Possible Camaro purchase- need feedback

[Cor66Vette]

My wife is thinking about getting a Camaro once we give our DD to our son. Not sure if we'll go the new-car route or get (certified) used from a GM dealer- yeah, we'll pay more, but I like the warranty cushion. But I've had decent luck buying privately so that's in the equation, also.

What are the experiences and/or stories, good and bad, regarding the 2010, and 2011, and (slight maybe) 2012 model years? With the exception of my recent '03 purchase, I've been out of the car buying world since '02. This is my first attempt at looking into the Camaro.

Don't know why, but she won't go for another Vette. :shrug01: I tried.

Thanks a lot. :thumbsup:

 

[mickeystoysz16]

I don't know much about the new ones but if you ever decide to buy a first gen 67-69 they are full of fraud. 1 in 10 on ebay are undisclosed clones with fake tags and restamped vins. The 69 that I have was checked by a local expert and then double checked by a nationally known expert.

I think if you want a Camaro you are better off buying a new one than a classic one. That way you know exactly what you are getting espically if you want a driver.

 

[Cor66Vette]

I don't know much about the new ones but if you ever decide to buy a first gen 67-69 they are full of fraud. 1 in 10 on ebay are undisclosed clones with fake tags and restamped vins. The 69 that I have was checked by a local expert and then double checked by a nationally known expert.

I think if you want a Camaro you are better off buying a new one than a classic one. That way you know exactly what you are getting espically if you want a driver.

Thanks. She has a 2010 thru 2013 in mind. I'm all the "Classic" she needs. :dancer01:

 

[85vette]

I have heard nothing negative about the new Camaro's. In fact, if it were me, I'd buy the new ZL/1. 580 hp for $55K is a bargain to me. My wife wants a new CTS V, the supercharged 556 hp six speed automatic that sells for $69K. I think the bang for the buck goes to the Camaro! :dancer01:

 

[Kap142]

Looked at several not too long ago at a local dealership and was just not impressed with the quality of the interior. All plastic (as is everthing now) and all the same.:shrug01:

 

[Cor66Vette]

I have heard nothing negative about the new Camaro's. In fact, if it were me, I'd buy the new ZL/1. 580 hp for $55K is a bargain to me. My wife wants a new CTS V, the supercharged 556 hp six speed automatic that sells for $69K. I think the bang for the buck goes to the Camaro! :dancer01:

The CTS V is one of my wife's choices. She says it has better visibility and a nicer interior than the Camaro or some others she's test driven.

Looked at several not too long ago at a local dealership and was just not impressed with the quality of the interior. All plastic (as is everthing now) and all the same.:shrug01:

Agreed.

Thanks for the input, guys. Have a great Thanksgiving.

 

[LS2POWA]

I would shy away from it. I test drove a 2011 before I bought a 2011 Shelby. 2SS/6M and it felt slow, and turned like a boat. The dealer gave me free reign in the back lot...and it was so bad my wife even said no.

Not to shy away from GM products, but I would pick a new 5.0 Mustang any day of the week before thinking of a newer Camaro.

 

[Cor66Vette]

I would shy away from it. I test drove a 2011 before I bought a 2011 Shelby. 2SS/6M and it felt slow, and turned like a boat. The dealer gave me free reign in the back lot...and it was so bad my wife even said no.

Not to shy away from GM products, but I would pick a new 5.0 Mustang any day of the week before thinking of a newer Camaro.

Thanks for the feedback. I keep hearing a lot about blind spots with the new Camaros. Any issues with blind spots and the Mustang? :thumbsup:

 

[Mark Dalton]

I saw a video of a test between a ZL1 Camaro and a Shelby GT500. Probably a bit different than what you're looking for but they brought up some good points. The Shelby was the quicker of the 2 cars, maybe due to the weight difference, but the Camaros brakes were far superior. They also said there was an issue with visibility in the Camaro. In the Mustang, it felt as if you were sitting up higher and so the visibility was better than the Camaro. They did mention that the Mustangs ride was harsher. That may be due to the GT500 package but it did make it a bit more squirrely on the track.

 

[85vette]

Very good article from Motortrend, copy and paste if the link doesn't work.

m.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1206_2012_chevrolet...

In a nutshell they took the cars to Laguna Seca and found that the Mustang beat the ZL-1 by a half of a second on it's fastest lap. The Mustang packs 85 more ponies than the ZL-1 and beats it on the straight aways, but the ZL-1 beat the Mustang in the corners and pulled higher g's. Also had better brakes. They said the Mustang was done after the run and could not repeat it's performance due to the brakes overheating.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 - Motortrend

 

[als2052]

I would shy away from it. I test drove a 2011 before I bought a 2011 Shelby. 2SS/6M and it felt slow, and turned like a boat. The dealer gave me free reign in the back lot...and it was so bad my wife even said no.

Not to shy away from GM products, but I would pick a new 5.0 Mustang any day of the week before thinking of a newer Camaro.

Ditto...

 

[LS2POWA]

Thanks for the feedback. I keep hearing a lot about blind spots with the new Camaros. Any issues with blind spots and the Mustang? :thumbsup:

Oh its got some blind spots alright. I had no issues looking around in the Shelby. If you don't plan on making multiple Laguna Seca laps any time soon, the stock brakes work just dandy, got to test them a couple times.

GT500 might seem a bit more harsher for a daily driver, but it was built to be a sports car...a Camaro with a big 6.2 and 400+ ponies should not handle like a 1990s crown vic. Thats were GM failed, awesome potential for motor, good brakes...craaaappy suspension.

 

[85vette]

Oh its got some blind spots alright. I had no issues looking around in the Shelby. If you don't plan on making multiple Laguna Seca laps any time soon, the stock brakes work just dandy, got to test them a couple times.

GT500 might seem a bit more harsher for a daily driver, but it was built to be a sports car...a Camaro with a big 6.2 and 400+ ponies should not handle like a 1990s crown vic. Thats were GM failed, awesome potential for motor, good brakes...craaaappy suspension.

Did you miss the part about the Camaro pulling higher g's and being faster in the corners than the Ford?? Or is this the conclusion you came to on a test drive in the back lot? Or maybe it wasn't a ZL-1 that you drove....:shrug01:
Blind spots be dammed....