Which one, and why? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

K32 Camaro · 12-21-2011, 02:16 AM

Would you rather get a Camaro SS, or zl1?
I think I'll be getting an SS and turning it into a hennessy design later in life. As it being my first car over 250hp I won't mind waiting for the supercharger. In case you're wondering I'm 22 and can get a loan for either one and also will probably go with the auto trans. I still don't fully understand what can be done in a manual that you can't in an auto.

angie7 · 12-21-2011, 03:08 PM

If $$$ and ins rate wasnt an issue..ZL1

ffrcobra_65 · 12-21-2011, 03:56 PM

I have a SS now with a lot more power than a ZL1 but I will gladly sell it to get a ZL1.

Deke736 · 12-21-2011, 04:34 PM

I have a 2011 SS and a ZL1 on order. I will be trading in the SS for the ZL1. I thought about modding the SS, but everything about the ZL1 appealed to me more. At the end of the day my wife made a great point, which was that I would always want the ZL1 even with a modded SS, so I might as well get what I want instead of spending money and still potentially not be satisfied.

cab2g · 12-21-2011, 04:39 PM

it all comes down to money for me. I could technically afford the ZL1, but I don't want to park any cars in the driveway (the garage is full) so i don't have a separate DD as it stands today and I wouldn't want to drive a ZL1 daily because for me it'd be a 'forever' car that I'd want to keep until my 70's... So the plan for now is kick butt @ work and get a bigger house, then start thinking about the ZL1 and a luxury DD. Until then. I'll stick with my non-limited production SS. Check back in 5-10 years

damiiaaannn · 12-21-2011, 04:47 PM

ZL1

Powhusku · 12-21-2011, 05:26 PM

You may be able to get a loan on the ZL1, but insuring one of those at our age would just be plain ridiculous. Stick with the SS and get the HPE550 or HPE600 or mayber even the HPE650. You'll be faster than a ZL1 and still pay SS insurance as long as you dont tell your broker what you've done to the car

AngelSpeedFreak · 12-21-2011, 05:40 PM

I don't see the need for a ZL1. Modified SS can beat a ZL1. Not to say they are not worth it, just not to me...

1BADLS3 · 12-21-2011, 05:43 PM

I guess I don't see the value in a ZL1....sure, it's faster than an SS, but it's a $60k variant of a $22k car. Your buying the car for the engine, basically. At that price point, I'd want something a little "nicer" than a Camaro--not saying it isn't nice, but the interior and build quality is on par with a $22-$30k car. At $60k, I'd also be willing to wait to see what the next Corvette has to offer.

The other question is--just about anyone can qualify for a loan on a $60k car if you pay your bills on time. Do you really want that kind of payment though? (Disregard if you're somehow rich, and spending $60k on a highly depreciable asset is just another day for you...)

If I did it over again, I'd buy a used SS.

NYJETSFAN · 12-21-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelSpeedFreak

I don't see the need for a ZL1. Modified SS can beat a ZL1. Not to say they are not worth it, just not to me...

Cpanthers85 · 12-21-2011, 05:59 PM

I am 26, and I paid cash for my 2SS. If I could do it again, I should have waited for the ZL1 and took on a car payment, financing the difference.

Now I found myself constantly browsing this site trying to find mods to make it faster.

And you are not buying a ZL1 for just the engine, it also has suspension and transmission modifications that are top of the class and would cost a fortune to do to a SS.

ron10 · 12-21-2011, 06:00 PM

i would get a ZL1.you could sell it and get your money back.if you mod an SS you will never get your money back,plus you will have a warrenty with the ZL1.

crsr1 · 12-21-2011, 06:01 PM

Buy a house, pay it off. Nevermind, buy the ZL1!

Baba · 12-21-2011, 07:11 PM

ZL1 Convertible!

12-21-2011, 02:16 AM	#1
K32 Camaro V8 lounge member #5 Drives: 12 2SS Synergy Camaro, 05 PontiacG6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,301	Which one, and why? Would you rather get a Camaro SS, or zl1? I think I'll be getting an SS and turning it into a hennessy design later in life. As it being my first car over 250hp I won't mind waiting for the supercharger. In case you're wondering I'm 22 and can get a loan for either one and also will probably go with the auto trans. I still don't fully understand what can be done in a manual that you can't in an auto.

12-21-2011, 03:08 PM	#2
angie7 Smoked by a GIRL Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 3,748 View My Garage	If $$$ and ins rate wasnt an issue..ZL1 __________________ 2014 2SS/RS Summit White w/ IOM interior "Powder 2.0"

12-21-2011, 04:34 PM	#4
Deke736 COTW 12/3/12 Drives: 2012 Ashen Gray ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Posts: 3,279	I have a 2011 SS and a ZL1 on order. I will be trading in the SS for the ZL1. I thought about modding the SS, but everything about the ZL1 appealed to me more. At the end of the day my wife made a great point, which was that I would always want the ZL1 even with a modded SS, so I might as well get what I want instead of spending money and still potentially not be satisfied. __________________

12-21-2011, 04:39 PM	#5
cab2g love. my. car. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,372 View My Garage	it all comes down to money for me. I could technically afford the ZL1, but I don't want to park any cars in the driveway (the garage is full) so i don't have a separate DD as it stands today and I wouldn't want to drive a ZL1 daily because for me it'd be a 'forever' car that I'd want to keep until my 70's... So the plan for now is kick butt @ work and get a bigger house, then start thinking about the ZL1 and a luxury DD. Until then. I'll stick with my non-limited production SS. Check back in 5-10 years __________________

12-21-2011, 04:47 PM	#6
damiiaaannn Drives: Range Rover Supercharged, TSX Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fresno CA Posts: 406	ZL1 __________________ Soon to be the owner of a 2012 SS

12-21-2011, 03:56 PM	#3
ffrcobra_65 Account Suspended Drives: SuperCharged 2SS/RS IOM MN6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Posts: 5,094	I have a SS now with a lot more power than a ZL1 but I will gladly sell it to get a ZL1.

12-21-2011, 05:26 PM	#7
Powhusku Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Laramie/Cody, WY Posts: 1,743 View My Garage	You may be able to get a loan on the ZL1, but insuring one of those at our age would just be plain ridiculous. Stick with the SS and get the HPE550 or HPE600 or mayber even the HPE650. You'll be faster than a ZL1 and still pay SS insurance as long as you dont tell your broker what you've done to the car __________________

12-21-2011, 05:40 PM	#8
AngelSpeedFreak Most hated in NM.... Drives: Sold the 6POINT2, went to a 50THZ06 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,904	I don't see the need for a ZL1. Modified SS can beat a ZL1. Not to say they are not worth it, just not to me... __________________

12-21-2011, 05:43 PM	#9
1BADLS3 Drives: Sold: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Posts: 1,896	I guess I don't see the value in a ZL1....sure, it's faster than an SS, but it's a $60k variant of a $22k car. Your buying the car for the engine, basically. At that price point, I'd want something a little "nicer" than a Camaro--not saying it isn't nice, but the interior and build quality is on par with a $22-$30k car. At $60k, I'd also be willing to wait to see what the next Corvette has to offer. The other question is--just about anyone can qualify for a loan on a $60k car if you pay your bills on time. Do you really want that kind of payment though? (Disregard if you're somehow rich, and spending $60k on a highly depreciable asset is just another day for you...) If I did it over again, I'd buy a used SS.

12-21-2011, 05:59 PM	#11
Cpanthers85 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 473 View My Garage	I am 26, and I paid cash for my 2SS. If I could do it again, I should have waited for the ZL1 and took on a car payment, financing the difference. Now I found myself constantly browsing this site trying to find mods to make it faster. And you are not buying a ZL1 for just the engine, it also has suspension and transmission modifications that are top of the class and would cost a fortune to do to a SS. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS L99 2017 Chevy SS 1979 Z28 Mods: Kooks Long Tube Headers, RotoFaB EForce CAI, American Thunder Catback Exhaust, PFADT Stage 1 Drag Kit + Front Sway Bar, GM Strut Tower Bar. ZL1 Fuel Pump. Nitto NT05R. RX Catch Can.LS9 Cam and Springs.LS3 Conversion.JRE Fuel Rail Upgrade.Edelbrock Eforce.60# Eforce Injectors.Extreme Racing Tune. 523/495 MY BUILD THREAD

12-21-2011, 06:00 PM	#12
ron10 Drives: 2010 2SS IOM L99 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: LOUISVILLE,KY.. Posts: 7,545	i would get a ZL1.you could sell it and get your money back.if you mod an SS you will never get your money back,plus you will have a warrenty with the ZL1.

12-21-2011, 06:01 PM	#13
crsr1 Drives: Camaro Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: TN Posts: 309 View My Garage	Buy a house, pay it off. Nevermind, buy the ZL1!

12-21-2011, 07:11 PM	#14
Baba Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USAREUR, CONUS/DOD-A, VA Posts: 1,745	ZL1 Convertible! __________________ 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Summit White Black Leather 3 Pedals Build Date: 06/27/2011 Purchased: 07/30/2011 Title Received: 08/15/2011 1984 Camaro (3rd Gen.): Traded: 1987 "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."