[IMadeYouReadThis]

The new V6 is like an older V8 I still own a V8 in my truck and my last car was a 2002 Camaro with an LS1 I would fully recommend getting the V6 RS with 6-speed manual upgrading to a Bose stereo and adding the NPP exhaust for a fantastic sound you'll be doing a zero to 60 in just over five seconds or slightly less depending on how well you drive which is more power than you would need for pretty much anything on the road and you'll be loving life you'll be just as fast as a V8 sports car that was made right up until the 4th gen Camaro

[LtColumbo]

THANKS! All very good responses! It seems BSM, etc are something to seriously consider in the car. While zipping around in the mountains, we rarely even looked in the mirrors! The freeways were a bit more disconcerting.

Yes, the V6 is "more than adequate!" But I don't want to be one of those guys who hits their head saying, "WOW, I COULD HAVE HAD A V8!" (does anyone remember that commercial?)

Still researching~!

PS: With all the computer controlled everything, lots of electronics, etc, dual A/C and myriad other things, what's your take on extended warranties and what would you pay for long-term coverage??

[Tridon]

Originally Posted by LtColumbo

It seems BSM, etc are something to seriously consider in the car. While zipping around in the mountains, we rarely even looked in the mirrors! The freeways were a bit more disconcerting.

BSM is an option on the 2LT and standard on the 2SS and ZL1. It is not available on the 1LT or 1SS, but it sounds like you already know that with all the research you've done.

Originally Posted by LtColumbo

Yes, the V6 is "more than adequate!" But I don't want to be one of those guys who hits their head saying, "WOW, I COULD HAVE HAD A V8!" (does anyone remember that commercial?)

Still researching~!

I've been having the same, "I could have had a V8" feeling lately, but I just couldn't afford it so I got a 2LT V6. We really wanted the leather seats, mainly because they're heated and ventilated and pet fur and cloth don't mix. Our 2LT has the optional convenience and lighting package which gives you all the standard interior features of the 2SS and includes BSM. Not sure if I helped but for the options I wanted in a 2SS, it would have cost me about 10K more.

['01LS1]

Originally Posted by LtColumbo

PS: With all the computer controlled everything, lots of electronics, etc, dual A/C and myriad other things, what's your take on extended warranties and what would you pay for long-term coverage??

Dealers usually have an aftermarket warranty plan they sell. But have read they make like 30-50% of the premium you pay for them selling it. Chevrolet has a protection plan, but do not know the costs etc. Link here. http://www.chevrolet.com/protection/protection-plan

My thought is you have like 30-90 days(ask your dealer) from purchase date to add an extended warranty. If multiple issues begin to pop up, you may want to look at adding it. But seems if a car or any other product makes it out of the original factory warranty, you are mostly on your own. We each have our own comfort levels when it comes to insurance & warranties we feel we need. Personally do not have faith they'd pay out long term.

Edit: Wanted to add that my Mom purchased a new 2014 Malibu. She had to have all of the bsm, back up camera & tech she could get with it. She still swears it is the best money she spent vs going middle of the road. She, like you keeps cars a long time & was coming from an '05 Malibu. No issues with any of it so far at nearly 60,000 miles.

[Soleil]

Excuse me but all those additions on insurance is crap in my opinion.
1. How many defects did you have during the regular warranty
2. If you have a AT and the A8 Shaking and Vibration issue it will be dealed with.
3. The Camaro (all other cars as well) is /are built in 2017 and not 19xx the time is over that you need a coverage for 5-7 years or 100.000km /miles as Mustang is duing it.
4. If you have a serious problem many times the Dealer/ Chevrolet show goodwill (depends on the issue) and will fix it.
Just calculate. How much do you pay for it.

Just my 2 cents

[zx9rmal]

Originally Posted by BrianL

And I have had a lot of Mustangs. My first was a '69 fastback with the 428 Cobra Jet. Got all of 8 MPG with the 4.11 gearing. Wish I still had that one :-)

That gave me a BIG smile. I'm on my 4th Camaro, so I'm obviously not a Mustang guy. But, my first Camaro was a '69 Z/28. The good old days of running Mopar 440's, Boss 302's, and Cobra Jets. 8 MPG with 4.56 gearing. And yes, I wish I still had that one.

[zx9rmal]

As the real Lt Columbo used to say, "There's just one more thing". Sorry if this is a bit long.

OP, I'm turning 70 next month. You're hitting Medicare real soon. I believe that when we turn 65 or so and the kids are out of the house/off the payroll, then it's about US (wives included). There are things you NEED in the car and things you would like. If you can swing it financially (make sure to consider fuel consumption!), go for what lights you up. We are NOT getting any younger, and we are NOT getting any healthier. You worked hard and long, so it's OK to love yourself a little.

I'm an old Camaro guy. Had 3 previously. My last was a '94 Z/28, which I liked a lot, but just wasn't quite there bad ass wise. I guess my '69 Z/28 tainted me. When the 5th Gen SS was born, I was interested, but I had never spent more than $30K on a car so I sat. Then the 6th Gen came out and I was interested again, and was willing to spend the $$. When I read the reviews, EVERY one of them hated the visibility but otherwise raved about the car. World class performance they said. NOW, I was getting really interested. But, for me, I had to have the SS with the 1LE package and that wasn't available yet. So I just kept following the car online. I went to check one out at a dealer. Sat in it, hated it because of the visibility, and never even drove it. A bit hasty on my part.

Then, the 1LE gets released and I read the "2016 MOTOR TREND BEST DRIVER’S CAR" article, where the 2017 SS 1LE placed 4th out of 12. No big deal? Read the test and see what it ran against. Shocking! So I located one nearby and checked it out. It was gorgeous. This time I wasn't so dumb and I test drove the car. Amazing what happens when you adjust the seat! Yes, the visibility WAS an issue, especially for me because I'm a giant at 5'3". And yes, I adapted to it and it is NOT an issue anymore.

The 1LE may not be for you, but my point is this............the 6th Gen car is very special in SS, SS 1LE, and V-6 1LE models. It sounds like you truly enjoy a special driving experience. I say go for one of those 3. The V-6 gets great reviews, but I'm an old V-8 lover. You won't hear many owners say, "I could have had a V-6." No disrespect intended in any way.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you wind up with.

[Soleil]

Mal,
You nailed it. There is nothing to add.

[LtColumbo]

Originally Posted by Tridon

BSM is an option on the 2LT and standard on the 2SS and ZL1. It is not available on the 1LT or 1SS, but it sounds like you already know that with all the research you've done.



I've been having the same, "I could have had a V8" feeling lately, but I just couldn't afford it so I got a 2LT V6. We really wanted the leather seats, mainly because they're heated and ventilated and pet fur and cloth don't mix. Our 2LT has the optional convenience and lighting package which gives you all the standard interior features of the 2SS and includes BSM. Not sure if I helped but for the options I wanted in a 2SS, it would have cost me about 10K more.

Do feel BSM is really all that helpful?? I can see where it would be, but it's an $8,000 option compared to a 1LT!!

[slowman]

Get a 1SS.

Add dual mode exhaust and mag ride.

Enjoy.

[Chadicus]

If you keep your cars 10 years get the best SS you can afford

[redcoats1976]

drive them both,2LT and 2SS,and decide which is right for you.

[douglas2742]

Hey there Bud - I'm 75 and retired and see you are getting some very useful info to your post. Everybody has there own personal wants/desires so talking about why I chose what I did makes only sense to me, right? I chose a 1SS because the only thing in the 2SS package I cared for was BOSE. So I spent the $5000 savings on an aftermarket Alpine sound system with MUCH better sound than the BOSE, Recaro factory seats, factory lowering kit and handling kit, strut bar, NPP and a few other goodies. The lowering kit sits about 1" lower than the Magnetic shocks, looks better but rides like a race car - I prefer a stiff ride, top flight cornering/handling (thus the handling kit) and a lowered look. OK enough with personal taste elements. Get the SS, the V8 is marvelous, elevates the entire Camaro experience. And get the NPP exhaust - the engineering guys at Chevrolet did their homework with the sound: it is absolutely mesmerizing, but has zero drone or loudness when cruising. You back off it gets quiet BUT retains the nice crackle and pop when decelerating in a lower gear (A8 or manual). If you like to shift than get the manual. But the A8 with the paddle shift extensions I got is a lot of fun in gears 1 through 6 (the "final drive" gear 1:1) which I drive in most of the time: 7 and 8 are just overdrive gears which deliver better mileage on the highway. Have fun, lots of choices for every personal taste for sure!

[Johnwon]

Originally Posted by LtColumbo

Do feel BSM is really all that helpful?? I can see where it would be, but it's an $8,000 option compared to a 1LT!!

Personally, I found that after driving the car for a couple months I didn't notice the blind spots. It really is a matter of getting your mirrors adjusted. With that being said, the BSM saved me from hitting someone twice that I am aware of when I first bough the car and makes you feel a lot more comfortable if you're driving in a lot of traffic on a freeway. With it, you also get the cross traffic alert and that is a nice feature that works well when backing out of the drive when you have people in your community who like to drive like idiots. The BSM will false in heavy rain storms periodically.