Upgrading Soon
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Upgrading Soon
I currently drive a 2022 Camaro SS 1LE, minor mods and 10AT. SGM color. I love the car. Recently I found a 2023 C8 1LT coupe in arctic white with side skits, chin spoiler and high rise spoiler. Also has the R badge package. I love the look. My questions are how much of an upgrade would it be? How are the base suspension & brakes vs. the 1LE Camaro suspension and brakes? I've heard about tranny issues, but how common are they really? Are the dealers taking ownership of these warranty related issues and taking care of their customers?
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Oct 31, 2023, 03:22 PM
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Well I went and bought it!
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Moved to C8 General for answers.
Melting Slicks
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From: Massachusetts
If you drive a C8 you will make the switch easily.
The only advantages of the Camaro is the back seat and the raw feeling of a muscle car.
The Corvette will ride and handle better, be a little faster, and has better interior.
A disadvantage of the Corvette is that it is more complicated and will cost more for maintenance and repairs.
( consider an extended warranty )
The Camaro SS is a nice car and you can work on it yourself.
I say it comes to money. If you can afford the C8, go for it. Avoid debt!
Myself, I don't like white cars but the Artic White with some black accents is my second favorite color C8.
Good luck with your choice, not mine.
The only advantages of the Camaro is the back seat and the raw feeling of a muscle car.
The Corvette will ride and handle better, be a little faster, and has better interior.
A disadvantage of the Corvette is that it is more complicated and will cost more for maintenance and repairs.
( consider an extended warranty )
The Camaro SS is a nice car and you can work on it yourself.
I say it comes to money. If you can afford the C8, go for it. Avoid debt!
Myself, I don't like white cars but the Artic White with some black accents is my second favorite color C8.
Good luck with your choice, not mine.
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Im gonna go with what Ron said in post 3. I will add - the difference is major. I personally think when comparing these two cars, the term "upgrade" is entirely subjective. If you prefer the raw viceral feel of a muscle car, you may not consider the C8 to be an upgrade - even if it offers better all around performance and certain refinements.
Team Owner
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My oldest son’s best friend (our third son) had a SS. After taking my C8 out for a drive all he could say was “That ain’t no Camaro.” He was in love with the C8 instantly. Enough said. 
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Thanks for the feedback. Power difference I'd expect to be a big difference since he C8 goes 0-60 in less than 3 seconds while the SS does it in about 4 flat. That's a pretty big difference. 1/4 mile times seems to be about a full second faster with the C8 too. Should I assume the stock brakes and suspension on the base C8 are excellent then?
Team Owner
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Save your money and keep your Camaro SS. The base C8 coupe is not really an upgrade for the money you will spend. Once you get past the looks and mid engine wow wow factor you will be disappointed, both in performance and quality.
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Wasn't expecting this response on a Corvette forum. Performance wise you feel my SS 1LE would contend with a base C8??
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Thanks for the feedback. Power difference I'd expect to be a big difference since he C8 goes 0-60 in less than 3 seconds while the SS does it in about 4 flat. That's a pretty big difference. 1/4 mile times seems to be about a full second faster with the C8 too. Should I assume the stock brakes and suspension on the base C8 are excellent then?
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I have a 10 speed auto in the SS. Is reliability that much of an issue with the C8? If I get it I'd be getting it with a 5yr/60k bumper to bumper warranty. It has less 500 miles on it right now as well.
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There are many reports on the forum about transmission issues. Folks debate whether it shows a general problem or is just a statistically insignificant sample the is skewed because people tend to report issues. I have had no trouble with mine. Replacement, out of warranty, would be on the order 20K. You can only get the 5/60 bumper to bumper on a new delivery. But it comes with a 5/60 on the powertrain. And you can get a 7 or 8 year (not sure) and many more miles with a Chevrolet Platinum Protection Plan that can be obtained later.
Le Mans Master
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I completely disagree. A C8 and Camaro are apples and oranges different. The mid engine handling and overall performance “wow factor” never has gone away in my two years of ownership.
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Well I'm going to pull the trigger as the dealer is throwing in a 5yr 60k mile bumper to bumper warranty vs. the 3yrs 36k. I know powertrain is already 5yrs 60k miles. Car has very low mileage and is in perfect shape. Getting a very good deal so figured let's do it.
Le Mans Master
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You will love it. The transmission shifts are amazing especially in Manual mode. I have had no trouble with a 22 and now a 23, some have had trouble and the problem is parts availability from GM, it can be very slow. Sounds like a beautiful car! Don't be a stranger here.
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Well I'm going to pull the trigger as the dealer is throwing in a 5yr 60k mile bumper to bumper warranty vs. the 3yrs 36k. I know powertrain is already 5yrs 60k miles. Car has very low mileage and is in perfect shape. Getting a very good deal so figured let's do it.
Burning Brakes
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I would insist the warranty the dealer is offering is a Chevrolet Platinum Protection Plan and not an aftermarket plan (that may or may not be here when needed or honored by all Chevy dealers).
Drifting
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Having had a 2019 C7, the mid-engine dynamics of 40/60 front/rear weight distribution greatly improve off the line traction and weight transfer during breaking. The polar moment of inertia helps too. I have had both a Spring Mountain and the C8 is faster and was easier to drive all-out. Having rented a Camaro recently, the interior quality is steps below the C8.
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This is just patently false, when I test drive the Camaro it seemed overly refined to me, and more like being in a video game, not really engaging at all. Plus there is no comparison in the build or the interior. If a sub 3 second to 60 car disappoints you in performance, you won't find anything else shy of a superbike at this price point to please you.
Racer
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Here is my experience coming from 2016 1SS ( A8) to 2023 1lt C8 in Sept. Is it faster? Yes, but it is more the DualClutch insta-shift than engine power. When shifting does not happen the 2 are very similar in acceleration. Handling is similar too, the Camaro handles quite well but the Vette is a tick better. Beware suspension is stiffer in the C8 . The braking seems similar too, I crush the brakes on my cars and both cars never disappoint. So those are the quantitative measurements. Now the driving reality. The Camaro was a great cruiser and I drove 600 mi in one day like it was nothing. Not doing that in the Vette, at least I won't. The really good C8 stuff. I am a car guy and the C8 is as close to a "race car on the street" an average driver can buy. Every time I drive the Vette I am glad I bought it. It is a really fun driving car. I have had mid engine cars before and they are a different driving experience with the engine behind your head. The C8 has a combination of race car feel and modern car comfort to be great at both, good job GM .