Potential owner/"ricer" convert

[treefrog1112]

I own a 06 Civic SI coupe. It's paid off and I'm in the market to upgrade. I've always owned imports in the past, but the new Camaro really impresses me. I'm the kinda person who wants a car to not go unnoticed. And i have the need for speed.

I've looked at 2010 camaro 2ss/rt's they go around here for $29900 with very low miles. my civic is worth 14k trade. I know the camaro will blow my civic's barn doors off. I ran a 14.75 1/4 mile at the track.

Other car's i've looked at are the Lancer EVO X, and BMW 135i. I'm 30 years old now and need an "adult" car so that lancer is prob out. the 135i is expensive, and i think it's maintenance will knock my socks off.

I've done lots of research on this forum, and found that with snow tires the camaro should get the job done. I run snow's on the civic because it is so light (2800 lbs)

I think I'm correct that the Camaro is faster than the 135i, EVO X, and mustang GT in the 1/4 mile. In fact i believe for 29k for a 2010 its the fastest car i can get. that's why I'm so interested.

I don't know the first thing about American cars, i've owned a 99 Eclipse GSX, and a 96 honda accord coupe. But i always like the IROC-Z camaros. How's the maintenance on the camaro? i need something that's going to be decently economical and practical. I drive 5k miles a year, my civic has 29k miles in 6.5 years. so i'm not worried about gas mileage etc.

One thing i hate about my civic SI is the lack of torque. it has 139 @ 6,200. this SUCKS. that car is decently quick, but it doesn't "feel" like it on the but dyno if you know what i mean.

anyone have any opinions on the camaro vs the 135i, mustang gt, or EVO X? Will the torque difference blow my mind from the SS from my Si? anyone have any experience coming from a sport compact like mine to the camaro SS??

[jmart53]

I'm 99.999% sure that the torque difference between your si and the SS will defintely be noticeable... get your face ready for permagrin

I'm not sure comparing the other cars, I am pretty sure that yes the Camaro SS is faster than them and you would enjoy it no matter what.

Good luck

[Sir Nuke]

treefrog1112, Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, dad's, wive's, husband's, girlfriend's and boyfriend's here don't care....and take it easy.



oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

[Rangore]

Just based on what you said about looks the Camaro is the winner. The others have similar body lines from a distance as any other car. The Camaro is distinctive looking.

Go drive one...watch people as you drive around...feel how it drives...your decision will be easier then.

[treefrog1112]

Originally Posted by Rangore

Just based on what you said about looks the Camaro is the winner. The others have similar body lines from a distance as any other car. The Camaro is distinctive looking.

Go drive one...watch people as you drive around...feel how it drives...your decision will be easier then.

I totally agree. but i never thought of that. thanks

[Neal@NitrousOutlet.com]

all the cars that you listed are great and fun. This is my opinion. On the 135 be ready for small problems. (fuel pump, electronics, etc) If you do get one make sure it has a warranty or certified pre-owned. Maintenance is i think 130 a hour at BMW now. Im a BMW fanatic but be ready for the premium to own one.

if the mustang is a 4.6 3v just go with the camaro but if its 5.0 then its a pretty good toss up. Mustang to Camaro comes down to driving both and deciding which one you like the most. Both are fantastic cars and both have ups and downs. It just comes to which one you prefer more.

I dont know much about the X so i cant give any insight on that one.

[ya boy willz]

Not to sure what you meant by an adult car but if you mean something that can fit kids/ a family I would recommend against the Camaro. The rear seats are kind of cramped and if you go out with the family in the Camaro getting in and out can be quite bothersome. In that case I'd recommend the EVO X since it's got four doors and the AWD will also help out in the snow.

If by adult car you just mean something more mature/powerful then definitely go with the Camaro. Best looks in my opinion and most power. As for the BMW I don't have any experience with them but like others have said prepare to pay a premium for parts and service. My mom has a Mercedes and the costs of maintenance are pretty high up there.

[Go2]

I hear ya on the lack of tq and being a Honda guy. Have a Ep3, and 2 s2k's.... NO TQ lol

[Tribute]

Welcome to C5! I used to own an EVO VIII and a Subaru WRX STi. Those we're very fun cars to drive but this car has something I feel was missing in my old cars, soul. Sounds weird but there is something about American muscle and the looks of this car that is tough to pass up. The permagrin syndrome is so true.

[panther2469]

welcome

[Vengeance Graphix]

welcome

[cbass]

Get the camaro. I have driven imports and personally I have never been a huge fan especially since I do my own wrenching. From my experience the maintenance on the imports is more complex and more expensive. Out of the cars I have had I have always liked my american cars better from a maintenance/upkeep point of view. They also were sturdier. The honda's I have had "Implode on impact". Any small bump and they suffer a lot of damage. And no you don't have to hit a pole. I slipped on the ice and my face went into the HOnda's door. My face was fine. The car door wasn't.

I think that with the camaro the tires/gas/oil will probably end up costing you more, but not much more if you can behave yourself. When the 2010 camaro came out I rented one in Phoenix. I had my fun with it, but decided to see what I could get mpg wise if I behaved myself. I was doing 70-85 mph. The road I was on had a speed limit of 75 mph in some points. I probably hit 90 briefly here and there. I managed 24-25 mpg being gentle with the car, but it had enough pick up to still maintain my driving style. Before that I had a Hyundai Elantra as the rental. So 1.6L I4 106 hp vs. 6.2L V8 400 hp. Taking the same road which had the same conditions I got 27 mpg out of the elantra. 2mpg difference. That was the v8. I am sure getting a v6 rated at 30mpg will help.

So good mpg is possible if you behave yourself. The times I didn't it was more like 16 mpg. In the city though the smaller motor will do better and you will see a difference. That's only a problem if you have to do a lot of city driving or get stuck in traffic.

[treefrog1112]

Yes i've already looked at tires, that's gonna cost a lot. I will need snows, and i figure that will be about $1100. and then $1000 or so for regular tires. the good thing is i drive 5k miles a year, so if you split that between 2 sets of tires a one time investment will last a long time. I just put on new summer tires on my Honda, and man tires are a lot more expensive than 5 years ago the last time i bought some. My snows have 50% tread and i've used them for 5 winters...

From what I've heard the maintenance won't be a big problem, especially with how many miles i drive. I just need to make sure i get a camaro with low miles.

I've only seen a few 5th gen camaros around here, and man they are HOT!! every time i see one i turn instantly into a little school kid. However i drove 10 hours to Virginia beach last summer and on the way down i saw a bunch. I hung with one from DC to to Richmond, and my Civic SI was pushed to the limit just keeping up with this guy. (he wasn't racing) but people around there drive like nuts. It had a louver on it, and i remember how awesome it looked. I def want one of those.

[iHasCamaro]

I got a 2012 SS about a month ago. I'm now saving money to get an evo X MR. I like the Camaro, but the Evo is better at more things.