The Model Year 2009 Chevy Camaro looks awesome!

[Penndems]

"A thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model", according to GM's Vice President of Design, Ed Welburn.

Motor Trend test-drove the 2009 Camaro Convertible concept car:

http://www.motortrend.com/av/roadtests/112_0705_2009_chevrolet_camaro_concept_road_test


More photos:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/FVDP/Photos/styleId=100687353#

[Initech]

1. Yeah, that new Camaro is SWEET!!!

I'm betting that it will not be cheap. If it was, I'd wait a year before buying my next car so I can get it!

[Penndems]

2. Base price is supposed to be between $20,000-$25,000

Manufacturing will start in 2008 for the 2009 model year.

If the '09 Camaro looks and runs as good as it does in the Motor Trend video, I just might be trading in my Toyota. ;)

[Initech]

11. No way!

I was expecting it to be somewhere in the $27,000 - $35,000 range.

I wonder if the new Challenger is going to be somewhere around that price range?

[Penndems]

14. According to this website, the price gouging on the '09 Camaros has started:

http://www.camarofaqs.com/price-gouging-on-ebay-for-2009-camaro.html

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101

These models are going on EBay for the $20,000-$25,000 price range.

Challengers will go for anywhere from $25,000 to a whopping $50,000.
Here's a website with more info:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/production-2008-dodge-challenger-identical-to-concept.html

[DainBramaged]

21. Bullshit, you can't take orders on them yet

All rumor, no fact.

[Penndems]

25. Thanks - I thought it was a little early for dealers to take deposits and orders, LOL

n/t

[DainBramaged]

26. There will be PLENTY to go around

Same rumor happened with the 07 SS 403 HP Trailblazer. But you can get one in 3 weeks (customer orders end June 8th) or just pick from the build out for end of year instead.

[DainBramaged]

19. With a V6 it's a direct competitor to the new Mustang

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance/

But with 403 horsepower, it's 1969 all over again. Boy are the gassers going to be pissed at Chevy!!! HAHAHAHAHAH.

[Penndems]

30. Dain, are you going to be building the new Camaros at GM?

Just curious - I see you're a UAW member!

The '09 Camaro is a sure-fire winner for General Motors. ;)

[DainBramaged]

31. I wish, not physically fit to work assembly lines now

But I WILL be driving them before they find homes, and I'd LOVE to get a demo!!!!!!!

[Penndems]

33. I can't drive a stick - any chance the '09 Camaros will have the automatic option?

Please post and let us know how the demo drives! :hi:

[DainBramaged]

35. Automatics will be standard in V6 and optional in V8 models

And all convertibles will be automatics to reduce maximum speed AND because the typical demographic for a convertible is a WOMAN!!!!!

[Penndems]

36. As a woman, I'd like to give a shout-out to GM, LOL!

Thanks for putting in automatic transmission for those of us who are stick-impaired! :hi:

The convertible is absolutely gorgeous - one hot car.

[Initech]

32. I'd love to get a Mustang

As a courier, I drive a shitload, so having a powerful car would be sweet. A new Mustang's got everything I want AND it's less than $26K. Hmmmmm....

[Penndems]

34. Sharp-looking car - go for it, EOO!

I'm holding out for the Camaro. Now THAT is a REALLY good-looking car.

[Initech]

39. Yeah, that Camaro is sweet.

I don't really care about MPG bragging rights (Even Toyota's website has a huge list of things you have to do to get the 44MPG rating - things like not running your AC, and so on), and the two hybrids I've driven I'm not that crazy about. But I really like the Mustang and have never owned one. This could be my chance...

[Penndems]

40. You know, I LOVE American cars, but I don't want to spend my life in the Service Department

I've owned a 1980 Chevy Chevette, a 1991 Dodge Colt, a 1995 Honda Civic, a 1998 Dodge Neon and am currently driving a 2003 Toyota Echo. The Civic and the Echo never saw the inside of a service bay, except for routine maintenance. The other vehicles were in for repairs so often, I had the the dealership Service Manager on speed dial. :eyes:

Once all the reviews come out, I will definitely be looking at the '09 Camaro. If it's built as solid as it looks, GM will have a customer in me!

[Initech]

42. I'm driving a GM right now

Owned it for five years (but it's got 92,000 miles on it so that is why I'm looking for a new car) ! So far, except for some minor brake repairs, it hasn't spent a minute in the shop outside of scheduled maintenance.

[Penndems]

43. Memo to General Motors: Make the side mirrors bigger on the '09 Camaro

Thanks for the thumbs-up regarding your GM car. The only thing that stops me from purchasing an American-made automobile is the fear that it'll spend more time in a service bay than on the road.

O.K., I went back and looked at the Camaro, and GM needs to make the side mirrors larger. They're not proportionate with the overall body of the car; much too small!

So, if anybody from GM is listening: MAKE THE SIDE MIRRORS BIGGER! :hi:

[Initech]

44. My car has that problem too.

[Penndems]

45. I drove a '74 Camaro when I took my road test for my driver's license

Brand new, it belonged to my mother. White, with red burgundy leather interior. Absolutely gorgeous car, a real head-turner.

I remember the side mirrors on her Camaro were a lot bigger than the ones on the '09. Yeah, GM is DEFINITELY gonna have to put larger mirrors on this automobile. The ones shown on the concept make it look like a "Shrek" car: Big body, little "ears", LOL! :D

[Initech]

66. Another cavaet about GM cars:

They have absolutely horrendous sound systems. My parents owned some for a number of years and they had bad sound systems, and the car I'm driving now has a terrible sound system.

[DainBramaged]

70. WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG

Bose, Pioneer, Infinity and Monsoon are available in MOST ALL GM cars in the 21st Century. And the standard systems are now the equal of every other manufacturer's standard system. Go stick a cd in a Chevy Impala, or plug your Apple appendage in.

Please note the meaning of generalization:

You're guessing or you just don't know.


Go to chevy.com, pontiac.com, buick.com Cadillac.com and saturn.com and check the sound system options offered on the vehicles. The only car with a shit stereo system is the Chevy Aveo sweat and shift model (no air, 5 speed for $9,995).

[Initech]

74. Didn't know that.

I really like the Chevy Malibu, but lack of navigation has made me cross it off my list for the time being. Hopefully they will finally get the hint and start putting nav systems on their '08s.

I'd like to get the Pontiac G8, but I'm betting that car will not be cheap.

[DainBramaged]

81. The "new" Malibu is the "new" Saturn Aura, a good choice

And the G8 (Holden 4 door) will be lovely, rear-wheel drive and an optional 362 HP 6 liter small block with 352 horse power tunable to over 400 with easy mods! Don't put the checkbook away, call Tire Rack for spare rears!

[Initech]

91. I love the look of the new Malibu, it is quite an awesome car.

I don't think I will be able to afford a G8, sadly...

[DainBramaged]

69. "I don't want to spend my life in the Service Department"

The last GM car you bought was 27 years ago. Do you think that they may have just made a few improvements in the past generation? I really dislike it when anyone makes a statement like that. Did you know the camshafts on the new Toyota Tundra trucks are snapping? They have to replace the engines. I think that would be a MAJOR worry to think about. But I wouldn't pre-judge the ENTIRE Toyota line over that one defect.

Jesus! That kind of generalization is just Freeperish.

[Initech]

73. 3 recalls on the Prius from '04 - '06 according to Consumer Reports

:wow:

:yoiks:

[Penndems]

76. Check again, Dain: The last American-made car I bought was in 1991,

which was sixteen years ago (Lee Iacocca sold me on the idea ;) ). A Dodge Colt that was in and out of the shop from about a month after I bought it (in May 1991, if memory serves), until I sold it four years later. The sales proceeds went towards a brand-new Honda Civic.

No one more than me is happier to hear that there have been improvements to GM products. I'm a union supporter, I like to put my faith in U.S.-manufactured merchandise, but I've gotten burned in the past. Hopefully, the present is - and the future will be - better (and if this Camaro is any indication, that would certainly be the case).

I didn't know that the camshafts on the new Tundras are snapping but, then again, I don't drive a Tundra. The Echo is my current vehicle of choice.

The "Freeper" accusation is a generalization in and of itself, and I will assume that it was cyber-uttered in the heat of a passionate defense of GM. Considering I worked in the Executive Office of the President (National Security Council) during the Clinton Administration (a distinction frowned upon by every right-winger I've ever met), have been a staunch Democrat since 1974 (thank you, Richard Nixon), worked with unions to get Democrats elected (Ed Rendell in Pennsylvania was a major beneficiary), and a union steward (again, another Freeper anathema), you do me a grave disservice by attempting to hurl that particular invective at me.

Thank you for your years of service at GM, as well as the info you've posted on this particular thread. I've learned something I heretofore was not aware of, and I appreciate that.

[DainBramaged]

80. Just the fact that you worked for my President

the President for the the digital age, the last real President of this Nation, you get a lifetime pass in matters regarding cars.



You would have liked the Cobalt over the Echo, better handling, reports of near 40MPG combined, and a 'Murikan car.

PS cars are one of my passions and vices. Thanks for understanding.

[dysfunctional press]

3. 1969 was the last decent model year for the camaro...

will they be doing pontiac firebirds as well?

[Penndems]

4. Pontiac has already developed the 2008 and 2009 Trans Am and GTO prototypes

Link:
http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/hotnews/hppp_0607_2008_pontiac_trans_am_concept/


Hot looking cars! :)

[guitar man]

63. Oh yeah!!

The bird!!! I'll take a black one with gold trim, The Bandit is back baby!!

[pdx_prog]

95. The Screaming Chicken Baby!

:headbang:

[DainBramaged]

71. Then you should have driven a 2002 Z28 SLP optioned one

Out-handle, out brake, outrun ALL previous years.

[CRF450]

100. I agree!

The 4th gens drive and perform better than the classics. The 69's are good looking cars no doubt, but I'll take a 4th gen LS1 anyday!

[Richard Steele]

5. Not that it's not a good-looking machine, but it doesn't say "Camaro" to me.

"A thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model"?

Model WHAT? Shelby Mustang? I sure as hell don't see any '69 CAMARO in there.

Ford did a much better "reinterpreting" with the new Mustangs.
Looks modern, but still screams its roots to the world.

I don't know WHAT this new Camaro is saying, beyond "I'm confused".
It's a nice looking machine. I bet they could sell more if
they DON'T call it a Camaro. Or at least don't pretend that
it has anything to do with the '69 models.

[Penndems]

6. To my eyes, this model seems to say everything the 1960s-70s Cameros did

"Speed". "Performance". "Sleek". "Modern". If it's well-built, Chevy will probably sell a ton of 'em! :)

I haven't seen the new Mustangs. Have you had an opportunity to test-drive one?

[Richard Steele]

9. No, I've not driven one, but there are several I see around town.

As I said, I think this (a 2006) is a much more successful "retooling"
of a classic '60s design:

[Penndems]

12. Wow, Ford did an excellent job

That Mustang looks straight out of 1970! :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

18. That's probably the best automobile retro job of all

I was very impressed when the new Mustangs came out. And I'm a Chevy man.

[Bombero1956]

85. this is mine

Damn fine car. The Camaro looks okay but GM overdid the styling.

[Penndems]

88. That GT is YOU! :)

It just has "Gargoyle" written all over it - and I mean that in the nicest possible way, LOL!

Gorgeous car - Pontiac did an outstanding job.

[Bombero1956]

90. whay thank you

This is the second Mustang GT I've owned. The other is a 1999 coupe. It's a far cry from the first car I owned, a fuddy duddy 4 door sedan. The '99 is parked until I can afford to get the body painted.

[Penndems]

103. Meant to say that FORD - not Pontiac - did a fine job

Got my GT and my GTO mixed up - my bad! :(

Anyway, that is a beautiful car and it fits you to a "T", Gargoyle.

[DainBramaged]

93. I have friends that have a restored 1965 yellow and black convertible

and a 2005 yellow and black convertible! Both with black interiors!

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. I got the same thing

"Is that trying to be a Mustang?" :shrug:

Two things with modern car design I've had quite enough of: bodies that look like they're billet titanium and wheels that look like they came off a Conestoga wagon.

[Penndems]

41. FYI, check out the MSRP on this Shelby GT at a Fort Myers, Florida dealership:

Link:
http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=825612

********************************************************************

Over forty-eight thousand dollars. UNBELIEVABLE. :scared:

[Richard Steele]

46. My uncle had a '68 Shelby 429 when I was a kid

At the time, it wasn't a rare and valuable piece of Americana,
just a really badass "used car". (mid '70s; I think he got it
cheap at the tail-end of the "gas crisis"; $1500 if I recall correctly)

He used to race it at the Bedford County fairgrounds; it ended its life
going around a tiny dirt circle getting slammed by rusty GTOs
and 200-buck big-block Chevys that couldn't pass the PA State
"highway inspection" anymore.

Whatever petty cash he won racing would be NOTHING compared to what
that magnificent machine would be worth today if he had just
mothballed it for these last 30 years. :cry:

[DainBramaged]

72. For 500 horsepower? Ever priced a Ferrari or Corvette Z06?

A BARGAIN!

[Penndems]

77. Alas, Hubby and I would not be a Ferrari or Corvette customer

Too expensive for us! I do see your point, though. :)

What do you think of the new Shelby GT (design, construction, etc.), Dain?

[DainBramaged]

79. If I could write the check, it would be near the top of my list

500 horsepower from under 6 liters for under 50 large. Stack the tires Margret, Daddy's going out smoking tonight!

[TommyO]

8. Very nice, but what's the MPG?

I just did a six-day trip from the Bethlehem, PA are to Chicago, up to Erie, PA, and back again and averaged 31.7mpg in my "ancient" 2000 VW Passat.

[Penndems]

10. According to GM officials, the new Camaros will get 30+ MPG

Link:

http://www.chevy-camaro.com/faq/chevy-camaro-faq-concept-camaro.shtm

[Esra Star]

23. 30 mpg........horse......t.

"GM officials have estimated that the new Camaro could get 30 or more miles per gallon on the highway with a V8 that goes to four cylinders at highway speeds. With gas prices probably being $3.50/gallon or more by the time the new Camaro comes out 30 or more MPG will be needed if not in effect required. Let's just hope it's not to little to late because 2009 is a long time away and a lot can change by then."

OK, I'm unfamiliar how the testronic V8 turns itself into a pussy little 4 cylinder. Anyone?
How this gets 30mpg would be nice also.
Cheers

[DainBramaged]

27. Shuts off fuel flow and oil to the lifters for the four cylinders not needed

It's REALLY easy in this the age of auto computers!

[Esra Star]

37. Thanks for that. Are the valves left open in the unused cylinders?

Or how is the compression problem dealt with?

[CRF450]

97. If it weighs no more than the 4th gen f-bodies (which it wont)

It can 30mpg without any of that stuff with a 6 speed tranny. I drive a 01 Trans Am WS6, on an interstate trip I got 31mpg going 74mph. The 4 speed auto's get way worse fuel milage.

[DainBramaged]

17. It's shitty mileage, it's not a gasser it's for enjoyment not mpg bragging rights

[Archae]

13. That's a chick magnet car...

Could I pick up the girls with that car, even as ugly as I am... :wow:

[Penndems]

15. Aw Archie, you're a cutie-patootie! :)

And YES - this car is most certainly a chick magnet. It was in the late 1960s-early 1970s, too!

[DainBramaged]

16. You should see the Pontiac rear wheel drive 4 door G8 GT

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0707gm_pontiac_g8/

362 horsepower knocks the Acura's, Lexus', and Bimmers out of the park in comparable model horsepower.

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. Somewhere, Harley Earl is trying to dig himself out

to come back and show these GM punks a thing or two about design.

[DainBramaged]

24. Nah, him and Arkus Duntov are playing cards in heaven

with Smokey Yumick and a few of the boys from the 60's. It is a natural progression.

[Oeditpus Rex]

28. You hit the trifecta

My dream car is a '60 Corvette with a Duntov 327 tricked by Smokey. :thumbsup:

[DainBramaged]

29. I met Zora and Smokey when I drag raced Chevy's in the early 70's

When I was part of the Truppi-Kling crew with Claude Uriveg, we used to get pallets of cylinder heads to test which had the best flow for stock and super stock cars. Zora hated the big block cars, loved the Mouse Motors.

[Oeditpus Rex]

38. I am EEdiot!

I've heard of Ardun heads since I was about 14, but it never occurred to me that the name was a conglomeration of Arkus-Duntov. :blush:

[JANdad]

61. Hey Dain...

What ever became of GM and the use of th HUD displays on the windshields? Always thtought that was a cool feature...

[DainBramaged]

62. Still on Vettes

[Penndems]

22. Wow, that is a tough-looking car

Three hundred sixty-two horsepower?! Holy cow!!!! :wow: :wow: :wow:

[CRF450]

98. I'm sure it can easily be bumped up to 400hp

The engine is just a tuned down version of the LS2.

[Penndems]

67. VERY nice - has the Pontiac GT gone into production yet?

What kind of mileage does it get?

[Blue_Tires]

47. yes...yes it does

[Blue_Tires]

48. fun site:

www.chevynation.com

[Penndems]

51. VERY cool, and I love the videos!

I've added it to my "Bookmark" list. :)

[mike_c]

49. I dunno-- it's a bit too angular for my taste

'69 Camaro:



2009 Camaro:



on edit-- and I REALLY don't like that smiley front end styling-- I much prefer the sting-ray look of the older models.

[Penndems]

50. Is that your '69 Camaro, Mike?

Beautiful restoration job!

I love the classic Camaro, but the 2009 looks sleek and modern.

[mike_c]

52. GAWD no-- don't I wish....

My ex had a 1972 or so when we met in the early 90's-- that was a fun car but still nowhere as nicely styled as the '69s IMO.

[AlCzervik]

54. if i ever hit the lottery for big money this is what i'd buy.

[Penndems]

55. Wow, that is one GORGEOUS car

Brings back memories of all those classics coming off the Detroit assembly lines from the mid-sixties through the mid-1970s.

[mike_c]

58. why can't they seem to do that now? I mean, update the powerplant...

...and the rest of the drive train engineering, but reconnect with THAT styling? There's nothing retro about that-- update some details, like the lights and the interior package, but DAMN that body styling makes me salivate.

[AlCzervik]

59. they probably can and i bet if they they'd find a whole new generation of mustang buyers

as well as the generation that originally bought that car.

[Penndems]

56. When I look at the '69 Camaro, it reminds me of my freshman year of high school

The guys and girls cruising in the Barracudas, GTOs, Chevy Chevelle Super Sport, Mustangs, Barracudas . . . ah, those were the days. :)

Looks like those great "muscle cars" are making a comeback.

[AlCzervik]

53. ooooooo nice.

[mwdem]

57. That looks like one sweet ride! I had a '67 Mustang

My bro alway had the Camaro. I think he may be buying this one.

[Penndems]

60. This version of the Camaro just might put GM in the black on their ledger books

Hubby wants to trade in his CR-V for a car, and he loves the look of this model.

(He has to let me drive it if he does buy it! ;) )

[unpossibles]

64. meh. not crazy about the front end

and a 6 L V8 will suck some gas.

[DainBramaged]

68. The NEW Shelby Mustang GT500KR and the Z28 Camaro

AREN'T for sipping gas, nor for the weak of stomach. I drove a 2004 350 HP GTO last week, and it was GREAT. The gazillions of Peeuses sold will more than offset the few of these ground pounders sold.
http://www.svt.ford.com/

This is STILL America, I think!

[carly denise pt deux]

65. That is a hot car

I still like the early 90's camaro body style tho....I once owned a 1982 Z-28 Camaro

[Forkboy]

75. If we could just get a new SuperBee.

[DS1]

78. UGLY! ! !

Once again, GM screws it all up.

It looks like a rolling Super Greg

[DainBramaged]

82. Compared to what

and screwed up what????????

[dropkickpa]

83. This thread is just BEGGING for

Bitchin' Camaro!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G81xwG4xQU

[Penndems]

84. LOL - That's cute! Here's a commercial for the 1970 Chevy Camaro:

http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=dWspEgdrUdM&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3DdWspEgdrUdM

[DainBramaged]

86. 2008 Camaro video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljg1GwQrfFs


2008 Camaro with Roots Blower baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN9JoDbECn0

Jay Leno preview video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heR6lf4T3z0

[Penndems]

89. The new Camaro "sounds like something that's gonna eat something alive!"

New 2008 2009 Chevrolet Chevy Camaro Concept Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILOsmgU_EQQ&mode=related&search=

[DainBramaged]

87. Bump for horsepower

[Gatchaman]

92. I thought they retired the Camaro...

but I thought the Eagles did a Farewell Concert tour too, so what do I know?

[Pithlet]

94. I think they're hideous.

The convertible looks a little better, but still too ugly for me to ever consider buying one.

[Penndems]

101. Honey, that Camaro is a head-turner!

To each his/her own, I guess, but it just looks stylish to me. :)

[Orsino]

96. Here's the 2009 Mullet.

[Penndems]

102. Well, it definitely beats the 1980s model, Orsino . . .

;)

[CRF450]

99. Glad to see theirs some gear heads here!

I was starting to think everone on DU has no lover for performance cars.

I am an owner of a 01 Trans Am WS6, it has a few mods. $1200 stereo system, and a magnaflow catback exhaust.






Just throwing this in to show the fuel milage rating. I have reached 31mpg on the interstate going 74mph! At that speed in 6th gear, the engine is only turning at 1600rpm!


Future mods, I want to get a twin turbo setup, my HP goal is around 800 on PUMP GAS. But I want it to remane relatively drivable.

And I want to get verticle doors like this one! I want wheels like those too LOL. I can do without that front end ground effect though...

[Penndems]

104. WOW - Awesome car, CRF450

You did a great job turning that baby into a showpiece. :)

[CRF450]

105. Thanks!

I am kinda in the market for a good daily driver to keep the miles off the T/A. Really interested in a G35 coupe!