M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Non-repair car talk
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrole ... 12C9F57093

Bill's gonna scream at the computer monitor.
I’ve heard from a number of readers over the past 12 months. Hi, and thanks! There seems to be quite a friendly community with its arms around the Camaro. That’s nice. You don’t see that with, I dunno, Zach Gale’s Kia Sportage (read Sportage updates here). One reader asked me to speak to the “ergonomics and ingress/egress of this car,” as well as the visibility. I touched on these at the beginning of the Camaro’s loan, but even after living with this car for nearly a year of commuting, traveling, carpooling, and grocery shopping, there are things I have yet to get used to or can’t easily ignore.

The outward visibility is dreadful. It’s easy to understand why. Just look at the high beltline and the windowless sail panel. Even our 2016 Best Driver’s Car, the McLaren 570S, was easier to see out of. In terms of ergonomics, there are hardscape complaints but not a single user-interface software issue to report. There is practically no interior storage besides the glove box and a small cubby inside the center armrest. Oh, and don’t try to insert a USB cord in the slot within that cubby while driving. It’s an arm-wrenching dexterity game. My coffee tumbler and phone go in the cupholders, so I place my key card and garage remote on the not-flat base of the center console. One 0.5 g corner, and they land in a footwell.

Finally, not specific to the Camaro, but with two-door coupes in general, ingress/egress is a challenge. With its long doors, shimmying in and out of the car while parked in the narrow grocery store/movie plex/office parking stalls has become old. I find myself scanning for an end spot so I can swing the door wide open. Also, nimble and lanky seventh- and eighth-graders are about the only people who don’t mind stepping over/ducking under the front seat belt to fall into the back seat. When I showed up for carpool with a sedan, even they remarked, “Why don’t all cars have four doors like this one? It’s so much better than that red car you drive.”
When 7th and 8th graders are like "this would be better with 4 doors" that means the coupe is a dying breed. I happen to agree with them.
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

I do think the visibility issue is something you'd get used to and would be fine. An auto journalist hopping from car to car is always going to notice that.
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

Well this is one way to look at it. If you still want a Gen 5, maybe your original plan will work.
Unlike these other folks replying to you who don't get it, and just seem to want to argue, I agree. I have a 5th gen 1LE, and while the back seat is certainly smaller than most 4-doors, I can still fit my son's car seat and him back there fairly comfortably, with room in front for my wife (although admittedly not a lot). We even took a trip to north Georgia together in it and could fit all of our luggage and ourselves for a 4-day trip with little issue, and that's with toddler gear! After looking at the gen6, we definitely couldn't have done it in that car, and I'm pretty sure his seat wouldn't fit in the back of it. It's a great car, no doubt, but it's lost a bit of its utility. (Here come all the "great debaters" to say how "no one" buys this car for utility. Never mind that Chevy's original intention with the Camaro,
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

Get a different car if you plan on car-pooling full grown adults around and "storing" your junk. Camaro is a sports car. SPORTS. CAR. Not daddy day care center, or transit.
People are free to do what they want but I guess I don't understand an adult (with children) daily driving a Camaro. Weekend special car? Absolutely.
bill25
Posts: 2583
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:20 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by bill25 »

Watch me.
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

M/T final verdict:
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrole ... 584A75B9E9

Car is awesome, if the packaging works for you.
bill25
Posts: 2583
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:20 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by bill25 »

I will make it work... When it isn't 45K anymore... LOL
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

They claim in 3 years it will be worth $25k or whatever. Or I should say, a 3 year old 2016. Which is....next year if you assume a late 2015 start for depreciation.
bill25
Posts: 2583
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 2:20 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by bill25 »

Yeah... we'll see. Gen 5s are holding low 20's still...

My plan of the Gen 6 causing the Gen 5 value to plummet is failing.
kevm14
Posts: 16020
Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2013 10:28 pm

Re: M/T: 2016 Camaro SS long term update #5

Post by kevm14 »

The Gen 6 may depreciate to fairly close to the Gen 5 then. I don't see the gen 6 holding value as much, which is just fine.
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