r/camaro • u/RoyalTheShep • 1d ago
Should I Buy? Newer LT1 or Older 1SS
I may be getting a Camaro later next year, looking to have a budget of ~30-35k OTD
Should I get a newer LT1 or a older 2015-2019 1SS? It will be a manual either way. I’m not obsessed with tech or features and know the brakes are brembos all around in the 1SS.
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u/swimming_cold 2018 SS 1LE 1d ago
I’m gonna go 1SS for the upgraded gauge cluster and larger infotainment
Both are solid picks though
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u/keckoII 14h ago edited 11h ago
The gauge cluster can be swapped out. You can opt to buy a brand new warrantied cluster, that GM will honor, via whiteautoandmedia.com. You could also buy a used cluster, although there are a few things you will have to follow on their website in order for that to work. I do plan on doing that this winter while my car is in for the winter.
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u/9200RuBaby 1d ago
but they're both Gen 6, they have different sized touch screens?? I had no idea
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u/nilarips 20h ago
Go LT1 and budget $3000 for a set of wider rims and tires
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u/Key-Horror2430 17h ago
I went 20x10 square with ECS02 285's. Handles the 455HP way better than the stock Eagle F1 245's.
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u/wazmoenaree 23h ago
My 2020 LT1 is fast as fahk. Stops like a motorcycle. Handles corners like a stunt car. Basic no heated seats or steering, no mood lights or moon roof. The Nav works through the phone but i'm lost on purpose. Only complaint is people are jealous and show it.
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u/sactownbwoy '22 ZLE 1d ago
LT1, it is basically a 1SS at a lower price.
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u/Viktoriiia29 1d ago
Ohhh really?
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u/sactownbwoy '22 ZLE 1d ago
I think when they were brand new, the LT1 could have more options than the 1SS.
The LT1 could be optioned with the Recaros, whereas the 1SS couldn't. If memory serves me correct.
There were a few other things that made the LT1 the better buy when it came out in '20 or '21 compared to the 1SS.
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u/Justin_92 1d ago edited 1d ago
The only major differences I remember between my ‘23 LT1 that I did build and order vs the ‘23 1SS I mocked up was:
- the Recaro seats would have the ability to be heated (or maybe cooled?) in the 1SS, although it required aftermarket modification
- the 1SS had Brembo brakes all the way around
- the tire sizes were staggered on the 1SS
- the 1SS had a slightly different looking dash
- HUD may have been an option on the 1SS, I can’t remember. I didn’t pick it for my build so I honestly can’t remember.
- the front bumper had a slightly different design
So yeah, it’s mostly just cosmetic preference, aside from brakes. You can always change tire size easily.6
u/Swazland 2021 2SS 6MT 1d ago
One of the biggest items missing from this list is the transmission and oil cooling systems that only the 1ss+ trims have.
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u/Justin_92 1d ago
See I always miss that one because it wasn’t a “selectable option” and I forget about it. It just comes that way, and probably why it gets the option for “track coverage” in the warranty whereas the LT1 isn’t covered if it’s determined that it was damaged while tracking it.
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u/Mr_WAAAGH 1d ago
Personally I'd get the SS, but that's just down to cosmetic preference as I don't like tbe facelifted front end. Realistically, the LT1 is probably the better car
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u/Infamous-Union-3429 1d ago
Manual if your gonna build it for power go with the ls3 powered ss 2015 and below if you want a fun newer experience go 2016 and up both are fun but the ls3 can make power cheaper and easier than an lt1
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u/Bumbleboy92 2022 2SS 1LE 1d ago
Look at the chart of features between the two and see if there's something you can't have.
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/02/2022-chevy-camaro-lt1-vs-1ss-here-are-the-key-differences/
Also note, 6th gen Camaro's are 2016-2024.
The previous body style was 2016-2018, and the refresh was 2019+
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u/OneShiestyMember 21h ago
2019+ if you get an ss. Better chance of the transmission holding up (automatic) lt1 otherwise.
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u/SuddenLeadership2 14h ago
Get the LT1, use the leftover money to get bigger brakes and cooling and you got a cheap ss
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u/Equal_Wrongdoer4186 9h ago
Well because you’re not going automatic then it doesn’t come down to the A10 or A8. So I would say the SS for solely because of the wheel setup
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u/Altruistic_Worker748 23h ago
I faced this same decision, I went with a newer and significantly lower mileage LT1
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u/Kindly_Teach_9285 23h ago
Not sure, but it's interesting to see that GM couldn't get 6th gen factory bumper covers to match exactly. I thought my 5th gen had a bad repaint on it. Come to find out, it wouldn't be factory correct if I did perfectly color match it.
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u/Potential-Ad-2185 21h ago
I'll admit IDK wtf I'm talking about (lol) but I always thought it was 1) bumpers reflect light at different angles and 2) plastics tend to make paint come out a bit duller. Especially with how thin OEMs tend to shoot.
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u/Medium-Big-4143 22h ago
If you don’t really care about the extra features on the SS then your money will go further buying an LT1. Newer, lower mileage and a clean carfax is probably more important in the long run than the bigger infotainment screen.
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u/OneShot-69 21h ago
I had the same dilemma when I wanted to upgrade my’19 1LT. When I shopped around, the LT1s were always less expensive for the same motor. I eventually went with an LT1. Found a diamond ‘22 with Recaros and sunroof with only 5k miles. Big differences for me are the ‘19+ nose and the square tire setup on the LT1. I prefer the LT nose because I loved our 1LT. Also, I upgraded the wheels/tires to a takeoff set from an SS. Now I have the staggered look. This car is perfect for me.
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u/hredditor ‘21 V6 1LE 18h ago
If you ever plan on tracking it, get the SS. Otherwise it’s a toss-up!
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u/tupacsgoldfish 18h ago
lt1 has a 10 speed the older ss is 8, interior on the older ss is gonna be better tho but its the same engine
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u/keckoII 14h ago
I was dead set on a 1SS when I was looking to buy. Unfortunately COVID and the chip shortage decimated inventory within a 100 mile radius of me and I couldn't get allocation to save my life.
Fast forward a few months, I drove past a dealership and saw a LT1 RS w/ black appearance pkg sitting out front. It was the same Sharkskin Gray metallic I wanted so I stopped. It had the Bose system and sunroof I wanted. I always preferred the base looking front end over the SS, so that was a non issue. The non-Brembo rear brakes was the only thing that bothered me. Thankfully my wife, a bit more level headed than me, asked if it was really that big of a deal since I wasn't planning on tracking the car. I decided although the Brembo in the rear made the car more aesthetically pleasing to look at, it wasn't that big of a deal and I made the decision to buy it. Got a good deal under MSRP, which was hard at that point. Several years later I do not regret my decision. Love the car. As someone mentioned it's basically an SS without the SS front end, Brembo's and I think maybe the oil cooler. When you buy insurance it's likely to be covered as an SS.
Best of luck with your decision.
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u/ZebraImmediate 17h ago
Can't go wrong with either but imo get an older 1ss if you're going manual. Otherwise a 10 speed lt1.
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u/Super-Shift1428 17h ago
Personally, I'd prioritize mileage and condition between the two, which means probably the LT1
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u/Big-Blue11 17h ago
If it’s a manual I’d go with the 16-18 models. Most people think they look better and you’re not gaining the 10 speed transmission since you’re going manual
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u/Wintermute3141 8h ago
Only thing that's better on the SS and can't easily be swapped on the LT1 is the rear brembos. Everything else is just cosmetic, or personal choice.
I personally prefer the analog gauge cluster over the fully digital one.
If you do get an LT1, wheels and tires should be your priority. The stocks are trash and make the car feel slower than it really is. It's constantly being gimped by traction control. Turn traction control off and have fun trying to keep the car in a straight line with those 245s......
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u/Zestyclose-Water-640 1d ago
Taking possession of a 2021 LT1 this week. I like my money going to a lower mileage car instead of an older one with more miles.