Buying my first Camaro???
 

Hey everyone just joined the forum. This forum looks amazing and full of good information and great members. I have owned many performance vehicles but never a Camaro. I am older (56) and remember lusting over the IROC Camaro's in the 70's...but never pulled the trigger. I did own a 1981 Corvette for a short period so have some Bow Tie experience but now want to buy a Camaro. Thought about a used ZL1 or SS but looking to reitre soon and figured the V6 is a better option...See this listing for AutoNation http://www.autonation.com/tampa-st-p...FC1E32C9208524 and let me know your thoughts as it has everything I think I am looking for as follows:

RS/2LT package
Automatic
Leather
back up camera
Bose
20in wheels
Inferno Orange (hard to tell from pics but looks more redish orange than orange?)
Etc...

So I guess my basic questions are as follows:

1) Any known problems with the 2012 RS models
2) At 323hp does the V6 run pretty good? Would love an SS but trying to watch the MPG being I am retiring soon

Any other insightful info would be great...thanks.

If you're anything like me (or any of the guys on here), you'll get used to that power, and you'll end up spending more than the cost of an SS to be as fast as one. The SS isn't terrible on gas if you drive it regularly, I suggest going for it. A lot of people end up regretting not getting one off the bat, and usually trade up later on

Thanks...I may need to keep that in mind. Plan to go drive both this weekend.

Here is a link to a govt website with fuel economy ratings. You can adjust your mileage at the bottom...believe it defaults to 15k/yr @ ~%55/%45 hwy/city...

I also find those ratings a bit low...I averaged about 26mpg hwy when I did a 14 hour drive straight through to Chicago right after I bought her...now that I have the Catch Can/Clean Side Separator on there I believe it would have gotten a [tiny] bit better...

TL;DR...Based on those numbers, it's about $33/m extra (gas-expense only)...for the additional power/fun/excitement...Absolutely worth it in MY opinion - no questions asked...and especially since you said you used to lust over the IROCs, I can't help but feel as though you would feel as if you were missing out with a v6 - but it's your vehicle, not mine; You really can't go wrong either way :thumbsup::clap2:



On another note...Did Chevy switch to Bose between '11 (Man late 2010)/'12 or something? Mine has Boston in it...just curious...and not necessarily directing this at you, OP, but someone else who can chime in lol.

If you're a performance car guy, do yourself a favor and go with the V-8 car.

If your buying used you might as well get the V8. If your looking for an affordable budget friendly brand new Camaro get the V6. Either way youll like what you get.

V6 21 to 22 MPG combined average city/highway driving, V8 17 to 20 MPG combined average city/highway driving, but way more fun when you mash the pedal.

I had my 2014 V6 for not even two years (bought in Nov 2013) and now I'm in a 1LE 2SS. I love the heck out of it and just passed the break in period! Pedal to the floor now. If you want the ZL1 get one especially with retirement on the way you'll need something to go have fun in!!

:welcome:
The best thing to do is as you're planning, drive both and then decide which meets your needs/wants. :happy0180:

I had a 2014 2LT V6 and with my short commute (about 10 miles one way) I was getting just a hair better than I am getting in my 2015 2SS now. Although, that is with premium. But I am VERY happy moving into the 2SS from the V6.

I am not sure why, and neither was my insurance agent, but my insurance went down a few bucks a month going to the V8. He had no idea why. But I didn't complain.

Get what you want. Can't go wrong with either! Both are are great rides, great safety features, and dependable! :thumbup:

Welcome to Camaro5!

After you take the test drives you won't need to ask Camaro5 anymore.

Agree. Don't fret too much about the gas mileage with the V-8, lay off it and cruise and it's not too bad. Unless you live in a city, then yeah V-6 makes way more sense.

I drove my friends V6 after having my SS for months and was beyond glad I got the SS instead of the V6 like I was considering. Most reliable car/engine I have ever had. 92K miles and no serious problems aside from regular wear and tear (tires, brakes, etc.) I commuted to work 6x a week driving 44 miles a day and still got decent mileage on the highway all depending on how heavy your foot is. Like any car keep the gas tank full and always run 91 you will get great mileage. Safe driving friend.

Lol thanks man!

Go for the V8, you wont regret it. I dont go on vacations, I dont have any other hobbies. So paying the extra money to fill the tank up is the enjoyment I get out of life. This car has made me so happy, and I have only owned it for two weeks. It is my third camaro, and I had a trans am before as well. I never had so many complements on a car ever.

GET THE SS!!!!!

Like everyone has said it depends on what your plans with it are going to be. If its just for cruising around to the store then I say V6 but if you plan on going on cruises or driving aggressive I say get a V8. Best thing is test drive a few of both and decide for yourself. Lots of used V8 and V6 5th Gens around now that the 6th gen is about to be out. Everyone I have met through the years with a V6 says it was more the $$$$ than anything so just get out and see what feels right for you. Good luck and look forward to seeing what you got.

i'm 60 and glad i got the SS.
it will be the final car i ever have.
i'm good with that.

:rolling5thgen:

OKAY! OKAY! You guys talked me into it...I am going to pick up a 2014 SS 6 speed tonight to take home. See my buddy is the GM at Lexus and I found this SS at one of his sister stores so he is having it transported to him so I can take it home for a few days and make sure I want it. I will be trading in my 2015 RCF which is a great car but just not what I want...I want some good ole' USA MUSCLE!!!

Again...I am looking at a 2014 SS 6 speed. White with inferno orange/black interior...all the bells & whistles (Nav, back up camera, etc...) plus RS Package, short throw shifter, Boston Acoustics, etc...so I am assuming this is a 2SS pacakage??? And it only has 5,200 miles on it. Wish me luck!

Attachment 740110

Attachment 740111

Great color choice!

By the way, I have a 1980 Corvette and I absolutely love it. That said, it can't compare to today's V8 Chevy product! Okay, so the Vette may look a bit sexier, but that's where it ends. You will find it is a whole new world in today's Camaro over out beloved cars of before. :)

Good job op, congrats with your new car! :thumb:

Thanks guys but I have not even drove it yet...I cannot imagine not buying it as my buddy will probably work me a good deal???

I loved my 1981 Corvette but I know that today's cars are a lot different but back then even as a 1981 model (not one of the strongest years) it still hauled azz...LOL

I have owned a Supra Turbo, Lexus ISF, Porsche C4S, Porsche TT (6sp) and now a Lexus RCF...time for some American Muscle!!!

Great color! Love my white coming from black!!

So seeing your past cars, it's time for this! Get U Sum...

Get the V8...I went the V6 route and ended up upgrading later...save yourself some time and money.

I hear you as my Vette and my Porsche C4S were black...best color when clean but a pain in the a _ _ to keep clean...right!

Hey I also love your black wheels...will probably look to do somehting wheel wise and exhaust eventually. :thumb:

LMAO...:sm0:

Okay guys I took it home last night...**BONUS** already has a Flowmaster exhaust on it and sounds mean. However, I love the car, drives very nice, pretty fast and it has pretty much all the bells and whistles as it also has HUD...that is pretty cool...first car I have driven with that. Anyway going to drive it for a few days or at least until my buddy starts asking for it back and also see what kind of a deal he can give me. I have already had a few people come up and say "Very nice car man"...LOL Hell yeah it is a SS...right?

Great choice and have fun tearing it up.

Thanks...well I had to bring it back as we are negotiating a deal but I am pretty sure by the end of this week I will be the proud owner of a Camaro SS. Thanks for everyone's help!!!

It really depends on what your personally looking for, the V6 is fast and fun to drive, but the V8 is a whole different level of fun.

If your just looking for a car that looks good and gets good mpg I would say get the V6.

If your looking for fun in retirement and not so worried about the mpg get the V8.

In my 2012 SS camaro I got 12mpg average and thats always driving fast. If you drive normally you can easily get 16-18mpg average.

Oh I hear you and I want a ZL1 (lucky man) but at this point in my life I think I can just be satisfied with a very nice slightly modded SS. However, I do want ZL1 replica wheels for my SS...what wheels do you have on your SS (I assume in your sig) as I see all three of your cars no?

I bought my first Camaro
 

Well it is official...I now own a 2014 Camaro SS (Summit White/Inferno Orange interior). See pictures on post #20. Next week having the windows tinted, clear bra installed and possibly paint my rear spoiler black? Also trying decide which wheels I want...looking hard at the MRR model 228 (Z28 replicas) and going 275/315. But which way do most go to lower the car? I don't want it slammed but think once I get the wheels I would want it lowered slightly just to give it even a meaner look...somehting like this Camaro 5 member

Attachment 741787

Hotchkiss.

But there are many other viable options!

Okay excuse my ignorance but trying to understand all the Camaro language but is my understanding correct that a 2014 Camaro SS with an automaitc is an L99 and with the 6sp it is an LS3? Do I have that correct?

Oh and I did some research and the exhaust is the FlowMaster Axle-back "Outlaw" (aggresive sound). It sounds really gooooooooooooood!

Attachment 741947

Congratulations! One option to make the car look lowered is the GM ground effects.

Could have just waited another 2 months or so.