To Buy, Or Not To Buy - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PHEOX · 05-29-2013, 10:37 PM

Okay, I haven't been on this forum in ages.

I suppose a reintroduction is in order. My name is Ethan, I'm 18 years old, and am an absolute car enthusiast down to the bone marrow. Currently, I'm daily driving a 1994 Mazda Miata (go ahead, laugh, I know who I can take to town at an autocross.)
Here she is... and I am partially obsessed.

DSC_0003.NEF by Ethan Nicosia, on Flickr
So, as luck has it, I've scored a pretty decent job and am making enough money to do what I finally want to. Put the Miata in a garage and start building it into a little Time Attack monster. It's not really suitable for daily driving or road trips, which is something I'm interested in.
I want something that will never skip a beat, and LS motors have their reputation of being practically unbreakable at or near stock power levels (hints why they get swapped into EVERYTHING known to man) and my Dad owned a 2010 2SS/RS that was pretty comfortable and obviously has the power needed for daily scooting, which is a different ball game here in Houston.
Over the next year, I'm planning to save about 13-15k for a down payment on a new or <30,000 mile old vehicle.
Criteria being:
1. Has to be standard. I don't care how fast autotragics are, I want to heel toe and I want to feel connected with the car.
2. Has to be fun. Daily. I want the vehicle to keep me concentrated. Boring cars take our minds away from driving. I do not like that.
3. RWD preferred. I have driven a couple of FWD cars that are actually fun and don't have major understeer issues, but there is always going to be that something about exiting a corner sideways Chris Harris style. It's just fun and puts a smile on your face.
4. Reliable. Obvious. I drive 80 miles a day roundtrip for work and I don't want to be stranded, ever.
5. Under 26k.

Camaros lack in one department for me and that is handling, but there are coilovers, 19" wheels, and 295mm tires out there that will fix that problem.
Power is all there. V8's are an amazing thing, no doubt, and GM does it best. And do not worry, even though I'm still a teenager, I understand power and I understand my limitations. If I feel comfortable driving my friend's track prepared 308whp Miata at the limit, you can trust that I'll be fine (and mature, that's the big one) with the 350+whp that an LS3 offers.

I guess I want any advice that you wise souls are willing to offer, and if you think that a Camaro is the right choice. I'll probably be aiming for a 1SS (I hate sliding on leather through corners) with RS if I can find one appropriately priced.

Est.July.4.1776 · 05-29-2013, 10:55 PM

Bro, you're on a Camaro board... What answer do you honestly expect other than a Camaro? Lol

PHEOX · 05-29-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Est.July.4.1776

Bro, you're on a Camaro board... What answer do you honestly expect other than a Camaro? Lol

Depends, the crowd has changed quite a bit here so I dunno. Other boards I'm on may suggest other cars than what that forum is about because they are open minded. And I guess I kinda want to be told to buy a Camaro, because they are still so sexy.

Est.July.4.1776 · 05-29-2013, 10:59 PM

It's what I'd do (and am in the process of doing) and for the same reason

Good luck to you with whatever you choose, man

EastWood-SS · 05-29-2013, 11:16 PM

...GET A CAMARO.

LSXaddict · 05-30-2013, 01:02 AM

04-06 GTO. LS2 powered and they handle pretty well.

bw26ss · 05-30-2013, 01:18 AM

LOL

ex-SS-ve · 05-30-2013, 02:37 AM

C5 zo6 or camaro. You can tell which i would choose.

PHEOX · 05-30-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex-SS-ve

C5 zo6 or camaro. You can tell which i would choose.

I just realized how large my list of options are. G8 GT, Camaro, GTO, etc. So much thinking.

Ringo64 · 05-30-2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHEOX

I just realized how large my list of options are. G8 GT, Camaro, GTO, etc. So much thinking.

There are a lot of cars with an LS engine from GM. All depends on your needs/wants, obviously a G8 is gonna be hard to come by in low miles let alone in a manual because only the GXP came in it.

I would personally go with a 5th because well, I love mine and am a die-hard Camaro enthusiast but you really can't go wrong.

invaderzim · 05-30-2013, 12:03 PM

From reading your OP you come across a bit immature to drive a car without an adult present. Much less a sports car.

dkp2LT · 05-30-2013, 12:06 PM

I'm just here to say the Miata is awesome for a track car. Easy to work on. Still easy to get parts, both aftermarket & OEM for even the '90 model. Had a '90 and sold it for more than I paid for it after owning it three years.

ex-SS-ve · 05-30-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHEOX

I just realized how large my list of options are. G8 GT, Camaro, GTO, etc. So much thinking.

g8 gt is ok but leaves so much to be desired. while the gto will always be cool & different as it was only sold for a brief period of time. now the camaro, its just a whole different level of cool. i have had mine since 5/09 and never a dull moment with it. i say go hit up a local car show and check out the 5th gens there, a ride in one will have you sold in no time! btw post some pics of that jeep.

ravensjeff · 05-30-2013, 04:13 PM

A co-worker of mine has several Mazda Miata's and races them up in PA on a road course track. Not sure how well he does, but he has fun.

I wouldn't think about telling you what to buy; its a totally personal choice that you must live with.

05-29-2013, 10:37 PM	#1
PHEOX Drives: '06 Jeep Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 629 View My Garage	To Buy, Or Not To Buy Okay, I haven't been on this forum in ages. I suppose a reintroduction is in order. My name is Ethan, I'm 18 years old, and am an absolute car enthusiast down to the bone marrow. Currently, I'm daily driving a 1994 Mazda Miata (go ahead, laugh, I know who I can take to town at an autocross.) Here she is... and I am partially obsessed. DSC_0003.NEF by Ethan Nicosia, on Flickr So, as luck has it, I've scored a pretty decent job and am making enough money to do what I finally want to. Put the Miata in a garage and start building it into a little Time Attack monster. It's not really suitable for daily driving or road trips, which is something I'm interested in. I want something that will never skip a beat, and LS motors have their reputation of being practically unbreakable at or near stock power levels (hints why they get swapped into EVERYTHING known to man) and my Dad owned a 2010 2SS/RS that was pretty comfortable and obviously has the power needed for daily scooting, which is a different ball game here in Houston. Over the next year, I'm planning to save about 13-15k for a down payment on a new or <30,000 mile old vehicle. Criteria being: 1. Has to be standard. I don't care how fast autotragics are, I want to heel toe and I want to feel connected with the car. 2. Has to be fun. Daily. I want the vehicle to keep me concentrated. Boring cars take our minds away from driving. I do not like that. 3. RWD preferred. I have driven a couple of FWD cars that are actually fun and don't have major understeer issues, but there is always going to be that something about exiting a corner sideways Chris Harris style. It's just fun and puts a smile on your face. 4. Reliable. Obvious. I drive 80 miles a day roundtrip for work and I don't want to be stranded, ever. 5. Under 26k. Camaros lack in one department for me and that is handling, but there are coilovers, 19" wheels, and 295mm tires out there that will fix that problem. Power is all there. V8's are an amazing thing, no doubt, and GM does it best. And do not worry, even though I'm still a teenager, I understand power and I understand my limitations. If I feel comfortable driving my friend's track prepared 308whp Miata at the limit, you can trust that I'll be fine (and mature, that's the big one) with the 350+whp that an LS3 offers. I guess I want any advice that you wise souls are willing to offer, and if you think that a Camaro is the right choice. I'll probably be aiming for a 1SS (I hate sliding on leather through corners) with RS if I can find one appropriately priced.

05-29-2013, 10:55 PM	#2
Est.July.4.1776 The pride of the CN Drives: '13 AGM 2SS/RS M6 & '70 Chevelle SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: Genesee County, Michigan Posts: 601	Bro, you're on a Camaro board... What answer do you honestly expect other than a Camaro? Lol __________________ "I've been working on the railroad, all mother f###ing day." ...and yeah, we hauled your Camaro. Class 1 Freight Rail Conductor - Master Mason - NRA Life Member - Tennessee Squire - Firefighter I & II Certified My other ride has 4,400+hp and corners like it's on rails... because it is.

05-29-2013, 10:59 PM	#4
Est.July.4.1776 The pride of the CN Drives: '13 AGM 2SS/RS M6 & '70 Chevelle SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: Genesee County, Michigan Posts: 601	It's what I'd do (and am in the process of doing) and for the same reason Good luck to you with whatever you choose, man __________________ "I've been working on the railroad, all mother f###ing day." ...and yeah, we hauled your Camaro. Class 1 Freight Rail Conductor - Master Mason - NRA Life Member - Tennessee Squire - Firefighter I & II Certified My other ride has 4,400+hp and corners like it's on rails... because it is.

05-29-2013, 11:16 PM	#5
EastWood-SS Born To Run Drives: 2013 BRM SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: . Posts: 474	...GET A CAMARO. __________________ Just Lettin' the Night Roll... 2013 Blue Ray Metallic 1SS/RS Dual Mode Exhaust + Fuse Pull / CAI inc. CAI/ 1LE Strut Tower Brace/ ACS T4 Splitter/ SunRoof/ BA Audio/ Performance Shifter/ White Rally Stripes

05-30-2013, 01:02 AM	#6
LSXaddict Drives: 1ss in Blue Ray Metallic Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 384	04-06 GTO. LS2 powered and they handle pretty well. __________________ 2013 1SS M6 with Flowmaster Pro 10 axle back and CAGS shift skip eliminator

05-30-2013, 01:18 AM	#7
bw26ss Banned Drives: ss camaro Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: usa Posts: 876	LOL

05-30-2013, 02:37 AM	#8
ex-SS-ve Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 763	C5 zo6 or camaro. You can tell which i would choose.

05-30-2013, 12:03 PM	#11
invaderzim Drives: 45th SS, '12 ducati 1199 on order Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: DFW Posts: 438	From reading your OP you come across a bit immature to drive a car without an adult present. Much less a sports car.

05-30-2013, 12:06 PM	#12
dkp2LT Drives: '11 2SS, '11 C6 GS, '04 MDX Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kearney, MO Posts: 2,848	I'm just here to say the Miata is awesome for a track car. Easy to work on. Still easy to get parts, both aftermarket & OEM for even the '90 model. Had a '90 and sold it for more than I paid for it after owning it three years.

05-30-2013, 04:13 PM	#14
ravensjeff 100% Chevy & Harley Man Drives: 2010 2SS: Blown LSX 376-B15 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eldersburg,MD Posts: 2,211 View My Garage	A co-worker of mine has several Mazda Miata's and races them up in PA on a road course track. Not sure how well he does, but he has fun. I wouldn't think about telling you what to buy; its a totally personal choice that you must live with. __________________ LSX 376-B15, TVS2300 SC, Harland Sharp Rockers w/ Trunion Bearings, ATI Balancer/keyed, AR LT Headers/Borla Catback Exhaust, DSS 1400 HP Axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, 3.70, Hotchkis Springs/Sway bars, Forgeline SO3P Aluminum Wheels (20x9.5 F/20x11 R)w/ Hidden Titanium Hardware, Nitto NT05 Tires (27540ZR20 F/31535ZR20 R), Billet LPE brake/gas pedals, Escort 9500ci Radar Detector Laser Jammer, Roto Fab CAI with Ice Silver box, Carbon fiber tube/MAF Housing Assy, LPE Aluminum coil covers, SS9 Sleeper Fiber Glass Hood (ACS), Carbotech 1521 ceramic brake pads, Elite catch can.