I've been reading lately, here and other places, that the F-body is dead because of poor sales. True enough I guess. The reasons for sales to be down are varied though. They range from the Camaro's inability to compete with the import market for young buyers to "it's a piece of chit". One opinion merely states the symptom's of the f-body's problems and most of the others are based on brand prejudice. The truth of the matter is, products rise and fall based on Image, in market based economies, as much as on Quality. Many excelent products have died world wide because of poor marketing or poor public perception. In this country the entertainment industry plays a huge role in the way products are percieved.
What do I think about it, you might ask? I think Hollywood killed the Camaro! How many movies have you seen lately in which the driver of a Camaro was portrayed as anything but a redneck, a hillbilly, poor white trash, a grease monkey with an attitude problem, or a failed criminal of some sort. The closest thing to a positive character driving an F-body in the past decade has been Patrick Swaze in "Next of Kin", and he was playing a dislocated hillbilly.
The Firebird that David Hasselhof drove in "Knight Rider" was probably the last time an f-body was shown in a favorable light. Sales of the f-body during the time of that show were pretty high, and they really were crappy cars compared to the latest renditions from GM.
Sure, the f-body has some minor quality issues, but product perception has been it's big killer. Just my opinion.

Roger

 

From what I've read/experienced first hand it was the poor build quality/cheap materials used in the cars. I test drove a new T/A when they first came out in 94 or 95. Couldn't believe the 24000 sticker then on it. The Mustang GT for about 4500 less was built alot better, although slower. As f-bod sales have declined, Mustang sales have increased. It really is sad since GM has had 7 years now to improve them but would rather kill them off. Typical laziness at the top, unfortunately. They coulda been a contenda!

 

I think is was Tundra or something.

 

Jim Rockford on the 'Rockford Files' was a cool guy!

(but come to think of it, he did live in a trailer...)

 

I have to agree with Frank here. Although fast as hell, the F-bodies are cheap junk. I drove a 96 T/A but ended up buying a 96 GT instead because 1) it was $3k cheaper, and 2) the interior and overall quality was way better on the Ford. I really like the outside of the new SS, but as soon as I see the interior, I know there is no way I'd be happy sitting in that rice burner looking interior, it just looks so cheap. I have 5 friends that own either a Z28 or T/A. 3 of the 5 have had major mechanical problems with them. 4 of the 5 say they would never buy another one again. 1 of them was lemon lawed. Need I say more???

 

It's time the truth was finally told: What killed the F-body was PSP tuned Silver Lightning's Yea baby

 

Of the magazine articles I've read criticizing the late model f-body, the only complaints they can come with is the plasticky interior and the dated styling. I myself have owned three since '93 when they were introduced. I had zero problems with any of them. I would recommend that a strut tower brace and subframe connectors be added though. This fixes the handling complaints expressed by many mustang guys who test drive them. $24,000 for a vehicle that out performs most vehicles for twice the price....Yep, I'd have to agree....That's a rip-off. Mustang sales are up; but, I don't think it's because of performance issues. Mustang has been trailing in that category for nearly a decade. We're back to Image again. Ford has been untouchable in that category since the '60s. It's all in the names. Ford applies personality to it's vehicles. People are drawn to the names as much as the quality. Names like Falcon, Comet, Cougar, Explorer, Lightning, Cobra, Pantera, Mustang, Expedition, and so on. If Mustang sales were based on performance and not Image, why are there so many more V6s than V8s sold lately? I love my Lightning, but I worry more about it giving me problems than I ever did with my f-bodies. Again, just my "informed" opinion.

 

My dear friend, I only bought one new camaro/TA many years ago 1982 to be exact. While it was a sharp body style, the Trans Am spent more time in the shop ( leaking transmission, check engine light, howling rear end, plastic dash sqeaking, memory lacks other details at this time ,BUT there where more, many more) But to answer your question why the mustang sells more cars than the F bodies combined, maybe it has something to do to quailty, or maybe customers (NOT ME!) don't care for hp or high performance V-6 vs V-8 Just let the past go and enjoy the Lightning, Kick camaroo's butt, pull a boat, haul the hayWho could ask for anything more

 

I had a 95Z28 6 speed - one of the best cars I 've ever owned.

Only problem - insurance companies HATE these cars..Most highball the rate and a potential owner gets discouraged..

2nd point - Well the 93's came out, a mild makeover in 98 w/the LS1.. That' it..FOrd on the other hand always keeps the Mustang advertised & refreshened/revised product..

GM only cares about the C5 Vette - back in 95 my Z gave quite a few automatic Vettes hell. Well Gm continues to pump life in the C5 but the fbodies remained stagnant. EX. 385bhp Z06. 02 Z06 makes 405bhp..

LAST: GM kills the fbodies BUT continues to make the Pontiac Aztek & Buick Renevous..NO need to commet on these two turds..

 

Fast Gator
This thread was started because I didn't think it belonged in the other one currently running on a similar topic. I agree with you 100% that the camaros before '93 were POS. I drove several and almost swore off ever buying a GM product. But, the current rendition is an amazing improvement over those and doesn't do nearly as well in the market place. A clear case of Image over substance. And that image has been created, in part, in Hollywood. Well, maybe not created there; but, certainly disseminated from there.

I hope I am not giving the impression that I am a GM loyalist. I am not. I buy what I consider to be the best of what suits ME. When it is time for a new ride, I'll check around to see what appeals to me the most and then give it a few years to have the bugs worked out. Just like I did with my L. I may be buying my first Dodge in the future, maybe a Nissan. That 350Z looks promising.

 

I blame it on a few things....the BIG things is EXTREMELY POOR marketing and advertising. Can someone tell me the last Camaro Commercial they saw? I'll give you a hint. It was the one w/ the kid in his bedroom listening to passing cars in his suburban neighborhood. He hears the volkswagon roll past then....then he hears the LT1 Camaro coming. Yes...that's right LT1 Camaro. 1994 was when that commercial came out! 8 freakin' years ago, was the last time GM advertised it's premier pony car, that has more heritage than any POS rice will EVER have. The consumer didn't kill the Camaro....GM commited auto-cide on it. 2 years ago, I sold my 96 Cobra and bought my 00' SS. 2 days after I bought it I was putting gas in it when gentleman walked up to me and said..."What kind of car is that? It's awesome looking." He couldn't believe it was a Camaro! I thought to myself...."What an IDIOT!!...How can someone not recognize one of the cornerstones of american muscle??" Then about 2 weeks later it happened AGAIN! At a redlight...a woman yelled over and asked what kind of car I was driving. She and her 10 year old son were arguing....she didn't believe that it was a Camaro. In the past 2 years....I quit counting the # of times this has happened.

I'm sorry, but that is 100% unacceptable. GM's advertising staff should be taken out and shot! Or worse yet...they should have their F**KING Cappacino machines and their BMW's taken away from them for good!

Advertising is to blame, plain and simple. Can you imagine someone having trouble identifying a Mustang??? It'll NEVER happen!

Another killer is the obvious design of the car. It is not designed to 'fit' everyone. It is difficult to get in and out of, that is true. It is low to the ground, with an almost prone ****pit type driving position. I can't argue that. It seems to be very unpopular with women as well (1/2 of the buying public). My wife LOVED the Cobra....she DESPISES the SS (as does my Mom, my Sister, my Mistress and the prostitute from the other night. haha....j/k). The Camaro is definitely an "enthusiasts" car, built for the enthusiast with one thing in mind. ***** to the wall power. The Mustang is more of a well rounded vehicle that does many things well, but nothing Spectacular. The F-body does fewer things well...but the things that it Does do....Holy ***** DOES IT EVER DO THEM!

The only other killer besides advertising is the 'reliability' misconceptions. Everyone thinks that the F-body is cheaply made and that it is unreliable. I'm not gonna start an argument on that subject....but I'll say this.....I've owned 3 Mustangs, 2 Fbodies, 2 Hondas, a 300ZX and a Ford Lightning. They all have one thing in common. They all had occasional problems. NO CAR IS PERFECT. I've had more problems w/ my FORD truck than I have my CHEVY car. I've had the SS for 2 years (I race it almost every weekend)....it's been in the Shop ZERO times. I've had my Lightning for 4 months....It's been in the shop TWICE. Does that make it a POS or unreliable. Hell no....it's just not perfect. I'm sure the SS will have a problem sooner or later. But I'm not gonna give up on it and buy a Toyota the first time something breaks, either.

 

Is hollywood influencing the public...or was hollywood merely picking up on the publics perception of those machines?

hmmmmm?

 

Good question....I hope it's not the latter of the 2 choices....otherwise "Brandon" from Beverly Hills 90210 and the chic from "V.I.P." indicates thats only **** and chics drive Mustangs.

 

You hit the nail on the head.

I've worked in 'Hollywood' (BTW most of the studios aren't in Hollywood), and have seen what goes on there - they are the most opportunistic, fawning people in existence. Hollywood only puts out what the public wants to see. If they didn't, well, the Neilsen families would turn their tv's off and go outside, or something

 

THE suv market killed the f-body, it also killed the rx-7, nissan 300zx and the supra. I dont now the numbers but i bet the mustang sales are not what they used to be either.