Camaro 2.0 Turbo: 1 Year of 1LE (Full impressions so far)

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
08/13/2020 at 19:43 • Filed to: Camaro 1LE, Camaro, Car Review

After a year of daily-driving a 2.0T Camaro 1LE (not to mention lots of autocrossing too) I’ve compiled all my impressions and reviews of the car here.

My initial impressions, before any track time, were positive:

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I’ve posted up my autocross impressions on another site; (I’m building up a portfolio of more journalistic car-writing there) so feel free to check them out here:

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Finally, I have high hopes for how it will do against similarly-engined competition in the form of the 4-Cylinder Toyota Supra:

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What’s Oppo think of the 4-Cylinder Camaro as an enthusiast car? What else would you like to know? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this year of daily & autocross driving and can’t wait to find more adventures.

DISCUSSION (19)

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > way2blu does a rev update
08/13/2020 at 19:50

Knowing what you know, would you still pick a new 4 cylinder, or search for a bit older, possible cpo, used V8?

Battery is dying in the Prius, and looking to replace it with something a bit more sporting, and my friend won’t sell me his Tesla swapped Fisker Karma.

way2blu does a rev update > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
08/13/2020 at 20:03

While I really enjoy the sound and power of the V8, I’d still pick the 4-cylinder. Both the V8 and the turbo-4 are equally fast for daily driving, and the extra power in the V8 isn’t all that useful with speed limits in the USA being so low. The 2.0T is also lighter and doesn’t burn through tires as quickly as the V8, and presumably will have a longer track-day warranty period than buying a used/CPO V8.

As you’re mentioning a Prius, I’d recommend taking a good look at a 2.0 Turbo Camaro, even a base-model without the track package. Mine has seen 35+ mpg on the freeway while cruising. Camaros get surprisingly good fuel economy for how fast they are.

onlytwowheels > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
08/13/2020 at 20:33

I’d go with the V6. Normally aspirated engine with 60 hp over the turbo 4 and smidgen less torque.

like this:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=557635533&zip=10001&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D10001%26keywordPhrases%3D1LE%26city%3DNew%2BYork%26incremental%3Dall%26modelCodeList%3DCAM%26makeCodeList%3DCHEV%26sortBy%3Drelevance%26location%3D%255Bobject%2BObject%255D%26state%3DNY%26engineCodes%3D6CLDR%26firstRecord%3D0%26marketExtension%3Dinclude%26searchRadius%3D0%26isNewSearch%3Dfalse&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&modelCodeList=CAM&makeCodeList=CHEV&searchRadius=0&clickType=spotlight

see reviews:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15076220/2017-chevrolet-camaro-v-6-1le-manual-full-test-review/

and

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2017-chevrolet-camaro-v-6-1le-review-one-week/

longtimelurkingtdiguy > way2blu does a rev update
08/13/2020 at 21:26

I’ve driven many 2.0 ATS rentals, and I always found them quite fun. I just wish the Camaro was shaped closer to the ATS coupe, because I feel like the interior visibility is much better.

way2blu does a rev update > longtimelurkingtdiguy
08/13/2020 at 23:30

100% agree right there. 6MT ATS Coupes are mechanically almost identical to a 2.0T Camaro underneath.

The Camaro sells poorly because of tiny windows, and the ATS sold poorly because of the “Cadillac” badge and brand perceptions. If the Cadillac ATS was rebadged “Chevy Camaro” it’d sell on par with the Mustang & Challenger. Ugh.

Nick Has an Exocet > way2blu does a rev update
08/14/2020 at 00:14

Camaro sold great with tint windows. It sells poorly because they have made it worse and worse looking since 2010.

SmugAardvark > way2blu does a rev update
08/14/2020 at 01:00

I’ve got no issues with the 4-banger motor, or the Camaro having one. Just like I hold no ill will towards the EcoBoost Mustang. Both fill a niche of being a pony car with relatively good fuel mileage, and both are fully capable of being very fun cars to drive.

I’m all for more choices rather than fewer ones.

hillrat > way2blu does a rev update
08/14/2020 at 09:20

What’s Oppo think of the 4-Cylinder Camaro as an enthusiast car?

Of course!! It’s capable, it’s fun to drive, and there’s people out there that love and care for them like they’re concours level original Bugattis. I’m not down with “purity tests” when it comes to automotive love, be into what you’re into.

camaroboy68ss > way2blu does a rev update
08/14/2020 at 09:35

I’ve only ridden in a few of the 4 banger 6th gens for short distance, wasn’t that impressed, but I have always owned V8 cars so I am spoiled/ruined to smaller engines. I am curious though what do you see for average fuel economy? I have a 17 Camaro SS with the 8 speed auto and have been very impressed with the mileage I get out of the car for my work commute and weekend rips up back roads. The V8 gets the same mileage to a little older Cruze with the turbo 4.

hillrat > SmugAardvark
08/14/2020 at 10:03

This is a correct take.

way2blu does a rev update > SmugAardvark
08/15/2020 at 13:06

Agreed for sure. The fact that Chevy makes the 1LE package an option across all engine options is awesome too.

way2blu does a rev update > onlytwowheels
08/15/2020 at 13:09

The V6 1LE is probably the most “driver’s-car” Camaro on sale. High revs & quick throttle response plus an active exhaust make it a much more old-school Porsche-like experience than the 2.0T.

The 4-banger is more daily drivable with the torque down low, but I do think a lot about trading for a V6 someday.

way2blu does a rev update > Nick Has an Exocet
08/15/2020 at 13:17

I’d be inclined to say “ugly” isn’t the biggest reason the Camaro is having issues. While Mustangs & Challengers have more conventional looks, they’re also bigger than Camaros. Having driven all three, I can say with certainty that I’d prefer a Mustang or Challenger if my only purpose was to daily drive it. The Camaro compromises on ergonomics & size to go faster, and it succeeds in that for sure. The general public isn’t doing autocross & track days every month though.

way2blu does a rev update > camaroboy68ss
08/15/2020 at 13:24

Having recently driven & reviewed the V8, I totally agree. The 2.0T is a Cadillac motor first and a Camaro motor second. Its sole purpose is to deliver useful torque efficiently , and it compromises on sound and excitement because of that. That said, it uses the same ECU tune as the Cadillac ATS. Lots of aftermarket options are out there to make it more fun.

https://www.mishimoto.com/shop-make-model-year/chevy-camaro-cooling-performance-parts.html#2016-chevrolet-camaro-2-0t

https://zzperformance.com/collections/ats

I’ve seen about 23 mpg lifetime mpg (one year of mostly city driving and many autocross events). Roughly 24 around town if I’m not in the boost, and I’ve seen 35+ mpg on the freeway on longer trips.

way2blu does a rev update > hillrat
08/15/2020 at 13:25

I appreciate that! This is why Oppositelock is my favorite place to talk cars.

SmugAardvark > way2blu does a rev update
08/15/2020 at 17:58

Yes, absolutely. It’s fantastic that Chevy made the executive decision that everyone that wants a Camaro can have it factory-equipped with the fun parts.

OmerCarrothers333 > way2blu does a rev update
08/15/2020 at 18:59

I wish GM did a RWD/AWD(optional) sedan with the Camaro’s turbo-four. Call it Chevelle Malibu and print money.

Why?

I drove a pre-facelift V8 version of the current Camaro and I hate the lack of visibility.

camaroboy68ss > way2blu does a rev update
08/15/2020 at 19:04

Thats not bad on the mpg. I am not far off with a 19/20 average for my work commute of small roads into the city and then 33/34 on the highway. The cylinder shutoff really helps get the V8 to be a good all around car.

OmerCarrothers333 > way2blu does a rev update
08/15/2020 at 19:06

I forgot about the ATS when I made my initial comment. Chevy should have had a sedan using that car.