There’s a lot going on to make the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE an extremely competent track car. The sixth-generation Camaro is already riding on the sublime Alpha platform, but the latest 1LE goodies should provide healthy benefits in shaving seconds off lap times.
So, what will the 1LE package set you back? Chevrolet wouldn’t comment directly on pricing, only stating that announcement will come at a later date, However, during our interview with chief Camaro engineer, Al Oppenheiser, we did get some insight.
When asked if there was a ballpark range in regards to 2017 Camaro 1LE pricing, Oppenheiser responded with, “It’s not going to mirror the fifth-gen, the fifth-gen was frankly a steal. It was $3,500 as an option. It was an incredible value, more than I wanted,” and finished his thought with a chuckle.
“Because of the level of technology offered in the sixth-generation, and that we’ve elevated the performance in this new 1LE, the price is going to be higher. Not a lot higher, we want to sell a lot of them, but you can expect it to be a little higher than the fifth-gen,” he added.
Oppenheiser may have a different idea of what “a little higher” means than what we think, but we’d safely estimate at this time the package will cost under $5,000. It would also be a one-two punch for the 2017 Camaro 1LE’s cross-town rival. The Camaro 1LE is expected to out-perform the GT350, and if it rings in as less-expensive, the Camaro team will have done their job in courting undecided pony car buyers.
Comments
If you think this package is under 5k, either you haven’t looked at what it’s adding or there are a lot of “optional” items, like the MRC, Recaro’s, NPP and such.
The 1LE package has forged aluminium wheels, insanely fat rubber, 6 piston brembos, magnetic ride control, beefed up suspension, recaro seats, oil, transmission and differential radiators… and I’m sure I’m forgetting something else. It’s going to be a $7500 option, and if it’s less than that it’ll be a ‘steal’ again.
The Camaro was always the affordable 2+2 alternative to the Corvette. Now we’re looking at nearly 45k (tax & title) for a 1SS 1LE Camaro? I get that the technology and the performance is world class, and when compared to other vehicles with similar options – it may be a bit of a “deal”. But, for that kind of money (or less) – you could slide into a clean CTS-V coupe or C6 Z06. The price point is beginning to drift beyond the reach of the common blue collar man’s salary.
I agree, but who says these cars are for the blue collar man anymore?
Agree.
As previously mentioned the, 2010 Camaro 1SS had a base price of $30,995, now that car is…….$37,295. The 2SS is another $5K more and can easily top $50K with most boxes checked. We are talking about the V8 Camaro, not the Corvette or some Cadillac V series, a Camaro. I understand that this new Camaro is “better” in many ways, but to me that price puts it beyond the reach of many of it’s target audience. V6? It’s better than ever , but it’s still seen as a huge step down to many.
The target group is not what you think anymore.
Most customers looking at cars like this are 40 years old and older. Most young drivers are more interested in stereos and wifi hot spots vs RWD power.
The reality is you are not going to get much for $25K anymore. Just look at all the cars in the $19K – 30K range and they are all FWD 4 cylinder cars for the most part. And if they do have a V6 they don’t have much.
Sorry but it’s not 1988 anymore.
1998? Who said anything about 1998? I’m comparing now vs 2010.
The 40 something demographic is exactly what I am speaking of. They are much more likely to demand a V8 than the younger 20-30 something crowd. Problem is, even though GM has decided to increase the price of the V8 Camaro by more 20% since…..2010, many of that middle class “Camaro guy” isn’t making more than 20% more in the last 6 years. I may be wrong, but I see that customer as more likely to simply go to the Mustang GT or the Challenger R/T rather than settling for a V6 Camaro? I also see/agree with what Justin is saying, if I’m “dyed in the wool” GM guy, and am looking at $45K+ for a new V8 Camaro, I’m going to seriously look at the C6 Z06 or “previous gen” LSA powered CTS-V.
To each is their own!
You can buy whatever you want (or can afford). GM has the right to charge whatever they want as long as they sell the cars. They care less about the opinions of a guy who is going to buy a lesser product (Ford Mustang) just because it cheaper
It makes sense that they would do the 1LE with the 1SS over the 2SS. Really the only difference between the two before was leather. If you optioned for the Recaro’s on either SS version of the gen5 the only difference at that point was whether you really needed the heavier leather back seat. Seeing as how the new 1SS 1LE will have the Recaro’s and we will be able to option any extras or luxury items still makes this car a performance deal. Times have changed and the price for performance is going up, but I still don’t think this car will be that far out of reach from the customers who were in the market for the previous 1LE. If a customer can’t quite reach the SS then they should be thrilled GM makes an excellent V6 and the Camaro team saw fit to give the 1LE treatment to the LT’s.
Justin, I agree with you on that one. These cars are not affordable anymore because they would be a second car. I wouldn’t be driving this car in the Winter where I live. I work with a guy that got the Shelby a couple years ago. He had to order it and wait months for it. It cost over 70k maybe even 80k. If I was going to spend that kind of cash I’m not getting a Mustang. Same with the Dodge Hellcat editions. They are like 70k. At that point you might as well step it up to a nicer car not an overpriced muscle car. Like you I understand these cars are a steal for what you are getting compared to other super cars.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the 1LE was similar in performance to like an M3 class of car. The M3 will be nicer and will cost $25k+ more. It’s quite a deal for the type of performance you’re getting.
You have to keep in mind that they are only making the 2017 1LE in a 1SS model so it shouldn’t be such a dramatic increase as people are thinking ??
You must be talking about a used CTS-V. We know the C6 Z06 is going to be used if you buy one. But this is new tech and new car pricing. New CTS-V starts around 75k, C7 Z06 is in the 90K price range. Since the discussion should be apples to apples, that’s a big jump from the approximate 45K 1LE package has to offer.
IF, that’s a huge IF on the cars pricing… If I could could get a 2017 Camaro 1ss 1LE for 45k out the door, I’d put a deposit down today!
Getting a fully loaded 2ss now is over 51k.
I would get a camaro if their pricing was closer to the Mustangs..same fully loaded premium GT can be attained for 10k less, 41k.
I don’t think the 1LE will be less than 50k 🙁
This new Camaro is a notable improvement over the last for sure. The SS is a good deal (even the 2SS with magnetic ride) but anything over $50,000 and I’m looking at the GT350 (for this class of car) as i’m of the opinion the GT350 will be more exclusive and collectible (and the engine is so cool – above 8k redline!)
The fact is all cars are expensive period! The average car today is around $35,000 now so to expect a fully loaded car with the kind of brakes and other equipment the 1LE has at a cheap price would be a mistake.
The fact is the V8 cars will continue to grow in cost due to the need for more complex things to get better mileage and to also limit sales naturally while keep profits up to meet future CAFE.
Now that is not to say we still have some real bargains with the 2.0 and 3.6. Hell the V6 runs 13’s and the 14 second 2.0 can be pushed to do at least 400 HP before you have to go inside the engine. The Torque alone with tuning can go to 340 FT LBS.
Now while the smaller cars may not have that V8 sound they are very capable and can be had at a good price and with one and maybe both getting a 1LE package they could be the real bargain here.
I was a I am not giving up my V8 type for years and now I have a Turbo 2.0 Eco at 300 HP for a daily driver and I love it. Hate the FWD but love the engine. It may not sound cool but setting off the traction control and spinning the tires at over 50 MPH rolling is crazy.
The fact is unless you have deep pockets you will have to learn to work with other things and other ways to enjoy performance. The automakers like GM have done a great job on MPG but it is not going to be enough. I expect the V8 to be around but it is not going to get any cheaper.
As for the 1LE you want the good brakes you will have to pay for them. If GM cheapened the package up may would complain they did not use the good brakes but not that they do people complain how much. It is a no win for GM so they may as well put the good stuff on and let the performance talk.
Imagine if they use these brakes with the Turbo 4 and all the weight loss. That could detach a retina.
FYI Ed the GT 350 is not more a Shelby than a 1LE so the collect ability is out the door. I highly anticipate most of the Shelby cars post Carols loss will never see the gains that the pre death Shelby build car saw outside the Cobra continuations.
I have a buddy that has one of the last real Shelby’s build with Carol’s input and at his shop in Vegas not the Ford line. The value on that car is marked different than the other Ford built cars.
Also for any of these cars to be worth much it will take about 30 years.
So Ed don’t fool yourself into thinking the GT350 is going to get you anywhere past your 401K.. Nice car and if you want one buy it because you like it but stop the BS on the collect ability as you are only fooling yourself.
To be honest a custom built Roush may be a better option for value. So few of these and they are still built with the input of the many who puts his name on the car.
I loved Carol and his cars. I even got a good cussing from him over some parts he wanted that were not ready once. But I still know he was a great guy who build some great cars. All the rest from here on out is just a Ford.
I’d still take the GT350 over the SS. Like I already said, the Camaro SS is a huge improvement (and I like it a lot!) but the GT350 is more exclusive and more collectible. And to indicate that Ford hasn’t learnt and retained lessons from its long relationship with Shelby is….well….not plausible.
The 1LE was part of the subculture of enthusiats at GM who could slide these models in, quietly. Not high volume, but very cool, just like the CTS and CTS V Wagon, and prior to that, things like Sky Redline and Solstice GXP and HHR SS.
But the 1LE was a hit in Gen 5 and great value, and now it gets more fanfare, and with that, interest which means more chance for profit..
But comparing 2010 car prices to 2016 is silly. With inflation alone, eats up half of that base price charge. Relatively speaking, compared to any other cars, they’ve gone up the same. Camaro too much or too niche? Slip into a 3 series Bimmer…335 back in 2010 costs as much as a base 328 now…so it’s all relative.
And sure, once you dip into the used market, all comparables are off. With the increased quality over the past few years, you’re less likely to get a troubled car as you were in the past…but in many cases you’re likely still getting an out of warranty car that’s still (GM wise) a couple steps down from the quality and tech they’re putting out now, and still in the back of your mind, hoping you don’t get stuck with a big repair. When it comes to used performance cars, that issue is magnified given how they could’ve been driven.
Actually, the facts show that the Camaro SS (V8) has increased (since MY2010) by more than it’s natural competitors and 3/4 series BMW coupe as well.
Mustang GT $28,395 to $32,395 +14.0%
Challenger R/T $30,860 to $31,995 +3.6%
BMW 335i coupe/BMW 435i $43,525 to $49,145 +12.9%
Camaro 1SS $30,995 to $37,295 +20.3%
This is an interesting note, but I think we can all agree that the 1SS Camaro from 2016 has had a greater margin of improvement over it’s 2010 counterpart than the Challenger or BMW did.
I think the closest comparison is that Mustang, which improved similarly. But with the new Camaro SS easily beating the Mustang GT in performance metrics, it still seems likely that the SS has had the biggest improvements from the previous generation.
All this to say, you get what you pay for. If the Camaro was only 3.6% more than it was in 2010 [see Challenger], then you would could expect basically the same car that you could buy in 2010. If we want the Corvette engine and CTS platform and significantly improved interiors, then we are going to see the price go up. Maybe the 20% increase is a bit higher than we would prefer as consumers, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable, given the overall package. It is a lot of car for that money, and the lowest price point so far to get the Magnetic Shock system? What is the next cheapest car to be able to get that, the GT350R?
Sounds great, but I’m in the market now for my next track car. I have trouble paying for the GT350 because of the dealer markup is outrageous. You can’t find this car for less than $7500-$20000 over MSRP. That’s way too much, despite it being a cool car. I would consider the Camaro 1LE, but when can I get it? Bringing a track capable sports car to market late in the year doesn’t make much sense because the Northern half of the country has something called Winter, and buying a car like this just before the winter and paying insurance for something you can’t use all winter is silly. If the 1LE was available today, I would buy it today. I need a track car today, and I just can’t find something I like for a reasonable price. And I’ve got cash in hand, just don’t have an option I like today. I like the GT350, but I refuse to pay that much over MSRP for a car, despite how much I like the car. So if the 1LE version will be just as quick as the GT350, can you get it to me by June at the latest?
Well govt motors needs to make that extra money.