My 50th birthday GT500 or ZL1?

[VA SSHEVY]

Originally Posted by VADR_H8R

that really is not a bad option... A Grand Sport is priced right in line with both those cars and unlike the other two cars you could get a really good deal (I have seen dealers selling GS's for around 10k under sticker!

When we were shopping for a convertible, my wife headed straight to a yellow GS. Good taste said I. Then I made my way around to the sticker. $76K. NEXT!

[Coolidge]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Good points to consider, but one qualm. To match the power the stock 5.8 will be capable of, the LSA will NEED a rebuild. I can't imagine a scenario where you would need to bore the 5.8 any more as plenty of people are putting down well over 1,000hp on stock bore 5.4s.

What are people going to do with the 650HP or 1000hp for that matter besides going fast in a straight line?

[GT Premi]

Originally Posted by htron50

So amigo, MY OTHER CRITERIA YOU USE would be based on how many you see on the way to work, and motor be damned. If you LIKE the MUSTANG's with every 10th car i see being one, how do you feel being just another mustang in those 10?
All but one with Gt500 decals and scoops on it, but that second car back is also blue and it's a six banger. How proud does that make you?

As if one Camaro is so distinguishable from another. I challenge you to find an average person that can tell the difference between an RS, SS, and a ZL1 in passing. You have be practically on top of one that isn't moving to tell which one it is.

And mods, if you're going to delete my post again, you need to delete the one I'm quoting, too! Don't be douche bags.

[CoolestCamaro873]

Originally Posted by MauriSSio

you cant go wrong with either car IMO. The ZL1 is fast enough to the point you wont really miss the 90 or so HP and the GT500 is going to handle so good you probably wont miss the magnetic shocks. They both look good (GT500 stands out more IMO) so whiever you pick im sure will be brag-worthy.

I agree that the GT500 stands out more, but the other stuff I feel is the opposite. I think the ZL1 will be the handler and ride comfort guru so that you don't miss the xtra 70 HP, whereas the GT500 will be so stupid fast you won't miss the Magnetic Ride. I believe that is a better way to look and seperate the two cars.

ZL1 = borderline GT / Supercar ride and feel

GT500 = borderline rocketship

This is not to say the ZL1 won't be fast or the GT500 won't handle or ride well. But I think while both cars will do both things well, they will really shine bright in one. JMHO!

[SIRLOIN]

Originally Posted by htron50

If it makes ANY difference to you, listen to what Carroll Shelby calls the Mustang 4x in this video.

Edit: He said this recently even though he was talking about the initial perceptions.

So he called those 40 year old Mustangs secretary's car...What exactly is the point of this video...

Did you post this up to somehow imply that IF the OP was to buy the 2013 GT500, a 670hp car that can do 200 mph, a car that from what has been revealed already, seems to indicate that it will stomp the ZL1 a new one, a car that will more than likely go down in history as the most powerful, fastest, quickest, most prolific muscle car ever made, should in fact go down in history as a "secretary's car"...?

Tell me sir, i would really love to know what exactly this video had to do with the 2013 GT500 the OP was refering to, and how you thought that this was insightful information that would help his decision in any way?

[SIRLOIN]

Originally Posted by CoolestCamaro873

I agree that the GT500 stands out more, but the other stuff I feel is the opposite. I think the ZL1 will be the handler and ride comfort guru so that you don't miss the xtra 70 HP, whereas the GT500 will be so stupid fast you won't miss the Magnetic Ride. I believe that is a better way to look and seperate the two cars.

ZL1 = borderline GT / Supercar ride and feel

GT500 = borderline rocketship

This is not to say the ZL1 won't be fast or the GT500 won't handle or ride well. But I think while both cars will do both things well, they will really shine bright in one. JMHO!

This is a fantastic post. I nominate this for post of the month...

[MauriSSio]

Originally Posted by CoolestCamaro873

I agree that the GT500 stands out more, but the other stuff I feel is the opposite. I think the ZL1 will be the handler and ride comfort guru so that you don't miss the xtra 70 HP, whereas the GT500 will be so stupid fast you won't miss the Magnetic Ride. I believe that is a better way to look and seperate the two cars.

ZL1 = borderline GT / Supercar ride and feel

GT500 = borderline rocketship

This is not to say the ZL1 won't be fast or the GT500 won't handle or ride well. But I think while both cars will do both things well, they will really shine bright in one. JMHO!

i meant that 580hp will most likely be more than enough for the OP.

and the GT500's handling will probably be more than he'll ever need.

[hightower]

Originally Posted by Coolidge

Well the 2013 650hp GT500 is officially crossed off the list after reading a Road and Track piece (they were invited over to Germany for testing). The improvements they made sound like a hack job on a car never designed to handle 650hp vs a well though out engineered approach.

• The ultra-stiff suspension is so stiff, "that over a particularly bumpy road outside the track my vision blurred"
• Engine oil, diff, trans coolers on a 650hp car are optional
• The engine is over bored to is maximum size, that kind of sucks of you want to rebuild the engine one day.
• The chassis, introduced in 2005...it was designed to support a 200- bhp V-6 and a 300-bhp V-8.
• "after the first jump at Quiddelbacher-Höhe I began frantically gesturing for a switch to the sport setting...there is simply too much bounce on the landing, like a Cessna trying to touch down with excessive airspeed.

Wow, good lord. Looks like the GT500 is coming in a little disappointing.
It really looks like you've settled on the ZL1. Unless you wanna go way out there and try an SRT8 Challenger or something!

The ZL1 really does sound like the car for you though. You mentioned you were an F1 fan, and that you like corners. Obviously the ZL1 is set up for this from the start. The GT500? Not so much.... Sure put it in the hands of a professional driver and it'll be just fine, but if you just want to go on a cruise on a winding road, driving the the ZL1 vs the GT500 sounds like driving on rails and then fighting to stay on the road.

And I know you might seem a little disappointed with the ZL1's engine compared to the GT500 engine. I'll admit when they released the new 5.0 coyote, I was pretty impressed. But I think the ZL1 as a whole takes the cake

Originally Posted by GT Premi

As if one Camaro is so distinguishable from another. I challenge you to find an average person that can tell the difference between an RS, SS, and a ZL1 in passing. You have be practically on top of one that isn't moving to tell which one it is.

The average person won't know the difference.




Also, I know this sounds outlandish, but you could always have a car built for you by a shop.

[69NMYSS]

Originally Posted by MauriSSio

you cant go wrong with either car IMO. The ZL1 is fast enough to the point you wont really miss the 90 or so HP and the GT500 is going to handle so good you probably wont miss the magnetic shocks. They both look good (GT500 stands out more IMO) so whiever you pick im sure will be brag-worthy.

WRONG, you will miss the mag ride when your cruising the streets (those Bilstein dampers are NO WHERE NEAR as effective as magnetic ride) or driving to work, and you will miss the 70hp (not 90hp) when your at the drag strip. Both vehicles have there advantages/disadvantages which will be noticed whichever you pick.

[ffrcobra_65]

Originally Posted by Coolidge

What are people going to do with the 650HP or 1000hp for that matter besides going fast in a straight line?

try catching a Veyron on a roadcourse. It has 1000hp.

[MauriSSio]

Originally Posted by 69NMYSS

WRONG, you will miss the mag ride when your cruising the streets (those Bilstein dampers are NO WHERE NEAR as effective as magnetic ride) or driving to work, and you will miss the 70hp (not 90hp) when your at the drag strip. Both vehicles have there advantages/disadvantages which will be noticed whichever you pick.

it has been confirmed the GT500 engine produces 670hp. Last i checked 670 - 580 = 90.

and im positive the bilsteins will be more than enough to get you to work, they are adjustable you know. Dont be so dramatic.

[BiggFoot]

Originally Posted by Coolidge

So I think I'm going to go for a ZL1, I just may have to about the pushrod motor until I get over it.

Congrats on turning 50, been there and done that!!

Another congrats for choosing the ZL1 . . . its the right choice!

If you are worried about the pushrods (or any of the engine internals for that matter), and you have a few extra $$$ hanging around, then why not reward yourself even more. Consider letting one of the forum sponsor speed shops get ahold of that LSA to upgrade the internals, oh and maybe slap a 700+ hp package on that bad hosea while you are at it!!

[chevy 3]

This question is soooooo easy. The frigging zl1 Camaro. Your on a Camaro forum asking witch car to buy. Come on really..........you buy the more superior car witch would be the Chevy. First I would never go on a ford site and try to convince people the Chevy was better how would that work for me. Thought so







Chevys rule ......

[htron50]

Originally Posted by SIRLOIN

So he called those 40 year old Mustangs secretary's car...What exactly is the point of this video...

Did you post this up to somehow imply that IF the OP was to buy the 2013 GT500, a 670hp car that can do 200 mph, a car that from what has been revealed already, seems to indicate that it will stomp the ZL1 a new one, a car that will more than likely go down in history as the most powerful, fastest, quickest, most prolific muscle car ever made, should in fact go down in history as a "secretary's car"...?

Tell me sir, i would really love to know what exactly this video had to do with the 2013 GT500 the OP was refering to, and how you thought that this was insightful information that would help his decision in any way?

My post was not intentionally trying to stir up controversy. As a matter of fact, I didn't add my two cents with it for that reason.

A major part of automotive decision buying, is based upon the purchasers perception of the car and how they identify with the vehicle. Gender marketing is a major influence with most manufacturers. It always has been.

The questioner was asking for our opinions on two “brands” in question. That, to me, would include more than just objective stats (such as HP, Weight, Performance) that don’t take the vehicles reputation into account.

Stats alone do not make the product, and I do not say that to be insulting. It has to take into account design, price, needs, functionality, and reputation. Carroll Shelby’s personal description of the vehicle lays a foundation for the reputation the vehicle has. And, it’s the reputation his company has been trying to help Ford deal with for decades. If you’re an old geezer like me, it’s not a new battle Ford has been fighting. But it is a continuing battle.

It is a legitimate consideration I felt the original poster may feel important. It was not intended to irritate. It was my belief that the OP may want to consider the historical brand image and perceptions as well as the published stats.

Again, it was simply intended to add context to the stats. I am just revealing what Mr Shelby himself has pointed out and not intended to insult or denigrate the product. In my humble opinion, reputation is a key consideration if trying to make a choice. Mr. Shelby's statements were made in 2007, so his memory of the brand has stayed with him a long long time. They are an integral fact worthy of consideration.

Look, the community here is tired of bickering about the two brands. Ask for an opinion and you might get it. Enthusiasm for the this segment is gaining severe momentum. That said, the post was not intended (for the 3rd time) to tick anyone off, and I apologize if posting Carroll Shelby's comments did that.