Camaro 1ls vs. Cruze 2lt

[jkupa10]

Originally Posted by Stack4

Because of metaphors that compare cars to food?

I was only half-joking, but yes, Precisely. Everyone has to have the double cheeseburger these days.

[Stack4]

Originally Posted by jkupa10

I was only half-joking, but yes, Precisely. Everyone has to have the double cheeseburger these days.

I figured you were joking, lol. But yeah, I think it's Steak 'n Shake that does this, but with bacon, it's the same as a double cheeseburger. I was just using that to show that you get more power for your money with a Camaro, but more luxury with the Cruze. Even though you don't necessarily need the power or luxury.

[2014camaro]

Hey what up dude, I'm 16 as well. Go on your parent's insurance and get yourself a low milage used 1lt/rs for the same price as a 1ls. You won't have any regrets. Don't get the Cruze.

[DRKS1D3]

Can this thread end now? We have all put in comments about insurance rates, responsibility, cost of maintenance, gas, etc., etc.. At the end of the day, us older people (I'm 31) are trying to talk logic to a 16 year old kid, that is deciding whether his parents should buy him a Camaro or a Cruze. Gee, let me think, which would almost 100% of 16 year olds want? Is picking the Camaro the most logical decision for a 16 year old? Absolutely not. The Cruze IMO is the better choice. We've all made impractical decisions when we were young. When I turned 16, I wanted this S-10 Blazer so damn bad. 6" lift, 350 dropped in it, shift kit, custom paint job, custom interior, stereo, etc., etc.. My Dad said if I keep my grades up even during football season and get a job, he'll buy it for my first car. I did, so he did. Do I now think it was a moronic decision? Yes. Do I wish I could go back in time, slap my 16 year old self in the side of the head and say "wake up stupid, you don't want that impractical beast"? Of course. It got about 5-6 mpg and was more eye candy than anything else. I wish I had gotten a Cavalier or something small and practical, but hey, I was a stupid 16 year old that had to have this vehicle! In the end, whatever is decided here is up to the OP and his family. I'm sure down the road 15 years or so, he'll either be happy with his decision or he'll be kicking his own ass. People make irrational decisions everyday. The most important thing is that these individuals learn from them and don't partake in them again.

[CamaroKevin]

Did you ever consider buying a Certified Camaro? I got my 2011 2lt rs for around 26K with about 4,000 miles on it. The certifieds are just as nice as the new ones. I was going to go for a 1LT until I found the 2LT RS at the same price and miles. I know the new LS's you're looking at are around $23k starting price.
And try not to let criticism of any kind get to you. I think they are just jealous of what you are getting at 16 and what they wish they were to get. When I first saw your post, I didn't feel jealousy, but genuine happiness for you. Get what will make YOU happy. Not what others think you should have at 16.


Posted from Camaro5.com App for Android

[ZL-Bee]

The Wheels are easy to change and there are enough decently priced good options out there. As for the insurance, you are best off just calling various companies to get a quote. I don't think it'll be very cheap, but it may be something that will be manageable to you.

[Stack4]

Originally Posted by CamaroKevin

Did you ever consider buying a Certified Camaro? I got my 2011 2lt rs for around 26K with about 4,000 miles on it. The certifieds are just as nice as the new ones. I was going to go for a 1LT until I found the 2LT RS at the same price and miles. I know the new LS's you're looking at are around $23k starting price.
And try not to let criticism of any kind get to you. I think they are just jealous of what you are getting at 16 and what they wish they were to get. When I first saw your post, I didn't feel jealousy, but genuine happiness for you. Get what will make YOU happy. Not what others think you should have at 16.


Posted from Camaro5.com App for Android

Thanks for your comment. I don't think we could use the GM card on certified cars. I didn't come on here at all to "brag" or anything. I came on looking for advice. If, when we test drive them, I like the Cruze better, I'll get the Cruze. If I like the Camaro better, which I probably will, I'll get that. The Camaro is almost as practical as the Cruze is.

[Stack4]

Originally Posted by ZL-Bee

The Wheels are easy to change and there are enough decently priced good options out there. As for the insurance, you are best off just calling various companies to get a quote. I don't think it'll be very cheap, but it may be something that will be manageable to you.

Yeah. Wheels are expensive though. Most wheels I'd need to get new tires with too. I'm really liking the 1LT wheels and think I could find them for less than $1k with tires. And after those tires wear, I think I could just switch the tires with the stock ones that come with the LS.

[BowtieBelle]

[shaffe]

Ill add my 2 cents. I was fortunate enough to be in the OP's situation 9 years ago. I had solid grades etc etc etc blah blah blah.

My sister was supposed to share her car with me but she took piss poor care of it and my parents felt I should have my own car.

So one day my dad came home in a 04 Mustang GT and said lets go for a test drive, and we came back to the dealer I said I loved it and I had the 04 GT as my first car at 16. (dad was in tight w/ the ford dealer and had sold his 66 Olds 442 so I could have a car) I would love to tell you I was responsible and for the most part I was. But I have to admit I wasn't as responsible as I thought I was. I would speed, hammer the throttle and show off. Its just hard not too, especially with other people in the car. Once I got my first speeding ticket, realized I wasnt as responsible as I should be and I didnt show off after that. Sure I still did some stupid stuff, but never with anyone else in the car. Learned to take racing to the track after I almost got busted for street racing. Now I pretty much act like Im driving miss daisy when I drive. Thats my 2 cents on the "showing off" with a sporty car. It will happen as much as you say it wont, your ego will take over.

Now here are some advantages. Everyone says RWD is useless in the winter. You know what, its more difficult to drive thats for damn sure, but being 16 and driving a Mustang GT in the snow made me a hell of a lot better driver. Learning how to handle that car in the snow and avoiding other drivers helped me become a better driver.

Now to everyone saying the car will get vandalized or beat up. Yeah thats always a possibility, but alot depends on how the OP acts and is viewed by others at school. When I got my car, I never showed it off(like I have a better car than you, or my parents got me this car your car is a pos). My car was never vandalized. It was the people who would flaunt it as being better than someones elses that had thier stuff messed with.

College I would say vandalism isnt as much of a problem. but door dings etc etc will be a problem bc people just don't care. My car was hit n run at my campus parking lot. people just do not care in college.

This is a tough decision. you have to be able to try and restrain the urge to show the camaro off if thats what you end up getting. If you knew me and my group of friends, I was probably the most responsible one out of all them. But behind the wheel I felt invincible, and nothing bad would happen. it took a speeding ticket and almost getting busted for street racing to make me realize how stupid I was behind the wheel. I am lucky that I never got in a wreck or arrested and lucky those things happened to me at 17.

[08-G35s/6MT]

Originally Posted by BowtieBelle

Ummm.... insurance for a 16 year old with a Camaro will be through the roof. Over $2,000 a year, easily, are the numbers I've been told by high-school kids with Camaro LT's. Get an SS and that number could double

I had this issue when I was 16..... I have a pretty damn simple solution that worked for me for over 2 years. Just don't list the kid as one of the as-listed main drivers of the car, unless insurance asks for it! Problem solved. The only way they will ask if you have wrecks, tickets, etc. or they may just ask as you turn 18. They didn't ask me till I was 18.

[Stack4]

I went to the dealerships and test drove some cars today. The first car I test drove was a Cruze Eco because they had no manual 2LT's. It was really nice. The handling was good, the power wasn't great, but it was fine. The second car I test drove was a Sonic Hatch 1.4 turbo. It was as nice as the Cruze, but the gearing was a little nicer. And finally, I test drove a 1LS. The power on this thing was awesome. I want it.

[TastyBake]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

I haven't read one comment that alluded to any of these. Pretty helpful thread for the youngster if you ask me.

It is. Just putting out there before someone turns it into a basher.

[TastyBake]

Originally Posted by Stack4

I went to the dealerships and test drove some cars today. The first car I test drove was a Cruze Eco because they had no manual 2LT's. It was really nice. The handling was good, the power wasn't great, but it was fine. The second car I test drove was a Sonic Hatch 1.4 turbo. It was as nice as the Cruze, but the gearing was a little nicer. And finally, I test drove a 1LS. The power on this thing was awesome. I want it.

This is what was needed. The test drive.


The sonic is the better choice. Having extra money during college is soo helpful to deal with unexpected costs. Parking, utility aka room for stuff in case you need to move boxes (the camaro trunk is ug), relaxing cruises, less worries during stressful times, less distraction from girls (this will happen), and guys trying to push your buttons out of jelousy. With the sonic, you will have a much better college experience. When you graduate, you could get a ZL1.


Based on everything, my vote is camaro.


Why?


You need to go through the experience of "benefits and cost of decisions". You need to experience some or all of the above items mentioned.


You will learn about yourself more and when/when not to take risks and this is key. So when you're at cross roads over and over again, you'll say "I don't want choice A because xyz will happen. I know me."


Having intelligence and playing it safe is ok. But having intelligence and wisdom from life lessons and knowing how you react in certain situations is what makes leaders. Your parents trust you and you seem to be a stand-up guy. You only live once.