'98+ Camaro trivia (archive)

It may not have felt that fast to you, but believe me, they are fast. Yes, they have the poorest build quality of nearly any new car on the road. Yes, they have a live rear axle and have sloppy handling (at least when stock). Yes, they can be ponderous to drive, have huge blind spots, cramped, etc.

BUT: They are far less expensive than a 540i or a C5. Skip the $35K SS model and get the base Z28 which, though GM won't admit, is just as fast. I know plenty of people with these cars. The '98+ models with the LS1 engine (shared from the C5) are especially dangerous in a drag race. No way a 540i will beat one (unless you've coughed up $12K for the Dinan hairdryer in which case you'll probably tie). GM might rate it at 305hp, but it's way underrated. People I know have had theirs dyno'd at 300+hp *at the rear wheels*, even when bone stock. We're talking low 13s @ 107+ in the quarter without so much as a K&N filter.

FWIW, they *can* be made to handle with about $2K in suspension mods, albeit with teeth-jarring ride quality. The f-body cars make a nice, low-cost basis for a weekend warrior/road race/autox type car.

Andrew

Follow Ups:

Oh yeah - I know... (more) M5 LITE 13:59 10/02/2000 (0)

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