Now the tests out, ZL1 over hyped

[HumanWiki]

Originally Posted by upheval

Lol, I think that power option will be alot more then 54k$

54k would be the cost of a fill up at the local rocket fuel station.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by PQ

*cough* bs *cough*

Then why, oh why, would ANYONE spend $60 grand on a car and only care about trap speeds and quarter mile. For the love of god, buy a beater, drop an engine in it, blow the engine, and go run 1/4s to your hearts content. Strap some rockets on the back or something if you can't get enough boost or NOS. I don't think I'll ever look at the quarter mile when considering a car. If I wanted to "run the quarter" I sure as hell wouldn't buy a new car, it's not going to be competative, and even if it is at $60K and more, you're going to need some upgrades and broken parts/wear items would just make it ridiculous.

[Nmbr1gmfan]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Then why, oh why, would ANYONE spend $60 grand on a car and only care about trap speeds and quarter mile. For the love of god, buy a beater, drop an engine in it, blow the engine, and go run 1/4s to your hearts content. Strap some rockets on the back or something if you can't get enough boost or NOS. I don't think I'll ever look at the quarter mile when considering a car. If I wanted to "run the quarter" I sure as hell wouldn't buy a new car, it's not going to be competative, and even if it is at $60K and more, you're going to need some upgrades and broken parts/wear items would just make it ridiculous.

Where do you race your car?

[PQ]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Then why, oh why, would ANYONE spend $60 grand on a car and only care about trap speeds and quarter mile. For the love of god, buy a beater, drop an engine in it, blow the engine, and go run 1/4s to your hearts content. Strap some rockets on the back or something if you can't get enough boost or NOS. I don't think I'll ever look at the quarter mile when considering a car. If I wanted to "run the quarter" I sure as hell wouldn't buy a new car, it's not going to be competative, and even if it is at $60K and more, you're going to need some upgrades and broken parts/wear items would just make it ridiculous.

The answer is quite simple.

They want a car with looks, styling and is an excellent track car also.

Like I said previously, Acceleration sells cars. 0-60mph and 1/4 mile times are in commercials nightly selling cars. Most of the chest thumping for regular Joes comes from the red light to red light stuff. You can't show a rival car how bad ass our suspension is in chance meetings on the street. Even Mr. Dumbass street racer guy knows that. BUT, punching it at the red light or from a roll on the interstate or open highway real quick is done regularly.

You and I might be more inclined to be in that small percentage that feels differently but acceleration sells to the masses.

Me? I want a car that will handle like a mother in the twisties just for my fun but my main want is a good quarter mile time.

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong but to answer your question.......

They aren't spending 60k on a car and ONLY caring about trap speeds. They are buying a 60k car that does BOTH well but 'focusing' more on trap speeds knowing that it tracks well too.

EDIT: I should add, might be disappointed with the ZL1, might not, but it's why they talk about the quarter mile.

[BowtieBelle]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

wellnow...........


.......


3. (and most of you have heard me say this time after time) - -

"The name 'Camaro' means 'friend, pal, or comrade'...." - and we need to remember that on this site. Let's keep it friendly, please.


This IS, indeed, the Golden Age of performance.

Now - let's all settle down and enjoy this era.

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by Mr T

Fbodfather, you had said before that "we have not spilled all the beans" on the ZL1, since then i don't know of any major revalations. Is there an additional "surprise" when the first ZL1s are delivered? A yes or no will suffice! Thank you!

Yes.

"Shunt" will jump out of the trunk of some unsuspecting customer!


(.....do a search of 'Shunt' if you aren't aware of the 'Shunt' Saga from 2009....)

[htron50]

It Must Be Happy Hour somewhere!

[MauriSSio]

Originally Posted by PQ

The answer is quite simple.

They want a car with looks, styling and is an excellent track car also.

Like I said previously, Acceleration sells cars. 0-60mph and 1/4 mile times are in commercials nightly selling cars. Most of the chest thumping for regular Joes comes from the red light to red light stuff. You can't show a rival car how bad ass our suspension is in chance meetings on the street. Even Mr. Dumbass street racer guy knows that. BUT, punching it at the red light or from a roll on the interstate or open highway real quick is done regularly.

You and I might be more inclined to be in that small percentage that feels differently but acceleration sells to the masses.

Me? I want a car that will handle like a mother in the twisties just for my fun but my main want is a good quarter mile time.

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong but to answer your question.......

They aren't spending 60k on a car and ONLY caring about trap speeds. They are buying a 60k car that does BOTH well but 'focusing' more on trap speeds knowing that it tracks well too.

EDIT: I should add, might be disappointed with the ZL1, might not, but it's why they talk about the quarter mile.

Good post, I agree.stop light to stop light the zl1 numbers indicate it might not satisfy a lot of people (sub 120mph traps) but people who appreciate these types of cars also appreciate other cars like the nissan gtr, nsx , mitsu evos, porsche cayman and others. Not necessarily "fast" cars but great all round car.

[Sweet Zness]

Originally Posted by armysig

I don't know about you, but if I'm taking either car to the track I want to be as relaxed as possible when I race. There is no need to come out of a car looking like you ran a marathon.
The ZL-1 makes it so you the driver can focus on consistant track times rather than trying to keep the car on the road.

Not to pick on you particularly, but isn't this the exact opposite of the Corvette and especially the ZR1 metality I see here so often, once compared to cars like the GTR? All I ever read is how the GTR isn't a drivers car, its too easy to drive hard, its not connected compared to the monster ZR1. How much more satisfying it is to drive a ZO6 or ZR1 due to its feel and aggressiveness compared to the GTR.

Which is it? We can expect a beast to be a beast when compared to a refined, easy to drive fast car like the GTR which is slightly slower than the Vette, but roles reversed its cool that the ZL1 is more the track winner and its cool it will be slower in straight lines than its main competition?

[MauriSSio]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zness

Not to pick on you particularly, but isn't this the exact opposite of the Corvette and especially the ZR1 metality I see here so often, once compared to cars like the GTR? All I ever read is how the GTR isn't a drivers car, its too easy to drive hard, its not connected compared to the monster ZR1. How much more satisfying it is to drive a ZO6 or ZR1 due to its feel and aggressiveness compared to the GTR.

Which is it? We can expect a beast to be a beast when compared to a refined, easy to drive fast car like the GTR which is slightly slower than the Vette, but roles reversed its cool that the ZL1 is more the track winner and its cool it will be slower in straight lines than its main competition?

exactly. The ZL1 has GTR-like qualities. The same qualities that countless people here used to tear down to no end. now they see the light!!

[htron50]

NO, what we know is GM did Not focus simply on light to light. They could have, as shown with the COPO (not street legal). But certainly everything about this car was designed by GM ...WITH HELP from the Camaro Disciples. Don't throw flames at the group here. We know what GM did here. They gave the world a world class factory race car with street comfort & accessories. No rear seat delete. The Camaro Fans got MORE than they figured. "Could" GM add more HP? Too easily. Too easily. Easy enough to grab headlines they choose to grab if the time or need presents itself. But that time is not now. Now, they can say "Job well done".... Now it's in Productions hands........

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by htron50

NO, what we know is GM did Not focus simply on light to light. They could have, as shown with the COPO (not street legal). But certainly everything about this car was designed by GM ...WITH HELP from the Camaro Disciples. Don't throw flames at the group here. We know what GM did here. They gave the world a world class factory race car with street comfort & accessories. No rear seat delete. The Camaro Fans got MORE than they figured. "Could" GM add more HP? Too easily. Too easily. Easy enough to grab headlines they choose to grab if the time or need presents itself. But that time is not now. Now, they can say "Job well done".... Now it's in Productions hands........

Very true htron, it's not about one parameter, or another. It's about the sum of the parts, the body of work. A balance across the board if you will. It seems Chevy hit the bullseye with a finely tuned, well balanced product that does everything extremely well for a price that makes the car a value beyond comparison.

[IOMZL1]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zness

Not to pick on you particularly, but isn't this the exact opposite of the Corvette and especially the ZR1 metality I see here so often, once compared to cars like the GTR? All I ever read is how the GTR isn't a drivers car, its too easy to drive hard, its not connected compared to the monster ZR1. How much more satisfying it is to drive a ZO6 or ZR1 due to its feel and aggressiveness compared to the GTR.

Which is it? We can expect a beast to be a beast when compared to a refined, easy to drive fast car like the GTR which is slightly slower than the Vette, but roles reversed its cool that the ZL1 is more the track winner and its cool it will be slower in straight lines than its main competition?

I do remember a quote saying they purposefully tuned the ZL1 to be easier to drive than a Z06 or ZR1. I think for the general public this is what they would want. Let’s face it – very few people buying a dedicated track car are going to get a ZL1 when they are deciding between a Z06/ZR1 or a ZL1. People that get the ZL1 are likely people who will track it every now and then. I think an easier to handle car is exactly what they want. Good lap times without having to think too much about crashing, worry too much about getting familiar with the car and the track. No need to waste too much time getting up to speed when you only go to the track every few months.

More serious and skilled racers or people who go to the track more often may interpret the ZL1 as feeling ‘numb’ and may not like it as much. Then again, these people have probably already made the choice of the Z06 because it is a better race car and not an ‘overweight pig’. To me how they have tuned the ZL1 is perfect for what it is. It may be the fastest Camaro ever, but it also has all of the modern day comforts – things a race car doesn’t need. It can be a comfortable touring car or a hard core track beast. The ZR1/Z06 are clearly faster cars and make compromises to the comforts of every day driving to achieve this.

An interesting question is which would be faster for the ‘average joe’ given 10-20 laps at a new track – ZL1 or ZR1? I think you’d find the lap times would come quicker to the ZL1 even if the ZR1 has tons more potential because of the confidence it inspires.

[fbodfather]

Here's something to put on your Player Piano andthen pump away........

(.....Uncle Fbodfather got very little sleep in the past couple of nights...)


I think people are going to be genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised when they get behind the wheel of the ZL1 - and for reasons that most of you haven't thought of:

1. The ride. I think many if not most people would think the ZL1 will have a rough or very firm ride. They would be wrong! If you think the 2012 SS rides nice? You're gonna LOVE the ZL1's ride. (assuming you haven't put it in 'race' mode, that is...)

2. The quiet ride. Many people were genuinely pleased that at 70mph in a stock SS, you can have a normal conversation in a normal tone of voice with your passenger next to you..........that isn't the case with most high-performance cars. The ZL1 is exceptional when it comes to quietness at 70mph......but boy does the supercharger sound incredible when you step on it......(not to mention being forced into the seat....)

3. The precise handling on washboard surfaces. I was riding with Tony Roma at the proving grounds and he illustrated the difference between the
ZL1 and 'some other cars' when you are in a broad, sweeping turn and suddenly hit bumps that are created to 'upset' the steering and suspension.....the ZL1 steering and suspension does an incredible job of keeping the car composed - whereas some "other cars" get a bit 'skittish' so to speak...........

With exception of the tires (climate temperatures) - this would be a very nice 'daily driver' in terms of livability.........and for those of you who will pack up your ZL1s and head to Camaro5Fest in Indy this year -- you'll find that you arrived and feel great - not beat up as some cars may make you feel.....


As I've said for the past decade and a half - don't pass final judgement until you see one in person and drive one.............



The word is "ULTRA-GRIN".........................................