[Z06] Driving a new Camaro
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 147
From: Penfield NY
Driving a new Camaro
I rented a new Camaro this weekend while away for a short vacation. The steering response on my 03 Z has gotten vague, and driving this Camaro really helped me compare the two cars. The Camaro is just the base model, but the steering response is so much quicker and tight than the Z. There is play in the steering on the Z between when I move the wheel and the car responds as opposed to the Camaro which is instant. I know the age of the two cars plays into this, but I'm wondering if I have a tie rod end or steering rack problem. My car has new tires with an alignment, but is otherwise all stock. Any ideas?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,527
Likes: 373
From: Philadelphia PA
Take it in to have it checked out. My guess is you have gotten so used to the Z, that something like driving a new Camaro has you thinking something is wrong. Your Z is over 10 years old, there's probably some suspension wear out, but I think it's more placebo effect.
My 04Z doesn't seem as fast as when I first got it, because I'm just used to the power. But if I take a passenger for ride, even normal street driving has them wide eyed.
My 04Z doesn't seem as fast as when I first got it, because I'm just used to the power. But if I take a passenger for ride, even normal street driving has them wide eyed.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 1,716
From: Everywhere and Nowhere at all
Don't even think about it... your car is gorgeous! I don't see a lot of nice C5Z's on the hwy much anymore.... C6's, 7's are a dim a dozen. Did you notice the blind spots in the 5th gen Camaro? My neighbor has an 09 C6Z as well as a Hennesey built ZL1 SS.. Which btw is very nice! I just cannot see getting rid of my C5Z for a 5th gen Camaro... Perhaps it is because I have a 4th gen SS.... 
Last edited by TXGS507; Aug 11, 2015 at 03:50 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 164
From: MA
No way in hell should a camaro (other than MAYBE the Z28/ZL1) feel like it has quicker/more responsive steering than a C5Z.
ANd that's from plenty of experience in both (including a ZL1, which to me did not feel tighter - I have never driven a Z28 though I'd love to)
Something has got to be wrong.
ANd that's from plenty of experience in both (including a ZL1, which to me did not feel tighter - I have never driven a Z28 though I'd love to)
Something has got to be wrong.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 147
From: Penfield NY
I don't have the alignment specs, but it runs straight and true and the tires all wear evenly. The car has 30k miles on it. I notice the play in the wheel at highway speeds. There is movement in the steering wheel before the tires react that I never felt before. The comparison to the Camaro is only to point out how much I noticed the difference.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 133
Likes: 8
From: Elk Grove CA
My 2002 Z06 has just 10k miles on it, and the steering is the tightest of any vehicle I have ever driven. If I move the steering wheel a half inch I am changing lanes. There is absolutely no play at all. Something must be wrong with your steering/suspension.