Thoughts on Making the Camaro my DD - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Dash · 01-17-2012, 07:34 PM

I am considering making the jump to Camaro ownership. It has always looked so good and it seems like the incentives are out there now. However, I don't have the cash to make this my fun car, so it has to be a DD. I live in the Chicago suburbs so that means snow.

I currently drive an 09 WRX and love the car, but it's not a Camaro and I have gotten over the desire to drive stick all the time. It looks like a V6 (RS package) decently optioned is within the budget for an outgoing 11. I want the SS but between the extra cost and worse fuel economy is pushing me toward the 6. Also, all that torque won't help much driving through the winter. I am looking to use All Season tires. I have done the summer/winter swap with the subie and that is just a pain.

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on leaving my AWD 265hp 4-door wagon for a rear wheel drive muscle car is. I did drive through the big blizzard last year up to Wisconsin and home the next day in that car due to a business meeting. I know that will no longer be an option if I make this switch. I figured I would be immediately flamed within the Subaru boards, so I am looking for your biased opinion instead. I will be trying to test-drive this next week. I am especially interested in the thoughts of former WRX/STi owners if you now have a Camaro as a DD.
Thanks!

Sleez · 01-17-2012, 07:40 PM

i have a V6, RS and love it as my DD, get between 24 and 26 mpg in commute mode, mountain roads with a pretty good climb, avg around 40-45 mph in a tank. when i drove to sac for xmas got 30 mpg!! can't beat it. and when i want to get on it, it gets!! good enough for me, decent mileage, cheaper insurance, great all around car. i ride my motorcycle in the summer time to save on adding too many miles to the camaro.

Coldpants · 01-17-2012, 07:44 PM

I drove mine with out snow tires in the storm we had in October and it wasn't near as bad as i thought. Just pull off slow. I would get a stick, I found it easier to control if you don't have to start off in first.

jmaynard · 01-17-2012, 07:47 PM

Seriously?? The Camaro is fine as a DD, but you are not going to be able to be the one that picks up the snow plow for the rest of the folks. Stabilitrack works really well as does ABS, but it is NOT AWD. If this is a firm requirement, perhaps you purchase a used beater with AWD and then the CAMARO for better days.

As for the rear spin, it all depends on your clutch capabilities. If you are gentle so are they. If you are harsh, so are they.

Since I live in warm weather climate I cannot coment on tires, but I would assume that all season would be fine for normal driving habits, which would include staying out of deep snow. As for performance, you will lose some with an all weather, but the car will still handle fine. It just may not have the really cool hug of the stock tires.

mulehead7 · 01-17-2012, 07:49 PM

If you get the RS you get the summer only tires. They will not work in the Chicago winters. You will have to get snow tires. Buy a floor jack, some cheap rims and change them out spring and fall. The reward is you get to drive a Camaro everyday!

daveagogo1 · 01-17-2012, 08:00 PM

It certainly will not perform like a lighter AWD vehicle will. You will need snow tires. The RS wheels are summer ONLY tires. Even in Florida if the temps dip down below say 45 they lose grip big time.

IndeedSS1 · 01-17-2012, 08:00 PM

Second winter as my daily driver. I run Pirelli Scorpion ice and snow tires from Dec through Mar.

hightower · 01-17-2012, 08:13 PM

A V6 RS would be an excellent choice for a DD. Heck, my 2SS/RS is my daily driver! But obviously I don't have to deal with the same weather as you do up north.

kannon · 01-17-2012, 08:24 PM

WRX to a Camaro is going to be a big change. The car is big and feels big. MUCH different feel than your Subie.

skatalic · 01-17-2012, 08:28 PM

2ss M6 is my DD. I leave in New England. I run blizzak's. Defiantly better then FWD and all seasons.

angie7 · 01-17-2012, 09:17 PM

Mine is my dd and I love it! Go for it!

LimaCharlie · 01-17-2012, 10:12 PM

Sell your WRX. Use the money for a small down payment on a RS Camaro and buy a cheap, used AWD car (probably Subaru) as your winter beater.
This is my plan if I ever get stationed in the northern states. The Camaro would be my fun, 3-season car and an older Subaru would be my winter beater.

hightower · 01-17-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LimaCharlie

Sell your WRX. Use the money for a small down payment on a RS Camaro and buy a cheap, used AWD car (probably Subaru) as your winter beater.
This is my plan if I ever get stationed in the northern states. The Camaro would be my fun, 3-season car and an older Subaru would be my winter beater.

Seems like your truck would be a perfectly winter vehicle.

SSGUNNER · 01-17-2012, 11:19 PM

My 2SSRS L99 is my dd also. Love it. And i also carpool so one week is my car n the next fiancee's.

01-17-2012, 07:34 PM	#1
Dash Drives: Prospective Canaro5 owner Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 3	Thoughts on Making the Camaro my DD I am considering making the jump to Camaro ownership. It has always looked so good and it seems like the incentives are out there now. However, I don't have the cash to make this my fun car, so it has to be a DD. I live in the Chicago suburbs so that means snow. I currently drive an 09 WRX and love the car, but it's not a Camaro and I have gotten over the desire to drive stick all the time. It looks like a V6 (RS package) decently optioned is within the budget for an outgoing 11. I want the SS but between the extra cost and worse fuel economy is pushing me toward the 6. Also, all that torque won't help much driving through the winter. I am looking to use All Season tires. I have done the summer/winter swap with the subie and that is just a pain. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts on leaving my AWD 265hp 4-door wagon for a rear wheel drive muscle car is. I did drive through the big blizzard last year up to Wisconsin and home the next day in that car due to a business meeting. I know that will no longer be an option if I make this switch. I figured I would be immediately flamed within the Subaru boards, so I am looking for your biased opinion instead. I will be trying to test-drive this next week. I am especially interested in the thoughts of former WRX/STi owners if you now have a Camaro as a DD. Thanks!

01-17-2012, 07:44 PM	#3
Coldpants Nerdy one Drives: #000000 & #FF8000 2010 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: (elba), ct Posts: 806 View My Garage	I drove mine with out snow tires in the storm we had in October and it wasn't near as bad as i thought. Just pull off slow. I would get a stick, I found it easier to control if you don't have to start off in first. __________________ Dave McFly: Modern cars are awash in “It-goes-to-11” ergonomics. No one asked for it. It’s just in your car because—like black mold or a carjacker with herpes—it can be. SHORT FAT ROUND NINJA

01-17-2012, 07:49 PM	#5
mulehead7 stubborn as a ... Drives: '94 Trans Am Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: K.C. MO Posts: 464 View My Garage	If you get the RS you get the summer only tires. They will not work in the Chicago winters. You will have to get snow tires. Buy a floor jack, some cheap rims and change them out spring and fall. The reward is you get to drive a Camaro everyday! __________________

01-17-2012, 08:00 PM	#7
IndeedSS1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Eastern MO Posts: 3,786	Second winter as my daily driver. I run Pirelli Scorpion ice and snow tires from Dec through Mar. __________________ She is only memory now.

01-17-2012, 08:13 PM	#8
hightower LS3 Black Widow Drives: 2012 45th 2SS LS3 and 1968 Mustang Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Madison, GA Posts: 4,557	A V6 RS would be an excellent choice for a DD. Heck, my 2SS/RS is my daily driver! But obviously I don't have to deal with the same weather as you do up north. __________________ My Camaro Story

01-17-2012, 07:40 PM	#2
Sleez Drives: 2010, 2LT, RS, 6M, ABM (#1893) SOLD Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Willits, CA Posts: 1,437 View My Garage	i have a V6, RS and love it as my DD, get between 24 and 26 mpg in commute mode, mountain roads with a pretty good climb, avg around 40-45 mph in a tank. when i drove to sac for xmas got 30 mpg!! can't beat it. and when i want to get on it, it gets!! good enough for me, decent mileage, cheaper insurance, great all around car. i ride my motorcycle in the summer time to save on adding too many miles to the camaro.

01-17-2012, 07:47 PM	#4
jmaynard Drives: 2012 Camaro SS2 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Garland Tx Posts: 453	Seriously?? The Camaro is fine as a DD, but you are not going to be able to be the one that picks up the snow plow for the rest of the folks. Stabilitrack works really well as does ABS, but it is NOT AWD. If this is a firm requirement, perhaps you purchase a used beater with AWD and then the CAMARO for better days. As for the rear spin, it all depends on your clutch capabilities. If you are gentle so are they. If you are harsh, so are they. Since I live in warm weather climate I cannot coment on tires, but I would assume that all season would be fine for normal driving habits, which would include staying out of deep snow. As for performance, you will lose some with an all weather, but the car will still handle fine. It just may not have the really cool hug of the stock tires.

01-17-2012, 08:24 PM	#9
kannon Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS/M6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 225	WRX to a Camaro is going to be a big change. The car is big and feels big. MUCH different feel than your Subie. __________________ Suck Squeeze Bang Blow

01-17-2012, 08:28 PM	#10
skatalic Drives: CamAro 2011 2SS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Boston Posts: 16	2ss M6 is my DD. I leave in New England. I run blizzak's. Defiantly better then FWD and all seasons.

01-17-2012, 09:17 PM	#11
angie7 Smoked by a GIRL Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 3,748 View My Garage	Mine is my dd and I love it! Go for it! __________________ 2014 2SS/RS Summit White w/ IOM interior "Powder 2.0"

01-17-2012, 10:12 PM	#12
LimaCharlie Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS - 2004 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,989	Sell your WRX. Use the money for a small down payment on a RS Camaro and buy a cheap, used AWD car (probably Subaru) as your winter beater. This is my plan if I ever get stationed in the northern states. The Camaro would be my fun, 3-season car and an older Subaru would be my winter beater. __________________ 2011 Summit White Camaro 1SS/RS -6.2 LS3, TR6060, 3.45, G80 2004 Black Silverado 1500 2WD Regular Cab, Short Bed -5.3 LM7, 4L60E, 3.42, G80 2014 White Caprice PPV -6.0 L77, 6L80E, 2.92, G80

01-17-2012, 11:19 PM	#14
SSGUNNER Chu no guat a hasa is? Drives: 14 Jeep G Cherokee Overland HEMI Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Some where in So Cal Posts: 4,273	My 2SSRS L99 is my dd also. Love it. And i also carpool so one week is my car n the next fiancee's. __________________ 11 2SS/RSL99No Longer Stock (Sold) 6/19/14:AAC Plasma DRL's \| Plug n play harness \| Elite CC \| Tint: 35% & 5% \| LED Dome light \| Show-N-Go Plate Holder \| Flowmaster AT \| C.A.I. Intake \| VMAX CNC Spiral Ported TB \| Husky Splash Guards Last edited by SSGUNNER; 01-17-2012 at 11:32 PM.

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