Which ZL1 to buy? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ricknasty.com · 03-18-2017, 02:26 PM

My funds are finally clearing next week, and I'm down to two cars. Assume the prices are equal with a clean carfax. I'm leaning towards car 1 as it's modded the way I want it, was well maintained, and has the CF insert. Is that worth the extra 10k miles? I'm looking to get one on the 27th.

1

28000 miles
k&n CF intake
blacked out emblems, markers, tint
2 10" JL subs
garage kept, meticulously maintained, hand washed
1100 miles away

2

18000 miles
completely stock, had an air raid intake without a tune that the dealer removed
unsure about how it was stored. paint has that bristle scratch you get from the bristle car wash
maintenance was at service schedule or later
200 miles away

Thanks for the feedback!

HDRDTD · 03-18-2017, 03:38 PM

#2

#1 has more miles, further away, and since it has a K&N intake on it, odds are it's had a tune.

#2 on the other hand, even though the paint has 'bristle scratch', it should buff out without much problems.

ricknasty.com · 03-18-2017, 05:07 PM

1 k&n doesn't require a tune and he said it hasn't had one. I was considering a one way flight with my son and making a journey out of the ride home.
2 the airraid intake that was on the car required a tune and the owner never got one. I'm somewhat concerned with the impacts of this. There are a few more paint imperfections than the car wash scratches.

I feel like 1 is from a guy who loved and babied his car and 2 is from an owner who just had it and didn't 'love' it.

Even more on 1 now

unless 2 will come down even more on the price.

Iseoll · 03-18-2017, 06:44 PM

Seems like there are a lot of cars with low miles at great prices out there right now. Any reason your only considering these two? I've been searching lately and found some great deals with very low miles.

lbls1 · 03-18-2017, 06:59 PM

#2.

But IMO I wouldn't get any of those examples. My money would be on something with about 5,000 miles or less, completely stock and well maintained. If you're not sure then skip both and keep looking.

silversleeper · 03-18-2017, 07:14 PM

I would go look at #2 first. It is not that far that you are forced to buy it if it wasn't garage kept or didn't have a clean enough appearance for the price.
Have any had the supercharger replaced by GM to eliminate the coupler rattle that otherwise will occur later? If no, then lower miles might be better.

ricknasty.com · 03-18-2017, 07:59 PM

I'm considering these two because they are close to all my options at the right price. The <5k mile cars seem to be about $5k out of my range.

I've been searching a ton of different sources for a few months now. Hard to find my car for <$35k.

I test drove 2 yesterday. It was solid but the outside wasn't that clean and the history isn't really up to par. Neither mentioned supercharger fixes. Does this affect all 2013s?

Iseoll · 03-18-2017, 08:06 PM

It will most likely effect all 13's. Gm extended the warranty for 10 years or 100,00 miles on 13's. Some happen early, some go quite awhile.

ricknasty.com · 03-18-2017, 08:12 PM

Good to know. Thanks for the update.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 03-18-2017, 08:41 PM

I'd skip all of the above and pony up for a real nice one, sub 10,000 miles and stock, that's wall maintained. Miles aren't a huge deal for these cars as I'm sure people are going to point out after I make this post, but I prefer lower.

DeSH · 03-19-2017, 12:35 AM

If you are looking for a sub $35K car, don't expect it to be perfect. I would either go with #2 or keep looking. My fear of #1 is making the 1100 mile trip and finding out it wasn't as nice as I thought it would be. I've seen many really nice cars sell on this forum from known sellers for way below asking price...just a thought to consider.

STUNNAH · 03-19-2017, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

I'd skip all of the above and pony up for a real nice one, sub 10,000 miles and stock, that's wall maintained. Miles aren't a huge deal for these cars as I'm sure people are going to point out after I make this post, but I prefer lower.

I agree with this post as it sums up most of what the other post have stated...Since you didn't provide a cost of the vehicle's it's difficult for a member to give you a definitive response...The fact that #1 has some of the mods that you're interested in should have little impact on your decision to go with it, those mods would be valued at maybe $800.00 at most and come with 10,000 extra miles...Vehicle #2 as you state does not appear to have been taken care of as most owners of these cars are extremely particular in maintenance and appearance...I would not be inclined to purchase either of them...I would start a new search and find a car that has been well maintained and has lower mileage, simply because their out there waiting to be purchased, there may even be a car on this site for sale that falls within your budget that has more mods than you anticipated...However, I wish you good luck as you move forward...

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 03-19-2017, 02:19 AM

1100 miles away is really far, going to cost at least $700-$1000+ to ship it, and if you drove it, you're probably talking another few hundred in fuel and hotel rooms as well as food and let's not forget the plane ticket out there. Also you're going to put another 1100 miles on a car, and you better hope those tires are in good condition and there's no problems and things of that nature, also rock chips and other things can occur. In short, no, bad idea. I knew a guy that bought a Camaro out of state and blew tire on the way home, damaging the car and rim, which basically tanked the value and his wallets thickness. Ended up having to get the car flat bedded home.

$35k is pretty low budget to get into a ZL1 but if you can't pass that figure then be prepared to not exactly get a show stopper of a car.

In the dealership world, we figure $.25 a mile. So 10,000 x $.25 = $2500. As said above, the mods are worth around $800.

You can do some of the rest of the math yourself.

At the end of the day, wait a little longer, save up a few more thousand or whatever and buy a car you'll enjoy for a long time. Don't worry about intakes and speakers, that's the easy cheap stuff. Mileage and condition is what really matters. That's irreversible.

Good luck

70T/A400 · 03-19-2017, 06:53 AM

I have bought cars sight unseen with many miles between where I lived and where the car was. I have also increased my radius to go purchase a car.

One thing I learned is if the car is priced high and the owner interviews you about the purchase, it probably means they care for it. If they are very short with their answers then the condition will not be tip top.

Now I refuse to go on a long road trip (over 800 miles) just to look at a car. Too many times been disappointed. It is like online dating. Looks good on your screen, not in person. You need to see a car in person and have time to go over it.

I agree with the other people here, your budget is about $5,000 too low. Save a little more and get low mileage and great condition.

03-18-2017, 06:59 PM	#5
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,071	#2. But IMO I wouldn't get any of those examples. My money would be on something with about 5,000 miles or less, completely stock and well maintained. If you're not sure then skip both and keep looking. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic* '25 Silverado 1500 High Country 6.2L

03-18-2017, 02:26 PM	#1
ricknasty.com Drives: TBD: 5g ZL1 or 6g SS? Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Central Florida Posts: 27	Which ZL1 to buy? My funds are finally clearing next week, and I'm down to two cars. Assume the prices are equal with a clean carfax. I'm leaning towards car 1 as it's modded the way I want it, was well maintained, and has the CF insert. Is that worth the extra 10k miles? I'm looking to get one on the 27th. 1 28000 miles k&n CF intake blacked out emblems, markers, tint 2 10" JL subs garage kept, meticulously maintained, hand washed 1100 miles away 2 18000 miles completely stock, had an air raid intake without a tune that the dealer removed unsure about how it was stored. paint has that bristle scratch you get from the bristle car wash maintenance was at service schedule or later 200 miles away Thanks for the feedback! Last edited by ricknasty.com; 03-18-2017 at 02:26 PM. Reason: Forgot #2

03-18-2017, 03:38 PM	#2
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,046	#2 #1 has more miles, further away, and since it has a K&N intake on it, odds are it's had a tune. #2 on the other hand, even though the paint has 'bristle scratch', it should buff out without much problems.

03-18-2017, 05:07 PM	#3
ricknasty.com Drives: TBD: 5g ZL1 or 6g SS? Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Central Florida Posts: 27	1 k&n doesn't require a tune and he said it hasn't had one. I was considering a one way flight with my son and making a journey out of the ride home. 2 the airraid intake that was on the car required a tune and the owner never got one. I'm somewhat concerned with the impacts of this. There are a few more paint imperfections than the car wash scratches. I feel like 1 is from a guy who loved and babied his car and 2 is from an owner who just had it and didn't 'love' it. Even more on 1 now unless 2 will come down even more on the price.

03-18-2017, 06:44 PM	#4
Iseoll Drives: 2013 zl1 convertible Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Syracuse New York Posts: 15	Seems like there are a lot of cars with low miles at great prices out there right now. Any reason your only considering these two? I've been searching lately and found some great deals with very low miles.

03-18-2017, 07:14 PM	#6
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,551	I would go look at #2 first. It is not that far that you are forced to buy it if it wasn't garage kept or didn't have a clean enough appearance for the price. Have any had the supercharger replaced by GM to eliminate the coupler rattle that otherwise will occur later? If no, then lower miles might be better.

03-18-2017, 07:59 PM	#7
ricknasty.com Drives: TBD: 5g ZL1 or 6g SS? Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Central Florida Posts: 27	I'm considering these two because they are close to all my options at the right price. The <5k mile cars seem to be about $5k out of my range. I've been searching a ton of different sources for a few months now. Hard to find my car for <$35k. I test drove 2 yesterday. It was solid but the outside wasn't that clean and the history isn't really up to par. Neither mentioned supercharger fixes. Does this affect all 2013s?

03-18-2017, 08:06 PM	#8
Iseoll Drives: 2013 zl1 convertible Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Syracuse New York Posts: 15	It will most likely effect all 13's. Gm extended the warranty for 10 years or 100,00 miles on 13's. Some happen early, some go quite awhile.

03-18-2017, 08:12 PM	#9
ricknasty.com Drives: TBD: 5g ZL1 or 6g SS? Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Central Florida Posts: 27	Good to know. Thanks for the update.

03-18-2017, 08:41 PM	#10
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	I'd skip all of the above and pony up for a real nice one, sub 10,000 miles and stock, that's wall maintained. Miles aren't a huge deal for these cars as I'm sure people are going to point out after I make this post, but I prefer lower.

03-19-2017, 12:35 AM	#11
DeSH Drives: 2013 ZL1 A6 #4801 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 241	If you are looking for a sub $35K car, don't expect it to be perfect. I would either go with #2 or keep looking. My fear of #1 is making the 1100 mile trip and finding out it wasn't as nice as I thought it would be. I've seen many really nice cars sell on this forum from known sellers for way below asking price...just a thought to consider.

03-19-2017, 02:19 AM	#13
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	1100 miles away is really far, going to cost at least $700-$1000+ to ship it, and if you drove it, you're probably talking another few hundred in fuel and hotel rooms as well as food and let's not forget the plane ticket out there. Also you're going to put another 1100 miles on a car, and you better hope those tires are in good condition and there's no problems and things of that nature, also rock chips and other things can occur. In short, no, bad idea. I knew a guy that bought a Camaro out of state and blew tire on the way home, damaging the car and rim, which basically tanked the value and his wallets thickness. Ended up having to get the car flat bedded home. $35k is pretty low budget to get into a ZL1 but if you can't pass that figure then be prepared to not exactly get a show stopper of a car. In the dealership world, we figure $.25 a mile. So 10,000 x $.25 = $2500. As said above, the mods are worth around $800. You can do some of the rest of the math yourself. At the end of the day, wait a little longer, save up a few more thousand or whatever and buy a car you'll enjoy for a long time. Don't worry about intakes and speakers, that's the easy cheap stuff. Mileage and condition is what really matters. That's irreversible. Good luck

03-19-2017, 06:53 AM	#14
70T/A400 Drives: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 81	I have bought cars sight unseen with many miles between where I lived and where the car was. I have also increased my radius to go purchase a car. One thing I learned is if the car is priced high and the owner interviews you about the purchase, it probably means they care for it. If they are very short with their answers then the condition will not be tip top. Now I refuse to go on a long road trip (over 800 miles) just to look at a car. Too many times been disappointed. It is like online dating. Looks good on your screen, not in person. You need to see a car in person and have time to go over it. I agree with the other people here, your budget is about $5,000 too low. Save a little more and get low mileage and great condition.