4th gen observations

[ws6 jim]

Now I'm not getting tired of my better car, but after seeing the 5th gen more commonplace and appreciating having a 3rd gen I had a thought. The 1st and 2nd gens had their time and are classics. The 3rd gen is iconic for many reasons(good, bad, and otherwise). But where does this leave the 4th gen?

They are popular because of their drivetrain, first the LT1 and later the LS1 in top trims of course. V6 cars had a different purpose and have their place.

Imagine if the 93-2002 Firebird and Camaro had kept tuned port injection and made no strives except for the restyled look over the years(similiar to what Ford has done since the mid 90s with the mustang and the modular 4.6).

What would it be remembered for at that point?
Compared to the other generations, do you think they have similiar staying power?

Now the 5th gen is getting more exposure everyday. The 2010 Camaro has taken the f-body platform to the next level and should be commended weight considerations and all.

What are your thoughts? Just curious if I'm in the minority.

[NastyEllEssWon]

the 4th gens were doomed before they even had a chance. seems like gm just limped them along for the last 10 years.

[T69SS]

I dont think they have near the styling or heritage as the first or second gens for any real staying power, but i can see them sticking around as good performance vehicles (similar to the 5.0 Mustangs). The LS1 is a great platform and will definitely be around for years to come at the strip

[BonzoHansen]

I like the LS/T56 drivetrains & brakes. I like the performance, not the car so much, if that makes sense. I prefer the 3rd gen exterior over the 4th. The 4th gens generally have better interiors and seemingly better t-tops. I never really liked 3rd gen interiors, too many sharp lines or something. I never liked hatchbacks.

As big & bulky as it is, at least the new one is not the same basic car they designed in 1979.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

I like the LS/T56 drivetrains & brakes. I like the performance, not the car so much, if that makes sense. I prefer the 3rd gen exterior over the 4th. The 4th gens generally have better interiors and seemingly better t-tops. I never really liked 3rd gen interiors, too many sharp lines or something. I never liked hatchbacks.

As big & bulky as it is, at least the new one is not the same basic car they designed in 1979.

Yeah. That cat hump lasted for two and a half generations.

[BigAls87Z28]

100 million bucks to remove it.
The 5th gen cost 280 million to make...all together.

4th gens design was huge, when the Camaro California concept car hit the car show circuit. Such rave reviews of the car. The original 4th gen concept designed by the Detroit design center was a following of the third gen, and never got a chance to show itself.
When Ron Zarella decided that RWD would be Caddy and Corvette, it spelt the end for Camaro and Firebird.

[miketa95]

If t-tops came in gto's or 5th gens, I think I'd like them better. They don't look as awkward.

[Squirrel]

besides the 92 hawk and 89 TTA the 3rd gens were a joke... all lt1 cars were 13 second machines unlike the 20 years before that, and after not long some ls1 cars hit 12s bone stock... after the 93 cobra r and before the 03 cobra the f-body ran all over the mustang platform performance wise, despite sales being less than half

[maroman88]

i like each generation, hell each year! they all had good and bad points.

as for fourth gens... the base models could be very plain looking (same with each generation tho) however for me the 98+ Trans Am is the best looking one (hell even the 93-97's do it for me esp with the Ram Air 1 hood ), inside and out, thats why i bought one! the 96+ SS is a VERY close second tho

[Aminue]

I personally love the 79... I have an 83 but I like all the camaro bodies. I think as time changed so did the bodies just like any car. I like the 2010 but prefer the older bodies.

[Untamed]

With the 4th gens truly being the end of the "f-body" platform, it'll be known as the end of an era. The performace was great, the styling very nice, the interiors comfortable, and the quality adaquate.

From an investors point of view, there are several special editions that will eventually enjoy some attention. But like it's predicessors, the average car (even the SS and WS6) will be used and thrown away except by the diehard few who will keep them as pristine examples. If we look to history, I don't see the trend changing.

What it comes down to is - as time marches on, those collectors / enthusiasts who really like the F-body platform, will have to make a choice about what they invest their money into. Will the 4th gen platforms provide a good return, or do the older vehicles (1st and 2nd gen) create the most demand? There are lots of aftermarket parts companies out there for each of the generations, but time will tell who is still around long enough to support the demand for both enthusiasts and investors.

Ironically what has gotten me interested in the 4th gen birds again is that Temptation poster than one of the members posted recently. Despite the "wide hips" look of the TA, I still love the rear shot of the tail lights and high wing. Very agressive.

[LTb1ow]

Hmn... a slow 305 powered turd gen... or a 350 small block powered car that looks much better.... tough choice...

Third gens are just ugly and slow. Its like Nick and his precious vert, just blind love.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Hmn... a slow 305 powered turd gen... or a 350 small block powered car that looks much better.... tough choice...

Third gens are just ugly and slow. Its like Nick and his precious vert, just blind love.

Looks are always subjective.

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Looks are always subjective.

And beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[sweetbmxrider]

echo?

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

echo?

Sometimes my car echos in tunnels, but is that what you meant?

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

Never liked the 2nd and 3rd gens. 4th gen was a hell of a bang for the buck that really never took off...probably because chevy never advertised them.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by ws6 jim

The 2010 Camaro has taken the f-body platform to the next level and should be commended weight considerations and all.

Not an F-body

Originally Posted by Squirrel

after the 93 cobra r and before the 03 cobra the f-body ran all over the mustang platform performance wise, despite sales being less than half

Which is why I never understood why people did not buy the F-body except cost and I maintain that people are stupid in general. You can **** in a box and call it a Mustang and people will buy it because they love the name "Mustang"

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Not an F-body



Which is why I never understood why people did not buy the F-body except cost and I maintain that people are stupid in general. You can **** in a box and call it a Mustang and people will buy it because they love the name "Mustang"

If shelby ****s in the box it goes to auction.

[Slow-V6]

The 90-92 3rd Gens were pretty fast for what they were. You can get a 1 LE 91 Formula with a 305 5 speed and run a mid to low 14 stock!! As far as saying all LT1 cars were 13 second cars is not right. I would love to see a bone stock 93 T/A with a automatic hit 13.99! What killed the 4th gens in my opinion is that there was no real movie or tv show that featured a 4th gen in it.. The 2nd gens had smokey and the bandit, the 3rd gens had Knight rider and Black dog, the 4th gens had???? They sold over 200,000 firebirds in 1979!!

[Slow-V6]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Which is why I never understood why people did not buy the F-body except cost and I maintain that people are stupid in general. You can **** in a box and call it a Mustang and people will buy it because they love the name "Mustang"

They buy the mustang because it has the feeling of driving any other regular car on the road. It doesnt have that corvette low to the ground feeling like the f-bodies had.

[Slow-V6]

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Hmn... a slow 305 powered turd gen... or a 350 small block powered car that looks much better.... tough choice...

Third gens are just ugly and slow. Its like Nick and his precious vert, just blind love.

What about the 350 powered 245 hp 3rd gens?

[Slow-V6]

Originally Posted by ws6 jim

Imagine if the 93-2002 Firebird and Camaro had kept tuned port injection and made no strives except for the restyled look over the years(similiar to what Ford has done since the mid 90s with the mustang and the modular 4.6).

.

Isnt the Fuel injection off the LT1 basically a Tuned port injection?

The mustangs with the 4.6's made pretty big strives over the years. They started out at 215hp in 96 and are now at 315hp!! In 99 the power went up to 260hp with the new heads and cam, in 2005 it went up to 300 hp with the 3v heads, and in 2009 it went up to 315 with I dont know what. Gaining a 100 hp isnt really making no strives?


The 350 TPI motor topped out at 245 hp, the LT1 topped out at 285 hp ( non ram air or SS) and the LS1 motor topped out at 310hp ( Non Ram Air or SS)

[firebirdcrazy]

I had an 86 formula and an 87 Trans am. I also had an 87 Iroc camaro. The 86 Formula was the best of the 3 that I enjoyed most for that era. The day I saw the Trans am Commercial in 98 where it pulled up behind an import and ate it and spit out its tail pipe I was in love with the new design. I saved up for 3 years to buy it new cash. That car has been great to me with no real issues and I can still sit there and stare at it the way I picked it up new. I love the sleekness, the power, and was still economical in gas. What other car with over 300 Horsepower got 30 MPG's on the highway? I dont see myself parting with my ride anytime soon. I will probably buy that Phoenix TA and still have this one in the garage. I just dont see myself parting with it. My point this 4th Gen best of all time!!

[NastyEllEssWon]

lol that wasnt just any import. it was a lamborghini