The Camaro is a great road trip car! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Software Guy · 07-17-2015, 09:57 AM

We decided to take the SS on vacation this time because I'm having an awful time fixing the squeaking suspension on my Firehawk.

So I detailed the car top to bottom the day before we left (because I'm anal about it) and it promptly poured that night and it didn't stop until after we got the the Philly Zoo.

I've said it before but the trunk is huge! We also know how to pack. The kids share a suitcase and my wife & I do the same. We had room for a kid in the trunk after packing. We came home with some wine and beer.

We spent the night in Philly, missed the fireworks on July 4th because they were so delayed we left to get our overtired daughter to bed. I tipped the Valet well to take care of Bee for me.

We zoomed (and I mean zoomed) off the next day to Virginia and decided to take the long and winding road called Skyline Drive. THIS was my wife's idea

If you have not had a chance to visit Skyline Drive, do so. The views are amazing and the $20 pass is good for a week. If you camp you can also do that.

So we kept to the 35 mph limit because they will ticket you for speeding...I've lost count of the number of times I've driven this road but it's always fun! SO it turned out to be not the best day for it. One side of the mountains was foggy and the other overcast but we still had fun.

Kids and wife taking in the view.

Our final destination was Massanutten VA.

I did manage to catch a brewery tour which was great because the wife & kids didn't go and we had a bus. The flight attendant was on duty

All I can say is this car just gets so much attention. Kids are the best though!

We managed to get 22.75 mpg on the way to Philly despite the speeds I kept on the highway. I haven't checked the other few tanks of gas yet.

7 days, 6 states, 1075 miles.

Overall the comfort of this car is great and that is from someone with a bad back. I still prefer the Hawk for a trip though but my wife likes the Camaro better because the Hawk has a hump in the passenger floor for the cat, well where the cat used to be before GM moved it closer to the engine.

As always, I get the biggest kick out of the 4 of us vacationing in a sports car and seeing 3 or 4 people get out of an SUV with a rooftop carrier; the father usually looks at us , back at his SUV, back at us, shakes his head in disbelief and walks away wondering how we do it. My wife is awesome at packing the bags and I am at packing the car.

If you care to see the story and pics Google created for me go here https://goo.gl/photos/y93RJSHhUzMGKU6t7

Software Guy · 07-17-2015, 10:05 AM

Oh, I almost forgot the worst part. I parked the SS at an angle when we got home and told my wife to drive it to church in the morning. Well she didn't listen. I hear her yelling at me, run to the garage and she backer her hybrid thing into the corner of the SS. Huge dent in her bumper and a very minor mark on the SS and the bumper was slightly popped off but it went back with no issue and has stayed in place. Oh boy I screamed at her and didn't talk to her the rest of the day.

The worst part was I asked her how she missed a freaking bright yellow car and she admitted she never looked before she backed out. Damn, she could have hit one of the kids or a neighbor! At least it was just a car and not a person, cars can be fixed easier.

I got most of the dent out of her bumper and I should be able to get the mark off my bumper with some clay bar.

I did threaten to divorce her.

PalmerGA · 07-17-2015, 10:57 AM

I've made two long road trips (1,300 miles each way) in my Camaro SS, both from south GA to upstate NY (Utica area) and yes... these cars are great to travel in. I'm heading that way in a few weeks - can't wait. Where in upstate NY do you hail from?

Software Guy · 07-17-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

I've made two long road trips (1,300 miles each way) in my Camaro SS, both from south GA to upstate NY (Utica area) and yes... these cars are great to travel in. I'm heading that way in a few weeks - can't wait. Where in upstate NY do you hail from?

I'm in Binghamton. If you are heading up 81, you will drive right by me.

Camaro310 · 07-17-2015, 03:54 PM

The v8 will never leave you.

GrandAmGT · 07-17-2015, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the road trip review. How tall is your each member of your family? I don't see how you all fit in the car comfortably.

JLSuperfly · 07-17-2015, 04:28 PM

Is your a manual or auto? My family are taking a road trip to Los Angeles (Disneyland) then to Las Vegas then to Grand Canyon then to LA again then back to SF Bay area. I am thinking of taking my Camaro but it is a manual so I will be doing all the driving. If we take the SUV, then we can alternate.

Software Guy · 07-17-2015, 05:19 PM

My wife is 5", my daughter 4'10" and my son 5'1". It has more room than my 4th gen in the back seats.

It's a manual and I have no complaints. My 4th gen is an Auto and I have no complaints. My wife hates the Hawk but loves the Camaro. Go figure.

shibbs · 07-17-2015, 05:34 PM

Don't blame your wife. Blame the Prius. Ken Block could get into a Prius and he'd end up hitting the car next to him, and scuffing both right wheels on a curb. And that's just the first parking spot.

And yes, road trips are awesome in these cars.

I took mine to New Jersey from Minneapolis, and never had an issue the entire way. I even loaded up a ton of local brews ($300 dollars worth) to bring to a friend in Dayton, Ohio and still had room for a week's worth of my crap. Tents, sleeping bags, food, everything.

PalmerGA · 07-18-2015, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Software Guy

I'm in Binghamton. If you are heading up 81, you will drive right by me.

That's my route... I-81 to Rte 12. Is it summertime up there yet?

Welker2 · 07-18-2015, 09:59 AM

Took ours on two road trips from Nevada to Texas for cancer related surgeries last year... great 'touring' vehicle.

Software Guy · 07-18-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

That's my route... I-81 to Rte 12. Is it summertime up there yet?

just about. It was in the 60's earlier this week but today and tomorrow should be over 80.

glider1 · 07-18-2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Software Guy

My wife hates the Hawk but loves the Camaro.

You're a lucky guy. All I hear is how much my wife hates my Camaro and loves her Volvo. It's too jumpy. I'm too old. blah, blah, blah. I just have to tell her to get over it, the car is not going anywhere. See talked my into selling my 2nd gen. Not this, this is for my retirement, when I get there.

Anyway, nice to hear about it's long distance trip abilities.

CamaroJim56 · 07-18-2015, 06:43 PM

Glad you enjoyed Skyline Drive. It is an awesome drive.

We drove the entire length last fall, then headed over to WV to ride a coal driven train through the mountains.

It would be nice to cruise Skyline without wife or kids and no worry of being ticketed... if you know what I mean.

Glad you guys had a nice time.

Jim

07-17-2015, 09:57 AM	#1
Software Guy Drives: 2017 2SS, 2000 Trans Am Firehawk Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: upstate, NY Posts: 502	The Camaro is a great road trip car! We decided to take the SS on vacation this time because I'm having an awful time fixing the squeaking suspension on my Firehawk. So I detailed the car top to bottom the day before we left (because I'm anal about it) and it promptly poured that night and it didn't stop until after we got the the Philly Zoo. I've said it before but the trunk is huge! We also know how to pack. The kids share a suitcase and my wife & I do the same. We had room for a kid in the trunk after packing. We came home with some wine and beer. We spent the night in Philly, missed the fireworks on July 4th because they were so delayed we left to get our overtired daughter to bed. I tipped the Valet well to take care of Bee for me. We zoomed (and I mean zoomed) off the next day to Virginia and decided to take the long and winding road called Skyline Drive. THIS was my wife's idea If you have not had a chance to visit Skyline Drive, do so. The views are amazing and the $20 pass is good for a week. If you camp you can also do that. So we kept to the 35 mph limit because they will ticket you for speeding...I've lost count of the number of times I've driven this road but it's always fun! SO it turned out to be not the best day for it. One side of the mountains was foggy and the other overcast but we still had fun. Kids and wife taking in the view. Our final destination was Massanutten VA. I did manage to catch a brewery tour which was great because the wife & kids didn't go and we had a bus. The flight attendant was on duty All I can say is this car just gets so much attention. Kids are the best though! We managed to get 22.75 mpg on the way to Philly despite the speeds I kept on the highway. I haven't checked the other few tanks of gas yet. 7 days, 6 states, 1075 miles. Overall the comfort of this car is great and that is from someone with a bad back. I still prefer the Hawk for a trip though but my wife likes the Camaro better because the Hawk has a hump in the passenger floor for the cat, well where the cat used to be before GM moved it closer to the engine. As always, I get the biggest kick out of the 4 of us vacationing in a sports car and seeing 3 or 4 people get out of an SUV with a rooftop carrier; the father usually looks at us , back at his SUV, back at us, shakes his head in disbelief and walks away wondering how we do it. My wife is awesome at packing the bags and I am at packing the car. If you care to see the story and pics Google created for me go here https://goo.gl/photos/y93RJSHhUzMGKU6t7 __________________ I am a sarcastic SOB.

07-17-2015, 10:05 AM	#2
Software Guy Drives: 2017 2SS, 2000 Trans Am Firehawk Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: upstate, NY Posts: 502	Oh, I almost forgot the worst part. I parked the SS at an angle when we got home and told my wife to drive it to church in the morning. Well she didn't listen. I hear her yelling at me, run to the garage and she backer her hybrid thing into the corner of the SS. Huge dent in her bumper and a very minor mark on the SS and the bumper was slightly popped off but it went back with no issue and has stayed in place. Oh boy I screamed at her and didn't talk to her the rest of the day. The worst part was I asked her how she missed a freaking bright yellow car and she admitted she never looked before she backed out. Damn, she could have hit one of the kids or a neighbor! At least it was just a car and not a person, cars can be fixed easier. I got most of the dent out of her bumper and I should be able to get the mark off my bumper with some clay bar. I did threaten to divorce her. __________________ I am a sarcastic SOB.

07-17-2015, 10:57 AM	#3
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,754 View My Garage	I've made two long road trips (1,300 miles each way) in my Camaro SS, both from south GA to upstate NY (Utica area) and yes... these cars are great to travel in. I'm heading that way in a few weeks - can't wait. Where in upstate NY do you hail from? __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

07-17-2015, 05:19 PM	#8
Software Guy Drives: 2017 2SS, 2000 Trans Am Firehawk Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: upstate, NY Posts: 502	My wife is 5", my daughter 4'10" and my son 5'1". It has more room than my 4th gen in the back seats. It's a manual and I have no complaints. My 4th gen is an Auto and I have no complaints. My wife hates the Hawk but loves the Camaro. Go figure. __________________ I am a sarcastic SOB.

07-18-2015, 06:43 PM	#14
CamaroJim56 Obsessed Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS RS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,606	Glad you enjoyed Skyline Drive. It is an awesome drive. We drove the entire length last fall, then headed over to WV to ride a coal driven train through the mountains. It would be nice to cruise Skyline without wife or kids and no worry of being ticketed... if you know what I mean. Glad you guys had a nice time. Jim __________________ 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS

07-17-2015, 03:54 PM	#5
Camaro310 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Fully loaded Join Date: May 2013 Location: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles Posts: 234 View My Garage	The v8 will never leave you.

07-17-2015, 04:16 PM	#6
GrandAmGT Drives: 2010 1LT & 2016 Cadillac CTS V6 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Danville, Virginia Posts: 376	Thanks for the road trip review. How tall is your each member of your family? I don't see how you all fit in the car comfortably.

07-17-2015, 04:28 PM	#7
JLSuperfly Drives: 2014 Red Hot LS3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,266	Is your a manual or auto? My family are taking a road trip to Los Angeles (Disneyland) then to Las Vegas then to Grand Canyon then to LA again then back to SF Bay area. I am thinking of taking my Camaro but it is a manual so I will be doing all the driving. If we take the SUV, then we can alternate.

07-18-2015, 09:59 AM	#11
Welker2 Ret AF, cancer survivor Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mesquite, NV Posts: 2,741 View My Garage	Took ours on two road trips from Nevada to Texas for cancer related surgeries last year... great 'touring' vehicle.