2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: WRONG Wheel

I don't remember particularly hating the wheel when i sat in this car, but then again i haven't driven one so i probably didn't pay too much attention to it. I can definitely feel the hate for the wheel in this post!

1 hand at 12 o'clock not work anymore? Especially since the right hand is shifting gears all the time in LA traffic...

And it begins! I figured this or the inability to see out would be the very first post.

Get a suicide knob and call it a day. Now that'd be retro.

+1, I think the whole interior is a disaster. I'm all for retro but keep it modern on the inside.

"I'd rather have an ugly or boring wheel that's passably comfortable like the Challenger's than a visually interesting one that's impossible to hold."

lol, GM can't win, can they. If they had used the Cobalt's ergonomic, yet uninteresting steering wheel, this would have been a post about how cheap GM was for not giving the Camaro it's own exclusive wheel.

^^ There is a middle ground to be found. It's not like you can't design an interesting steering wheel that's also comfortable.

It's a muscle car. Your left hand goes at 12 o'clock and your right hand is for beverage enjoyment, cell phone use, or the occasional one finger salute.

Really? Something worse than big sunroof gap.

GT5000:

I agree with jriz that there is a middle ground to be found.

http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/audi_a5_coupe_2009_interior_steeringwheel.jpg

^^^-Maintain the same shape as the Camaro, same button placement, and extremely comfortable. All Chevy has to do is replace some of the surfaces with something more finicky, and put chrome accents all over it!

You have to wonder how things like this make it to production. I hope this car doesn't turn out to be another Solstice - great to look at but poorly finished.

Leaving the angry 12-year-old part of me at home, I found 10 and 2 to be totally suitable on the wheel.

The worst feature on the Camaro's steering wheel is that on automatic equipped vehicles, they put "fake" shifter paddles that are nothing more than a fixed piece of flimsy plastic and you actually shift by pressing buttons on the back of the wheel. I'm really not sure who the hell thought that this was a good idea, but it's horrible. Not like I would buy one without the manual trans, but really stupid none the less.

I believe you, and every publication has this complaint, but the photos don't really show what's so bad about it. Awkward to reach the cruise control and radio buttons, perhaps, but wouldn't keep me from buying the car. I guess I need to sit in one and maybe even drive one to "get" what is so terrible here.

Why are some of you bashing this post? Come on, NOBODY likes this wheel. GM might as well have gone all-out and installed the Knightrider yoke if they wanted something gimmicky.

I agree that IL would have also been critical if GM had used the parts-bin wheel (hello Corvette), but at least they'd be able to steer the damn car...

"I hope this car doesn't turn out to be another Solstice - great to look at but poorly finished."

No no no. Not even remotely close.

The Camaro that I sat in had its wheel turned at roughly a 130 degree angle so I didn't get a good feel for the hand positioning. The so-so materials quality and the poor visibility, however, were evident immediately. I'd still have one, though.

I had a 99 Camaro which also had an awful steering wheel. The steering wheel on my '08 Mustang is okay. The Steering wheel on my Mazda 6 is just about perfect.

@fordracefan"I had a 99 Camaro which also had an awful steering wheel. The steering wheel on my '08 Mustang is okay. The Steering wheel on my Mazda 6 is just about perfect"

I think the '99 Camaro had the same wheel design as my old '95 Corvette, only 2 lower spokes. My '92 Corvette has a very nice wheel with indentations for grip at the top spokes, not sure why they ever replaced it on the C4's.

I hate the steering wheenl with a passion, also.

Has anyone noticed like me, that the new Jaguar XJ wheel looks just like this one?

http://www.automotivetraveler.com/images/stories/easygallery/resized/193/1247182165_2010_Jaguar_XJ_interior_view_through_sunroof.jpg

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!

The worst part is it took them forever to bring this to market and still didn't get it right.

i purchased a 2ss/rs 3 months ago and have been extremely happy with it, i have 2600 miles on it, and i dont have any complaint with the wheel. when i'm cruizin i have my left at 6 o'clock and my right on the shifter, when i'm driving more aggressively or racing its at 12 o'clock and on the shifter. if you own a manual trans it's just natural to be ready to shift, and the center armrest is perfect for resting your elbow. i can work all the steering wheel controls easily and by feel with my thumbs. maybe you just have small hands and short thumbs. i personally like it and find it comfortable, the only thing i would change is how the column tilts, i prefer the old gm way, were it pivots at the dash, not the european way were the whole column goes up and down.

I purchased myself a 2010 camaro SS a couple of months ago and i love the steering wheel. At first i hated it, but now it is so comfortable to me. I keep the hands at like 2 and 10 and 3 and 9 and it feels great. I also have big paws for hands so that could be it.

Edmunds can start bashing this car all they want but this car is just so fun to drive. I own the vehicle and still dream about it when sleeping, thats how much i love it.

@urr2slo

You race or driver aggressively with one hand at 12 o'clock and one hand on the shifter...yeah that's a really smart idea..

terrible steering wheel
nice semi obscure star trek reference.
(do you think there are cars in fluidic space?)

There's nothing "semi" about a Voyager reference. They're all obscure and bring shame upon those who make them, for it reveals that they indeed watched it.

I give this post my huge "WRONG" stamp. The wheel fits perfectly in my hand. It is comfortable and ergonomic. If I could, I'd shrink the diameter down a touch, and redo the shape just a little, but otherwise I found it fantastic.

I really wish you guys had not gotten this. All it is going to be is mindless GM bashing for the entire year. Just go buy another BMW and enjoy yourselves.

what kind of a p**sy drives with two hands anyway? it's a muscle car! left hand at 12 o'clock, right hand on the shifter, or right hand at 12 o'clock and left arm resting on the door sill.

Looks like the rim and hub are far from concentric. If you turn the wheel 180 degrees, will the rim hit your thighs?

"If I could, I'd shrink the diameter down a touch, and redo the shape just a little, but otherwise I found it fantastic."

If it was 5 degrees warmer outside and it wasn't raining, it would be fantistic today. The fact is it's chilly and wet. Things that are "fantastic" don't require editing or adjustments.

I LOVE the look of the camaro. Simply beautiful. The steering wheel and the plain, flimsy interior door panels were the only real disappointments for me.

@stovt001: Every car that Edmunds puts on here gets bashed over and over again. I don't see the big deal. People want to discuss the good and the bad about each model and that's what happens. The Camaro is going to get nitpicked. GM put the money into the chassis and drivetrain. They skimpted on the interior and everyone knows it so yeah it's going to get bashed, but I don't think anyone on here can argue that the Camaro SS is an amazing performance bargain at just over $30k.

I think the whole interior is wrong. Same with the previous remake of the Mustang. Why go with such and up-to-date exterior than mess the thing up with that ugly interior. I will take the Challenger's interior any day over this mess.

"lol, GM can't win, can they. If they had used the Cobalt's ergonomic, yet uninteresting steering wheel, this would have been a post about how cheap GM was for not giving the Camaro it's own exclusive wheel. "

Exactly.

Its a three spoke wheel. They are all similar. No one drives by grabbing the spokes when they drive. The worst part of a three spoke wheel is that you cant drive with one hand at 6 o clock which is a problem with ALL 3 spoke wheels. What is the complaint here? Why do you even have two hands on the wheel if your not on a track? Come on.

I hope they redo the entire interior of the car. The only part I like is the 4 gauge cluster at the bottom of the column. The dials are ugly and hard to read. The steering wheel is ugly and apparently hard to use. I really like the cost to power ratio and I am ok with the exterior, but the interior needs to be completely overhauled for me to buy one. Of course, this is just a matter of opinion. I do agree with the post about the Mazda wheel. I had a 3 and it was a terrific wheel.

"Every car that Edmunds puts on here gets bashed over and over again. I don't see the big deal. People want to discuss the good and the bad about each model and that's what happens. The Camaro is going to get nitpicked. GM put the money into the chassis and drivetrain. They skimpted on the interior and everyone knows it so yeah it's going to get bashed..."

Guess you are hoping to get hired by IL.

1. The Camaro interior is on par with other sports coupes in terms of materials and build quality. Have you been in the Genesis or Challenger or Z? Apparently not. GM didn't skimp in the interior any more than Hyundai or Nissan with their coupes.

2. All cars in the fleet do not get bashed. Check out BMW vehicles for reference.

The interior is based on the concept. People act like this design came out of thin air. When they said they were sticking to the concept they werent lying. If they clean up the interior it will end up looking conventional and ubiquitous like the Challenger's interior. The Camaro shares virtually nothing with other GM products inside which is rare in any affordable car these days. The interior takes some getting used to, but it stands out and looks as unique as the exterior. If you want a rehashed corporate standard interior Dodge has something for you. So does BMW.

I have a hard time figuring out what is so uncomfortable about it from photos. What's wrong with the clearly visible thumb grips at the 10 and 2 position (you know, where you're actually supposed to hold a steering wheel)?

The same people who are bashing the interior design are the same ones who will dismiss a GM car if so much as a window switch is shared with another car (but parts sharing is perfectly ok for anyone else). The gave the interior an interesting design and, despite what the Edmunds editors claim, a wheel that is not only good looking but very comfortable to hold and use, and they're being bashed for it. I'm convinced people don't want GM to succeed. They don't want them to produce a great vehicle. They simply want nothing but to see them crash and burn. Such petty hatred.

@1487: I have spent time inside a Z and Challenger, but not the Hyundai. I honestly think that the Camaro has the cheapest looking and feeling interior out of the 3. The Z is by far the best, the Challenger just so so. I would still without a doubt buy the Camaro over those others plus the Mustang, but I can't agree with you that it's interior is on par with any of the other coupes. It is by far at the bottom of the list in terms of interior quality and execution. Now, on the other hand, the 6.2 liters of motor and 426hp would be at the top of the list.

Riswick- who are you kidding? You wouldn't buy this car even if it had a wheel from a Gallardo.

The post is a little over the top, and not really descriptive enough about what is actually wrong, but I don't see anything wrong with apost saying a steering wheel sucks.

I hate the steering wheel in the 2006+ VW GTI. The steering wheel that everyone raves about. i consider is too angular, too weird, and the flat bottom is just stupid. But 99% of the known universe considers it damn near the coolest thing on the car.

The steering wheel in the picture looks a little odd to me, but not distinctly odd. I'd like to see more pictures and get more description.

Joe

P.s. Anyone who drives aggressively with their one hand at 12 o'clock is probably more focused on "looking cool" than anything else. I used to know someone who would reach their left arm around the steering wheel and grab the right-side of the wheel underhanded from behind. Their forearm would be behind the wheel. And then they'd drive aggressively like that. Idiot.

I'm just saying you would never find a steering wheel like this on an Audi, at any price level.

The only thing I can see wrong with the wheel is the diameter as it seems a bit too big at least in the pictures and the upper spokes are a bit too thick.

I say knock the diameter down slightly and make the upper spokes a bit thinner. The wheel alone is certainly not a major issue or a deal breaker.

Steering wheel aside, I'm really interested in the overall driving position (as the last Camaro REALLY REALLY REALLY SUCKED in that department), seat performance (overall comfort, adequate bolstering, solidity), and if GM made the manuals shift quality any better than the previous car.
These are my main areas of concern as in any car, especially a high performance car, a good driving position, good overall seat performance and good shift quality can go a long way in making the whole experience much more enjoyable. These items executed poorly would absolutely break the deal for me.

I've test driven a 2010 Camaro SS (when I say "test driven" I mean my friend valeted one and called me up to drive it around town for about 1/2 hour) as these cars are in such high demand I haven't seen one at my local dealership's lot.

The interior quality isn't the best I've seen from GM, but that isn't the reason you buy a Camaro. It's for the BIG HONKIN' V8!

Besides, if I owned this car the first thing I'd do is start modifying the hell out of it. Then I'd take it to the back roads and DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

If you're spending 35k-45k on a car and you're over concerned about interior quality then maybe you're better off with a Cadillac CTS.

"What is the complaint here? Why do you even have two hands on the wheel if your not on a track? Come on." -1487

I have to ask--are you for real or just trolling?

"Why do you even have two hands on the wheel if your not on a track?"

1487 you've used this arguement before and its stupid. There is no other way to say it. We are all taught to drive with two hands on the wheel. Saying that no one does so is not an excuse for an uncomfortable wheel.

"Have you been in the Genesis or Challenger or Z? Apparently not. GM didn't skimp in the interior any more than Hyundai or Nissan with their coupes."

I know you love to harp on the Genesis Coupe, but I definitely think that its nicer inside then the Camaro. Also, the Z is significantly nice material wise, though I don't care for the layout. The Challenger has a much better layout but the materials are on par with Camaro.

Give it time. The wheel may yet grow on you. I know when I first got my GXP, the steering wheel seemed like a little much. On the average drive, I no longer notice it, and now when I notice the meatiness of the wheel, it's a pleasant thing. It actually fills my hand. The steering wheel of the GT, for instance, now feels too thin for me.

My only complaint is that the upper part of the wheel is juuuust a bit too thick for me to hook my thumbs on it comfortably.

The steering wheel of the Camaro may be a bit more oddly contoured, though.

I came here to agree, but now I'm just commenting as an observation that there are a ton of comments on the Camaro posts.

Good car or bad, you guys certainly have a conversation piece on your hands.

ah yes, here comes 1487 and all his buddies to tell us how biased and evil we all are for daring to think something could be wrong with a GM car... also, to accuse everyone of hating a car because one detail might be badly designed/manufactured.

prepare to be bombarded with accusations of bias in response to anything even remotely negative written about the camaro in the future... should be fun.

"1487 you've used this arguement before and its stupid. There is no other way to say it. We are all taught to drive with two hands on the wheel. Saying that no one does so is not an excuse for an uncomfortable wheel."

+1 dougtheeng, 1487 has made that argument before and it's completely ridiculous.

I've had plenty of professional driving instruction and one of the first things they teach you is a proper driving position. That includes hands at 9 and 3 (or possibly 10 and 2) and there's absolutely no excuse for a steering wheel that is not designed to be held that way.

For anyone saying that GM can't catch a break since this wheel and the Cobalt wheel are both 3 spoke, well, that's a stupid argument. There are many three spoke steering wheels that are perfect to hold.

Bimmerjay is correct. Hands at 9 and 3 is the proper way to drive as taught by everyone and if you can't grip a steering wheel like that then it should never be put into an automobile. The excuse that no one really drives with two hands on the steering wheel is ridiculous and close minded. Just because you don't doesn't mean that's how it works in general. One handed driving (the gangster lean, etc.) should be an option, not the way you have to drive for it to be a comfortable experience. What a load of crap that excuse was.

Personally, I don't understand why GM didn't work on this thing's interior. I've been hearing hype about this car for five or six years now, and once it is released this is the interior we get? One that is worse than the 05-08 Mustang? (and yes, 1487 I've driven both. My 2004 Mazda 6 has better materials than the Camaro, and a much better wheel). Since you like to ask this so much, have YOU ever been in a 370Z? Materials quality is several steps above the Camaro. You use the 'stitched dash' argument to defend every GM vehicle (our discussion of the Lucerne comes to mind), but the Z has one, too. I won't say anything about the Genesis, but I hope you don't really think that the Camaro's interior is on par with the 370.

The rest of the Camaro is bitchin', so hopefully they'll overhaul the interior eventually.

I also fail to see what is so low quality about the Camaro's interior, other than *gasp* hard plastics on the dash. You know, that area you never touch. For surfaces I don't routinely touch, durability is way more important than plushness (see peeling VW rubber) and the Camaro's dash, while hard, seemed very, very solid. Soft touch plastics do matter for things you regularly touch, but as I said the steering wheel seems just fine, perhaps almost perfect, the seats are comfortable, the armrests are soft, and I didn't notice any hard surfaces poking or otherwise bothering me. The shifter knob, on the other hand, isn't shaped for human hands, but that's nothing the hurst shifter option won't fix. Oh yeah, and I could see just fine out of the car too. It wasn't the best visibility ever, but it isn't nearly as bad as Edmunds makes it out to be.

I like the Camaro a lot. Saw one on the dealers lot, a black SS with the RS package, I think. Was stunning and very menacing in appearance.
However, the visibility is a downer and the goofy interior really need to go. Why does GM have to go all "gimicky" with the interior when the core product is so good (ostensibly). I do agree that a good wheel, shifter, and gauge cluster (things you touch or see all the time) make up for other shortcomings in an interior

Favorite steering wheels:

GTI
BMW 1 series
EVO X
Various Audi wheels

(new Mustang wheel does not look bad, have not driven it, RX8 isnt bad either )

There is nothing wrong with the steering wheel. I had the opportunity to spend about 45 minutes driving the new camaro and never gave the wheel a second thought. It looks fine. It feels fine. Put the WRONG stamp away and enjoy this car.

I'm just tired of binnacled or "pod" gauges, period. From any automaker. Can we please get over this phase, and go back to nice, unified instrument clusters?!

I prefer the clean, simple dash layout of cars like the Altima. And no, pod gauges are not a dealbreaker for me if there are other aspects of the car that appeal to me; but it's a look that does nothing for me aesthetically or ergonomically.

"I'm just tired of binnacled or "pod" gauges, period. From any automaker. Can we please get over this phase, and go back to nice, unified instrument clusters?!"

100% agreed. The Corvette's interior may be nothing to write home about, but I appreciate the single IP layout. The binnacles on my mom's Mazda3 are the worst. It looks kinda cool from a design perspective, but it really crimps functionality.

"what kind of a p**sy drives with two hands anyway? it's a muscle car! left hand at 12 o'clock, right hand on the shifter, or right hand at 12 o'clock and left arm resting on the door sill."

You definitely would not say that to my face, or anyone else's for that matter, so why say it here? I drive with two hands -- even when I had my old Z28, and no one ever says anything about it. All of you espousing the 12 oclock position need to get a clue. This Camaro steering wheel is horrible, like the deep-dish wheel Dodge used back in the 80s.

I believe that all steering wheels should be:
1.)Comfortable to hold in at least 2 different hand positions.
2.)As adjustable in position as possible. Tilt is hardly ever enough for the entire range of people. Tilting and telescoping is where it is at.

"Your left hand goes at 12 o'clock and your right hand is for beverage enjoyment, cell phone use, or the occasional one finger salute."

Isn't your right hand for feeling up your passenger?

I think the old 4 spoke steering wheel is the best overall design for ease of use. Three spoke wheels are good my TSX has one and it is pretty comfortable and looks good. 4 spokes give more choices top spokes are usually give you a perfect place to hold at 3 and 9 and bottom spokes let you rest at 4. Also it gives designers plenty of space to put buttons for all those on board electronics.

The Camaro's interior is a DISASTER. The Challenger, Mustang, 370Z, and Genesis all have much better designs and execution on the inside. GM needs to get a clue. They obviously know how to design a good interior (the CTS comes to mind), so why make the Camaro's interior so poorly designed?

"The Camaro interior is on par with other sports coupes in terms of materials and build quality. GM didn't skimp in the interior any more than Hyundai or Nissan with their coupes."

Lets play the- this garbage interior is okay because another car has a similiar interior.

"Have you been in the Genesis or Challenger or Z? Apparently not."

Now I know you are lying. Anyone with eyesight will agree that the Zs interior is far superior to the other cars in the segment. Unless, of course one is blinded by love for GM.

They money is obviously in the design and the running gear.

That said, just put an old Caprice Steering Wheel on it, and it would be perfect according to some of your co-horts.

I agree with 1487. "The interior is based on the concept. People act like this design came out of thin air. When they said they were sticking to the concept they werent lying." Maybe somebody should have told them to replace the steering wheel and those hideous gauges with something more tolerable. You know, BEFORE the car made it into production.

"I've had plenty of professional driving instruction and one of the first things they teach you is a proper driving position. That includes hands at 9 and 3 (or possibly 10 and 2) and there's absolutely no excuse for a steering wheel that is not designed to be held that way."

Exactly- and you don't "grab" the spokes, you hold the rim and rest your thumbs on the two upper spokes.
Quite a few of my novice students start out resting their right hand on the shifter, but I break them of that habit pretty quick. I will say that I have yet to encounter a student who uses only one hand at the bottom of the wheel...

"The Camaro shares virtually nothing with other GM products inside which is rare in any affordable car these days."

That's kind of the kicker. They went to the trouble of designing a whole new interior with a whole new steering wheel. It was a chance to work with a completely clean slate. The steering wheel and interior in general would not keep my from buying a Camaro, but they are both a bit disappointing considering GM's most recent efforts.

"ah yes, here comes 1487 and all his buddies to tell us how biased and evil we all are for daring to think something could be wrong with a GM car... also, to accuse everyone of hating a car because one detail might be badly designed/manufactured."

Have you been in or driven the car? I take that to be a NO. Have you read ANY other reviews of this car? Probably not. How many complaints have you seen about the wheel being impossible to work with? I've seen none until now.

The intelligence level is taking a nosedive here. You people really are clueless and you are so desperate to get in the good graces of the IL editors that you are abandoning all common sense.

1. The Genesis coupe interior is generic as all hell and could have come from an Elantra. The interior is NOTHING but hard plastics.
2. The 370z has a slightly nicer interior (mainly because of the stitching) but the car has a base price that is $7k north of the Camaro while offering seating for two. It surely better offer SOMETHING better for $7k. It doesn't look better or offer more practicality or get better mileage but it does have slightly better black plastic than the Camaro. I will give you that.
3. Interior of the Challenger is standard issue LX platform and essentially has been around since 2004. Its not superior in any way.
4. None of the idiots attacking me have spent 5 minutes researching the sales of this car. Its flying off dealer lots and the Consumer Rating on Edmunds is at 9.7- higher than the Mustang or Z or Challenger. We have about a dozen GM bashing experts posting here about how this steering wheel and interior is an absolute failure and yet GM can't build enough of them. Either GM's designers built something hot and the critics are wasting their breath or.... well there really isn't another option.

"The steering wheel and interior in general would not keep my from buying a Camaro, but they are both a bit disappointing considering GM's most recent efforts."

This is not a CTS or Enclave. Both have base prices $10k north of the camaro. GM's old interiors were knocked for being dull and liberally using the corporate parts bin- this car has a unique interior with unique components. You are not going to get an S5 interior for $24k. Still waiting for that list of $24k coupes with Lexus like interiors. Civic Si? No. Genesis coupe? No. Mustang is probably best you are going to get.

"Now I know you are lying. Anyone with eyesight will agree that the Zs interior is far superior to the other cars in the segment. Unless, of course one is blinded by love for GM."

compare Z sales and Camaro sales since the Camaro has been on sale jackass. The Z barely sells 1000 units a month. The interior is typical Nissan- meaning a step above what you get in a Mitsubishi or low end Dodge but nothing to right home about. I also think the gauges are silly looking. Most coupe buyers in this segment do NOT want the Z. Period. Get over it.

"The Camaro's interior is a DISASTER. The Challenger, Mustang, 370Z, and Genesis all have much better designs and execution on the inside. GM needs to get a clue. They obviously know how to design a good interior (the CTS comes to mind), so why make the Camaro's interior so poorly designed?"

In other news, the Matrix's interior is crap compared to the GS350s. Who would've thunk it?

CTS costs between $36k and $52k. Camaro costs between $24k and $38k. Too different price brackets and two different segments. Guess what? The CTS' interior also shames the Z, Challenger and Genesis.

I really have to assume all those lavishing praise on the Genesis COUPE (not sedan) have not been in one. There is NOTHING notable or luxurious about that interior. Its easy to use and look at but its not high class by any standards. Do more than look at photos- get in the car.

"+1 dougtheeng, 1487 has made that argument before and it's completely ridiculous."

No what is ridiculous is you claiming I am making an argument. I'm stating fact. Most people don't drive with 2 hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 or whatever you are recommending. What world do you live in? In this era of cell phones and CD changers and food in the car most folks have MAYBE one hand on the wheel. To be honest I cringe when I see anyone other than a soccer mom with two hands on the wheel in slow traffic. I get nervous around people like that. 9 and 3 isn't even comfortable and its certainly not used by most people when on the highway. How many folks do you know that drive according to methods laid out in a professional driving school? This isn't Germany.

"I will say that I have yet to encounter a student who uses only one hand at the bottom of the wheel..."

Well that settle it then. Since you haven't had a student that drives as such that means no one in America drives like that. Glad you cleared that up.

"This Camaro steering wheel is horrible, like the deep-dish wheel Dodge used back in the 80s."

That must explain the poor sales and the markup IL paid for their car. Car is a design disaster. Meanwhile Hyundai is selling about 2000 Genesis models a month- and that includes the sedan. In all the comparison tests that have been done with the Camaro so far the steering wheel has either been a minor issue or non issue. The visibility has been a consistent complaint- not the steering wheel.

"I've been hearing hype about this car for five or six years now, and once it is released this is the interior we get? One that is worse than the 05-08 Mustang? (and yes, 1487 I've driven both. My 2004 Mazda 6 has better materials than the Camaro, and a much better wheel). Since you like to ask this so much, have YOU ever been in a 370Z? Materials quality is several steps above the Camaro. You use the 'stitched dash' argument to defend every GM vehicle (our discussion of the Lucerne comes to mind), but the Z has one, too. I won't say anything about the Genesis, but I hope you don't really think that the Camaro's interior is on par with the 370."

as stated already. THIS IS THE CONCEPT INTERIOR. Where have you been? You say there were years of hype before it was released but apparently you never bothered to LOOK at the interior of the concept. The Z does have some stitching and its slightly higher grade in terms of materials. Design? Notsomuch. Its a slight variation of the same rehashed Nissan interior we have seen on half dozen other models. You need to understand the difference between design and materials choices. The Z has better materials but its dull from design standpoint. Nothing about the interior draws from the heritage of the Z or connects with the stylish exterior. Nissan took the easy way out.

How could I used the "stitched dash argument" for every GM vehicle when only a few have such a dash? I'm glad you had enough sense NOT to bring up the Genesis. The Z has better dash materials and a $7k higher price tag. Consider me unimpressed. Its nice to know what they did with the extra 7 grand.

There is no way this interior is worse than the last gen mustang with its cookie cutter Ford center stack and blocky head unit. Spare me.

"This is not a CTS or Enclave. Both have base prices $10k north of the camaro."

I'm not expecting CTS, but Malibu would have been a step up.

"Still waiting for that list of $24k coupes with Lexus like interiors. Civic Si? No. Genesis coupe? No. Mustang is probably best you are going to get."

The GTI and Mustang are winners on quality, and the Genesis and Civic Si at least have decent steering wheels. That's what this post about in the first place.

"compare Z sales and Camaro sales since the Camaro has been on sale jackass."

Name-calling? Classy.

"I'm stating fact. Most people don't drive with 2 hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 or whatever you are recommending. What world do you live in? In this era of cell phones and CD changers and food in the car most folks have MAYBE one hand on the wheel. To be honest I cringe when I see anyone other than a soccer mom with two hands on the wheel in slow traffic. I get nervous around people like that. 9 and 3 isn't even comfortable and its certainly not used by most people when on the highway."

By all means, let's design cars to please the most incompetent vehicle operators on the road. Why not eliminate turn signals? Most people don't use them either.

"This isn't Germany."

Well, that's true enough; US roads are clogged with incompetent fools who-among other things-refuse to practice lane discipline and take corners and freeway ramps at 10-25 mph below the posted advisory speed. And that's something to be proud of?

"Well that settle[sic] it then. Since you haven't had a student that drives as such that means no one in America drives like that. Glad you cleared that up."

I obviously wasn't stating that no one in America drives that way- only that I've never had a student who practiced such an appalling technique.
Fortunately.

haha, didn't take long for 1487 to come back to tell us all how stupid we are.

these camaro posts are going to be hilarious.

I guess we've learned that the next time an IL editor feels like posting his candid thoughts about the Camaro, he'd better first seek 1487's stamp of approval. Or maybe we could just have a vote and make him Czar of All Things Factual and Absolute.
People who take themselves too seriously are funny.

"haha, didn't take long for 1487 to come back to tell us all how stupid we are.

these camaro posts are going to be hilarious."

Hilarious or tiring... one or the other. Either way I expect the straw man arguments to be in full-force.

""This isn't Germany."

Well, that's true enough; US roads are clogged with incompetent fools who-among other things-refuse to practice lane discipline and take corners and freeway ramps at 10-25 mph below the posted advisory speed. And that's something to be proud of?"

Exactly. And why our highway death rates are higher than Germany's (despite stretches of unlimited autobahns and a 130 kph general speed limit), because they have stricter driver's licensing requirements and stronger enforcement of incompetent driving. And in general people actually take driving more seriously.

"To be honest I cringe when I see anyone other than a soccer mom with two hands on the wheel in slow traffic. I get nervous around people like that. 9 and 3 isn't even comfortable and its certainly not used by most people when on the highway."

I can't even respond to this, LOL. You cringe when you see people driving PROPERLY? This comment is going off to Skip Barber, maybe they'll send you a free 1-day course, 1487. In the meantime, please don't drive anywhere near me... still LOL.

GM not getting the basics right? I'm shocked!

What's with the hysterics? The wheel doesn't look that bad to me. It's a 3 spoke wheel with thick spokes. BFD...

Tennis style arguments aside, I do like the "WRONG" stamp and think it should be brought back more often.

GM can do interiors that look, work, and feel right--the Aura XR and Malibu LTZ are proof of that. But what is appalling is that they still do not KNOW what is right about those interiors--or they would surely have applied the same principles to the Camaro. They got an A on the test where the Malibu is concerned, but they still haven't learned the material.

This reminds me of the Chrysler exec a few years ago who said he couldn't understand why anyone would rather have a Miata than a Sebring convertible. After all, the Sebring had a back seat, and the Miata didn't.

"compare Z sales and Camaro sales since the Camaro has been on sale jackass."

Ah, always the brilliant debater, 1487. Only you would suggest that a better selling car has the better interior. Hate you break it to you kid but the current sales are only from the transformer crowd, the ones who are still under the impression that an overweight porker like this will transform. Lets compare the sales again in about three months time.

"How could I used the "stitched dash argument" for every GM vehicle when only a few have such a dash? I'm glad you had enough sense NOT to bring up the Genesis. The Z has better dash materials and a $7k higher price tag. Consider me unimpressed. Its nice to know what they did with the extra 7 grand."

That extra 7 grand gives an actual sports coupe, light chassis, super car level of Gs, super car braking and a high revving V6. Not to mention a tricky gearbox that may be more sophisticated than the entire Camaro put together(Knowing you, your next comment will have something to say about the broken gearbox which has nothing to do with this). Just because the Camaro weighs more doesn't mean you get a better value car, moron.

Oh and I almost forgot. The Z doesn't carry the redneck, mullet head image. That in itself is worth more than the extra 7 grand one has to cash out.

Since people are comparing the Camaro to the 370Z I thought I'd add in my 2 cents.

I'd rather buy a Camaro over the 370Z. Why? The Camaro simply looks menacing and I love the sound of the V8. Plus it's more fun to drive through city streets and along the coast.

The 370Z is much more focused on being a track-day car that can be driven home on the roads. If I lived near a race track or on winding rural back roads this car would be a blast to own.

Back to the Camaro's steering wheel, I didn't find any problem with it. My only major complaint is the lack of optional upgrades for the interior and electronics as compared to the 2010 Mustang.

"To be honest I cringe when I see anyone other than a soccer mom with two hands on the wheel in slow traffic. I get nervous around people like that. 9 and 3 isn't even comfortable and its certainly not used by most people when on the highway."

I'm going to do my best not to get into the mudslinging on this car, because despite what 1487 will tell you over the next year, I ACTUALLY REALLY LIKE THIS VEHICLE. There, please remember that for the future.

I'm going to agree with bimmerjay (which will probably get my all kinda of comments calling me a BMW whore, etc...which is not true, but nevertheless) and say that its ridiculous that 1487 is still making the arguement about the proper use of hands on the wheel. The above quoted comment is evidence of insanity.

You get uncomfortable when you see people driving properly? If you specifically reference the terrified looking older people in a Metro sitting in the right hand land going 20 under, then I can agree with you. That being said, I've never been to Penn where you live so maybe people drive differently down there? Up here, they sure as hell are taught to drive with 2 hands on the wheel and from my observation, a good portion of the population do so. Its like saying that an excuse for weak brakes is that no one really uses brakes anyways - which is a ridiculous statement.

Its a shame that this car is going to turn into an Aura-like target for haters and fanboys alike.

1487 -- Just because the Camaro is selling well doesn't mean its steering wheel does not suck. I have been in one, and the steering wheel is terrible. I hate it just as much as I hated the deep dish steering wheel in my '82 Charger 2.2. Fortunately, the three-spoker in my '82 Z28 (oh yeah, cross-fire injection, FTW!) brought me back to the fold. That was an excellent steering wheel.
And just because most Americans don't drive with their hands at 9 and 3 doesn't mean driving with both hands has no merit, as you suggest.

Wow, this is incredible; 85 comments and all it seems to be is arguing.

Why is it that when the Camaro is criticized do people think its GM bashing? Ever since the Challenger came out, everyone has been saying its too heavy, not repsonsive enough, and so on.

Look, if the car fails or lacks in a particular way, even if its a matter of opinion, it fails. Its not bashing, its just the way it is. The Camaro isn't perfect, no matter how long it took to produce or how great people think it is; and that's the same for the Mustang and the Challenger, and the rest of them.

Also, the post points out that the steering wheel is wrong. Ok, fine. Like it or not, it is different, and not everyone likes different or changed things. So, let's see if this opinion is shared by others, and if it sticks around over time. Its possible that the wheel may actually make sense once you learn to drive with it, or maybe it really is a death trap. Either way, if the driver can't drive, regardless of where their hands are, it won't matter what their holding.

Lastly, its a $40K car they're driving. If the person who bought the car doesn't like the wheel but loves the car, chances are they have the money to put a different one in. That's not saying much for the design, but let's face it; this car is not something that the majority of consumers will buy or could buy. Its market specfic.

For those of you wondering, the reason that the steering wheel is so uncomfortable is because the angle and size of the spokes does not leave you with many options as to where to grab the steering wheel. The area that you would normally be holding when you drive has uncomfortable and cartoonishly large “grips” molded into the wheel that leaves you exploring other position options.

Another horrible thing about this steering wheel; I am 6’ and when I would adjust the car to my driving position I was unable to see the speedometer/tachometer. This car really needs a telescoping steering wheel because the top of the steering wheel would block my view of the gauges forcing me either crouch down to glance at my speed or rely on the digital gauge in the center. Ridiculous!

Do Camaro owners have a problem with the steering wheel? Maybe we should ask them what they think since they live with the car. Naturally their opinions pale in comparison to the experts we have here who have never sat in the car but its just and idea we should explore. I mean who could possibly know more about how uncomfortable the steering wheel is than folks who own the car? The steering wheel design surely seems to be slowing enthusiasm for the car- hence the markups. I'm sure steering wheel design is the top factor for most folks when buying a car. Why would anything else even be considered?

"And just because most Americans don't drive with their hands at 9 and 3 doesn't mean driving with both hands has no merit, as you suggest."
Never said it has no merit. Please read MY comments and comment on what I actually said. I said most Americans do not drive with hands at 9 and 3 and suggesting otherwise is delusional. That is one reason why the self proclaimed driving experts on here can't figure out why the Camaro is selling in spite of its supposedly unacceptable wheel design. Most people do not care.

I think it's already been said, and I understand that the interior is supposed to be a contemporary interpretation of a retro design. But that instrument cluster is downright goofy looking. It doesn't match the overall theme of the interior. Plus, I can't help but notice the speedo font clashes with the digital readout of the stereo. And those lower center stack gauges also don't flow with the rest of the clean modern lines of the interior. The rest of the interior is pretty nice. I mean look at those seats! But that cluster, uh booger.

+1 @ adavis2493

That Audi steering wheel, instrument cluster, overall interior, is flawless.

GT5000:

I agree with jriz that there is a middle ground to be found.

http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/audi_a5_coupe_2009_interior_steeringwheel.jpg

^^^-Maintain the same shape as the Camaro, same button placement, and extremely comfortable. All Chevy has to do is replace some of the surfaces with something more finicky, and put chrome accents all over it!

"The steering wheel design surely seems to be slowing enthusiasm for the car- hence the markups."

Strong sales numbers don't wipe away a car's flaws, and likewise, small flaws don't doom a car to sales failure. There's a middle ground. I own a Mini. Trust me, I know all about flawed interior design, and I also know that a car can be good in spite of it.

"Please read MY comments and comment on what I actually said."
...and here is what you said...
"To be honest I cringe when I see anyone other than a soccer mom with two hands on the wheel in slow traffic. I get nervous around people like that."

You imply that 2 hands on the wheel is a negative. You cringe. You feel nervous. 9 and 3 is the positioning taught by instructors and most steering wheels encourage it. Just look at this one. With hands at 9 and 3, the thumbs fall conveniently on the padded portions of the spokes. This is a good wheel that encourages proper hand placement.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto-news/volt-watch-ladies-and-gentlemen-your-2011-chevy-volt-revealed/10605905+cr1+re0+ar1/2011-chevy-volt-interior-close-up.jpg

Wow, I think 1480something's submit button is stuck.

"9 and 3 is the positioning taught by instructors and most steering wheels encourage it. Just look at this one. With hands at 9 and 3, the thumbs fall conveniently on the padded portions of the spokes.".

But Americans don't drive that way- which excuses an abysmal steering wheel design..

By urr2sloAuthor Profile Page on August 28, 2009 10:58 AM:

"when i'm cruizin i have my left at 6 o'clock and my right on the shifter, when i'm driving more aggressively or racing its at 12 o'clock and on the shifter. if you own a manual trans it's just natural to be ready to shift, and the center armrest is perfect for resting your elbow."

clearly you have driven a manual and are born to be a professional racer. ;)

"clearly you have driven a manual and are born to be a professional racer. ;)"

He's also the Camaro's target demographic.

Just kidding...:)