[Number 3]

Ok, here is my 1,000th post. Not monumental by most standards. Some of you have many, many times more than that. But forgive me if I take just a moment to express my thoughts on this hardly momentous occasion.

I joined Camaro5 on December 25, 2008, Christmas Day. We had just driven Number 3, a simple Victory Red 1LT manual transmission car to California to help accumulate miles on the CTF cars. We experienced so much excitement and interest and talked to so many people on the way. I wanted to find a way to share our experiences even more than at just the gas station or lunch stop. I found Camaro5 and saw that HeatherR was also posting her experiences on their trip to Florida in the CTF Red SS. So I joined and starting posting too. We have done our best to document, answer questions, share photos and as much as possible, give rides and demonstrations of this truly wonderful car.

When I joined Camaro5, I think the membership was around 6,000 if I remember correctly. Now it is pushing 10,000. That’s a huge increase by any stretch in 5 months. Some due to the car for sure, but much of it is due to the efforts of Tran and the moderators to provide a truly worthwhile place to share and exchange ideas about the Camaro.

Since then a lot has happened. Mrs. Number 3 scored a 2SS Camaro for her Product Evaluation Program car, so we had a 1LT and a 2SS in the driveway. This allowed many comparisons and even more photos until you guys would begin to get your cars.

At Easter, we arranged to take Fbodfather’s Rally Yellow car to Florida. Partly because I hadn’t driven an RS but mostly because both of our cars were Victory Red and I was actually tired of taking pictures of Red cars. This was the trip where Thor was created.

A few weeks after we got back, we found out Mrs. Number 3’s services were no longer required at General Motors. We are still struggling with that. She had just received her 25 year service award before we went to Florida. So the economy and the state of General Motors has had a big impact on us. I had to terminate a member of my team as well, so that was a tough week. I have many friends who were let go or re-leveled, and there is more to come in GM’s effort to re-size and re-structure.

But I did want to say that Camaro5 has played a big role in maintaining my sanity during this difficult time. Your genuine passion and love of the Camaro has been a welcome breath of fresh air for me. I have tried to find that in the other sites dedicated to the Camaro and it just wasn’t there.

Yes, there has been a negative slant that many have noticed recently. And oddly, from the PMs and posts, the negativity isn’t on the part of the people with the car or the issue. It’s by people piling on. Maybe it’s because some are angry that someone else has their car and is actually having an issue and they don’t have theirs yet. I don’t know the reason. I do look forward to when this is a true fan site again and it is dedicated to the goodness of this car. And I will say it seems to have improved recently so either things are settling down or the moderators are moderating.

I have had the privilege to meet many of you in person. Mrs. Number 3 and I have certainly enjoyed every opportunity to share the car with you and talk to you about the 2010 Camaro. I really believe it is an awesome car. As I’ve said, it isn’t a perfect car, but it strikes a perfect chord with me.

So it’s 1,000 posts and counting.

And 1,000 thanks to you, Camaro5.