There may have been a mistake, I have a rental Camaro SS

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
08/08/2017 at 21:03 • Filed to: Rentals

It’s fast.

Not my rental pictured, but just like it.

Any questions? (No, you can’t see anything out of it)

DISCUSSION (21)

CB > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:09

Do you think the V8 is too much overkill, or just enough madness?

Dusty Ventures > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:10

When I had a rental Camaro it was the RS

It wasn’t fast

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:10

Kinja'd!!!

“No, you can’t see anything out of it)“

Is it at least fun?

MM54 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
08/08/2017 at 21:17

Yes. I’d like to write up a summary of it at the end of my work trip overall - I’ve considered doing such for other rentals, but this one is actually noteworthy.

In short - it’s fun, but it’s fun-in-a-bunker. You will find you’re going a lot faster than you thought when you glance at the speedometer.

MM54 > Dusty Ventures
08/08/2017 at 21:18

I’ve had the “1LE” with the V6, it also wasn’t fast, and with the too-many-speed slushbox it was perpetually out of the powerband. This one is much better, in that it has enough torque to satiate the need for acceleration while making its way back down half a dozen gears after you punch it.

jkm7680 > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:21

The price difference between the V8 models of that class and the 4 cyl and V6 models is not worth it at all. Like if it’s a V6 Mustang, then maybe it’s worth the upgrade. But if it’s an Ecopoop, then chances are it isn’t worth it.

MM54 > CB
08/08/2017 at 21:21

Definitely not too much. With the 8-speed auto (I think that’s how many gears it has) it’s very drivable. It would be a lot more fun with a 6-speed but you’d also trade off some of the buffer the transmission provides between the 450HP V8 and the tires.

Unfortunately, being in northern NJ, I’ve not been able to open it up much, and likely won’t.

MM54 > jkm7680
08/08/2017 at 21:23

I don’t know what the pricing is set up like, but I’ve had a 2016 V6 rental and now this 2017 SS, it’s like an entirely different car (except that you can’t see out of either of them).

CB > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:23

I just heard a V8 Camaro revving outside, and along with your input, my previous idea of “I could live with a V6" is currently failing.

LongbowMkII > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:23

Felt that way test driving the 4cyl. Saw I was going 60 in a 35 and thought “eh”. It’s obviously quick enough, but boring.

MM54 > CB
08/08/2017 at 21:24

I’ve had the rental V6. Get the V8.

jkm7680 > MM54
08/08/2017 at 21:28

I think it was like twice as much the one time we were looking to rent one. You can pretty much just ignore the V6 models, haha. Either the 4 or the full 8. Even though it literally is kinda about twice the car with the 8.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dusty Ventures
08/08/2017 at 21:44

did it have the performance exhaust kit?

Dusty Ventures > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
08/08/2017 at 21:48

pip bip - choose Corrour > MM54
08/09/2017 at 04:59

manual?

MM54 > pip bip - choose Corrour
08/09/2017 at 06:34

I have never in my life seen a manual rental (that means no)

MM54 > jkm7680
08/09/2017 at 06:40

I dunno, rental-wise I just pick a car from the lineup and get billed a flat rate when I’m here for work. Usually that lineup is corollas and various-sized hyundais. This week there was a camaro SS so it was an easy pick (I think someone messed up).

pip bip - choose Corrour > MM54
08/09/2017 at 06:48

i’ve had more manuals than autos

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MM54
08/09/2017 at 09:10

Would you own one? If not, why not?

MM54 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/09/2017 at 10:30

I wouldn’t buy one. While a lot of that answer comes down to personal preference and diversion to not buy a car new, there is a couple things with the car itself that play into it.

The car is quick and probably pretty fun to push on a track, but much like nearly every modern car I’ve driven, it’s like you’re driving it through a foot-thick wool blanket. The steering on this one isn’t bad - it’s decently heavy, but not exactly communicative.

The throttle response (and this is likely due to the 8-speed auto) is a bit lacking as well, since when you get on it there are so many gears it has to work its way down through to bring the revs up. Fortunately, unlike a lot of other cars (like the V6 I had as a rental a few months ago), this one has enough torque to keep you satisfied while it finds its way down through the gears when you get on it.

There’s also the bunker-factor, which seems to be getting more common, where the windows begin at your shoulders and you’re so far buried in the car that it’s more like driving a pillbox than a sports car. I get that the point of driving is to drive, but it’s nice to be able to take in the scenery, hear the outside world (and the exhaust), and be able to check your blind spots without practically sticking your head completely out the window.

So would I buy one new? No. In some years if they got pretty cheap, would I buy one? Maybe. Would I accept one as a gift? Hell yeah, it’s got a 450hp LT1 and looks to keep up with it. Maybe not look-at-me-red, though.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MM54
08/09/2017 at 10:40

The performance of the SS 1LE is very hard to ignore, but I just can’t get past the styling, inside & out. It’s just a jacket I can’t see myself wearing. The new Mustang, on the other hand... Damn, what a fine-looking automobile.