Solstice vs Camaro 2SS - Dilemma

[Carpe Diem]

I have this dilemma. I’d appreciate any reasonable comments. I love my ‘08 Solstice GXP and get much enjoyment from driving her. But I have a very unusual opportunity to purchase a 2012 Chevy Camaro 2SS loaded coupe with less than 5k miles on it -(6.2L V-8, 426 HP, 6-speed manual, always garaged.) The price would essentially the same price as for what I could sell my Solstice be (don’t ask, but it’s legal). I cannot afford to get the Camaro unless I sell my Solstice. Now, as much as I love my Solstice, I find at my age (73), it’s getting a little more difficult to get in and out of. And, I can’t carry my golf clubs with her. But I still love to drive her – the favorite of all the cars I’ve ever owned. She’s a California car, always garaged or covered.

If I decide to move on the Camaro, should I consider removing the aftermarket equipment on my GXP and sell them separately? Or just offer them up on the GXP if and when I put her up for sale? Some of the pros and cons of the deal as I see them.
Pros
Essentially a new, always garaged, high-performance car at a great price.
Still under warranty.
Camaro has about 4500 miles. My ‘08 GXP has about 48,500.
More luggage space.
More creature comforts, interior convenience, and techno gagetry items.
Camaro is a hardtop. No roll bar needed for track days.
Camaro is totally stock. (I’m pretty much done with performance mods. I don’t do my own mechanic work anymore.)
Can carry two sets of golf clubs and a passenger.
Not the same worries about availability of spare parts or knowledgeable mechanics in the future as with the GXP.

Cons
Much higher cost for gas, tires, maintenance and insurance.
Camaro takes up more garage space than my GXP. Will be a close fit with wife’s car in my garage.
Will lose contact with the Solstice/Sky community
Camaro is a hardtop coupe. Loss of joy of a roadster. (But my dermatologist will like it.)
Camaros are more common and will not be the head-turner that the Solstice is.
With mods to my GXP, I believe her performance is better than the Camaro. (The GXP will certainly handle better and is easier to park.)

Here’s the list of modifications to my GXP.
K&N drop in air filter
Hahn large intercooler
3-Bar Sensor
HP ECM tune
Magnaflow cat back exhaust
Solo high-flow catalytic converter
BC Coil-over shocks & springs
Lowered about 1-1/2’ all around (can be raised or lowered with adjustable shocks.)
Near new Michelin Pilot Super Sports
GXP ZOK sway bars front and rear.
Polyurethane rear sway bar bushings.
DDM competition Backbone
DDM ProBeam
Stock wheels powder coated gloss black (the GXP is Mysterious.)
Dashhawk
Carolina Custom door pockets, padded center arm rest and door arm rests.
GM Factory Bra (modified to fit GXP.)
Whistler radar detector (mounted by sun visor and plugged into mirror power.)
Removable clothes hooks mounted behind both seats.
GM splash guards – all four corners.

Extra equipment (not installed.)
BDM tuner
Extra set of stock polished chrome wheels with TPMS sensors
Curt Trailer Hitch
Boone golf bag carrier (Carries two golf bags or two suitcases.)
Two Samsonite gasketed weatherproof suitcases.
Stock GXP springs, shocks and GXP sway bars
Polyurethane front sway bar bushings
Stock GXP Intercooler
Stock driveshaft tunnel brace (replaced by DDM Backbone.)
Stock GXP catalytic converter.
Tonneau cover (missing front dash clip.)
Extra K&N drop in air filter
Extra set of brake pads.
BMW lifting pucks
Three covers - one weatherproof, one weather resistant and one Kappasphere light duty cover. (I use all three when she has to be outside.)
GM book – How to build Ecotec engine to get up to 800 hp.

[BuzzardT]

Put a hitch on the Sol. Get a Golf Cart with Trailer and store you Clubs in it.

[jeff465]

If getting in and out of the Solstice is becoming an issue, that will probably get worse with time. But if you keep it, use the wifes' car for golf!

[wspohn]

Sorry you have access problems. I couldn't conceive of wanting to switch from a sports car to a two ton beast like that except in your circumstances. You may find that yuou miss having a sports car if you do it, though.

[Canuck Sol]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem But I still love to drive her – the favorite of all the cars I’ve ever owned.

That says a fair bit to me, plus Bill's note about the Clydesdale (it ain't a pony car these days).

[jeffgtx]

Having driven both, they are not the same obviously. They both have their purpose.

If I could only choose one I would stay with the sol.

You can add factory Bluetooth and USB to your sol so the only techno gadget you would miss is HUD really.

The camaro is a great car. I love it and its a great thing for Gm. But it wouldn't replace a solstice in my opinion.

Of course if getting in and out of it is a pain that's another thing entirely but the camaro isn't exactly a piece of cake either.

As for golf clubs, just add a trailer hitch and a rear carrier attachment.

Even if its an even trade you will be paying more monthly plus loss of value on your mods so its not really even.

But all things considered its the better of two goods, so not a bad soy to be in.

[SolNut]

Buy the Camaro---Don't look back!

[Canuck Sol]

Originally Posted by SolNut Buy the Camaro---Don't look back!

That is a Carpe Diem response.

[juspimpin]

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem Extra equipment (not installed.) BDM tuner Extra set of stock polished chrome wheels with TPMS sensors Curt Trailer Hitch Boone golf bag carrier (Carries two golf bags or two suitcases.) Two Samsonite gasketed weatherproof suitcases. Stock GXP springs, shocks and GXP sway bars Polyurethane front sway bar bushings Stock GXP Intercooler Stock driveshaft tunnel brace (replaced by DDM Backbone.) Stock GXP catalytic converter. Tonneau cover (missing front dash clip.) Extra K&N drop in air filter Extra set of brake pads. BMW lifting pucks Three covers - one weatherproof, one weather resistant and one Kappasphere light duty cover. (I use all three when she has to be outside.) GM book – How to build Ecotec engine to get up to 800 hp.

Looks like he has the ability to move golf clubs already purchased but not installed.

Looks to me like the solstice is still a work in progress, cant sell it until you finish it.

Sounds to me like you need to purchase the camaro for less than it is worth (as you said) by taking a loan for more than you pay to purchase thus allowing you to keep the Sol. The extra cash can make the loan payments and increased maintenance and insurance bills. Then, in a year, you can sell the camaro as you will have grown tired of it and seeing them everywhere. The sales price should wipe out the debt allowing you to own a fun car for a year or so at next to no cost.

Best of both!! FWIW, i was not impressed with the trunk of the camaro nor the mustang. barely fitting clubs due to trunk opening and not able to fit my bowling bag at all. I see them both as small 2 seaters with limited trunk space. Sure a child can sit in the back, but not comfortably.

[GS Stage 1]

Golf Clubs fit fine in my Sky, with the top down:

[juspimpin]

Originally Posted by GS Stage 1 Golf Clubs fit fine in my Sky, with the top down:

My clubs fit in trunk with top down also, but most often sit in the front as it is easier. But I walk and carry which means a stand bag which is smaller than many bags. My dad plays golf from his golf cart. His bag is twice the size of mine. Only small bags fit, and I am guessing OP does not have a small bag.

[carnut122]

That's a tough call, but I'd have to go with the Camaro.

[Northern Sol]

I would have considered a Camaro but the new version was not out as yet when I bought my 2007 GXP. I do like the Camao BUT I have looked at them a lot when I have my Sol in for service at the dealership and when I compare the two I just can't dig the Camaro like the Sol. Perhaps it is because I am an X Vette man.... Back seats just don't work for me. I would have the same prejudice towards a Mustang etc.... Any muscle car....the tiny back seats just deter in my opinion.

Good luck with your decision. They are both great cars!:thumbs

[LatinVenom]

If getting in and out of the GXP is becoming an issue the Camaro would be the way to go.
I would sell the GXP with all the MODS to someone that can appreciate what you have done to the car and what it means to have those mods.
The calendar is not going to stop for us so, if the deal is good go for it.

[John_Salgado]

Camaro, i know i would, no questions asked...