2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS: Spring Training, Part 1

jacarig,

you nailed it. I've driven a camaro and own an R/T. The camaro handles great but just a little too stiff for my old bones, the R/T is a little softer but still handles great. I absolutely love my R/T, it's a keeper, but I will pick up a camaro SS once the dealers quit with the "availability fee" and start cutting some deals.

The camaro is a fine car indeed.

Agreed. Auto rags have widely panned the conservative suspension and steering, but it's actually a perfect setup for the 99% of people that aren't paid to toss Porsches around racetracks. It understeers with good reason: all that power can make you all that dead.

Erin,

You mentioned the fact that it's not just a 2SS, but a 2SS/RS. My dad is dead set on a new Camaro (after buying a '69 Z/28 brand new he's unshakable from the current Pony Car crop) his only hesitation on buying a 2010 is the optioning-- mainly the RS package. Being a 65 year old guy and not caring less about "halo" headlamps, would you say the RS package is actually worth any cost beside just general appearance in front? I know the tail lamps in back are shaded, yet he'd get polished wheels anyway, which negate the midnight look to the wheels. I lead towards no, but would love an extra opinion. :)

slickersdrip:

I own a 1SS non RS. Honestly, on the SS, there's not much difference between the RS and non RS. The halo headlights are a taste thing, and like your dad I prefer the standard lights. You get 20-in wheels either way. The rest of the touches are subtle:

-Different paint on the wheels is subtle.
-Smoked tail lights are subtle.
-Body colored roof ditch molding: might matter to you if you're getting a non-black car. Mine is black, so it doesn't make a difference.

Honestly, the Camaro comes fairly well equipped standard...if the choice is getting a 2SS/LT or getting a 1SS/LT with the RS package, I'd get the 2 level since that gets you leather, the upgraded sound system, and the connectivity features, which to me is more significant than the halo headlights.

For me, I decided to save some money since I prefer cloth seats (Florida weather thing), the RS package didn't really appeal to me, and the connectivity features, while nice, weren't what I was buying the car for. So the 1SS L99 was a perfect match for my tastes (simple on features with the big stonkin' V8, automatic for good DD duty in Tampa Traffic (tm))

I forgot to say:

On the LT trim level, the RS pack starts to matter more, since the LT comes with 19-in wheels standard, and the upgrade to 20-in wheels improve the looks of the car dramatically. The body design was really hinged on the wheels.

@slickersdrip: "I am your father, Luke" I bought a brand new '68 Z28, with a 4.88 rear axle. The car did only two things right: fast in a straight line, and attracted lots of attention.

Tell your father that he doesn't need the SS Camaro-- the V6 is just about as fast as a '68, and with the lighter engine upfront, it will handle and, probably, stop better (none of which my '68 could accomplish)

After 3,500 miles and a new motor, I dumped it for a plain Jane '70 Mustang V8-- which also turned out to be a shoddy piece of junk.

After owning many US new cars, I finally got disgusted and in 1981 switched to Honda Accords......ahhhhh.

I keep seeing vehicles listed with 20 inch rims. What's the deal with these giant rims/tires? The replacement cost must be insane and the weight penalty for moving that much mass...

Has anyone put 17s on one of these to see if the car behaves even better?

@blueguydotcom

I just priced new tires for my SRT8, and to put the same 20" runflats it's about $425.00 a tire, it maybe time for a new car. Even the tire guy gasped when he saw the price.

Camaro 20" OEM tires used to run about $400 a pop, but I see them for about $230 on tirerack now. That's pretty favorable compared to the 18" tires my fiance has on her Mustang GT.

I'm not a fan of the 20 inch wheel either, but GM unfortunately designed the car to not look good with anything smaller.

As for the RS discussion, it does make less of a difference on SS models, but the price for the package is also lower on SS models. If you get the SS, it mostly comes down to whether you want the HID Halo headlights. The rest is just icing. On the V6 models the package gets you the lip spoiler in addition to the HIDs and 20 inch wheels.

BDC:

This car wouldnt look right with 17" wheels and considering how much tires cost on sport package equipped European cars I'm a little surprised you are whining about replacement tires. Tire replacement costs are higher than in the past because wheels are getting bigger and more cars have performance oriented rubber than ever before.

The mass issue has been addressed numerous times in the past. You can have a larger wheel that is ligher than a smaller one. A 17" alum rim is ligher than a 15" steel wheel on a compact car. Construction of the wheel also plays a part so a pricey, large forged wheel might be lighter than a smaller cast one.

"Agreed. Auto rags have widely panned the conservative suspension and steering, but it's actually a perfect setup for the 99% of people that aren't paid to toss Porsches around racetracks. It understeers with good reason: all that power can make you all that dead. "

Ride quality and noise levels are probably one reason why the 370Z barely sells in spite of stellar reviews and performance. The fact that its at the limit handling is better than the Camaro (or Mustang) really doesn't matter to buyers who are looking at day to day comfort issues, price and practicality.

Once people accept the Camaro isnt a sports car in the truest since they can appreciate it better.

@ slickersdrip: It looks like you've already gotten plenty of responses to your question, but I'll weigh in, too. I liked having the HIDs on my recent trip, but as you say, that's the only functional upgrade in the RS package and $1,200 is $1,200. -- Erin

Erin: I read your comments in regards to the speed cameras..it has gotten really bad out here..I am in North Scottsdale just off the 101 and I am in between 2 long stretches of camera..I have been here for just over a year and already traded in my Mazdaspeed3 for a Toyota Tacoma...no where to exercise the power :)...ever since they introduced those mobile cameras on those White Ford Escapes, all of AZ has become a speed trap...to you out of towners..be careful..no more 90+ mph across the desert...You can do up to 10 over the limit before they nail you..sigh...just stick to the mountains on my bike I guess.

I would not buy a camaro without the RS package....
But then again, I wouldn`t have to ask for an opinion either.