Just sat in another 2016 - happy and bummed

[harmonyp]

Took the ZL1 in for an oil change. Had a second chance to sit in a 2016, 2SS. Started it up to hear the exhaust, but didn't ask for a test drive as I didn't want to waste the salesman's time since I'm not in the market, and it was pouring outside. The first time I sat in one I was excited to see it, and impressed with the interior materials. Second time with the excitement factor toned down, it was a little different.

Good news - I'm really happy I went with the ZL1, and didn't wait for the 2016. I really thought about waiting, and now ZL1s are hard to find. Was a great decision. I SO love this ZL1.

Bummed, because I don't think the gen6 will be a car for me. Which makes me sad for the future.

I'm not a big gal - 5'7, less than avg. weight. The gen6 felt claustrophobic to me looking out the front window. The gauges stick up way high. They don't physically obstruct vision, but the space you look out of from the front window is really small - way smaller than the C7. Then size wise, it kind of feels like someone took a press from the front and back and just squished it together.

There is very minimal recline to the gen6 seat. Not enough for me to be comfortable. That may well be something GM fixes though.

Revving the exhaust, lots of nice burble. Exhaust note is higher than the ZL1 by quite a bit - has an aggressive sports car sound, not that deep low rumbly growl of the ZL1. Reminds me of Corsa Sports on a C6 vette.

I really love muscle cars. But they seem to be going the way of the manual transmission - away. I consider my ZL1 an awesome muscle car, but the new Camaro - it really now is a sports car.

Glad I'm set for a while!

[Shark72]

Great review, thanks!
I totally agree with the your comments and the fact that ZL1 is truly a muscle car vs. the gen 6 more like sports car.

[rcandiloro]

I saw a 16' SS in person the other day for the first time and just wasn't that excited about it. I really wanted to like it, but it just doesn't do it for me. Now, I can say the same thing about a standard Gen 5 so I'm hoping with some ZL1/Z28 love that the Gen 6 can become more of an awesome looker. It has the performance, now it just needs some extra sauce to make folks drool over it.

[KaBoom1701]

Great review.

Spot on with your comments

[MORRZL1]

So glad I pulled the trigger and got my 15' ZL1 tripple black. Nothing can match the meaness of the ZL1!

[Bigtime53]

I have not seen one other than in pics but thanks for the review. I kinda of thought it would be like you said.

[E. Bryant]

There is enough distinction between the 5th- and 6th-gen cars that I could see myself having one of each in the garage without feeling as if there was excessive overlap.

[Bosse'sBoss]

I also was in the same shoes, at first very undecided between the ZL1 VS the 6th.gen Camaro SS, probably what help me decide were the bad reliability comments that I read on C&D and on the Stingray forum about its powertrain that is the same as the 6th. Gen Camaro. Also I found a great bargain of a very low mile red '14 ZL1 fully equipped including Recaros that help me decide immediately.
I consider ZL1s as a great impressive muscle car VS the new 6th gen. Camaro that it looks like an European or Japanese sport car that has a great suspension, very lightweight and with a strong powertrain (less power compared to the ZL1).
When I compared both cars side to side exterior & interior, the ZL1 was more impressive, with a more Macho look compared to a ballerina look of the 6th.gen SS I was not impressed at all, instead I went for a Stingray test drive, that would be one day my future ride, very amazing Z51.

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by harmonyp

Took the ZL1 in for an oil change. Had a second chance to sit in a 2016, 2SS. Started it up to hear the exhaust, but didn't ask for a test drive as I didn't want to waste the salesman's time since I'm not in the market, and it was pouring outside. The first time I sat in one I was excited to see it, and impressed with the interior materials. Second time with the excitement factor toned down, it was a little different.

Good news - I'm really happy I went with the ZL1, and didn't wait for the 2016. I really thought about waiting, and now ZL1s are hard to find. Was a great decision. I SO love this ZL1.

Bummed, because I don't think the gen6 will be a car for me. Which makes me sad for the future.

I'm not a big gal - 5'7, less than avg. weight. The gen6 felt claustrophobic to me looking out the front window. The gauges stick up way high. They don't physically obstruct vision, but the space you look out of from the front window is really small - way smaller than the C7. Then size wise, it kind of feels like someone took a press from the front and back and just squished it together.

There is very minimal recline to the gen6 seat. Not enough for me to be comfortable. That may well be something GM fixes though.

Revving the exhaust, lots of nice burble. Exhaust note is higher than the ZL1 by quite a bit - has an aggressive sports car sound, not that deep low rumbly growl of the ZL1. Reminds me of Corsa Sports on a C6 vette.

I really love muscle cars. But they seem to be going the way of the manual transmission - away. I consider my ZL1 an awesome muscle car, but the new Camaro - it really now is a sports car.

Glad I'm set for a while!

Nice review.

Interesting, you are not the first person to mention the guage binnacle obstacle. It does look weird to me, but it seems Chevy was including a nod to the Camaro dash heritage of the past. Not a good move for those of shorter stature. And I think you nailed the difference between the two. I am going to a CA6 now, but it was not my idea. I had some bad luck with my used ZL1 so this time I am going new. I hope I like it.

[harmonyp]

Originally Posted by Fraxum

Nice review.

Interesting, you are not the first person to mention the guage binnacle obstacle. It does look weird to me, but it seems Chevy was including a nod to the Camaro dash heritage of the past. Not a good move for those of shorter stature. And I think you nailed the difference between the two. I am going to a CA6 now, but it was not my idea. I had some bad luck with my used ZL1 so this time I am going new. I hope I like it.

Fraxum - I read your post on the problems you had and why you went to the CA6. Please give a review on this forum after you've had it for a while. One can only surmise so much just sitting in a seat. I didn't fall in love with the ZL1 by just sitting in it. Fell in love after driving in. I'm sure the CA6 is a joy to drive with the LT1. Will be very interested to hear the assessment from someone coming from a ZL1.

[jessrayo]

The salesman at my local dealership called me when they were unloading their first 2016 off the truck 2 days ago. I showed up when the tech finished removing all of the protectant tape and whatever else he had to do to make it road worthy..... I asked the salesman if I could put it through the paces. He said, if I was seriously considering buying it I could drive it any way I wanted to.... It drifts really nice in track mode and we hit 155 in a mile of interstate from one exit to the next.

The Cabin is smaller, I don't think I could possibly climb in the side glass if the door would not open. No human with legs could sit behind me with the driver seat in my comfortable position and I'm 5' 11". The gauge cluster is higher and the stock seat is not very supportive in aggressive cornering. The HUD is very bright. I tested a car with an automatic transmission and it snaps off a very loud bark every time the auto shifts a gear at WOT... It feels light in the corners.... not at all like my heavy ZL1. I never found the cornering limits on my test drive and the salesman was reaching for anything he could possibly hang on to because he thought for sure we were not going to make some of the corners at the speeds I was hitting them. The '16 SS is not as confidence inspiring as my C7 stingray was but the limits are very high if you reach for them. It made a heck of a impression on me. It really needs a couple hundred more horsepower in my opinion but it was a joy to drive hard.

The model I drove was black and I just don't like black cars in the deep south because it takes too long to cool the interior in the summer. The dealership made some calls and they are swapping the black one for a similar summit white car. I signed the papers yesterday and my new daily driver is going to be a '16 SS whenever it gets delivered. I'll have to post a review when I finally get it on the race track. I'm pretty sure I can bolt my ZL1's Hoosier road racing tires on without a hitch and if that's the case it is going to ruffle some feathers with regulars at the track.

[ELIC1]

after you get over the 6gen interior to me the 5gen is just better looking... and i am glad i have one and would never trade mine in for a 6gen i believe my car looks the best just like every 5 gen owner does

[Red Hot ZL1]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

The salesman...

Why didn't you get another 'vette?

[djnice]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

... I'll have to post a review when I finally get it on the race track. I'm pretty sure I can bolt my ZL1's Hoosier road racing tires on without a hitch and if that's the case it is going to ruffle some feathers with regulars at the track.

Sweet