[Texas1ss]

Traded in my 2016 1SS 6-speed I drove daily since October 2016. Thought I'd shed a tear when I drove off the lot, but none were shed. I had 115k on the car, and it was starting to become a money pit.

What I miss is going from 455hp to 137, I think, with a turbo. It's peppy from 0 to 40, but then it drops off quite a bit. But it's good enough to daily, and I like the looks, the interior, and all the safety features. I got it for 27k out the door, which it's worth every penny.

Smashed my finger and didn't work for four months, and I lost about 30k out of my savings I was planning to use on a new home, garage the Camaro, and get another vehicle. But the housing market sucks, and this made more financial sense.

The things I don't miss is the amount of money I spent on gas, and all the Mustangs, Dodges, etc., trying to get me to race, which I had a hard time not doing. Surprised I never got tagged for drag racing.

I'll miss it, but not nearly as much as I thought. Now I'm going to build another hotrod once I get my house and the market corrects, which will either be another '69 Mustang, which I've had in the past, or preferably a '67 Corvette with a 427.

I've had a lot of hotrods in the past, and I'll have another. But for now this made financial sense till I get my home. It's doubtful, but maybe, just maybe, they'll come out with another Camaro with an ICE engine in the future. Doubtful, but one can hope. If I like the styling, once the house is purchased, I'll drop the hammer on one. But if it's an EV, hell no.

[detamble13]

I hope you get something more enjoyable to drive in the future. I've wanted a second gen Corvette pretty much my entire life with the 63 split window being the pinnacle. It wouldn't have to be a 63 but a coupe for sure.

[m6-lt1]

Don’t mean to turn this into a non car subject thread but I just wanted to say the housing market ain’t gonna correct. This is what it is. Legally, it’s impossible to “correct” due to zoning laws. It will only “correct” if there is a massive recession (which seems very possible right now) but if that happens then we have other problems to worry about versus buying a house.

Just wanted to say if you have the funds to purchase a house, I’d just do it sooner rather than later because it’s only going to get more expensive. There will forever be a shortage of affordable housing unfortunately. That’s why a recession is the only way it would correct.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by detamble13

I hope you get something more enjoyable to drive in the future. I've wanted a second gen Corvette pretty much my entire life with the 63 split window being the pinnacle. It wouldn't have to be a 63 but a coupe for sure.

Thanks, detamble13. But I have to say, this little SUV is a blast to drive. It doesn't throw me back in my seat, but it's really fun to drive. And it drives smoother than my Camaro that had magnetic ride control. Even in corners it stays pretty well planted. Shocked the crap out of my for the price I paid. Plus, it has features my Camaro didn't have, like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, cross traffic alert, lane departure assist, and stopping to keep me from wrecking if I'm not paying attention.

But I'll get another fast car someday. I always have. The only thing I miss about the Camaro honestly is the 0 to 60 acceleration and that V8 sound. Other than that, and driving an auto which I always do in my family cars is nice, and saving a ton on gas. Surprised a vehicle this inexpensive looks and handles as well as it does. I hope more manufacturers do the same. They probably will since these things are flying off the lots.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Don’t mean to turn this into a non car subject thread but I just wanted to say the housing market ain’t gonna correct. This is what it is. Legally, it’s impossible to “correct” due to zoning laws. It will only “correct” if there is a massive recession (which seems very possible right now) but if that happens then we have other problems to worry about versus buying a house.

Just wanted to say if you have the funds to purchase a house, I’d just do it sooner rather than later because it’s only going to get more expensive. There will forever be a shortage of affordable housing unfortunately. That’s why a recession is the only way it would correct.

No worries, M6-lt1. But here in Texas the market is a bit different. They're discounting homes thousands of dollars because we have an oversupply of houses. The home builders, because I will buy new, are offering 4.9 percent interest rates, and some even pay the closing costs. They're having trouble moving houses.

I'll bide my time. And you're right about the zoning laws. There's been talk of changing that around here, but no telling if it will happen. Just going to wait it out and hope I don't get burned.

I sold my house I built new in 2006, 1480 square feet, nice neighborhood and home, for 107k. I sold it in 2017 for 150k and pocketed a huge chunk of change. Then COVID hit in 2018. I saw on the news the prices houses got, and I couldn't resist looking at mine on Zillow.

It was showing a value of 280k. My heart sunk. But no way I saw that crap coming. Just a bad beat.

[speedyink1]

Originally Posted by Texas1ss

Thanks, detamble13. But I have to say, this little SUV is a blast to drive. It doesn't throw me back in my seat, but it's really fun to drive. And it drives smoother than my Camaro that had magnetic ride control. Even in corners it stays pretty well planted. Shocked the crap out of my for the price I paid.

I was thinking of test driving one of those to replace my little Ford Ranger. Most things I use the truck bed for I could probably put in an SUV with fold down seats. I mostly just use the Ranger as a winter/crappy weather vehicle.
What sort of MPG is that supposed to get? (That's a Trax, right?)

Think I'll go to the Chevy dealer soon to try one out. I don't really like the wet timing belt situation which was the main deterrent, but otherwise you can't really beat the price. Especially if it drives nice!

Originally Posted by Texas1ss

Then COVID hit in 2018

2020. At least that means it wasn't the year after you sold the house, maybe sliiightly less a kick in the balls.. Not really, sorry to hear :(

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by speedyink1

I was thinking of test driving one of those to replace my little Ford Ranger. Most things I use the truck bed for I could probably put in an SUV with fold down seats. I mostly just use the Ranger as a winter/crappy weather vehicle.
What sort of MPG is that supposed to get? (That's a Trax, right?)

Yeah, it's the Activ trim. That's one of the two top trims on the Trax. They have a 2RS, which is also a top trim, for the same price that gets 19-inch rims, where mine are 18-inch. They're also designed a little different as well. The Activ has blacked out rims instead of two-tone, and they look a lot better IMO. Also, the grill design is different on the two models.

Big issue is the 2RS doesn't have power seats. On the Activ it has a power driver's seat, with even lumbar control, where the passenger seat is manual.

And it gets 32mpg on the highway, 28 in the city, and 30 combined. Sometimes I get a little more, and sometimes I get a little less. But those numbers are damn close. Plus, it can use regular unleaded, which saves a lot over premium our Camaros eat.

Originally Posted by speedyink1

Think I'll go to the Chevy dealer soon to try one out. I don't really like the wet timing belt situation which was the main deterrent, but otherwise you can't really beat the price. Especially if it drives nice!

I hear you on the wet timing belt issue. Working on hot rods and vehicles now going on almost 40 years that was something I didn't like at all. But I have an extended warranty that only credit unions offer from a company called U.S. Route 66. I paid around $2,400 for a bumper to bumper warranty out to 8 years or 120,000 miles they added to my loan.

And some people say extended warranties are junk. Not in my case. They paid out over 4 grand on my Camaro with no hassles whatsoever. They even changed both front control arm assemblies with the ball joints at around 100k on the Camaro, which I figured would be wear and tear items. But they did it no hassles. Also did the fuel pump, BCM, and thermostat. Just paid for the fluid. Great company for anybody looking to keep a car a long time.

With the wet timing belt wasn't taking chances over here. The manual says change it at 150k. I call bull crap on that one. I'll probably change it at around 80k or sooner. Also, being a turbo, I'm changing the oil every 3,500 miles because of how hot they make the oil and degrade it. Plan on keeping this a long time before I get my next project.

Also, you can get the base for I think 21,500 if you're just looking for something really inexpensive. You don't get the big touchscreens and all the bells and whistles, but it's an option. You also lose the fake leather seats, which look pretty good, and get cloth. You can ditch the $750 safety package as well.

If it only had my 455HP engine from my Camaro it would be close to perfect. But no buyer's remorse. Enjoying the heck out of it after pushing almost 10k miles. It's fun to drive. And, luckily, not a single problem yet. Great subcompact SUV for the money.

Originally Posted by speedyink1

2020. At least that means it wasn't the year after you sold the house, maybe sliiightly less a kick in the balls.. Not really, sorry to hear :(

Yeah, 2020. Was a long dang day at work. And thank you. Yeah, that was a tough one. Just trying not to buy now high before prices tank, assuming they do, and not get tagged again on the other end of it. That was a real kick in the ass, and a ton of money I lost.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Texas1ss

Thanks, detamble13. But I have to say, this little SUV is a blast to drive. It doesn't throw me back in my seat, but it's really fun to drive. And it drives smoother than my Camaro that had magnetic ride control. Even in corners it stays pretty well planted. Shocked the crap out of my for the price I paid. Plus, it has features my Camaro didn't have, like blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, cross traffic alert, lane departure assist, and stopping to keep me from wrecking if I'm not paying attention.

But I'll get another fast car someday. I always have. The only thing I miss about the Camaro honestly is the 0 to 60 acceleration and that V8 sound. Other than that, and driving an auto which I always do in my family cars is nice, and saving a ton on gas. Surprised a vehicle this inexpensive looks and handles as well as it does. I hope more manufacturers do the same. They probably will since these things are flying off the lots.

Glad you like the Equinox and hope you find the next new toy that you're looking for.

FWIW - I have the electric version of your new car as my daily. Different approaches, similar results. Camaro-ish interior, similar features. Drives and handles well. Picked it up for $0 down and low lease price back in September.

EDIT: Just noticed in later posts that you have a Trax Activ, not an Equinox. Interesting how similar the three cars look.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Glad you like the Equinox and hope you find the next new toy that you're looking for.

FWIW - I have the electric version of your new car as my daily. Different approaches, similar results. Camaro-ish interior, similar features. Drives and handles well. Picked it up for $0 down and low lease price back in September.

EDIT: Just noticed in later posts that you have a Trax Activ, not an Equinox. Interesting how similar the three cars look.

Thanks, Martinjlm. And I hear you. They look really similar, and I'm really surprised they have two different models that look almost the same. I don't get it. But I took the cheaper route in the top trim, and so far so good. Can't go wrong with either one. They both look sporty, which is why I could let the Camaro go. And I like that color on yours. My neighbor got a Honda SUV, I think it is, with a similar reddish color like that. Hopefully it's not as big a PITA as black to keep clean.

And having an EV is a plus for sure because they're awesome AF for a daily. Oh, sh##. What have I done? I forgot there's sharks in these waters.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Texas1ss

Thanks, Martinjlm. And I hear you. They look really similar, and I'm really surprised they have two different models that look almost the same. I don't get it. But I took the cheaper route in the top trim, and so far so good. Can't go wrong with either one. They both look sporty, which is why I could let the Camaro go. And I like that color on yours. My neighbor got a Honda SUV, I think it is, with a similar reddish color like that. Hopefully it's not as big a PITA as black to keep clean.

And having an EV is a plus for sure because they're awesome AF for a daily. Oh, sh##. What have I done? I forgot there's sharks in these waters.

Ooops! Didn't mean to expose ya, buddy.

The color has been one of the best surprises with this vehicle. Even when it's dirty AF it looks clean and shiny from 15 feet away. I was really thinking of getting the blue (I originally test drove the darker blue one lurking in the background of my picture) but my wife's Tesla is blue and I didn't want to have two blue cars.

[CamaroDreams76]

I thought this was a blazer not a Trax. I was confused on how it has 137hp when the base engine option for a blazer is 220 or 228. I leased a gen 1 Trax (2018) and man i was really not a fan of that car. It did its purpose well, which is A to B and get good mpg. I don't think I got under 30mpg average for a tank of gas. My favorite car I've leased was a 2020 equinox lt with the LTG engine. That thing was actually fun to drive, comfortable and would lite the tires up from a 40 roll. I have a blazer now, it's basically the same as the equinox but less refined. They ride nearly identical but the loss of 40hp is beyond evident. If the Trax had a 9 speed trans like the blazer and equinox, it would be so much better. Even the new Trax....the 6 speed gearing is too far apart for the lack of power that car has.

[Bad Anvil Garage]

I traded my 2017 Hyper Blue 1LE M6 in on a 2019 Traverse because I was having back issues. Drove it for 6 years, and 110k miles, until I was well enough to get back into a Camaro. Last November I gave the Traverse to my wife and picked up a 2020 2SS A10. You'll probably find yourself in another Camaro someday. Enjoy the new ride!

[IMCWORTH]

we love our Trax It's no Hot Rod for sure. But my lady doesn't like to go FAST anyways. and the price point was very respectable.

[RallyRunner]

Originally Posted by Texas1ss

They paid out over 4 grand on my Camaro with no hassles whatsoever. They even changed both front control arm assemblies with the ball joints at around 100k on the Camaro, which I figured would be wear and tear items. But they did it no hassles. Also did the fuel pump, BCM, and thermostat. Just paid for the fluid. Great company for anybody looking to keep a car a long time.

sorry to see you leave the camaro fold but it sounds like you had a good run, particularly with that coverage. what was up with the BCM, did the trunk flood?

i have an extended warranty on mine as well, even though its used. modern cars are giant computers now, i was worried i'd have no recourse but to spend an insane amount of money if something electrically complex went down.