More Mods or ZL1

[strickland03]

As I have said many time, if I had known I would love this Camaro like I do (I have 2 kids, LOVE Vette's, but for now, completely impracticable)I would have bought a ZL1.

But, I bought a 2012 SS with 9K miles on it for 30900.00
Came with Brembo Brakes and Borla Attack Cat Backs
Added
2600.00 Aftermarket wheels and tires (have the factory's for sale for 1k, no bites)
3800.00 Cam, Long Tube Headers, COI, No cats, No Mufflers, Straight pipe and Tune.
On bad gas it tunes at 439 at the rear wheel, going back to tune one more time with better gas.

I know the specialty cars like the ZL1's hold value pretty, and I really like it, so my question is this. (trying not to just wad up cash and trow it away)

Do I sell the one I have now, and buy a ZL1, or add say a Supercharger to mine now?

I guess the main question is what's mine going to be worth with SC on it vs what a ZL1 is worth today? About the best I have seen a 12 ZL1 is 44K, up to low 50's

[SlingShot]

IMO by the time you get a supercharger put on, along with all supporting mods to handle the power, you could get a certified used ZL1 and have a warranty. You will never get your money back out of modding your current SS.

[DJ A]

Even with a bunch if performance mods, Camaros seem to depreciate a lot in value. I see a lot of supercharged, cammed, etc SS Camaros go for only $26-30k. Some people just de-mod the car and sell everything separate and they get a few grand more depending on what mods they have because a stock Camaro SS with decent mile can be had for about $25-27k. With your mods + a SC you could probably sell the car for about $30k since it's a 2012 and I'm assuming decent miles. $32-33k if you de-mod and sell everything separate. In the long run, the ZL1 will obviously always be worth more than an SS and I think even with heavy mods, you'll still be able to get more money out of a ZL1.

[Livernois Motorsports]

Originally Posted by strickland03

As I have said many time, if I had known I would love this Camaro like I do (I have 2 kids, LOVE Vette's, but for now, completely impracticable)I would have bought a ZL1.

But, I bought a 2012 SS with 9K miles on it for 30900.00
Came with Brembo Brakes and Borla Attack Cat Backs
Added
2600.00 Aftermarket wheels and tires (have the factory's for sale for 1k, no bites)
3800.00 Cam, Long Tube Headers, COI, No cats, No Mufflers, Straight pipe and Tune.
On bad gas it tunes at 439 at the rear wheel, going back to tune one more time with better gas.

I know the specialty cars like the ZL1's hold value pretty, and I really like it, so my question is this. (trying not to just wad up cash and trow it away)

Do I sell the one I have now, and buy a ZL1, or add say a Supercharger to mine now?

I guess the main question is what's mine going to be worth with SC on it vs what a ZL1 is worth today? About the best I have seen a 12 ZL1 is 44K, up to low 50's

Seems like you have a pretty awesome problem lol. Honestly, it mostly depends on are you looking for the more nostalgic car? That would obviously be the ZL1. OR, do you want a car that is EXACTLY the performance set-up that you want? So maybe do a little NADA or KBB research before you make a decision, if resale value is something that you're concerned about.

[11TexaSS]

Mod yours they way you want and blow the doors off the ZL1.

[ZED SLED]

Originally Posted by 11TexaSS

Mod yours they way you want and blow the doors off the ZL1.

LOL, these posts crack me up. If you just want raw power and no driveability do like the poster above says. I had the same dilemma. I had a 2010 SS with about $10k worth of mods. I needed to drop about $6k more to get it the way I wanted it. I bit the bullet and went ZL1. No matter how much you put into your SS, you won't be able to out handle a ZL1 on a road course then drive home afterwards without stopping by your dentist for new fillings and your chiropractor for a spinal tap. I've had both cars on Watkins Glen several times and they're like night and day.
However, ZL1s are not holding their value very well due to market saturation so plan to keep it a while.

[djpelosi]

ZL1's are too slow for the price you pay for them. I personally know two people with ZL1's. One said he runs 13.0's (m6) and the other said he ran 12.5 (auto). SS's run close to those numbers STOCK (I've seen a few break 12's bone stock). For about $5000 on a $25,000 SS, you can blow a ZL1 out of the water with simple boltons and cam. Hell, I beat a ZL1 with my SS by 1/2 a car and I'm not even cammed... So, $30,000 for a faster car, or $45,000+ for a slower (not to mention HEAVIER) car...

IMHO, if you're going to spend extra money, don't waste it on a ZL1. Go for a C6 Z06 (which in a lot of cases are cheaper than a ZL1 anyway) and are still holding value between $35,000 and $48,000 depending on condition/mileage/year.

[ZED SLED]

Originally Posted by djpelosi

ZL1's are too slow for the price you pay for them. I personally know two people with ZL1's. One said he runs 13.0's (m6) and the other said he ran 12.5 (auto). SS's run close to those numbers STOCK (I've seen a few break 12's bone stock). For about $5000 on a $25,000 SS, you can blow a ZL1 out of the water with simple boltons and cam. Hell, I beat a ZL1 with my SS by 1/2 a car and I'm not even cammed... So, $30,000 for a faster car, or $45,000+ for a slower (not to mention HEAVIER) car...

IMHO, if you're going to spend extra money, don't waste it on a ZL1. Go for a C6 Z06 (which in a lot of cases are cheaper than a ZL1 anyway) and are still holding value between $35,000 and $48,000 depending on condition/mileage/year.

If that's all anyone is looking for then why not just get a base V6 and twin turbo it?

[djpelosi]

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

If that's all anyone is looking for then why not just get a base V6 and twin turbo it?

With a V6, you don't have any added features or performance options like you do with the SS. No suspension, gears, body pieces, or anything. The SS already has a good power plant platform, so it's not a big concern when deliberating on buying a ZL1 or not. On top of that, to twin turbo a V6 5th gen would end up costing the same amount that it would to buy a stock 5th gen SS, if not more.

So again, you're spending more money and getting less car going that route.

[RGRCamaro]

My opinion.

If you think you are going to eventually sell the car, get a ZL1 (Retain value, although I am not sure how well they retain).

If this car is going to become a road course car, get a ZL1 (Better stock suspension)

If you plan on keeping the car (not selling it down the road) then mod your SS!
I have put roughly 17K (Both performance and cosmetic) into my SS and on 91 octane, Dynoed 671 rwhp. With what I have invested, it comes out about to the same cost as a brand new ZL1. Will I beat a ZL1 on the street? Yes. on the drag? Yes. on a road course? I don't know. Do I plan on selling this car? Never. Not at least for the forseealbe future, I love it.

Good Luck!

[c5Legend]

ZL1
even a SS will be common in a few years

[TXLS3]

Sounds to me like you will never make up your mind. Your bought something your already considering selling or turboing but your concerned of losing resale value. That's called a catch 22 damned if you do damned if you don't.

No offense intended I'm in the same boat. I want to turbo/ cam mine and make 700hp but I also might want a different car down the line so.. Lol

[strickland03]

Originally Posted by TXLS3

Sounds to me like you will never make up your mind. Your bought something your already considering selling or turboing but your concerned of losing resale value. That's called a catch 22 damned if you do damned if you don't.

No offense intended I'm in the same boat. I want to turbo/ cam mine and make 700hp but I also might want a different car down the line so.. Lol

Thanks for all advise, not going to respond to each individually, but I read them all It is a dilemma for sure, as I never seem to keep a car more than a year or two... I do LOVE the car, and like the Mods I have already done, and pretty sure I wouldn't be completely happy with a bone stock ZL1, which equals more money... Can't take it with you i guess

[BriteCrawler]

Originally Posted by djpelosi

ZL1's are too slow for the price you pay for them. I personally know two people with ZL1's. One said he runs 13.0's (m6) and the other said he ran 12.5 (auto).

Someone can't drive.