First Camaro, advice wanted

[DB Cooper]

As far as trouble free longevity, I would take any LS engine over the DOHC 3.6 liter every day of the week. There's not a big price premium for a V8 over a V6 on the used market; the inevitable timing chain service (or else catastrophic piston-meets-valves event) will more than eat up the difference.


Not hating, just my 0.02

[Nate2SS]

I picked up a 2011 2SS/RS with 40k miles for 16.5. Insurance (almost) costs the same as the v6 mustang I had previously. If you're patient and look around you can find them for a good deal. I found mine on Facebook marketplace.

[Car Nation Videos]

If you like the 67-69 then buy a 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 5th gen. If I could give you any advice it would be to buy a V8.

I know you said music and blue tooth is important. Go to a dealership and actually drive a V8 and then turn around a drive a V6.

Also get a 6 speed manual. Trust me, get the V8. You owe it to yourself.

[Rock-It Man]

I have a 2010 2SS with almost 80,000 miles but no accidents. Carvana offers me about $16,000 for it. It would sell there for 25,000 minimum, based on similar cars. Even V6 cars are going for over 20K.

Privately, I wouldn't sell mine for less than $25,000.

You need a bigger bucket of money.

[DB Cooper]

Originally Posted by Rock-It Man

I have a 2010 2SS with almost 80,000 miles but no accidents. Carvana offers me about $16,00 for it. It would sell there for 25,000 minimum, based on similar cars. Even V6 cars are going for over 20K.

Privately, I wouldn't sell mine for less than $25,000.

You need a bigger bucket of money.

Hell I'd give you $16.00 for it sight unseen... I wouldn't even try to talk you down on it

[Rock-It Man]

Originally Posted by DB Cooper

Hell I'd give you $16.00 for it sight unseen... I wouldn't even try to talk you down on it

16,000 obviously.

[ADVMax]

Gen 5 LS3 M6

well, just because.

[xstuntman]

Originally Posted by DB Cooper

As far as trouble free longevity, I would take any LS engine over the DOHC 3.6 liter every day of the week. There's not a big price premium for a V8 over a V6 on the used market; the inevitable timing chain service (or else catastrophic piston-meets-valves event) will more than eat up the difference.


Not hating, just my 0.02

The LFX production in '12 fixed the chain issue.
Only the LFX Camaros got the good chains tho.

[DB Cooper]

Originally Posted by xstuntman

The LFX production in '12 fixed the chain issue.
Only the LFX Camaros got the good chains tho.

Ahh. Glad they addressed that. Wish that had happened befpre they phased out the 3800 series 3 that was the previous go-to V6. Those were darn near bulletproof.

[Moto-Mojo]

“Ok, Boomer”, Elwood! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I’m one too. And unless I missed my mark, your real jones is for a muscle car harkening back to your youth. Maybe for you, like me, what caught your eye was an, “SS 396”, an “SS 427”, or the coveted 409 back in the day. You are never going to be totally satisfied with a V6 if indeed this was an early passion of yours.

If you were attracted to the name and body style only, get an LT. if the roar of a V8 rang in yer loins, trust me in on this and hundreds, if not thousands of others here, bite the bullet...sooner than later, and get an SS.

Some might say this is just another 6 v 8 post but it ain’t. Is just ain’t. Again, trust (us) here.

[RichardElwood]

I put the Camaro search on hold a while, then came across a 2016 1LT 4cyl 8-speed automatic, 54k miles, dealer asking $22,750. Was surprised how peppy the 4-cyl was, but have no desire to burn rubber, just merge into traffic. Best I can tell, this sold for about $29k new, and prices aren’t likely to normalize for another year or two. Not the classic look of 2010-13 but being newer should postpone mechanical issues and rust worries here in Wisconsin, plus I’m an illustrator, not a mechanic, so there’s that money pit.

Yes, money is an object, but doable if I put off any home improvements for a few years until I sell the Camaro again. Sadly, I accept that I just don’t have the space or budget to keep it long-term. Do the economics of a newer, cheaper model make sense?

[acutron42]

None of this makes sense. Don't put off home improvements over a car. The money that you put into your home will appreciate. The money you put into a car will most likely depreciate. If you don't have the space or budget to keep it long term why bother?

[morepowerjoe]

Originally Posted by RichardElwood

I put the Camaro search on hold a while, then came across a 2016 1LT 4cyl 8-speed automatic, 54k miles, dealer asking $22,750. Was surprised how peppy the 4-cyl was, but have no desire to burn rubber, just merge into traffic. Best I can tell, this sold for about $29k new, and prices aren’t likely to normalize for another year or two. Not the classic look of 2010-13 but being newer should postpone mechanical issues and rust worries here in Wisconsin, plus I’m an illustrator, not a mechanic, so there’s that money pit.

Yes, money is an object, but doable if I put off any home improvements for a few years until I sell the Camaro again. Sadly, I accept that I just don’t have the space or budget to keep it long-term. Do the economics of a newer, cheaper model make sense?

Yeah my son bought a 2021 4 cylinder turbo. And he loves it. If your not that concerned about burning rubber then it's a great car for the money. And like you said it's still pretty peppy. I actually can't believe how fast it really is. I would even consider buying a new one because they aren't really that much more. I think my son got his right about 29k out the door. And having that factory warranty might be what your looking for.

[ronwc]

I just sold a 1997 Corvette that needed work and bought a 2011 Camaro RS conv with 86k miles in near perfect condition for $11,500 off craigslist. My advice is to take your time and find the right car at the right price.