Stinger GT to Camaro SS

[87and66]

As some of you know, I sold the stinger last month and replaced it with a manual 2018 Camaro 2SS. Just thought I'd show some pics and give my thoughts on how the cars compare after owning the Camaro for a few weeks.

A few details on the Camaro: Bought used with 13,000 miles on it. 455 hp, 455 tq. It's a 2SS so it has all the bells and whistles. Even more than my GT had. It came with a Borla ATAK valved (NPP) catback exhaust ($3000 value) and the windows were already tinted. Otherwise, it was stock. I have done an oil catch can, dash cam, 20mm wheel spacers, black ZL1 rear spoiler, and Black ZL1 front splitter so far.

I owned the stinger for 3 years and I stand by the statement that I think it's the best all-around car you can buy for under $60,000. I had some issues during ownership, but I loved the car. After 3 years, my wants and needs changed, so I got the SS. Some comparisons:

Power/acceleration: The SS is faster, no question. But the stinger felt faster off the line. Which makes sense because the stinger was automatic and AWD, and the Camaro is manual and RWD. The difference is, the Camaro has less torque at lower RPMs, but pulls hard all the way to redline. The stinger feels strong at low and mid, but dies off at higher RPM. Again, makes sense, Naturally aspirated vs turbo

Comfort: about the same: the camaro is smoother actually, but my stinger was lowered on H&R springs.

Sound: Camaro wins and its not even close. That 6.2L V8 is something else, especially with the Borla ATAK

Handling and fun factor: I feel like the Camaro handles better than the stinger. I am running summer tires on the Camaro, and always ran DWS06 all seasons on the stinger, sop that may be a factor. But the Camaro has less body roll with stock suspension than the stinger did with aftermarket sway bars and springs. I can only imagine how the 1LE (track pack) handles. The Stinger is a very fun car to drive, but the Camaro having a manual trans and that wonderful sound makes it more fun and engaging to drive.

Practicality: Stinger all day. cargo room. Back seats. AWD. ease of driving since its an auto. But, I have another car for all of that.

TL,DR. Overall, they're both fantastic and very different cars, and I wish I could own both. Here are some pictures. Last one is most recent.

 

[General_Vodka]

Glad you like it. In the end that's all that matters, it's your car your money lol. If I were to get a coupe, it would have to be a rear/mid engine car. At that point having no back row will be a small price to pay for salvation. Is that hp and tq readout to the wheels? If it's crank I think my stinger has more tq and hp. If it's wheel I have more tq. Idk there is just something about quick spooling turbo engines, makes driving fun. But I for sure won't come close to the NA v8 sound. Enjoy it

 

[MerlintheMad]

That, is a very cool review comparing the two. Thanks. And have fun! That's the bottom line.

Practicality wins for me. I'd never have bought a new car "anything" if the Stinger did not have the practicality, Gran Turismo factor buttoned down. But I do love hearing my neighbor go out and back in his 5.5L GT Mustang with that NA V8: probably very similar music to your Camaro.

 

[87and66]

Is that hp and tq readout to the wheels? If it's crank I think my stinger has more tq and hp. If it's wheel I have more tq. Idk there is just something about quick spooling turbo engines, makes driving fun. But I for sure won't come close to the NA v8 sound. Enjoy it

That is at the crank. Maybe some day I'll spend the $8,000 for a supercharger and put 800+ to the wheels haha. Seriously though, the current power is enough for me. Its already so easy to reach go-to-jail speeds without trying. Felt that way about the stinger too and mine wasn't tuned.

That, is a very cool review comparing the two. Thanks. And have fun! That's the bottom line.

Practicality wins for me. I'd never have bought a new car "anything" if the Stinger did not have the practicality, Gran Turismo factor buttoned down. But I do love hearing my neighbor go out and back in his 5.5L GT Mustang with that NA V8: probably very similar music to your Camaro.

The coyote engine does sound amazing. It's DOHC and higher revving than my pushrod LT1. They have a very unique sound.

 

[JSolo]

Try fitting a set of golf clubs or standard size suitcase into the camaro cargo... Not happening.

Two very different vehicles. Also camaro weighs what, ~#3700, stinger ~#4100.

 

[Transmetal]

I can definitely understand the power, handling and sound factor but man, those Camaros have gotten pretty ugly imo compared to the 5th gen days.

 

[87and66]

Try fitting a set of golf clubs or standard size suitcase into the camaro cargo... Not happening.

Two very different vehicles. Also camaro weighs what, ~#3700, stinger ~#4100.

the rear seats do fold down, so you'd most likely be able to get golf clubs in there. i don't golf, or I'd try it out. The trunk is actually pretty big. the trunk opening is a joke though. Suitcases would probably fit fine. Basically, if it fits in the hole, it will fit in the trunk. Good point on the weight. That definitely aids in handling and speed.

I can definitely understand the power, handling and sound factory but man, those Camaros have gotten pretty ugly imo compared to the 5th gen days.

I agree if we're talking 2019 and up SS models. That front end is hideous. I like my 2018 front end a lot, as well as the rest of the car. The ZL1 1LE is one of the best looking cars on the market, in my opinion. I like the 5th gen too, but prefer the more aggressive lines of the 6th gen

 

[Maljey]

Congrats! I had a 2019 V6 Camaro before getting a 2022 Stinger. Even the V6 in that car sounded much better than the Stinger. I love a good NA engine sound. I'm sure the SS Camaro is nuts.

I ended up trading the Camaro because I needed a more practical, all around car. I had snow tires and an extra set of wheels for it (still do, need to sell them), but I still had a few white knuckle experiences going up our region's hills in the winter. I probably could have managed if I added sandbags to the trunk, who knows.

With that being said, I still think it's an awesome platform as a performance car. You really can't beat it for the money. I regret not knowing Chevy was going to release a cheaper V8 model (the LT1) later in 2019. When I got my Camaro, the only V8 models were the 1SS and 2SS, which at minimum cost 8K to 10k more. I didn't have that kinda money, so the V6 was it.

Awesome review and comparison. I have no doubt the SS Camaro handles better than the Stinger. Even my V6 handled better, being almost 700lbs lighter.

 

[Maljey]

Also, I'd really reccomend getting these as a minor 'mod'

Amazon.com : car seat side pocket

I was really annoyed with the lack of storage space/cubbies in the Camaro. I hate leaving my cell phone in the cup holder, so I bought a set of those storage pocket things and they were awesome.

 

[87and66]

Congrats! I had a 2019 V6 Camaro before getting a 2022 Stinger. Even the V6 in that car sounded much better than the Stinger. I love a good NA engine sound. I'm sure the SS Camaro is nuts.

I ended up trading the Camaro because I needed a more practical, all around car. I had snow tires and an extra set of wheels for it (still do, need to sell them), but I still had a few white knuckle experiences going up our region's hills in the winter. I probably could have managed if I added sandbags to the trunk, who knows.

With that being said, I still think it's an awesome platform as a performance car. You really can't beat it for the money. I regret not knowing Chevy was going to release a cheaper V8 model (the LT1) later in 2019. When I got my Camaro, the only V8 models were the 1SS and 2SS, which at minimum cost 8K to 10k more. I didn't have that kinda money, so the V6 was it.

Awesome review and comparison. I have no doubt the SS Camaro handles better than the Stinger. Even my V6 handled better, being almost 700lbs lighter.

I'm also in the Pittsburgh area, so I can definitely understand the hills in the winter. If I didn't have a second car, the Camaro wouldn't be in my garage. Like you said, it can be made to work in the winter, but I'm not someone who wants to do that.

 

[AtomicGTL]

Good review! Enjoy the car

 

[Bonzai]

Great notes on handling, power and overall fun factor between the two. Awesome looking car i'm a little envious of the manual gearbox!

I'm a few years off from getting another 2 seater and did consider the SS before getting the stinger 4 years ago. Remember on the test drive thinking it would get me in trouble

Enjoy the new car!

 

[87and66]

Great notes on handling, power and overall fun factor between the two. Awesome looking car i'm a little envious of the manual gearbox!

I'm a few years off from getting another 2 seater and did consider the SS before getting the stinger 4 years ago. Remember on the test drive thinking it would get me in trouble

Enjoy the new car!

Thanks! I certainly will

 

[Mike810]

Great review of the Camaro. I have been looking at Camaro SS models also. I like the look of them and the interior. Had 2 Camaros when I was younger. They were fun but scary in the winter. I put them in the ditch a few times. I imagine the new ones are better in the winter and I didn’t have snow tires. So that was probably my problem.

I can only have one vehicle. The Stinger is fun. But muscle cars just seem more exciting. Mostly I want the Camaro for the v8 sound and coupe style. It likely will be my next vehicle. But have to keep the Stinger for a little longer.

 

[87and66]

Great review of the Camaro. I have been looking at Camaro SS models also. I like the look of them and the interior. Had 2 Camaros when I was younger. They were fun but scary in the winter. I put them in the ditch a few times. I imagine the new ones are better in the winter and I didn’t have snow tires. So that was probably my problem.

I can only have one vehicle. The Stinger is fun. But muscle cars just seem more exciting. Mostly I want the Camaro for the v8 sound and coupe style. It likely will be my next vehicle. But have to keep the Stinger for a little longer.

I can’t speak on winter driving, but I have been pleasantly surprised at how well it hooks up even when it’s wet and cold out. I’ve driven in the rain with temps in the 40s and I didn’t have any trouble. And when dry, I’m able to floor it in 2nd gear and it just takes off. That’s with 275mm Goodyear eagle F1s on the rear. I’d bet that it would do well enough in winter with the right tires if you don’t live somewhere with a lot of hills like I do. It also has a snow and ice mode to help reduce wheel spin.

 

[SneakerB]

love the camaro.. I was about to get one before i got the stinger. theres just to many camaros on the road for me. good pick over the mustang and mopars though!

 

[87and66]

love the camaro.. I was about to get one before i got the stinger. theres just to many camaros on the road for me. good pick over the mustang and mopars though!

It’s also what I wanted when I bought my stinger but it didn’t make sense for me at the time. I’m starting to see Stingers a few times a week now. Not as frequently as Camaros. But I don’t see Camaros anywhere near as frequently as mustangs, challengers, and chargers. So I’ll take it that relative rarity haha

 

[RM7]

The 1LE is a monster. It is not in the same league as the Stinger, any Stinger. I take my 1LE to autoX and it's just amazing what it can do. There are cars that are much more optimized for autoX, but the 1LE transcends a lot of categories and can do quite well. I won novice class last year and got 2nd at my first "open" class. There are cars that are intended for straight-line, cars intended for a mix of track and straight-line, but the 1LE just takes it all to 10. The LT1 is a great engine and get it above 4000 to really see what it can do as far as pulling. The SS isn't far removed from this. The biggest "upgrade" you can do is give it some more rubber, but at least the SS comes with 275s, vs. mustangs with ridiculous skinny tires. I had a 2010 2SS, put swaybars and strut brace on it and it was decent fun. The alpha chassis is a big improvement though. This is seriously world-class chassis tuning on the level with Porsche, Ferrari and others. The stinger is more practical for me. The hatch was a big selling point. It's real hard to get into another car after the 1LE as far as handling is concerned...

 

[clemson85]

Thanks for the comparison. I am considering selling my 1998 SS 1LE Camaro for a new 2023 LT1 Camaro this year. My 2019 Stinger GTS is here to stay though because it does so many things well. Storage, HK Stereo, Sunroof, Seats 5, Orange Exterior Color, Low end torque, etc.

 

[87and66]

The 1LE is a monster. It is not in the same league as the Stinger, any Stinger. I take my 1LE to autoX and it's just amazing what it can do. There are cars that are much more optimized for autoX, but the 1LE transcends a lot of categories and can do quite well. I won novice class last year and got 2nd at my first "open" class. There are cars that are intended for straight-line, cars intended for a mix of track and straight-line, but the 1LE just takes it all to 10. The LT1 is a great engine and get it above 4000 to really see what it can do as far as pulling. The SS isn't far removed from this. The biggest "upgrade" you can do is give it some more rubber, but at least the SS comes with 275s, vs. mustangs with ridiculous skinny tires. I had a 2010 2SS, put swaybars and strut brace on it and it was decent fun. The alpha chassis is a big improvement though. This is seriously world-class chassis tuning on the level with Porsche, Ferrari and others. The stinger is more practical for me. The hatch was a big selling point. It's real hard to get into another car after the 1LE as far as handling is concerned...

I need to drive a 1LE now haha. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Alpha chassis. I plan to do a strut tower brace at some point and I am considering putting the car on some BMR springs, but I haven’t been able to decide if I want to deal with the downsides of a lowered car again or not. I probably won’t do much more than that, handling wise, because it already handles so well, even as a non-1LE car. I don’t do any track driving, so it’s good enough for me. Thanks for the insight! It’s nice to hear from another owner of both cars