Which one, and why? - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Dukes117 · 12-21-2011, 07:42 PM

I see the makings of a huge food fight here....

If the ZL1 was a little cheaper I could understand going for that. However, with that kind of cash you could build one monster of an SS that would destroy Vettes, not to mention a ZL1. Therefore, if it's bang for the buck you're looking for, I'd stick with the SS.

However, if money is not an object, I guess go with which one you feel is more attractive visually, and build your beast from there.

SlingShot · 12-21-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron10

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.

I have a Lt and a SS with a ZL1 on order. For those that say the ZL1 isn't worth the money, and a modded SS is faster, aren't really thinking straight. You would have to put more than 20K into a loaded SS to equal what you get with the ZL1. The Z is a lot more than just the LSA engine. Also it's made to do more than go in a straight line.

But back on topic, for the age I would say get the SS and make sure it's something you want before spending 60K plus on a ZL1.

2012-2SS · 12-21-2011, 08:49 PM

I just went through the same question in my head. ZL1 or SS?

I had a ZL1 all spec-ed out and a deposit down on the order but I had a few days until the dealer placed the order. In those few days I thought hard on it and got other people's opinions. Among the cars I test drove before placing the order was a Camaro SS, and a CTS-V. The CTS-V was a little much and while it was faster than the SS it wasn't by much. Since I felt more at home in the Camaro I decided to order the ZL1 because hey if I'm getting a sports car I might as well go all out right? But after thinking about it I came up with this:
-The I figured the CTS-V and ZL1 would be the same as far as performance goes and the CTS-V didn't seem that much faster than the SS.
-The SS is on the lot and I can drive one home today
-The SS is $15k cheaper leaving me more financially open for other things
-I would never need the upgraded suspension since the car would never see the track. I felt that the SS handled better than I could drive it on the streets anyway.
-The rest is just trim and a supercharger, both of which can be added for far less than $15k
-Insurance is cheaper on the SS
-The SS gets better gas milage (not much of a concern for me though)

So after weighing in on it I decided to cancel the order and just buy one off the lot. I ended up really happy with my 2012 2SS/RS that already had a Hurst Short Throw shifter in it, black paint, no stripes, and the darker wheels. I'm thrilled with my purchase and while yes the ZL1 would certaily be badass to have, I can't quite justify it.

Wakemaker89 · 12-21-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukes117

I see the makings of a huge food fight here....

Dibs on the rotten cabbage! I think both are great options but honestly I wouldn't want to have to worry about the financing on the ZL1 especially when you can get an SS for almost half that and still have a hell of a lot fun with it!

K32 Camaro · 12-21-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron10

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.

That's a good point but I don't sell vehicles. I was taught to drive them til they die.

I have about 30g to drop on a car and I think the SS would be a better buy b/c you could mod it to do alot more.

tjk_art · 12-21-2011, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K32 Camaro

I still don't fully understand what can be done in a manual that you can't in an auto.

Exactly. There's a reason super cars are automatic.

JoshBobGuptaMarley · 12-21-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpanthers85

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.

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.

Very true, most of these people are looking at numbers and thinking a modded ss is faster but that's an assumption and we all know what that makes...

Dukes117 · 12-21-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshBobGuptaMarley

Very true, most of these people are looking at numbers and thinking a modded ss is faster but that's an assumption and we all know what that makes...

No, not an assumption, but a fact. Blower + suspension from pedders and you'll easily walk a ZL1 in a straight line and on a road course.

SlingShot · 12-21-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukes117

No, not an assumption, but a fact. Blower + suspension from pedders and you'll easily walk a ZL1 in a straight line and on a road course.

No you won't ... You would still be missing a whole bunch of parts.

Dukes117 · 12-21-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpanthers85

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.

Incorrect 20k ought to do it, you'd still have 10k in savings over a ZL1.

Dukes117 · 12-21-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlingShot

No you won't ... You would still be missing a whole bunch of parts.

I'm not talking about a straight ZL1 suspension setup/blown setup. And yes you would. I suggest you take a look at Pete's car and see how flat it corners in relation to a ZL1.

AngelSpeedFreak · 12-21-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukes117

Incorrect 20k ought to do it, you'd still have 10k in savings over a ZL1.

Supercamaro64 · 12-21-2011, 10:09 PM

If you could afford either, get the ZL1, how is it a hard decision? lol

SlingShot · 12-21-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukes117

Incorrect 20k ought to do it, you'd still have 10k in savings over a ZL1.

You do realize it will cost you around 1K just for the clutch alone. I wonder how much a MR3 suspension would run ? How about the brake system ? You keep adding up all these little things, and apples for apples it will cost much more than 20K.

12-21-2011, 08:49 PM	#17
2012-2SS Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 678	I just went through the same question in my head. ZL1 or SS? I had a ZL1 all spec-ed out and a deposit down on the order but I had a few days until the dealer placed the order. In those few days I thought hard on it and got other people's opinions. Among the cars I test drove before placing the order was a Camaro SS, and a CTS-V. The CTS-V was a little much and while it was faster than the SS it wasn't by much. Since I felt more at home in the Camaro I decided to order the ZL1 because hey if I'm getting a sports car I might as well go all out right? But after thinking about it I came up with this: -The I figured the CTS-V and ZL1 would be the same as far as performance goes and the CTS-V didn't seem that much faster than the SS. -The SS is on the lot and I can drive one home today -The SS is $15k cheaper leaving me more financially open for other things -I would never need the upgraded suspension since the car would never see the track. I felt that the SS handled better than I could drive it on the streets anyway. -The rest is just trim and a supercharger, both of which can be added for far less than $15k -Insurance is cheaper on the SS -The SS gets better gas milage (not much of a concern for me though) So after weighing in on it I decided to cancel the order and just buy one off the lot. I ended up really happy with my 2012 2SS/RS that already had a Hurst Short Throw shifter in it, black paint, no stripes, and the darker wheels. I'm thrilled with my purchase and while yes the ZL1 would certaily be badass to have, I can't quite justify it. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS, Hurst Short Throw, IdealG M/C, Pypes Pipe Bomb, LSR Cold Air Intake, LSR Toe Links/Lower Control Arms Clear Image headers, high flows, Slowhawk tune 1974 Chevy K10 Built 355, FAST EZ EFI, 5speed 2000 Chevy Tahoe LT 5.3L, Slowhawk tune

12-21-2011, 10:09 PM	#27
Supercamaro64 Right, right. Drives: 79 Z28, 86 Camaro, 94 Burb 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Posts: 1,350 View My Garage	If you could afford either, get the ZL1, how is it a hard decision? lol __________________ "You wanna lay the fate of the world on the kids camaro? Thats cool." "When reporters asked what it was, one official stated, 'It's a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.'" The Creampuff Fleet-

12-21-2011, 07:42 PM	#15
Dukes117 H0TWH331S Drives: '11 SW SS(SOLD) '12 IOM SS (order) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Astoria, NY Posts: 225	I see the makings of a huge food fight here.... If the ZL1 was a little cheaper I could understand going for that. However, with that kind of cash you could build one monster of an SS that would destroy Vettes, not to mention a ZL1. Therefore, if it's bang for the buck you're looking for, I'd stick with the SS. However, if money is not an object, I guess go with which one you feel is more attractive visually, and build your beast from there.