Underwhelmed by ZL1 convertible in person... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

vetteman · 04-08-2012, 04:35 PM

I was at the Palm Beach auction and surprised to see the ZL1 Vert there. I had been looking foreword to seeing one in person. I owned a 2010 SS which I really liked. I think the new steering wheel is horrendous. While I agree the old one didn't feel great - it looked retro cool. The new one is right out of the check parts bin. just looks cheap and out of place. The Nav system also looked chew and out of place.

This is what drives me nuts about GM. They design something cool then they go to the parts bin and start throwing things in that were never part of original design....I also thought the suede felt very cheap also.

I still may get one but I was really let down - then I walked over to see the new GT500 - everything is cohesive - no parts bin steering wheel - cool seats, dash, cue ball shifter etc...

I think they have made the camaro worse ...

Now the 60th Anniversary Vette was stunning - here is a car they made look better! after years gone by but the interior also sucks on this car - parts bin steering wheel also.

Just my thoughts -

shockandawe · 04-08-2012, 04:55 PM

Hmmmmmmmm

Frankzl1 · 04-08-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetteman

I was at the Palm Beach auction and surprised to see the ZL1 Vert there. I had been looking foreword to seeing one in person. I owned a 2010 SS which I really liked. I think the new steering wheel is horrendous. While I agree the old one didn't feel great - it looked retro cool. The new one is right out of the check parts bin. just looks cheap and out of place. The Nav system also looked chew and out of place.

This is what drives me nuts about GM. They design something cool then they go to the parts bin and start throwing things in that were never part of original design....I also thought the suede felt very cheap also.

I still may get one but I was really let down - then I walked over to see the new GT500 - everything is cohesive - no parts bin steering wheel - cool seats, dash, cue ball shifter etc...

I think they have made the camaro worse ...

Now the 60th Anniversary Vette was stunning - here is a car they made look better! after years gone by but the interior also sucks on this car - parts bin steering wheel also.

Just my thoughts -

Don't get it please

AZCamaroFan · 04-08-2012, 05:11 PM

Well i agree the new steering wheel might not look like a sports car wheel, it doesn't look cheap though.

ShnOmac · 04-08-2012, 05:15 PM

Ehhh... To each their own. I think it looks fine!

69 Rebel · 04-08-2012, 05:26 PM

I think you should get the Mustang

Deke736 · 04-08-2012, 05:28 PM

While the looks of the new steering wheel aren't the best, the feel and function are much better than in previous models. I was surprised by how much I liked it when I picked up my ZL1 on Friday. Now I just need to black out the bowtie on it.

tpower · 04-08-2012, 05:30 PM

I say get the GT500 it will suit you

99firehawk · 04-08-2012, 05:30 PM

I too was at the Barrat-Jackson Auction in West Palm Beach last Thursday and saw the two verts beside each other and thought.......it is great to see GM back in the game and producing two amazing cars!

I don't agree with the OP and thought the ZL1 vert was awesome and made me want one more! The 427 Vette vert is stunning for sure and if I had an extra $25K, it would be a tougher decision....but I don't lol.

I asked a GM employee near by which one he would take if he could have either (thinking he would say the Vette) and he said the ZL1 vert "without question". I thought his reason would be the extra power and it wasn't.....it was "how comfortable" a car it was. He had driven both and found the ZL1 interior quieter and just more comfortable to drive around town and faster.

GoldenBear · 04-08-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetteman

... then I walked over to see the new GT500 - everything is cohesive - no parts bin steering wheel - cool seats, dash, cue ball shifter etc...

Based on what you've stated it appears clear that the new GT500 is best vehicle to hit American automotive showrooms since the 1964 1/2 Mustang, based on a Falcon suspension with a 170 CID 101 HP straight 6 and with 4 wheel drum brakes, appeared on Friday, April 17, 1964.

Happy_Dan · 04-08-2012, 06:46 PM

The flat bottom on the steering wheel is functional like almost everything else on this car. It make moving your legs easier to heel toe shift while still staying close to the wheel. The steering wheel on the existing Camaro would right out of the "parts bin"! This is different.

Scott is sure right, you just can't make everyone happy.

Modern07 · 04-08-2012, 07:20 PM

I agree a "little" on the steering wheel - I think it would be nice to have a big ZL1 instead of the gold Bowtie, but other than that I don't agree at all.

It sounds like you should buy the GT500

xx_ED_xx · 04-08-2012, 07:23 PM

Not a vert lover, make a car more flimsy then add a bunch of bracing and weight just to be topless.....
On top of the leaks etc. Screw that...

Happy_Dan · 04-08-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xx_ED_xx

Not a vert lover, make a car more flimsy then add a bunch of bracing and weight just to be topless.....
On top of the leaks etc. Screw that...

I thought the Camaro was built as a convertible first so the bracing etc. is already there. Then they made the coupe. I could be completely wrong on that one but it is in my memory for some reason.

04-08-2012, 04:35 PM	#1
vetteman Drives: vette Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CA Posts: 50	Underwhelmed by ZL1 convertible in person... I was at the Palm Beach auction and surprised to see the ZL1 Vert there. I had been looking foreword to seeing one in person. I owned a 2010 SS which I really liked. I think the new steering wheel is horrendous. While I agree the old one didn't feel great - it looked retro cool. The new one is right out of the check parts bin. just looks cheap and out of place. The Nav system also looked chew and out of place. This is what drives me nuts about GM. They design something cool then they go to the parts bin and start throwing things in that were never part of original design....I also thought the suede felt very cheap also. I still may get one but I was really let down - then I walked over to see the new GT500 - everything is cohesive - no parts bin steering wheel - cool seats, dash, cue ball shifter etc... I think they have made the camaro worse ... Now the 60th Anniversary Vette was stunning - here is a car they made look better! after years gone by but the interior also sucks on this car - parts bin steering wheel also. Just my thoughts -

04-08-2012, 05:26 PM	#6
69 Rebel Drives: 2010 IBM 2SS/RS Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Laval, Canada Posts: 1,542	I think you should get the Mustang __________________ Version I Jannetty Racing 550 RWHP Street Brawler Package, Powered by TVS2300 Maggie http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100385 Version II 416ci stroker/4L80e 701rwhp 750rwtq build and tuned by SPI-Performance

04-08-2012, 05:28 PM	#7
Deke736 COTW 12/3/12 Drives: 2012 Ashen Gray ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Posts: 3,279	While the looks of the new steering wheel aren't the best, the feel and function are much better than in previous models. I was surprised by how much I liked it when I picked up my ZL1 on Friday. Now I just need to black out the bowtie on it. __________________

04-08-2012, 05:30 PM	#8
tpower DBLCHBY III Drives: 15 1LE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Team Canada Posts: 2,789	I say get the GT500 it will suit you __________________

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04-08-2012, 04:55 PM	#2
shockandawe Drives: 2014 Z51 Corvette Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,349	Hmmmmmmmm

04-08-2012, 05:11 PM	#4
AZCamaroFan Camaro6 2016-2018 Drives: sometimes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 18,450	Well i agree the new steering wheel might not look like a sports car wheel, it doesn't look cheap though.

04-08-2012, 05:15 PM	#5
ShnOmac Drives: 2006 Silverado SS, 2009 G8 GT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: PNW Posts: 13,313	Ehhh... To each their own. I think it looks fine!

04-08-2012, 05:30 PM	#9
99firehawk Order in on 13' ZL1 vert Drives: 1999 Firehawk Convertible Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 199 View My Garage	I too was at the Barrat-Jackson Auction in West Palm Beach last Thursday and saw the two verts beside each other and thought.......it is great to see GM back in the game and producing two amazing cars! I don't agree with the OP and thought the ZL1 vert was awesome and made me want one more! The 427 Vette vert is stunning for sure and if I had an extra $25K, it would be a tougher decision....but I don't lol. I asked a GM employee near by which one he would take if he could have either (thinking he would say the Vette) and he said the ZL1 vert "without question". I thought his reason would be the extra power and it wasn't.....it was "how comfortable" a car it was. He had driven both and found the ZL1 interior quieter and just more comfortable to drive around town and faster.

04-08-2012, 06:46 PM	#11
Happy_Dan Happy_Dan Drives: 2012 IOM Camaro ZL1 #569 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Boston, NH Posts: 2,239	The flat bottom on the steering wheel is functional like almost everything else on this car. It make moving your legs easier to heel toe shift while still staying close to the wheel. The steering wheel on the existing Camaro would right out of the "parts bin"! This is different. Scott is sure right, you just can't make everyone happy.

04-08-2012, 07:20 PM	#12
Modern07 Mid-Florida Camaro Club Drives: 2019 ZL1 on Order Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Heathrow, FL Posts: 3,136	I agree a "little" on the steering wheel - I think it would be nice to have a big ZL1 instead of the gold Bowtie, but other than that I don't agree at all. It sounds like you should buy the GT500

04-08-2012, 07:23 PM	#13
xx_ED_xx Drives: 04 Silverado Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Floriduh! Posts: 1,113	Not a vert lover, make a car more flimsy then add a bunch of bracing and weight just to be topless..... On top of the leaks etc. Screw that...