New ZL1 owner and why I chose ZL1 over GT500

[v8]

I guess the market is different in Canada, there are still 2013 GT500's sitting on lots here and dealers are selling at, or close to invoice where the ZL1 is no where to be found, in fact most of the ZL1's you see here are imports from the US. I'm not sure how many 2013 ZL1's came to Canada but in 2012 there were 99. Here anyone can get a GT500 for way under MSRP

[Angrybird 12]

Congratulations.
I read where one tester summed up the comparison of the two this way.
If you want a car you can drive lap after lap fast without drama get the ZL1, if you want a car you have to wrestle and be on the edge of control lap after lap to be quick get the GT500. ( not a direct quote)

[v8]

Originally Posted by The IOM Ninja

As an owner I can chime in on this:

1. The Clutch does feel very stiff from stock, I had a failure (defective parts from factory) and after it was replaced it is much softer.

2. It doesn't "FEEL" faster, but it is, mainly because of the gearing. Having both a 2012 GT500 in the Family and my 2013 GT500 the 112 Horsepower is a very big difference in terms of it pulling.

3. I've heard different about the Z06 vs GT500, I have absolutely no doubt that the ZO6 is faster in the 1/4 Mile and a better handler but from a roll I would have to see in person before I could confirm.

4. Congrats on the ZL1, you need to provide pics however....

Thanks for your input and congrats. As soon as I bring her home in a week or two I will post some pictures. BTW I liked your reply, its nice to hear from people who can give an intelligent answer.

Not to bash my brother, he is a mustang fan, but he likes they older ones and when I tried discussing the two cars, the pros and cons, he said buy a Mustang because its a Mustang but didn't know anything about the new GT500 or its inner workings. I couldn't have an intelligent conversation with him I knew more than him about the Mustangs and he is the fan?

These forms are a great place for info, congrats on your GT500, that is a sweet ride.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by v8

Yes, the GT500 is an animal, its great straight line and handles fairly well. I don't drive much so I could have got a GT500 or a ZL1. I did choose the ZL1. I did hear the clutch takes some getting use to in the GT500 and also it does not "feel" that much faster than the 11's,12's The reason for the fast 0-60 is you can do it in 1st gear because its got 3:31's in the rear. The older GT500's had the 3:73 in the rear which pulled but you lost time due to a shift. Now I asked a SVT tech and he said the 13 is stronger, the difference is it just keeps pulling where the 11,12's stop pulling as hard at the upper speeds. If you have been an a Z06, I have heard that car pulls harder than the GT500.

Just something to be aware of if you haven driven one. Now I havent driven one, but have interviewed a few SVT techs, been on the mustang forums, and read published articles. Not knocking the car at all, just be aware. Mind you 3:37 on a new GT500 would be unstoppable!!!!!!!!!

ya i am never one for looking at numbers. I think about street driving. the fact is driving on the street most of the time when you floor it, you are rolling. The rolling is where your going feel the extra power, not as much 0-60. IMO

[Frid]

Congrats on the new ride OP and can't wait to see pics. I agree I got to drive my buddy's new GT500 and it is an animal no doubt. But the Camaro still looks so much better then it does.

[sonic656]

Congrats, nice little writeup as well

[v8]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

ya i am never one for looking at numbers. I think about street driving. the fact is driving on the street most of the time when you floor it, you are rolling. The rolling is where your going feel the extra power, not as much 0-60. IMO

Yes, from a roll, the car is wicked fast. I actually saw a utube video where they raced a GT500 against a Nissan GT-R from a roll and the GT500 took it

[DangerZL1]

Congrats on your new ZL1! There is no perfect car. I wish I could have some features of the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger in one car, but it doesn't work that way. You'll be pleased and the more you drive it the more you'll appreciate it. The magnetic ride is really amazing.

[v8]

Thanks DangerZL1

[jbotta]

After 4 track days last year in my zl1 lap after lap the z just kept pulling, you made the right decision, CONGRATS

[v8]

Thanks

[FINALLYSATISFIED]

Chevrolet did something right with the ZL1. Not once did I get a thumbs up in my SS and i've owned a few of them, lol. A 5.0 GT pulled up beside me today and gave me a head nod and thumbs up. Gentlemen was probably in his late 30s. With that said, you made the right decision.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by FINALLYSATISFIED

Chevrolet did something right with the ZL1. Not once did I get a thumbs up in my SS and i've owned a few of them, lol. A 5.0 GT pulled up beside me today and gave me a head nod and thumbs up. Gentlemen was probably in his late 30s. With that said, you made the right decision.

No thumbs up in your SS? That is hard to imagine. I get them all the time in my V6 convertible. Just got two yesterday morning on my way to pick up breakfast.
I have even got a "nice car man" from a guy driving a 67 Shelby mustang at the gas station one day.
I couldn't begin to guess how much attention a ZL1 would get. Way to go!

[rzrbck_zl1]

Originally Posted by jasonpope2003

GT500s are hard as hell to get down here and are still selling well over 20k markup.

But then again so are ZL1s.
cheapest you can find either for down here is in the 70k range. was at Ford last month shopping and the GT500 they had was regular trim and the asking price was 78k.

ZL1s at Munday Chevy are about the same range start in the 70s.

I purchased my ZL1 from a dealer in Houston in September. Dealer was asking $15k over sticker on every ZL1 (they had three on the showroom floor - one black vert, one black coupe, and my CRT coupe), but it didn't take too long to get them down to just a bit over sticker. I probably could have got it a bit lower still if I'd wanted to keep negotiating, but at that point the difference was "in the noise" and I was satisfied with the price.