Saw my first Gen 6 ZL1 today... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JUSTIFIED · 03-24-2017, 08:28 PM

In general I am not a fan of the Gen 6 Camaro, but thought the ZL1 might sway me. Well, I saw a white one on the road today (pulled next to me, slowed and driver looked at me like "he he.. I have the new bad boy on the block" and then turned right...). I saw it coming in my side view mirror and I was like "Oh! A ZL1!" In total honesty it was a was a "meh" moment. It just didn't do it for me. It doesn't ooze the brutal, bare knuckle brawler character of our cars.

Anybody else seen one on the road?

JTRATX · 03-24-2017, 09:02 PM

I saw one at COTA last weekend, it was black, very understated in that color, just looked like a regular 6th gen until you get up close, the shiny brakes stood out the most to me.

serviceguy · 03-24-2017, 09:12 PM

We received our first one at the dealership, black in color. Nice car, not a fan of Gen 6 design, Goodyear tires, One big ass muffler makes up the rear underbody. After hearing the exhaust which sounds like a Japanese sports car, I chuckled to my self " glad I sill have a bad ass, raw track monster".

z28monster · 03-24-2017, 09:32 PM

Walked up to front-side of one at a local dealership and thought "damn that front-end is a beast", then walked toward the rear quarter panel view and thought "what the faacckk happened"? It's a bit disproportionate or something - lines don't come together for me from the rear quarter panels to the tail-lights.
Also, the car sits higher from the rear end, unlike the Z/28, where it hunkers down to the ground.

Actually, a bit disappointing as I was looking forward to ordering the ZL1 1LE, but hopefully it will look different as the Z/28 does from other Gen 5 Camaros.

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-25-2017, 08:14 AM

Things I like about the 6th gen ZL1: 650hp, available 10spd auto, great handling chassis. Things I dislike about the 6th gen ZL1: girlish figure, small interior volume, small trunk.

I can overlook all of the dislikes if it runs a mega fast lightning lap this year. With the creature comforts it includes, I can learn to like the exterior too.

hjdca · 03-25-2017, 09:11 AM

They are beautiful cars ! but, I still love the big butt that drags so low on the Z/28... Very sexy.

rcandiloro · 03-25-2017, 03:58 PM

When the new ZL1 was first announced I was thinking it might be a car I would get. The pictures didn't thrill me, but I knew that in person cars often look different, so I waited. One showed up at the dealer near me and I went by to look at it. I thought "Cool car." But that was really it......it didn't give me a visceral reaction like the Z/28 does. When I look at the Z/28 it makes me think "That thing is so freakin kick ass!" Cars are emotional purchases for enthusiasts, which I consider myself one. I wanted "That is so freakin kick ass!" vs "Cool car." Straight line speed doesn't matter to me nearly as much as how I feel driving the car, and the way a car looks is a big, big deal to me. For me, the Z/28 has it all.....and the new ZL1 just couldn't match it.

Crushinator · 03-25-2017, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcandiloro

When the new ZL1 was first announced I was thinking it might be a car I would get. The pictures didn't thrill me, but I knew that in person cars often look different, so I waited. One showed up at the dealer near me and I went by to look at it. I thought "Cool car." But that was really it......it didn't give me a visceral reaction like the Z/28 does. When I look at the Z/28 it makes me think "That thing is so freakin kick ass!" Cars are emotional purchases for enthusiasts, which I consider myself one. I wanted "That is so freakin kick ass!" vs "Cool car." Straight line speed doesn't matter to me nearly as much as how I feel driving the car, and the way a car looks is a big, big deal to me. For me, the Z/28 has it all.....and the new ZL1 just couldn't match it.

I could not have said it better myself. I do love the straight line performance aspect of the ZL1. I can't deny that. Low 11's at 125+ is quite a rush. That is what got me thinking about the Callaway option for my car. My thought was, get the horsepower of the ZL1 and retain everything else about the Z/28. I do realize there are cheaper ways to get to that horsepower level, but as a man that grew up through the '80's and was truly amazed whenever I saw a Callaway Corvette, having that Callaway name attached to one of the baddest American made cars in history really has me thinking.

1970judge · 03-25-2017, 07:45 PM

I personally love the Gen6, but I am bias I work at the proving grounds and the Gen6 turbo-4 was my first car i was stationed on in my first role here. My first go in a 10speed ZL1 was amazing! I loved it and still do, just not more than I love the Z/28. I wanted that from the moment I saw it in 2013 during the unveil. When I finally got to drive one at work for the first time, it made me forget all about the ZL1. I love the 10 speed, and I generally dislike daily driving manuals anyway...but not matter how hard I tried even coming as close to ordering one..I never got the Z/28 out of my head.

YOLO Z/28 · 03-26-2017, 01:22 PM

Personally I think the new ZL1 looks way more aggressive than our Z's. And they managed to fit all that tire under the car without adding a cheap plastic fender lip. My only gripe is that it's not naturally aspirated with 7.0L of America under the hood.

I wonder if everyone criticizing it's "straight line speed only" are aware the non 1LE version ran around the Nuremberg almost 8 seconds faster than the 5th gen Z28. Oh, and that was with the automaric in "D". It also ran identical 1:53 laps around the Milford Proving grounds. The ZL1 1LE ran 1:50's. Arguably it undoubtedly ives up to the standard set by the 5th gen Z and exceeds it.

shibbs · 03-26-2017, 01:26 PM

I truly HATE the front grille. I get it that the car needs a ton of airflow to cool it and whatever, but I can see right through the front grille of that thing, and see all the bare aluminum radiators and condenser and all that. I really do NOT like that one bit. The 6th gen in general is slighted by the front grille, IMO.

JUSTIFIED · 03-26-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '14RedHotZ

Personally I think the new ZL1 looks way more aggressive than our Z's. And they managed to fit all that tire under the car without adding a cheap plastic fender lip. My only gripe is that it's not naturally aspirated with 7.0L of America under the hood.

I wonder if everyone criticizing it's "straight line speed only" are aware the non 1LE version ran around the Nuremberg almost 8 seconds faster than the 5th gen Z28. Oh, and that was with the automaric in "D". It also ran identical 1:53 laps around the Milford Proving grounds. The ZL1 1LE ran 1:50's. Arguably it undoubtedly ives up to the standard set by the 5th gen Z and exceeds it.

I was only commenting on its looks. I know that it goes around a track very well and I also know the 1LE version will best it (and our cars) on the track. My question (for all the track rats)... will it best our cars lap after lap when it's 90+ degrees outside? Can a super charger hold up even with all of the on board cooling?

rcandiloro · 03-26-2017, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '14RedHotZ

Personally I think the new ZL1 looks way more aggressive than our Z's. And they managed to fit all that tire under the car without adding a cheap plastic fender lip. My only gripe is that it's not naturally aspirated with 7.0L of America under the hood.

I wonder if everyone criticizing it's "straight line speed only" are aware the non 1LE version ran around the Nuremberg almost 8 seconds faster than the 5th gen Z28. Oh, and that was with the automaric in "D". It also ran identical 1:53 laps around the Milford Proving grounds. The ZL1 1LE ran 1:50's. Arguably it undoubtedly ives up to the standard set by the 5th gen Z and exceeds it.

Looks are always subjective and for me, at this level of performance the determining factor for a purchase. Fully acknowledge the new ZL1 is faster in every respect, it just doesn't "do it" for me. The bottom line is 5th and 6th gen owners of any Camaro that starts with a Z all have awesome cars!!

z28monster · 03-26-2017, 03:35 PM

Another thing I don't like about the Gen 6 ZL1 is that my right knee hits the lower console area. In the Z/28, I have full range with my right knee - doesn't touch anything, which adds to my comfort while driving and is one of the main reasons I look forward to driving it all the time.

03-24-2017, 08:28 PM	#1
JUSTIFIED Drives: 2015 black Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 1,077	Saw my first Gen 6 ZL1 today... In general I am not a fan of the Gen 6 Camaro, but thought the ZL1 might sway me. Well, I saw a white one on the road today (pulled next to me, slowed and driver looked at me like "he he.. I have the new bad boy on the block" and then turned right...). I saw it coming in my side view mirror and I was like "Oh! A ZL1!" In total honesty it was a was a "meh" moment. It just didn't do it for me. It doesn't ooze the brutal, bare knuckle brawler character of our cars. Anybody else seen one on the road? __________________

03-24-2017, 09:32 PM	#4
z28monster Drives: 15 Z28, 17 GT350R Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 212	Walked up to front-side of one at a local dealership and thought "damn that front-end is a beast", then walked toward the rear quarter panel view and thought "what the faacckk happened"? It's a bit disproportionate or something - lines don't come together for me from the rear quarter panels to the tail-lights. Also, the car sits higher from the rear end, unlike the Z/28, where it hunkers down to the ground. Actually, a bit disappointing as I was looking forward to ordering the ZL1 1LE, but hopefully it will look different as the Z/28 does from other Gen 5 Camaros. Last edited by z28monster; 03-24-2017 at 10:20 PM.

03-25-2017, 08:14 AM	#5
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	Things I like about the 6th gen ZL1: 650hp, available 10spd auto, great handling chassis. Things I dislike about the 6th gen ZL1: girlish figure, small interior volume, small trunk. I can overlook all of the dislikes if it runs a mega fast lightning lap this year. With the creature comforts it includes, I can learn to like the exterior too. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

03-25-2017, 09:11 AM	#6
hjdca Drives: 2015 Z/28 Black Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 340	They are beautiful cars ! but, I still love the big butt that drags so low on the Z/28... Very sexy. __________________ 2015 Black Z/28 70 Chevelle SS396 01 M3, 88 Land Cruiser

03-26-2017, 01:22 PM	#10
YOLO Z/28 YOLO Z/28 Drives: 2014 Z/28 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 195	Personally I think the new ZL1 looks way more aggressive than our Z's. And they managed to fit all that tire under the car without adding a cheap plastic fender lip. My only gripe is that it's not naturally aspirated with 7.0L of America under the hood. I wonder if everyone criticizing it's "straight line speed only" are aware the non 1LE version ran around the Nuremberg almost 8 seconds faster than the 5th gen Z28. Oh, and that was with the automaric in "D". It also ran identical 1:53 laps around the Milford Proving grounds. The ZL1 1LE ran 1:50's. Arguably it undoubtedly ives up to the standard set by the 5th gen Z and exceeds it. __________________ 2014 Red Hot Z/28, CTF car #39/69. HCI, Supercharged, boltons. 2006 SRM GTO, exhaust, VMR V701 wheels (SOLD) 2002 Bright Red Trans Am WS6: HCI, exhaust, tune, Konis, UMI sways, LCAs, Track bar, STB, 2" boxed steel SFCs (SOLD)

03-24-2017, 09:02 PM	#2
JTRATX Drives: 17 SS 1LE, 14 Yukon Denali Join Date: May 2015 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 355	I saw one at COTA last weekend, it was black, very understated in that color, just looked like a regular 6th gen until you get up close, the shiny brakes stood out the most to me.

03-24-2017, 09:12 PM	#3
serviceguy Drives: 2014 Z/28 # 89, 69 Camaro, 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Flint MI Posts: 669	We received our first one at the dealership, black in color. Nice car, not a fan of Gen 6 design, Goodyear tires, One big ass muffler makes up the rear underbody. After hearing the exhaust which sounds like a Japanese sports car, I chuckled to my self " glad I sill have a bad ass, raw track monster".

03-25-2017, 03:58 PM	#7
rcandiloro Drives: 2018 ZLE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: United States Posts: 454	When the new ZL1 was first announced I was thinking it might be a car I would get. The pictures didn't thrill me, but I knew that in person cars often look different, so I waited. One showed up at the dealer near me and I went by to look at it. I thought "Cool car." But that was really it......it didn't give me a visceral reaction like the Z/28 does. When I look at the Z/28 it makes me think "That thing is so freakin kick ass!" Cars are emotional purchases for enthusiasts, which I consider myself one. I wanted "That is so freakin kick ass!" vs "Cool car." Straight line speed doesn't matter to me nearly as much as how I feel driving the car, and the way a car looks is a big, big deal to me. For me, the Z/28 has it all.....and the new ZL1 just couldn't match it.

03-25-2017, 07:45 PM	#9
1970judge Drives: 2015 Z/28, 2007 HHR Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,148	I personally love the Gen6, but I am bias I work at the proving grounds and the Gen6 turbo-4 was my first car i was stationed on in my first role here. My first go in a 10speed ZL1 was amazing! I loved it and still do, just not more than I love the Z/28. I wanted that from the moment I saw it in 2013 during the unveil. When I finally got to drive one at work for the first time, it made me forget all about the ZL1. I love the 10 speed, and I generally dislike daily driving manuals anyway...but not matter how hard I tried even coming as close to ordering one..I never got the Z/28 out of my head.

03-26-2017, 03:35 PM	#14
z28monster Drives: 15 Z28, 17 GT350R Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 212	Another thing I don't like about the Gen 6 ZL1 is that my right knee hits the lower console area. In the Z/28, I have full range with my right knee - doesn't touch anything, which adds to my comfort while driving and is one of the main reasons I look forward to driving it all the time. Last edited by z28monster; 03-26-2017 at 04:10 PM.