Need some advice ZL1 or SS?

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by BigBoyBlue

The tires are not as bad as everyone says. Yes, they lose grip upon acceleration when it is cold out. I have driven my car pretty much every day into DC with the stock summers on (I know it isn't optimal, but I'm stubborn). Like much of the Northeast, we have had a miserable winter. I had to drive home in a snow storm once this year in my ZL1 and it was surprisingly steady.

Keep in mind that I'm an experienced winter/snow driver, having spent the my first 22 years of my drivers license driving in New York and Wisconsin. Just make sure all of your inputs (throttle, brake, and steering) are smooth and not abrupt. Be easy on the throttle and put it in wet mode.

If you're going to drive in the snow every year, I'd highly recommend winter tires. I've done the "drive careful or stay parked in bad weather" with rear drive performance tires and it gets old. Given you lived in Brookfield, WI, I drove the same roads as you.

Trust me, winter tires are worth the money. 1) They work so well you will be pulling away from front drive cars at the stop light in deep snow. 2) as your summer tires wear, traction will get worse and nothing is more frustrating then getting stuck in a parking lot with only an inch of snow. 3) you're wearing expensive summer tires out FAST!

My routine has been to shop eBay for a set of OEM rims so I don't have to mount and remount and the car always looks the same. They don't have to be perfect because they are for winter.

It is a big up front expense but one that will keep you from hating our car half of the year

[McFlyNH]

You're absolutely right. Been driving my GT for 8 years, all year round in NH with a good set of snows on a second pair of wheels. No issues, except when the snow gets over 6-8 inches, then it's time to get my Jeep out.

[Drm2Reality]

I have spent a couple days in the SS and I own a ZL1...and the ZL1 is a better car by far. I don't even consider the two in the same league.

Also, I find it very funny when people talk about being very careful with the throttle like driving the ZL1 is like taming a dragon. It certainly has power, but if you drive it in mode 2 - the default mode at startup - and leave it in "D" if you have an auto, I find the car to be too tame and quite boring. Since I hit 1500 mi my car has not been in "D" once nor has it been in mode 2. Generally I drive in mode 3 and if the roads are more open road 4.

To my knowledge the SS "1LE" doesn't have the capabilities electronic wise as the ZL1 so this alone should make it an easy choice. ZL1 All the way!

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by Drm2Reality

Also, I find it very funny when people talk about being very careful with the throttle like driving the ZL1 is like taming a dragon. It certainly has power, but if you drive it in mode 2 - the default mode at startup - and leave it in "D" if you have an auto, I find the car to be too tame and quite boring.

Lol. You do realize we are talking about driving in snow? SoCal boy, it's a different game.

[el ess A]

One little detail most of y'all are missing is that he was talking about a convertible ZL1. Which means you don't have all those 5 PTM modes found on the coupe. You get sport/touring, sure, but there's only one other mode, "competitive" as in the SS 'vert. Push the TCS button twice quickly and it should put you in this mode. Recommended for off road use only. I believe it cuts out TCS but leaves launch control available (manual tranny only). Small price to pay to be able to drop the top on a nice day.

[buffalobill]

If you test drive a ZL1 , you'll buy it .

[Drm2Reality]

Originally Posted by hotlapZL1

Lol. You do realize we are talking about driving in snow? SoCal boy, it's a different game.

Yeah, that is definitely a different story. My car will not even see wet pavement. I am so far from snow I don't even think 2 seconds about a ZL1 owner having to drive in the snow hahah.

But wow...that sure would be fun...in somebody else's ZL1. Snow sure makes a mess of a car but it certainly would be fun! How do you snow guys keep that car clean??

[Drm2Reality]

Originally Posted by el ess A

One little detail most of y'all are missing is that he was talking about a convertible ZL1. Which means you don't have all those 5 PTM modes found on the coupe. You get sport/touring, sure, but there's only one other mode, "competitive" as in the SS 'vert. Push the TCS button twice quickly and it should put you in this mode. Recommended for off road use only. I believe it cuts out TCS but leaves launch control available (manual tranny only). Small price to pay to be able to drop the top on a nice day.

...Well if this is really the case and this person wants a vert, then don't waste the money on the ZL1. Get the SS vert and save some money.

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by Drm2Reality

Yeah, that is definitely a different story. My car will not even see wet pavement. I am so far from snow I don't even think 2 seconds about a ZL1 owner having to drive in the snow hahah.

But wow...that sure would be fun...in somebody else's ZL1. Snow sure makes a mess of a car but it certainly would be fun! How do you snow guys keep that car clean??

I'm keeping my 04 GTO for winter so mine won't either. It's such a nice car, I don't want to mess it up. I do get the desire to drive year round. Having a car parked half the year sucks...especially if your winter car is boring.

Storing them in hopes of future collectabilty isn't wise. My first new car was an 84 Monte SS and you wouldn't believe the shit I got for driving it year round. Now, who cares. When I bought the GTO, nobody cared about that car from day one but its been a dream

[HDRDTD]

Originally Posted by Drm2Reality

...Well if this is really the case and this person wants a vert, then don't waste the money on the ZL1. Get the SS vert and save some money.

Not true by a long shot.

I traded a 2011 Vert in on a 2013 ZL1 Vert when they were announced, and I've NEVER regretted my decision.

The two are totally different cars and there is much more to the ZL1 Vert even though it is missing a few of the items such as PTM and a lower top speed (a mere 155mph on the Vert).

[el ess A]

If anyone thinks an SS is on par with a ZL1, regardless of coupe or convertible, you either 1) have no idea what you're talking about and/or 2) never really driven both on more than just a test drive.

Having both an SS and a ZL1, there's a hundred miles of difference between the two overall. They're both fun to drive, and if you take the nannies off, who gives a crap. They'll both melt tires. Unless you get a lemon, ALL GEN5 Camaros will put a smile on your face! Some just a bigger smile than others. You can't go wrong with an SS, but if you can swing a ZL1, do that.

I'll get a better handle on just how different the ZL1 sway bar setup works on the 2010 SS coupe when I get around to putting the sways on. But handling is hands down actually is a million mile difference between the two. The ZL1 does it so effortlessly it seems.

[CamaroTom]

Originally Posted by el ess A

If anyone thinks an SS is on par with a ZL1, regardless of coupe or convertible, you either 1) have no idea what you're talking about and/or 2) never really driven both on more than just a test drive.

Having both an SS and a ZL1, there's a hundred miles of difference between the two overall. They're both fun to drive, and if you take the nannies off, who gives a crap. They'll both melt tires. Unless you get a lemon, ALL GEN5 Camaros will put a smile on your face! Some just a bigger smile than others. You can't go wrong with an SS, but if you can swing a ZL1, do that.

I'll get a better handle on just how different the ZL1 sway bar setup works on the 2010 SS coupe when I get around to putting the sways on. But handling is hands down actually is a million mile difference between the two. The ZL1 does it so effortlessly it seems.

Have you driven a 1LE? A 1LE is on par with a ZL1. Handling wise.

[Todd in Vancouver]

Originally Posted by 1LEMayhem

Have you driven a 1LE? A 1LE is on par with a ZL1. Handling wise.

That I have a tough time believing. The ZL1'is one of the top rated handling cars around and there are plenty of discussions of ZL vs Z/28 but the 1LE while being a great car is not a ZL beater.

If I'm wrong then please show me where in a comparison the 1LE is hanging with or beating the ZL.,

[Front Runner]

Originally Posted by BigBoyBlue

It's true. I got about 10.5 mpg through the break-in period. I just went over 1500 miles last week and I'm scared to see what my mpg's will be once the weather is nice. None of my other fast cars have been this thirsty, although my 2011 Toyota Sequoia was close at 11mpg.

I'm not complaining, I'm just surprised that Chevy didn't make it a little more fuel efficient like the GT500 or Corvette. Al Oppenheiser loves that line that on a list of 1-10 reasons why a Camaro owner buys a Camaro, fuel efficiency is #23. Funny, but it would be nice to at leave get the same mileage as the GT500.

Originally Posted by HDRDTD

13,000 miles on my 2013 M6 and overall average is rock steady at 16.1mpg

I'm averaging 16 mpgs with my ZL1 (with a lot of city driving). Hand calculated.