Early Gen 5 Tail Lights or Later Gen 5 Tail Lights - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Danial · 11-12-2022, 01:16 AM

To massage my disappointment at not landing the Z/28 today, I had to go out to the garage tonight and reinforce my feelings for my two SS/RS cars. While out there admiring the beautiful lines on my cars and reasons why I bought these two beauties in the first place, I revisited my early reactions to the different tail lights on the the Gen 5 cars.

To be honest, when the cars first hit the market, I was not a fan of the tail lights. When the 2014 cars came out, I liked those lights a lot more.

Now that I own a 2015, I'm beginning to appreciate the tail lights on my 2013 more.

I realize in the grand scheme of things, this is small potatoes, but just curious what everyone else thinks. Not interested in a discussion on aftermarket lights. Let's pretend these are the only two varieties available.

morepowerjoe · 11-12-2022, 01:39 AM

I thought I was biased because I have a 2012 but now I just think the 2010-2013 just look a lot better. I'm not a fan of the way the rear bumper looks and the brake lights on the later ones. I don't understand why the 67-68 ones had two different styles though. They had the quad type (like our 2010-2013) and then the single strip type (like the 2014-2015). So I don't know what the difference in models were back then, do you?

MattMDR · 11-12-2022, 02:14 AM

I have a 2014 and like it's tail lights. The earlier lights look good too. I really didn't pay attention to the tail lights when I bought the car, I just liked it as a whole.

0stones0 · 11-12-2022, 03:42 AM

Early by a long shot. They just “fit”, imho.

ariZona28 · 11-12-2022, 03:51 AM

Here's my vote.

DonM · 11-12-2022, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattMDR

I have a 2014 and like it's tail lights. The earlier lights look good too. I really didn't pay attention to the tail lights when I bought the car, I just liked it as a whole.

When I bought my '13, I had two Camaros to chose from. The 2013 that I did buy and a 2014. Both were black, with a manual transmission, the 2014 had white stripes and chrome rims, but no rear spoiler and just over 40,000 miles. The 2013 was straight black, no stripes, "heritage" rims (steelies), but DID have a rear spoiler and only had 24,000 miles.

At the time, I DIDN'T know the taillights were different on the two cars (I was too excited to notice). The REAR SPOILER is what made up my mind. The rear end of the 2014 just didn't look RIGHT to me without the rear spoiler.

Seven years later, and being a lot more familiar with the 5th Gens, I prefer the 'early' taillights better. Especially when the chrome trim rings are blacked out (like I did on mine). To me, the quad taillights look "right." But this is JUST my opinion.

Bigdumogre · 11-12-2022, 06:13 AM

There is a reason I got the 2012 and that’s because if the tail lights and the steering wheel change. I’m starting to like the later ones finally but still like the early ones better. Either or the car is still badass looking.

dkp2LT · 11-12-2022, 07:01 AM

I reason I specifically only looked for a 2011 2SS was; I wanted HUD (not available in '10 & I don't want to do another conversion), I liked the steering wheel better (only in early '10 and '11), and I really don't like the newer tail lights ('14-'15 especially). I just liked the retro look better.

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 11-12-2022, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkp2LT

I reason I specifically only looked for a 2011 2SS was; I wanted HUD (not available in '10 & I don't want to do another conversion), I liked the steering wheel better (only in early '10 and '11), and I really don't like the newer tail lights ('14-'15 especially). I just liked the retro look better.

Great points here. I really like the 10-11 steering wheel the best too. It’s just different. It may not be as useful in some racing applications but it’s unique to the early Camaros and nothing else. As for tail lights I really like the 14-15 LED RS package lights. The smoked 10-13 RS package lights are my second favorite. The 14-15 ZL1 is perfect style wise in my opinion in that it still has the original style front clip that will take a heritage grill, and it’s got the LED 14-15 tail lights. A best of both worlds if you will. I prefer the early front end to the later with the exception to the hood vent, I wish the 10-13 cars came with a factory vent.

myold88 · 11-12-2022, 08:20 AM

The early tail lamps are a work of art and set it apart from the newer Camaros imo.

xstuntman · 11-12-2022, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

The early tail lamps are a work of art and set it apart from the newer Camaros imo.

I see a Camaro on the road and I always look for the DD ---- DD

joshnmn · 11-12-2022, 09:02 AM

I mean... Round is legit!

Risingson05 · 11-12-2022, 09:52 AM

For the zl1 -imho the 14-15 tail lights go with its sexy ass a lot better than the old tail lights

SS376 · 11-12-2022, 11:01 AM

Early by far. I bought mine new at the end of 2013 and finding it was a lot harder than finding a '14 would have been. I wanted the pre-refresh front and rear ends.

Having said that, I definitely wouldn't kick a 14/15 out of bed and they have the nicer hood.

11-12-2022, 01:16 AM	#1
Danial Drives: 2013 SS/RS, 2015 Camaro SS/RS Vert Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Southern Nevada Posts: 2,158 View My Garage	Early Gen 5 Tail Lights or Later Gen 5 Tail Lights To massage my disappointment at not landing the Z/28 today, I had to go out to the garage tonight and reinforce my feelings for my two SS/RS cars. While out there admiring the beautiful lines on my cars and reasons why I bought these two beauties in the first place, I revisited my early reactions to the different tail lights on the the Gen 5 cars. To be honest, when the cars first hit the market, I was not a fan of the tail lights. When the 2014 cars came out, I liked those lights a lot more. Now that I own a 2015, I'm beginning to appreciate the tail lights on my 2013 more. I realize in the grand scheme of things, this is small potatoes, but just curious what everyone else thinks. Not interested in a discussion on aftermarket lights. Let's pretend these are the only two varieties available. Attached Images __________________ "Never cough into a full ashtray."

11-12-2022, 01:39 AM	#2
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,157	I thought I was biased because I have a 2012 but now I just think the 2010-2013 just look a lot better. I'm not a fan of the way the rear bumper looks and the brake lights on the later ones. I don't understand why the 67-68 ones had two different styles though. They had the quad type (like our 2010-2013) and then the single strip type (like the 2014-2015). So I don't know what the difference in models were back then, do you? __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

11-12-2022, 03:42 AM	#4
0stones0 It don’t come easy. Drives: 2010 2SS RS M6 Join Date: May 2014 Location: WI Posts: 2,244 View My Garage	Early by a long shot. They just “fit”, imho. __________________

11-12-2022, 03:51 AM	#5
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,286	Here's my vote. Attached Images __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

11-12-2022, 06:13 AM	#7
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	There is a reason I got the 2012 and that’s because if the tail lights and the steering wheel change. I’m starting to like the later ones finally but still like the early ones better. Either or the car is still badass looking. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

View Poll Results: Which tail lights do you prefer?
2010-2013	39	72.22%
2014-2015	15	27.78%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

11-12-2022, 02:14 AM	#3
MattMDR Drives: 2014 2LS RRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Huntingdon Valley, PA Posts: 72	I have a 2014 and like it's tail lights. The earlier lights look good too. I really didn't pay attention to the tail lights when I bought the car, I just liked it as a whole.

11-12-2022, 07:01 AM	#8
dkp2LT Drives: '11 2SS, '11 C6 GS, '04 MDX Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kearney, MO Posts: 2,867	I reason I specifically only looked for a 2011 2SS was; I wanted HUD (not available in '10 & I don't want to do another conversion), I liked the steering wheel better (only in early '10 and '11), and I really don't like the newer tail lights ('14-'15 especially). I just liked the retro look better.

11-12-2022, 08:20 AM	#10
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,118 View My Garage	The early tail lamps are a work of art and set it apart from the newer Camaros imo. __________________

11-12-2022, 09:02 AM	#12
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,017 View My Garage	I mean... Round is legit! Attached Images

11-12-2022, 09:52 AM	#13
Risingson05 Drives: 2015 zl1 m6 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Alaska Posts: 702	For the zl1 -imho the 14-15 tail lights go with its sexy ass a lot better than the old tail lights __________________ 791whp 699 ft lbs torque on E30 - ported sc /heads by boost mode racing - PAT G cam /Tune PB:10.7 @133.9

11-12-2022, 11:01 AM	#14
SS376 Drives: 2013 1SS LS3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 808	Early by far. I bought mine new at the end of 2013 and finding it was a lot harder than finding a '14 would have been. I wanted the pre-refresh front and rear ends. Having said that, I definitely wouldn't kick a 14/15 out of bed and they have the nicer hood.