How does the public view clean F-bodies nowadays?
#1
How does the public view clean F-bodies nowadays?
As a car enthusiast, and an owner of this ws6 for 10 years now, I'm biased towards a clean F-body car. The styling of a clean SS or WS6 catches my attention every time, even more so if it has been modified.
Does the general public view a CLEAN, modified F-body with any sort of admiration, or are these cars simply old news? They discontinued the Trans Am for over 10 years now, so perhaps it has more luster than the 4th gen Camaro, but still curious what you guys think.
Does the general public view a CLEAN, modified F-body with any sort of admiration, or are these cars simply old news? They discontinued the Trans Am for over 10 years now, so perhaps it has more luster than the 4th gen Camaro, but still curious what you guys think.
#3
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I tend to do pretty well at the car shows, although the older cars tend to win the majority of the trophies. I also have gotten compliments at the gas station and at work. Most people can't believe they are as old as they are.
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My '98 is a very low mileage show car, it has consistently scored 97 points so it's about as clean as they get. Even still, it's practically invisible at the local events and cruise nights - the only people who ever notice it are other (or previous) 4th gen owners. The same has been true for the couple of local participants I know with the Pontiac versions as well. These cars seem to currently be caught in the demilitarized zone between late model tech and classic muscle, not quite appealing universally to either crowd at this time.
Or perhaps you weren't referring to events/shows, but rather the average person on the street and how they react? In that regard my '98 is equally invisible, at least compared to the kind of attention my '71 receives. That's OK, I've had this specific car for ~12 years and have been a 4th gen owner for over 16 years now; public reaction has no affect on my love and interest for these cars.
Or perhaps you weren't referring to events/shows, but rather the average person on the street and how they react? In that regard my '98 is equally invisible, at least compared to the kind of attention my '71 receives. That's OK, I've had this specific car for ~12 years and have been a 4th gen owner for over 16 years now; public reaction has no affect on my love and interest for these cars.
#6
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My clean SOM 4th gen used to break necks like crazy. Got tons of positive attention. Even my '99 Formula would turn a lot of heads. In stock form on stock wheels, ride height, ect. they really aren't great to look at but with some springs and a set of wheels, clean paint, ect. they can still be panty droppers nowadays.
#7
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Mine doesn't really turn heads unless I get on it and let her go above 4k but with LM1, I'd expect its not particularly because its a WS6 but more because of how obnoxiously loud she can be
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#8
On The Tree
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I think our 4th gens are pretty much overlooked right now. The newest one's are 13 years old, so there's plenty of much newer stuff out there to look at . My 2002 has got a couple compliments on the road and a few at cruise nights, but mainly from other F-body owners.
I rarely see other one's on the road, and even at a large cruise night, I'm usually one of only a few 4th gens parked amongst a boat load of Mustangs, Challengers and Vette's.
I rarely see other one's on the road, and even at a large cruise night, I'm usually one of only a few 4th gens parked amongst a boat load of Mustangs, Challengers and Vette's.
#10
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When I roll through in my 02 z SOM caming. I get mixed reactions. Some guys throw me the thumbs up smiling like a Chester cat. Others look at me like they mad. All the women smile or turn up there noses.
Kids are just like WTF ???
Teens always want me to spin
Kids are just like WTF ???
Teens always want me to spin
#12
TECH Enthusiast
They are still fairly well regarded among performance car enthusiasts that knew what they were back in the day. I don't think they are singled out any better than say other 1993-2002 performance cars. I'm always surprised when I'm getting out of the car or filling up and someone makes a nice comment about it. It's been happening at the same pace for the past 4 years. No real change imo.
When doing a shopping trip at BJ's Wholesale Club in late summer I recall a group of 35-45 year old bikers (2 girls and 2 guys) that were obviously returning from some sort of an event on a Sunday evening. They mentioned my car as I walked by then. Small world. It turned out that one of the woman owned a 2002 Pewter WS6 M6 with 32K miles and had been looking for one ever since....and not finding the right car. They were all quite conversant in all the muscle cars of yesteryear. That was a first for me at BJ's.
Considering how much everyone says they don't like Pewter, I told the woman there should be plenty of buyers looking to dump their Pewter WS6's for her benefit and personal gain....lol. I would say the WS6's are very highly regarded still. The Chevy SS and Z28 not nearly as much. Look at the WTB threads here where everyone wants an M6 WS6...and preferably in SOM.
When doing a shopping trip at BJ's Wholesale Club in late summer I recall a group of 35-45 year old bikers (2 girls and 2 guys) that were obviously returning from some sort of an event on a Sunday evening. They mentioned my car as I walked by then. Small world. It turned out that one of the woman owned a 2002 Pewter WS6 M6 with 32K miles and had been looking for one ever since....and not finding the right car. They were all quite conversant in all the muscle cars of yesteryear. That was a first for me at BJ's.
Considering how much everyone says they don't like Pewter, I told the woman there should be plenty of buyers looking to dump their Pewter WS6's for her benefit and personal gain....lol. I would say the WS6's are very highly regarded still. The Chevy SS and Z28 not nearly as much. Look at the WTB threads here where everyone wants an M6 WS6...and preferably in SOM.
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When doing a shopping trip at BJ's Wholesale Club in late summer I recall a group of 35-45 year old bikers (2 girls and 2 guys) that were obviously returning from some sort of an event on a Sunday evening. They mentioned my car as I walked by then. Small world. It turned out that one of the woman owned a 2002 Pewter WS6 M6 with 32K miles and had been looking for one ever since....and not finding the right car. They were all quite conversant in all the muscle cars of yesteryear. That was a first for me at BJ's.
It's hard for me to imagine how some people seem to get so many comments about their 4th gens from general passers-by. Even my loud, cammed, bright red WS6 T/A never received the sort of attention classic muscle gets.
#16
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From talking to a lot of other car guys into other brands(Mostly Fords) most seem to like the WS6's much more and seem to think the Camaro's are just boring, or look like Mullet wagons/Catfish's. Ls1's don't seem to get much respect either anymore since the Terminators and now Coyote's have been out. I think people swapping LS's into everything known to man hasn't helped that, almost like people are getting tired of hearing about it. Other's just have no clue, I wish I had a dime for every time I had somebody say "nice firebird" when complimenting my old Camaro. Just my take.
#17
TECH Junkie
It could be a regional thing. I have received many compliments over the years at shows and even at gas stations and supermarkets. I had a guy at Lowe's who couldn't stop drooling. It was a little much but if your only ride is an old beaten up pickup truck, yeah, a stock excellent condition T/A might get you darn excited.
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Thats actually one thing about my car ive always liked.....it garners attention. I think the red color helps. Plus, its ******* loud and with a big converter if you dont see it you WILL hear it coming. Nobody complains about the noise, they mostly wanna come ask me questions or tell stories about a car they used to have. Old people young people, doesnt really seem to have any boundaries. I think if it was quiet it would go way more under the radar.
#20
TECH Junkie
I think the general public loves these cars, especially the Trans Am's, imo they are just more of a head turner. I'm constantly getting compliments and the "non car people" asking what it is. And obviously the usually gawking by every kid that sees it lol.
They are beautiful cars, original styling
They are beautiful cars, original styling