Camaro 2002: The swan song

Écrit par Sylvie Rainville

1 décembre 2001

General Motors has finally decided, the Chevrolet Camaro and its sibling Pontiac Firebird will not be produced after the 2002 model. Many reasons were given, including the fact that the car would not meet the upcoming safety requirements but the truth is that this “pony car” does not sell anymore. What a shame. To a certain point, it can be understandable because “pony cars” were destined to younger buyers but at today’s newer prices (in some case well above $40,000), young people cannot afford them. Also, GM has probably gone a little bit “overboard” with its Camaros and Firebirds and made these cars too powerful, too intimidating. As funny as it may seem, their main rival, the legendary Ford Mustang is still selling successfully. And it is quite popular among the younger crowd, something the Camaros and Firebird are not anymore! I am not here to say where GM went wrong with the Camaro/Firebird duo. Some people say GM should have modernized its almost ten-year old platform. But how can you explain the success of the much older Mustang platform? I think the latter is much more user friendly as its V6 version is selling much better that the powerful V8-powered version. My latest ride (and probably the last) with a Camaro occured late this fall. I had the opportunity to drive a brand new factory-built SS powered by a powerful 320 hp 5.7-litre V8 coupled to a six-speed “Skip Shift” equipped transmission. This tranny has been sufficiently blasted by journalists in the past for its one-to-four shift at low speed that I will not elaborate on it. My fiery copper colored convertible SS was such a beautiful car, it is difficult to describe here. Nonetheless, I had so much fun with it that I knew when I gave it back that I would miss it! And I do! I have to admit that the interior was not perfect. A right-hand side passenger might be able to accompany the driver (if he or she does not complain about the hump in the floor to accomodate the catalytic converter) and two kids might not like to ride the back seats (they will never see anything unless they stand on the knees) but the car is wonderful to drive. The engine is incredibly powerful, the transmission is quick (the Skip Shift system does not operate at higher engine revs) and the roadhandling is impressive…as long as it is dry! I appreciated the rear-wheel drive traction control on wte pavement. The construction of the car is very tight, mostly for a convertible! The rumble of the engine incites you to drive fast and the ride is great…on nice pavement. The stock Goodyear Eagle F-1 tires do their job. Fuel consumption? Who cares! Let’s have fun. I have written a lot on the Camaro/Firebird duo in the past and my feelings have not changed toward those cars. I find it difficult to understand how Ford could succeed with its Mustang and the mighty GM did not know what to do with its legendary Camaros and Firebirds. Unfortunately, it almost killed the market. But wait! I have been reading how GM might or should revive the Camaro (actually, who really cares about the Firebird?). Some private designers promote the idea of creating a retro replica of the 1969 model. Why not?. The formula of reproducing older successful cars has worked. Why not do it with the Camaro? I, for one, would be very much interested in the car…