Std. SS M6 vs. 1LE Daily Driver

[SecondZ28]

Originally Posted by UBB

Objection your honor. Speculation!

Sustained

I feel like there is no in between with the stupid primer look. It's love or hate.

[Mongojoe]

Have been daily driving my 1LE for 4 years. Definitely more enjoyable than the SS I almost bought. Can be a stiff ride, especially with the OEM Goodyears (which are also a liability below 50 degrees). Swapped for some all-season performance tires and only gave up a fraction of top-end grip.

I found the Recaro seats actually more comfortable than the stock seats, and they are likely the widest, largest seats they make as the 6th gen Recaro's are noticeably narrower.

Get one loaded, with NPP (must have) and ditch the sunroof if you are concerned about headroom.

[CHRISCAM]

Thanks guys, for all the informative responses. I'm really leaning toward the 1LE at this point, even if I don't ever really plan to track it in a road course. We don't even have many twisties on the streets here in the greater SD area, so that's not why I would get a 1LE.
For me, I really like the look vs. the std. SS. I realize I could get an SS with NPP, short-throw shifter and then add the 1LE wheels and wrap the hood, but all of that would end up costing more than if I just got a 1LE to begin with.
As for the comment about getting an older ZL1-- that thought crossed my mind, but I really haven't seen any available in my price range. I'm really only looking at offerings in max. $25-27k range.

[samgray20]

I have no say as far as the 1LE goes because I've never owned one. I will say this though. My car rides pretty stiff given my suspension mods, I would say a good bit stiffer than the 1LE. I love the car and the way it drives and am willing to sacrifice some comfort for that. It is also my daily driver. Bottom line is if you love the car, you will find that you will put up with things that make it less comfortable or easy to drive.

The above statements about sunroof headroom are 100% correct. I have owned both, and while having the sunroof is nice, it's not worth the lack of headroom especially if you're wearing a helmet.

As far as tires go, if you're like most, you will probably find you hate the stock SS wheels after a while and go aftermarket with wider tires anyway. Prices between the 245/275 setup and the 285 setup won't really be that bad. I actually just ordered a set of Toyo Proxes T1 Sport in 285/35r20 for $500 last night. I couldn't pass up the deal.

Good luck with your decision. I would personally go for the 1LE because 1LE but that's just me.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[jrob56]

Originally Posted by SecondZ28

Sustained

I feel like there is no in between with the stupid primer look. It's love or hate.

Rectified in ten minutes, I wouldn’t let a wrap turn someone off that package.

[CHRISCAM]

I'm not planning on looking for one with a sunroof. I'm in SoCal, but I'm too light and I burn easily, so I'm not a sun worshipper. LOL.

As for the tire issue, I'm thinking that I might just as well go with some 275/40/20 on all 4 corners when it's time to replace. Since I don't really need to have max. traction tires to take the 1LE to its limits on a road course, I think the stock type GYs are an expensive waste of money. From what I've seen browsing online, the 275/40/20s are like $50-100 cheaper per tire than the std. 285/35/20s.

Not to dwell on the tire cost theme, but if you have expensive, low-treadlife tires, it's a big consideration when you're not rich and you're already shoveling out $400+ a month for a car payment and the higher full-coverage insurance. If you haven't heard, it's REALLY EXPENSIVE to live in coastal California these days.

[SecondZ28]

Originally Posted by CHRISCAM

As for the tire issue, I'm thinking that I might just as well go with some 275/40/20 on all 4 corners when it's time to replace.

I’m not sure how well a 275 will fit on a 11” wheel? Might be too narrow

[Venomcustom]

There are good street tires for a very reasonable price for the 1le.

[CHRISCAM]

OK, guys, I'm going to revisit this subject now that I'm literally just a week away from starting to actively shop for my camaro with "money in hand".
So, I'm still really leaning toward the 1LE option. The consensus of opinions in this thread seems to back that up.
That said, here's one last point of consideration between the std. SS and the 1LE options-- price vs. mileage.
I'm basically looking at cars in the $20-27K asking range (in hopes of negotiating a final purchase price of no more than $25K). What I'm seeing is a pretty good selection of 1SS/2SS M6 cars in my desired price range that have anywhere from 15 to about 50K miles.
However, the 1LEs in my range seem to be ones that have 40-60 K miles.

Here's my question to you guys who have driven both versions and have personally experienced the reliability and maintenance issues (if any) of both types--

Is it worth it to get a 50K mile 1LE for $23-25K or is that too many miles to make it worth it vs. a std. SS with say, 15-30K miles?

I understand that obviously the fewer the miles the better (in general), but in this case I guess what I'm asking, is, price being equal, does the better "experience" of driving a 1LE outweigh the prospect of having a low-mile non-1LE model?

I really appreciate your input as I sort this out in the next week.

[14ssrs6man]

I drove both before settling on my 2014 SS - better ride and unless you are planning to track, low mileage SS wins IMO. I knew I would be modding to my taste and you can replicate a 1LE with suspension upgrades etc., either all out or where you feel comfortable. 3.91 gears in a SS is a great addition. Either way, have fun!

[J Rod]

You should be able to find a 1SS 1LE w/ around 30k miles for $25k. I saw a few of them in that price range when I was shopping for mine last winter. I ended up getting my 2SS w/ 15k miles for $27k

[Black 6.2L SS]

OP - I had the same question as you before I bought my SS just 2 months ago. I found that the 1LEs in my area we’re about 5k - 6k more expensive with similar miles as an SS.
So I bought a 2014, 1SS/RS, with M6, NPP, and GMs 5.1 short shifter (great). I decided that it wasn’t worth the extra money and rolling four 285 width tires for me to commute back and forth to work in. At this point in my life I’m not taking my car to track events with any regularity. 1LEs are sweet in every way and I’m stoked that GM builds them, but it didn’t make sense for my use as it would never see a track. Another consideration is your local roads,.... where I live there’s practically no curves at all....all straight.

I can say that I don’t regret my purchase at all and feel it was right for my use. On the roads I drive I don’t even come close to maxing out the handling potential of my SS and power/weight is the same as the 1LE. Just gotta weight it all, everyone is in a different situation. You’ll enjoy either one!

[sixty9fordkiller]

drive them both. ultimately, its gonna be about what you feel and like and if you're gonna modify it for performance

things to consider:
1LE will have better road course capabilities (superior suspension over the regular SS suspension)
1LE already has the ZL1 fuel pump (VERY IMPORTANT if you plan on E85)
1LE has the best looking factory wheels from GM for 5th Gens.

regular LS3 SS will be the better car for drag racing (the M10 has shorter gears than the MM6. M10+3.91 gears > MM6+3.91 in drag racing)

if you plan on modifying a regular SS, at some point you will need to upgrade the fuel pump and that will be an expensive modification unless you know how to do it

unless GM changed this on the years you're looking at, the 1LE cars have better rear axles than the regular LS3 SS. The reason im not sure of is because they changed a lot of things in the later years. mine was an August 2009 build that i later upgraded to 1LE axles and they were definitely different from the factory regular SS axles

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I bought my 2013 2SS/RS w4k miles for $26.5k a year ago. You have to look around for deals. You can find some pretty good deals on the 1LE too, but they are going to be more expensive