[Indecision]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking for a long time while trying to decide what kind of car to buy. I've been searching all around the import scene trying to find a car that fits my criteria but I have absolutely fallen in love with the 6th gen Camaro. I currently drive a 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo with pretty much full bolt ons, and suspension work. I used to be in the jeep scene but commuting to and from my university with a lifted jeep just got too expensive on gas, as single digit mpg's and double digit commutes don't add up too well. I've test driven various import cars and now the 6th gen v6 camaro, and the camaro just made me feel so much more confident while driving. I also love how it looks. I've recently gotten into auto cross and carving back roads, but my 200hp, fwd hatchback just isn't fulfilling my cravings. So I need your opinions. I've test driven the v6, and rode in the v8. Obviously like many of us the v8 is what I desired. However, I simply can't afford it. A 48 month lease was going to run me $400 a month, and being a college kid I can't afford that even though I do work full time. The v6 cars, however, are much more realistic. The car is a daily driver, mostly on the highway, with occasional back road driving, and I would like to try autocross at some point. The 455hp of the v8 is simply over kill. I don't need the power or the higher fuel costs, and as I said previously, I just can't afford it. Thankfully Chevy thought about this and offers other phenomenal options. Right now I am stuck on making a decision (hence my terrible username). My enthusiast mind set is screaming to buy the v6 1LE, which I priced out a local dealer who has one in stock and would run me $320 a month to lease. However, beings that it is mostly going to see highway duty, I question if I really need the performance goodies. Plus, I live in New Jersey near the shore so I sit in quite a bit of traffic in the summer. My other consideration was picking up a CPO v6 in true rental car spec for $21k. This would allow me to BUY the vehicle instead of lease it, and it would keep me sub $300 per month. I love tinkering with cars so the thought of suspension mods doesn't put me off. Also, I'd be able to get the auto is a plus for practicality but a minus for fun. What are your thoughts? Is the v6 1LE worth the extra money? or should I pick up a rental spec 1LT? Thanks in advanced!

[cellsafemode]

unless the highways suddenly got better since i left, the roads in jersey aren't known for their flat and smoothness. I would think the 1LE would be punishing you and itself more than you'd like.

But as for the rental, i'd look to get an RS unless the more expensive rubber on the wheels is a concern. If possible. Retrofitting the beneficial options later ends up being more expensive or close to it in just parts.

[GuoShicheng]

What are the options exactly for the rental spec? At that price point I would say skip the 1le and add aftermarket stuff yourself. For $4500, the cost of the 1le package for v6, you can pretty much get full bolt ons and have change left over for suspension..

Edit: also I want to add that my payment to own with 15k loan at 1.9% is $300 a month. No reason to lease for 320 when you can own for same price. I think leasing in general is a terrible idea.

[brianharrison06]

I have the 2017 1LT Auto and love it.

Yes the V8 is alot more price and performance I do regret not getting the LT2 or RS Package with the 8in screen but over time I think I can change what I want and since I purchased mine and its not a lease I plan on using it till the tires fall off.

[IMadeYouReadThis]

Get a 1ls it's manual so it will save you $1,500 off the bat add the RS package for 2 Grand add the V6 for fifteen hundred bucks and you're golden if you can afford to drop a bit more get the NPP exhaust it totally makes the car and is one of the best reasons to upgrade to the V6 and then if you can add an extra 800 bucks at the end upgrade the stereo to the 8-inch bose and you will be living life

[MiamiBlueCamaro]

Originally Posted by IMadeYouReadThis

Get a 1ls it's manual so it will save you $1,500 off the bat add the RS package for 2 Grand add the V6 for fifteen hundred bucks and you're golden if you can afford to drop a bit more get the NPP exhaust it totally makes the car and is one of the best reasons to upgrade to the V6 and then if you can add an extra 800 bucks at the end upgrade the stereo to the 8-inch bose and you will be living life

+1

[Indecision]

Originally Posted by cellsafemode

unless the highways suddenly got better since i left, the roads in jersey aren't known for their flat and smoothness. I would think the 1LE would be punishing you and itself more than you'd like.

But as for the rental, i'd look to get an RS unless the more expensive rubber on the wheels is a concern. If possible. Retrofitting the beneficial options later ends up being more expensive or close to it in just parts.

Yeah, my commute is currently through 20 miles of parkway construction and 5 miles of stop and go on a road that is so beat up it sounds like gravel.

Originally Posted by GuoShicheng

What are the options exactly for the rental spec? At that price point I would say skip the 1le and add aftermarket stuff yourself. For $4500, the cost of the 1le package for v6, you can pretty much get full bolt ons and have change left over for suspension..

Edit: also I want to add that my payment to own with 15k loan at 1.9% is $300 a month. No reason to lease for 320 when you can own for same price. I think leasing in general is a terrible idea.

I've found a few cars that are retired rentals with literally 0 options on a 1LT with like 10k miles on them for 21k. I also found a CPO 2LT that is absolutely loaded for 27k with below 10k miles on it. And that was my thought process, I can't leave well enough alone as it is so why pay the extra money for a vehicle who's parts I'll probably change anyway.

Originally Posted by IMadeYouReadThis

Get a 1ls it's manual so it will save you $1,500 off the bat add the RS package for 2 Grand add the V6 for fifteen hundred bucks and you're golden if you can afford to drop a bit more get the NPP exhaust it totally makes the car and is one of the best reasons to upgrade to the V6 and then if you can add an extra 800 bucks at the end upgrade the stereo to the 8-inch bose and you will be living life

I hadn't thought of this, just because I was looking at the non-1LE v6's with the auto, but this may be a great option. I briefly pieced together one on Chevy's website and it came out to 31k with RS, NPP, and tech. that's actually not horrible. How is the 6-speed on the v6, since its not the same Tremac as the one in the ss?

[Indecision]

The other issue is I'm 3k upside down in my current car. Unfortunately I was involved in two accidents that weren't my fault (I was rear ended by someone who was texting, and merged into by someone who didn't see me) which killed the value of my car.

[GuoShicheng]

The v6 manual is still a tremec, just the 3160 instead of the 6060. Much better than 5th gen v6 manual, and it's the same manual that goes in Shelby gt350 though with different calibration. So you're golden on that front.

[Indecision]

Ah ok. I didn't realize it was still a Tremec unit. Thanks for that! I'll also have to "learn" how to drive manual in it, but I hear it's an easy transmission to use. I've only ever driven Civic Si's in stick, which may as well not even have a clutch... You can pretty much dump the clutch with little throttle and it wont stall. lol!

[Indecision]

Side note: the dealership I found the v6 1LE at has 3 of them, a white one, mosaic black, and krypton green. After current offers and rebates I can get them for 30k even, and they have tech package on them. 1LS 1LE

[Quix]

It sounds like you really want the 1LE, so get that. You get a lot of car for the price with the V6 1LE. Although any Camaro is going to massively outperform a Veloster Turbo (I normally buy imports too, but Chevy really has a nice car this time). And your friends might give you some trouble for the first day or two, but once they get used to it they'll all be jealous.

[scottc]

If your going to track it the 1LS/1LE is a great car for not a lot of money.
I bought one and the car is a blast to drive. I'm coming from a 13 1LE so I think I can honestly say you won't regret it. You really can't use 455 HP on the street and it's more bragging rights. Auto crossing the V6 1LE will be a blast. Just get what you can afford and go have fun with it...

[Indecision]

Originally Posted by Quix

It sounds like you really want the 1LE, so get that. You get a lot of car for the price with the V6 1LE. Although any Camaro is going to massively outperform a Veloster Turbo (I normally buy imports too, but Chevy really has a nice car this time). And your friends might give you some trouble for the first day or two, but once they get used to it they'll all be jealous.

Yeah, that was originally the car that caught my eye. However, I couldn't help but think about the much cheaper option of a base v6 car, and then building it up from there. At some point, with whichever car I own, I'll end up changing the wheels and lowering it. It's bound to happen. Hahaha! And honestly, my friends give me trouble for driving a "chick car" and a Hyundai as it is, so I'm prepared for the flack I'll get. At 20 years old, your friends mess with you no matter what you buy.