I'm getting ready to place my order on a 2010 Camaro. From the day the original concept car debuted a couple of years ago, I've been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get the biggest, baddest version of the new Camaro that was available. So I've been looking at the SS and all the options, colors, etc.

But now I'm really starting to second guess myself and I'm thinking a lot about the V6 instead. As the owner of a 1st gen and a bit of a muscle car "junkie," looking at the V6 just seems so wrong to me. But in practical terms, to get a 300-hp version for about $10k less just seems to make a lot of sense. And although gas prices have recently gone down, we all know where they're going long term.

I know this all comes down to personal choice, but please give me a reality check here. I'm committed to buying the Camaro, I'm just not sure if I need the 400+ horses. :confused:

Just my opinion, but you need the 400+ horses!

If you're looking to save money buy a Mustang.

Again, just my opinion. :yes:

John, no you are not crazy. As an owner of a V6 Impala, these engines have plenty of torque combined with the correct trans to get you moving quickly. remember most of the new cars bought today are for daily drivers and you dont need 400+ horses for a daily driver. And the 300 horses in the Camaro should work fine. If you are buying this Camaro to beat mustangs then bring out your 1st gen. :D

I would buy the V6 6 speed convertible in a heartbeat. Only thing to think about is the LT1 or LT1 or RS options :)

If your looking to save money why buy a new car? That car will drop 2-3k just driving it off the lot. If your committed why the 2nd thoughts? No one even needs 300hp, its bragging rights. Unless you live somewhere were you can get away with street racing.

I can remember back in 1993 When the 4th Generation Camaro was introduced. I ordered a Z28 with the performance rear gear. The std LT1 was rated at 300hp and you could get a Six speed Manual Trans. This was a big Deal! The car would run 150 mph and 14 sec 1/4 mile times.

It could beat most of the Muscle cars from back in the day.

The new Camaro 6 cly is a home run!

I've also considered the V6 car. That 300 HP direct injected 6 is no slouch in the performance department. That motor is a rever too, 7k ish I think?

Anither big plus, the v6 cars don't have the "knightrider" slot in the front of the hood!!!

Well, John...guess your choice depends upon a few variables, eh?

Back in the 60's, I suppose the guys faced the same question...Do I go with the 6 banger... or the 396? Will admit that the gas was a lot cheaper then... but some must have still considered this to a degree. Depth of pockets plays a role here.

Then as for resale/investment value in the future? This may be yet another thing to think about.

As far as going down the road, listening to that rumble of the 400+ hp, and the feeling of being omnipotent...hard to put a value on that!

Then if married... there's the perspective of the significant other who might play a part in your decision.

But, from the amount of info you have indicated...I think it's kind of a done deal in your mind. Like, how many miles will you actually put on the Cam... so does MPG really come into the picture?

Keep us posted as to which way that you intend to go... you might start a trend.

capt

Friend, don't settle for the 6. Just my opinion but there will be too many times you'll regret your decision. Even today we're obviously talking muscle cars so the more muscle the better. And 5 years down the road you'll be thinkin "yeah, man, this thing is so kewl". Even if gas goes to $4 again or even higher. So, IMO, your post started out that you wanted top of the line everything, so why compromise now? Good luck friend...

i to am on the fence about engine size. 300hp is no slouch in a new lighter weight car.the way the car will handle compared to first gen.makes it a hard decision to make no doubt. good luck, whatever you will be getting a new camaro that in itself will be great.

I think it depends alot on what you are buying it for. If it's your daily driver and you have a long commute then I would go with the 6 and save gas. If it's your daily driver and your commute is short then by all means you could go with the SS. If it's a collectors item that your going to put in your garage and drive now and again definatley the SS is the way to go! Personally I think it will be interesting to see if the car even sees the light of day in GM's current state. I would make sure there is a guaranteed refund policy if the comany files bankruptcy.

get the 6 then the 10k saved put toward a turbo or centrifugal super charger :D

I am sore from straddlin that fence too! I like the RS without the mail slot but would like the SS horsepower. If my pockets are deep enough I might just haveta get a V6 RS.... and then have Stephano put a LS7 in her.

Jeff

I am sore from straddlin that fence too! I like the RS without the mail slot but would like the SS horsepower. If my pockets are deep enough I might just haveta get a V6 RS.... and then have Stephano put a LS7 in her.

Jeff
Bottom line... deep pockets, eh?

capt

Back in the 60's, I suppose the guys faced the same question...Do I go with the 6 banger... or the 396?

Ted, it would be a no brainer for me if the difference between the V6 and V8 in the 2010 edition was anything like it was back in the 60's. Back then, the 6 cyl was definitely more like "grandma's car" and was a real dog performance wise. But IMO, 300+ hp cannot be considered a dog in anybody's book.

I really appreciate all the thoughts you guys are offering! Keep them coming, because I still haven't made up my mind...I'm just surprising myself by seriously considering the V6 when I had never intended to do that.

Remember that the only engine you could order at the roll out of the Camaro in 1966 for the '67 model, was a 300hp 350ci.

I drive a stock 275hp '67, 4 speed Impala to work every day, or at least until the first salting. It is peppy, fun and economical, but it is nothing like my '69 Nickey 427 Camaro.

The V6 performance numbers are impressive. Well worth the savings for some :D

Mark me down for a V6 RS Convertible :D

V6 coupe w/ 6-speed here...I'll wait for the end of the year and save another chunk of change. I'll buy one used :)

Go with your gut, you'll second guess yourself after you order the V6. For myself
the first choice generally works out the best. If you can afford the car gas isn't
a problem, just my 2 cents.

If it is going to be a daily driver, go for the V6. If it is just a weekend/fun car, V8 SS all the way!

Hey the gas mileage isn't that much different 23 vs 26 mpg.
But the 10 grand is quite a punch just to graduate to the next level.
Bottom line is a 300 horse Camaro is respectable on any street and I also am very tempted to go the V6 route just to be driving a 2010.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh243/jerry1258/flag.jpg

Which way to go is certainly a difficult decision. Especially when we don't yet have any vehicle to look at, touch and test drive. This girl is dealing witht the same dilemna. I have a 97 Z-28 w/6spd. Then rated at 275hp. The new V6 will have more ponies and umph than my Z.
While I'm certainly getting the new Camaro, I'm still undecided about which flavor to go with. Now, I have 2 - 3 years to make my choice (have to pay off my Silverado 1st). Good luck on your decision, I"m sure you'll be happy with either Camaro you go with.

New Camaro would have to be my winter car, so no SS here. Plus, when I pass it on to my kids in a number of years, they'll be better able to handle the horse of the 6 over the 8. Gotta think ahead....

Do what ya got to do but imho the 6's are going to be just like the mustangs...
Everywhere you look you see a mustang, 9 out of the 10 is going to be some banged up v6. Nothing more, nothing less.
Remember, this is just my opinion.
Go for the V8.

have you ever said "if i could go back in time i would have ordered all the options available" i think the mustang rule applies here, set yourself apart from the rest, go for the SS imho! unless this a car for daily driving for a few years just to trade in for a newer one ( if GM survives )

I think it all comes down to what you can (and want to) afford.

Sticker price is one thing, what dealers can actually charge can be another, time will tell how many V8 cars and 6 speed manual equipped cars will actually be available.

Insurance is the other difference that can easily make or break a deal for younger buyers.

Also, if you're a gearhead, it's easier to keep a V6 car stock. If it's a V8, the mods may never end, and that can cost as much as the car in the long haul.

All of that stuff adds up quick, and over the course of several years could end up being thousands of dollars. If you already have a classic Chevy to hot rod on the weekends, you might be better off putting those thousands of dollars into your classic.

Another consideration, is that anything that gets DD'd is going to get door dings, possibly even a fender bender here and there, it sucks to have that happen to a really nice car, pariticularly one you're paying several hundred bucks a month for.

I think it depends alot on what you are buying it for. If it's your daily driver and you have a long commute then I would go with the 6 and save gas. If it's your daily driver and your commute is short then by all means you could go with the SS. If it's a collectors item that your going to put in your garage and drive now and again definatley the SS is the way to go! Personally I think it will be interesting to see if the car even sees the light of day in GM's current state. I would make sure there is a guaranteed refund policy if the comany files bankruptcy.
I think Chris's post has become increasingly more important in the light of things that have happened as of late...esp that refund policy. IMO But like him... just stabbin' in the dark.

capt

V8 only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! V6 just dont sound good

Why don't you just pick up a clean 2000 to 2002 camaro and drop an LS3, or better yet an LS7 in it. You could put every HP part you could find on it and smoke the 2010 camaro (plus most anything else on the street), plus have a hole lot of money left over. And, when you go to sell it you will probably get a larger % of your investment back. Plus, just my opinion, I think they (4th gens) look better too. I was thinking of buying one when the rumors started, but I was very disappointed with the body style (should have a Cadilac emblem on it). But, if your going to get one, go for the whole ball of wax. If you don't like it, or get tired of the payments, sell it; it should holds it's value better than the v6. Who knows GM might be out of business in a year or two and they all will be collectors items. Hmmmm, better stock piling GM part right now.

Great question and the responses are just as good. Lots of factors to consider. Of all the factors (given you're considering the V6), ...I really believe it comes down to the money and what's important to you.

Let me first start off, ...that I'm one of the (yes VERY lucky) 15 'Camaro Disciples' that has driven the new Camaro, ...and indeed the V6.
I'm not saying this to 'toot my horn', ...only that my impressions are first hand, ...what I experienced. No question, ...the V6 power was very impressive (especially with the 6 sp manual trans).
I myself am a muscle car guy, ...I'd have to go for the SS (with RS package). Yet, ...for the same money, ...I could get an RS V6, convertible, etc, etc.
In all reality, ...given 425 ponies, vs. 300, ...when can/will you really use it? ...why not get a fully loaded V6 (ie. RS, Orange Inferno interior, convertible, polished wheels, ...brake upgrades, accented engine covers, striping (if you desired) etc., etc..
You could build one heck of a Camaro and save a few bucks over the V8.

...yeah, even knowing that, ...I myself would still go for the V8, ...it's just me :)

Kevin

Well I hope that GM can stay afloat long enough to launch the new camaro with the V-8? Looks like they will make March 2010 with us the taxpayers paying for the launch of the V-6 Camaro?

Amazing that it has come to this-what did CEO Wagoner do this company over the last 5 years? They should have dumped Saturn with Olds and focused on Chevy and Cadillac (the divisions making money)!

Guess there will be some pretty good deals in the months ahead...

happy holidays all!

JL

get the 6 then the 10k saved put toward a turbo or centrifugal super charger :D

bingo

i to am on the fence about engine size. 300hp is no slouch in a new lighter weight car.the way the car will handle compared to first gen.makes it a hard decision to make no doubt. Where did you get the idea it's lighter ? What I've been reading is that it's 900 pounds heavier than a first gen...

You guys are not crazy at all. With technology today the 300HP 6 cyl would more than likely still be quicker down the 1/4 mile than a 1969 350/300 HP SS even if they were both wearing 14x6 Rally's with bias ply tires. FWIW when I bought my 1999 Ford Explorer brand new the V8 only had about 5 or 10 more HP tops than the 6 cyl w/ the SOHC. I went w/ the 6...If you are looking to cruise, get good gas mileage and look good then the 6 cyl all new 2010 Camaro is fine.

But nothing gets the blood curdling and flowing like your sitting next to a naked Cindy Crawford then a screaming nasty first gen big block, especially if it was Nickey Powered or Baldwin/Motion Phase III...You want to feel like a kid again have Nickey Performance or Motion Performance build you a Phase III 2010 Camaro....I think the stage II version is plenty, the stage III will have a roll cage and some other goodies too....:)

P.S. The new Camaro will be heavier than a first gen but I did not see any comparisons by ragtop69 where he specifically said it's lighter than a first gen. He said lighter weight car. We all know with todays advanced technology which includes SRS, ABS, traction Control, A/C, power everything. additional sound deadeners, crumple zones, etc. ; the car will probably tip the scales at close to 4,000 lbs. And by today's standards if it comes in at less than 4,000 lbs (around 3,800 lbs???) it may very well be considered a lighter weight car. Even a fully optioned 1969 Camaro 396 Car w/ power everything and a/c would not weigh that much....But as far as drive-ability their is no comparison. The cars got heavier over the years due to emissions and standard features.....The 2nd gens in 1976 & 1977 were heavy too!!

The bottom line: Chevy needs to keep the car affordable to attract buyers that are 23-27 years of age that don't have alot of cash or attract women that are 50 years old with kids that are 18-24 years old and live at home....I wouldn't want to give a 2010 Phase III Nickey to a 19 year old and expect the car to come back in one piece, LOL!! :p :p

Options;My question, are the engines that are available proven engines this would help with my decision for one.As for giving it to the kids let them build their own Camaro or Chevelle..If the 400 hp is proven I think resale will be better in the long hall than a 300 hp 6 cyl. this doesn't sound like something I would want used in 4 or 5 years...JMO...

The V6 performance numbers are impressive. Well worth the savings for some :D

Mark me down for a V6 RS Convertible :D

Same here...maybe even an automatic!

FWIW, the spec sheets I have show the following curb weights:

LT w/automatic: 3,750 lbs
LT w/manual: 3,741 lbs
LS w/automatic: 3,769 lbs
LS w/manual: 3,780 lbs
SS w/automatic: 3,913 lbs
SS w/manual: 3,860 lbs

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your thoughtful insights and comments. It's amazing to me that this thread has over 1,200 hits and many great responses. It appears to me that I am not "completely crazy" after all (although my wife might disagree). There are a great number of responses that support the V6 version as well as the SS V8.

Considering all that's going on with GM (including their position that the $10 billion they just got from Congress is not enough to survive, as well as the lawsuit they just filed on Christmas Eve against one of their parts suppliers that filed bankruptcy) I've decided to hold off on the new Camaro entirely for now.:( I need a daily driver vehicle now, but could probably make it until March, if I knew for a fact the new Camaro would be ready. However, there are just too many question marks in my mind right now. :confused:

So I think I'm moving on to Plan B, which is to buy a 2006 or 2007 sports sedan (looking like an Infiniti G35) and drive that until the convertible Camaro comes out (assuming it does). Then I can go through this whole "V6 or V8?" thing again!!! :clonk: (FWIW, I think I'm leaning towards a V6 vert with the RS package).

Thanks again for all your thoughts.

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your thoughtful insights and comments. It's amazing to me that this thread has over 1,200 hits and many great responses. It appears to me that I am not "completely crazy" after all (although my wife might disagree). There are a great number of responses that support the V6 version as well as the SS V8.

Considering all that's going on with GM (including their position that the $10 billion they just got from Congress is not enough to survive, as well as the lawsuit they just filed on Christmas Eve against one of their parts suppliers that filed bankruptcy) I've decided to hold off on the new Camaro entirely for now.:( I need a daily driver vehicle now, but could probably make it until March, if I knew for a fact the new Camaro would be ready. However, there are just too many question marks in my mind right now. :confused:

So I think I'm moving on to Plan B, which is to buy a 2006 or 2007 sports sedan (looking like an Infiniti G35) and drive that until the convertible Camaro comes out (assuming it does). Then I can go through this whole "V6 or V8?" thing again!!! :clonk: (FWIW, I think I'm leaning towards a V6 vert with the RS package).

Thanks again for all your thoughts.

V6 automatic Convertible is in my radar as well.
Why not buy a nice used Cadillac CTS or STS instead of the Infinity? Just curious.
Maybe even a used G8 and practice driving on a Camaro chassis :)

Why not buy a nice used Cadillac CTS or STS instead of the Infinity? Just curious.
Maybe even a used G8 and practice driving on a Camaro chassis :)

Good question. However, considering the state of things right now, I think two GM vehicles (my 67 RS and my daughter's 2006 Cobalt) in my family is about all I can handle. Trying not to put too many eggs in a very fragile basket.

HI
Lets say you are in the NEW 6cylider at a light and a New mustange v-8 or a Cobbra or a new Dodge Srt8 Challenger pulls up next to ya.
Just like the TV comm. (I Could Of Had A V-8) DON`T BE THAT GUY!!! my .02:pout:

Good question. However, considering the state of things right now, I think two GM vehicles (my 67 RS and my daughter's 2006 Cobalt) in my family is about all I can handle. Trying not to put too many eggs in a very fragile basket.

Bah, people still drive Oldsmobiles daily without issues :)

Bah, people still drive Oldsmobiles daily without issues :)

Very true!

Also people fly on bankrupt airlines every day too!

The new DI V6 engines have quite a bit of power, all you would need to do is cold air intake, exhaust, and chip and you'll have a hell of a time. Why spend $10,000+ for another 100hp when you can get 100hp for $1500?

HOWEVER,
Personally, I would wait until these cars somewhat 'drop' in price(in the used market) and pay a LOT less for a SS model ;)

your right,you dont need the 400hp version.you need the 600hp blown ls9.:D:D:D

Very true!

Also people fly on bankrupt airlines every day too!

I drive my 1999 Olds Intrigue every day, approaching 130,000 miles, getting on average 23.5 mpg, and as much as 25, (combined city/hwy driving) no problems, great car!!!!!

your right,you dont need the 400hp version.you need the 600hp blown ls9.:D:D:D


The Nickey Stage III Camaro, Experimental Super Charged LS7 engine, is putting out a user friendly 700hp and I agree that the DI 300hp engine, in the Camaro will be a great base line!

Horse Power can be very Intoxicating : )