New buyer intro

[Hops]

Originally Posted by Snakely

Anyone have any thoughts\tips on the ordering process or any tips at all really?

I ordered a car for the first time last year. I was worried about missing out on incentives since you can only apply those incentives that are valid at delivery, and luckily, the incentives didn't change when i took delivery. But, even if there were less incentives, i wouldn't have been too upset. I think ordering a car is the way to go. Especially in your case, where you're probably not going to find what you want in dealer inventory.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Snakely

here's my story in a nutshell...

My wife and i enjoy cars shows, so about 10 years ago i got the idea to build a Cobra replica, the Factory Five roadster kit. And that is still in mind for the future (hence the screen name Snakely, though there's a bit of a back story there too).

but trying to save that kind of money difficult, life happens, ya move, that sort of thing. So finally a couple years ago i started saving in earnest, and then this fall i was thinking... Why dont i take this same money and use it as a down payment on some modern muscle and see if we really do actively enjoy it. I started looking at what was around, and I liked the Camaros the best. the 2SS appears to have most comfortable cabin (excluding the back seats), and the Adrenalin Red package really struck me.


So this is just gonna be a sunny day car, no track time, and I'm unlikely to mod it in any serious way. Its an easy way to get into high performance cars. Spending time at www.natmus.org and driving some of their cars to shows had scratched the itch for a while, but now i want my own.


by the way, if anyone is in northeast indiana and would like to go through the museum, id be happy to walk you through. We have the only publicly available restored GM Futurliner on display. #10 of 12. you may have seen #3 that Dave Kindig restored on tv. that one is privately owned, and not shown publicly (at this time anyway)

Very interesting story, thanks Wish you were here a few months ago when I took wifey on a road trip, we could've visited the museum... maybe next spring (and then you can show me your new 2021 Camaro )
In your case I would probably buy a 2SS with magnetic ride control without any 1LE bits, but apart from that, pretty much what you showed in your post. MRC can be configured from softer to stiffer in the infotainment or (automatically) from drive modes, so you will have some flexibility with it.

Also, I would skip the dual mode exhaust, you don't seem to be particularly interested, and if you change your mind later, there is a multitude of amazingly good aftermarket options there. The non-NPP rear valance is easy to swap out for one with 4 tips, too.

Finally, if you are concerned about long term value and have the $$$, just get the ZL1, because it will retain much more value down the line, and it can be docile and ferocious, depending on your right foot (and hand if you choose the manual trans). It has a lot more alcantara content inside if you care for that, I'm not a fan because it gets dirty quickly and then requires constant attention, but it's more grippy, of course.

[VT-1LE]

Very nice story about how you came around to the decision to buy a 2021 SS. First car I owned was a 1981 Z28. Just out of High School. Got rid of it in the early 90’s. Always wanted another Camaro (1st gen mainly) similar to your thoughts about building a cobra. Thought about doing a project when I retire in just a few years. I also looked at the 5th gen Z28s and was intrigued. Then I started reading about the 6 gens and what they offered. In the end I’ve had people I worked with retire after working hard for retirement then to die a couple years after they retired. I said f**k it and ordered mine last December. Because of covid I didn’t get it until mid July but still managed to put 3000 FUN miles on it. NO Regrets. Even if I had a little doubt about the decision it went away the next time I got behind the wheel.

Anyway, I don’t think you will regret the decision and you have more opportunities to test drive different styles then I did around here (I never got to test drive a 1LE or one with MRC so took a bit of a leap of faith). It’s a great feeling to order one exactly like you want. I’m very happy for you. I think you and your wife will be very happy and I look forward to hearing how it all turns out for you.

[Pupilbone]

Exciting! Nothing better (imo) than working thru the final decisions before pulling the trigger.

Love the Black Cherry, it’s just a fantastic colour. In the long run if you keep this car, the black Cherry derivative will be more rare than a black Camaro.

As for the options, I’ve never been one to under option a vehicle under any circumstance, (as long as I can still buy eggs after the transaction). For me, what I didn’t get, always ends up eating at me. The only time I had no regrets in choosing the lower optioned car was my ZL1. Although I know the ZLE is a beast, the cosmetic (albeit functional) bits, were just over the top for me.

Good luck with the purchase, and enjoy! You can’t go wrong with this car.

[L78toLT1]

Snakely, if you look up "should have bought a 1LE" or maybe "should have bought a ZL1" in the dictionary, you'll find my picture lol! Look at my signature and you will understand! Be that as it may, based on the way you intend to use the car, I vote 2ss/MRC/NPP. The 2ss is an incredibly capable track car, but since you're not tracking you absolutely don't need the 1LE suspension bits. For approximately the same additional cost, you can pick up some 1LE takeoff wheels and tires, which pay larger dividends in the handling department as well as improving the appearance

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by L78toLT1

Snakely, if you look up "should have bought a 1LE" or maybe "should have bought a ZL1" in the dictionary, you'll find my picture lol! Look at my signature and you will understand!

Hey Georgia man, wasn't the upgrade journey worth it, though ?

[L78toLT1]

Snakely, if you look up "should have bought a 1LE" or maybe "should have bought a ZL1" in the dictionary, you'll find my picture lol! Look at my signature and you will understand! Be that as it may, based on the way you intend to use the car, I vote 2ss/MRC/NPP. The 2ss is an incredibly capable track car, but since you're not tracking you absolutely don't need the 1LE suspension bits. For approximately the same additional cost, you can pick up some 1LE takeoff wheels and tires, which pay larger dividends in the handling department as well as improving the appearance

[L78toLT1]

Sorry for the double post...

[L78toLT1]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Hey Georgia man, wasn't the upgrade journey worth it, though ?

Oh yes, it was fun! Had I waited until '17 and picked up either a 1LE or ZL1, I would have thrown just as many mods at it, that's just how I roll! I do all of my own work, with the exception of tuning. I derive as much enjoyment an satisfaction from the build as from driving the car.
This car is somewhat of an exception. I'm basically finished with the mods and would normally be getting bored by now, but after my first road course experience at the last Camarofest, I've become a track junkie. I'm enjoying the hell out of driving this car. Even yesterday at Road Atlanta, in the driving rain was a blast!

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by L78toLT1

Oh yes, it was fun! Had I waited until '17 and picked up either a 1LE or ZL1, I would have thrown just as many mods at it, that's just how I roll! I do all of my own work, with the exception of tuning. I derive as much enjoyment an satisfaction from the build as from driving the car.
This car is somewhat of an exception. I'm basically finished with the mods and would normally be getting bored by now, but after my first road course experience at the last Camarofest, I've become a track junkie. I'm enjoying the hell out of driving this car. Even yesterday at Road Atlanta, in the driving rain was a blast!

That's awesome This car indeed lasts pretty long in terms of enthusiasm and experiences before it gets boring, if it ever does. For some reason GM still hasn't figured out the obvious tricks of keeping people interested in their cars/trucks (IMO the C8 is a unicorn), so what remains for us is modding this fantastic platform.

I'm still working up the chutzpah to hit the track, I've only gotten as far as the drag strip, but it's gonna happen

[TP2SS]

Snakely,

FWIW, here's my .02 based on what you've said (no tracking, no mods, 3 season car, cruising and shows, and you live in N. IN):

Forget the 1LE stuff. You're not going to track the car. The SS suspension is more than you'll ever need.

100% Mag Ride. Track mode will give you close enough to 1LE performance, but you're not tracking the car so why pay for "track" components? Tour mode will give you a nice ride for the long highway rides. My 2SS vert with MR corners like it's on rails in track mode, more than enough for me b/c I don't track it either.

100% NPP (dual mode exhaust). You said no mods. Even an axle-back system is a mod and you are then stuck with the sound. NPP lets you change it on a whim.

Wild Cherry! Nothing against the black cars, but it's just not unique. I get A LOT of comments on my hyperblue, and how it pops in the sun!

Spend the extra money on wheel upgrades and other options. Get the 2SS option.

Consider a convertible! You're going to store it the winter anyway, and doesn't sound like it's gonna be a daily. You're not going to track it, so the 'vert isn't going to hamper that aspect. Convertible SS's are more rare, and will be worth more down the road. Convertibles are just fun!

[Snakely]

I might consider a convertible, the 1LE stuff isn't available on those anyway, but the price is about 5k more. might be an option.

I do like the look of it in wild cherry though...

[TP2SS]

Originally Posted by Snakely

I might consider a convertible, the 1LE stuff isn't available on those anyway, but the price is about 5k more. might be an option.

I do like the look of it in wild cherry though...

That looks SWEEEEET!!!

Go with a 2SS Vert with NPP and MRC. They're pretty loaded anyway so not many options to further increase the price.

Keep us posted!

[WldchrySS]

I can tell you it you don’t track the car a 2SS with mag ride and npp is freaking awesome. It does handle like it’s on rails. Wild cherry is a beautiful color in person.pics don’t do it justice