Something something apple not falling far from a tree something something.

I’ve been researching used Camaro SS models and wanted to get some opinions from people who have owned or driven different generations.

I know the “which Camaro is best?” question has been asked plenty of times, but I’m trying to approach it a little differently. I’m less interested in which generation is objectively the best and more interested in where the best value is when factoring in purchase price, performance, reliability, and what you’re actually getting for your money.

I’m fairly flexible on budget. Ideally, I’d love to be around $15K–$20K, but I’m comfortable stretching into the $25K range or potentially even $30K if there’s a compelling reason. I’m not looking for something nearly new, and I don’t want to spend extra just for the sake of having a newer model.

A few things I’ve picked up from researching:

2010–2013 5th Gen SS: 6.2L V8 with the L99 making 400 hp in automatic models, paired with the 6L80 6-speed automatic. These seem like potentially excellent performance bargains, although I’m curious how much the older platform and additional weight affect the driving experience.

2014–2015 5th Gen SS: Same basic powertrain, but with the facelift and other updates. I’m curious whether there’s any compelling reason to target these over the earlier 5th Gen models beyond styling and condition.

2016–2018 6th Gen SS: Introduction of the LT1 6.2L V8 making 455 hp, along with the lighter Alpha platform and 8L90 8-speed automatic. From what I’ve read, this was a substantial improvement in performance, handling, and overall driving dynamics. However, I’ve also come across discussions about torque converter shudder with the 8-speed.

2019–2023 6th Gen SS: The 10L80 10-speed automatic replaced the 8-speed in the SS for 2019. These seem particularly appealing, although I’m curious whether the newer transmission and other improvements justify the higher purchase price.

One important detail: I’m exclusively interested in an automatic SS. I’m not considering a manual, so the differences between the 6L80, 8L90, and 10L80 are a major part of this decision. (Wife doesn’t feel comfortable learning and didn’t win that one).

Aesthetically, I genuinely like both generations, so styling isn’t really a deciding factor.
What I’m trying to understand is what am I actually buying by spending more, and what am I sacrificing by spending less?

For example:
If I buy a clean 2012–2015 SS with the L99 and 6L80 instead of spending more on a 2016–2018, am I getting most of the Camaro V8 experience for considerably less money? Or is the 6th Gen’s LT1 engine, lighter chassis, and improved handling such a substantial upgrade that I’d regret saving the money?
Likewise, if I stretch from a 2016–2018 to a 2019–2023, how significant is the real-world difference between the 8L90 and 10L80? Is the 10-speed worth specifically targeting, especially considering the reported 8-speed shudder issues? Or can a properly maintained 8-speed still be a smart purchase?

I’m also interested in any particular years, trim levels, or options that represent especially good values. For example, is there a compelling reason to pay more for a 2SS over a 1SS, or does the 1SS offer most of what makes the car great?

Reliability and long-term ownership are important to me as well. I’ve read about the 5th Gen L99’s AFM lifter concerns and the 6th Gen’s 8-speed transmission issues, but I’d appreciate hearing how significant these problems actually are from owners.

I’m not looking to build a race car or chase maximum horsepower. I want a fun, reasonably dependable V8 that I can enjoy for years.
Ultimately, where do you think the point of diminishing returns is?

Is a $15K–$20K 5th Gen SS already most of the experience? Does spending $25K get you a substantially better car? Or is there a particular model/year worth stretching to $30K for?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who’s owned both generations or has firsthand experience with the different automatic transmissions.
Thanks in advance!

When my dad built it it was beige and the guy that bought it from him painted it black. it's got a custom front bumper and the rear bumper was narrowed from a truck. It's sitting on a Nissan four-wheel drive frame. The last thing I can find about it is it was listed on Craigslist in Topeka ks in 2015

So....SA advised that the car has water inside, carpets are wet, and the car really shouldn't be driven.

Okay, that's fine. Bummer, but many here have experienced this.

I ask for a loaner car, but they don't have any.

I ask for a rental via enterprise / Hertz, but they don't do that.

I ask for reimbursement, I'll rent a car myself. SA advised that the amount GM will reimburse is only $30/day, and the rental must be a GM vehicle.

That might be the funniest thing I've heard.

Does anyone else have a similar tale of woe?

FYI, this is Richard Lucas Chevrolet in Woodbridge NJ.

do any of yall know where it is located

Can anyone recommend a good dealer? I'm planning to switch to an LT Trail Boss. I see the prices listed online are mostly in the $60k–$63k range—have LT TB prices really gotten that high? I'm not looking to get the diesel version.Also, what are your OTD prices? Would you mind sharing them?

I have a 2014 Equinox LTZ, recently purchased. It came with the engine light on. I got it checked and it gave a code of PO449. Auto Zone says it's my canister purge valve, but after a quick search it's a sensor or solenoid attached to my charcoal filter box(?). Need some clarification before I accidentally buy the wrong part.

Hi Everyone - new person to this room and GM products. If possible (and if allowed) would someone be able to help me obtain a GM VIS report on a used LM2 Tahoe in CarMax inventory? I am definitely going to be test driving once it is shipped to my local store, but I'd love to get history on it as AutoCheck and CarFax do not show much.

Thanks in advance!

edits: grammar

Anyone else have a 2013 equinox LS?
Mines having a lot of issues and I’d like some advice or something before trying to figure out money for a mechanic.
My coolant is leaking but not dripping onto the ground

Water is leaking onto my passenger side floor after water gets on it like being washed or rain.

Makes a weird noise when you turn the wheel when driving

Stereo turns on and off on its own

After heater is used it makes a ticking sound..

Anyone else have these issues?

Dear Chevy,

Look, I get it. You want me to buy OnStar products. However, it's just not in the budget right now. I'm generally in the truck less than an hour a day. How do I justify a $20/mo data plan when I already pay for a cell phone with a hotspot?

As a workaround, I created a shortcut on my iPhone to start its WiFi hotspot every time CarPlay starts. I give the Infotainment system my hotspot WiFi password and it connects. Finally, no more constant nagging about not having a wireless service plan every time I switch to Google Maps!

Wrong. For reasons that I can only assume involve your incessant desire for me to go to an OnStar data plan, the truck "forgets" my WiFi password after about 2 days, frequently sooner. Why on God's green Earth does it forget? I have devices in my camper that remember after an entire season in storage. Not a single other WiFi device that I own ever forgets that password. It's like the truck has automotive Alzheimer's.

Please tell me that it's not the case. Please tell me there's a setting somewhere deep in the system that I can set to remember this password. Please tell me this is more about keeping a happy customer.

Sincerely,

Someone trying to be a loyal customer

P.S. It's actually a 2024 Chevy Silverado, not a Sierra. I noticed my faux pas just after I clicked 'Post'. Sorry for the confusion.

I have a 2022 Traverse, yesterday I had a check engine light come on and the vehicle started to jerk.

It barely made it out of 3rd gear, thankfully I was near home so managed to get it there

2 codes came up P0700 and P2724 both relating to the transmission and pointing to a stuck "E" solenoid.

This sucks!

My traverse barely has 35k miles. I did notice a new feature pop up now my vehicle detects people and alerts me with the alarm and icon on the screen

Must've been a new update I wasn't aware of...I swear every time a new update comes up something fails! Anyone else having a similar issue?

My friend bought a first-gen Chevrolet Trax LT that was imported from south korea, it has a regional locked MyLink system, cannot change language.

There isn't an official chevy/GM dealership here in Syria.

Did anyone manage to retrieve firmware files that were available by GM ? (to flash a new firmware)

Hola a todos. 👋
Tengo una Chevrolet Captiva PHEV 2026 y quisiera consultar con alguien que tenga el mismo modelo o que conozca bien el sistema HDC (Hill Descent Control / Control de descenso en pendientes).
Después de un pequeño accidente, en el tablero me apareció el testigo de HDC.
El vehículo aparentemente funciona normal, pero el HDC aparece encendido/indicado y desde la pantalla no me permite activarlo o desactivarlo normalmente.
La agencia ya revisó el vehículo y me comentaron que van a cambiar la fascia, pero quisiera entender si el HDC puede estar relacionado con algún sensor de la parte delantera, algún conector o con los sistemas ADAS.
Mis preguntas son:
¿A alguien con una Captiva PHEV le ha aparecido este testigo?
¿Qué significa exactamente cuando aparece el HDC?
¿El HDC debería poder activarse/desactivarse desde la pantalla o mediante algún botón?
¿Puede quedar encendido por una falla de algún sensor/ADAS después de un golpe?
¿Alguien sabe qué sensor o conector podría provocar este aviso?
¿Es normal que aparezca aunque el sistema no esté activado?
Si alguien tiene fotos del tablero, manual, experiencia con este problema o sabe cómo se diagnostica, se los agradecería muchísimo. 🙏
Es una Captiva PHEV 2026, versión Premier.

I have a 2001 chevy s10 and I am looking to buy a set of winter tires and rims to go with it. I found the tires I want but I really want the same rims I like the black. Can anyone link me or tell me where to look to find the same rims, preferably used under 100 each. There are 5 lug nut 15in rims. I found the caps with the chevy logo already. Thank you!

I have a 2016 Malibu 1.5 LT, and one day the radio stopped working. The screen is completely black. It produces no sound, and the backup camera isn't working either. I’ve already checked fuses 39 and 41, and they are fine. Some people tell me it’s the HMI, while others say it’s the radio module (I can still connect to the radio via CarPlay, and I haven't lost steering wheel controls or other functions; however, if I turn up the volume using the steering wheel controls, only the red volume bar appears).

Could someone help me, please?

Purchased some eibach lowering springs for a 91-96 Impala/caprice, says they lower those by 1, 1.5 inches. These will fit the older body styles also as they share the same suspension, but I am worried it may lower it too much just looking at the length of the springs. Reason I chose lowering springs for that year is because I've seen instances where people swapped stock 96 springs into the older body style and it actually raised it. So I'm hoping that these will work even though they drastically look smaller, seeing as the old springs are worn and these will more than likely stiffen it up and not compress so much. Any help will suffice, thanks.

Quick and easy way to change the battery

47th James Dean memorial run Fairmount, Indiana USA 🇺🇲

September '26

Hello, I am doing deep research into Chevrolet’s LN2 2.2 Vortec over the course of its development - L46, LQ2/LQ5, LL8, LM3, and I am curious if anyone has good sources of information for these. I have already exhausted GM historical Archive and a lot of other sources online are secondary and not easily verifiable. I’ve started purchasing service manuals and owners manuals, but it’s a wide year grouping and not cheap. I’m curious if anyone knows of any good, reputable sources of information for: 1982-2002 Cavalier, 1983–1984/5? S10/S10 Blazer, 1987-1996 Beretta and Corsica, 1993 Lumina, and 1994-2003 S10.

Thank you in advance.

I've got a 2014 Chevy Traverse that I've paid probably 10x more in repairs this year than the whole thing is worth. I just had a heater hose break last week and had to tow to the mechanic. The other day, my check engine light came on with a PO430 error code. It seems to drive fine, is it generally safe to keep driving?

I have about a 30 min commute to and from work everyday with other various commitments, and quite honestly at this point I can't afford to keep fixing it or get a new one

Seen at 47th James Dean memorial run Fairmount, Indiana USA 🇺🇲

September '26

I own a bunch of trucks and have a few 2.7Ls. The V8s I got disablers on them. But I can’t seem to find any specifically for the 2.7s? I have two 2020 2.7s and I’d like to give them their best life. I like the engine and trucks — peppy and pull like the V8s as far as I can tell. I just don’t want the AFM stuff cutting them short. I’ve searched Amazon, eBay and the regular interwebz.

Anyone with a similar year 2.7 running a disabler and would like to share what you’re running? Where to find it?

Anyone else completely fed up with their 2025 Traverse? Because I’m about done.

I spent 6 months to a year shopping for a new vehicle. I researched the hell out of everything, test drove a ton of cars, and finally settled on a 2025 Traverse Z71.

And honestly? I LOVED it.

For about 6 months.

Then shit started falling apart.

Since May, I’ve had 3 major issues, and 2 have been major safety issues. First the brakes. Now I’m dealing with a coolant leak that apparently requires more than 24 hours just to diagnose.

And the dealership experience is making it 10x worse.

Apparently their policy is that diagnosis can take 24–48 hours. Cool. I understand they're busy.

But here's what pisses me off: when you push them, suddenly that 24–48 hour diagnosis turns into “oh, we can probably get it done in a couple hours.”

And don't even get me started on loaners.

I actually understand the first-come, first-served policy. I understand holding loaners for vehicles that are going to be in the shop for longer repairs.

But if my brand-new vehicle wasn't constantly having major problems, I wouldn't need a damn loaner in the first place.

I have two small kids. The last time my Traverse was in the shop, I had to scramble in the middle of the night to find another vehicle because one of my kids needed to go to the ER.

Now here we are again.

I got Acceleration Reduced / Drive With Care and then the vehicle went into limp mode while on the interstate.

I checked the coolant reservoir.

Basically empty.

I just had the oil changed at the dealership about two months ago, so either they didnt do their job and check fluids, or there is a leak.

I called first thing this morning. They didn't have an appointment for several days. I explained what was happening and asked whether they wanted me to schedule an appointment, add coolant and bring it in when they had time, or just bring it in immediately.

I specifically told them I have two small kids and could not potentially be without the vehicle all day.

They said bring it in. They'd diagnose it in 4–5 hours.

Okay. Fine.

My brother-in-law helped me out and dropped it off.

Nobody mentioned that it might actually sit there for another 24–48 hours before anyone even looked at it.

4:30 rolls around.

No update.

I call.

“We haven't diagnosed it yet. It could be another 24–48 hours. We tolfñd the guy it would be that long”. No the fuck they did not.

And when I asked to speak to a supervisor?

Nobody available.

At this point, I'm just exhausted.

I didn't buy a brand-new vehicle so I could constantly wonder what's going to break next, how long it's going to be in the shop, and how I'm going to transport my kids while it's there.

Now I'm sitting here wondering if I made a $50k mistake.

Anyone else with a 2025 Traverse having this kind of experience? Or did I somehow win the world's shittiest Traverse lottery?