Purchasing Advice - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

cadyshac · 01-20-2024, 11:07 AM

I am looking at purchasing a 2013 2SS manual. I am pretty familiar with them the wife had one but it’s been almost 6 years since she traded it on a wrangler. Just wondering what any common issues or problems might be? I specifically want a ‘13 because of the upgrades over the years but still retain the good looks before the 14-15 refresh. I’m looking for a daily driver not necessarily a garage queen. From what I know these cars are very solid and reliable so long as they’re not abused.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Dirgam · 01-20-2024, 11:20 AM

Cadyshac Welcome back. agree 2013 is the sweet spot. I was looking for 2013 SS Manual convertible but came away with a 2012 with nearly 100K and I have no complaints.

Miami_SS · 01-20-2024, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadyshac

I am looking at purchasing a 2013 2SS manual. I am pretty familiar with them the wife had one but it’s been almost 6 years since she traded it on a wrangler. Just wondering what any common issues or problems might be? I specifically want a ‘13 because of the upgrades over the years but still retain the good looks before the 14-15 refresh. I’m looking for a daily driver not necessarily a garage queen. From what I know these cars are very solid and reliable so long as they’re not abused.
Thanks in advance for your help.

By all means, make sure that you obtain all service records including oil changes. I'm not sure if the internal oil pump failures were corrected by GM during that model year but that was a problem with the 2010 & 2011 SS Camaros. Also, electrical gremlins (poor grounds) are common to Gen 5 Camaros - just read this forum. Finally, run the VIN to make sure that there is no accident history. Good luck!

Bluebagger06 · 01-20-2024, 01:08 PM

Just make sure the blend door isnt broken! Check the AC and heat

Wizard1183 · 01-20-2024, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadyshac

I am looking at purchasing a 2013 2SS manual. I am pretty familiar with them the wife had one but it’s been almost 6 years since she traded it on a wrangler. Just wondering what any common issues or problems might be? I specifically want a ‘13 because of the upgrades over the years but still retain the good looks before the 14-15 refresh. I’m looking for a daily driver not necessarily a garage queen. From what I know these cars are very solid and reliable so long as they’re not abused.
Thanks in advance for your help.

As low miles as possible then

d2cheer · 01-22-2024, 01:39 PM

I am looking at a 2013 2SS automatic convertible.

Any known issues I should be looking for?

43,000 miles about.

SSFury · 01-22-2024, 03:17 PM

If it has upgraded headers might have the dreaded "Hot Start" issue, that is fixable by better grounds between the battery and chassis.

morepowerjoe · 01-23-2024, 02:12 AM

I bought my first 2012 Camaro SS auto with 152k miles and then cammed it almost right away. It ran really good when I got it, I think the only thing it really needed was front struts. I would check the oil and make sure it's clean and not dark and if clean I wouldn't worry to much about oil change history because it could have been diy guy. Maybe check the coolant reservoir and make sure it's not dried up or anything other then pink. Check with them and ask when the brake and differential fluid was last changed. And drive it for as long as possible to sure there are no check engine lights. Take it for a drive and make sure there aren't any strange noises.

cadyshac · 01-24-2024, 04:41 AM

Thanks everyone
Finding a non modified non wrecked acceptable mileage car is proving somewhat difficult. I’ve expanded the search a little to some 6th gens. I’m in no hurry so I can be picky, I’ll post pics if I ever do find one. My wife still has her synergy green 2ss so I’ve not lost touch with these cars.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 01-24-2024, 06:03 PM

I beat the living hell out my 2013 and track it too. 10 second car with not a single issue or broken part. Ftw

Bluebagger06 · 01-24-2024, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadyshac

Thanks everyone
Finding a non modified non wrecked acceptable mileage car is proving somewhat difficult. I’ve expanded the search a little to some 6th gens. I’m in no hurry so I can be picky, I’ll post pics if I ever do find one. My wife still has her synergy green 2ss so I’ve not lost touch with these cars.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't be too fascinated with low miles, I wasn't. I knew mine was never going to be a garage queen , I intended on modding it and driving it. I found my one owner with 100,000 on it for $14,000 and it looked like new, owner took great care of it and drove it for his businesses, hence the mileage. It was reaffirmed when i did the top half of motor, it all looked great including the cyl walls etc.. I just laugh at people that think a car with 100,000 and over is junk, usually the same ones that sit and stare at their 5000 mile gems in the garage

morepowerjoe · 01-25-2024, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebagger06

Just my opinion but I wouldn't be too fascinated with low miles, I wasn't. I knew mine was never going to be a garage queen , I intended on modding it and driving it. I found my one owner with 100,000 on it for $14,000 and it looked like new, owner took great care of it and drove it for his businesses, hence the mileage. It was reaffirmed when i did the top half of motor, it all looked great including the cyl walls etc.. I just laugh at people that think a car with 100,000 and over is junk, usually the same ones that sit and stare at their 5000 mile gems in the garage

Totally agree.

1JEWLDSSRS · 01-25-2024, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluebagger06

Just my opinion but I wouldn't be too fascinated with low miles, I wasn't. I knew mine was never going to be a garage queen , I intended on modding it and driving it. I found my one owner with 100,000 on it for $14,000 and it looked like new, owner took great care of it and drove it for his businesses, hence the mileage. It was reaffirmed when i did the top half of motor, it all looked great including the cyl walls etc.. I just laugh at people that think a car with 100,000 and over is junk, usually the same ones that sit and stare at their 5000 mile gems in the garage

Heck, when we cammed and stalled mine at 98k miles, my builder/tuner said she was "just getting broke in"!!!!

Very dependable and reliable car..

Bluebagger06 · 01-25-2024, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Heck, when we cammed and stalled mine at 98k miles, my builder/tuner said she was "just getting broke in"!!!!

Very dependable and reliable car..

Heck yeah , same here! Its a crap shoot buying a used car no matter if its low mileage or high!

01-20-2024, 11:07 AM	#1
cadyshac It's in the hole! Drives: '11 2SS L99 SGM, '18 2SS, M6, HWSE Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,377	Purchasing Advice I am looking at purchasing a 2013 2SS manual. I am pretty familiar with them the wife had one but it’s been almost 6 years since she traded it on a wrangler. Just wondering what any common issues or problems might be? I specifically want a ‘13 because of the upgrades over the years but still retain the good looks before the 14-15 refresh. I’m looking for a daily driver not necessarily a garage queen. From what I know these cars are very solid and reliable so long as they’re not abused. Thanks in advance for your help.

01-20-2024, 11:20 AM	#2
Dirgam Drives: 2012 VR GFX SS/RS M6 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 93 View My Garage	Cadyshac Welcome back. agree 2013 is the sweet spot. I was looking for 2013 SS Manual convertible but came away with a 2012 with nearly 100K and I have no complaints. __________________ Super Power: Love of all mankind Kryptonite: People

01-20-2024, 01:08 PM	#4
Bluebagger06 Drives: 2012 camaro ss Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 441	Just make sure the blend door isnt broken! Check the AC and heat __________________ GPI Powered

01-22-2024, 03:17 PM	#7
SSFury My Road Rage is Legendary Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS "Fury" Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sahuarita AZ Posts: 735 View My Garage	If it has upgraded headers might have the dreaded "Hot Start" issue, that is fixable by better grounds between the battery and chassis. __________________ Every Time You Buckle Up In That Car, Tonight Might Be The Night That You Die.

01-23-2024, 02:12 AM	#8
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,105	I bought my first 2012 Camaro SS auto with 152k miles and then cammed it almost right away. It ran really good when I got it, I think the only thing it really needed was front struts. I would check the oil and make sure it's clean and not dark and if clean I wouldn't worry to much about oil change history because it could have been diy guy. Maybe check the coolant reservoir and make sure it's not dried up or anything other then pink. Check with them and ask when the brake and differential fluid was last changed. And drive it for as long as possible to sure there are no check engine lights. Take it for a drive and make sure there aren't any strange noises. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

01-22-2024, 01:39 PM	#6
d2cheer Drives: 2013 2SS Vert, 1968, 1971 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 19	I am looking at a 2013 2SS automatic convertible. Any known issues I should be looking for? 43,000 miles about.

01-24-2024, 04:41 AM	#9
cadyshac It's in the hole! Drives: '11 2SS L99 SGM, '18 2SS, M6, HWSE Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,377	Thanks everyone Finding a non modified non wrecked acceptable mileage car is proving somewhat difficult. I’ve expanded the search a little to some 6th gens. I’m in no hurry so I can be picky, I’ll post pics if I ever do find one. My wife still has her synergy green 2ss so I’ve not lost touch with these cars.

01-24-2024, 06:03 PM	#10
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	I beat the living hell out my 2013 and track it too. 10 second car with not a single issue or broken part. Ftw __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.