Is the V8 worth it?!

[Mwalterhouse]

If you really want more power you may have to give up some of the options. You have a V6, go out and drive a V8, that may help you decide. I know when I was looking the options were not important, but mine is not a DD.

[shaffe]

This^ go drive both. That should help settle it pretty quick

[newagemuscle]

Is the 1SS that more stripped down than a 2LT? So you might not get leather... oh well. You still get 20's, Brembo brakes and a V8 which in the end gives you better resale down the road. If gas is an issue hands down get the 2LT. I look at it this way... and no offense to the v6 guys. So many have made the same argument about upfront cost and go with the v6, but then I see them later dumping tones into engine upgrades to make them faster. In the end there still not as fast as an SS and they just spend the difference on trying to make their v6 car that much faster. You could say the same about me... I bought an SS and have dumped close to 20k in mods into the car. Now would I have just been better off buying the ZL1... Yes. I would also have a better resale. The difference is the ZL1 was not around when I bought my car. Just my 2 cents. Flame suit on and ready to take the heat.

I'll add this... if you just plan on driving it and want it for the looks with no intensions of ever modding it... get the v6.

[chuckstacamaro]

Bought a 2010 LS in 2009, loved the car as it was my DD and only car with V6 good on gas. 2014 traded up for a new model 2SS/RS as it was what I always wanted but I now also have a second car Hyundai for DD. So gas in no longer an issue. Basically what I,m saying it all depends on your circumstances and what you really like and can afford. You can always trade up in future. I,m just saying.

[RobertRS]

For those stating that the Camaro is not a true muscle car without the V-6 , a quick online search will reveal a different story if you compare a modern V-6 Camaro to all of the other previous Camaros from the late sixties through the 90's on 0-60 times.

Here's one link http://www.0-60times.com/chevrolet.asp

None of them are slouches , the SS's are just quicker than LS/LTs. But then the ZL1s are quicker still. It never ends. I've had em' all....6.6 Trans Am, 454 Corvette, 396 Chevelle, etc... Bought the wife a new Camaro as that is what she wanted. I drove both the SS and her RS and found the RS to be quite sufficient in the power dept. Hated the trash can mufflers out back so those are gone and replaced with a decent axle back set up. That said though ,and trust me on this....if your heart says V-8 ,then wait and get the V-8......you only live once and you'll constantly feel the need to fill the void of unfulfilled desires. Like I said ,I've had em' all cuz' I'm an ol' fart.

[chuckstacamaro]

BTW the SS/RS V8 is such a different car and a lot more fun to drive.

[gajagfan]

I prefer my vehicles to have as much power and the best handling I can afford. The V8 is a must for me in a Camaro, and the 1LE package was way more important than the bells and whistles of the 2SS package. MY friend has a 2LT and could not fathom why I chose our car over his until we both drove about 140 miles round trip together, and any time there were situations where power an handling were in play, he was left in the dust. You can use every ounce of the power of a V8 on the street LEGALLY, just not to hit top speed, so don't buy that bs. This call is yours. I respect people that buy Camaro's for the appearance, I just don't understand them. It's your call!

[2012-1822]

I don't get it. So you say under $30,000 is you price range. Are you being realistic with yourself and $30,000 is really not affordable. I ask because when I was looking at a second car, and this was a while ago, I was looking at 2010 2SS RS with less than 5000 miles and I found several for $30,000 and below. That was maybe a year ago.

Now I don't know what's out there now, but since you're willing to go up to maybe 30,000 miles then I would think that a car would be available for under $30,000 that would give you everything you want.

Also, remember, price advertised is never the price you pay.

[2010SLVRBULIT]

comfort vs power, what's more important to you? The V6 has plenty of get up & go. You want sound & torque, go V8(but you have to run premium gas vs regular on the V6).

[2012-1822]

Hers's a list of SS cars within 500 miles of you that are under $30,000, under 30,000 miles, and at least some of them are 2SS/RS.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...es=COUPE&Log=0

[DaemonGPF]

Originally Posted by NorCalStorm

My mustang right now, although a v6, is fully loaded and it is my first car. and I would like to keep all the goodies, but I am also itching for more power!!

Get the V8. Power solved. Add a Garmin GPS with traffic alerts - $150. Aftermarket heated seat packages - $50-100. Halos - saw a DIYer on here do it for less than $50.

Adding the level of power to the V6 to match or best the V8 and retaining any sort of warranty or reliability becomes a rapid diminishing return, nevermind the costs involved.

[Jims Mongoose]

None of us know what floats your boat or where your talents are so consider this.

If you want a manual, then the SS should be a big considertion. Talking stock for stock the manual SS feels faster and puts out more power than the auto SS

If you are mechanically inclined then either the SS manual or auto are good. Auto can actually be made faster with mods.

If you are not mechanically inclined but are handy than a 1SS is great, either auto or manual are great. You can do some of the interior upgrades that you want later.

If it's important to have some of the bells and whistles that are hard or expensive to upgrade like HUD Or leather that will force you to a later model and a 2LT or 2SS.

If not go SS, the best you can find and don't look back. I had a V6, awesome looking 2ltRS with heritage grill and custom spoiler. Looked awesome.
Lost my shirt when I traded up to a 1LE 2SS.

Yikes its tough, test drive, ss stick and auto and a 2LTRS.

Jim

[EmeryZ28]

If you care about any of the following..... power, performance, prestige, driving excitement, engine sound, exhaust note and the opinion others have of your car


then YES

[stevey_frac]

Originally Posted by EmeryZ28

If you care about any of the following..... power, performance, prestige, driving excitement, engine sound, exhaust note and the opinion others have of your car


then YES

That prestige evaporates *really* quickly outside of this forum. Especially when people are complimenting you on your "Challenger". They can't tell the difference between the V6 and the V8 unless they're car nuts. And if they're car nuts and also not dicks, they're just excited that you have a cool car, and start ranting about how this DI V6 is putting out the same power as previous V8 gens, and asking what kind of mileage you're getting, etc...

Everything you said also directly applies to getting a ZL1 instead of an SS. Getting a Z28 instead of a ZL1. Or a C7 instead of a Camaro. Or a *INSERT YOUR EXOTIC HYPERCAR OF CHOICE* instead of a C7. It's not like climbing the hedonic treadmill is going to make you any happier.

I love my V6. It sounds great, goes great, gets lots of looks, and puts a smile on every kids face when I drop a gear and blast past their mom's minivan. Puts a smile on my face every time I fire it up in the morning.

In the end, it's going to be up to the OP to decide what he'll be happy with.