Dotslash, this is probably the most logical post you have ever made (IMHO)
What you say makes a lot of sense. Or at least it is logical. Knowing how car manufacturers think is another thing that may come into play. But giving them the benefit of the doubt, then yes, a car like the Camaro, that has been around so long should be evolved into near perfection (as was the case with the original VW Beetle). But even the Beetle finally had been passed by by time itself. Still, the Camaro is a bit different in that it has had more dramatic evolution than the Beetle did. More technology, more sharing from a huge company rather than just refining a totally unchanged format.
And yes, a rear wheel drive car with adequate trunk space, and a convertible option would make a lot of sense for a Florida car.
And while my friends do drive Porsches, and I must make amends, the sad news is that Dialing For Dollars has not yet found me
My real problem with a GM car is just that my past experiences have, like for so many others, just scared me off. It is sad but true that the quality has for so long just been inferior to Japanese and German cars. I know that American car makers have made great strides in improving quality. But it is still a bit frightening to me that they could manage to design a car from the ground up, make it in a brand new manufacturing facility, and be able to implement the finest thinking and quality control, and come up with the Saturn
Kind of shakes my faith a little.The fact that it took Ford to improve the quality of Jaguars sort of puts British cars in perspective.
Why are Honda Accords made in America with the same quality as those made in Japan? Same unions, same people, same culture as in Detroit. What is wrong with this picture?
Zero financing from GM (every car except Corvette) should and has boosted sales. Truth is I would be open to taking a chance on the Camaro or Firebird despite my doubts about quality, but personal taste just says no for me. Maybe I am just tired of seeing them. They really haven't changed and while nice looking, everything gets "old" after a while. Stylists and advertising have us conditioned to change our perception. A good example to me is the Ferrari 308. Coolest looking car there was when Magnum was driving it in the late 70's. Saw one on the road a few weeks ago, and it actually looked UGLY. (Maybe it was TOO stylish for it's time...whatever, it just did not hold up well).
If this is the last year for the Camaro/Firebird, then they could really become collector's items. But that is of no interest to me. Whatever I get, I will not keep. I just need a reliable source of transportation I can enjoy for 3 years. No more, no less. If I wanted a "hobby", I would restore an old Austin Healy. Only drive it on perfect days....no air conditioning, and on the older ones, no top. Or even better.... a Lotus 7.
A 1997 Porsche Turbo became an instant classic under similar circumstances. But if that holds any truth for the Camaro/Firebird, then it's only the top of the line that will work with those cars. And they are a bit flashy for my tastes. I don't want kids egging me on to drag race them from every stoplight (of course if they saw how old I was, they would probably laugh at me for being in the car).
Back to the '97 Porsche Turbo... still, even though it is a "classic" it is not a car that I lust for. I do like the 97 convertible, but I can't see spending that kind of money for a car with an archaic heating and ventilation system, and a totally spartan interior. Seven years old, and still a lot of money. I got spoiled with the interior luxury of my Lexus .....I admit it. Very nice to have power everything, great instrumentation, and an incredibly comfortable ride when on the highway. Not much fun to drive around town, (not bad though...something to be said about being seated high enough to see what's in front of you), but on the way to and from work, the most important feature is a good sound system....and in a loud car, like a Camaro (or any "hotrodded" car), it doesn't seem to work as well. Also, the practicality of the Lexus was nice. It was my first SUV. Lots to be said for the big "trunk". No better car than an SUV for a golfer (but I could, and probably will struggle with golf bags on my next car...or switch with my wife). BTW, I don't know what it was about the Durango that she loved so much, but the gas mileage is almost criminal. And the thing really does drive like a truck (it IS a truck). Of course if I understood my wife, then the stock market would be child's play.
Peace,
RS
