5 Ways the 4th Gen Camaro is Better than the 5th
Let's look at five ways in which the 4th gen Camaro gets more love than the 5th.
1. Sleeker Styling
Over its lifetime, Camaro styling can be loosely categorized as either "sleek" or "muscular." A good example of the contrast came in the transition between the 1st gen, which was decidedly muscular, and the 2nd gen, which brought European sensibilities to bear in the form of a beautiful, fluid body style. Chevrolet chose to focus on the muscular aspect of the Camaro's personality when it revived the brand in the 2010 model year. By contrast, the 4th gen was arguably the sleekest of all the cousins, and that quality is wistfully remembered by many.
2. Better Driver Visibility
Although graced with sleek and aerodynamic styling, the 4th gen Camaro also featured a relatively large total glass area. The rear hatch featured a large rear window, and the side windows were similar in size to those in more mundane vehicles. With the introduction of the 5th gen, the hatch glass was gone and the side window area was reduced by about 33 percent, resulting in one of the most common owner complaints — "I can't see out of the cockpit!"
3. T-top Option
Corvette was the first production car to feature a T-top. This innovation allowed the engineers to save the extra weight required to make a convertible as structurally stiff as a hardtop. It also was quieter and more weather-proof than a convertible. When the 2nd gen Camaro added a T-top option in 1978, Camaro fans were able to enjoy open air motoring without the sacrifices inherent in convertibles. Alas, the 4th gen Camaro was the last to offer this option, one of the most popular in the car's history.
4. Less Bulky, More Nimble
Sports car drivers put a premium on how the car "feels" when it is driven hard. Luxury cars are built to feel substantial and stable, but sports cars are expected to be nimble and responsive. The 5th gen Camaro is over 500 lbs heavier than the 4th gen; to many drivers, it feels slower to respond and less "tossable." Edge to the 4th gen!
5. Live Rear Axle
The Camaro is one of those rare and sought-after vehicles that can assume the role of a sweet handling sports coupe or a ground pounding muscle car. To the delight of the sports coupe crowd, the 5th gen Camaro was the first to feature an independent rear suspension system, which facilitates better handling and a smoother ride over uneven road surfaces. On the other hand, the many Camaro enthusiasts who prefer drag racing have been known to stick with the live axle 4th gen for its superior ability to get power to the pavement in a straight line.
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