A few words to our new ZL1 customers -

[mechanic1]

I know its real difficult watching everyone get their ride and feeling your missing the party........shit happens........and I know that by the time we get ours , everyone could care less about seeing another picture.......but such is life.....looking on the bright side, the builds WILL get better,and who knows, maybe carbon fibre will be out as well.....one thing I CAN guarantee you is your drivers licence will be in better shape without a zl1...........to be truthfully honest, I am just both proud and happy for GM to have created such a masterstroke.........they have proven that GM is now being run finally by CAR people and not bean counters and accountants.....to go thru such a mess as we have in the last few years and come out swinging means a lot.........this car WILL be talked aboout for years to come and I am just glad I was around to witness the egg on the competitions face.........C.J.

[Max536]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

And a really big thank you to Fbodfather, who kept reminding us to "keep the faith" and informing us with as much information as he possibly could. He took a lot of heat on so many occasions from us and gritted his teeth with a smile and kept going. The doctor had to take his laptop away from him while he was having a procedure done because it was blocking the doctor's view. A great guy with a huge heart and a love for this Chevy marque, Camaro.

AMEN!!!

[piepouli]

Originally Posted by mechanic1

I know its real difficult watching everyone get their ride and feeling your missing the party........shit happens........and I know that by the time we get ours , everyone could care less about seeing another picture.......but such is life.....looking on the bright side, the builds WILL get better,and who knows, maybe carbon fibre will be out as well.....one thing I CAN guarantee you is your drivers licence will be in better shape without a zl1...........to be truthfully honest, I am just both proud and happy for GM to have created such a masterstroke.........they have proven that GM is now being run finally by CAR people and not bean counters and accountants.....to go thru such a mess as we have in the last few years and come out swinging means a lot.........this car WILL be talked aboout for years to come and I am just glad I was around to witness the egg on the competitions face.........C.J.

Thumbs up to your post, but this waiting game is realy getting the best of me and I'm sure others trying to get info with GM customer service and they tell you to contact your dealer does has no info what so ever on what is going on

[mechanic1]

You know I think I have looked at this from about every angle possible........the only thing worse than being TALKED about, is NOT being talked about.......the hype this is creating HAS to be working in the generals favour....it really creates the illusion of demand..........seriously, just looking at the pics of these cars and hearing the stories is enough to put a true car guy over the edge..I know I have spent more time in the last two days than the last 2 weeks.........dont even look at my investments anymore..........but hey, mondays only 2 days away.....

[piepouli]

Originally Posted by mechanic1

You know I think I have looked at this from about every angle possible........the only thing worse than being TALKED about, is NOT being talked about.......the hype this is creating HAS to be working in the generals favour....it really creates the illusion of demand..........seriously, just looking at the pics of these cars and hearing the stories is enough to put a true car guy over the edge..I know I have spent more time in the last two days than the last 2 weeks.........dont even look at my investments anymore..........but hey, mondays only 2 days away.....

Whats on monday, more no news

[mechanic1]

well on monday I have to say I will be making some serious phone calls........if I dont hear anything by lunch time..........if we were just being heaped into the 2013 MY we would have already heard.....that means we are still in the money for a 2012............or not

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

First - thank you for your patience over the past months.

The wait for many is best described as 'excruciating' --

and that goes for the Camaro Team as well!

We can hardly wait to get your reactions when you climb into the driver's seat!

As you drive your new ZL1, I think you'll get a renewed sense of the committment that "Team Camaro" has pledged: To build you the best possible product - AND - to bring it in at a Chevrolet Price. (...more than expected...)

Yes - it's frustrating to know that your "Pride and Joy" has been built and is just sitting at the Assembly plant. BUT - we do not want to ship these cars until we're sure that everything is as it was designed to be - and engineered to be.

(......in some cases, life was a bit easier before the internet....

Now - the second thing I want to impress upon you concerns the Break-in period -

Looking at your Owner's Manual, you'll see that we give you specifics on how to properly break in the powertrain and the brakes.

Failure to do this can impact your car's long-term performance - and so I urge you to read the owner's manual -- (which you should do anyway -- ) BUT -- specifically about the break-in period.

So - while some of you may want to 'take it to the track right now' - we ask you NOT to do that until you've gone thru the break-in cycle. (and that goes for doing burnouts as well!)

Also note that there is a section on things like 'burnishing the brakes' (AFTER the break-in period) -- and things one should always do before and after a session on a road course.........it's simply common-sense stuff........


Now - go enjoy your ZL1 -- and on behalf of everyone at "Team Camaro" and the great men and women that build these automobiles:

--- "THANK YOU for choosing a ZL1 - -we truly hope this will be the best car you've ever owned!"

Words of advice well heeded....and just in time! I was considering burning out ALLL the way home!

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by mechanic1

I know its real difficult watching everyone get their ride and feeling your missing the party........shit happens........and I know that by the time we get ours , everyone could care less about seeing another picture.......but such is life.....looking on the bright side, the builds WILL get better,and who knows, maybe carbon fibre will be out as well.....one thing I CAN guarantee you is your drivers licence will be in better shape without a zl1...........to be truthfully honest, I am just both proud and happy for GM to have created such a masterstroke.........they have proven that GM is now being run finally by CAR people and not bean counters and accountants.....to go thru such a mess as we have in the last few years and come out swinging means a lot.........this car WILL be talked aboout for years to come and I am just glad I was around to witness the egg on the competitions face.........C.J.

This is a great post, it's realistic and optomistic, and it places a positive face in the best light on a difficult overview about the ZL1 situation. You are to be commended. You are a stand up guy C. J.

[Vulpine]

Originally Posted by afirehawk1

All I can say is WOW and thanks!!! Words can not describe my emotions right now!!!!
And I havent even driven it yet!!

Nice setup...I'm gonna be in Valrico in a few weeks...hope to see you on the road somewhere. We are coming to see the in-laws off Valrico Rd. and Lumdstan <---always spelled it wrong since we lived there back in 03 to 05.

[tmandoug1]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

First - thank you for your patience over the past months.

The wait for many is best described as 'excruciating' --

and that goes for the Camaro Team as well!

We can hardly wait to get your reactions when you climb into the driver's seat!

As you drive your new ZL1, I think you'll get a renewed sense of the committment that "Team Camaro" has pledged: To build you the best possible product - AND - to bring it in at a Chevrolet Price. (...more than expected...)

Yes - it's frustrating to know that your "Pride and Joy" has been built and is just sitting at the Assembly plant. BUT - we do not want to ship these cars until we're sure that everything is as it was designed to be - and engineered to be.

(......in some cases, life was a bit easier before the internet....

Now - the second thing I want to impress upon you concerns the Break-in period -

Looking at your Owner's Manual, you'll see that we give you specifics on how to properly break in the powertrain and the brakes.

Failure to do this can impact your car's long-term performance - and so I urge you to read the owner's manual -- (which you should do anyway -- ) BUT -- specifically about the break-in period.

So - while some of you may want to 'take it to the track right now' - we ask you NOT to do that until you've gone thru the break-in cycle. (and that goes for doing burnouts as well!)

Also note that there is a section on things like 'burnishing the brakes' (AFTER the break-in period) -- and things one should always do before and after a session on a road course.........it's simply common-sense stuff........


Now - go enjoy your ZL1 -- and on behalf of everyone at "Team Camaro" and the great men and women that build these automobiles:

--- "THANK YOU for choosing a ZL1 - -we truly hope this will be the best car you've ever owned!"

I actually set my speed warning to 79 and shift way to early to avoid that dreaded 4000rpm's. Thank you for all your team has done and if you ever make it to West Palm Beach let me know and I will buy you a beer.

Tman

[F-MAN-SS]

I guess things are really bigger in Texas. I walked into a chevy dealer in Grapevine Texas on Wednesday 4-11-2012 ...5 days ago put down a $500 deposit to hold an ashen gray ZL1 with carbon insert. It is an automatic but was what i would have ordered anyway & drove it home on Friday. It was Friday the 13'th but it appears to be my lucky day. I also talked to 2 other dealers here that have unsold ones in transit. They claim to have the vin numbers. Now maybe they are full of BS & don't know what they are talking about but i have the ashen gray one sitting in my shop behind my house. I am getting ready to put it on the lift and check out the underside. My suggestion to you folks who are really pissed about the delays is to call around. You might be surprised what's available

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by F-MAN-SS

I guess things are really bigger in Texas. I walked into a chevy dealer in Grapevine Texas on Wednesday 4-11-2012 ...5 days ago put down a $500 deposit to hold an ashen gray ZL1 with carbon insert. It is an automatic but was what i would have ordered anyway & drove it home on Friday. It was Friday the 13'th but it appears to be my lucky day. I also talked to 2 other dealers here that have unsold ones in transit. They claim to have the vin numbers. Now maybe they are full of BS & don't know what they are talking about but i have the ashen gray one sitting in my shop behind my house. I am getting ready to put it on the lift and check out the underside. My suggestion to you folks who are really pissed about the delays is to call around. You might be surprised what's available

Exactly. And congratulations by the way for your new car. I am of the same mindset and posted a similar thought a few days ago. Things are fluid and unpredictable. Cars will be showing up that are on hand. Your post is good advice for those in the hunt. Now get some pictures on here!

[IOMZL1]

Can anyone (fbodfather) chime in as to what this break-in period is actually breaking in? Many assume the engine but is there more to it? What are the expected benefits of following the breaking procedure vs. ignoring it?

[illiceman]

My dealer has had my sold order in since Dec.It really grips me other dealers who didn,t have sold orders are getting theirs but mine is still at 3000.I want to deal locally and don,t want to go out of my area. GM is not handling this right.

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Can anyone (fbodfather) chime in as to what this break-in period is actually breaking in? Many assume the engine but is there more to it? What are the expected benefits of following the breaking procedure vs. ignoring it?

Theres another thread on the topic....

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216645

[F-MAN-SS]

Originally Posted by OldScoolCamaro

Exactly. And congratulations by the way for your new car. I am of the same mindset and posted a similar thought a few days ago. Things are fluid and unpredictable. Cars will be showing up that are on hand. Your post is good advice for those in the hunt. Now get some pictures on here!

I don't know how to post pics on this forum

[Russell James]

Originally Posted by F-MAN-SS

I don't know how to post pics on this forum

One easy way is use a hosting site like Photobucket. You put your pictures there and then copy the img link into a thread here.

[Pappa Joe]

Originally Posted by piepouli

Thumbs up to your post, but this waiting game is realy getting the best of me and I'm sure others trying to get info with GM customer service and they tell you to contact your dealer does has no info what so ever on what is going on

I hear ya bro........im nearing the end of my rope,not getting any info at all!

[KMK454]

1500 miles... that's a very restrictive break-in. Most I've usually heard about was 500.

With my old 05 Vette with an LS2, it seemed to open up at about 10k miles. I didn't buy it new so who knows the break-in method. It really loosened up about 20k miles.

[BamaPam165]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

betcha it won't be!!!! I think you're going to be very pleasantly surprised at how well the ZL1 rides - and how quiet it is at 70mph -- and how comfortable the seats are --

.........and THEN there's the 'wild' side --

Best of Luck with "Maxine" - and THANK YOU for your kind patience, your voice of reason over the past few months - and for 'Keeping the Faith!' --


On behalf of everyone at Team Camaro and our team-mates at Oshawa - THANK YOU for choosing a ZL1 - we hope this will be -by far- the best car you've ever owned!

THANK YOU Fbodfather!! We love this car, and you are absolutely correct about it being the best car we've ever owned. The ride is awesome and cannot believe the difference between this car and the 2011 SS/RS we had. I am also amazed at how easy the clutch/shifter operates. The clutch in the 2011 was at times difficult to manage and the shifter would not flow easily into each gear.

My husbands work car is in the shop, so he is driving my 2012 Terrain and I unfortunately get to drive the ZL-1....tomorrow will be 3 days in a row and I say unfortunately because it is not supposed to be a daily driver and I will have to park it when his car gets out of the shop. I'm having withdrawals just thinking about not being able to drive it daily!

But anyway, we are absolutely ecstatic about the ZL-1 and are thoroughly enjoying every minute of ownership. Very proud to drive this Camaro and thank you for all that you put into making this car happen. Thanks to Chevrolet and all of the team in Oshawa too.

Drivin #084 2013 ZL-1......Pam & Vince

[Snakedriver]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Can anyone (fbodfather) chime in as to what this break-in period is actually breaking in? Many assume the engine but is there more to it? What are the expected benefits of following the breaking procedure vs. ignoring it?

[s_c5519]

I dont understand the not going over 80 MPH part. On the highway in 6th gear, it is well under 4k RPM. I havent gone much over 80 yet but I am guessing it would take over 100mph to get it to 4k. So why the 80 MPH part of the break in?

[super60]

Originally Posted by BamaPam165

THANK YOU Fbodfather!! We love this car, and you are absolutely correct about it being the best car we've ever owned. The ride is awesome and cannot believe the difference between this car and the 2011 SS/RS we had. I am also amazed at how easy the clutch/shifter operates. The clutch in the 2011 was at times difficult to manage and the shifter would not flow easily into each gear.

My husbands work car is in the shop, so he is driving my 2012 Terrain and I unfortunately get to drive the ZL-1....tomorrow will be 3 days in a row and I say unfortunately because it is not supposed to be a daily driver and I will have to park it when his car gets out of the shop. I'm having withdrawals just thinking about not being able to drive it daily!

But anyway, we are absolutely ecstatic about the ZL-1 and are thoroughly enjoying every minute of ownership. Very proud to drive this Camaro and thank you for all that you put into making this car happen. Thanks to Chevrolet and all of the team in Oshawa too.

Drivin #084 2013 ZL-1......Pam & Vince

Thanks Pam And when you want to trade-up to your own ZL1 let me know Have a great weekend.

Mike Judge
Super60

[OldScoolCamaro]

Some of my thoughts if I may. The ZL1 is truely an amazing car. The car will loosen up and come around to you during the break in. Primarily, get accustomed to what it can do gradually. Read the manual. There is a wealth of information in it. The ZL1 will do things most drivers can't fathom or have ever been accustomed to before performance wise. There's quite a learning curve to it. It's not fool proof however. I recall instances when pushing it, my mind had difficulty grasping how the Gen II MRC was able to keep the car within the envelope. But, since I took it slower and followed advice within reason I got comfortable with the car and gained much confidence. Don't let the car be confident for you. I just went over 1K in mileage yesterday, having owned the car 5 months. The car is really comin' on strong, and the cooler denser air in the northeast lets it do it's thing at maximum power. GM/Chevy pulled it off for sure. It's a magnificant ride.