Need some advice ZL1 or SS? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

McFlyNH · 03-12-2014, 04:56 PM

I'm a newbie to the site and a Pony Driver (07 GT) who is going over the dark side soon and also going back to the future (used to have a 78 Camaro way back in the day.
I'm going to buy a convertible-- either an SS or ZL1-- money isn't the deciding factor. This is going to be my daily driver, like my GT is, but I only drive 5-10K miles per year. I'd like to drive the car as much as I can, including spring and fall here in NH.
How good a daily driver is the ZL1? (I'd probably get an auto)
I've test driven SS's and they're great cars, but was a little disappointed with the auto tran, but the stick was a lot of fun and a step up from my car.
If I get an SS, I'll probably be adding a supercharger to it and a few other mods.
thanks everyone,
rick

I call it Vera · 03-12-2014, 05:05 PM

Overall, the ZL1 is a great daily driver.
However, be aware of the following: It comes with Summer ONLY tires, and they aren't kidding.

If you want to drive it year around, you WILL need a second set of tires . . . or immediately replace the Summer ONLY with All season. Not much All season at that size. Your second set of tires can be standard SS rims, plus a good all season, I believe.

I really, really like my ZL1, but it's also been in the garage since November. 580hp + MRC = awesome

toddsZL1 · 03-12-2014, 05:22 PM

ZL1

Z/28Dan · 03-12-2014, 05:25 PM

I have had both. ZL1 hands down, no question. You won't regret it. And +1 on the tires. That's my next purchase.

2014CamaroZL1 · 03-12-2014, 05:35 PM

It's great that money is not the issue, but why waste it if you don't need to.
Therefore...it really just boils down to the suspension.

If you will appreciate and really use the capability of the magnetic dampers, then ZL1.
If you do not, then buy the SS and put a blower on it if it is not fast enough.

My ZL1 is a daily driver on the bad roads of NJ.
The magnetic dampers provide the best of both worlds, with good ride and great handling.
Two traits that are otherwise typically not found in the same suspension.

2012-1822 · 03-12-2014, 07:25 PM

Mine's a DD. But I'm down south, so the tires aren't really an issue.

But I love driving this car every day. How about this, you get a ZL1 and you can keep your warranty as opposed to an SS with a blower. Just a thought.

On point though, very comfortable around town for me, I enjoy driving it everywhere, I just am careful about parking, you know, park four miles away so no one parks next to me and all that. But I'd do that if I had an SS as well.

2012-1822 · 03-12-2014, 07:26 PM

I usually just let Ferris do the talking for me when it comes to questions about the ZL1.

Ferris.

Thanks Ferris.

Let It Rein · 03-12-2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012-1822

How about this, you get a ZL1 and you can keep your warranty as opposed to an SS with a blower. Just a thought.

Warranty? Shit, I might be screwed...

hotlap · 03-12-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McFlyNH

If I get an SS, I'll probably be adding a supercharger to it and a few other mods.
thanks everyone,
rick

If money isn't an issue, keep the GT as your winter car and use the ZL1 the rest of the year.

I started out the same way. Was going to get rid of the GTO and get an SS, add a supercharger and rear end from ZL1 so it would hold up. Add cost of second set of tire/rims and it didn't look so good. Id have $50k into it if I did the work with half the hardware of a ZL1 and a voided warranty.

I opted to get the ZL1 and use the GTO for bad weather and places I wouldn't want to park the ZL1.

ss/rs/378 · 03-12-2014, 08:12 PM

Yep me to I had a SS wanted to put the STS twins on it but for what I wanted to do to it I would of had 10k to 15k in it with stock suspension SS rearend kind of a no brainer for me I chose the ZL1 and am 100% happy with my decision for me it was owning a car that to some people is in what they call the supercar status!!

McFlyNH · 03-12-2014, 09:55 PM

Thanks guys for all the comments! Sounds like it's unanimous for the ZL1. Wait, did I post this in the ZL1 forum... Seriously, you guys have been really helpful. A few more questions...
How many of you have automatics versus stick's? And if you had to do it over again-- auto or manual?
If I buy new, what should I be targeting to pay (how much over invoice)?
If I buy a used or leftover '13, what should I be looking out for? Any particular problem areas?
thanks,
rick

BAD ZL1 · 03-12-2014, 10:03 PM

ZL1 is garbage, ugly, no power, bad ride etc...Lol, ZL1 hands down. The car makes me smile just thinking about it in my garage!

Front Runner · 03-12-2014, 10:06 PM

Another vote for the ZL1.

*007 · 03-12-2014, 10:08 PM

Yes the ZL1 certainly gives back in terms of joy and visceral feel. If daily driving with paint damage is an issue, not money, but deterioration, you may look at the SS 1LE loaded up.

03-12-2014, 04:56 PM	#1
McFlyNH Drives: 14 Mustang GT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NH Posts: 11	Need some advice ZL1 or SS? I'm a newbie to the site and a Pony Driver (07 GT) who is going over the dark side soon and also going back to the future (used to have a 78 Camaro way back in the day. I'm going to buy a convertible-- either an SS or ZL1-- money isn't the deciding factor. This is going to be my daily driver, like my GT is, but I only drive 5-10K miles per year. I'd like to drive the car as much as I can, including spring and fall here in NH. How good a daily driver is the ZL1? (I'd probably get an auto) I've test driven SS's and they're great cars, but was a little disappointed with the auto tran, but the stick was a lot of fun and a step up from my car. If I get an SS, I'll probably be adding a supercharger to it and a few other mods. thanks everyone, rick

03-12-2014, 05:25 PM	#4
Z/28Dan Drives: 2023 1SS 1LE Vivid Orange Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,684 View My Garage	I have had both. ZL1 hands down, no question. You won't regret it. And +1 on the tires. That's my next purchase. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

03-12-2014, 07:25 PM	#6
2012-1822 Drives: Black ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: City of Champions, Alabama Posts: 3,697	Mine's a DD. But I'm down south, so the tires aren't really an issue. But I love driving this car every day. How about this, you get a ZL1 and you can keep your warranty as opposed to an SS with a blower. Just a thought. On point though, very comfortable around town for me, I enjoy driving it everywhere, I just am careful about parking, you know, park four miles away so no one parks next to me and all that. But I'd do that if I had an SS as well. __________________ Check out Alabama Camaros, for Camaro enthusiasts all around Alabama https://www.facebook.com/groups/1739...group_activity

03-12-2014, 08:12 PM	#10
ss/rs/378 Drives: 2012 ZL1 Camaro Victory Red Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Fort Wayne Indiana Posts: 333	Yep me to I had a SS wanted to put the STS twins on it but for what I wanted to do to it I would of had 10k to 15k in it with stock suspension SS rearend kind of a no brainer for me I chose the ZL1 and am 100% happy with my decision for me it was owning a car that to some people is in what they call the supercar status!! __________________ 2.55 UPPER PULLEY,100MM IDLER PULLEY,160 STAT,PORTED TB,PORTED SNOUT,MSD PLUG WIRES,NKG PLUGS,KENNE BELL EXTERNAL FUEL PUMP,2"KOOKS HEADERS,HIGH FLOW CATS,3"CORSA 60LB DEKA INJECTORS TUNED BY FROST 580RWHP,571RWTQ.

03-12-2014, 10:06 PM	#13
Front Runner Drives: 2016 Nightfall Gray Metallic SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NC Posts: 1,011	Another vote for the ZL1. __________________ 2016 Nightfall Gray Camaro SS

03-12-2014, 05:05 PM	#2
I call it Vera Drives: ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 484	Overall, the ZL1 is a great daily driver. However, be aware of the following: It comes with Summer ONLY tires, and they aren't kidding. If you want to drive it year around, you WILL need a second set of tires . . . or immediately replace the Summer ONLY with All season. Not much All season at that size. Your second set of tires can be standard SS rims, plus a good all season, I believe. I really, really like my ZL1, but it's also been in the garage since November. 580hp + MRC = awesome

03-12-2014, 05:22 PM	#3
toddsZL1 Drives: 2012 ZL1 IOM#1645 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SHAWANO,WI Posts: 398	ZL1

03-12-2014, 05:35 PM	#5
2014CamaroZL1 Drives: 2014 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 712	It's great that money is not the issue, but why waste it if you don't need to. Therefore...it really just boils down to the suspension. If you will appreciate and really use the capability of the magnetic dampers, then ZL1. If you do not, then buy the SS and put a blower on it if it is not fast enough. My ZL1 is a daily driver on the bad roads of NJ. The magnetic dampers provide the best of both worlds, with good ride and great handling. Two traits that are otherwise typically not found in the same suspension.

03-12-2014, 09:55 PM	#11
McFlyNH Drives: 14 Mustang GT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NH Posts: 11	Thanks guys for all the comments! Sounds like it's unanimous for the ZL1. Wait, did I post this in the ZL1 forum... Seriously, you guys have been really helpful. A few more questions... How many of you have automatics versus stick's? And if you had to do it over again-- auto or manual? If I buy new, what should I be targeting to pay (how much over invoice)? If I buy a used or leftover '13, what should I be looking out for? Any particular problem areas? thanks, rick

03-12-2014, 10:03 PM	#12
BAD ZL1 BAD ZL1 Drives: 2013 VIN 48 Victory Red ZL1! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: California Posts: 707	ZL1 is garbage, ugly, no power, bad ride etc...Lol, ZL1 hands down. The car makes me smile just thinking about it in my garage!

03-12-2014, 10:08 PM	#14
*007 Drives: Getaway Special Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Globe Trotter - CIU Posts: 398	Yes the ZL1 certainly gives back in terms of joy and visceral feel. If daily driving with paint damage is an issue, not money, but deterioration, you may look at the SS 1LE loaded up. __________________ Sip: