Quote:
Originally Posted by BBQdDude
I'll update my OP but ...
Budget is 30k-35k TTL.
My past fifth gen was manual. However due to issues this one will need to be auto. With that said will hope to pickup one with AFM tuned out and TCM tuned already.
Would love a convertible but with the age I think possible issues and cost to replace will weed that want out and will seek a sunroof/moonroof.
Used to do 1/4 runs at National Trail raceway where I live in Ohio BUT my main joy with all past fast cars is country twisty roads and pushing Gs. Don't plan any 1/4 miles run with this one.
Pockets not very deep once retirement hits so major mods will be out. I am hoping TCM and ECM will be already tuned though. I know these cars get expensive but dong a lot of my own maintenance I think will help as long as the mod bug can be kept at bay.
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Aha, makes sense, thank you.
I think someone is either a "vert guy" or not, and if you're okay driving a coupe with a moonroof, those are much cheaper. You could get one with the gray interior if you want the cabin to feel a bit more open and less like a fighter jet cockpit (which I love, but it definitely isn't for everyone, as the 6th gen interior is slightly less spacious than the 5th gen you're used to).
The 10-speed automatic in the SS (10L80) is a safer bet, but 2020+ cars are more expensive, and honestly, after a proper tune, no AFM and proper trans fluid, the 8-speed (8L90) is pretty good, too, it actually has one or two more "bang" WOT shifts than the 10-speed.
People here act like these two are worlds apart, but in reality they're closely related designs. The original 10L90 (in the ZL1) wasn't a clean slate part, it's mostly based on the 8L90 with the potential for the shudder already fixed, but GM can't seem to make a flawless automatic, even when they get close, they just had to f*** with it and create a "Gen 2" 10-speed that now has valve body problems... anyway, rant aside, if you get the 10L80, you'll be good but pay more up front; if you get the 8L90, budget some money for a torque converter, new fluid and a tune that you'll probably want either way.
I very much enjoy curvy mountain roads here in East Tennessee, so I hear you on that one. Even the stock SS will be pretty good for that, as others already stated, but make sure you get proper tires, the stock Goodyear runflats are junk, loud and completely intolerant of cool or wet weather. You need a good set of tires, say, Michelin PS4S or Continental ECS 02, or maybe their all-season variants, if you want to fully enjoy the car.
Down the road, to keep the mod bug at bay, you can upgrade your wheels and optionally your brakes to the 1LE spec, which will give you even more traction and fun in turns. I have these and my 2SS can pull 1.1g+ on off-ramps or on-ramps without even a chirp. Then you can get a flex fuel kit with a tune for 40-50 extra horses, it's a pretty cheap upgrade that helps your engine, your wallet (if you can get cheap E85, which I assume is the case in Ohio) and your overall happiness with the car. Based on what you said, I don't think you'll want more, honestly.
Overall, you can't go wrong with a 6th gen 2SS, these are fantastic cars with many nice convenience and safety features. Just make sure you do a proper full inspection and a thorough test drive, ideally take a GM mechanic friend with you to check for obvious signs of abuse or neglect.