Playing field for cars is levelling out...

General Discussion
#1

It seemed at the start of the new millennia, there was a still decent gap between mediocre and high end cars. You knew which ones to avoid, and the class leaders like Audi, BMW, MB, Porsche, etc, were the obvious choice for speed, handling, the latest goodies, and, well, class.

But I’m finding it harder to distinguish between cars as we roll closer to the roaring '20’s. Pretty soon, any car you pick will be a great handling road warrior, brimmed with options you used to only find in the S Class Mercedes. How will the current high end car makers differentiate themselves from the bottom feeders like Hyundai? (which used to be a swear work for me). Tough to say without a crystal ball but it’s going to take a lot of imagination.

An example of the future: the newest Z28 is rated equal or better than Porsche 991 Turbo S or the GTR - all for $77k. And ceramic brakes are standard. http://driving.ca/chevrolet/camaro/reviews/road-test/first-drive-2014-camaro-z28/

I would never have dreamed this day would come.

It seems to explain why car companies are coming out with many more models, to target even smaller niche’s and markets. My poor RS4, which won the “World Performance Car” in 2007, will soon be considered a classic dinosaur.

We live in exciting times.

#2

IT has been full circle. the comaro was always more performance packed then anything euro. When the mid 90s hit the gap got closer and closer still the comaro was king with the SS brand. It was a good move for the comaro brand to leave for a while. The mustang stuck it out and just got imbarresed by the euro sport cars for years. GM did some cleaning and brings back the sport car when its able to compete and compete well.

#3

When I saw Motortrends head to head video of the new Z28 vs GTR I fell in love with the new camaro.

#4

You should have never fallen out of love… you trader…

#5

I’ve always had a soft spot for the maro. Since I’ve owned two Z28s ;D but when the new camaro had 4 tail lights I was kind of upset but the 2015 has camaro tail lights again so all is well!

#6

The thing I have noticed the most is the fit and finish of the interior. The euro cars interior have always been better than the domestic counterparts in the same price range IMO. I mean my car is 10 years old and the interior is still nicer than 75% of the 2014/15 models.

Domestic has always been about performance, but with Euro you get the whole package.

Also, the new camaro is amazing

#7

wow the article states that the Z28 went around the Nurburgring flat out in the rain on dry track tires. Now that took steel balls on part of the driver.

#8

Have you seen the video? It actually started raining halfway through the lap (it was dry when he started) and he gets a little squirly coming into a couple corners.

#9

domestic interiors have improved greatly as of late. New corvette isnt horrible inside, and cadillacs current interiors are great IMO

Somewhat off topic, as a GM fan i find it hard to say but I think the mustang has surpassed the camaro (gt vs ss). Although I haven’t driven a zl1

#10

Just went to a local new car show. Sat in the ZL1 and the new Mustang. Severe lack of headroom in the ZL1 but it had a sunroof. Really nice seats and good room in the Mustang. I would probably take the Z28(no sunroof) over any of the Ford offerings though.

#11

I have yet to see, at the dragstrip, a Camaro SS run better than mid 13s.

#12

Not sure what’s up with them. They are comparable in magazine testing. But in driving both the GT felt much faster