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Old 08-30-2016, 11:23 PM   #1
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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Erick' Mistress - Violet

I really didn't think the day would come that I wouldn't have the Mistress, my 2010 2LT/RS Cyber Gray, #8212. The Mistress was practically part my identity. But, GM is pretty sneaky. I saw a glimpse of the 6th Gen last year at the Michigan F-Body Meet and Great--just enough to be teased. I saw it again up close at Camaro SuperFest. Then GM released the Camaro SIX app, which allows you to build your new Camaro. I was sucked in to the hype but still resolved to keep the Mistress.

In May I met with the salesman that sold me my 2010. I was curious to know IF it was even possible to do a trade. He said that I had too many mods and that I would be better off selling the Mistress on my own. They would certainly not take my car in on a trade. That was okay with me, I was really only curious. I did check the local dealers from time to time and continued to play with the Camaro SIX app. I had pretty much decided that if I ever did get a 6th Gen it would be 2SS Hyper Blue. The only options would be the dual mode exhaust and upgraded wheels.

By mid-May 2016 I had seen a couple of Hyper Blue Camaros advertised at local dealers. I had checked one or two out just to get a feel of it. I test drove a black SS which sounded amazing. I was in full on dream mode, but still willing to wait.

On May 23rd 2016, I called my friend Joel to go out cruising. We planned to start off in Lansing, drive East to Okemos, check out any new Camaros at Graff Chevrolet, have some dinner, then stop off in North Lansing to visit our friend at the fire station before heading home.

We didn’t get passed Graff Chevrolet. The Camaro I had built on-line was there at the front door. I just about jumped out of my car and started looking for the sticker. Remember, I just wanted two extras, the upgraded wheels and the dual mode exhaust. I went inside and met Russell Jones. I asked jokingly if they had ordered the 2SS out front for me. It had just come in and of course he brought out the keys and asked if I wanted to go out for a test drive. And, of course, I said yes.

By the end of the test drive I was really hooked but I was thinking there was no way this would work out. There was certainly no chance for a trade, but they took my car out for a drive and after a several minutes they came back with an offer for the Mistress. The offer was low as I thought it would be, but there was no way I could consider anything less than $1000 more than their offer. So the sales person asked me to write down what I would take and he would take it to management. So I did. As he was taking the offer from the table, I added another 300.00 just to be sure of a rejection, and so we could leave to continue with our cruising plans.

I was looking forward to another season of showing off the Mistress, but what happened next was unexpected and I could immediately feel my heart pounding in my chest. Russel came out smiling saying we had a deal. I was truly taken aback. Sweating and a bit nauseated at the thought of not having the Mistress, I started to back peddle. I looked at my friend Joel for support but, I think he was a on Russel's side. I asked for some time to think. Of course they could not Hold it for me, so I filled out a credit application, to get a little time to think.

Over the night and the next day I went from Happy to extreme SADNESS and almost iNto MADNESS Flashbacks of road trips with my wife and daughter. Car shows, and so many new friends I had made--all because of the Mistress.

Ultimately I came to the realization that things change--they must. It had happened with my 77' and now with the Mistress. A chapter closes and a new chapter begins. I had the time of my life with the Mistress and have a lot of great memories, along with a journal that shares some of those experiences and memories.

It's taken a while to get this new chapter written, but it is started. On May 28th 2016, almost 7 years to the day and built almost 7 years to the day, I picked up Violet. 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | Hyper Blue




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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |

Last edited by efpardo; 09-02-2016 at 04:23 PM.
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Old 08-31-2016, 06:29 AM   #2
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Drives: Gen 6 Camaro RS
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Old 08-31-2016, 10:34 PM   #3
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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so much to say and so little time
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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |
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Old 09-03-2016, 09:09 PM   #4
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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Michigan F-Body Meet & Greet

Photo Shoot at LCC West Campus


Getting Ready for the MI F-Body Meet:


Michigan F-Body Meet & Greet - June 4th








3rd Place!
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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |

Last edited by efpardo; 01-02-2017 at 11:52 PM.
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Old 09-07-2016, 05:48 PM   #5
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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1st Car Shows

Sparrow Hospice Car Show - Hawk Island May 30 2016 Lansing, MI


Grand Ledge Classic Car Show Saturday July 9th


Keusch Car Cruise July 14 2016 - Portland



REO Museum Car Capital Auto & Bike Show July 30 - Lansing

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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |

Last edited by efpardo; 01-03-2017 at 12:05 AM.
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Old 09-07-2016, 07:10 PM   #6
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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Smile 1st 1000 Miles

July 6th 2016


I still miss the the Mistress but Violet is ALL That!
The ride is hard to compare. The Mistress' original V6 had plenty of power. Supercharged it was awesome. But the V8 has so much more in terms of how you feel and hear the power. Violet has the sound I was missing from my 77', plus the added oomph that pulls you back into the seat. The ride is firm and less forgiving than the stock 5th Gen V6. It's a lot more forgiving than the Eiback springs I had on the Mistress while still not too much sway. So far I always feel well grounded to the road. Granted, I am still taking it easy through the beak-in period.

I am surrounded by technology. There is so much to learn and it's not as intuitive as I'd like, but I expect that it can't be perfect. The Infotainment system is very nice. I like how it connects to my phone via blue tooth or using the USB which engages the Android Auto functions. I don't know if it's my phone (Nexus 5) or if it's the car, but I often get a squawk on the 1st call that will continue into the call. If I hang up and calling again the problem clears. It's buggy.

It's been a while since I've driven a stick - 20 years. Even though my 1st car was a stick and our cars overseas were mostly standard transmission cars, it took me a week (not driving every day) to stop stalling. I'm getting into the grove now and shifting is fairly smooth. I do sometimes hear a muffled clunk that makes me wonder if it's me or if is the transmission. I'll keep an ear on it for now.

The Dual Mode exhaust is my favorite feature. Though I normally only run in sport mode, I do like the option to be a bit more subtle, like getting to work late. Not that anyone cares anyway. There is a funky rattle when I am in touring mode that bugs me. supposedly it is the baffle in the exhaust that is the issue. I'll have the dealer look at it next time I go for an oil change. I get two free and I did the first at 800 miles.

The build quality in my opinion is very good overall. There are a couple of very small paint imperfections. one on the hood that could have been a chip but so small, I tend to think it's more part of the process. There is another tiny speck on the driver side rear. The last one is under the trunk lid toward the edge closest to the window. Nothing major but I mention this because I'm so pedantic about these things. Ha--you probably thought I was going to say anal--No Camaro fan, I'm not anal.

Something else I noticed is that the door gaps seam to be quite wide compared to my 5th Gen. Here are the door seems on a 5th Gen and 6th Gen:


The 5th Gen looks a lot tighter. The 6th Gen is wide at the top and gets tighter at the bottom. On the 6th Gen convertible, you can see the hinges of the roof cover through the gaps.

So to sum my 1st 1000 miles:

The Good: Power, Lights, Sound, Lines, Build Quality

The Bad: Exhaust Rattle, phone connection, very minor paint imperfections. Clunky Trans?

The Ugly: It's Gappy. Gas Mileage--Eh-it's a V8
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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |
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Old 09-09-2016, 10:57 PM   #7
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,199
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Weekend Paint Project

Hyper Blue Bow Tie Center Caps:


Fuel Door:


Ghost Flame Engine Cover:
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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |

Last edited by efpardo; 01-03-2017 at 12:13 AM.
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Old 09-09-2016, 11:01 PM   #8
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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Uncle John's Cider Mill car show 2016

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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |
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Old 09-16-2016, 11:32 PM   #9
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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DIY Redline Camaro Style Accents

I got my Camaro Naked, thinking I would take my time deciding on what I might do as far as stripes and graphics.

I saw the the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro Red Line Concept article on the GM Authority and liked red accents on it:



I decided to make up my own - Red with Carbon Fiber:





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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |

Last edited by efpardo; 12-05-2016 at 10:15 PM.
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Old 09-17-2016, 01:04 PM   #10
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I like the accents, they look good and contrast well with the Hyper Blue. Nice job
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Old 10-17-2016, 08:45 PM   #11
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
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Thank you
Quote:
Originally Posted by LSxWittles View Post
I like the accents, they look good and contrast well with the Hyper Blue. Nice job
__________________

My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |
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Old 10-17-2016, 08:46 PM   #12
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,199
Send a message via Skype™ to efpardo
Grand Ledge Color Cruise 2016

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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |
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Old 12-01-2016, 10:16 PM   #13
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,199
Send a message via Skype™ to efpardo
2016 Waren Dunes - 2500 Miles



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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |

Last edited by efpardo; 12-05-2016 at 10:02 PM.
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Old 05-10-2017, 03:24 PM   #14
efpardo
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Drives: 2016 Camaro #182300 | 2SS | HBM
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,199
Send a message via Skype™ to efpardo
Got my car back today with my new hood:
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My Journals:
Erick's Mistress - Violet 2016 2SS
#182300 | 2SS | HBM |
Erick’s Mistress - 2010 2LT
#8212 | 2LT | RS | CGM | Litho #165 |
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