camaro - check out the wording of the link

Canadians can afford one. Why?

Because in real terms they make more than Americans, don't have to worry about health insurance, put away more for retirement, and have more paid time off. Did I mention that their country was close to debt free? Of course they can afford one - they don't have as many corporate boots on their necks.

The real question is why a polite little country of only 30 million can tell the corporations to behave themselves or fuck off and we can't?

[liberal N proud]

8. All of them I have seen were middle aged testosterone freaks

I prefer the Challenger anyway, it is much more retro than the Camaro

[azmouse]

9. Absolutely! And it would be the V8!

I currently drive a 2000 Camaro SS with all the SLP goodies on it. Love the horsepower!

[Brickbat]

11. WTF, too masculine? If the friend wants to get it, why not? It's an awesome car.

I'd love one. It's hot.

[EFerrari]

13. I asked for an "economy compact" when I went to visit my dad near KC.

They had a Camaro all ready for me. :rofl:

And, it was FUN to drive.

[Subdivisions]

21. Kicking for a heads-up. Camaro featured right now on NatGeo Channel. n/t

[Gold Metal Flake]

22. History repeats