New ZL1 owner and why I chose ZL1 over GT500

[v8]

Hi guys, so I have been debating between the GT500 and the ZL1 for the last few months. I came really close to buying a GT500 but just could not pull the trigger. I finally found a brand new ZL1, and I knew when I heard it and sat in it that it had to be mine. My reasons for the purchase may help someone else deciding:

Pros to GT500
1.I love the GT500's power train and feel it is superior to the camaro.
2.The GT500 is faster in a straight line.
3.The GT500 has a better intercooler system and blower, and mechanically the car is superior. The gear pitch in the T-6060 was modified to accept all the torque. Heck there is even a carbon fibre drive shaft.
4. I really like the interior of the GT500 and the recaro seats are great.

Pros to ZL1:
1. Styling, I just love the style of this car and think it looks better than the GT500.
2. Interior on the Camaro is nice, I like the retro gages.
3. Engine is very simple to mod or repair, simple pushrod design.
4. Car is very rare in canada, not easy to get one so its quite unique.

Cons to GT500
1. Engine is a nightmare to work on. I hear you have to pull the engine to do a headgasket.
2. 4 cams sounds good but its 3 more than one, so opening up this engine is expensive.
3. Production number are higher, and its easier to get a GT500, anyone can buy one here, and dealers usually sell for discounted prices to move them.
4. The body style has been in production a number of years, its had a long run.

Debatable :
The rear axel, the IRS is nice and better for certain things such as ride quality and handling, but it is heavy.

The solid rear axel done not handle as well, but its lighter and great for power and drag racing, the Copo Camaro has a solid rear axel for this reason.

My car is at the dealer and when the weather is nice, I just have to pick it up

Moderators could you please move this to the ZL1 forum, I'm not sure how.
Thanks

[mikeyg36]

Congrats! You better post pics... WE WANT PICS!!!

[v8]

Believe me, as soon as I drive it home, probably next week, or the following I will post some pics. I'm really excited for it!!!!!!!!!

['11 cyber grey vert]

V8, Congrats!!!
did you go vert again or coupe this time with the ZL1?

[v8]

I went with a coupe this time. One of the reasons was the weight of the vert compared to the coupe. I loved my vert, but I wanted the weight reduction. That coupled with some of the known vert problems, I decided a coupe was best.

Thanks for the Congrats

[mikeSS]

Ya it seems like the Zl1 is overall a better car, but that GT500 is animal. hopefully i will be able to get one soon (gt500) . going to dealership tonight.

[v8]

Yes, the GT500 is an animal, its great straight line and handles fairly well. I don't drive much so I could have got a GT500 or a ZL1. I did choose the ZL1. I did hear the clutch takes some getting use to in the GT500 and also it does not "feel" that much faster than the 11's,12's The reason for the fast 0-60 is you can do it in 1st gear because its got 3:31's in the rear. The older GT500's had the 3:73 in the rear which pulled but you lost time due to a shift. Now I asked a SVT tech and he said the 13 is stronger, the difference is it just keeps pulling where the 11,12's stop pulling as hard at the upper speeds. If you have been an a Z06, I have heard that car pulls harder than the GT500.

Just something to be aware of if you haven driven one. Now I havent driven one, but have interviewed a few SVT techs, been on the mustang forums, and read published articles. Not knocking the car at all, just be aware. Mind you 3:73 on a new GT500 would be unstoppable!!!!!!!!!

[GEN-IV]

My local dealer has 2 ZL1's, been there for months. Can't get a GT500, all pre-sold. How many ZL1 did GM make in 2012? There are 3 of them around here.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by v8

Yes, the GT500 is an animal, its great straight line and handles fairly well. I don't drive much so I could have got a GT500 or a ZL1. I did choose the ZL1. I did hear the clutch takes some getting use to in the GT500 and also it does not "feel" that much faster than the 11's,12's The reason for the fast 0-60 is you can do it in 1st gear because its got 3:31's in the rear. The older GT500's had the 3:73 in the rear which pulled but you lost time due to a shift. Now I asked a SVT tech and he said the 13 is stronger, the difference is it just keeps pulling where the 11,12's stop pulling as hard at the upper speeds. If you have been an a Z06, I have heard that car pulls harder than the GT500.

Just something to be aware of if you haven driven one. Now I havent driven one, but have interviewed a few SVT techs, been on the mustang forums, and read published articles. Not knocking the car at all, just be aware. Mind you 3:37 on a new GT500 would be unstoppable!!!!!!!!!

As an owner I can chime in on this:

1. The Clutch does feel very stiff from stock, I had a failure (defective parts from factory) and after it was replaced it is much softer.

2. It doesn't "FEEL" faster, but it is, mainly because of the gearing. Having both a 2012 GT500 in the Family and my 2013 GT500 the 112 Horsepower is a very big difference in terms of it pulling.

3. I've heard different about the Z06 vs GT500, I have absolutely no doubt that the ZO6 is faster in the 1/4 Mile and a better handler but from a roll I would have to see in person before I could confirm.

4. Congrats on the ZL1, you need to provide pics however....

[christianchevell]

i got a 2ss instead of a zl1 because i daily drive and am well aware of just how few of the few great options a stang has............like no automatic lights, no back up camera, no heated seats, no auto dimming mirrors, no heads up display, no this that and the other thing, and to get the gt500 i would have wanted it would have been 73 thousand dollars......and not out handle a zl1, not have its options, and not look as nice either........And for that much i could easily build the zl1 to walk all over the stang.....................Good luck to you, hope you get the color and all the options you wanted and you have patience in the winter or another set of tires. If i had got it i was going to mod the thing via livernois, but have allways preferred naturally aspirated as just today going home i walked all over a 69 chevelle build to the bone and i just have cai so far, and yes about 500 h.p. is plenty for most people to feel they have a strong strong car and never really lust to much for something else because when it really comes down to it, the more money it cost the more precious it is and the less you feel like using it........And unstoppable is where a 15 lb boost does come into play.....over time it is very stoppable, and blowable, and a real pain.........not a daily driver candidate much at all. Just a garage queen waiting to race once to many times and go boom.

[DuskSS]

GT500s are hard as hell to get down here and are still selling well over 20k markup.

But then again so are ZL1s.
cheapest you can find either for down here is in the 70k range. was at Ford last month shopping and the GT500 they had was regular trim and the asking price was 78k.

ZL1s at Munday Chevy are about the same range start in the 70s.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by jasonpope2003

GT500s are hard as hell to get down here and are still selling well over 20k markup.

But then again so are ZL1s.
cheapest you can find either for down here is in the 70k range. was at Ford last month shopping and the GT500 they had was regular trim and the asking price was 78k.

ZL1s at Munday Chevy are about the same range start in the 70s.

I'm glad I got mine at MSRP

However up here in Canada that is 71K

It's the Horsepower, they know that people will pay Markups for it. Of course these people are called Suckers....

[DuskSS]

Originally Posted by christianchevell

i got a 2ss instead of a zl1 because i daily drive and am well aware of just how few of the few great options a stang has............like no automatic lights, no back up camera, no heated seats, no auto dimming mirrors, no heads up display, no this that and the other thing, and to get the gt500 i would have wanted it would have been 73 thousand dollars......and not out handle a zl1, not have its options, and not look as nice either........And for that much i could easily build the zl1 to walk all over the stang.....................Good luck to you, hope you get the color and all the options you wanted and you have patience in the winter or another set of tires. If i had got it i was going to mod the thing via livernois, but have allways preferred naturally aspirated as just today going home i walked all over a 69 chevelle build to the bone and i just have cai so far, and yes about 500 h.p. is plenty for most people to feel they have a strong strong car and never really lust to much for something else because when it really comes down to it, the more money it cost the more precious it is and the less you feel like using it........And unstoppable is where a 15 lb boost does come into play.....over time it is very stoppable, and blowable, and a real pain.........not a daily driver candidate much at all. Just a garage queen waiting to race once to many times and go boom.

stang has all that as well except the Hud but they make up for that with a flat superior on board computer between the gauges.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by jasonpope2003

stang has all that as well except the Hud but they make up for that with a flat superior on board computer between the gauges.

But the GT500 doesn't come with a Rear Camera or Sensors, or the DRIVERS SIDE Dimming Mirror. Did Chevy change that only the one exterior mirror dims on the Camaro?

Also 500 Horsepower by Adding just a CAI....

I call.......