Need help! Choosing between a 2LT and a 2SS

[JUISSD]

If you don't need the V8, just go with the V6. My wife's V6 gets just as many compliments as my car does. If I wasn't a horsepower junkie that raced all the time I would have gotten the V6 myself.

[ravbot]

"Is than a SS?"

I really don't get the point of anyone asking that question. If you know what an SS even is you probably know the style difference between the two and so theres no point asking, just look for the slot in the front. Truth is most people won't know the difference, or even care unless you hang out with a hardcore gear head crowd. You'll get respect just for driving the car regardless of which you go with and if you go with the V6 and get hassled just tell em your balls are big enough without the v8 and didn't want them dragging across the ground as you pass em.

Ask yourself if you can honestly handle the power a v8 puts out at 19. There is a very short list of people I can believe can answer yes and mean it, if you are one of them I'd almost say go with a 1SS. The fact your considering the 2LT vs the 2SS is not a 5k spike it's closer to 10k, I'm betting you want the HUD and sound otherwise most wouldn't consider such a big jump which means you'll want the RS pack and other extras. Gotta have our toys but they cost a pretty penny to tack on. Be very careful with what options you pick, the price tag can inflate fast.

Ask yourself if you can afford the cost of the car and school. A state school runs around 20k a year depending on which you go with. Private you're looking at 40+ Can you afford an expensive car + insurance + school. If you can afford this car you're not going to get much in financial aid, maybe a scholarship if your strong academically. If I had that kind of cash laying around at your age I would have gotten a decent used car and taken the rest to pay off my loans ASAP. Graduating with no debt is a huge deal these days.

Also ask yourself if you can afford the absurd cost to insure a v8 - if you're going to college soon, you WILL get it dinged/dented/scratched and there's nothing you can do about it (student drivers suck even if you don't most others aren't so good) short of getting a beater to use at school. But then you don't have a flashy car to impress the girls! A single big incident will spike your rate a huge amount given age and conditions even if you're on your parents insurance. Consider waiting til you're 25, by then if you keep a clean record your rate goes down a ton.

Obviously I focused a lot on the money side. On the other side the feels of the cars are different. A v8 will pin you to the seat and with the right mods will make it sound like the end of the world is coming. If you're looking for a girl impressing ride they won't even know the difference between the v6 and v8 (if they do propose on the spot.) If you want a car to impress your friends having either is gonna do it unless their purists that thump the v8 bible in which case you're making a decision based on peer pressure. My final thoughts... Drive em both, consider you're other costs that you'll be running in to in the coming years and plan accordingly. Make an informed decision based on what you want and can actually handle both financially and individually.

[John Shields]

I was trying to decide myself. I made this thread where you might get some more opinions on what you should do:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93952

I started with 2LT vs 1SS because of the price range. I ended with a 1LT with a ton of upgrades. My thought process was that with my V6 I can mod the gap of horsepower and reach around 400+... but in the meantime reap the benefits of the better gas mileage. Keep in mind SS's need premium where LT's take regular just fine. So depends on the prices where you live that could be a HUGE difference in money (especially if it's a daily driver). I drive mine to work and back and for fun on mostly highway-ish road. So V6 is all I needed for that.

That all said, I'm hoping to have this paid off by July 2012 and be able to get into a position to buy a Z28 for my toy car. Either that, or I'm going to do up a project '69 Camaro and sink 40K+ into that over time. But in the end, I'll have my daily driver... and my toy. One at near 400hp and the other with much more. So the argument of V6 vs V8 is invalid for me. It boils down to V6 THEN V8.

[Mightygrasshopper]

Anyone able to present rough estimates of total costs of owning a 2lt vs 2SS after say 5 years? Incl gas, maintenance, monthly payments, winter tires etc. Would be interesting to see!

[John Shields]

Only difference would be some maintenance out of warranty and gas. For the most part a lot of what you're going to spend money on will be the same for both. You're talking apples and donuts when you get out of warranty and have a problem with an SS and an LT.

[2010 SSRS]

2SSRS

[RedJewelSS]

i didnt realize they made anything other than an ss

[LED Crazy]

Just to make sure I understand this correctly.. You can get the SS mail slot on the hood and get the SS bumper on the V6 model through the dealer without getting a SS... If so... How does this process work and how much does it generally cost to swap out the bumper and the hood? I absolutely love the look of the SS, but I don't want to spend more money over time on tires, brakes, gas, and insurance with the SS when I could be putting sweet mods into the 2LT RS

[n116ebo]

This is just me, no offense to anyone. I had to have the SS V8 or I would have bought an older Vette. Again, just me.

[Maurdib]

I would ask auto or stick, the reaons being is it worth 5K plus for 88hp with the auto, For less then 2K that would shrink to 40hp difference and that still getting over 30mpgs with the mods.

[JUISSD]

Originally Posted by 2Unique4U

Just to make sure I understand this correctly.. You can get the SS mail slot on the hood and get the SS bumper on the V6 model through the dealer without getting a SS... If so... How does this process work and how much does it generally cost to swap out the bumper and the hood? I absolutely love the look of the SS, but I don't want to spend more money over time on tires, brakes, gas, and insurance with the SS when I could be putting sweet mods into the 2LT RS

The "mail slot" isn't on the hood, it's on the front bumper cover. You just need to replace that. Not all dealerships will do it, you'll just have to ask your dealership if they will. They'll just have to get the bumper cover, paint it, and swap it out for you. Remember, if you're getting an RS it comes with 20" wheels on both models so your tires costs will be the same for both (unless you're roasting the rears in the SS). Your brake maintenance should be about the same as well. The cost savings will be the cheaper payment, cheaper insurance, and you'll save some on gas.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by 3CamarosOnHand

Also, please do not consider getting a LT and changing the front fascia- not fond of "fake badging"....if you like the mail slot get the SS. But test drive both. Ultimately, at your age get what you like, can afford, and what works for you.

Could not agree more with this. There are tons of guys out there that would give you crap for having an SS bumper on a V6. Not saying that I'm one of them (I'd keep it to myself) but just be aware of that.

[Phoneguy]

Get the 2SS. I bought the 2LT and use it as my daily driver but I keep wondering what the 2SS would be like as the DD instead.

[raqball]

Originally Posted by 3CamarosOnHand

Also, please do not consider getting a LT and changing the front fascia- not fond of "fake badging"....if you like the mail slot get the SS. But test drive both. Ultimately, at your age get what you like, can afford, and what works for you.

How is that fake badging??? I can see if he put SS emblems on it but I see NO problem whatsoever if someone wants the mail slot on their V6....