If the F-body returned, what would you want to see?

[Dave M]

If the Firebird or Camaro name returned, what would you want to see in the car?

For me, I'd like to see a fresh impression of the first gen cars, like the Mustang is doing. I've always thought a first gen look with today's handling and power would be great. I'd like to see a version of the LS2, obviously with rear wheel drive. I'd hope they'd keep it simple without adding lots of gizmos. Get back to what the car was before it was slashed - simple, affordable fun, but with a fresh look.

Most of all it needs to be priced right and have a good fit and finish, and not use the cheapest of materials. That was always a a weak point for GM, and a reason the f-body failed. It needs to appeal to the mass market to be successful, so compromises would need to be made. having said that, it would be a good opportunity to make the Firehawk or SS a more no-hold-barred enthusiasts' machine. Differentiating it a little more from the base models than the 4th gens did. Maybe plop an LS7 or upgraded LS2 in it with stiffer suspension, larger wheels, and more aggressive tuning. Enthusiasts are willign to put up with more noise and poorer gas mileage to get the power and handling. this would be there opportunity to do that. That way everybody can have their cake and eat it too.

What do yuo guys think?

[jschoenwetter14]

I'm pretty sure i heard that gm will not release a new firebird. only the camaro. and it technically would not even be an f-body because its based on another platform. i think i read it in phr or something. can't really remember right now

[Dave M]

I'm pretty sure i heard that gm will not release a new firebird. only the camaro. and it technically would not even be an f-body because its based on another platform. i think i read it in phr or something. can't really remember right now

I realize that, I'm just curious as to what folks here, the diehard f-body crowd, would want to see out of the next car. no matter what platform it's based on, it'll always be an f-body to me.

[Crazy Canuk]

If the Camaro is to come back it needs to appeal to the younger market.

Right now, unfortunately, most teens have a mind set of all amarican cars are garbage. They drive there parents car and they see window motors go out, power locks stop working etc. they say well that guys honda dosn't do that. so when they can get there own car they pick a car of that brand because they know its reliable. So GM needs to do the little stuff right, when they do it will be noticed.

If they bring back the Camaro, I would like to see them get a little smaller so they don't seem as scarry for people to drive if there not use to it. Maybe have a AWD version, if thats possible. I hope to god that they only have 2 doors :P I would love a mean looking LS2 RWD car but if you look at the newer cars they all have good power and most dont have V8's. I think make the V6's the target cars with mid 200 HP ok handleing nicer ride like a celica with power. Then maybe have a V8 lowered a bit, diffrent interior to get the old Camaro feel back. I loved the last Firebirds I think they looked so cool like a monster on wheels. I dont know anyone who didn't love that body type.

I would realy like to see a way nicer engine bay layout that makes it possible for a semi novice to do work on the car. IMO thats where te 4th gens realy missed the ball.

The bottom line is if the Camaro comes back it needs to make GM money. The sports car market is a nitch market, they have to make it viable for them to come back into it. That means make the car wanted by all, have power, handleing and style yet remain affordable.

Have your base version shine then maybe a performance one that are more to drool over and be alot more rare. Anyways thats what I think, to bad no one cares hehe :P

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I agree. It's too wide now. It's the same width as a mini van.

I know this sounds dumb but I wish they would have an option for automatic air. I hate the manual HVAC in cars. Put in a thermostat like a house.

This is really crazy but I would love it. Put the controls for low/high beams, windshield wipers, and turn signals on the shifter for both automatics and manuals. Make the shifter look like a fighter planes stick.

Also make HUD a standard equipment. Get the drivers eyes looking out the windshield instead of on the dash.

Get rid of the dash gages and make it a user configurable LCD screen. You want analog, fine. You want digital, fine. Any combination you want, fine. PC configurable. Make all of the computers give any problems right to that screen. No need for hand held scanners. SES, ABS, Body control all send errors to that screen. You want to see A/F mixtures, fine. Fuel PSI, fine. Anything the scanner can read now, make it an option to put on the dash screen.

[95TransAm]

I feel if the camaro came back, that a modern retro design would be a good one. An important part IMO is the stance. It's a must to keep a similar wheelbase, wide body, low stance. As for engines, a V6 option is a must so it actually sells. What i would be interested in is that LS2 though . An LS2 would be an absolute must. I also feel that an SS would have to be more than just a catback, minor suspension, and a cai. An SS should be for the enthusiast, being the reason why you would pay a decent amount more for it. If an SS came not only with "ram air", but with maybe a different cam, better flowing heads, larger sway bars, subframe connectors, larger tires, at least a catback, etc...., then i think it would give the prestige that the letters SS deserve.

I feel that the overall interior and exterior shouldn't be too flashy as well. The car itself should look bad@ss as all camaros do, but nothing gaudy. No reason for a large spoiler, too flashy gauges, etc.... Subtle accents like the interior of the GTO would be nice IMO. Like i said though, I feel the most important part would be the wheelbase, width, stance, and a possible (yet tasteful) modern retro look . If they don't get that right, it will never look like a camaro and sales would flop.

If they can make a decent output V6 at a good price (possibly mid teens), then i think sales would hold up enough to make it profitable. I sure hope this doesn't get screwed up though if and when it does come back.

[95TransAm]

Also make HUD a standard equipment. Get the drivers eyes looking out the windshield instead of on the dash.

Get rid of the dash gages and make it a user configurable LCD screen. You want analog, fine. You want digital, fine. Any combination you want, fine. PC configurable. Make all of the computers give any problems right to that screen. No need for hand held scanners. SES, ABS, Body control all send errors to that screen. You want to see A/F mixtures, fine. Fuel PSI, fine. Anything the scanner can read now, make it an option to put on the dash screen.

HUD...i knew there was something i was forgetting.

I like the second part, that would be awesome...great idea

[markd79ta]

If it is anything smaller then what it is now, AWD, or any of that foreign junk, (such as that atrocity Ford Called a cougar) I will buy one, light it on fire, and fire 10,000 rounds through it; then, send the carcass back to GM with a note. I would rather it be dead forever then come back as anything other then what it was. They have the Cobalt to fill the fart can market.

Oh, and that Toyota/Nissan/Honda junk is not all that reliable. I just spent countless hours on my brother's 4-Runner pulling and getting the heads rebuilt. Not only was there a recall on them for cracking, they all start to burn up the valves at about 120k according to the head builder I used...yep, pretty reliable stuff...please...three burnt valves and several skin graphs later.

[Camaro84Berlinetta]

well i have 2 pics i dont think they are in any way related with gm but some artist have drawn some ideas of what it will look like and there going with that new retro look but heres it is http://www.gminsidenews.com/GMfour.jpg
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...thgen_04_z.jpg

i like them i think they should keep the v8 as always mabe even throw a supercharged version in there...well turbo..but idk i still want it to be cheep....im loving the traction control ive gotten to have the opportiunity to drive an impala ls and i love that feature i think they should take off the rmp restriction but other than that i love it handles better than most cars that ive driven..and im also aginst the v6 version for these rich snobbs that dont deserve it will get it because it looks "pretty" and not appricate the car for what it really is...but i also dont want them to get ahold of a v8 and wrap it around some tree and make camaro drivers look bad..i think gm should bring back the firebird also..dont really have ne concept of the firebird but i think it would be nice for all the t/a lovers..not really one my self..but thats whenit does come down to looks on that part...

[Dave M]

well i have 2 pics i dont think they are in any way related with gm but some artist have drawn some ideas of what it will look like and there going with that new retro look but heres it is http://www.gminsidenews.com/GMfour.jpg
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...thgen_04_z.jpg

i like them i think they should keep the v8 as always mabe even throw a supercharged version in there...well turbo..but idk i still want it to be cheep....im loving the traction control ive gotten to have the opportiunity to drive an impala ls and i love that feature i think they should take off the rmp restriction but other than that i love it handles better than most cars that ive driven..and im also aginst the v6 version for these rich snobbs that dont deserve it will get it because it looks "pretty" and not appricate the car for what it really is...but i also dont want them to get ahold of a v8 and wrap it around some tree and make camaro drivers look bad..i think gm should bring back the firebird also..dont really have ne concept of the firebird but i think it would be nice for all the t/a lovers..not really one my self..but thats whenit does come down to looks on that part...

I liked the second concept. That's like what I had in mind. I think the base model should be a V6 putting out in the area of 250 hp. The base model Z28 should have the LS2, with about 350 hp, a la GTO. The SS should have the corvette's 400 hp engine, with larger wheels and stiffer suspension. The GTO could get a "Judge" version with 400 hp so Pontiac has one too.

The interior should be very clean and uncluttered and in keeping with the retro theme. However it should have modern conveniences like traction control, sattalite radio, etc.

A 5 speed auto should be standard with a 6 speed manual as a no cost option on all three cars... but the 6 speed is standard on the SS... you have to check that box to get the auto.

[ONLNTM5]

I think if GM wanted to bring the Firebird and Camaro back, they should simply allow suggestions form the buying public as to what “we the people” really want, and what we don’t want. Then they could turn it over to Chip Foose to design and build the prototypes. I believe that if they did this, they would be able to create the most successful run of these cars ever. Although, if they never bring these cars back, the F-body cars are going to reach a plateau in depreciation, and actually begin to go back up in value, to the degree that even that guy that was trying to sell his 02 Trans Am for $49,999.00 a while back, would be able to do so very easily.

Here is how I would design Re-born Trans Am

[Camaro84Berlinetta]

umm if that comes back as the t/a ill shoot my self lol...it doesnt resmeble it...idk..but yes i think they should do a "we the people" thing that would be awesome because were the ones buying it so we know what we want

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I think if GM wanted to bring the Firebird and Camaro back, they should simply allow suggestions form the buying public as to what “we the people” really want, and what we don’t want. Then they could turn it over to Chip Foose to design and build the prototypes. I believe that if they did this, they would be able to create the most successful run of these cars ever. Although, if they never bring these cars back, the F-body cars are going to reach a plateau in depreciation, and actually begin to go back up in value, to the degree that even that guy that was trying to sell his 02 Trans Am for $49,999.00 a while back, would be able to do so very easily.

Here is how I would design Re-born Trans Am

Which is the front and which is the back?

It's hard enough cleaning the inside of the front windshield now.

[ONLNTM5]

Which is the front and which is the back?

It's hard enough cleaning the inside of the front windshield now.

Yeah, its pretty radical - actually that is a new Maserati design, that I think that they have nicknamed the "Bird Cage" , or something to that effect. It is made from recycled materials and can switch from a gasoline to a hybrid engine in 6 minutes-

[NorthernSS]

I think one of the most important things that needs to happen with the Camaros' return is that you can get it the way you want it. Just like the good old days, you should be able to walk into a dealership and order a Camaro the way that you want it. RS/SS, SS, Z28, sleeper v6 fake out Basicly only what the buyer wants. Go in, check the boxes you want and leave the unnecasary crap off. It's the other things like power windows, A/C, pwdrlks, leather and others that drive the price out of reach of the enthusiasts. They should be the core market and be able to afford it.

There also could be different engine sizes available. Maybe a 4.8 or a 5.3 base version with 300-325 hp and with the A or SS with the LS2 or maybe even the LS7. They make enough of these truck engines that it shouldnt be that much of a price difference to put them in. Just a few of the many thoughts that I have come up with for when I get my favorite car back.