DRIVE: GT500 vs. ZL1 (by Chris Harris)

[72MachOne99GT]

I'm still entertained by the idea that the ZL1 is well versed in every facet, yet the GT500 isn't.

Is the margin between good and not good found between the two cars performance numbers and reviews?

I think they're so close in everything but two comparison areas that calling one well rounded and the other not, is pretty ridiculous. Acceleration is where the GT500 blows the ZL1 away, and ability to handle rough roads is simply owned by the ZL1, yet you quantify one as better all around?

[GRAHL]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

I'm still entertained by the idea that the ZL1 is well versed in every facet, yet the GT500 isn't.

Is the margin between good and not good found between the two cars performance numbers and reviews?

I think they're so close in everything but two comparison areas that calling one well rounded and the other not, is pretty ridiculous. Acceleration is where the GT500 blows the ZL1 away, and ability to handle rough roads is simply owned by the ZL1, yet you quantify one as better all around?

Come on buddy, you know the answer to that question. Are you trying to bait someone? You don't seem like a troll based on your last couple of posts. Here's a better question. Why does every ZL1 thread follow the same course...hoorahs and woots from the camaro enthusiasts and the general admirers mixed with some respect from the moderates like yourself, but always ending with the handful of mustang trolls trying desparately for closure. Human nature I suppose. I'm not on here that often, so it's just an observation i made. Praise for the camaro or disprespect for the ford constitutes a personal attack for some people, maybe as if their self worth and dignity are dependent on a brand of vehicle! haha! I can see that happen for teenagers, maybe when they're trying to figure out their place in the world, but some of these guys (and at least one woman) are obviously adults. And it must be a regular occurence because i can tell the trolls at the end are largely ignored by the community, but kind of pathetic being that this is a camaro website.

To answer your original question, there are only winners when it comes to these cars, and the aftermarket is the great equalizer, but you already knew that.

[72MachOne99GT]

I'm not arguing that one bit. The only way there would be losers is if the zl1 ran 15s and the gt500 had a wheel lock to ensure it stayed straight.

I wasn't baiting anyone though, just seems like that idea that the zl1 is, and the gt500 is not a well rounded car seems to spread further than just trolls, and not just on this site either.

[2010-1SS-IBM]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

I think they're so close in everything but two comparison areas that calling one well rounded and the other not, is pretty ridiculous. Acceleration is where the GT500 blows the ZL1 away, and ability to handle rough roads is simply owned by the ZL1, yet you quantify one as better all around?

The way I see it is they're both great cars but the ZL1 can put it down wherever, whenever, whereas the GT500 would be handful in some areas and on some roads, essentially because of it's stability vs. it's power. Some guys see that as excitement, some people don't.

[Punk_rider]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

I'm still entertained by the idea that the ZL1 is well versed in every facet, yet the GT500 isn't.

Is the margin between good and not good found between the two cars performance numbers and reviews?

I think they're so close in everything but two comparison areas that calling one well rounded and the other not, is pretty ridiculous. Acceleration is where the GT500 blows the ZL1 away, and ability to handle rough roads is simply owned by the ZL1, yet you quantify one as better all around?

Given the fact most of us do not live on a straight line from their house to their work/mall/whatever ... I'd say the best car is the one handling turns and rough roads. No?

[Bob Cosby]

Originally Posted by Punk_rider

Given the fact most of us do not live on a straight line from their house to their work/mall/whatever ... I'd say the best car is the one handling turns and rough roads. No?

Do you pull 1g plus around turns going from your house to your work/mall/whatever? If so, your point if perfectly valid. But if you drive in a relatively sane manner on public roads, then not so much.

As for bumpy roads....no doubt the ZL1 handles them better. If that is a primary concern, then this point is also quite understandable.

But as mentioned many times...noone here is going to convince anyone else here that their 'favorite' shouldn't be their 'favorite', rather it should be my 'favorite', or your 'favorite', or someone else's 'favorite'...

PS....thoroughly enjoyed the review!

[htron50]

No one can deny the new GT500 is about as powerful a "box" you could ask for with the 1/4 mile performance that drops jaws! The ZL1 is a close second in that dept, but is easily fixable for small dollars. Meanwhile we all know who all the authors prefer if becoming a daily driver! And they are likely the ONLY ones who are able to compare them side by side on the same day. What more really needs to be said???? All the other banter is just noise!

[CAMAROZL1]

There's only so much you can do to a car to make it cost less than $70,000 !

Chevy put most of their available resources on the suspension package and the rest on the engine package.

Whereas Ford put most of their available resources on the engine package and the rest on the suspension.

Can you believe that these cost less than a 505 HP Corvette Z06?!!! I mean seriously, when they first announced back then that the NEW Z06 was going to have 500 HP, EVERYONE'S jaw dropped!

Haha, I don't know about you guys but I'm just happy that GM, Ford and Chryslers are still pumping out musclecars

[hognutz]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

As much as I enjoy being friends, and while I respect the ZL1, I would never want one. I would assume the same can be said for plenty of you guys. You might respect the GT500, appreciate what it does, but don't want one.

That doesn't make anyone bad here.

I would love to have both just is not in my budget. I would love 392 challenger too.

Most just would not spend $120k on similar cars like this.


Most people get ther panties all waded up talking about one over the other because they don't have the means like a guy like jay Leno to have a zillion different cars.

[69NMYSS]

Originally Posted by Bob Cosby

Do you pull 1g plus around turns going from your house to your work/mall/whatever? If so, your point if perfectly valid. But if you drive in a relatively sane manner on public roads, then not so much.

As for bumpy roads....no doubt the ZL1 handles them better. If that is a primary concern, then this point is also quite understandable.

But as mentioned many times...noone here is going to convince anyone else here that their 'favorite' shouldn't be their 'favorite', rather it should be my 'favorite', or your 'favorite', or someone else's 'favorite'...

PS....thoroughly enjoyed the review!

Good point. I actually drive my ZL1 (yes its my DD) in sport mode most the time. I like the tight feel of the suspension and steering. So I don't think I would mind the GT500 as a DD. I know for sure I wouldn't mind the 662hp

[Sweet Zness]

Originally Posted by Punk_rider

Given the fact most of us do not live on a straight line from their house to their work/mall/whatever ... I'd say the best car is the one handling turns and rough roads. No?

So then you subscribe to the Nissan GTR being the better overall car as compared to a Z06.

Im still baffeled at how the Camaro crowd suddenly is about ride comfort more than anything else except for in any other car. And hasn't the 500 bested the Z in more road tests TIMES than the ZL1 has the GT500. Or are we going to go on about endurance racing.

[2010-1SS-IBM]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zness

So then you subscribe to the Nissan GTR being the better overall car as compared to a Z06.

Im still baffeled at how the Camaro crowd suddenly is about ride comfort more than anything else except for in any other car. And hasn't the 500 bested the Z in more road tests TIMES than the ZL1 has the GT500. Or are we going to go on about endurance racing.

I'm baffled that all you non-Camaro guys still think you can convince us that we like the wrong car.

[snizzle]

Never surprised at how these threads end up and yet I still continue to click on the last page

[Bob Cosby]

LOL. Indeed....