First Post, Big Decision

[Jameg1011]

Get a 2LT RS for sure.

[maccabacks]

This is great input. You guys are awesome, but I'm getting even more confused! As far as money, that isn't an issue here (sorry about how that just sounded) I'm really just looking to make the right decision for me. I did drive both and loved both. Just trying to figure out what makes sense for everyday driving. Will I miss teh V8 if I don't get it? Will I care? Hard to predict the future, that's why I'm asking the experts. I also don't want to spend a whole lot of time maintaining it. The tires thing has got me a bit spooked too.

[2010 SSRS]

ZL1, start off with the best

[GotGame55]

ZL1, 100% sure you wont look back.

[PalmerGA]

Ditto the 2LT/RS auto... and welcome to the forum. I would test drive both the V6 and V8, just in case, but I think you'll find the V6 has plenty of power (323hp on the '12s and '13s - that's 2 hp less than the base model 396c.i. V8s of the 60s... very impressive).

[erik13]

Originally Posted by maccabacks

This is great input. You guys are awesome, but I'm getting even more confused! As far as money, that isn't an issue here (sorry about how that just sounded) I'm really just looking to make the right decision for me. I did drive both and loved both. Just trying to figure out what makes sense for everyday driving. Will I miss teh V8 if I don't get it? Will I care? Hard to predict the future, that's why I'm asking the experts. I also don't want to spend a whole lot of time maintaining it. The tires thing has got me a bit spooked too.

If money isn't an issue, go with the V8. I don't imagine you get much snow in NC? If not don't worry about the tires.

[v6sonoma]

Well if you get an SS or anything with the RS package (which is the only way to get HID lights from the factory) then you'll have summer only tires that will need to be changed if winter weather driving is gonna happen. You could of course buy some all seasons and then sell the Pirelli's to someone on here to solve that if you don't want to buy a winter wheel and tire package to swap on and off.

[Vengeance Graphix]

Id say 2lt/rs, if you have the money go for the ss! whichever you get is still a great choice

Also welcome to the forum!

[marcvilla]

Originally Posted by maccabacks

Hello All. I have been reading this forum for weeks now, as well as researching the Camaro. I am a 50 year old guy that wants to purchase a Camaro as his daily driver. Don't want to race it, don't want to change the tires every 15K miles, don't want to garage it for 4 months a year, just want to drive it because I LOVE the way it looks. I also want all the creature comforts; leather, etc. So, I ask you, the experts, the people who have amazed me with your knowledge of this fine vehicle; which is the right Camaro for me? I know some of you may not feel I am worthy of this car simply because I want to buy it only because I love the way it looks, and I respect your opinion, but please don't flame me. Help me. Which Camaro do I buy?

First of, I don't think anybody here would ever feel you are not worthy of owning this fine piece of machinery for the simple reason that you like the way it looks, we all love our Camaro's and a big part of it its because of its lines. As someone mentioned if you buy the RS package or any of the SS (V8) you are going to get the 20" tires, now i have never had an issue with them, the ride is comfortable, the suspension does its job well. Some say they are not good for cold weather, i cant tell you if they are or not, i live in Phoenix Arizona its January and its 80 degrees outside, they are perfect for me since its summer all year around here in the good o'PHX. Truth is there is no bad Camaro, if money is no issue I would go with the V8, fuel economy is really about how far down you push that gas pedal, and there is nothing like the rumblin of a sweet V8. In hindsight I would have rather bought the V8, i can tell you with certainty the next one will have the SS emblem on it. Maybe even ZL1 but thats a big maybe.

[CamaroJim56]

VA driver here, 2LT RS will set you up real nice, res, the pirelli's suck in the cold, but I have not been hampered, and you can replace with all-seasons as soon as the pirellis wear out.

Have the 2LT RS myself, but may be trading for a 13 SS RS shortly, still haven't convinced myself. :-)

Has great gas mileage, and is a sweet ride.

[SSDan]

Originally Posted by maccabacks

This is great input. You guys are awesome, but I'm getting even more confused! As far as money, that isn't an issue here (sorry about how that just sounded) I'm really just looking to make the right decision for me. I did drive both and loved both. Just trying to figure out what makes sense for everyday driving. Will I miss teh V8 if I don't get it? Will I care? Hard to predict the future, that's why I'm asking the experts. I also don't want to spend a whole lot of time maintaining it. The tires thing has got me a bit spooked too.

I see you live in Charlotte - not a lot of winter driving there. I would not sweat the summer tire thing if I were you. I'm just down the road in SC and drove mine this morning in our first cold snap of rthe year. It was about 36 degrees when I left the house and as you can see by my post - I survived unscathed! Sure the tire compound gets a little hard when it drops below 40 degrees but it doesn't become a death car. Just drive with some sense for the conditions and it will be all good. I'm on the original pzeros with almost 20 K miles - I know I will make it to 25k maybe even 30K.

As to the v8 vs v6 - I read constantly on this forum about people buying the v6 and then later having regrets and trading for the v8. Can't think of any thread where it went the other way. But its your call of course - both are great engines. And if you get the mod itch the v8 has so many choices. I held out for two years at 100% stock then couldn't take it an more and did the cam/bolt-on package. Now I've got a car that is really a blast. Couldn't have done that so easily with the v6.

Here is a teaser for you. Listen to this video and then tell me most of the guys who posted before me wouldn't want that!
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203257

Well maybe the guy with the ZL1 might argue the point I guess!

[Jalberdi99]

i live in va too and have a 2lt/rs and the only problem that i had with the summer tiers in the winter is when i was trying to take off like the road runner. like you said, if you are not going to use the car for racing, you will be ok in the NC winter. if money is not a problem (gas) get the 2SS.

[Sir Nuke]

Originally Posted by maccabacks

What about the RS package and the bigger tires? I don't like what I am reading about having to change them out frequently and avoiding bad road conditions. Am I better off going with the 19" all season? Also, I am VERY conflicted about the V6 vs V8 argument.

maccabacks, I have a 2LT/RS, and although the tires that come on teh car have a softer compound, they will wear faster, HOWEVER, I too do not race my are or do burnouts, mine is my daily driver....and my first set of tires lasted me 36,000 miles. Then I replaced them with All Seasons that will mst likely last 50k to 60k miles. As far as the V6 vs V8 thing....you would be very satisfied with the 6, remember, the current 6 has more H.P. then most small blocks that were put in camaros untill the 5th Gen came about. a good way to find out for yourself, go and rent one for a day.....

oh and btw...... Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in it...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's, dad's, wive's, husband's, girlfriend's and boyfriend's here don't care....and take it easy.



oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

[Bodih]

First off - I love my LS3!!!

But if I was buying this car as a daily commuter car, I would have gotten a 2LT/RS Automatic (and maybe a blower kit). Unless you're a gearhead that hasn't flushed out all the racing blood yet, you wouldn't miss any HP with this V6. I've been very impressed, and surprised when I've driven the V6 version, and the reduced weight in the front end is noticeable.
You'll never get tired of driving whichever model you choose, and the mod possibilities are endless on all Camaros!!!

Welcome to the forum.

Enjoy the ride!