I'm really disappointed in the new Camaro, and as such, disappointed in GM. The car is a solid 400 POUNDS to heavy, at almost 3800 pounds curb weight. The heaviest the car should have ended up is 3350 or so, wet, ready to run. That makes it too heavy to handle well, too heavy to get the fuel mileage it should, and too heavy to be as fast as it should be. A stripper V6 stick car should weigh 2900-3000 pounds. A loaded hot rod version should be at 3350 only because the V8 weighs a little more, and because the power options and crap like T-Tops weight a lot. I was hoping Chevrolet would be smart, and offer a factory race car that weighed 3000 pounds with a 400HP+ engine, and a true street version that had a stronger engine, but also had A/C and a decent stereo and weighed 3200 pounds, without power every thing and T-Tops. A Camaro paying homage to the Z-28 with a smaller V8 and a stick shift ONLY, with A/C and a stereo, along with a real serious suspension and braking system would be killer.
It's 2009, the 1969 model was considered the to be the zenith of the model, so what do you do when you're bringing the car back of the 40th anniversary of its best year?
Base model, a V6, stick or automatic, with enough gear to make it snappy, but not hurt mileage, A/C, killer stereo, optional power windows and door locks, optional T-Tops, and 16" wheels.
A real Z-28, small hot rod V8, stick shift only, A/C and stereo, stout suspension and upgraded brakes, and maybe 18" wheels.
A sport coupe model, mid size V8, stick or auto, all options above, except Z-28 options (small hot rod V8, brakes and suspension).
A bad boy, like the old 396-375, NASTY V8, say the base model Corvette engine, stick or auto, and loaded, with the option to DELETE some of the loaded stuff.
A factory race car, like the old COPO 9560 and 9561 cars. A REAL stripper, no A/C, no stereo, no power options at all, just a bad V8, and stick or auto. Make this one available with the base Corvette engine and the only option besides color and stick or auto is upgrading to the 427 Corvette engine. To buy this one, you have to have a competition license and number from a sanctioning body like NHRA, IHRA, or maybe SCCA.
THAT is how you bring out a 2009 Camaro that is supposed to be a retro tribute to the 1969 Camaro. Four mainstream option packages, and a race car package to answer Chrysler and Ford.