Rented a 2011 Convertible SS...looking for comments/feedback

[ChrisZXWJ]

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have a 2002 Camaro (my second, my family's fifth) and had intentions of ordering a 2012.

I decided to rent a 2011 Convertible SS from Avis for a couple of days to see if I really liked the car since I had mixed feelings after taking a couple of short dealer test drives.

After 300 miles of driving, all of the minor issues I observed while doing the dealer test drives were quickly overcome by the sheer awesomeness of the car. But, I have one glaring problem that will probably keep me from ordering a 2012: my lower back.

I had the car for two days and tried to position the seat in different ways, but every time I found the lack of lower lumbar support noticeable. At 28, I guess I never expected this to be a problem (my current Camaro seems to have adequate support and I've never really had any significant issues with my back).

So, since I really don't want to be driving around with a back pillow....that leads me to a couple of questions: Has anyone else encountered this? If so, what did you do? I would probably buy the 1LT, so would the smaller tires and different suspension provide a smoother ride? Are there aftermarket companies that would modify the seat backs?

I appreciate any feedback anyone has. Thanks!

[SSBUSDRVR]

First welcome aboard and second sorry to hear about the back issue. Going on 50 here and knock on wood have never felt any discomfort in the lower back area in the car. Not sure what to tell you here since a support pillow is out and there is no adjustable lumbar support.

[evan]

i at first was uncomfortable with the seat, being as tall as I am, but eventually I found the right adjustment.

Planted my ass as far back in the seat as possible, I moved my seat forward more to where the top of my knees were almost touching the steering wheel, sitting up straight, and adjusted the lumbar accordingly and then found comfort. Now it feels like the car was meant to be driven this way(for me anyway).

Hope this helps.

If you like race bucket seats you can always get those, not only may it be more comfortable for you, but its part of stage 1 weight reduction! lol

[wise]

I guess I have it backwards from you; I thought the seats in the 5th gen were far superior in lumbar support and comfort over the 4th gen. My seats in my 97 feel like there is just a thin layer of padding over frame. Like others have said, go check one out again and play with the adjustments until you find something comfortable.

[=Stephens=]

I agree about the seats. I am in sales and drive my car everyday. I guess after driving for awhile you don't really notice it. If you go on a really long road trip, get one of those lumbar support pillows. Who cares if you have it, nobody can see it anyways.

My last car had leather seats, and after an 8 hour drive. My butt was sore, and I got a small pillow to sit on for the 8 hours home. It was worth it.

[VR Baron]

No problems here and I did slip a lower disc 9 years ago. I was worried about long trips but havent had a problem with my lower back. I have racaro type seats in my 4th gen with a firm lumbar and its like heaven, but wasnt needed on this car.

[el ess A]

The 5th gen seats are far and above the best riding seats EVER in Camaro history. I don't feel like I've been riding a wagon board all day like previous gens.

Since the seat covers are fairly easy to remove, perhaps you could talk to an auto seat upholsterer to help put extra padding inside the cover for your lumbar region??

[Black Lightning]

I had the same problem with seat comfort. I don't have any back issues, but just couldn't get it quite right. Like someone else posted, I ended up shifting back a little in the seat and micro adjusting the lower seat and the back rest several times. After trying this over about a week, I finally hit a sweet spot. It takes some work, but you'll find the sweet spot with a little trial and error.

The downside? Now I won't let the wife move the seat. Don't want to go through all that again.

[robertgss3]

Hello,

I have major back issues even having to have back surgery again shortly to place artificial disc and fuse two others. I find the 5th Gen seat to be fine, would like it to have had lumbar, however, not uncomfortable without it even for long drives. Hope this helps. Robert

[Matic]

Originally Posted by ChrisZXWJ

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have a 2002 Camaro (my second, my family's fifth) and had intentions of ordering a 2012.

I decided to rent a 2011 Convertible SS from Avis for a couple of days to see if I really liked the car since I had mixed feelings after taking a couple of short dealer test drives.

After 300 miles of driving, all of the minor issues I observed while doing the dealer test drives were quickly overcome by the sheer awesomeness of the car. But, I have one glaring problem that will probably keep me from ordering a 2012: my lower back.

I had the car for two days and tried to position the seat in different ways, but every time I found the lack of lower lumbar support noticeable. At 28, I guess I never expected this to be a problem (my current Camaro seems to have adequate support and I've never really had any significant issues with my back).

So, since I really don't want to be driving around with a back pillow....that leads me to a couple of questions: Has anyone else encountered this? If so, what did you do? I would probably buy the 1LT, so would the smaller tires and different suspension provide a smoother ride? Are there aftermarket companies that would modify the seat backs?

I appreciate any feedback anyone has. Thanks!

I feel your pain. Same age as you and have had back problems since i was 13. I didnt realize the lack of lunbar until I got home and read the manual. I havent had any issues so far, I found the perfect angle and position of the seat. Ive only gone on a 2 hour trip each way, but in that time I was more comfortable than my previous car that had lunbar. I own an LS.

I know those back pillows suck, but sometimes u gotta do what u gotta do. There are all types of variations, my parents have a hard mesh one they swear by. I have one I keep in my back seat just in case. Havent used it yet, but if I find myself going on a trip at some point and need to break it out, its there