"Hooker" (Hooker)
04/28/2016 at 15:00 • Filed to: None
7
30|
"Hooker" (Hooker)
04/28/2016 at 15:00 • Filed to: None | 7
| 30 |
I work for a Chevrolet dealer in rural North Carolina. We sell trucks (a lot of them). We sell SUV’s (a lot of them) and we sell some cars. What we don’t sell is Camaro’s. Not that we don’t want to, it’s just that it’s truck country and they don’t particularly sell well. So we don’t really stock any. So I took a short dive (16 miles) to the next closest Chevrolet store to check out the new Cruze which then led me to the 4 cylinder turbo Camaro you see above.
Let’s start with that exterior. It’s Hyper Blue Metallic and I love it. It was striking from a distance. It was even more so up close. The new Camaro is much more detail oriented than the previous iteration. Your eye is drawn to the overall shape of the previous generation, however, the details make sure this one looks more like a finished, fully baked product.
Interior wise (picture is exactly like the one driven but better than the one I took with the iPotato) the Camaro is a pretty good leap over the previous generation. It’s still awash with many hard plastics, however, they are nicely grained and pleasing to the eye. Padding in the right places makes sure you never feel like your elbow is not going to suffer on a long drive (I’m talking about you, Sonic.) It’s well laid out and the controls feel like a huge leap forward. The vent-ring controls take some getting used to but I find them to be novel.
The seating position and visibility of this car is a hotly contested subject. Some say it’s better, some say it’s still terrible. Both statements are true. I do find it’s easier and more comfortable to see out the front and side of the car. Though, the rear visibility is still about as good as a box truck with a rear view mirror. Par for the course these days with all the high belt line designs for safety and such. In my not so expert opinion, I think it’s no worse than most sporty cars out there.
Otherwise, it’s a good place to spend time. The seats are comfortable, yet supportive. The sound insulation is excellent and the displays are easily read. The MyLink Infotainment system with Carplay (and Android Auto if your phone magically works) is simple to use and provides functions of a more expensive car for a lot less. It turns an otherwise basic car into something with a lot more tech.
The course I took for this test drive was short and didn’t have a lot of curves. However, I was able to see that the turbo 4 is perfectly adequate for power/torque and presents an excellent case for fun. Make no mistake, it’s not going to win any stop light races. But it’s fun and engaging to drive.
Chevrolet has really nailed the chassis tuning. Curves are pushed through with authority while the car remains flat and composed. The turbo spools quickly and it never felt like it was lacking in power. The engine note would take some getting used to. It wasn’t buzzy but it wasn’t all that pleasant either.
I was not able to test out the braking as much as I’d like (panic stops are really not encouraged on a test drive) however, I found the brakes to be grabby and well adjusted. Side note, I like grabby brakes. Pedal feel was good and I always felt like the car was going to stop confidently.
Road noise and other NVH stuffs were well quelled. The only thing I didn’t care for was that this car, with it’s RS appearance package, had huge wheels that were rough and loud across the pavement. That’s a simple fix.
All in, I thought the 4 cylinder turbo Camaro presented a great value and fun case. It’s no barnstormer. It’s not going to win any races. But it does what it’s supposed to: Provide a fun, engaging and fuel efficient car for those who don’t need (or want) all that power.
Remember that Cruze I said I drove? It was nice too. I’d consider one to replace mine when the time comes. But now this Camaro is also on that list and that’s something I never expected. Call it a pleasant surprise.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 11:27 |
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Iron Duke or GTFO.
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Hooker
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/28/2016 at 11:29 |
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I guess I should have mentioned something about the old Iron Duke motor. But thankfully, I forgot it existed.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 11:33 |
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Going in to test another and possibly order one tomorrow!
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Hooker
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/28/2016 at 11:34 |
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Highly recommend. I honestly didn’t expect to come away as impressed as I was. As configured I would have bought it, but without the RS package. Not a huge fan of the big wheels. But they sure do look good!
Bourbon&JellyBeans
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 11:36 |
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It’s a good time to be in the market for a performance coupe.
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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 11:36 |
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I plan on going hyper blue 1LT RS, black interior, gray wheels, braking package, tech package, and manual.
I think the 18's look comically small on it.
Chasaboo
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 11:40 |
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Is the visibility a deal killer for you? I’m seriously looking at one of these soon. I’m hoping it looks good in white.
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Hooker
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/28/2016 at 11:44 |
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Agreed on how they look. I forgot to mention the braking! I was impressed! I should edit.
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Hooker
> Bourbon&JellyBeans
04/28/2016 at 11:44 |
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Agreed. Lots of options. Good options.
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Hooker
> Chasaboo
04/28/2016 at 11:45 |
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No, and I thought it would be. I found it quite a bit better than the previous gen and I immediately felt like I could get used to it rather easily. The old gen felt ponderous in a lot of ways. This does not. In any way.
dogisbadob
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:09 |
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Still no visibility, still no t-tops :(
Slant6
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:12 |
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Where in rural NC? I frequent a lot of rural NC.
citizennick
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:13 |
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If you decide to get the one without the Brembos I got the 4-piston’s off my ‘16 with only 1200 miles on them I’ll be selling ;)
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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Chasaboo
04/28/2016 at 15:16 |
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It’s bad, but it’s not too big of a deal with the backup camera and mirrors.
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Hooker
> citizennick
04/28/2016 at 15:16 |
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Sadly I’m about 3k too much upside down on my car to make it work personally. But when that’s no longer the case, I may just do that!
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Hooker
> Slant6
04/28/2016 at 15:17 |
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I live in Marshville which is about 1 hour east of Charlotte on 74. Where are you located?
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Hooker
> dogisbadob
04/28/2016 at 15:17 |
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The t-tops may be a deal breaker. Honestly.
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Slant6
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:18 |
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Boone and Raleigh. Mostly Boone.
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Hooker
> Slant6
04/28/2016 at 15:19 |
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Boone is a place I need to get to with the GF. So she tells me. And the weather is good now. Raleigh I could take or leave.
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dogisbadob
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:19 |
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I know, right? I mean, that’s the most distinguishing feature of the Camaro: T-tops!! When you think Camaro you think “yeah, the car with the t-tops!”
Fuck GM for being stupid and not offering them anymore :(
Jack Does Cars
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:20 |
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I’m near Raleigh, and a friend of mine is actually from Marshville. She rarely talks about it...
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Hooker
> Jack Does Cars
04/28/2016 at 15:24 |
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Oh, it’s not that bad! But this is coming from a guy that used to live in MA so the country thing is good comparatively.
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Hooker
> dogisbadob
04/28/2016 at 15:25 |
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Also, fuck crash regulations. Those thing put a hurtin’ on a lot of fun things.
Justin Hughes
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:31 |
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Toyobaru and Mazda insist that the Miata and FR-S/BRZ/86 aren’t competitors, even though everyone always compares them anyway. At this price point, the 4-cyl Camaro and Mustang are genuine competitors. You can’t hide the extra weight they have over a BRZ, but unlike past cars of their name they actually handle pretty well, and they’ve got a whole bunch more power.
My BRZ’s replacement will likely involve four doors (I’m split between a WRX and a GTI at this point), but if I was sticking with a sports coupe in the mid to high $20k price range, I’d have to give the Camaro a chance.
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citizennick
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:34 |
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My only regret when I ordered my car was not clicking the 6-piston upgrade, but now they're all over the Internet for around 2k through part distributors. So I took advantage of that 1k savings.
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dogisbadob
> Hooker
04/28/2016 at 15:36 |
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True, but they can still make t-tops that comply :)
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Hooker
> dogisbadob
04/28/2016 at 15:38 |
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So they’re just choosing to be dicks. Nice.
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Hooker
> citizennick
04/28/2016 at 15:39 |
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That’s a lot of dollars.
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Hooker
> Justin Hughes
04/28/2016 at 15:43 |
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I dig the way you think. A buddy of mine just got a BRZ. It’s nice. It has a great shifter (though, don’t tell anyone, I’d get the automatic in the Camaro) but it’s a slow car you drive fast. The Camaro by comparison FEELS faster. Probably isn’t but it feels it. And really, that’s all I care. I drove the new Cruze back to back with my current Cruze and my current feels quicker. But that’s partly because of turbo lag. The new one is more refined and has a more linear power delivery but I don’t like it as much. Weird. I know.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> dogisbadob
04/28/2016 at 15:54 |
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At least the speedometer is in front of the pilot.