Long story short... Had a Scion xB since 2007 and was going to drive it into the ground... Was at about 150K, paid off for years, when I was rear ended and totaled it. Bent frame, no chance at saving it. Thankfully, no injuries to all involved (driver who hit me had his 90 year old grandmother as a passenger, he got distracted...). I ended up going into someone in front of me and all that fun stuff.
I needed a car quick for work, so I ended up with a 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE (my brother works at Toyota at a sales manager, was able to get me a great lease and all that jazz). Unfortunately, even before my xB was totaled, I was looking for my next car. But I really, seriously, didn't like much of anything being offered by anyone. So I just stuck with the trusty xB!
Anyway, as nice as the Camry is, I have no intention to keep it once the lease is over, or I trade it in for something else. About six weeks ago, I decided to check out some of the only cars that really interested me, but I never really considered due to practicality... The Camaro and Mustang.
Started looking for used, so I went to see a few Camaro's (SS and 2SS) nearby to test drive. First, was the SS and I was kind of in awe after my first drive with it. The sound, the power, how it handled around corners, it was so planted and felt so right. The cabin was a shock at first, being so cockpit like, but I really came to dig that, quick. The xB had a quirky, dark interior... I loved it. This one amps it up even more. It has some hefty blind spots, but I am a super aware driver with what's around me and with properly adjusted mirrors and simply paying attention, no issue.
A week later, found a 2019 Mustang 5.0 available to drive, so off we went. The cabin was way brighter, far more "normal". While the engine and all felt great, I just really actually hated the interior. There is nothing special about it, no character. Boring. But the car itself was still great otherwise, but the Camaro still felt more impressive tome, especially relative to the suspension, the deep rumble of that V8 and NPP exhaust, exterior appearance, interior... I made an appointment to drive another Camaro (used 2SS) immediately after our mustang drive, so I was able to test them back-to-back and check out the 2SS trim.
Well, after a thirty minute drive in the 2SS, that was it. This is the car I want, the trim I want. Adding the blind spot monitoring, ventilated leather seats and the other upgrades from the SS, plus everything else I love about the Camaro. I was sold... Except, the sunroof. The SS driven had no sunroof and I had equivalent headroom as my Camry. I am 6'5" mind you, so that is pretty important. Adding a sunroof in the Camaro cuts an inch or two from my available headspace, so while my head wasn't exactly hitting it, it was really, really close and over some bumps and such, I was brushing up against it. So that led me to my one requirement, no sunroof.
Thing is, most people love sunroofs. I never been a fan, but with the other options I require (NPP dual mode exhaust and magnetic ride control), not a single used or new one exists in the US. Literally. The ones that do, have sunroofs.
So basically, I am left to order one in. My brother contacted one of his manager friends at a Chevy dealership and currently wrapping up everything on my order. Should be in within the next few days. They will be taking over my remaining lease/buyout free and clear, so I won't owe anything to trade that in early. The lease was up October of 2021.
2020/2021 Camaro 2SS in black, jet black interior, black wheels, NPP exhaust, magnetic ride control, front fascia extension and cold air intake. Debating on red calipers or not (or leaving dark grey stock), but all else is set to go! As much as I like the blue they offer, and white isn't bad, black has always been my go-to. Plenty of experience detailing my xB which was black, so I know what I am up for care wise. This car won't be driven in winter though and only taken out when weather is decent for the most part, so it won't be as much upkeep.
Looks like the wait will be about 8-10 weeks, depending on what happens with COVID, shutdowns, etc... But I am looking forward to some fall drives through the park systems here once it gets delivered! In the winter, we have a 2010 Mazda 3 for that... Which will become our new beater when the girlfriend picks out something next Spring for herself (she surprisingly is interested in the Challenger...), so we will be scanning for some used inventory come Spring and test driving to see if she likes it.
Really excited though. I finally found something that I really like, inside and out. It's not the most practical, but whatever. I love to drive and this excites me... Even the girlfriend/wifey is excited for it!
I needed a car quick for work, so I ended up with a 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE (my brother works at Toyota at a sales manager, was able to get me a great lease and all that jazz). Unfortunately, even before my xB was totaled, I was looking for my next car. But I really, seriously, didn't like much of anything being offered by anyone. So I just stuck with the trusty xB!
Anyway, as nice as the Camry is, I have no intention to keep it once the lease is over, or I trade it in for something else. About six weeks ago, I decided to check out some of the only cars that really interested me, but I never really considered due to practicality... The Camaro and Mustang.
Started looking for used, so I went to see a few Camaro's (SS and 2SS) nearby to test drive. First, was the SS and I was kind of in awe after my first drive with it. The sound, the power, how it handled around corners, it was so planted and felt so right. The cabin was a shock at first, being so cockpit like, but I really came to dig that, quick. The xB had a quirky, dark interior... I loved it. This one amps it up even more. It has some hefty blind spots, but I am a super aware driver with what's around me and with properly adjusted mirrors and simply paying attention, no issue.
A week later, found a 2019 Mustang 5.0 available to drive, so off we went. The cabin was way brighter, far more "normal". While the engine and all felt great, I just really actually hated the interior. There is nothing special about it, no character. Boring. But the car itself was still great otherwise, but the Camaro still felt more impressive tome, especially relative to the suspension, the deep rumble of that V8 and NPP exhaust, exterior appearance, interior... I made an appointment to drive another Camaro (used 2SS) immediately after our mustang drive, so I was able to test them back-to-back and check out the 2SS trim.
Well, after a thirty minute drive in the 2SS, that was it. This is the car I want, the trim I want. Adding the blind spot monitoring, ventilated leather seats and the other upgrades from the SS, plus everything else I love about the Camaro. I was sold... Except, the sunroof. The SS driven had no sunroof and I had equivalent headroom as my Camry. I am 6'5" mind you, so that is pretty important. Adding a sunroof in the Camaro cuts an inch or two from my available headspace, so while my head wasn't exactly hitting it, it was really, really close and over some bumps and such, I was brushing up against it. So that led me to my one requirement, no sunroof.
Thing is, most people love sunroofs. I never been a fan, but with the other options I require (NPP dual mode exhaust and magnetic ride control), not a single used or new one exists in the US. Literally. The ones that do, have sunroofs.
So basically, I am left to order one in. My brother contacted one of his manager friends at a Chevy dealership and currently wrapping up everything on my order. Should be in within the next few days. They will be taking over my remaining lease/buyout free and clear, so I won't owe anything to trade that in early. The lease was up October of 2021.
2020/2021 Camaro 2SS in black, jet black interior, black wheels, NPP exhaust, magnetic ride control, front fascia extension and cold air intake. Debating on red calipers or not (or leaving dark grey stock), but all else is set to go! As much as I like the blue they offer, and white isn't bad, black has always been my go-to. Plenty of experience detailing my xB which was black, so I know what I am up for care wise. This car won't be driven in winter though and only taken out when weather is decent for the most part, so it won't be as much upkeep.
Looks like the wait will be about 8-10 weeks, depending on what happens with COVID, shutdowns, etc... But I am looking forward to some fall drives through the park systems here once it gets delivered! In the winter, we have a 2010 Mazda 3 for that... Which will become our new beater when the girlfriend picks out something next Spring for herself (she surprisingly is interested in the Challenger...), so we will be scanning for some used inventory come Spring and test driving to see if she likes it.
Really excited though. I finally found something that I really like, inside and out. It's not the most practical, but whatever. I love to drive and this excites me... Even the girlfriend/wifey is excited for it!
