G20 vs. SS 15-August-2012
Driving Impressions: G20 Van vs. LT1/M6 Camaro 10-August-2012
As a man who believes in balance, it’s probably no surprise that I have vehicles on opposite ends of the automotive extremes: An LT1/M6 Camaro and a G20 Conversion Van. Recently, the car was down for repairs, and in driving the van for a couple of weeks, I noticed some significant differences in driving the two vehicles. I thought they were noteworthy.
Comfort:
Camaro: I suppose it depends on how you define comfort. If, by comfort, you mean it wraps around you, feels like an airplane cockpit, and you feel loved when you drive it, then it’s comfortable. If, by comfort, you mean you could drive it for days without losing the ability to feel your legs, then, it’s not comfortable.
Van: It’s like driving your house, sitting in your recliner, while looking out the living room bay window, ice cold drink in hand.
Style:
Camaro: Swoopy shiny adolescent boy racer curves with exhaust note your neighbors will eventually kill you in your sleep over, yet will get grand cheers from every teenager parking lot hangout you pass.
Van: It’s like driving your house, sitting in your recliner, while looking out the living room bay window, ice cold drink in hand.
Horsepower:
Camaro: Just in case you need to go 150mph lickity-split, you’re set.
Van: Just in case you need to go the speed limit, you can get there. Eventually.
*Torque:
Camaro: Begs you to do smoky burnouts at random. Just because you can. However, given ‘style’ above, everyone within 100 yards will notice, and you’ll probably lose your license. If your rear tires don’t wear out 4x faster than your fronts, you’re doing it wrong.
Van: Can actually easily do a smoky burnout with one of its ‘tire swing’ rear tires, and given ‘style’ above, everyone will wonder where the smoke is coming from, because the van blends into the houses around it like a part of the scenery.
*Handling:
Camaro: Has a distinct breaking point. Sticks like glue (phase 1) right up until the rear breaks traction, at which point you have the option and ability to maintain a drift (phase 2) depending on the situation and your level of driving prowess. Phase 3 may be one of 2 scenarios: 3.1) Skidding out of control, and possible complete loss of life and vehicle, or 3.2) Sharp ‘snap’ as the rear regains traction and you go on your merry way. If you need to make a radical maneuver to avoid an accident, you want to be driving the Camaro.
Van: It has only 1 phase. While it is possible to drift this behemoth, it is not at all what you think of when you envision ‘drifting’. There is no distinct point or line between body roll and actual vehicle drift. Only a seasoned professional could tell you whether you’re simply taxing the shocks or actually ‘drifting’. Sidewalls provide as much traction (or loss thereof) in this maneuver as the tire tread, and in fact, markings on said sidewalls are yet another telltale sign that drifting has (or hasn’t) occurred recently. If you need to make a radical maneuver to avoid an accident, don’t. Your best line is the one that goes straight through.
In summary, the Van says, “Where you wanna go? Hop in, I’ll get you there all safe and comfy.” The Camaro says, “Just drive me. I don’t care where to or why. Just drive me.”
*Professional Driver, closed operating course. Drive responsibly. Batteries not included. Some settling may have occurred during shipment. Your results may vary.
Cheers from The ThreeFiveZero Driver
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