[Sparky]

I've always been under the idea that my Supra was a stop-gap until I could get my hands on an old domestic V8 (go ahead and flame, but read the rest first). Well, I test drove a 95 Camaro Z28 convertable yesterday, and was really, really dissappointed. Yes, it had nice power (it could spin the wheels in 3rd), and good looks (black convertable), and a near orgasmic exhaust note at idle (love the sound of a V8), but other then leaving black streaks on the ground, there wasn't anything it could do with 114 more HP that my Supra could do (yes, the Camaro is faster strait line, but not by as much as I thought). Also, it was a pig in the corners! The big tires kept it from skidding, but it rapantly understeered (it felt less like a sports car and more like a sedan). I think I'm hooked on the Japanese GT car feel (faster then most in a straight line, but agile on the twisties). Oh well, I'll have to switch to dream car #2 (Porsche 911 :wink: )

 

[Sparky]

Oh, forgot to mention, they were going to let me drive a WS6 Formula Firebird, but my girlfriend (who hates Firebirds in all forms except 1st gen) nixed it. I'm kind of suprised they'd let a 22 year old take a 335+ HP 6spd car for a spin "just because the Camaro wasn't fast enough and needed a stick instead of an auto". I'm half tempted to go this weekend while she is gone, but that car just seems like trouble :wink:

 

[dohc82]

The Camaro/firebird are far from sports car status. They are barely GTs.
Even our mk2 arent classified as sports cars we have GTs. A sports car is, by definition, a 2 door 2 seater. A gt is a 2 door 4 seater with a higher level of luxury than a true sports car which is built light and less luxurious for performance reasons.

-Wil

 

[Suprajayaz]

Try at WRX - turbo power (big lag though) for > 3k rpm fun and tuned well for twisties... Can also step up to the STi or new Evo... For looks, I personally love the Mk2...

 

[Deanfun]

lag in the wrx isn't that bad...

 

[Square]

The F-Body cars (Camaro and Firebird) are not really known for their handleing prowess. The other thing you probably noticed is the great use of cheap plastic on the F-body interiors. They are definitely GM's "make it fast, but make it cheap" car. Not that that is a bad thing, but it is something to know and remember. If you want the handleing to go with the power, you will need to look at the Corvettes. As silly as this may sound (price wise), the L98 engine Vettes (85-91) are actually getting pretty cheap (well under $10K). The C4 (84-96) vettes actually handle pretty well, but the better they handle the rougher they ride. I have driven an 89' automatic at an autocross and I was surprised how close it came to the handleing ability of my C5 (I have a 99' Vette coupe next to my Supra). The old MkII's do grow on you, and that is why I can't let go of mine. For the price of an L98 Vette you could pull off a really high end 7M-GTE swap in the MkII, and spend a couple grand on a dailey beater so the MkII can become a pure project/show/race car. It depends on what you like and want. The nice thing about the Vettes (and certainly a factor in my purchasing decision) is that if you need parts/support/advice/upgrades, there is a ton of resources available to you. Plus a clean well maintained Vette always has a minimum resale value and the older they they get, the higher the price goes (for the clean originals anyway).

 

[Sparky]

As long as the vettes don't have the gimpy little steering wheel (I forgot to mention that in my review). Seriosuly, though, I've thought about an 84 or so vette (mostly because of the tuning possibilites), but can't seem to find them in good shape around here. Plus they draw unwanted attention for both ricers and police (not that a well-washed Mk II doesn't )

 

[Sparky]

(I'm gonna hijack my own thread :shock: )

We have some former F-body owners here, right? Can anybody give me a checklist of what to look out for in a 92 RS V8 auto? My friend (the guy I mentioned in the GS-T thread) is now looking at 3rd gen Camaros, and since I haven't found a Mk II in the area yet, I can't talk him out of it easily. I was wondering what to look for/avoid in a used 3rd gen Camaro.

 

[Black Dawg]

If you want handling, check out a 1LE 3rd gen camaro....my buddy has one. rides like a brick, but that sucker holds the road like nothing else. has wrist thick sway bars, beefy springs, the works. still feels like a boat though, just won't let go of the road. they are a BIG car.

 

[Supra Bob]

The F-Body cars (Camaro and Firebird) are not really known for their handleing prowess.

I LOVE F-bodies... always have. I've had more than my share of them (hell, I've had my share, plus a couple of other peoples shares..) But in stock form, I do have to say this about them:
1) Go get yourself a pregnant pig.
2) Strap a saddle on it.
3)Climb into the saddle, and stab the pig in the ass with a needle.
4) Try to turn.

Thats about the same experience you'll have with most of the F-bodies in stock form when blasting hot into a turn. In my opinion, thats about the biggest downfall of them.

As for a WS-6.... fun ride. 'Nuff said. :wink:
and the '92 Camaro. Have the tranny looked over, make sure the suspension is in decent shape (the bushings primarily), and listen for Valve Taps.

 

[RobMK2]

my dad brought a 81' trans am 301 turbo back to life... the thing hugs the road pretty well with 235's on it. hes pretty proud of it, maybe because it out races my supra . I remember the bushings were all dead. he replaced them with urathane ones.

 

[Sparky]

Another thing just occured to me; how squirly do they get when roads get wet? After all, we are talking the Willamette valley in Oregon here, so rain is a real factor (I spaced this because 1. we've had a streak of 90+ sunny days here and 2. I've got good all weather tyres on my car, so it is no longer an issue). It would be his first car, and I could see him getting into trouble there (with what, 280ft/lb on tap?)

 

[BillyM]

GM did take its head out from the average ******** ass for a little bit, just long enough to develop this car and then shove it back in...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2418249805&category=6161

Sexy car... Very sexy car......

--BillyM
83-GStock

 

[BillyM]

Try at WRX - turbo power (big lag though) for > 3k rpm fun and tuned well for twisties... Can also step up to the STi or new Evo... For looks, I personally love the Mk2...

http://www.etrscca.org/soloii/results/2003/results.html

Look at the last two solo events. I am "William Mattison #83 Supra - Black"

Last event, pouring rain, my left rear shock detatched itself, i had a 2sec penalty, and still only 3sec behind the fastest well-modified wrx /w skilled driver, one stock one (guy had been racing for years) was 1sec ahead, and the other stock one was 1sec behind. In RAIN, on a 60 second course.

Event before that, dry, both rear shocks, the same modified wrx was only 0.05s ahead of me. The rest 2.1s, 3.3s, and 4.4s behind respectively. This was on a 40sec course. This was also my first event on new rear shocks, and rear falken zeix. Each and every wrx out there had atleast half my tire treawear.

I will personally question the "twistability" of a wrx any day. And just wait until I get some front struts and sticky tires. Those fancy $28,000 awd pieces of crap wont know what hit them.

--BillyM
(hates un-backed hype) (aka: wrx)

 

[Square]

It would be his first car, and I could see him getting into trouble there (with what, 280ft/lb on tap?)

Actually, the L98 (86-92 5.7 V8 ) and the LT1 (93-97 5.7 V8 ) should both have over 300lb/ft of torque. Don't believe GM's numbers on the F-body cars. GM under rates the F-body cars to keep the vette from looking bad. The motor is the same and the power is the same. The reason the vette is quicker, is because the vette is lighter, thats it. I have seen several dyno runs from F-body's and the numbers are right there with the vettes. For an example, my LS1 6-speed Vette pulled 301.4HP and 315.5 lb/ft with about 10K miles on it. I saw a stock Camaro with and auto pull 297HP on the same dyno. 4HP difference between 6 speed and auto means that the motor is definitely the same.

And to answer you question, yes, in the wet, any V8 camaro will have more than enough torque to get you in trouble if you are not used to the power.

 

[Voyn238]

>>
I LOVE F-bodies... always have. I've had more than my share of them (hell, I've had my share, plus a couple of other peoples shares..) But in stock form, I do have to say this about them:
1) Go get yourself a pregnant pig.
2) Strap a saddle on it.
3)Climb into the saddle, and stab the pig in the ass with a needle.
4) Try to turn.
>>

I haven't had a laugh that good in ages!!! Thanks, Supra Bob!

 

[Black Dawg]

GM did take its head out from the average ******** ass for a little bit, just long enough to develop this car and then shove it back in...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2418249805&category=6161

Sexy car... Very sexy car......

--BillyM
83-GStock

my buddy has a car that looks EXACTLY like that one.....red, 1LE package, etc.....but he's got a 400 horse 350 and is swapping in a 6 speed even as we speak....very cool car!