Chevrolet Camaro6 SS 1LE / Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 2.5

The Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE makes 455 horsepower and costs $52,500. The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS makes 365 horsepower and costs $95,000—a $42,500 price gap (45% cheaper for the Camaro) despite the Camaro having 90hp more power. Across 7 shared tracks with 170 unique comparison scenarios, the Camaro wins by 2.17 seconds overall, and when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the Camaro wins 63.5% of battles with a 3.53-second average gap.

This is Chevrolet's sixth-generation Camaro SS 1LE (2017-2024) versus Porsche's 718 Cayman GTS (2018-2024). The Camaro weighs 3,772 lbs. The 718 weighs 3,032 lbs—740 pounds lighter. The 718 has 90hp less power (365hp vs 455hp), yet the Camaro wins 63.5% of matched battles. The question isn't which is faster—it's whether the Camaro's massive power advantage and $42,500 savings justify buying American muscle over mid-engine Porsche engineering.

The Age and Maintenance Equation: Similar Age, Vastly Different Costs

The Camaro SS 1LE launched in 2017, making 2017-2019 models 6-8 years old today. The 718 Cayman GTS launched in 2018, making 2018-2020 models 5-7 years old today. Both are out of factory warranty (GM's 3yr/36k ended 2020-2022, Porsche's 4yr/50k ended 2022-2024), but ownership costs diverge dramatically:

• Camaro SS 1LE (2017, 8 years old): GM warranty expired. Likely needs: brake pads/rotors ($600-900), tires ($1,000), differential fluid ($200), spark plugs ($300), coolant flush ($150). Conservative 8-year maintenance estimate: $2,500-3,500 over next 2-3 years. Parts are cheap: aftermarket abundant, dealer service $120/hour.
• 718 Cayman GTS (2018, 7 years old): Porsche warranty expired. Likely needs: brake pads/rotors ($1,800-2,500), tires ($1,400), PDK transmission fluid ($800), spark plugs ($600), coolant flush ($400). Conservative 7-year maintenance estimate: $5,000-8,000 over next 2-3 years. Parts are Porsche-expensive: dealer-only service $200/hour.

The $42,500 upfront savings buying the Camaro grows to $45,000-47,000 effective savings when you factor in Porsche's 2-3x higher maintenance costs over ownership. The Camaro costs less, makes more power, AND wins 63.5% of matched battles.

The 90-Horsepower Advantage: LT1 V8 vs 2.5L Flat-Four Turbo

The Camaro's LT1 6.2L V8 makes 455hp at 6,000 rpm and 455 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm (database shows 617 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 8.29 lbs/hp. The 718's 2.5L turbocharged flat-four makes 365hp at 6,500 rpm and 317 lb-ft at 1,900-5,000 rpm (database shows 430 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 8.31 lbs/hp—virtually identical despite the Camaro weighing 740 pounds more.

The LT1's 90hp advantage (25% more power) and naturally aspirated V8 character deliver instant throttle response and linear power delivery, while the 718's 2.5L turbo (146 hp/liter specific output) creates mid-range torque and turbo lag. The 718's mid-engine layout creates telepathic handling, but the Camaro's magnetic ride control, electronic limited-slip differential, and 740-pound power advantage deliver a 63.5% win rate when conditions are equal.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (63 laps): Camaro wins 63.5%, 718 wins 36.5%, 3.53s gap. When both run equal preparation and tires, the Camaro's power advantage overcomes the 718's mid-engine handling and 740-pound weight savings. The 718 wins more than 1 in 3 battles—proving mid-engine physics delivers competitive performance despite 90hp less power.
• Light Camaro vs light 718, TW220/220 (34 laps): Camaro wins 76.5% with 3.85s gap. When both run minimal modifications on street tires (TW220), the Camaro's power advantage dominates. The LT1's 455hp translates directly to lap time advantage over the 718's 365hp.
• 718's best scenario: Light mods TW200/220 (22 laps): 718 wins 54.5%. When the 718 runs slightly grippier tires (TW200 vs TW220), the chassis advantage finally shows. But this scenario requires tire inequality—when tires match, the Camaro wins 63.5%.

The $42,500 Value Proposition: American Muscle vs German Engineering

Camaro SS 1LE: $52,500 buys GM's naturally aspirated V8 track weapon—455hp, 455 lb-ft, magnetic ride control, electronic LSD, Recaro seats, and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires. At 8 years old, you're buying American depreciation: $37,445 MSRP in 2017 means 28% appreciation (track cars appreciate). Maintenance costs are Chevy-low: brake pads $300 (aftermarket), tires $1,000 (non-runflat), oil changes $80. The LT1's modification ceiling reaches 550hp with headers/exhaust/tune ($4,000-6,000), 650hp+ with supercharger ($8,000-12,000).

718 Cayman GTS: $95,000 buys Porsche's mid-engine masterpiece—365hp, 317 lb-ft, PASM adaptive dampers, Sport Chrono, Alcantara interior, and Pirelli P Zero tires. At 7 years old, you're buying Porsche prestige: $81,900 MSRP in 2018 means 16% appreciation (all Porsches appreciate). Maintenance costs are Porsche-expensive: brake pads $800 (Porsche Ceramic Composite optional $9,210), tires $1,400 (N-spec required), oil changes $500. The 2.5L turbo's modification ceiling reaches 425hp with exhaust/tune ($3,000-5,000), but the chassis is the story—not power.

Total 3-year cost comparison (conservative):

• Camaro SS 1LE: $52,500 purchase + $3,000 maintenance + $2,700 premium fuel (15k miles/year) + $2,100 insurance = $60,300 total. Resale value: $55,000 (appreciation continues). Net cost: $5,300.
• 718 Cayman GTS: $95,000 purchase + $6,500 maintenance (Porsche dealer) + $3,000 premium fuel + $3,300 insurance (Porsche premium) = $107,800 total. Resale value: $90,000 (slow appreciation). Net cost: $17,800.

The Camaro saves $12,500 in net 3-year ownership costs (70% less than 718) while winning 63.5% of matched battles with 90hp more power. The 718's $42,500 higher purchase price becomes a $52,500 ownership premium when you factor in Porsche's 2-3x higher maintenance and insurance costs.

The Verdict

Choose the Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE if you want American V8 performance at $52,500, prioritize winning (63.5% matched win rate), and value 455hp for 45% of the Porsche's price. The Camaro saves you $42,500 upfront (45% discount) and $12,500 in 3-year net ownership costs while making 90hp more power and beating the 718 in nearly 2 out of 3 matched battles. The Camaro is the choice for drivers who want maximum horsepower-per-dollar with Chevy reliability and American V8 character.

Choose the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS if you want mid-engine perfection at $95,000, accept losing 63.5% of matched battles, and prioritize Porsche prestige over lap times. You're paying $42,500 more (81% premium over Camaro) for 90hp less power that loses 63.5% of the time when preparation is equal, plus $12,500 more in 3-year ownership costs for Porsche maintenance and insurance premiums. The 718 is the choice for drivers who value mid-engine handling, Porsche heritage, and German engineering over raw power and affordability.

LapMeta's -2.17-second overall gap and 3.53-second matched-condition gap prove the Camaro's superiority through sheer power. The 718's mid-engine layout and 740-pound weight advantage deliver competitive performance (36.5% win rate), but the LT1's 90hp advantage dominates nearly 2 out of 3 matched battles. For the driver who wants the best horsepower-per-dollar with American V8 character and Chevy reliability, the Camaro at $52,500 delivers a 63.5% win rate for 45% of the Porsche's price. For the driver who wants mid-engine Porsche handling and can accept losing 63.5% of matched battles plus paying 2-3x more for maintenance, the 718's $42,500 premium buys German prestige and mid-engine physics—but not speed.