Buying a new Camaro V8

[Camelot1971]

I recently rented a 2019 Camaro SS in the US and fell in love with it. So much so, I'm seriously considering buying one when my current car lease is up later next year.

I note the UK official cars are still the 2018 model with the 8 speed auto and different styling. Does anyone know if/when the 2019 updates will head to the UK or will I be looking at a personal import?

Cheers

[Bearintown]

These guys are the ones to ask
https://www.ianallanvirginiawater.co.uk/camaro-in-...

[MuscleSaloon]

Its been on the cards for a while that GM will not continue to bring them to Europe.

Ian Allen has loads advertised at the moment - according to their advert they have negotiated a great deal on the remaining cars. Might be a good time to buy if you are keen ?

I would want either a manual or the 10 speed trans.

[Camelot1971]

I know they only sell in tiny numbers in the UK but it will be a shame if official imports end. I'm looking at next year to buy but will keep an eye on Ian Allan's website for any bargains!

I think all the current cars are 6 speed manual or 8 speed autos. Would really want the 10 speed auto.

Muscle cars seem to be going through a bit of a renaissance in the US so hopefully Chevy keep on making it at least. I've tried the Mustang, and even with LHD, the Camaro was a much more "event" experience.

I suppose if official imports end I can always personal import one - quite a few people can help arrange that although the exchange rate at the moment is terrible!

[MuscleSaloon]

The 8 speed trans has suffered some well documented issues. As ever though, you need to keep some perspective on things - of the vast number produced the majority are probably ok.

Is the interior much improved on the '19 ? I think that's an area where Camaro had started lagging behind against the mustang and challenger.

[Camelot1971]

Interior is pretty much the same, if I understand correctly. I thought it was quite nice, if a bit "coal mine" in there!

[JONSCZ]

Camelot, bear in mind that due to the lousy exchange rate, that with importing that it's roughly £ to $ price + 10% when shipped and on the road here.
ie $50k in US would be £50k + 10% ie total = £55k

[Camelot1971]

JONSCZ said:

Camelot, bear in mind that due to the lousy exchange rate, that with importing that it's roughly £ to $ price + 10% when shipped and on the road here.
ie $50k in US would be £50k + 10% ie total = £55k

Yeah, it's really bad at the moment

I'm hoping next year, if/when Brexit is sorted, it goes back to "normal", i.e $1.50ish to the £. I did note that on the GM Canada site, the prices are the same as the US site - I presume that's Canadian $ though rather than US? If so, importing from Canada would be a LOT cheaper!

[C5RagTop]

Ian Allan Motors have a stock of Camaros, but when they are gone, that's it. No more official imports.

[Camelot1971]

C5RagTop said:

Ian Allan Motors have a stock of Camaros, but when they are gone, that's it. No more official imports.

Yeah, seems that's it

Looks like personal import will be it then (unless the UK cars get seriously reduced).

[MuscleSaloon]

As much as it pains me to say it the S550 Mustang is hard to ignore if you want some Muscle in the UK. You can get a pretty new V8 relatively cheaply now and the more I drive mine the more I like it. Still prefer the Camaro or Challenger by a mile but for various reasons I still have the Mustang !

[Zed Ed]

Quite tempted by a V8 Camaro.

Any U.K. drivers care to comment on lhd practicalities of this car given the restricted rear three quarters vision.

Thinking slip roads and the like.

[300bhp/ton]

Zed Ed said:

Quite tempted by a V8 Camaro.

Any U.K. drivers care to comment on lhd practicalities of this car given the restricted rear three quarters vision.

Thinking slip roads and the like.

Can't really see it being an issue. I've not driven the latest Camaro, but have a 4th Gen and driven other LHD vehicles.

Just make sure you use your mirrors and get used to looking over your right shoulder.

And pull up square at junctions when turning left (same road placement as if you were turning right pretty much).

[Camelot1971]

MuscleSaloon said:

As much as it pains me to say it the S550 Mustang is hard to ignore if you want some Muscle in the UK. You can get a pretty new V8 relatively cheaply now and the more I drive mine the more I like it. Still prefer the Camaro or Challenger by a mile but for various reasons I still have the Mustang !

I really want to be tempted by the Mustang (and I've been a Ford man most of my life) but I just can't excited by the current model and I don't want one of the previous gen ones. Some of it is the front end styling was a serious backward step IMO, and it just seems to be trying too hard to be retro.

I was looking at the HSV Camaros that they have made in RHD in Oz, but too much money and rumours of compromise in safety puts me off (I'm sure the cars are safe but conversions are always going to have some flaws, as it was designed as a LHD car).

I wish Vauxhall still did the VXR8, as the final versions were lovely things, with the same noise as the Camaro.

[MuscleSaloon]

Camelot1971 said:

MuscleSaloon said:

As much as it pains me to say it the S550 Mustang is hard to ignore if you want some Muscle in the UK. You can get a pretty new V8 relatively cheaply now and the more I drive mine the more I like it. Still prefer the Camaro or Challenger by a mile but for various reasons I still have the Mustang !

I really want to be tempted by the Mustang (and I've been a Ford man most of my life) but I just can't excited by the current model and I don't want one of the previous gen ones. Some of it is the front end styling was a serious backward step IMO, and it just seems to be trying too hard to be retro.

I was looking at the HSV Camaros that they have made in RHD in Oz, but too much money and rumours of compromise in safety puts me off (I'm sure the cars are safe but conversions are always going to have some flaws, as it was designed as a LHD car).

I wish Vauxhall still did the VXR8, as the final versions were lovely things, with the same noise as the Camaro.

I agree - to me the S550 is not really a 'looker'. The last of the previous gen S197's looked better in a muscle / retro way. The S550 is light years ahead to own and drive though.

Those RHD Camaros were going to be silly money when I last looked, and really LHD is not that big a deal in the UK IMO.

Yes, shame there is not anymore VXR8 / HSV stuff coming to the UK. Unbeatable if they are your kind of car. They did get a bit pricey towards the end though. There were some bargains earlier on. In 2009 I paid - get this - £24,995 for mine brand new ! The only other thing to come close is the Cadillac CTS-V but rare and LHD. Wonder who owns the one that Ian Allen sold ? Lovely thing.

[300bhp/ton]

MuscleSaloon said:

The S550 is light years ahead to own and drive though.

Don't know about light years. And arguably has lost a little of the character. I do like them and don't mind the looks myself. But the S197 certainly looked better IMO.

[fatboy18]

Camelot1971 said:

I recently rented a 2019 Camaro SS in the US and fell in love with it. So much so, I'm seriously considering buying one when my current car lease is up later next year.

I note the UK official cars are still the 2018 model with the 8 speed auto and different styling. Does anyone know if/when the 2019 updates will head to the UK or will I be looking at a personal import?

Cheers

Im 100% With you on this, I too hired one and loved it, I even went into a US Dealer and asked about buying one but they would not sell me one as I did not have a USA address.
I have also been looking in Germany at the Auto.DE website.
However One big word of caution if looking in europe. There is a company based in Latvia that is importing Salvage Camaros, they are doing them up, putting in custom stitched interiors some with other modifications and selling them with clean titles.
Its not just one or two cars, there are loads of them.

After contacting the guy selling one of these cars and informing him I had done a Vin check via a carfax report the conversation turned aggressive and went down hill fast, so what ever you do, MAKE SURE YOU GET A CARFAX SEARCH DONE ON THE VIN Number IF BUYING USED
Note: even German used car dealers are selling these so called clean title cars (so trust no one).

Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 3rd July 13:01

[fatboy18]

300bhp/ton said:

Zed Ed said:

Quite tempted by a V8 Camaro.

Any U.K. drivers care to comment on lhd practicalities of this car given the restricted rear three quarters vision.

Thinking slip roads and the like.

Can't really see it being an issue. I've not driven the latest Camaro, but have a 4th Gen and driven other LHD vehicles.

Just make sure you use your mirrors and get used to looking over your right shoulder.

And pull up square at junctions when turning left (same road placement as if you were turning right pretty much).

Yes think of it as a Panel Van, you have to pull up square on most junctions to be able to see.

[Camelot1971]

fatboy18 said:

m 100% With you on this, I too hired one and loved it, I even went into a US Dealer and asked about buying one but they would not sell me one as I did not have a USA address.
I have also been looking in Germany at the Auto.DE website.
However One big word of caution if looking in europe. There is a company based in Latvia that is importing Salvage Camaros, they are doing them up, putting in custom stitched interiors some with other modifications and selling them with clean titles.
Its not just one or two cars, there are loads of them.

After contacting the guy selling one of these cars and informing him I had done a Vin check via a carfax report the conversation turned aggressive and went down hill fast, so what ever you do, MAKE SURE YOU GET A CARFAX SEARCH DONE ON THE VIN Number IF BUYING USED
Note: even German used car dealers are selling these so called clean title cars (so trust no one).

Edited by fatboy18 on Wednesday 3rd July 13:01

Doesn't surprise me that dodgy US cars can end up in Europe. I'll only be buying new, as it will be a "forever" car and would want very specific options and colour.

[Zed Ed]

The official euro cars look to be roughly 2SS spec in US terms, but with no packs on offer just certain options; mag ride,exhaust, recaros etc possible.