In 1975 just before turning 20, I bought a 1974 Z28 4-speed with 3000 miles on it. Not only was the car the envy of all my friends, it started my love affair with American V8 manual transmission cars. Followed that with a 1971 Olds 4-4-2 W-30, then a 1965 Corvette 396 roadster. Then back to Camaro when I bought a new 1980 Z28 and 4 years later a new 1984 Z28 with the L69 H.O. engine option. Switched to Mustang GTs a few years later and owned a 1987, a 1995, and then a new 2005 S197.
In 2015 I made a mistake and bought a new BMW M235i 6-speed. Felt like I needed a change and was always curious about the "ultimate driving machine." Nice car for sure. Higher quality by far than anything I had ever experienced. Capable on the track too. And the first car I ever owned that combined sports car handling with a luxury ride. The car was no slouch, but it wasn't a V8, and it just didn't have the raw visceral feel I got used to over 40 years. I got bored with it and started looking at Mustangs and Camaros again.
Once the 6th Gen 1LE package was introduced in 2017, I knew I had to have one. Even though I never tracked my previous Camaros, nothing but the Z28 would do in those days. I do take my cars to the track now, but only once a year. But track or no track, only a 1LE fit the bill for me. And coming from the BMW, I didn't want to downgrade on the creature comforts that I had already experienced, so I waited until the 1LE was available on the 2SS.
I can't imagine doing any better in the $50K range.
