Possibly getting a 1LE? Why not?

[2 Sweet]

OK, so here's the deal. It has been six years since I've had a fun car, and it's been killing me. Life kind of got in the way; I've bounced around between jobs, I bought a house, I'm getting married this year, etc. Adult stuff always came first. Pretty soon I think I'll finally be at a point where I can afford to get something cool again.

Originally I wanted a white/orange '10-'13 SS, since the early Gen5 cars can be found for $20k nowadays. But then I decided I really like the '14-'15 refresh, and newer is usually better. I would probably want a 2SS, non-RS, no sunroof, manual, NPP, and there are only a few colors I would want. And if I found one that met all the criteria with low miles at a good price ($24k tops), I couldn't leave it stock. These are really good looking cars in stock form, but not GREAT looking cars IMO. I would have to change out the wheels at the very least (the silver SS wheels look kind of boring to me). And if I'm buying something newer with a monthly car payment, I doubt I would have much extra money for mods.

So I started thinking....why not try and stretch the budget a bit more (maybe $26k?) for a 1LE? They look amazing in bone stock form, in any color. And if I had the 1LE package, I really wouldn't care much about any of the other options. Obviously they are all stick shifts, and most of them usually have the NPP. Those are truly my only two must haves (although Recaros would certainly be nice). I would be 100% happy with any 1LE right out of the box, and I would be satisfied leaving it stock(ish) and enjoying it for a long, long time.

So now I'm just trying to justify whether or not it's worth the extra money to buy a 1LE over a regular SS when I doubt I'll even track it much, if ever. But it is such a cool package and I'm sure it feels a lot different than your typical Gen5. I certainly wouldn't just be buying it for the looks. Whatever car I get would probably be daily driven 8 months out of the year (when the weather is decent), and I'm sure I'll have some fun on many of the winding roads around me. But if I'm not tracking the car, wouldn't a 1LE kind of be a waste? If money wasn't a factor, it would be a no brainer, I would buy one anyway. But unfortunately it's a big factor, which makes it a tough call.

I made this thread in the 1LE subforum because you guys who own them would know better than anyone. I don't know if I'm looking for reassurance, or someone to play devil's advocate. I'm not buying a car tomorrow, but if I were, there is a Red 2014 LS3, 2SS, RS, NPP with 33k miles in Miami listed under $23k (it's not a 1LE car). And there is also a Yellow 2015 1LE 1SS, non-RS, NPP with 16k miles in Virginia listed at $26.7k. Just a couple examples that stood out to me when searching Autotrader.

Sorry for the long read. I'm basically just thinking out loud here, but hoping for some input from an outsider's perspective.

[WHAMMO]

Its 110% worth it, cause you are going to spend that money anyway with a regular SS without the 1LE pack and you wont have all the cool stuff. It offers a lot for the money.

It is so worth it on the streets; the car feels extremely stable, its planted, it puts the power down perfectly, car is really well balanced. Doesnt matter if you do not track, normal driving is so much fun!

Just the wheels are worth the extra cash.

Advice; inspect closely the body near the tires...stock Goodyears are terrible for throwing rock debris. Buy mud flap ASAP.

the shifter and steering wheels are worth it too.

Cant go wrong seriously.

[KnightriderM3]

Something to consider is the resale value. I'm going to guess that the 1le will hold it's value better than your everyday SS.

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[CamaroDreams76]

Originally Posted by WHAMMO

Its 110% worth it, cause you are going to spend that money anyway with a regular SS without the 1LE pack and you wont have all the cool stuff. It offers a lot for the money.

It is so worth it on the streets; the car feels extremely stable, its planted, it puts the power down perfectly, car is really well balanced. Doesnt matter if you do not track, normal driving is so much fun!

Just the wheels are worth the extra cash.

Advice; inspect closely the body near the tires...stock Goodyears are terrible for throwing rock debris. Buy mud flap ASAP.

the shifter and steering wheels are worth it too.

Cant go wrong seriously.

All of this x100

[pbsinternet1le]

Drive a 17 1le in the v6.. you are getting close in the price range...or a used v6 1le.. if you can find one. I'd drive the 17 before making a decision.

[Stormcloak]

I'd say it's worth it. I have few complaints about my car, and am very happy with it.

[Clarkstar]

I was in the exact same boat as you... sold all my toys and it was time to get one again. I got a 2013 and I love it. No regrets....

[mrmta]

I was looking at the ss 5th gens , but loved the look of the 1le's when they came out . I found a 2ss 1le a month ago with 4400 miles and love it . Like having the different look than all the other ss cars out there , it's gm certified and still has original warranty , so a piece of mind if anything happens . Go for it and enjoy it .

[wakespeak]

Originally Posted by mrmta

I was looking at the ss 5th gens , but loved the look of the 1le's when they came out . I found a 2ss 1le a month ago with 4400 miles and love it . Like having the different look than all the other ss cars out there , it's gm certified and still has original warranty , so a piece of mind if anything happens . Go for it and enjoy it .

Congrats - '13 is my favorite Gen5 yr.

[SSEssence]

Buy the 1LE if you can. If you're a mod hungry kind of guy you can start with a SS like I did, but you wont have the 1LE diff/gears which is worth the money itself.

[gajagfan]

We have a 13 1LE, and love it. That being said, I would have to look at a Gen 6 1LE before I bought a Gen 5. The Gen 6 is a better performing car. Price may become an issue for you, and if so, you will not go wrong with the Gen 5, but I would give it a look.

[1leWorksforMe]

Gen 5 1le definitely worth it. Good luck in your search.

[Russell James]

You may not road course now, but if you buy a 1LE you will want to. The handling is that much better. And make sure to get the Recaros, no sunroof.

[pbsinternet1le]

Originally Posted by gajagfan

We have a 13 1LE, and love it. That being said, I would have to look at a Gen 6 1LE before I bought a Gen 5. The Gen 6 is a better performing car. Price may become an issue for you, and if so, you will not go wrong with the Gen 5, but I would give it a look.

+1