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Old 07-06-2018, 10:03 AM   #1
LasVegasSS
 
Drives: 2016 1 SS/2013 2 SS/1988 Frbrd GTA
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 25
Smile 2013 2 SS Camaro vs 2018 SS Camaro

So, I had to take my 2013 SS back in to my local dealership to correct an A/C door problem that I am still having issues with. The nice people at Henderson Chevrolet were kind enough to give me a 2018 SS Camaro with 1400 miles on it as a loaner.


Here are my observations based upon about 100 miles of driving to and from work in the last day.


Handling: 2018 SS all the way. With the different settings, touring, sport, and track, this car feels exceptional. It hugs the road. It feels more like a new Mustang than a Camaro in that it no longer feels like a big muscle car the way the 2013 does. It feels more like a sports car. The magnetic ride keeps it glued to the road. I've owned a 2005 Mustang GT, a 2011 Nissan 370 Z and an SS Camaro. The way the new SS handles feels like a cross between the Mustang and the 370 Z. I had a new Mustang GT on vacation this summer and the new SS feels very similar in its handling.



Exhaust note: 2018 SS wins again. As soon as you start it up, it rumbles. At highway speeds it growls like a big dog. Even with a K&N cold air intake on my 2013 SS, it doesn't sound as mean.


Electronics/Gauges: 2013 SS hands down. Everything on the 2018 is digital and clustered behind the steering wheel. I prefer the actual gauges in the 2013. They are easier to find and read. The 2018 Heads up Display is in color whereas the 2013 is monochrome, but I still prefer the look of the 2013 electronics vs the 2018. I think the infotainment unit on my 2013 SS is crap, yet I still like it better than the 2018.



Performance: Obviously, I can't take the 2018 to the track the way I have my 2013, but the 2013 wins again. The 2018 has about 30-40 more horses than my 2013 with the intake, but the way the power comes on is much different. On the 2018, you really have to get into the gas pedal to get it moving. On the 2013, you barely have to tap the pedal to get it moving, and if you really get into it, look out. I'm sure on the track, it would be pretty close with the 2018 likely winning, but around town and in traffic, I prefer the 2013 because it seems to accelerate quickly with less pedal effort.



Interior: Draw. Both my 2013 and the 2018 have the leather interior. I really like the new seats because they hug your body and feel more "sports car-like". They remind me of the way my 370 Z's seats felt. I'm not sure that they would be as comfortable on long trips as the 2013's though. Both cars are fairly cramped in the back seat. The 2018's rear window seams like it's even smaller than the 2013's and a bit harder to see behind you. It may be my imagination, but it looks like the 2018's trunk is bigger than the 2013's.


Styling: 2013. The 2013 just looks like a muscle car to me. It's big, bold, and says, "get out of my way, I'm coming through". It has a distinctive look with styling cues that remind you of the Camaros of the 60s. Although the 2018 has a distinctive look, and you still know that it's a Camaro, I don't think it shows as much heritage. The 2018 is a beautiful car, but I prefer a car that looks like a muscle car when lined up next to a Challenger or a Mustang.


To sum it up, the 2018 is a beautiful, great handling sports car, but I prefer our 5th Generation Camaros. If the dealership was hoping I would trade my 13 SS in for a 2018 SS, they are going to be disappointed.
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