[wjones14]

I had been considering a Camaro SS since the 6th gen came out, but never to the point of wanting to actually trade mine for one. Mostly because the 2 Series is rather unique and the Camaro is not. The 1LE might change that. Folks are starting to get them now, and there are threads over on the camaro6 forums with BMW M and Porsche converts among them. The 1LE is a special car.

There are none within 60 miles of me, but there are some "regular" SS models nearby, so I went to drive one today to get the basic 6th gen experience.

Wow! My first thought was that it was like a race car. SO much more aggressive than the M235i. The main attraction is the 6.2L V8. Best factory exhaust sound I have ever heard. I think the exhaust was just the normal exhaust, and not the NPP dual mode exhaust that comes with the 1LE. Anyway, it was like a menacing tone whether I was accelerating, decelerating, or cruising steadily. Pops and snaps at all times. And the V8 was so responsive. The slightest throttle inputs make the car jump. But what do you expect when it's 455/455 output. I can't even imagine what it's like at full throttle since I've never driven a car that powerful.

I loved the steering. The flat-bottomed wheel is cool. The feel was direct and more twitchy than I expected. Very quick. In Normal mode on the SS the weight was perfect - a little heavier than my 2er in Sport mode - and no numbness.

My biggest concern was what the reviews were saying, that the visibility is horrible and a deal-breaker for some. And it's a rather large car. Turned out I was perfectly comfortable in that car from the minute I left the dealer lot. Very easy car to drive. The Recaro seats are comfortable, the driving position is fine, the clutch was light and predictable, the shifter hefty and precise. All the controls are good (except the weird electronic parking brake switch!). Even had a HUD!

I loved it.

The 1LE adds Magnetic ride control, extra cooling, 6-piston Brembos, tuned suspension, bigger wheels and tires, eLSD, plus interior and exterior cosmetic bits.

I am to the point of being excited about the 1LE.

[Vigilante375]

The 1LE was a game changer last gen and its again another game changer. The 1LE has been being delivered to dealers for a good month now, maybe even 2. I'm sure if you do a further search than 60 miles, you'll run across them.

It handles very, very well. I am still debating on a 1LE or a SS (4 door sedan). 2 different cars for 2 different worlds. Both are unique and rare. Because how many 1LE's or SS sedan do you see on the streets? I've only seen 1 5th gen 1LE and 1 SS sedan on the streets since they've been out.

People want to talk trash about the SS but the 1LE, ZL1 and Z/28 do extremely well on the road course. Its not just a Camaro, its a purposely built road course car. It has came a long way compared to what it was in the past.

Last gen interior (mainly the plastic on the both doors) was a turn off for me and thats why I didn't get a 5th gen. I want to sit in a 6th gen and hope its interior is better. The visibility issue you can overcome.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by wjones14

I had been considering a Camaro SS since the 6th gen came out, but never to the point of wanting to actually trade mine for one. Mostly because the 2 Series is rather unique and the Camaro is not. The 1LE might change that. Folks are starting to get them now, and there are threads over on the camaro6 forums with BMW M and Porsche converts among them. The 1LE is a special car.

There are none within 60 miles of me, but there are some "regular" SS models nearby, so I went to drive one today to get the basic 6th gen experience.

Wow! My first thought was that it was like a race car. SO much more aggressive than the M235i. The main attraction is the 6.2L V8. Best factory exhaust sound I have ever heard. I think the exhaust was just the normal exhaust, and not the NPP dual mode exhaust that comes with the 1LE. Anyway, it was like a menacing tone whether I was accelerating, decelerating, or cruising steadily. Pops and snaps at all times. And the V8 was so responsive. The slightest throttle inputs make the car jump. But what do you expect when it's 455/455 output. I can't even imagine what it's like at full throttle since I've never driven a car that powerful.

I loved the steering. The flat-bottomed wheel is cool. The feel was direct and more twitchy than I expected. Very quick. In Normal mode on the SS the weight was perfect - a little heavier than my 2er in Sport mode - and no numbness.

My biggest concern was what the reviews were saying, that the visibility is horrible and a deal-breaker for some. And it's a rather large car. Turned out I was perfectly comfortable in that car from the minute I left the dealer lot. Very easy car to drive. The Recaro seats are comfortable, the driving position is fine, the clutch was light and predictable, the shifter hefty and precise. All the controls are good (except the weird electronic parking brake switch!). Even had a HUD!

I loved it.

The 1LE adds Magnetic ride control, extra cooling, 6-piston Brembos, tuned suspension, bigger wheels and tires, eLSD, plus interior and exterior cosmetic bits.

I am to the point of being excited about the 1LE.

The rear visibility is just as bad in my 428GC as my 2010 Camaro SS. You get used to it and adjusting SIDE mirrors correctly so they aren't redundant with the REAR mirror is critical, but backup sensors and cameras make most issues non existent, you adapt. Lots of people are used to econo-box seating and SUVs though, so these people will likely never be comfortable in a low slung sports car.

I'm debating going back to 2 cars, a 1LE and something for all seasons, just because my SS with suspension upgrades was so much fun to drive. The handling and balance were way beyond what I've experienced in my and other BMWs. An M3/4/5 or similar is on the table, but for the price I can get a good 1LE and something else and it's doubtful those Ms would match the fun of the 1LE.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

The 1LE was a game changer last gen and its again another game changer. The 1LE has been being delivered to dealers for a good month now, maybe even 2. I'm sure if you do a further search than 60 miles, you'll run across them.

It handles very, very well. I am still debating on a 1LE or a SS (4 door sedan). 2 different cars for 2 different worlds. Both are unique and rare. Because how many 1LE's or SS sedan do you see on the streets? I've only seen 1 5th gen 1LE and 1 SS sedan on the streets since they've been out.

People want to talk trash about the SS but the 1LE, ZL1 and Z/28 do extremely well on the road course. Its not just a Camaro, its a purposely built road course car. It has came a long way compared to what it was in the past.

Last gen interior (mainly the plastic on the both doors) was a turn off for me and thats why I didn't get a 5th gen. I want to sit in a 6th gen and hope its interior is better. The visibility issue you can overcome.

Supposedly the 6th gen interior quality is improved over the 5th gen. I had no problems with the interior in the 2SS I test drove. The 1LE has unique seats with suede inserts I think, so I haven't seen those yet.

You're right about how rare the 5th gen 1LE and the Chevy SS models are. The 6th gen 1LE might be more popular, but that remains to be seen. Too bad the Chevy SS is being discontinued though. It's the ultimate sleeper.

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I'm debating going back to 2 cars, a 1LE and something for all seasons, just because my SS with suspension upgrades was so much fun to drive. The handling and balance were way beyond what I've experienced in my and other BMWs. An M3/4/5 or similar is on the table, but for the price I can get a good 1LE and something else and it's doubtful those Ms would match the fun of the 1LE.

The driving experience is night and day between the M235i and Camaro SS. The Camaro is so visceral. If someone was leaning towards a luxury sports car, the BMW is the way to go. The BMW is definitely fun to drive, but it's sort of a buttoned-down fun. The Camaro is like an overpowering bully you can't ignore. On a 1 to 10 scale for fun factor, it's a 10.

[jkrig]

If you search I bet you could probably get a good deal on the 1LE right now dealers got that eraly shipment and the buzz really hasn't hit yet, buddy of mine recently purchased a 17' SS 1LE , paid just over 38k because it sat on the lot for 2 months....the dealership was 2hrs away in a more rural part of the state so not sure how much that ffected the sale. I believe a couple of things may have limited the sale, the summer performance tires, the recaro seats while great looking are rather slim, I'm 6'2" 215ish I fit but, if you have 40" waist or bigger you are gonna a be uncomfortable.....lastly (sadly) is manual only option....

[Never_Enough]

I liked the 6th Gen SS I drove. 1LE will not be available with auto trans so 1LE would be out for me. No interest in buying the car w/a manual.

[Vigilante375]

What? People hating on a manual only car? Wow. Thats a first.

By the way Satan....you owned a C6Z.....that was a manual only car......

[FriskyDingo]

Eh. I have extensive time driving 6th Gen SS Camaros, and they just don't do it for me. For the money, I'd much rather have a 5th Gen ZL1 or Z/28. Both far more enjoyable to drive, imo.

[TSM330i]

I priced up a 1LE on the Chevrolet website. Came out to $45K, which is unbelievably cheap when you consider it is every bit as fast as an M4 and will out handle it as well.
I also priced up an M2. It was $54K. I know the M2 is a stellar driving machine, but is it actually worth $9,000 more than the 1LE?

[FriskyDingo]

I'd rather have an M2 over a Camaro 1LE.

[kprocivic]

I almost dropped the hammer on the 1le. backed out at the last minute. Excellent bang for the buck.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

What? People hating on a manual only car? Wow. Thats a first.

By the way Satan....you owned a C6Z.....that was a manual only car......

Hating? WTF? I simply want an auto trans next. I have 3 cars & all are manual trans. Getting old. Plus I cannot shift faster than a computer.

I still own the Z06. 2 of my 3 cars came manual only. So?

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

Eh. I have extensive time driving 6th Gen SS Camaros, and they just don't do it for me. For the money, I'd much rather have a 5th Gen ZL1 or Z/28. Both far more enjoyable to drive, imo.

Try the 6th gen ZL1 then.

[Thisisdudewhoru]

I nearly bought a SS sedan. However I hated the interior... Just couldn't get over it. They could have put recaros in it at least. They look extremely bland in photos but looks quite aggressive in person. I would have had to swap in all the holden exterior bits though. Just couldn't bring myself to spend 50k on a Chevy either.

I also looked at ats-v and looks/performance are awesome but it sounds like ass and the cue interface is pure garbage. Complaints that the recaros coming apart, really loud chattering from waste gates, and the trans shifting like a minivan

My 340i isn't the fastest or best looking or coolest but it's by far the best choice for me in my opinion. It should hold its own after I'm done with it.

[Nihilation]

Interesting thread. There was a guy with a black 5th gen Z/28 at yesterday's winter track day (on wide all-seasons was slower than my M3 on all-seasons). He was a previous 135i owner and a big BMW fan. Bought the Z/28 but is now thinking of selling it for an E92 M3. I can't quote him directly, but more or less said the Z/28 isn't as exciting to drive as it initially seems.

The 6th gen SS 1LE would be on my radar if something happened to my M3. But to me, $45k is 997.2 911 money.... or a used '14 Cayman S, which will hold value significantly better than any Camaro.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by Nihilation

Interesting thread. There was a guy with a black 5th gen Z/28 at yesterday's winter track day (on wide all-seasons was slower than my M3 on all-seasons). He was a previous 135i owner and a big BMW fan. Bought the Z/28 but is now thinking of selling it for an E92 M3. I can't quote him directly, but more or less said the Z/28 isn't as exciting to drive as it initially seems.

The 6th gen SS 1LE would be on my radar if something happened to my M3. But to me, $45k is 997.2 911 money.... or a used '14 Cayman S, which will hold value significantly better than any Camaro.

lol, that Z/28 is far, far faster than your M3.

[Nihilation]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

lol, that Z/28 is far, far faster than your M3.

Should have been, yes. But on this tight course, no. Driver? Probably.

Not once did I say the Z/28 is a bad car. I'm just relaying the driver's sentiment - and the Z/28 owner wanted to ride in my M3.

[Red Bread]

Selling a Z28 for an E92 M3 would be like selling a 488 for a Continental.

Of course putting all seasons on a Z28 should get you a trip to Guantanamo.

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by Satan'sChariot

Try the 6th gen ZL1 then.

I'd love to, but I no longer work at a GM store, so it might be a while.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

I'd rather have an M2 over a Camaro 1LE.

Same here ... if price was no object.

I just configured a bare bones Summit White 1LE on Chevy's website, and it came to $44,400, minus a $1000 discount, for a final MSRP of $43,400.

That's a lot less than an M2, if you can get one.

[Vigilante375]

Originally Posted by Satan'sChariot

Hating? WTF? I simply want an auto trans next. I have 3 cars & all are manual trans. Getting old. Plus I cannot shift faster than a computer.

I still own the Z06. 2 of my 3 cars came manual only. So?

Sounds like hate to me. Back to back comments.

I only mentioned you C6Z since it was a manual only car, just like the 1LE.

I'm getting old too and want an auto because of the traffic I sit in, day to day. Plus something for the wife to drive but I'm sure she'll stay away from it since she doesn't like the feeling of going fast.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Same here ... if price was no object.

I just configured a bare bones Summit White 1LE on Chevy's website, and it came to $44,400, minus a $1000 discount, for a final MSRP of $43,400.

That's a lot less than an M2, if you can get one.

Keep in mind one can surely get the 1LE below MSrp. Can an M2 be had below MSRP? Either way, I have no interest in buying either.