Gen 5 Camaro... V8 itch scratched :)
Discussion
Hi folks, V8 itch is finally being scratched, just got a '13 Camaro V8 convertible (UK car, LS3 manual)... Sounds great under load or lift - off /zero throttle for the pops and crackles (tickover is a little quiet, but I guess we've the tree huggers to thank for that).
It's certainly an "event" of a car, it's big and bold (especially for the lake district roads!), grip seems huge, but I'll admit to not hooning like a cock; got it slightly out of shape once, but recovered easily without scaring myself or falling off the road. Obviously more suited to open A-roads than tight B-s, but when I've needed it, turn in is really sharp for its heft.
So here's the "but..." acceleration from cruising speeds, it seems... well, a little lacking?
Doesn't seem a great deal quicker than my old 3MPS - am I just driving it wrong? Gearing seems tall (there's not much pull in sixth at legal speeds - in fact the Mazda seemed to pull better).
I know it's a heavy car, but I just thought the torque figures would allow it to pull a little better from low revs.
On paper, it's more than half a second quicker to sixty than the 3, and i'd expect that gap to increase a little into illegal territory?
Should alarm bells be ringing here, or do I just need to get used to dropping gears /holding gears longer when playing?
It's certainly an "event" of a car, it's big and bold (especially for the lake district roads!), grip seems huge, but I'll admit to not hooning like a cock; got it slightly out of shape once, but recovered easily without scaring myself or falling off the road. Obviously more suited to open A-roads than tight B-s, but when I've needed it, turn in is really sharp for its heft.
So here's the "but..." acceleration from cruising speeds, it seems... well, a little lacking?
Doesn't seem a great deal quicker than my old 3MPS - am I just driving it wrong? Gearing seems tall (there's not much pull in sixth at legal speeds - in fact the Mazda seemed to pull better).
I know it's a heavy car, but I just thought the torque figures would allow it to pull a little better from low revs.
On paper, it's more than half a second quicker to sixty than the 3, and i'd expect that gap to increase a little into illegal territory?
Should alarm bells be ringing here, or do I just need to get used to dropping gears /holding gears longer when playing?
Okay... Bit more driving, bit of getting used to it - it's longer geared than the MPS, but keep it in the power band, and boy, it moves think I'm going to enjoy this thing (though I do reckon I'll miss the old MPS - only car I've ever owned from new).
It's not as crash-y over pot holes as the Mazda on the Eibachs, but grip is prodigious, and it handles - turn in is sharp, belies its size, and it adjusts nicely as it approaches oversteer, which is predictable and catchable (my only other rwd car was an old MR2 - hence the name - again, lovely to drive, but snappier at the limit).
Plus it looks well outside the house
It's not as crash-y over pot holes as the Mazda on the Eibachs, but grip is prodigious, and it handles - turn in is sharp, belies its size, and it adjusts nicely as it approaches oversteer, which is predictable and catchable (my only other rwd car was an old MR2 - hence the name - again, lovely to drive, but snappier at the limit).
Plus it looks well outside the house
Edited by mr2aw11 on Saturday 29th April 16:29
Bear, not in the Lake District National Park boundaries, though I am but a twenty minute drive from the lakes.
The last five or so years (maybe more? Time flies) has seen my favourite twisty dual carriageway (westbound A66 by Bassenthwaite) sanitised to boredom, down to a single lane and 50mph average speed cameras... In the good old days, it was a hoot in my old T-bar, but I guess a fine line between fun and scary if you were pushing on!
The last five or so years (maybe more? Time flies) has seen my favourite twisty dual carriageway (westbound A66 by Bassenthwaite) sanitised to boredom, down to a single lane and 50mph average speed cameras... In the good old days, it was a hoot in my old T-bar, but I guess a fine line between fun and scary if you were pushing on!
West coast also.
Challenger's a gorgeous car - saw (and heard!) plenty in Florida when I was last there, but none over in the UK.
There are a few Mustangs around this neck of the woods, US (last model) and UK (current) cars... Think the new suits the grey nicely, which I don't think does either the Focus ST or RS too many favours.
Challenger's a gorgeous car - saw (and heard!) plenty in Florida when I was last there, but none over in the UK.
There are a few Mustangs around this neck of the woods, US (last model) and UK (current) cars... Think the new suits the grey nicely, which I don't think does either the Focus ST or RS too many favours.
Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff