[HyperM3]

First and foremost, I want to warn anyone of a lengthy post...

I have been on the search for a new sports car. Im currently in a 2016 Audi S6. This is my fourth one in a row. I love these cars but I was only in them because I got a ridiculous deal when I was selling them. Im no longer selling them and my commute is only 2 miles to work now. I dont need such a high lease payment(even on employee discount) for hardly driving it.

So, in July Ill be able to get out of my car(1 full year) as per employee agreements without any penalties. Ive been going through all my options right now in preparation of ordering something. I will be leasing again so that was still something I had to consider. Im looking to lower my payment significantly if I can.

I got curious about going completely against what Ive been used to my whole life, buying something American. My first car was a 91 LX 5.0 hatch. It was terrible and put a damper on my love for anything that came out of Detroit. It was all Japanese or German the rest of my life.

Recently I started giving the muscle cars a look because they have been getting great reviews. I started with the Challenger SRT8 because, IMHO, its the best looking revival car ever. My favorite car in the world is the 70 Cuda, so I really wanted to love the new one. Unfortunately, I didnt.

I drove by the Ford dealership and nobody seemed inclined to want to assist me. One of the guys was who finally came up to me was still chewing whatever he was eating and was a complete turn off. Regardless, the Mustang just isnt leasing well at all.

Then I was looking at the ATS-V coupe. It was amazing to look at, comfortable as all heck and fun to drive. Unfortunately, the CUE was an extreme downfall and as much as I tried to remain open about an opinion on it, I struggled to find it intuitive without buttons or dials. I dont like swiping and hoping I hit it right.

Next door was the Chevy dealership and they had stacks of Camaros on the lot. I saw a beautiful blue one and asked to take it out. It was a 1SS 6MT(pic included). Now, I had driven stick for over 20 years of my beginning driving career. I stalled the manual camaro 3 times before leaving the lot. That was extremely frustrating. I just could not find the engaging point of the clutch, there was no slipping. It was like a light switch, either on or off, and I felt very nervous in the car. Once in gear it was great and the shift-assist was fantastic as well. It was just every time I came to a stop and had to start off again I was white knuckling it.

I went back yesterday because I saw they had a 2SS 8AT on the website and wanted to drive that to see how that felt, plus I really want a 2SS anyway. This time it was white with the side stripes, which I really liked actually. As much as I swore I wanted to get back into a manual car, this 8AT was on point. I could focus on the car and driving this time than before when I was concentrating on the shifting only. I really like the amenities in the 2SS more and was surprised at how much tech was in the car compared to my current Audi.

That being said, I was smitten. It was really one of the most engaging, tight handling, fun to drive cars Ive been in in a long time. I didnt find the outward visibility as bad as people have said(Im 5.10) and this had a sunroof which might have made it feel less claustrophobic.

Ok, so heres my concerns. This will be my ONLY car and a daily driver. Is anyone else using this as their only method of transportation? The trunk is silly and smaller than some convertibles Ive seen. Im again fearing I might not be able to get as much done with this trunk on a daily driver as I expect. Also, winter driving. In NJ here we have been lucky in that when we do get snow, its usually a hard wallop and you cant drive for a day but then its cleared decently enough to drive. However, Im used to one of the best AWD on the market and love when it snows because I go out and play. Also I fear nothing in the rain with the quattro, launches or hard cornering. I know the Camaro has a rain/snow mode but does it actually work? Im sure I would have to put all-seasons on the car at least for when I get caught in bad weather.

So yeah, this is my dilemma. At least I have time to figure it out but Im really craving this car right now.

EDIT: I do have to add that my major concern is Ive never been on a forum with a dedicated thread to issues and problems. Its amazing how many there are with this car that people are finding. It does scare me off a little bit.

[sstoronto]

After many Honda's, I owned a '12 Mustang GT vert. I loved it. That car had an auto (to appease my wife....), and I really wanted a manual car.

When I drove a manual 2SS, I was shocked at how easy it was to drive. I can see myself living with it no problem.

Also, with modern ABS, traction control, and good snows, the winter shouldn't be a huge factor. If you're in an urban/suburban area, the roads get plowed, and an hr or so later, you're OK to drive in a city.

I've not driven the A8, but I hear that it too is really good.

This is no longer the GM that gave us the Citation, Cimarron, etc. Their cars are very good, and as a 3-time Stang owner-better than the competition at FORD for the moment.

GO FOR IT!

[merlin803]

My 2SS is a daily driver, although my family does have a SUV also, so I have other options if I need to move things that wouldn't fit in the trunk or travel with more than two people.

That being said, because my kids are grown and I don't really need to ever have more than me and 1 passenger, I would not have any problems having this as my only car, in fact, it would be very hard to give it up.

As far as driving in cold/snow/ice conditions, I found that once I put on my all season tires that it drives fantastic in winter, I would have never imagined that a powerful rear wheel drive car like this could handle the bad weather so well....but it does.

There were days that we left the SUV at home with ice and 3-5" of snow on the ground and drove the Camaro to work with no worries.

Now if you get like 7+ inches on the ground, your probably just going to be pushing snow around with the low clearance of the car but as far as handling normal winter weather it is just fine (with all season or winter tires).

[HyperM3]

Originally Posted by merlin803

There were days that we left the SUV at home with ice and 3-5" of snow on the ground and drove the Camaro to work with no worries.

Now if you get like 7+ inches on the ground, your probably just going to be pushing snow around with the low clearance of the car but as far as handling normal winter weather it is just fine (with all season or winter tires).

Ok, thats good to know. I doubt I would need to go out in 7"+ of snow if that ever happened.

How does anyone feel about leaving all season tires on the car year round? Ive had both the Michelin AS3 and new Conti DWS 06 on my cars and they handle like sport tires in the summer. Im honestly just not keen on run-flats and would prefer to leave them off the car in the garage.

[merlin803]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Ok, thats good to know. I doubt I would need to go out in 7"+ of snow if that ever happened.

How does anyone feel about leaving all season tires on the car year round? Ive had both the Michelin AS3 and new Conti DWS 06 on my cars and they handle like sport tires in the summer. Im honestly just not keen on run-flats and would prefer to leave them off the car in the garage.

On my three 5th Gens, one of the first things I always did was switch to the all seasons and I left them on year round. I will do the same with the Conti's that I have on now.

Unless you are into tracking your car or worried about squeezing out all the performance you can get then I don't think it is in issue (a lot cheaper to replace also).

Just remember that it would be a good idea to get a small tire repair/inflation kit to put in the trunk if you are going to switch out the run flats since the car does not come with a kit or a spare.

[Thor142]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Ok, thats good to know. I doubt I would need to go out in 7"+ of snow if that ever happened.

How does anyone feel about leaving all season tires on the car year round? Ive had both the Michelin AS3 and new Conti DWS 06 on my cars and they handle like sport tires in the summer. Im honestly just not keen on run-flats and would prefer to leave them off the car in the garage.

Put some a/s on it or some snow tires for winter and a good performance summer tire on it in the summer. You can really ruin the feel of a sports car with the wrong tire.

[merlin803]

Originally Posted by Thor142

Put some a/s on it or some snow tires for winter and a good performance summer tire on it in the summer. You can really ruin the feel of a sports car with the wrong tire.

For sure true in some cases, I can only speak for the DWS 06's and they are very highly rated, even for sports cars - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....utoModClar=2SS

[ChefBorOzzy]

I have DWS06 on my Mustang and am overall impressed with them. I bought the Mustang with 7k miles and it has never gripped this well with the Pirelli tires. I'm very impressed with wet traction and I have driven it through a bit of snow. It does okay.

Plus is that I can drive it when it's 15 degrees out and it still grips relatively well.

[Thor142]

Originally Posted by merlin803

For sure true in some cases, I can only speak for the DWS 06's and they are very highly rated, even for sports cars - http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....utoModClar=2SS

I can't even try them if I want to :( don't come in my size.

[merlin803]

Originally Posted by Thor142

I can't even try them if I want to :( don't come in my size.

Bah, that is surprising (and disappointing).

[HyperM3]

Originally Posted by Thor142

I can't even try them if I want to :( don't come in my size.

Wait, the DWS 06 dont come in the size for the camaro?

[Thor142]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

Wait, the DWS 06 dont come in the size for the camaro?

I'm hijacking your thread sorry..... I have a 5th gen 1LE they don't appear to come in 285/35/20

[HyperM3]

Originally Posted by Thor142

I'm hijacking your thread sorry..... I have a 5th gen 1LE they don't appear to come in 285/35/20

I just looked it up and it seems they come in 275/35/20 if you can deal with that.

[nancygrl]

Originally Posted by HyperM3

I just looked it up and it seems they come in 275/35/20 if you can deal with that.

Nope...it's a cross us 1LE folks have to bear.