Is it just me, or.......

[george 53]

Welp guys, I just got this mornins Free Press, an they're makin a big deal about the new Camaro in the auto section and the latest issue of Hot Rod is too. They keep sayin it's styled after the 69 Camaro, but the ONLY 69 trait I see are the simulated vents on the rear quarters.The grille is styled after the 69 the paper said, but the 67/68 had that same style of grille. The wheelwells are ROUNDED like a 67/68, and looks in NO WAY like a 69! My 69 had the squared off tops of the wheelwells that seemed to be a 69 exclusive design.(It's Joy's car now. I gave it to her, she's givin me a GRANDSON! so I think I got the better deal! sides, I STILL get to drive it!!! ) But wat do you guts think? 67/68 or 69 style? Even the taillights don't look 69. The 68 had the segemented taillamp bezels, or was it the 67? ANYWAY, It don't look like any 69 I ever saw, unless you talk about the roofline. Just don't excite me like I thought it would. I saw a Chally, and man that things BIG, NOT like the 70's I remember! Never thought about Mustangs AFTER 70. Still don't (NO offense Harry) So waddaya guys think? 67/68 or 69? Maybe after I see more of them out, it'll grow on me, but for now, I'm comfortable in my 95 Impala SS.

Edited May 21, 2009 by george 53

[Harry P.]

The Mustang and Challenger look a LOT like their 60s-70s versions, the new Camaro not so much. I think they were "inspired" by the 60s design, but came up with a new design that's only loosely based on the old Camaros.

Personally, I think they should have gone with the whole "retro" look. I especially don't like the front end design. Here's what the new Camaro would look like if I was in charge:

[Willy Survive]

I totally agree with you about the new Camaro. I don't really see much of a resembalance to a '69 at all. To be totally honest I know they just officially came out this week but I'm already sick of them. We've been seeing the for almost 5 years now. the Challenger seems big to me too. Of course I'm a little younger than you there Mr. Hernandez. (dad always taught me to respect me elders...especially my MUCH elders). But I'd be comfortable in the '95 Impala too there buddy. Is it the SS with the Vette motor George? Gotta remeber George these car companys are the same ones that have done things to us over the last 30 years like the Mustang II, K Car, Lumina van, AMC Eagle, Festiva, and the Cobalt SS. Some of these even have a place in some people's hearts (not mine, but some people). I think it's about time that we all realize that Detroit doesn't care what we think. That car will sell because it's the long awaited "Return of the Camaro". Doesn't matter how bad it looks or how much it is. Detroit if you're listening, boy do we have some suggestions for you!!! That looks awesome by the way Harry.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Willy Survive

[Zoom Zoom]

I don't obsess over what a newspaper hack says about the styling of a car. Most times they're way off the mark for being accurate with their observations. If I want car information, I steer clear of any newspaper. Car magazines and websites are where it's at.

The new Camaro is what it is; it's a very modern take on the first generation. It has hints from that era, with a lot of modern details. Personally I'm tired of '69 Camaros, they're the Toyota Camry of collector cars. They're everywhere and everyone seems to have one. To me they're so ubiquitous they end up boring me unless there's something really unique about it. Chances are at every cruise night there are 10 of these to any one original Challenger or Charger. Or even '67 or '68 Camaro. I find myself going right past them and being drawn to the cars that aren't so common.

I love the new Camaro style a lot more than any '69; I got used to the grille and I really like the way they did the detailing. The Challenger, by comparison, is overly-simplistic, way oversized (needs a serious section job), and to me it's a bad take on the original that I like much better. Is it awful? No, not at all, I just think it's silly to call such a huge car a "Challenger" or a pony car. I take it as a full size RWD V8 American car. In that respect, I like it. Comfort, visibility, trunk space and overall daily use it's going to spank the prettier Camaro, which is very hard to see out of and the trunk is almost as tiny as a Miata's. I'll bet the Camaro is much more fun to drive, but I was surprised how much you feel like you're in a chopped-top custom in it, it would take a lot of getting used to such poor visibility.

[B_rad88]

The Mustang and Challenger look a LOT like their 60s-70s versions, the new Camaro not so much. I think they were "inspired" by the 60s design, but came up with a new design that's only loosely based on the old Camaros.

Personally, I think they should have gone with the whole "retro" look. I especially don't like the front end design. Here's what the new Camaro would look like if I was in charge:

FANTASTIC PICTURE HARRY!!!!!! I LOVE IT! how did you do it? photoshop? ITS AN AWSOME PIECE OF ART! and nice touch with the front nose slope!

Brandon

[Harry P.]

FANTASTIC PICTURE HARRY!!!!!! I LOVE IT! how did you do it? photoshop? ITS AN AWSOME PIECE OF ART! and nice touch with the front nose slope!

Brandon

Photoshop. If you know a few tricks and techniques, you can do anything in Photoshop...

[Raul_Perez]

...Here's what the new Camaro would look like if I was in charge:

OK...so next year when GM is owned by the government, I say that we all vote for Harry as the chief designer!!

[B_rad88]

ok, thank you harry, but i have another stupid question? where can i get the photoshop program?

[Harry P.]

Photoshop is made by Adobe.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/

[Ken]

This is the only 'newspaper hack' that I would trust with an auto review. Of course, he is not really a newspaper hack...

Lookee Lookee

I really think that both the Camaro and the Challenger both, need about a 5 to 6 inch sectioning. They look good in photos, but most of the press photos are from a low 3/4 front shot. The height of the body is minimized. After seeing both of the cars, the body just looks too fat! The roof looks too low. if the designers had gotten a little better on their proportions, the cars would look a whole lot better. That being said, I would still take a Challenger or a Mustang over the Camaro.

Edited May 21, 2009 by Ken

[randx0]

It seems like the camaro has been coming out since 1969.so the newness has already been lost on me typically I would lean more towards Chevy but for some reason if I were purchasing one of these three I would pick up the challenger . the mustang is pretty cool too so I guess if I were rating them in order of what i would buy it would be challenger ,mustang then the SSR then camaro.the prowler was pretty cool too when you got up close to them.

[Harry P.]

the prowler was pretty cool too when you got up close to them.

The Prowler was VERY cool! I wish I had the money a few years ago to buy one. Talk about an instant collectible. Boy, do I wish I had one.

[Eshaver]

HUMM................. I think Harry Pristolink should be put in charge of styling at Government Motors corperation , what ya'all think.......? Ed Shaver

[Chuck Most]

I don't obsess over what a newspaper hack says about the styling of a car. Most times they're way off the mark for being accurate with their observations. If I want car information, I steer clear of any newspaper. Car magazines and websites are where it's at.

I remember when Saab brought out the 9-7x (read, sexier Trailblazer SS), and all the Detroit Free Press and Lansing State Urinal...uh, JOURNAL boys were fawning over how GM had so thoughtfully moved the ignition switch to the console... as if that alone were enough to make Granny's Trailblazer into a Saab!

The car magazines, on the other hand, took the 9-7 for what it was... a nicely done urban SUV, but came to this conclusion: "Senator, you're no Saab." The newspaper reviews were more entertaining than educating!

I don't really like the look of the new Camaro, but then again, I'm one of the two or three people on the planet who doesn't like the look of the first gen Camaros. Bluntly, I LOVE seeing '67-69 Camaros destroyed in movies. But on the other hand, I hated the new Challengers, too, but I find that they're starting to grow on me. You know, sort of like melanoma. Maybe the new Camaro will grow on me as well.

At any rate, I'd rather be forced to look at new Camaros all day than another dull, lifeless Malibu, Avenger, Taurus, Accord, ect.

[Modelmartin]

I have to shake my head at all the "retro" cars. Let's move forward and look ahead. I don't mind some family resemblance in car lines but some of this is ridiculous. The Mustang and Corvette have kept the family resemblamce going without looking too far backward. Now that the Challengers are out on the street I think they are a joke! The Camaros look a little better but why bother? If I had the dough I wouldn't buy any of them. I would rather get a 500+ horse Audi with all wheel drive. It will smoke all but the Vette!

In the meantime I will still hope my 93 Protege with 195,000 miles on it still starts to take me to my job which I hope is still there each day!

[roadhawg]

I finally had the chance to see one of these Camaros in person yesterday. Did you ever see an ad for food, and it looks sooooooo tasty, but when you get to the restaurant and order it, it doesn't look like the ad? Thats kinda how I feel about this Camaro. Overall, it just didn't look like it was well built....sorta cheap looking. The front end is ok, but the rear??? Is it just me, or do ALL new cars seem to have two different design teams building the front and the rear? Look at the Charger....the front is mean, aggressive. The rear looks like an old lady car.

I don't think this new Camaro is going to be a big seller. As soon as the "gotta have one" crowd gets theirs, nobody else will want one.

If Chevy wanted to go retro, they shoulda styled the new Camaro after the 72-73s.....now THAT would've been cool. Like Bob said, the 69s have gotten boring. I swear, theres more 69 Camaros now than there was IN 69!

Yes, the Challenger could've been awesome if it wasn't so tall! I'm tempted to get a kit and section it about 4-5 scale inches, just to see what COULD'VE been!

Ford hit the mark on the Mustang. It looks great, runs good, and its somewhat affordable.

But the bottom line for me is.......none of these cars excites me enough to actually want one. I'll just keep driving my old beat up 15 year old S10 until it quits......THEN fix it and drive it some more! Its paid for.

[MrObsessive]

The front end is ok, but the rear??? Is it just me, or do ALL new cars seem to have two different design teams building the front and the rear? Look at the Charger....the front is mean, aggressive. The rear looks like an old lady car.

That's the designers forever bowing to the aerodynamic gods and too much thinking alike. Too many of today's cars have rear ends that are too tall and boxy with a spoiler to add to the bulk.

Gimme the days when cars had nice and tapered rear ends..............'67-'68 Chevy, '63-'67 Corvette, Any late '60's B-body Mopar, I could go and on.................

[vizio93]

If Chevy wanted to go retro, they shoulda styled the new Camaro after the 72-73s.....now THAT would've been cool.

yes i would love to see that. I don't like the way that the new camaro looks. i believe if they gave the idea to ford or dodge that they could have done a better job than chevy did. I too would vote Harry for Chief Designer!!!

[Harry P.]

So Bill... then it's safe to assume you're not a big fan of Sir Mixalot???

[Clay]

I still wish it was this one

[jbwelda]

its another sign of the bankruptcy of ideas that has haunted the US manufacturers since oh say 1969 or so. and for me anyway, a 69 camaro is just a pile of junk worthy of juvenile high school dropouts. isnt there a camaro already parked behind every gas station in the country, up on blocks with primer all over it? sure is around here. if only GM could have hired some decent designers whose minds werent back in 69 forever, they might actually sell some cars.

[MrObsessive]

So Bill... then it's safe to assume you're not a big fan of Sir Mixalot???

:lol:

[jbwelda]

and the prowler? someone mentioned the prowler?

that thing looks like a *really* bad lindberg kit designed by tom daniels or one of those cartoon minded people. it even looks plastic. i crack up everytime i see one of those on the street. almost as bad as a PT Loser but for entirely different reasons...just looks cheap, juvenile and very very poorly designed...like a chezoslavakian (sp) idea of what a hot rod was supposed to look like.

sorry but its true.

[MrObsessive]

its another sign of the bankruptcy of ideas that has haunted the US manufacturers since oh say 1969 or so. and for me anyway, a 69 camaro is just a pile of junk worthy of juvenile high school dropouts. isnt there a camaro already parked behind every gas station in the country, up on blocks with primer all over it? sure is around here. if only GM could have hired some decent designers whose minds werent back in 69 forever, they might actually sell some cars.

Another problem I've seen over the years Bill is no one (particularly American designers) is willing to take chances anymore------ they're more willing to "play it safe". I don't know if it's the Pontiac Aztec factor or what, but a number of designs I've seen come out of Detroit lately (save for a few) are too "safe" and don't have the love it or leave it factor that was once a hallmark of American design.

Don't get me started on some of the horrendous/ill looking proportions on some cars thanks to front wheel drive........that's been bugging me crazy for years!

[Harry P.]

and the prowler? someone mentioned the prowler?

that thing looks like a *really* bad lindberg kit designed by tom daniels or one of those cartoon minded people. it even looks plastic. i crack up everytime i see one of those on the street. almost as bad as a PT Loser but for entirely different reasons...just looks cheap, juvenile and very very poorly designed...like a chezoslavakian (sp) idea of what a hot rod was supposed to look like.

sorry but its true.

True? Yeah, to you, maybe.

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Good thing it's just that.