[LT4]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

Nothing screams bait thread more than

User name + coming from a Mustang + wants to race on public roads.

Guy is coming over from the dark side, and you trash him? C'mon man! Welcome him!

[LT4]

Originally Posted by 95 imp

If you aren't going to the twistie track, the 1LE is a waste IMO. The 1SS, or even the LT1, is great for the street.

LT1 has SS front wheels all around, which save a ton on tires since you can rotate them and they are cheaper up front. However, if you plan to whip this around twisties, then I would opt for 1SS in the OP's case, since the extra grip would needed.

[FarmerFran]

Originally Posted by LT4

Guy is coming over from the dark side, and you trash him? C'mon man! Welcome him!

Ok,

Welcome!

If you are not tracking, the SS will be more than enough to safely traverse any roads at a speed that will not kill you or others on the road.

If you need a 1LE you are going way too fast.

[KingLT1]

I don't see the point in getting a 1LE if you are not tracking it. The SS is plenty capable on the street and even on the track. The 6th gen in general was designed around road course racing which is why they allow them to be tracked and still retain warranty in stock form.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

I'm looking to get rid of my Mustang here soon and pick up a Camaro but I'm having trouble deciding which trim to get. The car will most likely never see a track or drag strip, but there are a couple very tight and twisty backroads that I like to carve on the weekends. And of course the occasional highway roll.

In my area I'm seeing used 1LE's going in the high $39k range (which I find ridiculous but I digress), while I've found a couple 1SS trims around $32k. 2SS is somewhere in the middle but I don't really need the creature comforts and I'd like to keep the weight down.

So my question is, is the handling on the 1LE that much different compared to the 1SS that it justifies an extra $6k - $7k in the used market? If I bought a 1SS, got wider wheels, and did springs, bushings, and sway bar with the money I saved will the handling be better/comparable? Or should I just suck it up and get the 1LE?

I've driven a non-1LE 1SS, and while its handling was pretty darn good, there's still room for improvement. This would probably be more about 'composure' when driving enthusiastically than actual skidpad g's or anything like that . . . but composure is what you're going to notice from the driver's seat.

If you built up an 1SS with the suspension kits discussed in this thread and eventually went to wider wheels and tires, you'd be closer to 1LE capability than what street driving needs with better composure than base SS (1 or 2 level). If you're more about occasional cornering and handling performance than about comfort & convenience features, that'd be the better way for you to go than getting a 2SS and leaving it stock. I'm guessing the total money would be about the same, so you might as well put it where it'd mean more to you.


Norm

[s346k]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

Ok,

Welcome!

If you are not tracking, the SS will be more than enough to safely traverse any roads at a speed that will not kill you or others on the road.

If you need a 1LE you are going way too fast.

perhaps you should suggest a 4 cyl instead of a v8? that would certainly help him be responsible.

[arpad_m]

The vast majority of 1LE owners will say it's a lot better, just like almost all ZL1 owners say their cars are much more than a 2SS+supercharger. The exact amount of confirmation bias is very difficult to peel off and this applies to everyone, yours truly included.

I have a 2SS with some "attainable" 1LE bits (wheels, tires, rear cradle lockout kit), and it drives noticeably better than stock, turn-in is better and cornering limits are higher. Is it as good as a 1LE? No. Is it more than enough for the street? You bet.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by s346k

perhaps you should suggest a 4 cyl instead of a v8? that would certainly help him be responsible.

I was gonna say Prius, but you beat me to it. FarmerFran's car goes up to 80 mph in second gear, how likely is it that he never uses 3rd and above or revs beyond 2000 rpm.

[FarmerFran]

Originally Posted by s346k

perhaps you should suggest a 4 cyl instead of a v8? that would certainly help him be responsible.

OK, this better...

Get the 1LE is is an awesome track weapon, go tear up those twisty roads!

[FarmerFran]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I was gonna say Prius, but you beat me to it. FarmerFran's car goes up to 80 mph in second gear, how likely is it that he never uses 3rd and above or revs beyond 2000 rpm.

There is a very big difference between buying a V8 car and having the Village Idiot asking if it is better to have a 1LE or a SS to tear up the streets.

[6sigma]

It's a legit question. If you are going to mod an SS to improve handling, then I'd go 1LE to start. The 1LE upgrades would cost a lot more than $7k on their own. If you are good with stock SS performance (except tires) then no need to spend the money for more 1LE performance.

As to your question of can you tell a difference with a 1LE vs an SS on the street - I'm not sure but would like to hear from people that have owned both. Does a 1LE offer an improved driving experience on the street or lively back roads? I tend to think it does, but have not owned one so don't really know.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

If you are not tracking, the SS will be more than enough to safely traverse any roads at a speed that will not kill you or others on the road.

If you need a 1LE you are going way too fast.

Originally Posted by KingLT1

I don't see the point in getting a 1LE if you are not tracking it. The SS is plenty capable on the street and even on the track. The 6th gen in general was designed around road course racing which is why they allow them to be tracked and still retain warranty in stock form.

While that is true, having more capability that you aren't normally using equals a greater margin for dealing with at least some of the unexpected situations that may arise. That's a good thing.

Even at your normal level of driving enthusiasm, the car will be more composed, which will make you less tense or uneasy. That's another good thing.


Norm

[Rhobz]

I think it's a 2 part answer.

1) Are the upgrades in the 1LE worth the added cost? As NYblack1le stated, Absolutely yes.

Originally Posted by NYblack1le

1le is a performance bargain. Best $7500 you can spend. Recaros,npp,ediff,mag ride,lt4 in tank pump,big brakes...... the list goes on.

2) Is the extra cost of a 1LE worth it based on what you plan on doing with the car? This is something only you can answer. For me, I have owned my 1LE for almost a year and not yet tracked it. I keep telling myself I am going to but life keeps getting in the way. Time will tell. When shopping for a performance car, I wanted something that was way faster and more capable than I am and that I could "grow into" without having to do the upgrades I have always done in the past. With all of my past cars, the drive home after purchase was always spent thinking about all of things I was going to do TO the car, the upgrades I was going to make, what I was going to turn the car into, the money and time I still had to spend, etc.. With my 1LE, the drive home after purchase was spent thinking "WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" I even love the factory wheels, which is a first for me. So for me, 100% the 1LE was worth it. Every hour I would have spent upgrading, has been spent driving.

[Nothing like an SS]

SS to 1LE is quite a difference, but you need to decide what you want and what you'll do with it.
1LE Better grip for acceleration, better in turns (duh!) better braking. Is the SS enough for the street? I would say yes (I drove 3 of them before buying the 1LE). Is the 1LE even better, even if just for street? YES!

Buy it because it's what you want, track or not, SS vs 1LE, only you can decide what makes you happy.

1LE every time for me!