Here’s Why the Chevy Camaro SS 1LE Is the Best Used Sports Car Out There
Though it may have been discontinued, there’s still nothing quite like the Chevy Camaro SS 1LE when it comes to price and driving experience.
After quite a few glorious years when we arguably peaked in terms of muscle cars, most of them have now sadly gone away – if only temporarily in some cases. That includes the Chevy Camaro, a model that many have a soft spot for, and yet, it just didn’t fit into GM’s grand electrification plans, seemingly, though those are clearly changing as well. Regardless, the hard truth is, those looking to buy something like a Chevy Camaro SS 1LE must look to the used vehicle market to do so, but that may not be such a bad thing.
As the YouTube channel Savage Geese explores in depth in this recent video, the Chevy Camaro SS 1LE is at least the best used sports car one can buy for a variety of reasons. There are obviously some downsides to a car like this, such as its much-ballyhooed poor rear visibility, a small trunk opening, and minimal interior space, but all of those concerns somewhat melt away when you get down to the nuts and bolts of what was an excellent platform overall.
These days, one can find a sixth-generation Chevy Camaro SS 1LE for anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000, depending on the model year and mileage, which is a tremendous value, specifically, when it comes to performance and driving experience. It’s far better on the track than a lot of other vehicles available in this price range – such as the GR Corolla or Civic Type R – and it provides that undeniable V8 grunt, to boot.
As our hosts point out, the Camaro is quite a bit more sophisticated than something like a Mustang as well, thanks to the fact that it shares its architecture with certain Cadillac models. There are lots of track-ready goodies present, including transmission and differential coolers, heat exchangers, and of course, the 6.2-liter LT1 V8 that generates a healthy 455 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. It’s a stout, reliable, and old fashioned pushrod V8 that can also handle mods like a charm, should one chose to go that route.
Along with the fact that one can get a Camaro SS 1LE with a manual gearbox or the 10-speed automatic, this particular model also shares quite a bit in common with the pricier, more track-focused ZL1, as our hosts point out, and out on the track, that fact shines through. They note that it provides more of a European driving experience, with no real weaknesses that shine through. The sixth-generation Camaro is a special machine that continues to draw accolades such as this, and if you’re in the market for a reasonably-priced yet fun-to-drive sports car, it’ll be hard to find a superior option at the moment.
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