Test drove my first automatic 2SS and it boosted my love for my 1LT

[Emig5m]

Call me crazy guys, and I'm series about stepping up to a 2SS and have been in contact with multiple dealers trying to get the best deal on my trade and new car, but I'm not really liking the idea all that much after my test drive, definitely not enough to lose my ass on the trade.

I like the smoother ride of the 1LT (I swear this is one of the smoothest riding cars I've ever been in!)

I like the softer cloth seats.

The above two make the car more comfortable to drive.

I could feel 4cyl deactivation. Car had something a little louder than the stock exhaust I think because I could hear the 4cyl deactivation along with feeling it (weird drone when it kicked in).

The 2SS overall feels more rugged (harder seats, harder ride). The 1LT is just so much more comfortable and relaxed feeling.

I do love that low end torque right off idle of the SS but to be honest with you, the SS really wasn't all that impressive when I mashed the gas to the floor. The biggest difference feels right off idle into the lower midrange. The midrange feels flat/dead on the SS. My Ford Lightning feels like it pulls harder from midrange to top. The SS feels more torqey off idle which is weird because the Lightning has less HP but more torque. Figure it would be the other way around.

The Brembo brakes have some stopping power though, lol!

But as much as I'm prideful about the vehicle I drive and would love to say I have a top model Camaro (reason I got the Lightning model F150 over a standard truck) and not have to face the question of "is it a V8" and hear the disappointment when I tell them it's a 6 while my ego gets flattened, I really can't get around how much more I like the ride and comfort and less rugged feel of the 1LT!

And call me crazy, the Boston sound system... I really can't tell that much difference although I wasn't blasting it with the salesmen with me, heh. The stock Camaro sound system does sound so much better than anything Ford had though. I was in a $47,000 Ford Raptor and the sound system sounded like crap compared to my 1LT and wasn't an upgrade over my eight year old Ford at all!

Starting to stray off topic but, I'm really going to have to not let my ego get in the way anymore because deep down to me the 1LT is a superior daily driver, heh. I just love how smooth and comfortable the 1LT is overall and when I mashed the gas in the 2SS it really wasn't all that impressive (but the low end torque off idle was, that's instantly noticeable in both the stick and auto!)

I'm glad to do these test drives and get it out of my system! Originally I was attracted to these new Camaro's for the looks and I got the looks with the RS package. I also got a big surprise with the ride quality and comfort with the 1LT. Very happy with it for a daily driver!

The Camaro team at Chevy you guys did a great job on this head turning car and offering so many trim levels and packages, there's a trim level and package for everybody! And I'm pretty much sure now that I actually got the right trim/package for me the first time around. If only I could convince my ego the same, lol.

[SixGracing]

It's funny I thought the same thing when I bought my 2SS in 2010 and it's an auto. But, just a few minor mods and a tune and these cars wake up like you can't believe. You need to drive a modified and tuned 2SS and I think you will change your opinion some. The V8 has so much room for improvement too and you can make these cars into pure muscle if so desired. The car grows on you and in the end, you would not regret owning a V8 auto. I love mine and I think it rides incredibly smooth and very solid. Did you drive a brand new car or a used one?

I haven't been in a 1LT to compare, but knowing how much I dig the power of what I have, I would for the opposite reasons you noted, not be happy with a V6...

[shawn18]

Before my wife and I had our son we owned a 1LT and a 2SS. I could not agree more with you about the ride difference in the 2 models. I found myself driving the 1LT more often because I loved the ride and the cloth seats over the leather of the 2SS. We sold those cars before our son was born ( found out we were pregnant 3 months after getting the cars ) , but I just couldn't go on without having a Camaro.

So after a few months I ordered onein May of 2010. Now I wanted an SS ,but didn't want another automatic or leather. So I ordered a 1SS LS3 , to me it was the best of both worlds. it has the cloth seats I like and it gas the v8 power I need..LoL Either way the're awesome cars , just gotta find what you want more I guess...

[emsand1]

To each his own but I love the two tone inferno interior of my 2SS. The leather seats are perfect for me. I came from a 1997 Exepdition with 175K miles so the ride quality of the Camaro seems incredible to me.

[2xSSRS]

They are for sure two different types of cars. Got to go with what you like. I got my 2ss for the reason you say you don't like. I love the stiff ride, the feel of the seats which bring the road right to you. LoveIt....

[Emig5m]

Originally Posted by emsand1

To each his own but I love the two tone inferno interior of my 2SS. The leather seats are perfect for me. I came from a 1997 Exepdition with 175K miles so the ride quality of the Camaro seems incredible to me.

I 100% agree with the look of the two-tone inferno leather. If I was ordering from the factory and dead set on leather it would be this way 100%! I checked one out in person and it's my favorite interior look on the Camaro! But it's very disappointing that I can't have everything I want in one package and right now for me I'm really addicted to the comfort and ride quality of the 1LT. My co-worker has a fully loaded Chrysler 300C which he says is supposed to be a luxury vehicle and even it sucks compared to my Camaro for ride and comfort. Funny, you'd think it would be the other way around, lol.

Originally Posted by shawn18

Before my wife and I had our son we owned a 1LT and a 2SS. I could not agree more with you about the ride difference in the 2 models. I found myself driving the 1LT more often because I loved the ride and the cloth seats over the leather of the 2SS.

[tomlink]

Originally Posted by Emig5m

I like the smoother ride of the 1LT (I swear this is one of the smoothest riding cars I've ever been in!)

I agree here for sure. Good review of the differences. Lots of different tastes out there and Camaro has a combination for everyone.

I'm a music fan and the V6 has just enough growl for me but not louder than my music.

[Coyotekiller]

You need to drive the manual. Whole other animal. I hated these cars when they first came out because I test drove an automatic and it just didn't seem to have any power. Not sure why, it just didn't feel powerful, even thoug it was 100 horses more powerful than the car u was driving at the time (07 mustang gt). The L99 felt sluggish and tired compared to what I was used to. When I test drive my current 2012 2ss manual, it was a whole other story. I hardly pushed 3k Rpms on the test drive and I knew for sure this car was much stronger than the other camaro, and much more impressive.

[SnowVert]

I like all of them. My only wish was that they would've offered the convertible in Synergy Green...

[AZCamaroFan]

it's whatever you like.

[mikeSS]

i have cloth seats on my ss. the 1ss/rs. its very comfortable. to me it feels to much like a caddy rather than a sports car. hahaha

[Mikey193]

Originally Posted by Coyotekiller

You need to drive the manual. Whole other animal. I hated these cars when they first came out because I test drove an automatic and it just didn't seem to have any power. Not sure why, it just didn't feel powerful, even thoug it was 100 horses more powerful than the car u was driving at the time (07 mustang gt). The L99 felt sluggish and tired compared to what I was used to. When I test drive my current 2012 2ss manual, it was a whole other story. I hardly pushed 3k Rpms on the test drive and I knew for sure this car was much stronger than the other camaro, and much more impressive.

I was gonna say this too. Im not bashing autos at all. But it really is a different car in a stick.

[shawn18]

Originally Posted by Mikey193

I was gonna say this too. Im not bashing autos at all. But it really is a different car in a stick.

In stock form , I agree with both of you. I haven't driven a tuned L99 to compare to my tuned LS3. I am sure it is a huge difference.

[crateish]

SSs are harder on purpose. LTs are smoother touring sport cars. Great DDs.

Personally, I had my fill of stiff, hard muscle cars in the 70s.