Need some advice ZL1 or SS? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

HDRDTD · 03-13-2014, 11:16 AM

I bought a 2011 2SS/RS Vert when they were first announced, and later when they announced the ZL1 Vert, I ordered one of those and traded my 2011 Vert in for the 2013 ZL1 Vert.

Two completely different cars. The ZL1 is soooo much more than an SS with a supercharger.

Hands down, get the ZL1 and prepare for eternal Ultragrin.

ryoung99 · 03-13-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McFlyNH

Thanks! That includes the rebate?

It did include all the rebates. I called around to a bunch of dealers (cars.com) and started negotiating with all of them. Had 5 different deals going and found the one that worked best weighing financial and geographical considerations.

Ended up buying about 10 miles away (called them last) for the price I wanted because I was ready to travel 8 hours to get the price I wanted. They came to the table and made the deal.

Good luck

hognutz · 03-13-2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McFlyNH

I'm a newbie to the site and a Pony Driver (07 GT) who is going over the dark side soon and also going back to the future (used to have a 78 Camaro way back in the day.
I'm going to buy a convertible-- either an SS or ZL1-- money isn't the deciding factor. This is going to be my daily driver, like my GT is, but I only drive 5-10K miles per year. I'd like to drive the car as much as I can, including spring and fall here in NH.
How good a daily driver is the ZL1? (I'd probably get an auto)
I've test driven SS's and they're great cars, but was a little disappointed with the auto tran, but the stick was a lot of fun and a step up from my car.
If I get an SS, I'll probably be adding a supercharger to it and a few other mods.
thanks everyone,
rick

other than the tires the Zl1 is a good daily. unless you live is florda or socal they will ned to be ditched. you will depricate the beejesus out of it though.

The 1le package is great same issue ont he tires. I like the looks of the Zl1 much better but a boosted 1le will rival the perfromanc of a Stock zl1 no doubt.

the nice thing in some ways though since the Zl1 is boosted to start with and a little more robust you can go farther without other supporting mods.

the stock SS needs mods in many areas for me to like it. wheels, suspension, power, splitter, spoiler etc.

hognutz · 03-13-2014, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokey jr.

I HEAR THE ZL DOESN'T DO WELL IN SNOW...TIRES AND MAG SUSPENSION

its just the tires the 1le would have the same issue as well. I don't know anyting about the suspension that would care about the snow.

Nickmo · 03-13-2014, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

Hands down, get the ZL1 and prepare for eternal Ultragrin.

Couldn't have been said any better!

ZL1 for sure! Can be tame as an SS for a daily driver at part throttle. Rides a bit bumpier though. In your shoes, I'd get the auto trans for sure. Personally, the biggest downfall in its DD ability for me is the limited ground clearance. But you'd also have similar issues with a 1LE SS...

BigBoyBlue · 03-13-2014, 04:23 PM

The every day drivability is what made me choose the ZL1 over the Shelby GT500. My car is a DD, as I refuse to buy a car that I don't use every day. The ZL1 is a beast, but it can be smooth as butter around town if you can control your throttle. The GT500 felt too raw, like it would get old driving it every day. It was a super beast, but it didn't have the alternate personality that the ZL1 has. You could say that the ZL1 is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, whereas the GT500 is all Mr. Hyde.

The tires are not as bad as everyone says. Yes, they lose grip upon acceleration when it is cold out. I have driven my car pretty much every day into DC with the stock summers on (I know it isn't optimal, but I'm stubborn). Like much of the Northeast, we have had a miserable winter. I had to drive home in a snow storm once this year in my ZL1 and it was surprisingly steady. If I can avoid it, I don't drive it in fresh snow. My wife drives me into work then. I'm sure with all seasons on the car, it would be fine in the snow other than clearance problems.

Keep in mind that I'm an experienced winter/snow driver, having spent the my first 22 years of my drivers license driving in New York and Wisconsin. Just make sure all of your inputs (throttle, brake, and steering) are smooth and not abrupt. Be easy on the throttle and put it in wet mode. The car has been fine and other than the initial wheel hop in the morning, I have not lost traction. Once the tires warm up a bit, they don't hop if you are easy on the throttle. Be extra careful when turning.

Sugar's ZL1 · 03-13-2014, 04:33 PM

Hello McFly in New Hampshire,

In your case I'd recommend the ZL1 over the other models, it is a factory guarantee Hot Rod!

Here you will see the winter tires I put on and I'm thinking of keeping them on.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332939

The ride is excellent as many others on this forum have experienced the same ride.

joes407 · 03-13-2014, 05:24 PM

Having had both id say zl1 hands down. On the flip side though this car is a pig on fuel and rubber compared to the SS. Zl1 is more badass power and handling but you will love either. I see alot of zl1s gettin traded due to their consumptive nature.

BigBoyBlue · 03-13-2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joes407

Having had both id say zl1 hands down. On the flip side though this car is a pig on fuel and rubber compared to the SS. Zl1 is more badass power and handling but you will love either. I see alot of zl1s gettin traded due to their consumptive nature.

It's true. I got about 10.5 mpg through the break-in period. I just went over 1500 miles last week and I'm scared to see what my mpg's will be once the weather is nice. None of my other fast cars have been this thirsty, although my 2011 Toyota Sequoia was close at 11mpg.

I'm not complaining, I'm just surprised that Chevy didn't make it a little more fuel efficient like the GT500 or Corvette. Al Oppenheiser loves that line that on a list of 1-10 reasons why a Camaro owner buys a Camaro, fuel efficiency is #23. Funny, but it would be nice to at leave get the same mileage as the GT500.

HDRDTD · 03-13-2014, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBoyBlue

It's true. I got about 10.5 mpg through the break-in period. I just went over 1500 miles last week and I'm scared to see what my mpg's will be once the weather is nice. None of my other fast cars have been this thirsty, although my 2011 Toyota Sequoia was close at 11mpg.

I'm not complaining, I'm just surprised that Chevy didn't make it a little more fuel efficient like the GT500 or Corvette. Al Oppenheiser loves that line that on a list of 1-10 reasons why a Camaro owner buys a Camaro, fuel efficiency is #23. Funny, but it would be nice to at leave get the same mileage as the GT500.

13,000 miles on my 2013 M6 and overall average is rock steady at 16.1mpg

SCHUSS · 03-13-2014, 07:03 PM

How do you guys drive? At the strip constant? I'm well over 700 HP and still average 14+ with 19+ on the highway.

BigBoyBlue · 03-13-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHUSS

How do you guys drive? At the strip constant? I'm well over 700 HP and still average 14+ with 19+ on the highway.

I guess it's the traffic. My average miles per hour is 18, so I'm sure that is killing me.

McFlyNH · 03-13-2014, 08:49 PM

Guys, you've been great-- I'm heading toward a ZL1 and I'm not looking back. Now, finding the right car at the right price before summer gets here! Can't wait.

BigBoyBlue · 03-15-2014, 06:13 AM

Good luck. I see Chevy is giving back lots of cash. You should get a great deal.

03-13-2014, 04:23 PM	#34
BigBoyBlue Go NY Giants & NY Rangers Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 782	The every day drivability is what made me choose the ZL1 over the Shelby GT500. My car is a DD, as I refuse to buy a car that I don't use every day. The ZL1 is a beast, but it can be smooth as butter around town if you can control your throttle. The GT500 felt too raw, like it would get old driving it every day. It was a super beast, but it didn't have the alternate personality that the ZL1 has. You could say that the ZL1 is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, whereas the GT500 is all Mr. Hyde. The tires are not as bad as everyone says. Yes, they lose grip upon acceleration when it is cold out. I have driven my car pretty much every day into DC with the stock summers on (I know it isn't optimal, but I'm stubborn). Like much of the Northeast, we have had a miserable winter. I had to drive home in a snow storm once this year in my ZL1 and it was surprisingly steady. If I can avoid it, I don't drive it in fresh snow. My wife drives me into work then. I'm sure with all seasons on the car, it would be fine in the snow other than clearance problems. Keep in mind that I'm an experienced winter/snow driver, having spent the my first 22 years of my drivers license driving in New York and Wisconsin. Just make sure all of your inputs (throttle, brake, and steering) are smooth and not abrupt. Be easy on the throttle and put it in wet mode. The car has been fine and other than the initial wheel hop in the morning, I have not lost traction. Once the tires warm up a bit, they don't hop if you are easy on the throttle. Be extra careful when turning. __________________ Molon Labe! Last edited by BigBoyBlue; 03-13-2014 at 04:39 PM.

03-13-2014, 04:33 PM	#35
Sugar's ZL1 Ron and Sugar Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Vert A6 Join Date: May 2013 Location: DFW Posts: 108	Hello McFly in New Hampshire, In your case I'd recommend the ZL1 over the other models, it is a factory guarantee Hot Rod! Here you will see the winter tires I put on and I'm thinking of keeping them on. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332939 The ride is excellent as many others on this forum have experienced the same ride. __________________ I Love My 08 Pek a Poo

03-13-2014, 07:03 PM	#39
SCHUSS 709 RWHP & 677 RWTQ Drives: 13' HPE 800 ZL1..... IOM vert, M6 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 1,140	How do you guys drive? At the strip constant? I'm well over 700 HP and still average 14+ with 19+ on the highway. __________________ 11.34 @ 124.88

03-15-2014, 06:13 AM	#42
BigBoyBlue Go NY Giants & NY Rangers Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 782	Good luck. I see Chevy is giving back lots of cash. You should get a great deal. __________________ Molon Labe!

03-13-2014, 11:16 AM	#29
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	I bought a 2011 2SS/RS Vert when they were first announced, and later when they announced the ZL1 Vert, I ordered one of those and traded my 2011 Vert in for the 2013 ZL1 Vert. Two completely different cars. The ZL1 is soooo much more than an SS with a supercharger. Hands down, get the ZL1 and prepare for eternal Ultragrin.

03-13-2014, 05:24 PM	#36
joes407 Drives: 2014 ZL1m6 red hot #569 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: florida Posts: 2,422	Having had both id say zl1 hands down. On the flip side though this car is a pig on fuel and rubber compared to the SS. Zl1 is more badass power and handling but you will love either. I see alot of zl1s gettin traded due to their consumptive nature.

03-13-2014, 08:49 PM	#41
McFlyNH Drives: 14 Mustang GT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NH Posts: 11	Guys, you've been great-- I'm heading toward a ZL1 and I'm not looking back. Now, finding the right car at the right price before summer gets here! Can't wait.