[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by YoungGun1993

Consider this: 2017 will be the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Camaro. If this is going to be both the first and last time you buy a car new, this may be your opportunity to make it extra special.

Yup, exactly what I've been thinking.

I bought an early 2010 MY back in 2009. I didn't really have any issues with the car, however GM definitely improved upon the cars over the next couple of years. For instance my car didn't have back up sensors or a back up camera. Late MY 2010's got the back up sensors, and then of course they eventually added back up camera's in the car. GM also massively improved the suspension going from the FE3 to the FE4. Additionally the addition of MyLink / NAV system sure is nice.

Going from my 2010 to my 2013 was a world of difference. However that was also in part due to the fact that I went from a 2010 2LT/RS to a 2013 ZL1. But still, I've seen plenty of V6's & V8's and various MY's.

I think from a mechanical aspect things should be OK. The nice thing about the Camaro getting trickle down technology from the Corvette is that the Corvette has already tested it for a year or two. Also, like someone mentioned the ATS architecture will have been in use for a couple years from the ATS.

I suspect the 6th gen will get continuous improvements over the course of its existence, similar to the 5th gen. Along with getting trickle down technology from the upper trim level Camaro's that will more than likely come out (i.e. Z/28 and/or ZL1). However if you keep waiting on the next best thing, you'll never get a car. I think you just need to see what happens with the 6th gen and ask yourself if you'd be happy with that. I'm not too worried about first year issues. Alternatively the 2017 50th anniversary would be special one to wait for.

[Capricio]

I think that if I jump on the 1LE now, I can have plenty of fun with it while everyone else is working out the bugs in the 6th gen. By 2019, when the 6th gen is well-understood and the performance package line-ups are available, maybe it will be time to sell the '15 and get into something newer.

There are no "bad" choices here, just better ones. MY1 2016 is a foregone conclusion for me to pass on, though. Even as recent as 2009 with Gen5s, first year issues come up. I'm not buying off on the "in this day and age these MY1 issues don't happen anymore".

The only thing worse for me than having to wait an extra year or two is the buyer's remorse if I miss out on something major if I had just waited a bit longer. Your 2019/2020 MY is probably on target, and probably what I'll do. *If*, however, I see magnetic ride offered sooner, then I may just have to bite sooner. I can't imagine a performance pack coming out later that would supercede that.

Personally, I couldnl't handle a new $40K car every 3-4 years shedding depreciation dollars like a comet. But, as pointed out earlier, I really do think that given the current regulatory CAFE crap coming up, this will likely be the last generation of the attainable V8s. Then again, people started hording incandescent bulbs, too, only to find LEDs, while more expensive, are attainable and better overall. ...people also thought the era of powerful cars was over around 1976 because of goverment regs and insurance rates... yet here we are.

[Blast]

GM has on more than one occasion done upgrades to the second model year.

Look at last gen's Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL - They got the 6-speed in the second year. Or look at the new Silverado - you can now get the 6.2L with the 8-speed which you couldn't from the beginning. You could only get the 5.3L with the 6-speed.

Now, saying that I don't think we'll see something like the LS3 in the first MY and then the LT1 in the second, I just don't see that happening with the LT1 coming out all over the place but I could possibly see a 6-speed in the SS the first year and an 8-speed the second year. (auto that is), pretty much what the base vette got.

// Stefan

[SuperSound]

Originally Posted by Blast

GM has on more than one occasion done upgrades to the second model year.

Look at last gen's Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL - They got the 6-speed in the second year. Or look at the new Silverado - you can now get the 6.2L with the 8-speed which you couldn't from the beginning. You could only get the 5.3L with the 6-speed.

Now, saying that I don't think we'll see something like the LS3 in the first MY and then the LT1 in the second, I just don't see that happening with the LT1 coming out all over the place but I could possibly see a 6-speed in the SS the first year and an 8-speed the second year. (auto that is), pretty much what the base vette got.

// Stefan

The 8spd is already out and being introduced in all v8 applications. There is no logical reason it will not be in the 6th gen. GM is counting on it to help boost average mpg to stay ahead of CAFE at this point. Could it be a v8 only option at this point...possibly. But I'm betting you will only see 6spd autos in FWD GM cars next year. And that's only to the new 9 spd is ready. The model refresh for 2017/18 will likely see the new 10 speed developed with Ford replace the 8 spd (2017 raptor has a 10 spd).

[Number 3]

An all new car in an all new plant will be challenging.

And, yes, data often shows a slight blip in quality on launch.

Most OEMs have processes that are intended to find most concerns before a customer ever gets car 1.

First, we are now seeing the Prototype cars with camo. Those cars are built to ensure that the car is meeting it's performance and durability targets. Second, there will be Pilot cars, the first ones completely built in the new plant with the new tools. These are built to ensure the build processes can build a car that will meet quality standards. Next, we'll see likely several hundred CTF cars in the hands of employees that essentially will be evaluating the cars with regular reports just for quality. All of these are done well before Job 1 gets shipped. It's a very disciplined process.

There likely won't be a new engine or transmission at launch. The LT1 will have been in production for several years at that point including the variant in the Silverado. The 8 speed will also have been in production for over a year. The chassis bits, likely based on Alpha should also be well sorted. If we get anything, it would be a modification to an existing engine with anything new coming in year 2. That is often challenged and we may get the rumored new V6, but even that will likely be similar to what we have in how it gets built and installed.

This is how it works as every OEM I've worked for.

As for when do you get the latest stuff? LOL, GM will tweak and add right up to the last model year in some cases. So you won't likely ever find a year when you can say "this is it, it has everything a Camaro will have". And when you do that, we will be having internet discussions on the spy shots of the Seventh Gen Camaro.

[Capricio]

And when you do that, we will be having internet discussions on the spy shots of the Seventh Gen Camaro.

I know it's hard to predict the future, but wouldn't you say that very likely a Gen7 SS will have some sort of forced induction? I know GM and Ford are taking different approaches to high performance fuel efficiency... big torque NA with a million gears to stay in narrow power band vs forced induction, but I think the General will hit the end of the road with their plan before Ford does.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...e-fuel-economy

[Blast]

Originally Posted by SuperSound

The 8spd is already out and being introduced in all v8 applications. There is no logical reason it will not be in the 6th gen. GM is counting on it to help boost average mpg to stay ahead of CAFE at this point. Could it be a v8 only option at this point...possibly. But I'm betting you will only see 6spd autos in FWD GM cars next year. And that's only to the new 9 spd is ready. The model refresh for 2017/18 will likely see the new 10 speed developed with Ford replace the 8 spd (2017 raptor has a 10 spd).

Yes, but look at history. The 6-speed was introduced on for instance Escalade already to MY 2007 where the Suburban got it for MY 2008. Both on the same GMT900 platform that was introduced 2007.

The C6 also got the 6-speed auto in 2006. Meaning it was in production for 2 whole years before the Suburban got it.

I'm not saying it won't happen but GM has made decisions like that in the past.

I agree that within 2 years we'll only see 6 speed autos in FWD applications, but until then we'll see.

The Suburban isn't getting it for the 5.3L for MY2016 for instance, only 6.2L applications of which the burb isn't getting any of (yet?).

I can't see a technical reason for the 8-speed wouldn't work with the 5.3L. Could be a cost issue? Or they can't produce enough of them?

// Stefan

[Blast]

Originally Posted by Capricio

I know it's hard to predict the future, but wouldn't you say that very likely a Gen7 SS will have some sort of forced induction? I know GM and Ford are taking different approaches to high performance fuel efficiency... big torque NA with a million gears to stay in narrow power band vs forced induction, but I think the General will hit the end of the road with their plan before Ford does.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...e-fuel-economy

For all we know the 7th gen could be all-electric or a hybrid or something. It's too far into the future.

// Stefan

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Capricio

I know it's hard to predict the future, but wouldn't you say that very likely a Gen7 SS will have some sort of forced induction? I know GM and Ford are taking different approaches to high performance fuel efficiency... big torque NA with a million gears to stay in narrow power band vs forced induction, but I think the General will hit the end of the road with their plan before Ford does.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...e-fuel-economy

Guess a 5 or 6 year model run which would put Gen 7 around 2021 or 2022. Just a few years from the current endgame, 2025 CAFE.

ICE will still dominate by then that you can bet on. But hybrids and EVs will be more and more prevalent. What that holds for Camaro? No clue.

[SuperSound]

Originally Posted by Blast

Yes, but look at history. The 6-speed was introduced on for instance Escalade already to MY 2007 where the Suburban got it for MY 2008. Both on the same GMT900 platform that was introduced 2007.

The C6 also got the 6-speed auto in 2006. Meaning it was in production for 2 whole years before the Suburban got it.

I'm not saying it won't happen but GM has made decisions like that in the past.

I agree that within 2 years we'll only see 6 speed autos in FWD applications, but until then we'll see.

The Suburban isn't getting it for the 5.3L for MY2016 for instance, only 6.2L applications of which the burb isn't getting any of (yet?).


I can't see a technical reason for the 8-speed wouldn't work with the 5.3L. Could be a cost issue? Or they can't produce enough of them?

// Stefan

The Corvette example really doesn't tell us anything since the Escalade and 1500 trucks got it at the same time . The Corvette was the first with the 6spd in '06 along with the XLR for a year before it found it's way to other vehicles. Also the Camaro didn't exist for 4 years after the 6spd then so really doesn't tell us how trickle down would work. CAFE standards didn't begin to 2012 which is what prompted GM to develop the 8spd. Their initial roll out has been to some of their most important vehicles (in particular the 1500 trucks). Also keep in mind the new Z06 has an auto for first time ever. The ATS-V will be getting the 8spd too. So it would make no sense for Chevy's high volume performance car not to have it at introduction of an entirely new platform. Remember, Dodge already has one...Ford gambled on Ecoboost and didn't start development on a new transmission early enough (hence why they are developing a 10-spd with GM).

[KMPrenger]

They make changes throughout the year to fix issues. I'd be comfortable buying a mid or late model 1st year....although I will likely be in the market earlier than that. It's gonna have touch-screen, backup camera, wifi and a host of other good stuff that wasn't in my 2010 model. Alpha chassis is already awesome. I don't plan to wait. If you want the best 6th gen you'll be waiting until the last year. If you don't mind waiting usually the 3rd year is golden and gets more updates.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

They make changes throughout the year to fix issues. I'd be comfortable buying a mid or late model 1st year....although I will likely be in the market earlier than that. It's gonna have touch-screen, backup camera, wifi and a host of other good stuff that wasn't in my 2010 model. Alpha chassis is already awesome. I don't plan to wait. If you want the best 6th gen you'll be waiting until the last year. If you don't mind waiting usually the 3rd year is golden and gets more updates.

You going V8 this time? I'm thinking the V6 is going to be pretty darn tempting, even more so if a track pack is made available. We are going to be able to experience Cadillac levels of performance and road manners in a very affordable package.

[69RSSS]

Capricio, I searched GM Card on Capital One's website but dis not find anything. Can you give me any details???

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by PYROLYSIS

You going V8 this time? I'm thinking the V6 is going to be pretty darn tempting, even more so if a track pack is made available. We are going to be able to experience Cadillac levels of performance and road manners in a very affordable package.

Exactly....which is why I am still thinking V6. Don't get me wrong...I'd love to have the V8 but its difficult for me to find a good reason to get one other than that glorious sound. Yes....the power...duh lol, but I'll never come close to using all of it....as awesome as it would be. I could afford a low to mid-trim SS, but that doesn't mean I'll spend the extra money for it when I could use that money for my other hobbies, and modding the new Camaro.

I'm already pretty happy with my modded 5th gen V6. Sometimes I wish she had a bit more power or torque, but nothing crazy. Other times I'm satisfied by the performance.

The idea of a lighter, more powerful (hopefully) V6, on the Alpha chassis, with an 8 speed auto sounds absolutely awesome to me. I'm hoping for something under 3,550 pounds, give or take, with at or over 330HP/290TQ, 8 speed auto, and a performance package that includes suspension, gears, and maybe brakes. Sort've a 1LE package for the V6.

Mod that sucker over time to 350+ HP...you've got a killer package in my opinion. Would easily be a mid to low 13 second 1/4 mile car, which isn't far off the 2010 SS autos. Can't complain about that in a V6.