Dilemma - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jethrobandit · 01-01-2017, 09:10 PM

So, I need some help thinking through a decision on my '13 2SS. It's an M6 and my wife always wishes she could drive it (she's too afraid to learn manual - don't ask). My dilemma is that I'd like to do something nice for her to include her... but there's always the jewelry route...

So, I have about $10k of upgrades that I was about to do to my 2SS (headers, cam, gears, +install and a few other odds and ends). I thought instead of doing that, I'd "invest" that amount into trading in my 2SS for a '12, '13, or '14 ZL-1 auto. I LOVE rowing the gears and would hate to lose that, but am I going to enjoy all the 'upgrades' the ZL-1 brings over what I'd do to my 2SS more? I'm truly torn...

Wish I could trade in for a '17 ZL-1, but the difference between that and my car is almost what I originally paid for mine... yikes

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AGC70 · 01-01-2017, 10:27 PM

Happy Wife = Happy Life

I always said there is no way in hell I will ever buy a sports/muscle car that is an automatic.

But I'm in the same boat with my wife as you, so now we are driving the L99.
There is a little salvation with the paddles but not much lol.

Still fun to drive!

Dgnelson2 · 01-01-2017, 10:28 PM

I'd save another year or two for the new zl1. I personally couldn't give up my manual for anything less than a 8 speed auto, but that 10 speed is nasty.

rontammy0 · 01-01-2017, 10:39 PM

The auto trans i the l99 is pretty strong ....gears stall and tune has it pinning me in the seat hard...manuals are good but a stout auto car is a blast.

CamaroFred · 01-01-2017, 11:13 PM

I have my car, she has her car.

18LTLoveIt · 01-01-2017, 11:22 PM

Rough choice, skip the upgrades and ask her what she'd prefer, an excellent tennis bracelet or the ability to share the fun in an automatic Camaro. I'd do the '13 ZL1 for the decent grille and better tail lights. I have a sneaky suspicion that the original models will be worth something someday since they had a 4 year run without any cosmetic changes and solidly beat Mustang for the 1st time ever in sales, each year.

redcoats1976 · 01-02-2017, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFred

I have my car, she has her car.

this.

Gunmetal Speedster · 01-02-2017, 01:51 AM

I'm lucky enough my gal was willing to learn manual

JCunningham · 01-02-2017, 02:52 AM

does she like fast cars. alot of guys on here said there wife drove it once and are to afraid of it to drive again. Thats for SS. ZL1 would be even worse. All the stuff I have into my car and iv thought about trading in for a ZL1 but when you go to trade it in they are going to insult you on the price. They DO NOT want 5th gen Camaros as trade ins. They're only going to offer you $20k for it. One only offered me $18k with 10,000 miles. My car is better than new. The trade in is very unfair. You have to spend another $26k to upgrade to a 6th gen.

pyroguy · 01-02-2017, 07:33 AM

I have an automatic and I swore I wouldn't ever own an automatic muscle car. With a quality trans tune, these cars are actually a heck of a lot of fun. I would say that if you're around 500 rwhp in your current car a bone stock ZL1 automatic will make around that. Add a couple of go fast goodies and get a quality tune and you're above 500 rwhp. Take her to test drive a ZL1 first though. If she get scared of that kind of power then don't bother with the swap. If she's fine with it then as others have said, happy wife = happy life.

Memphis SS · 01-02-2017, 07:49 AM

I agree on driving both ZL1 Gen 5 and SS Gen 6, see which one you like best. The new SS is as fast if not faster by published specs as the Gen 5 ZL1 so both will be a blast to drive

Good luck on the new ride

drew peacock · 01-02-2017, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGC70

Happy Wife = Happy Life

I always said there is no way in hell I will ever buy a sports/muscle car that is an automatic.

!

and i'de never buy a manual car that uses chinese junk manual gearboxes and vague clutches

chuckie669 · 01-02-2017, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGC70

Happy Wife = Happy Life

I always said there is no way in hell I will ever buy a sports/muscle car that is an automatic.

But I'm in the same boat with my wife as you, so now we are driving the L99.
There is a little salvation with the paddles but not much lol.

Still fun to drive!

I'd have to agree with the first line. My wife has let me by 14 cars since weve been together and she's still on her first. Never asked for anything but when i wanted to drop back to just 3 vehicles auto was the way too go. Plus she look so cute motoring off in the v8.

Memphis SS · 01-02-2017, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13LTLoveIt

I have a sneaky suspicion that the original models will be worth something someday since they had a 4 year run without any cosmetic changes and solidly beat Mustang for the 1st time ever in sales, each year.

That will be interesting to see how long that will take to see a up swing in value. Average on a corvette is about 20 years to bottom out and start to go back up. Some of the lower volume Corvettes go up sooner.

01-01-2017, 09:10 PM	#1
jethrobandit Drives: 2013 Black 2SS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 77	Dilemma So, I need some help thinking through a decision on my '13 2SS. It's an M6 and my wife always wishes she could drive it (she's too afraid to learn manual - don't ask). My dilemma is that I'd like to do something nice for her to include her... but there's always the jewelry route... So, I have about $10k of upgrades that I was about to do to my 2SS (headers, cam, gears, +install and a few other odds and ends). I thought instead of doing that, I'd "invest" that amount into trading in my 2SS for a '12, '13, or '14 ZL-1 auto. I LOVE rowing the gears and would hate to lose that, but am I going to enjoy all the 'upgrades' the ZL-1 brings over what I'd do to my 2SS more? I'm truly torn... Wish I could trade in for a '17 ZL-1, but the difference between that and my car is almost what I originally paid for mine... yikes Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ 2013 2SS ::: MiSSy BTR Stage 3 :: GM 3.91 :: Eaton TrueTrac :: SW LT Headers :: Elite Catch Can :: CAI :: ADM Cold Scoop :: VMAX ported TB :: Forza 3Way :: BMR Lowering Springs/Toe Rods/Lower CA/Trailing Arms/Subframe Bushings

01-01-2017, 11:13 PM	#5
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	I have my car, she has her car. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM Last edited by CamaroFred; 01-01-2017 at 11:53 PM.

01-02-2017, 01:51 AM	#8
Gunmetal Speedster Drives: Savitar; The 500rwhp N/A Monster! Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 2,914 View My Garage	I'm lucky enough my gal was willing to learn manual __________________ **SOLD504HP/433**TQ \| Night Fury cammed • Cold Air Inductions intake • Bo White ported TB • Speed Engineering 1 7/8 longtubes • NPP catback • QTP low profile cutouts • Powerbond 25% UDP • 3.73 gears • JRE scoop • ZL1 grille • R1 Concepts drilled/slotted rotors • built/tuned by Weapon X Motorsports Instagram \| YouTube \| Build Thread

01-02-2017, 02:52 AM	#9
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	does she like fast cars. alot of guys on here said there wife drove it once and are to afraid of it to drive again. Thats for SS. ZL1 would be even worse. All the stuff I have into my car and iv thought about trading in for a ZL1 but when you go to trade it in they are going to insult you on the price. They DO NOT want 5th gen Camaros as trade ins. They're only going to offer you $20k for it. One only offered me $18k with 10,000 miles. My car is better than new. The trade in is very unfair. You have to spend another $26k to upgrade to a 6th gen. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

01-02-2017, 07:33 AM	#10
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,934 View My Garage	I have an automatic and I swore I wouldn't ever own an automatic muscle car. With a quality trans tune, these cars are actually a heck of a lot of fun. I would say that if you're around 500 rwhp in your current car a bone stock ZL1 automatic will make around that. Add a couple of go fast goodies and get a quality tune and you're above 500 rwhp. Take her to test drive a ZL1 first though. If she get scared of that kind of power then don't bother with the swap. If she's fine with it then as others have said, happy wife = happy life. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

01-01-2017, 10:27 PM	#2
AGC70 Drives: 2014 Black 2SS/RS L99 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Standish, Maine Posts: 44	Happy Wife = Happy Life I always said there is no way in hell I will ever buy a sports/muscle car that is an automatic. But I'm in the same boat with my wife as you, so now we are driving the L99. There is a little salvation with the paddles but not much lol. Still fun to drive!

01-01-2017, 10:28 PM	#3
Dgnelson2 Drives: Camaro 2SS 1le Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Kentucky Posts: 17	I'd save another year or two for the new zl1. I personally couldn't give up my manual for anything less than a 8 speed auto, but that 10 speed is nasty.

01-01-2017, 10:39 PM	#4
rontammy0 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS INFERNO ORANGE L99 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alliston Ontario Canada Posts: 9,057 View My Garage	The auto trans i the l99 is pretty strong ....gears stall and tune has it pinning me in the seat hard...manuals are good but a stout auto car is a blast.

01-01-2017, 11:22 PM	#6
18LTLoveIt Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue LT RS Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,474 View My Garage	Rough choice, skip the upgrades and ask her what she'd prefer, an excellent tennis bracelet or the ability to share the fun in an automatic Camaro. I'd do the '13 ZL1 for the decent grille and better tail lights. I have a sneaky suspicion that the original models will be worth something someday since they had a 4 year run without any cosmetic changes and solidly beat Mustang for the 1st time ever in sales, each year.

01-02-2017, 07:49 AM	#11
Memphis SS Drives: 2017 SS A8 Hyper Blue/White Stripes Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arlington, TN. Posts: 1,874	I agree on driving both ZL1 Gen 5 and SS Gen 6, see which one you like best. The new SS is as fast if not faster by published specs as the Gen 5 ZL1 so both will be a blast to drive Good luck on the new ride __________________ *2017 Camaro 2SS Hyper Blue* *2011 Camaro 2SS* *2004 Corvette CE SOLD* Last edited by Memphis SS; 01-02-2017 at 08:04 AM.