2029 Camaro - model year report

[Stonehauler]

What's GM logic right now ? Does Camaro have to go 4-door to answer 4-door Mustang ? I'm so stupid, sorry.

Four door mustang is a theory, not a done deal. I have heard more about a four door Camaro than a four door Mustang, excepting what little has been released over the past few days. (for those interested in it...you're welcome since I just bought a car last week after giving up on it)

The economics for a dedicated "fun car" are turning solidly against the cars like Mustang, Camaro, etc. The average person doesn't have the money for a weekend car anymore, and more and more, the sporty SUV is doing double duty.

Even for people that could get the Mustang/Camaro as a daily driver, young people are too deep in debt from college to buy a 2+2 seater (the old market) and many empty nesters are busy saving for retirement.

As for the people who can afford weekend cars, they are either going used cheap, used higher end (2-3 year old BMW M3, M5, Cadillac CTS-V/CT5V-Blackwing, etc.), or even new high end. They also are being cross competed against by 2 seaters like Corvette, Miata, etc. The person who can afford a new 50-60k Ford Mustang GT or Camaro has a lot of other vehicles they can look at these days.

Long hooded coupes are also having a hard time. Homes are being increasingly built with living facilities over the garage, necessitating increased support for those upper floors. The cheapest solution is a steel post going up in the middle of the garage. My 3 bay garage has two of them, meaning that a coupe pretty much doesn't work in my garage (even my wife's grand prix needed to sit outside.)

Four doors add practicality. A family of four can easily get in an out. More room in the back means that mom or dad can convince their spouse that car can fit the kids for another decade. In other words, it opens up the market to a MUCH larger audience. If you want to see an example of practicality, you have to look no further than the M5. It was initially thought that the M5 sedan would easily beat the sales of the Touring (aka, station wagon) version, yet current sales numbers have them at an almost 50/50 split. The total sales have also increased. The same thing happened with the Jeep Wrangler.
Four doors isn't a death sentence. If done right, it can actually be the savior for the two door, allowing parts sharing, platform sharing and overall increased platform sales that can justify the investments needed for these vehicles.

 

[Blackgloves]

Camaro has already proven more than once in recent history that it cant survive purely as a 2 door coupe.

If bringing it back with multiple options such as 2 door, 4 door, and an SUV option saves it, go for it. Im all for said options and my personal interest is a highly optioned 2 door car.

 

[cooldawg]

Camaro has already proven more than once in recent history that it cant survive purely as a 2 door coupe.

If bringing it back with multiple options such as 2 door, 4 door, and an SUV option saves it, go for it. Im all for said options and my personal interest is a highly optioned 2 door car.

I would think a 2 door could survive given it is sharing chassis, some supply chain, and production facility with the Buick and Cadillac.

A 2 or 4 door option would be ok with me, but the end result won’t be the best coupe or sedan, of course. I would have a strong preference for a coupe designed only as a coupe, but would be open to a coupe that shares the Camaro nameplate as a sedan. If I like the car, I wouldn’t give a tinkers damn if they offer it as a 4 door as well…

The only downside I see is a Camaro only offered as a sedan. Why? Because that could just as easily be an SS, impala, or Chevelle. Would calling it a Camaro really juice sales over an SS, Chevelle, etc?

Which is why they will probably do it… How many more ZL1 1LE Camaros would’ve been sold had they just built all the sold orders?! All the evidence suggests traditional Camaro enthusiasts aren’t valued at GM. It will be 4 door Camaro or shut up and overpay for a corvette.

 

[Blackgloves]

I would think a 2 door could survive given it is sharing chassis, some supply chain, and production facility with the Buick and Cadillac.

A 2 or 4 door option would be ok with me, but the end result won’t be the best coupe or sedan, of course. I would have a strong preference for a coupe designed only as a coupe, but would be open to a coupe that shares the Camaro nameplate as a sedan. If I like the car, I wouldn’t give a tinkers damn if they offer it as a 4 door as well…

The only downside I see is a Camaro only offered as a sedan. Why? Because that could just as easily be an SS, impala, or Chevelle. Would calling it a Camaro really juice sales over an SS, Chevelle, etc?

Which is why they will probably do it… How many more ZL1 1LE Camaros would’ve been sold had they just built all the sold orders?! All the evidence suggests traditional Camaro enthusiasts aren’t valued at GM. It will be 4 door Camaro or shut up and overpay for a corvette.

The only way Camaro survives long term, and I predict that it wont, is if GM creates a car that appeals to a market much larger than what's it's been tapping into. Most of the people on these Camaro forums represent a very small (niche) market.

Ford has it figured out with Mustang. They sell so many non V8 Mustangs to females.

Camaro needs a design that both women and men equally are attracted to. Not just 30 year old males who want a V8 powered car.

I hope a 2 Door car, 4 door car, and even an SUV is available with the name plate

 

[arpad_m]

The only way Camaro survives long term, and I predict that it wont, is if GM creates a car that appeals to a market much larger than what's it's been tapping into. Most of the people on these Camaro forums represent a very small (niche) market.

Ford has it figured out with Mustang. They sell so many non V8 Mustangs to females.

Camaro needs a design that both women and men equally are attracted to. Not just 30 year old males who want a V8 powered car.

I hope a 2 Door car, 4 door car, and even an SUV is available with the name plate

Not sure what made you say the Camaro only appealed to 30 year old males itching for a V8. That is definitely a target segment, but I see more female than male Camaro owners in non-V8 5th and 6th gens here in Tennessee, and the ones I know or at least have talked to are all very happy with their V6 and even four-popper Camaros.

Of course, personal experience is always just anecdotal, but that applies to your estimation, too. I'd love to see a new Camaro that addresses the few known shortcomings of the 6th gen that may have been dealbreakers to some, and then see how that would sell.

Alas, the price of the Corvette has skyrocketed in the meantime, which (knowing GM) means even if a 7th gen does materialize as a 2-door coupe with all those issues rectified and then some, it's unlikely to be affordable. Just a couple of years ago one could get into a V8 Camaro for a price in the low to mid 30s... I expect a new gen V8 to be roughly twice that, which is not really affordable anymore.

 

[cooldawg]

Alas, the price of the Corvette has skyrocketed in the meantime, which (knowing GM) means even if a 7th gen does materialize as a 2-door coupe with all those issues rectified and then some, it's unlikely to be affordable. Just a couple of years ago one could get into a V8 Camaro for a price in the low to mid 30s... I expect a new gen V8 to be roughly twice that, which is not really affordable anymore.

A sad, sad reality. They certainly are not passing along savings from relaxation of the CAFE/EPA/ carbon credit kabuki. The C8 GS is going to sit on lots once the initial hoopla is over; especially without an aero delete order option.

It really sucks because the supply has squeezed the used market such that I’ll probably be priced out for a car I would like to own on either front. I’m just kicking myself over the cars I could’ve purchased in the low seventies, but I hesitated due to color preference. I agree- that value proposition is gone for good.

Only hope with regard to affordability is they bring something really attractive to market and get over their skis a bit overproducing it. Just not very likely- maybe possible on one or the other front- highly unlikely we experience both.

 

[Blackgloves]

I said Camaro appealed to 30 year old males wanting a V8 powered car because thats what generally goes after the Camaro.

Ive owned six Camaros, all were V8
Ive owned one Mustang (V8)

During those 3 years of owning a Mustang it truly taught me so much about both the Camaro, and the Mustang crowd. The Mustang crowd is so different. They fully accept any and all Mustangs into their group. Camaro is different. I remember being in a "car club" (an unofficial one) and we were predominantly LS1 car onky group. If you had an fbody that was a V6 or any other Gen, you probably didnt feel completely accepted.

The Mustang is seen as a cool car. Many here wont wanna hear that, but I noticed it immediately after buying mine. Everyone seemed to love it. The Camaro has a "redneck" stigma to it. People see it as a white guys car. Most female buyers have little interest in it. Mustang? Absolutely

GM must find a way to appeal to a broad market with Camaro. I dont think they are interested in that. I dont even think they see bringing back the Camaro as a long term plan. I think its nothing more than a stop gap production vehicle. It will probably be around for 6-8 years and then never return again unless its an SUV.

If they do make the 7th Gen Camaro that also has a SUV option, the chances of that name plate lasting long term greatly increase