4th Gen F-body vs 5th Gen Camaro

A

Atrus

Forum Member
I'm hoping you guys can share a little experience with me. I work for GM and managed to score a 2012 SS Convertible manual for the week (they let us take home 1 car a quarter). Reason I chose this was I am looking for a toy, and I wanted to see how much I liked the convertible manual. If I liked it, I was going to look for a 4th gen SS. Turns out I love the car far more than I expected.

The problem is, I really can't afford a $40k toy. I could save for several years, but then I've just burned a bunch of time and it'd still be a pricey venture. I originally was thinking of getting a 4th gen SS convertible. I drove a 2002 auto Z28 convertible that's at Sterling Heights Dodge yesterday. It wasn't in bad shape, but it wasn't mint either. I didn't think it rode terrible - suspension felt a little worn (53k on it), but the seats weren't that comfortable and it just felt...old...compared to the new SS. I felt like I was sitting on the car rather than in it. This had cloth seats and a borla exhaust I wasn't thrilled with. The seat just seemed to be really high up in the car and I almost felt like my head was sticking above the windshield even though I know it wasn't (and I am only 5'8"). The car is here.

My question to you is...if I were to find a mint (or REALLY nice) 4th gen SS 6 speed convertible, do you feel it'll be more comfortable (leather seats) and ride nicer than this 2002 Z? Is there a good set of springs/shocks/other stuff that can be put on a 4th gen to make it ride similar to the 5th gen? I like the firm, but not harsh ride. I'd plan on subframe connectors to help stiffen it up - I'd think that'd help a bit.

I am just looking for a reasonably priced toy that I can take the family out in, and would prefer something from the General - hence me looking at Camaros. I'd like a V8 stick convertible with a little guts to it. I won't be drag racing it or autocrossing it, and I'd like for it to be reasonably comfortable - this is why the 5th gen suits me so well (other than the price tag).

Any experience or thoughts would be really appreciated!

Any thoughts/suggestions on how to take a 4th Gen SS and make it a good, comfortable toy to play with on the street?
 
Should have drove a 3rd gen and then a 4th gen. Not a 5th gen then a 4th gen. Now you'll never be happy.
 
I had a 3rd gen back when I was 16...that was 1997. Didn't mind it back then, but I can tell I'm a little older now.

2.8L of raw fury...(and, yes, that's me making the moronic face)

24157_631850554646_38506112_35580125_1418284_n.jpg


Here's the 2012:
35522_10100177917778526_776542367_n.jpg



So, what you're saying is I am ruined now after driving the 5th Gen and pretty much SOL on liking the 4th now?
 
Atrus said:
I had a 3rd gen back when I was 16...that was 1997. Didn't mind it back then, but I can tell I'm a little older now.

2.8L of raw fury...(and, yes, that's me making the moronic face)

24157_631850554646_38506112_35580125_1418284_n.jpg


Here's the 2012:
35522_10100177917778526_776542367_n.jpg



So, what you're saying is I am ruined now after driving the 5th Gen and pretty much SOL on liking the 4th now?
Click to expand...
What's nice about the 4th gen is you can mod the heck out of it and beat the heck out of it and not feel bad. That's the benefit over the 5th gen.
 
With those cars being 10+ years old now, it's going to be harder for find something nice. Chances are, you're going to want to find a southern car and drive it back. The ride on a 50K mile car shouldn't have deteriorated THAT much. So, I wouldn't expect a world of difference in how the car performs. I would recommend checking out a t-top car too. The 'verts are nice....but I've always liked having some sort of roof over my head for safety's sake.

A refresh on the factory suspension is probably going to be what you're looking for if you do decide on one. Most guys who do suspension on these cars do the off-the-shelf stuff like Bilsteins, Eibachs, lower control arms, subframe connectors, etc. The Eibachs will harshen the ride a bit, but they also close the wheel gap some...so it's a compromise.

At the end of the day though, I'd take a 4th gen over a 5th gen 9 times out of 10. They're lighter/smaller, there's pleanty on the aftermarket for them, and personally they're just more appealing to my tastes. If you're lookin' for a fun, bolt-ons toy that'll be a pleasure to cruise and pull a 12-second 1/4 mile...I'd say go for it. :icon_smil
 
LTLHOMER said:
What's nice about the 4th gen is you can mod the heck out of it and beat the heck out of it and not feel bad. That's the benefit over the 5th gen.
Click to expand...

That's one of the thoughts I have. I won't feel so bad about rock chips, etc on a sub-$15k car. It'd be bought to keep as nice as possible, but to drive it!

SSpdDmon said:
With those cars being 10+ years old now, it's going to be harder for find something nice. Chances are, you're going to want to find a southern car and drive it back. The ride on a 50K mile car shouldn't have deteriorated THAT much. So, I wouldn't expect a world of difference in how the car performs. I would recommend checking out a t-top car too. The 'verts are nice....but I've always liked having some sort of roof over my head for safety's sake.

A refresh on the factory suspension is probably going to be what you're looking for if you do decide on one. Most guys who do suspension on these cars do the off-the-shelf stuff like Bilsteins, Eibachs, lower control arms, subframe connectors, etc. The Eibachs will harshen the ride a bit, but they also close the wheel gap some...so it's a compromise.

At the end of the day though, I'd take a 4th gen over a 5th gen 9 times out of 10. They're lighter/smaller, there's pleanty on the aftermarket for them, and personally they're just more appealing to my tastes. If you're lookin' for a fun, bolt-ons toy that'll be a pleasure to cruise and pull a 12-second 1/4 mile...I'd say go for it. :icon_smil
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about safety. I've really weighed it out, and I just like the convertible. I justify it like this - I am already being reasonable buying something relatively safe, not getting a motorcycle, and buying it to screw around in, not race. If my big risk is that I am buying an open top car, I can live with that I think.

I totally agree that the 4th gens seem to be more performance oriented than the larger heavier 5th gens. Hell, 75-100hp more and my understanding is they are fairly comparable in the quarter stock - 4th gen possibly being quicker. I think I am realizing that while I want power, I am getting "old" (I am 31, not THAT old) and looking for some comfort as well.

Anyone have a nicely modified (modified for my purposes, not a 10 second car that also happens to ride like a cement truck) 4th gen that I can check out to get a vision of what I can do?
 
Mine is being wrapped up right now. It's probably a little more extreme than what you're looking for. But, if it works out, I might be able to meet up in the next week or two.
 
That'd be great - just lemmie know if you're still willing when it's all done.

There's a decent looking 2001 3.8L convertible at Fiat of Lakeside. Looks to be in good shape, at least from the pics. I may try to take that one out this weekend and see how it feels. Obviously won't have the power, but looking to see how the seats and ride feel in it.
 
There are a bunch of 2SS convertibles available for tagging right now if you want to save a few bucks. I think you can get them mid to low 30's if you get the lower optioned ones. I drive a 4th gen every day too, but it doesn't hold a candle to the 5th gens in terms of driveability. Those new Camaro's are tight.

If you want to spend a little more my buddy has a 2002 SS vert brickyard pace car (one of the parade cars). The only catch is it is an auto. He put the SLP suspension on it, welded in SFC's, Corsa cat back, and blackhawk OEM lid. Stock other than that, around 60k miles. Let me know if you are interested and I will shoot you his info (he works at the tech center too).

-Geoff
 
I've been looking at what's available for tagging, but even in the mid 30's it's out of my reach. I don't want to be "car poor" for a toy. As awesome as it'd be, it's a car that I can use for maybe 6 months of out of the year.

I think you guys are really answering my question. It's not what I want to hear, but it sure seems like for my wants/needs, the 5th Gen would do a lot better for me. Damn.
 
I think that unless you're an executive over there at GM, any toy car=car poor. With the new ones you'll either be saving forever to pay cash, getting a loan and be saddled with payments or with the 4th gens you'll be pouring money into it to make it what you want/keep it running right. Anyway, good luck to you, just my $0.02.
 
It's going to be hard to compare a 4th gen to a 5th gen. I've had quite a bit of seat time in both and they are completely different cars. It is hard to find a clean 4th gen but it can be done. I wouldn't want a vert, then you have to worry about the top leaking and the 4th gen verts don't look too great imo. Good luck.
 
Just a thought, and I haven't read what others have said. But have you checked the PEP list? PEP 3 gets you about 20% off. You still get any applicaple incentives and what not. Might help make a 5th gen more affordable for you. I know I couldn't have bought what I bought without PEP.
 
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