Quote:
Originally Posted by Number 3
I just wanted more. So I apologize for that.
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You need not apologize. We're all allowed to have a civil discussion.
This conversation has had me paying very close attention to other "sporty" cars I see rolling around. Things like Mustang, Challengers, FRSs, 370zs...There are obviously differences...but the "gunslit" windows are a design feature that has been integrated almost across the board to varying degrees.
It's the sporty "look" of the times. But in order to get that AND a 5-star safety rating, doors and beltlines have been raised...which in turn creates very little glass to work with. A lot of the cars I'm seeing solve this problem by creating a "bubble roof" shape (a round in the sheet metal near the drivers to add an inch or so of glass), and as a side-effect...a lot of cars share nearly identical rooflines.
The Camaro, however, has a very flat, chopped roofline that is distinctive from most others in the class. I wonder if that's a bull-nosed decision that Chevrolet design has adopted just to avoid being confused with any other vehicle. A thought.
But I've also noticed that none are without their own compromises...For example, the FRS and BRZ have lousy interiors. They look kinda funky and sporty...but they're very low quality. They're also very low to the ground, compromising ingress/egress, have no torque whatsoever, and the rear seat makes the Camaro's look like a cushy sofa.
But the Camaro now features an interior worthy of a Stingray...if the 5th-gen had an interior like a base-level car...this new one looks like a 40,000 car. It's easier to enter/exit, and even the base turbo four will kick your head back.
Both of these cars start at the same price point.
Some folks are turned off by RWD of any sort, which automatically limits the buyer for this car to a "sporty"-oriented person...there are some base-base-base model coupes out there like the Honda Civic, and the toyota Yaris. There used to be more, like the Cobalt....seems those sales are drying up.
So you're left with things like:
370z, BRZ, FRS, Genesis coupe, Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro...All start in the mid $20s...but the Mustang and Camaro are top dog in this base-model coupe showdown with regards to performance and features. I seriously question the judgement of anybody buying the others on this list...but we're all different...right?
And of these two...it seems that historically...whichever speaks more to the ego and style...has been getting the sales. That would seem to be the Camaro this generation, again.
But I've been rambling. I guess my point is - the entire segment is coalescing in the same sort of vehicle, in terms of style. The segment is also expanding with the addition of the toyota/Subaru/Hyundai cars...but in this segment...I think the Camaro offers the compelling value at any price-point that should attract buyers.
I don't think the car should appeal to those looking for "just a coupe". Because it may turn away customers looking for that "wow factor". I think the should build a Cruze coupe for...sporty utility.