2010 Camaro 2 Day Test Drive

On my latest trip, I decided to rent a new Camaro to thoroughly check it out. Picked a black one (of course) with a 300 hp V6 and 6 speed automatic. That was the only power option they had.

First impression was as I have seen in passing and in photos, there are great viewing angles, and some angles the apprear out of proportion. I love the aggressiveness from the front, even with the slight under-bite look. Overall it is just a bit too cartoonish to be right on, but it is I guess a nice interpretation of the 69.
The one I had was rolling on standard 18" BF Goodrich Radial TAs. The 20" in my opinion make it look too much like a Hot Wheels car.

Once inside, the view out was fantastic. Compared to a Lamborghini. Compared to just about anything else, it was hard to see out of. The windshield pillar is so fat, and the outside mirrors are so big there is about a foot wide blind spot. After a few miles behind the wheel however, it became quite acceptable, and I quickly became comfortable with where the corners were, and remembered to hit turns at a good right angle, rather than having to do the merge type looking around.

Seating was good, ergonomics good, climate control excellent, new XM radio controls and display convenient. Seat belts great compared to new Mustangs.
The problem with the interior is the vast use of plastic. This car was a cloth seat version, so it never smelled like a new car. It smelled like a toy factory on a hot day. You would need optional interiors. There is enough plastic on the dash and door panels alone to build a whole subcompact car. The good side of that, surprisingly, was that there was zero glare off the dash when driving into the sun. Not sure how they did that, but it was very nice.

Closing the door causes the window to slide up about an inch, so it seals up super tight. There was no wind noise at all on the highway. Very quiet and solid ride on the inside. Most new cars also can't be rode in comfortably with the window down due to wind buffeting, but this was just like an old car, you could put down the window and ride with your arm out. That was pretty nice in the evening.

Steering, Awesome. It had a direct responsive feel, not too heavy parking and not too light on the road. Not sure of the ratio, but it was quick enough. Wheel was a good size, but needed softer rim material. You may get that with an optional interior, at least I would hope.

Brakes. Excellent.

Transmission. In auto mode, un-inspiring, as would be expected from a 6. There are so many gears, you never feel it change. Once I got the Manual Sport Mode all figured out, the fun began. The car changed completely when you could rev it into the torque band and control the shifts. The paddles need to be bigger so you can be flicking them in all wheel positions. They must not think people will be using them much, so the controls are like an afterthought. So if you were turning, and wanted to grab a different gear, you have to go search for it back at 9 and 3. I got ok at that, but the target is small.

Engine. Sweet. Torquey. Rolling in first gear at 4000 rpm, mash the gas and it will spin these hugh rear tires. A 6 cylinder! It sounds good too in the upper ranges. (Thus destroying my fuel mileage) The 300 hp in sport mode trans moves the car around very well. A V8 has to be a blast, but the lighter weight of this one made the curvy roads VERY pleasant to run. I expect the best scenario will be the 6 speed real manual trans. I asked for one and they looked at me like I was from outer space. Why would someone want a clutch in a rental car?!?

Presence. Fantastic. This car upstaged everything on the road. Of course, it's probably the first one most people have seen, but you sure can't sneak around in it!
EVERBODY waved, thumbs up, came over to talk about it. Hotel manager left the business to hang out in the parking lot. Cops waved and smiled. People would punch their friends and point so they would turn around and see it. It was cool to see so many people excited about a new American car. That will last probably until there are 20 of them in every neighborhood, but for now, it sure breeds excitement.

Back to the winding roads. I took it up to the park where they run the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. The only US sanctioned Grand Prix on real public roads anymore, and after a couple passes to check out traffic and safety, I put it in manual and unleashed it on a particually nice section or two. WOW, they really got the handling, brakes, steering and roll control down pat. This was the best driving car I've been in for a long time under those conditions. Very impressive for a new US car. I was all smiles after that, then headed out for a nice dinner. Where it attracted another croud.

So 2 days later I had to drop it off. Averaged 21 mpg. It says capable of 29. Getting back in my Impala afer the flight, I realized how much more I could now see, but it felt like a canoe on stilts. Get the interior plushed up a little, and I could fall for the new Camaro. Of course for $25k, you could have a real nice 1969, and have some $ left over to be fixing it all the time.

Thanks for the review and pictures. I have been intrigued by this car since it was introduced. It is impressive that the base model has as much power as it does. It actually sounds like it would be a fun car to drive around in, too. Good job Chevy, now if they could make some other nice stuff aside from just the Corvette and the Camaro!

+1

I'm by no means an American car guy, but the new Camaro has my intrest to say the least...

Malibu earning Motor Trend's COTY is doing pretty good. Impala is not shabby either. Good cars thruout the line up these days.


Soon it may just be the Volt however.

I like the new Cameros
you mentioned the 6 speed manual, is that and option? or all autos?
there are starting to be more and more around everyday, I still enjoy seeing them now....until they are everywhere

You CAN get a true 6 speed manual in both the V6 and V8 cars.

ohhh
v8 is a hemi??
how fast is it, and can it be safely modded to go faster?

Nice write up and great pictures Bill!

I conquer
you want to drive my Italian POS and write it up before I sell it off??

you may have room to get up and walk around some compared to the Countach

The V8 stock has 426 hp. It's the same motor as the base Corvette, so getting 600-700 hp out of it will be a walk in the park.

Imagine that kind of power with a manual trans, no nanny driving controls, and a full coil over IRS with the huge Brembo brakes that come on it. Should be a great ride, and I'm sure shops like Lingenfelter are drooling to get some of these in action. $37250 will get you a loaded V8 SS version that runs a 13.0 1/4 right off the showroom floor.

thats faster than an NSX!!

I want an orange one

Orange RS sitting at Sam Pierce Chevy in Daleville...

BUMP, Because there is a new member with a 2010 Camaro, and I want to hear about it.

I think he may be the guy that "beat" me at ORP on Sat

its ok, the pickup kicked both our asses

http://www.indycarz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=819793#po...



and congrats Rick on the Murci

Hello Everyone

I am the new guy on the block with you, who drives a sweet 2010 2LT Camaro RS that is Imperial Blue with White stripes. This is the highest end V6 you can get with all the options. Its comparible in opptions to the 2SS except no V8 and different front vent.

Lets start at the begining there are currently 5 models for the camaro with 2 more coming next fall.

The LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, & 2SS future models Z28 and Convertable in all models except LS

LS, 1LT, 2LT are all V6 models that come standard with 304 HP 275 foot pounds of torque with automatic tran. However if you chose the Manual tran. you can pick up to 24 HP about the same torque.

1SS and 2SS are V8 models that come standard with 405 HP 280 foot pounds of torque with automatic tran. However if you chose the Manual tran. you can pick up to 23 HP about the same torque.

Z28 are V8 models that come standard with 505 HP 370? foot pounds of torque with automatic tran. However if you chose the Manual tran. you can pick up to 23 HP about the same torque.

Fuel mileage is very good with mine I average at 60mph 28~29mpg 1600~1700rpm
If drafting a large truck i have gotten 60mph 34~36mpg 1500~1600rpm

My average speed on I74 from Indy has been 70mph 26mpg 1800rpm still good for the morning run in that takes me an hour to greensburg.

This is all with some in town driving as well not all highway. My miles for a tank of gas is 420 miles 16 gal tank. not to bad i say.

The interior package does have a lot of plastic. However when stepping up to the RS package you will be getting some cool upgrades. First leather seats, leather accents steering wheel, shift knob, and other cool light accents. The connectivity package is cool as well. This allows for a USB direct connect of your IPod that is controlled through the steering wheel, a extra accessory jack in the consol, Boston acoustics surround stereo, and blue tooth enabled through the stereo / Onstar system. Extior you will receive Halo head lights, fog lights, RS emblems, 20 wheels with Perrili tires, Special Rear tail lights, and rear spoiler.

Now for those who might say Onstar that service sucks. Not for new GM vehicles that are out. My camaro could be stolen just like all cars can be. However if it is stolen i call the Police and Onstar works directly with them to catch the thief. Here is how. After calling the cars GPS tells the police were and what rout the car is headed in. Once the police officer spots the car he tells onstar i see the car in question. Onstar turns on all lights and flashes them so they are sure they are tracking the right car. Once the officer says i see them Onstar begins a shut down procedure to safely bring the car to rest. Then keeps the door locked until the police officer gives the command to open the door to Onstar. The thief is caught and hopefully minimal damage is done to the car. This feature alone will keep the insurance payment low.

Overall I love the car and would not change anything about it. If anyone is thinking of getting one i would suggest jumping on Camaro5.com the forums there are the best in helping make my decision to buy one.

That was a great write up thanks for your experience. If you are in the area stop in and see mine. It will defiantly have a different feel to it.

Later everyone

that onstar theft thing is awesome

how much is the z28 gonna be??

Apparently they're faster than Carrera GTs

sigh

Thanks for the report. Looking forward to seeing your car at a drive or Cars and Coffee.

My understanding is the Z28 will start at 42K.

There will be a better hood. more accent pices. and different trim options. The hurst and Yanko's will also be avalible.