2019 Chevrolet Camaro V8 6 speed
Discussion
Many years ago, I lived in the US and the first car I bought was a 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula V8. I loved it, but in reality it was slow, unreliable, terribly built and leaked like a sieve through the T-Tops. It made me fall in love with small block GM cars and I promised myself I would get another at some point.
I moved back to the UK in 2006 but last year while on holiday in the US I rented a Camaro SS from Hertz. Absolutely loved it, and it reinvigorated my lust for a big V8, so the hunt was on when I got home!
I originally was looking at importing a car from the US/Canada, but a poor exchange rate meant it really wasn't worth the hassle. The good news I found the perfect car at Ian Allan and it's now sitting on my drive
It's a 2019 in Red Hot, with just over 2000 miles on it, UK car with 6 speed, Recaro seats, magnetic ride and active exhaust. I asked the dealer to remove the original stripe as I just didn't like it. I have to say Craig at Ian Allan was brilliant to deal with and even delivered the car 90 miles for free. Thanks Craig! It's like a new car bar a couple of touched in rock chips on the bonnet.
It only arrived yesterday, and it's been torrential rain for most of the time since then
but I've managed a short drive.
LHD has been very easy to get used to. The visibility is not great but not as bad as expected - there are even some junctions where it's better! It rides and handles really well and really inspires confidence. The 245 front tyres do like to follow the ruts in the road, but that was to be expected. The engine is magnificent and I just leave the exhaust in Track mode all the time - it would be rude not to!
It feels very special driving it and I feel very lucky to own such a rare car in the UK. Some initial pics below - apologies for the snow foam on the ground - it was filthy after the run yesterday!
Happy to answer any questions if you have any
I moved back to the UK in 2006 but last year while on holiday in the US I rented a Camaro SS from Hertz. Absolutely loved it, and it reinvigorated my lust for a big V8, so the hunt was on when I got home!
I originally was looking at importing a car from the US/Canada, but a poor exchange rate meant it really wasn't worth the hassle. The good news I found the perfect car at Ian Allan and it's now sitting on my drive
It's a 2019 in Red Hot, with just over 2000 miles on it, UK car with 6 speed, Recaro seats, magnetic ride and active exhaust. I asked the dealer to remove the original stripe as I just didn't like it. I have to say Craig at Ian Allan was brilliant to deal with and even delivered the car 90 miles for free. Thanks Craig! It's like a new car bar a couple of touched in rock chips on the bonnet.
It only arrived yesterday, and it's been torrential rain for most of the time since then
but I've managed a short drive. LHD has been very easy to get used to. The visibility is not great but not as bad as expected - there are even some junctions where it's better! It rides and handles really well and really inspires confidence. The 245 front tyres do like to follow the ruts in the road, but that was to be expected. The engine is magnificent and I just leave the exhaust in Track mode all the time - it would be rude not to!
It feels very special driving it and I feel very lucky to own such a rare car in the UK. Some initial pics below - apologies for the snow foam on the ground - it was filthy after the run yesterday!
Happy to answer any questions if you have any
Thanks! I really wanted to like the Mustang, and I do love my Fords too (note Mondeo on drive!).
Unfortunately, I really didn't like the interior and the facelift front end - just no. The earlier version was ok but the Camaro just stops you in your tracks. I am actually quite a shy guy and haven't had any awkward conversations at petrol stations yet
I'd be ok if people want to talk about it though.
Unfortunately, I really didn't like the interior and the facelift front end - just no. The earlier version was ok but the Camaro just stops you in your tracks. I am actually quite a shy guy and haven't had any awkward conversations at petrol stations yet
I'd be ok if people want to talk about it though. That's good then, as driving the Camaro you wont be able to fill up without someone popping over for a conversation!
I agree regarding the Mustang, the front end is terrible. Unfortunately it lost its 'American' looks when the current model came out, and the RHD was the final straw for me.
I agree regarding the Mustang, the front end is terrible. Unfortunately it lost its 'American' looks when the current model came out, and the RHD was the final straw for me.
daniel-5zjw7 said:
That is awesome! Such a cool shape, hard to think of a better looking coupe right now and not just american. The only thing I'm not a 100% on is the wheel style but yours look much better being black. How does the rev match set up work?
It's off by default, but when you switch it on, when you downshift, the car blips the throttle to rev match ala heel and toe. Its quite a clever system and works really well. I really like the wheels - easy to clean! I didn't like the original silver versions but these were already on the car. There's a wide selection of aftermarket ones available too if you are happy to import them.
I rented a 2019 SS when I was in Northern California late 2018, and it was by far and away the most surprising car I've ever driven. I would love one over here, the engine, the 10 speed auto, the handling, it was all brilliant. Congrats on your purchase, very jealous!
Alice's and run down Route 35 / Skyline - La Honda by Adam Lister, on Flickr
Laguna Seca 11th November 2018 by Adam Lister, on Flickr
Alice's and run down Route 35 / Skyline - La Honda by Adam Lister, on Flickr
Laguna Seca 11th November 2018 by Adam Lister, on Flickr
Camelot1971 said:
It's off by default, but when you switch it on, when you downshift, the car blips the throttle to rev match ala heel and toe. Its quite a clever system and works really well.
I really like the wheels - easy to clean! I didn't like the original silver versions but these were already on the car. There's a wide selection of aftermarket ones available too if you are happy to import them.
I get that, the wheels on my Vette are about as easy to clean as a wheel can get!I really like the wheels - easy to clean! I didn't like the original silver versions but these were already on the car. There's a wide selection of aftermarket ones available too if you are happy to import them.
I've driven 3 modern Camaros, all rentals - SS cab, ZL1 coupé and a 275hp 4 pot cab.
I was surprised all of them for different reasons.
The SS CB was subjected to an afternoon's sliding around an empty, very wet shopping mall car park in Illinois. Great fun!
The ZL1 was brutally fast! How I didn't get busted, I'll never know,
Last rental was the 4 pot cab. I really enjoyed it, although my case wouldn't rift in the boot so it travelled on the back seat!
(Visibility when reversing, for "c pillar" blind spots, I found tricky.)
I was surprised all of them for different reasons.
The SS CB was subjected to an afternoon's sliding around an empty, very wet shopping mall car park in Illinois. Great fun!
The ZL1 was brutally fast! How I didn't get busted, I'll never know,
Last rental was the 4 pot cab. I really enjoyed it, although my case wouldn't rift in the boot so it travelled on the back seat!
(Visibility when reversing, for "c pillar" blind spots, I found tricky.)
Edited by RC1807 on Sunday 21st June 09:21
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Camelot1971 said:
It's off by default, but when you switch it on, when you downshift, the car blips the throttle to rev match ala heel and toe. Its quite a clever system and works really well.
I really like the wheels - easy to clean! I didn't like the original silver versions but these were already on the car. There's a wide selection of aftermarket ones available too if you are happy to import them.
I get that, the wheels on my Vette are about as easy to clean as a wheel can get!I really like the wheels - easy to clean! I didn't like the original silver versions but these were already on the car. There's a wide selection of aftermarket ones available too if you are happy to import them.
Looks awesome! Nice car you have there!
I've got a 2010 Bumblebee, albeit a V6 one, but it turns heads like no other car I've ever driven, owned or been in.
It's a 'happy car' in the UK I feel. People are curious and want to ask about it. Never had any hand gestures in it, just smiles and thumbs up.
Welcome to the club!
I've got a 2010 Bumblebee, albeit a V6 one, but it turns heads like no other car I've ever driven, owned or been in.
It's a 'happy car' in the UK I feel. People are curious and want to ask about it. Never had any hand gestures in it, just smiles and thumbs up.
Welcome to the club!
Cloudy147 said:
Looks awesome! Nice car you have there!
I've got a 2010 Bumblebee, albeit a V6 one, but it turns heads like no other car I've ever driven, owned or been in.
It's a 'happy car' in the UK I feel. People are curious and want to ask about it. Never had any hand gestures in it, just smiles and thumbs up.
Welcome to the club!
Cheers! Love the colour of yours! Agree on the happy car comment - these cars don't get viewed like a Porsche or Ferrari would. I've got a 2010 Bumblebee, albeit a V6 one, but it turns heads like no other car I've ever driven, owned or been in.
It's a 'happy car' in the UK I feel. People are curious and want to ask about it. Never had any hand gestures in it, just smiles and thumbs up.
Welcome to the club!
Loved the one I rented in the USA back in 2009. Booked a Mustang or similar. When we got to the airport rental place there was an 'Arrest me Red' and a 'Bumble Bee yellow' examples on a plinth. I couldn't help but ask for the price difference between one of them and the Mustang I'd booked.
Only $7.50 extra per day. SOLD!
I had the Bumble bee Yellow Camaro in the V8 with the auto box. It was mint. We toured around Southern Cali, Arizona, Nevada and Utah in it. The car had recently come out and we didn't see any others on the roads. Every where we stopped people would come up and chat to us about the car. We put over 2000 miles on ours and it could do stellar burnouts!
Only $7.50 extra per day. SOLD!
I had the Bumble bee Yellow Camaro in the V8 with the auto box. It was mint. We toured around Southern Cali, Arizona, Nevada and Utah in it. The car had recently come out and we didn't see any others on the roads. Every where we stopped people would come up and chat to us about the car. We put over 2000 miles on ours and it could do stellar burnouts!
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