Camaro Convertible has arrived
#16
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
It boggles my mind why some cars even have back seats. In the case of SC430, because of the back seat you couldn't have the seat all the way back and reclined. If you wanted the seat reclined, it would automatically move forward, and if you moved all the way back, it would automatically go into upright position - so if you're no 40" tall there's no way to get comfortable inside it. I really wanted to get SC430 a few years back, but since I'm not 40" tall I could barely fit in the seat, and the metal pillar? on top of the windshield was right at my eye level.
That combined with no ventilated seats and still no AUX, I had to pass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbdyg7xxZ6g
Last edited by Och; 03-18-11 at 06:58 AM.
#17
Lexus Fanatic
No need to remember, because most Car Chat (being knowledgeable) members know that these casual observations/common knowledge about extra weight/reinforcements added to stiffen the car, insignificant changes in CG and thicker appearing windshield pillars were not intended to increase rollover safety. All these additional stiffeners were designed to stiffen the chassis and the net result is still less chassis rigiity (and a less capable chassis) than the coupe version. As I simply stated, the Camaro convertible has no rollover protection and GM isn't attempting to design-in or claim any such protection (the car is exempt from US rollover regs, so GM decided to not address the safety issue). Not that this is uncommon in convertibles, including Corvette and Mustang both very popular convertibles for example and the incident of rollerovers should not be any higher than equivalent coupes.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
i think it's an ugly car, with ugly guages, and the most worthless rear seats possible.
I have to agree...the SC430's rear seats are among the most worthless I've ever encountered.....except maybe on the old Mazda MX-3 coupe of the early 90's.
But, let's be honest....are there ANY small or smallish convertibles out there that have seats fit for adults? Outside of the Chrysler Sebring ragtop and possibly the now-discontinued Solara convertible, I haven't seen any....and the Solara and Sebring ragtops were done off mid-sized platforms, not a pony-car like a Camaro.
#19
You may (?) have missed my point. I agree that less weight in the ragtop and more weight underneath in chassis stiffening won't necessarily prevent rollovers...nor is it designed solely for occupant-protection. But, from the laws of physics, it does make rollovers less-likely. That's all I was saying.
None of above changes the fact that Camaro convertible has no rollover protection by design. It's that simple.
#20
Lexus Fanatic
#21
#22
Yes, true, but the Camaro does meet NHTSA convertible-safety standards...or else it wouldn't be on sale in the U.S. Are you saying, then, that NHTSA/DOT needs to toughen up the convertible-rollover standards to require pop-up rollover devices like on Porsches, or a fixed U-Bar like on the PT Cruiser ragtop? If so, then I understand your point.
The US government does not tell or require Porsche, BMW, Mercedes to achieve rollover safety with convertibles (being responsible and safety-oriented they figure it out on their own and use both fixed roll bars and pop up roll bars depending on model and configuration). For example, the Porsche Boxster rollover safety mechanisms (windshield frame and fixed roll hoops specifically) are designed to support 2.5 times the cars weight.
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Anyhow, back to the specific Camaro convertible. Now that both the Mustang and Camaro have born-again retro ragtops, it will be interesting to see if the Challenger follows suit. I remember the purple (Dodge....Plum Crazy/Plymouth....In-Violet) Challenger and Barracuda convertibles from 1970....they were especially neat-looking with the white-vinyl interior.
#24
I understand that. My question, though, is if that is what you yourself were advocating....stricter government standards for convertible rolllovers? If so, you are not alone in that desire.
Anyhow, back to the specific Camaro convertible. Now that both the Mustang and Camaro have born-again retro ragtops, it will be interesting to see if the Challenger follows suit. I remember the purple (Dodge....Plum Crazy/Plymouth....In-Violet) Challenger and Barracuda convertibles from 1970....they were especially neat-looking with the white-vinyl interior.
Anyhow, back to the specific Camaro convertible. Now that both the Mustang and Camaro have born-again retro ragtops, it will be interesting to see if the Challenger follows suit. I remember the purple (Dodge....Plum Crazy/Plymouth....In-Violet) Challenger and Barracuda convertibles from 1970....they were especially neat-looking with the white-vinyl interior.
Yes, we have discussed the white interiors for convertibles on Car Chat threads before. Personally after owning several convertibles, I find a very light colored interior (especially white) to be hard to keep clean.
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Light-colored seats, with a little care, are generally easier to care for than carpeting (I know, I have an Outback with very light-beige seats and carpet). If you don't eat/drink or smoke in the car, and you get in and out with clean dry clothes on, the seats will generally stay nice a long time. But light carpeting definitely needs protection, especially in wet weather or dirty shoes. The best way to do that is with all-rubber floor mats, care in where you place your feet, and occasional scrubbing around the edges.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-18-11 at 08:27 PM.
#26
Lexus Test Driver
#27
Lexus Fanatic
I happy to hear that the drop top is coming. I loved the super sport I rented for a week in Hawaii last year and I know that the loss of the roof is only going to make that motor sound that much sweeter. I can imagine one dropped on a set of 22's with an exhaust. DAMN!!! that would be cool to drive
#29
Lexus Champion
#30
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
and the most worthless rear seats possible.
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