I need help!! :-(

[Tony Montana]

Hey guys,

First off I want to say I look forward to being a member on this site, i am a member on other forums such as pbnation and bodybuilding and i must say some people and not really friendly when it comes to advice and tend to mock/give you sarcastic info/be jerks ext.. but by scrolling through these forums i really like the atmosphere already way better than pbn for sure

Anyways...

I need your help, I'm 16 (please dont flame me, i was flamed a million times already on other websites:(), getting a camaro, and need help.
Been driving for almost a year now, and need my own car. I have been working my ass off at a law firm for one of these and haven't been able to get the camaro off my mind for months!

I need to know lots of things..

1.) If V6, should i get it with manual transmission? Or just automatic?

2.) How is the kick, acceleration, and power in the 2012 323(?) hp camaro..my teammate (paintball) has a 2011 mustang base and i was shocked at the amount of power it had..it was nice BUT...stangs are not me

3.) Should I buy used or new?
I was going to buy used but right now there are some good deals on ls2's and lt2's like an ls for $22,400 and $288 a month on the ls2 with 3 percent apr.

4.) When is the right time to buy..? When can I find great deals usually at what time of the year or any sales that normally go on?

5.) I need help deciding on #1 again..cause some ppl say stuff like if its not a manual your losing out and "why get a camaro if youre going to get a v6?".. What do you guys think is the wiser thing to do?


I really do appreciate any help and advice i can get and please don't see me as a spoiled brat i only live with my dad and he knows alot of prestigious attorneys that are of the same faith as i have a part time job doing errons for this attorney/law firm that pays me well enough to buy my own car but i also don't want a v8 cause driving after school 25 minutes to this firm to and from three days a week can get pricey..

Thanks a bunch c5 community i a m very greatfull

[Frid]

Welcome. You can count on help on this forum. Everyone here is friendly.

[w[h]o]

If you're buying your own car, I can tell you you're not gna get 3% internet rate.

Words of advice someone told me, if u can't afford to paid of the car in 3 years, you can't afford it. if your dad buying it, get the v8!

[Tony Montana]

The interest rate is going to be based on my dads credit and it was 3.9 to be exact for 75 months but i am going to be giving almost triple (around 850) a month to pay this off hopefully in 30 months before i finish my basics in college and go off to tcu. and my dad is giving the down payment (3k) but im also looking to upgrade some little things like somehow get the rt halo lights but i don know if you have to get those on the lt2 only or there are people who can do them for you and maybe do some things to it to make it sound better and the exhaust...

thank you alot frid!

[Vaux96]

1 - Manual vs Automatic is not a question that someone can answer for you. It depends on what you like and what you are comfortable with. I mean, I would say get the manual, but I'm not driving your car, you are.

2 - Don't know never drove the V6

3 - At your age I'd look at used, I imagine you don't have a ton of $ to spend. If you see a deal that works on a new one though hey go for it.

4 - Buy sooner than later (if you are looking now). Camaro's are not selling as well in the winter months... closer you get to spring the more people will be buying. As far as incentives, nobody knows what GM/Chevy will be offering before they announce it. People also say you get better deals on cars at the end of the month, but I really don't know.

5 - Read number 1. V6 or not the Camaro is a cool car, so forget what people say.. unless you are buying the car for them.

[WiSSDiver]

Welcome to the forum. It really is a great place to hang and find out about all things Camaro.

I'll take a stab at your questions:

1.) If V6, should i get it with manual transmission? Or just automatic? This is going to be personal preference. If gas mileage is a concern and stretching your dollar is high on your list, the V6 isn't as thirsty as the V8 for obvious reasons and there is a big contingent on C5 that can speak to all things V6. The SS package was "must Have" for me and owning a 1st Gen Camaro, I new it was a must have. Same with Tranny although my preference was for the stick, because of the deal on my 5th Gen, I settled for the auto. Again, personal preference and go with what you're comfortable driving. If it's going to be your daily driver and you encounter a lot of traffic, the auto may be better. If you do a lot of open road driving, the manual is fun

2.) How is the kick, acceleration, and power in the 2012 323(?) hp camaro..my teammate (paintball) has a 2011 mustang base and i was shocked at the amount of power it had..it was nice BUT...stangs are not me I'll have to defer on this one. Both of my Camaro's are big V8's and I love the power they have. A 6 just wouldn't be enough for me, but it’s personal. Drive them both and decide for yourself.

3.) Should I buy used or new?
I was going to buy used but right now there are some good deals on ls2's and lt2's like an ls for $22,400 and $288 a month on the ls2 with 3 percent apr.
If money is a factor, you get more options if you buy used, but there are trade off's. Too many to list, but that's with any car. See below

4.) When is the right time to buy..? When can I find great deals usually at what time of the year or any sales that normally go on?
Used car market is still hot right now, that's one of the reasons you're seeing the specials on the new ones. Generally speaking if you can find a deal with stock from the previous year end model when the next year model is on its way or in stock can help, but it varies greatly from dealer to dealer. It all depends on their stock.

5.) I need help deciding on #1 again..cause some ppl say stuff like if its not a manual your losing out and "why get a camaro if youre going to get a v6?".. What do you guys think is the wiser thing to do?

In the end it's personal preference. Take the time to drive the cars: V8 with Manual and auto tranny, V6 with Manual and auto tranny and decide for yourself. It's your car.

Also, and this isn't a "haters" thing, take dad with you to the dealer. They take you more seriously if dad is there and is supporting your effort. From a financial stand point, unless you can pay cash for the car, the Finance guy isn't even going to talk to you because you're not old enough to enter into a financial contract at all in some states and only with help from dad in others. Again, don't take personally, it's just the law.

Finally, remember that "must have" comment. After doing your research, make your list of must haves and then take a second look at that list and decide what are your top 3-5 and if they're negotiable. For example, when the 5th Gen Camaro passion hit me (it's commonly referred to as the permigrin here on C5) I knew I wanted a Vert 2SS, with the 6 speed tranny. That was pretty much it. Color wasn't a concern (although I wasn't crazy about the Synergy Green, but have grown to love because of C5) but that was my list. When I came across my car it was a hard top SS with auto trans. In my case, and I realize this was a rare find, I was able to get it (2010) for $25K with only 5300 miles on it. Crazy right? I had to buy it because of the deal and was willing to acquiesce on the hard top and auto, but wasn't on the ss package.

The whole point here is you may run into options like that on your search, but make the list of non-negotiable’s and let the deal ($$) drive whether or not you’re willing to settle.

I hope this helps. Everyone's situation is going to be different, but follow that dream until it's parked in your driveway. Good luck

[Frid]

Is your dad going to cosign? I would recommend it and if you can afford it go with the 2ss/rs. you wont regret it.

[Tony Montana]

Originally Posted by Frid

Is your dad going to cosign? I would recommend it and if you can afford it go with the 2ss/rs. you wont regret it.

I am pretty sure, He did it when my brother got his 5.0 mustang and he makes a good income for them to easily let us get the vehicle.

What is the market for them used..? (the 2ss/rs)

There is a 2010 SS going for 25k with 20k miles on it here at a local dealer..sounds like a good deal, is it or is there better?

Another question is how much is it to fill up where all you live? Gas is 3.25 for reg here where i live so it's decent

[Johnthegreat]

If the ss are so good why are there so many up for resale? Just get what u want. Don't fall into peer pressure.

[EATIT]

at your age, get the 6 cylinder, its plenty quick, i have a 2lt, its very quick! yes its not a v8 but...... with your age, insurance will be a bitch even on your dads policy, and who knows they might not even insure you on the v8 at your age, so again, go with a V-6, auto is nice, but manula is more fun, if you drive it a lot and do a lot of stop and go, get the manual, if it was a fun car, not a daily driver then get manual, but sounds like its gonna be a daily driver for you get the auto! if a good deal, go used, you get more options and a better model for less, i bought a 2010 2LT from a guy on ebay, he was in michigan, car had it all, 3500 miles, well taken care of while he had it, a super clean car, cost was 24000. so deals are out there, even at a dealer, just do some price research and dont be afraid to walk away from the negotiating table if they wont play ball, you will get a nice car if you are patient. thats my 2 cents

[clg_98ta]

I would never recommend a 400+ hp vehicle as a first car for anyone, least of all a 16-yo boy. Not meant as an insult at all... I just remember what I was like at that age.

If I was in your situation, I would find the best deal I could on a used 1LT or 2LT. Then whatever you didn't spend on the more expensive car you'll have for repairs and modifications.

[Sir Nuke]

Tony.......the V6 has PLENTY of get up and go......as far as the tranny....its truely a personnal choice. But for me....I got the Auto...with the option to go to sport mode, dn teh paddle shifters, its almost like haveing a manual without the clutch pedel.

on and btw...... 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 them...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!!

[HookemHorns]

Welcome to our site and I hope you enjoy your stay. The most important thing to remember is to get what you want and enjoy it. Everyone has different opinions about everything but it will be you that is driving the car as well as paying for it.

Good luck.

[Rangore]

V6 based on insurance cost alone. At your age an SS would be an outrageous amount for insurance. There comes a point when it's utterly stupid to pay that much for insurance. It's not smart...so I would go with a V6 based on insurance...and also on driving experience.

I would go for having nice options in the car over the V8. Yes the V8 is fun (but so is the V6), but all that costs money...and the V8 costs even more so...tires, insurance, tickets, accidents, personal injury if irresponsible, injury to others if irresponsible, and the list goes on.

If you want a little better performance stay away from the 2LS.