Has the Camaro become too cheap to ignore?

"LJ909" (lj909) 09/18/2019 at 11:25 • Filed to: chevy camaro

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Seriously. I mean look at those prices. It looks like you can find base model Camaro s for under $25 grand all day long due to no one buying these things apparently. So they are priced to move.

The performance models are even better deals. Take this 1SS example at one of my local Chevy dealers. MSRP on this one is $41k. They have it listed for $33,900 (its also been on their lot for 201 days). Even the monstrous ZL1's have thousands off. I saw a ZL1 with $14k off sticker. That’s crazy. But its looking like most SS’s have $5-$6k off sticker. They are compelling at these prices. But its still a hard sell IMO. The Camaro is the most sports car like out of the Big 3's muscle cars, so its tight, and that front fascia is pretty ugly in person. And its the only car I have ever driven that made me feel tired after I drove it for some reason. But V8 power on the cheap is always a good thing. I would pick on up before GM kills it for good.

TrickJos > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 11:52

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That face is so bad. I could not spend money on that.

LJ909 > TrickJos 09/18/2019 at 11:59

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Yea I didnt think it’d be that bad reading about it online, but its realllly polarizing in person.

razorbeamteam > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 12:15

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I too was drawn by the siren song of cheap power... until I sat in one. Seriously, I thought it was all internet echo-chamber BS about the tank commander feeling of the cockpit, then I had a chance to sit in one with the door closed at the Chicago auto show, and it was frightening . I didn’t feel like I could see anything. Driving in the city would have been an event.

Like my dad always told me whenever I wanted to buy something that was “on sale”. It’s because nobody else would buy it. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 12:16

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Apparently the 2016-18 front bumpers are a pretty easy swap. I actually really like the 2019 tail lights. I’m really wanting get a Camaro in the next year, specifically an SS/1LE. I’d probably go used but if I can get a deal on a new one, I’d jump and just swap the front end .

slipperysallylikespenguins > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 12:23

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Good, I hope they have the same problem with the Silverado. The GM design team needs a swift kick in the nuts for what they have done the last few years.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 12:24

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GM products are always like this. They’re all on sale, all the time.

I went and saw the Camero face in person, and by the pics alone I was ok with it, but now staring at it it’s worse in person.

LJ909 > razorbeamteam 09/18/2019 at 12:41

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Yea it has terrible visibility. Especially with how low you sit. Even blind spot detection doesnt help. If it were my money I’d go for the convertible just for the increased visibility.

LJ909 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/18/2019 at 12:42

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Seems like it’d be a lot of time and money dont you think?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 13:04

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I think it depends on how one goes about it. A junkyard swap wouldn’t be too bad if you can find a matching color, it hasn’t been all beat up, etc.

On the other hand a new bumper cover from GM is $256. You’d also need and upper and lower grill, those total up to be about $318. All said and done I think it’d be in the $800 to $1000 ballpark to do it.

So I guess it comes down to what kind of deal I could get on the car. Which brings up a point - not all of those prices are attainable. This has been a personal peeve of mine lately, but I hate dealerships who roll in literally every single offer GM has to get the price as low as possible. My personal favorite is when they roll in GM loyalty AND conquest incentives.

Honestly, as much as I like the Camaro, the last new vehicle I bought from GM made me so mad, I’d probably buy used just so they don’t directly get a dime from me. Great, n ow my blood pressure is up...

Azrek > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 13:26

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I drove one for 2 weeks while my car was in the shop. I drove home at 3pm in Florida and didn’t have to wear my sunglasses as at no time could the sun get into the cabin!

But it was fairly quick and generally easy to drive. The AC was a bit weird at first with the dials on the vents themselves. Reminded me of a plane’s vent. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > razorbeamteam 09/18/2019 at 13:27

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I test drove one and didn’t find it that bad. That said, I did spend a good 5 minutes just sitting in a parking spot , dialing i n the seating position, before I took it out on the road. It’s not ideal, but it’s managable. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 13:44

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There are some jackets I just won’t wear.

facw > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 14:05

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For me, I hate the look too much to own one even at a really good price.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 14:17

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People who track cars regularly tell me the chassis gives you a really good feeling of confidence (the 1LE versions, at least) for putting the Camero on apex every time, without slop. If you get a 1LE it’s a track beast , regardless of engine size.

I sat in it and I was too short, I had to push up my chair and then all the screens and dials angled to me were the wrong way, and I couldn’t see past the hood.

Wife was in the back and since my chair was so far forward she had plenty of space, and she thought the whole experience was kind of meh.

And now the front end looks like that. I’d really like to sit down with the director of Camero design to see what he thinks about it.

LJ909 > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 09/18/2019 at 14:22

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Yea the 1LE pack on any engine seems to be the best. The sweet spot though I would say would be the turbo engine since its the cheapest and lightest. I just get concerned with how cramped it is. Especially with my son in the back. But he’s fine in the back of our Mustang convertible. That front though like you said, its hard to look at. But I think I could forgive it with how fast it is.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 14:25

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I don’t blame you for prioritizing its interior room, especially with a son in tow. The turbo should be a very good bang for buck with the 1LE package, but there are other options that will lift your mood when you look back at it insted of the reverse as well.

I stared really hard at the pre-facelift ZL1 but I simply just am not Murican enough to fit in it properly, much less my stepchildren or wife. 

BadMotorScooter > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 14:53

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You do get used to the visibility. It’s the first drive that seems weird. They drive great though. Great chassis. Huge bargain now if you can find one in a spec you like. The V6 can be had in low 20s which is a great bargain for a NA 335hp good sounding RWD manual car with a great chassis. 

My bird IS the word > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 15:00

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Damn thats cheaper than i got my focus st for...

traumadog > VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely 09/18/2019 at 15:04

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Fo r the record, the current ‘ 19/ ’ 20 ZL1's kept their original nose. Apparently the “redesign” didn’t allow enough airflow.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > traumadog 09/18/2019 at 15:20

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Right, I forgot to mention that the ZL1 kept the nose . I just meant that I looked at one before the facelift was a thing, my bad.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 16:15

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When SS’s get to mid-low $ 20s, then I’ll notice them.

LJ909 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 09/18/2019 at 17:38

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Gotta go used for one until then.

LJ909 > My bird IS the word 09/18/2019 at 17:38

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And cheaper than a lot of used Focus’ RS’.

Thunderwasp > slipperysallylikespenguins 09/18/2019 at 18:30

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The Camaro is kind of ugly, but the Silverado looks great IMO. Probably the best looking modern Silverado since the 60's.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 19:22

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That’s... really cheap.

Who was ignoring them though?

MrTee12 > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 20:48

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Exactly. I bought a very-littl e driven 2017 under 3k for less than 25k (before taxes). Fully loaded. 

Just Jeepin' > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/18/2019 at 21:30

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 Who was ignoring them though?

...raises hand

Mike Z > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/18/2019 at 21:55

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I wonder if just wrapping the center bumper in body color would help enough? I’ve seen them in black, and it’s not terrible. But you would have to get close in color

Mike Z > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/18/2019 at 22:02

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https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525668

ranwhenparked > LJ909 09/18/2019 at 22:02

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Low used values definitely caught my attention. The Challenger is objectively the better/more comfortable/more usable car, but the Camaro depreciates like crazy and I’m a cheap bastard. 

LJ909 > ranwhenparked 09/18/2019 at 22:20

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Yea the Challenger will be a way better daily, but the Camaro is the drivers car. 

Deesiel678 > razorbeamteam 09/18/2019 at 22:29

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I had a similar sentiment. When the 6th gen Camaro first came out, all the rave reviews about how well it drove had me intrigued, so I went to a dealership to drive one. Sat in the driver seat, took a look around, and said “NOPE!”, and left. I was perplexed at how it got such rave reviews. How could anyone drive this thing well if they cant see out of the stupid thing?!?
The positive reviews kept coming though, especially when the 1LE packages came out. I thought that maybe I overreacted about the visibility; maybe its not that bad?? So I went to a dealership again to test drive one, but again left after the same result. Sat in it and decided “NO WAY COULD I DRIVE THIS! I CAN BARELY SEE ANYTHING AROUND ME!!” and left without test driving.
And yet several months later, I was still perplexed by it. I was impressed by all the reviews I read; all the magazine tests, etc. It got to the point that I was determined to test drive one, no matter what, to see if the hype was true. So again, I went to a dealership, sat in a SS 1LE, and again thought NO WAY, but resisted the urge to walk away and forced myself to at least test drive it.
I’m glad I did. I found that its not as bad as it seems from just sitting in it. As soon as I pulled out into the road, it felt natural. I could see everything I *NEEDED* to see; nothing more. I think in most cars we’re accustomed to an abundance of visibility, more than we actually need to drive effectively. There is no abundance of visibility in the Camaro obviously, but there is enough. Its disconcerting at first but any competent driver will adapt to it quickly. I had to actually drive it to come to this realization.
A few months later I ended up buying a V6 1LE, and it’s been a fantastic sports car! It’s great to drive on a curvy mountain road (which I do very often) and great at the track. And it has been fine as a daily driver as well. The only time the visibility hinders my driving is when I pull up too close to the crosswalk at a narrow intersection with an overhead traffic signal. When that happens I have to tilt my head sideways to see it. Other than that, I’ve had no issues with visibility.
The moral of my story: don’t dismiss this car based solely on the perceived lack of visibility from sitting in the drivers seat. Instead, test drive it. You might be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to drive (from a visibility perspective).

OmerCarrothers333 > LJ909 09/19/2019 at 00:11

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I hit my head trying to get into the damn thing, so no.

Cool car though...

Gerry197 > ranwhenparked 09/19/2019 at 00:28

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But they will be harder to find since no one is buying them new?  

Jason Maki > ranwhenparked 09/19/2019 at 02:30

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Objectively better? Lol the only thing better is the seating for the rear

pip bip - choose Corrour > LJ909 09/19/2019 at 05:05

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only issue is then you still have a Camaro

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Mike Z 09/19/2019 at 05:52

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Thanks for the link. Tbh I think I may just hold out for the right 2016-18. 

ihm96 > LJ909 09/19/2019 at 12:12

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The front fascia actually looks great in person IMO. Once I saw it in person it got filed into my mind as one of those auto journo outrage things that don’t actually bother most people.

My dads business partner picked up a white ZL1 and it looks and sounds awesome

LJ909 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/19/2019 at 13:56

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Everyone according to the sales. 

John > LJ909 09/20/2019 at 04:59

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W e own a ‘17 2LT RS convertible and love it! I wanted a SS could but my wife demanded a convertible. Several 4-5 hour drives with no stiffness or pain. Averaged 27 mpg as well. We feel there is a ton of cabin room compared to our former 370Z convertible. Is it perfect? No! Is it a good car? Heck yeah! Wind out that 3.6 V6 to 7K RPMs and listen to that scream! Performance exhaust option is a must though.