You know, I really want to like our Camaro. But it seems like every time I come across a positive attribute, something gets in the way. I've got some examples. For one, our Camaro has got a pretty good stereo. The nine-speaker Boston Acoustics system is quite impressive, with hefty and clear bass and clean tones in the upper registers. It ably got things bumpin' and thumpin' with L.L. Cool J's "Goin' Back to Cali" and revealed all of the complexity of a Thomas Newman film score (his mischevious use of pizzicotto amazes me). But, there's a rattle in the passenger door somewhere that bugs me when the bass hits. Rats!
I like the seats in the Camaro. They have plenty of padding and just enough support for my frame. I can see myself driving cross-country in this car, were it not for the headrest. Ugh! I did it again, didn't I? Well, I might as well finish my thought. The bottom of the headrest seems to jut out just enough to contact the bottom of my neck (my chiropractor would call it the C4 or C5 vertebrae). I slid the headrest up as far as it'll go and it still pushes uncomfortably against the base of my neck.
OK, so there's one silver lining I'm sure that doesn't have a dark cloud - the sound of the engine. It's mean and gruff. It's just as effective as the horn to scare L.A.'s idiotic drivers back into their own rain-soaked lane. And the wonderful backpressure burble when I lift off the throttle. It's as good as a baffle-free Harley. There, no complaints on the exhaust!
Mark Takahashi, Associate Editor @ 10,890 miles
hybris says:
11:35 AM, 01/22/10
*cough*Aftermarket Seats*cough*
wobbly_ears says:
11:42 AM, 01/22/10
@hybris,
Better get some cough drops dude. The interior design on this GM masterpiece is horrible. You shouldn't have to get aftermarket seats for a brand-new car just to be able to drive. It seems ergonomics have been an afterthought on this car.
Heck, even Chrysler apparently is capable of designing a better interiors, look at Challenger!
throwback says:
12:30 PM, 01/22/10
Funny about the rattle, my buddy's 73 camaro also had a rattle in the passenger door,.. and the rear deck, and the driver's kick panel. He used to just blast the stereo.
oachalon says:
12:39 PM, 01/22/10
My seats are comfortable, and the headrests do not get in the way at all.
I also do not have a rattle in my car anywhere. The only thing i have to disagree is that the boston acoustics stereo sucks. Its better than a lot of other cars, but i have never heard a factory stereo i like. Even the mark levinson stereos in the lexus. Its usually a drawback of cheap amplifiers, and not the best speaker placements.
Its 90% install and 10% equipment. All the factory stereos remind me of bose too much, no highs no lows must be bose. Dont get me wrong these stereos are good enough for 99% of the people out there, i am just really picky and i spend a lot of time in my life being an audiophile.
dougtheeng says:
12:59 PM, 01/22/10
Those headrests look very narrow...or maybe its just the angle of the shot.
desmolicious says:
01:19 PM, 01/22/10
"It's as good as a baffle-free Harley. There, no complaints on the exhaust!"
You're kidding about the Harley, right? Baffle free Harleys are maybe the most obnoxious thing out there. And I have a Harley! When I put some V&H Slip-ons on it, I could not believe how loud it was with the stock baffles. I had to order the 'quiet' ones, which themselves are way loud.
I could not even imagine how bad it would be with no baffles.
dscain says:
01:21 PM, 01/22/10
I think the Camaro interior was designed by Spongebob fans. Every time I look at that dash, the gauges remind me of Mr. Krabs' eyes. The headrest does the same thing.
mboily says:
02:17 PM, 01/22/10
I agree with the head rest, I'm 6'4" and it doesn't move up enough for my neck to not touch the end of it. It's a bummer and I will have to try to find some Custom head rest or perhaps try to get some longer rods on the original but still didn't stop me purchasing the Car.
Take note that this is the biggest issue I have with the Car, the vision comes far second and the stering wheel is a far far third...after those...nothing.
I have the 1SS strait no options.
mikes12 says:
07:12 PM, 01/22/10
Corny.
In a word, that describes the interior. It's like, GM can't do better, but they can and do in other models.
Good design doesn't cost anymore than bad.
Those guages, the extra guages at the shifter, the radio and those headrests. OH My. Its like they can't shake the clown car look of the last gen camaro/firebird. Remember?...the one with all the nostrils and body molding.
roadburner says:
08:35 AM, 01/23/10
"I think the Camaro interior was designed by Spongebob fans. Every time I look at that dash, the gauges remind me of Mr. Krabs' eyes."
LOL! I remember one journalist who opined that the first generation Miata looked like something the Mutant Ninja Turtles would drive. I still remember that almost every time I see one.
cruiserhead1 says:
10:54 AM, 01/23/10
Interior looked cool on the concept Camaro, and looks cool now. They did a good job overall.
Materials could be better but it's ok.
I like the fact they updated the old Camaro gauge buckets.
Somehow it's just not as "cool" as the Challenger but not sure why...