What is Chevy Doing?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
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What is Chevy Doing?
Used to be the corvette was the top of the line in the vehicle line up. Now the Camaro has 580hp (FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY) what gives? You have to own a ZR1 to have more hp? The only Corvette in the entire line up that actually has more power than the new Camaro is the ZR1? And this Camaro is 20k less than a ZO6!
Last edited by Slowgoin; Jun 30, 2013 at 07:25 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, Texas
IMO they are trying to appeal to a younger crowd. Face it, the Vette has the reputation of being an "old man's" car. Look at the design of the C7. You have to agree that it appears to have the looks to appeal to a younger buyer.
At $20K less than the Z06, the ZL1 Camaro brings in a buyer that may not be able to afford a Z06 or ZR1.
At $20K less than the Z06, the ZL1 Camaro brings in a buyer that may not be able to afford a Z06 or ZR1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
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From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Times they are a changin'. Economy has been bad for 5 years and will only get worse unless we make a hard turn. The Corvette was always a "rich" man's car. In 1970 when you could buy a new one for $5,000 it was VERY expensive. You could buy a very nice Pontiac GTO for $3,500. The GTO had 370hp and the Corvette was the same. They are different cars for different markets. Today's Camaro is competing with the Mustang for the youth who can't afford a Corvette. The ZR1 is for those who have plenty of money to spare. The base Corvette is for those who are a little more cost conscious and the Camaro is for those who will have to scrimp to make the loan payments. In a few years the Camaro will cost $100K new, the base Corvette $150K, and the ZR1 (if there is one which is very doubtful) will be $250K. That's what the American people said they wanted when they voted.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 859
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From: Fairfield County Connecticut
The Camaro is a tremendous value for the money. But remember that it's not all about the horsepower. Performance, comfort, quality of materials, etc.
The Camaro ZL1 needs 580 HP to do 0-60 in 4 sec. It's also priced at 54 K.
The standard Corvette will hit 0-60 in 4.1 sec but only needs 430 HP to do it and is priced at 49K
The 2014 Corvette will be priced at 51K will hit 0-60 in 3.8 sec and only needs 455 HP
0-60 only tells part of the story. Around the track the Corvette will outperform the Camaro any day of the week. But yes, they are fairly close in performance but you can't just look at HP numbers.
The Camaro ZL1 needs 580 HP to do 0-60 in 4 sec. It's also priced at 54 K.
The standard Corvette will hit 0-60 in 4.1 sec but only needs 430 HP to do it and is priced at 49K
The 2014 Corvette will be priced at 51K will hit 0-60 in 3.8 sec and only needs 455 HP
0-60 only tells part of the story. Around the track the Corvette will outperform the Camaro any day of the week. But yes, they are fairly close in performance but you can't just look at HP numbers.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 449
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From: Palm Harbor Fl
Chevy wants to attract a younger crowd of buyers. Most Corvette guys are middle aged or older, and don't wish to lose the "nostalgic" feeling of being serious longtime Corvette owners. Think about this. Every time you see a newer Camaro, 99% of the time it's an under 35 driver for the most part behind the wheel. Me, at age 60, would never give up a Corvette for a Camaro regardless of HP ratings in the vehicle. Just a marketing ploy to get the young buyers out there to spend their cash. The only way to do this is to beef it up under the hood. I mean, who wants drive a Camaro with a 6 cylinder in it???? I'll always drive a Corvette!! And bottom line? It's strong competition for the Mustang. Just Chevy stirring the pot to stay competitive.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Nazareth, PA.
St. Jude Donor '17
IMO they are trying to appeal to a younger crowd. Face it, the Vette has the reputation of being an "old man's" car. Look at the design of the C7. You have to agree that it appears to have the looks to appeal to a younger buyer.
At $20K less than the Z06, the ZL1 Camaro brings in a buyer that may not be able to afford a Z06 or ZR1.
At $20K less than the Z06, the ZL1 Camaro brings in a buyer that may not be able to afford a Z06 or ZR1.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Nazareth, PA.
St. Jude Donor '17
the camaro zl1 may have the 580 hp, but i'll still take the style of my corvette over the camaro all the time. it's like driving a sherman tank when you drive the camaro, just too heavy. and one more thing, i still love the idea of the two seat sport car. jmo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: South Dakota
Personally, I wouldn't own a Camaro. In Florida a couple of years ago, we rented one for several days. IMO, the visibility (blind spots etc) were poor, I didn't find it comfortable, and I thought the interior, especially the dash, was plain-jane and cheap looking. Having said that, the exterior is its biggest selling point. It is a nice looking car. The following year, we rented a Mustang. It was much nicer in many ways.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Chevy wants to attract a younger crowd of buyers. Most Corvette guys are middle aged or older, and don't wish to lose the "nostalgic" feeling of being serious longtime Corvette owners. Think about this. Every time you see a newer Camaro, 99% of the time it's an under 35 driver for the most part behind the wheel. Me, at age 60, would never give up a Corvette for a Camaro regardless of HP ratings in the vehicle. Just a marketing ploy to get the young buyers out there to spend their cash. The only way to do this is to beef it up under the hood. I mean, who wants drive a Camaro with a 6 cylinder in it???? I'll always drive a Corvette!! And bottom line? It's strong competition for the Mustang. Just Chevy stirring the pot to stay competitive.
Well said. Chevy is just doing what they can to sell cars. They will continue to produce Vettes as long as we buy them. When I bought my Vette, the Camaro had just come out. My kids could not understand why I did not want the Camaro SS instead. The younger crowd likes the Camaros more than the Vette. It could be about price, but they said that the Vette was an old mans car when i was buying it. (Their attitude is different now!!
Advanced
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Voted for whom? To re-elect G. W. Bush in 2004! I remind you it was the Bush administration along with a Republican controlled House and Senate that were overwhelmingly responsible for the "Great Recession" that is now 6 years old.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Horsepower, Horsepower, Horsepower. I sometimes get tired of listen to it. What can you do with 505 HP or 580 HP or even 638 HP on the street. Unless you track the car it is just bragging rights at the local cruise-in or car show. Even Tadge mentioned that in one of his many interviews about the new C7. He said he would love to see the horsepower wars end.
Now for the OP, if you think you need 580 HP buy the ZL1 Camaro then take on one of the new C7 that cost less and has 125 HP less and see who comes out on top. Besides look at how many GS were sold at 430/436 HP compared to the Z06 and the ZR1. Corvette is the only real model that is in the black.
Finally if you think that Corvette is now second fiddle just wait a year or two and there will more then likely be a new high performance model available, but they will not be bringing it out to compete with Camaro or Mustang or Challenger, but with Porsche 911 GTS and turbo, Ferrari, 458 and F12 and so on.
Now for the OP, if you think you need 580 HP buy the ZL1 Camaro then take on one of the new C7 that cost less and has 125 HP less and see who comes out on top. Besides look at how many GS were sold at 430/436 HP compared to the Z06 and the ZR1. Corvette is the only real model that is in the black.
Finally if you think that Corvette is now second fiddle just wait a year or two and there will more then likely be a new high performance model available, but they will not be bringing it out to compete with Camaro or Mustang or Challenger, but with Porsche 911 GTS and turbo, Ferrari, 458 and F12 and so on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
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From: cumming ga
In the 60's guys working at gas stations bought corvettes and cobras try that today.
Fast forward to today friends son went to school with my girls he is now a doctor. My girls drove vetts for years he never did call about any GM cars or trucks new c7 comes out and I get the call he really like's this C7 he's 40 so yeah its for the younger set. His wife is a doctor also and has her own clinic only drives foreign cars Mercedes and the like.
I own a Z06 2012 and 2013 2 ss Camaro and have an SS sedan on its way.
z51vett
Doug
Fast forward to today friends son went to school with my girls he is now a doctor. My girls drove vetts for years he never did call about any GM cars or trucks new c7 comes out and I get the call he really like's this C7 he's 40 so yeah its for the younger set. His wife is a doctor also and has her own clinic only drives foreign cars Mercedes and the like.
I own a Z06 2012 and 2013 2 ss Camaro and have an SS sedan on its way.
z51vett
Doug
Le Mans Master
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2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
Used to be the corvette was the top of the line in the vehicle line up. Now the Camaro has 580hp (FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY) what gives? You have to own a ZR1 to have more hp? The only Corvette in the entire line up that actually has more power than the new Camaro is the ZR1? And this Camaro is 20k less than a ZO6!
Here's my 2 cents....The ZL1 appeals to younger folks for several reasons. A friend of mine is a typical example. He bought a Camaro ZL1 because he's 36 years of age, is married, has a child, and needs a back seat. He would have preferred a 'vette but it's too impractical for him now.
He's made some minor mods, and is now running about 600hp. When he asked me how I thought I'd do against his Camaro, with my stock 436hp LS3, I told him he'd lose. He said..."but I'm runnin' 600hp!" I said,..."and you'll need every one of those extra 164 horses just to offset the weight of that tank."
It's been friendly banter for months...eventually we'll end up at Palm Beach Raceway, and see who's right.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Tonawanda New York
It has nothing to do with the Corvette.
It has Everything to do with the Classic Muscle Car Battle of Camaro vs Mustang it's been going on since the 60's Yo'!!! the latest version of which is ZL1 vs GT500
It has Everything to do with the Classic Muscle Car Battle of Camaro vs Mustang it's been going on since the 60's Yo'!!! the latest version of which is ZL1 vs GT500
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Bay Area Ca.
Ya I have the same sentiment but lately my fountain has been rather poor.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Eastern PA
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
A 2014 loaded Corvette convertible with tags, taxes, etc. will be over $80,000 before any discounts. That's a full $16,000 more than I paid for mine with all the options back in November 2005. Yes, it's a different upgraded car, but to think with the new styling it's for the young buyer? A small percentage of overall buyers as it has always been at best.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
This isn't a strike against you personally, but your statement is what makes the Corvette an 'old guys' car