Camaro Alternatives - Which Would You Buy?

[IntricateDetail]

I have seen similar polls with great responses, so I figured I would do one of my own.

If you don't need to worry about back seats...how would you vote?? Yes, this is a subjective poll...so you don't have to try to add any sort of math or logic. Just vote based on what you think and if you want, give an explanation why below. Cheers!

These are some of the bigger things I already "know" about each.

1.) Camaro is most expensive on the list, is in its first year, and still having the quirks worked out.
2.) Scat Pack is huge...bulky...huge...and bulky. Also has infamous Dodge build quality issues.
3.) Corvette has some build quality issues, and has humongous tires = money. Also doesn't have as many options as some of the other choices.
4.) Porsche...well, it's Porsche. However, being the oldest of the group...but again, Porsche.

Thanks all!!

[1sspat]

You do realize you posted this in a Camaro forum!?

I may be a bit biased but the Camaro just seems like the most well rounded vehicle for the price. Camaro has it all, style, performance, tech, and the fuel economy ain't bad either for 455 HP!!

[IntricateDetail]

Originally Posted by 1sspat

You do realize you posted this in a Camaro forum!?

I may be a bit biased but the Camaro just seems like the most well rounded vehicle for the price. Camaro has it all, style, performance, tech, and the fuel economy ain't bad either for 455 HP!!

Indeed I do, and since it has been #1 on my list for some time...I wanted to be sure to post it here since I knew I would get the most passionate voters around. Truth is...I have a HUGE problem with spending money...meaning I say I am going to do it...and then I get cold feet. I HATE spending money, on myself at least. My wife and daughters, absolutely! Lol.

So the deal is...I am not buying a 1SS. If I get a Camaro, I want it to be the 2SS, because I want options. By the time I'm done with it, the price is going to be near $50k, and that's before taxes/title/dealership fees. I really doubt I can justify/convince myself to spend $55k on a car right now.

But...if I can get something for around $34k...that puts me around $37k after taxes/title/fees...which I just might be able to do. So I'm trying to find something enjoyable that won't cost me my sanity. My wife doesn't care...as I always ensure my family comes first and is taken care of...but I just am not sure I'd be able to live with myself knowing I spent $55k on a car that will depreciate 20% in the first 2 years. That's $10k down the drain in 2 years...at a minimum.

[Raven87]

Of those four and given your concern for depreciation loss, the bottom two are the most logical choices with the Porsche being the solid 'investment' given its ability to retain resale.

But there are oh so many other factors at play here. So in the end, it simply comes down to which car will you be looking back at when you walk away?

I think you already know the answer.

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by IntricateDetail

Indeed I do, and since it has been #1 on my list for some time...I wanted to be sure to post it here since I knew I would get the most passionate voters around. Truth is...I have a HUGE problem with spending money...meaning I say I am going to do it...and then I get cold feet. I HATE spending money, on myself at least. My wife and daughters, absolutely! Lol.

So the deal is...I am not buying a 1SS. If I get a Camaro, I want it to be the 2SS, because I want options. By the time I'm done with it, the price is going to be near $50k, and that's before taxes/title/dealership fees. I really doubt I can justify/convince myself to spend $55k on a car right now.

But...if I can get something for around $34k...that puts me around $37k after taxes/title/fees...which I just might be able to do. So I'm trying to find something enjoyable that won't cost me my sanity. My wife doesn't care...as I always ensure my family comes first and is taken care of...but I just am not sure I'd be able to live with myself knowing I spent $55k on a car that will depreciate 20% in the first 2 years. That's $10k down the drain in 2 years...at a minimum.

As a family man, I know how you feel about spending money on a luxury item. It never makes good financial sense to buy a new car but it is only money. As long as your priorities are in line and you can afford it then why not really. My struggle is I do not want to spend more than $40k so I Really need to stick with a 1SS with MRC and NPP as the only options. I actually think that is the best value setup since you get like 98% of the Camaro experience while staying away from that $50k mark. If leather is critical then I can add aftermarket for about 800-$1000 down the road. Best of luck with your decision.

[63falcondude]

A 2016 Camaro 2SS isn't an alternative to a Camaro. Now if you took Camaro out, I think you would get much better responses.

[LesBaer]

I'm happy you put the 911 there. I was looking at a used 2007 911 Turbo...55k, but it was Tiptronic.

Used 2014 Z51's are in the mid to high 40's now as well. 2015 2LT Z51's with MRC and performance exhaust can be had in the low 50's...that's what I would have gotten most likely if my order fell through.

[IntricateDetail]

Originally Posted by Raven87

Of those four and given your concern for depreciation loss, the bottom two are the most logical choices with the Porsche being the solid 'investment' given its ability to retain resale.

But there are oh so many other factors at play here. So in the end, it simply comes down to which car will you be looking back at when you walk away?

I think you already know the answer.

Haha, truth. I don't know man. If I'm honest, people at Cars and Coffee will probably see me driving a Grand Sport this year. But I am driving all my options this month before I make any final decision.

Originally Posted by raptor5244

As a family man, I know how you feel about spending money on a luxury item. It never makes good financial sense to buy a new car but it is only money. As long as your priorities are in line and you can afford it then why not really. My struggle is I do not want to spend more than $40k so I Really need to stick with a 1SS with MRC and NPP as the only options. I actually think that is the best value setup since you get like 98% of the Camaro experience while staying away from that $50k mark. If leather is critical then I can add aftermarket for about 800-$1000 down the road. Best of luck with your decision.

Yea, that makes sense. Guess I never looked at it like that. I still hate the thought of depreciation. While it may not be quite as significant as a loaded 2SS...it will still be huge after the first year or two. And I have never owned a car for more than 2 years, because I love trying new things. So I have to keep that in mind. Of course, I could buy a new car and keep it for 10 years and then I wouldn't have to worry about depreciation...but there is no way I can commit to that.

Originally Posted by 63falcondude

A 2016 Camaro 2SS isn't an alternative to a Camaro. Now if you took Camaro out, I think you would get much better responses.

That is very true. I'll ignore the 10 votes for Camaro. Everything else is even at 3 each...that's pretty cool.

Originally Posted by LesBaer

I'm happy you put the 911 there. I was looking at a used 2007 911 Turbo...55k, but it was Tiptronic.

Used 2014 Z51's are in the mid to high 40's now as well. 2015 2LT Z51's with MRC and performance exhaust can be had in the low 50's...that's what I would have gotten most likely if my order fell through.

I agree...if I was going to spend $50k...it'd be on a 2015 Z51. I don't need the back seats as we have a family SUV and I have rental option on both my car's insurance in case of an accident so there is no issue there. And believe me...I want a 2015 Z51...more than anything...but if the difference is $15-18k...that's not something I can justify. That's a significant difference.

[shaffe]

Corvette > Camaro

[SpeedIsLife]

Okay...so...

Have you considered a new leftover or lightly used 2014/2015 2SS?

You can pick up a certified pre-owned with less than 10,000 miles for under $32,000 these days...

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by LesBaer

I'm happy you put the 911 there. I was looking at a used 2007 911 Turbo...55k, but it was Tiptronic.

Nothing wrong with a 911 Turbo, but stay away from that era regular 911! The IMS Bearing Issuehas prices down. If the IMS Bearing hasn't been upgraded and it goes out, the motor is Toast!

[IntricateDetail]

Originally Posted by SpeedIsLife

Okay...so...

Have you considered a new leftover or lightly used 2014/2015 2SS?

You can pick up a certified pre-owned with less than 10,000 miles for under $32,000 these days...

I have. Thanks for the suggestion. It's just...I don't particularly care for the interior of the 5th Gen Camaro. The C6 Corvette interior/exterior looks a lot better to me. And I wouldn't know from racing them, but I would have to assume, based on paper numbers...that the C6 is quite a bit quicker/faster than the 5th Gen Camaro. I'm not trying to get a "new" car for around $35k...I'm trying to stay around $35k and get something I will like, regardless of if it's a couple of years old.

There are a few 2012-2013 Grand Sport 3LT/4LT that I am looking at right now between $36-$38k. Even if I did get a 6th Gen 1SS, by the time I put any options on it, it would be $40k+. So, to me...buy used now...buy used later. In other words...enjoy the vette for now, and in a year or two, grab up a used 2016 Camaro SS after the original owner has eaten that insane amount of depreciation.

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by IntricateDetail

I have. Thanks for the suggestion. It's just...I don't particularly care for the interior of the 5th Gen Camaro. The C6 Corvette interior/exterior looks a lot better to me. And I wouldn't know from racing them, but I would have to assume, based on paper numbers...that the C6 is quite a bit quicker/faster than the 6th Gen Camaro. I'm not trying to get a "new" car for around $35k...I'm trying to stay around $35k and get something I will like, regardless of if it's a couple of years old.

There are a few 2012-2013 Grand Sport 3LT/4LT that I am looking at right now between $36-$38k. Even if I did get a 6th Gen 1SS, by the time I put any options on it, it would be $40k+. So, to me...buy used now...buy used later. In other words...enjoy the vette for now, and in a year or two, grab up a used 2016 Camaro SS after the original owner has eaten that insane amount of depreciation.

The Grandsports vettes are sweet, they may be a hair quicker than a Gen6 Camaro but not by much. It won't matter much on the street is my point. Folks are getting 0-60 times in under 4 seconds with the new Camaro. Corvettes tend to hold their value better than the Camaro does. They only make so many a year and they don't flood the market with them by offering attractive leases like you see in the luxury sport sedan market. Years ago, I bought a used 2002 Corvette Z06 with 18k miles for 24k, had fun with it for about 3 years and still got 20k when I sold it with 29k miles.

The appeal of a $42k Camaro SS over a $37k GrandSport is the new LT1 engine, new 8 speed auto or Rev matching 6 speed manual and all the other latest tech. Updated interior, Apple CarPlay or android auto, etc.

If depreciation is your main concern then you should just pickup 2-3 year old cars and then roll in and out of them at the right time. Another option is to find 2 year leases.

[TheReaper]

I would go with a Black 2SS.