MotorTrend Pits the ZL1 vs GT500 on the Street, Dragstrip, and Racetrack

[8cd03gro]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

And what if they both had the same suspension? Silly argument.

In any case, if we are looking for a domestic track star forget either the ZL1 or GT500 and buy yourself one of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=eptrSafleW8

:flag2::flag2:

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by The IOM Ninja

ZL1 vs 2013 GT500 - Not Fair (the GT500 is a 2013 MY and ZL1 is a 2012 MY)

The ZL1 vs. 2013 GT500 is not fair because the ZL1 has superior suspension and braking components.

The 2013 gt500 is holding up pretty good though I must admit. But even with 8k in extra performance options the ZL1 still beats it outright on some tracks. Then on tracks like laguna seca, it can barely beat the zl1 for 1 or 2 laps, then it's toast.

[Good2go]

Originally Posted by Crowley

I'll chime in here... I don't think this should have come as a suprise for anyone. Both are fine cars and both have come a long way. When we talk about easier to drive on a daily basis, we all knew the ZL1 would be the choice here. The suspension setup and IRS makes sure of that. From a numbers perspective, you could tell the GT500 was going to be the straight line winner and on the roadcoarse it would be a close race with the ZL1 winning in the corners and the GT500 on the straights.

The point is that there will always be CHEVY only people and FORD only people .. both are winners. For us that are not brand loyal, it just gives us more options

Well said!

[CAMAROZL1]

I'm just going to say that I love both of these cars. If GM didn't have the Corvette as a halo, I have NO DOUBT that they would have put the 638 HP LS9 V8 to even the drag time numbers without thinking twice. I have massive respect for the Ford guys, they did an incredible job with that Mustang. And Kudos for GM for making a complete package, nice!

Hooray for American Muscle!

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by 2SS 2011

It failed the most important test... at the dragstrip.

You thought you were buying a drag car?

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by oortcloud

The ZL1 vs. 2013 GT500 is not fair because the ZL1 has superior suspension and braking components.

The 2013 gt500 is holding up pretty good though I must admit. But even with 8k in extra performance options the ZL1 still beats it outright on some tracks. Then on tracks like laguna seca, it can barely beat the zl1 for 1 or 2 laps, then it's toast.

I'm personally more impressed that a SRA car is keeping up to a car with IRS. It's not impressive at all that the ZL1 handles as well as it does it has BMI Magnaride Gen 3 one of the best adjustable suspensions in the world and IRS. It was tuned for the track first and foremost hence why it barely does better than a 2012 GT500 in the 1/4 mile stock.

The GT500 is a Drag Strip Star, the ZL1 is the Road Course Star. The ZL1 is more comfortable apparently, the GT500 is less so. The GT500 has a much better interior materials and amenities, the ZL1 has more comfortable seats and is more roomy. Exterior looks are subjective as are the design of the interior.

Camaro guys will buy the ZL1, Mustang guys will buy the GT500.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

You thought you were buying a drag car?

They designed the ZL1 to be as good on the strip as they said it would be on the road course. This was stated when they introduced the ZL1.

[evolve]

Originally Posted by The IOM Ninja

I'm personally more impressed that a SRA car is keeping up to a car with IRS. It's not impressive at all that the ZL1 handles as well as it does it has BMI Magnaride Gen 3 one of the best adjustable suspensions in the world and IRS. It was tuned for the track first and foremost hence why it barely does better than a 2012 GT500 in the 1/4 mile stock.

The GT500 is a Drag Strip Star, the ZL1 is the Road Course Star. The ZL1 is more comfortable apparently, the GT500 is less so. The GT500 has a much better interior materials and amenities, the ZL1 has more comfortable seats and is more roomy. Exterior looks are subjective as are the design of the interior.

Camaro guys will buy the ZL1, Mustang guys will buy the GT500.

Absolute truth... well, the Recaros are magic

[bpmurr]

Originally Posted by oortcloud

The ZL1 vs. 2013 GT500 is not fair because the ZL1 has superior suspension and braking components.

The 2013 gt500 is holding up pretty good though I must admit. But even with 8k in extra performance options the ZL1 still beats it outright on some tracks. Then on tracks like laguna seca, it can barely beat the zl1 for 1 or 2 laps, then it's toast.

The GT500 did not have $8k more in performance upgrades. It was not a track pack equipped car. I could tell by the price as tested. It had the SVTPP, Recaros, and NAV. The Track Pack doesn't have break coolers so what this review did tell me is the GT500 has good cooling outside of the brakes even without the track pack.

[DanSS24]

Originally Posted by bpmurr

The GT500 did not have $8k more in performance upgrades. It was not a track pack equipped car. I could tell by the price as tested. It had the SVTPP, Recaros, and NAV. The Track Pack doesn't have break coolers so what this review did tell me is the GT500 has good cooling outside of the brakes even without the track pack.

Straight from the Ford website, build your own:

Base GT500 -$54,995 + 8,080= $63,075
SVTPP - $3,495
SVTTP _ $2,995
Recaro Seats - $1,595

MT Price as tested:

ZL1/GT500
$56,365/$64,770

Difference of $8,405

[Bad@ssCamaro]

Originally Posted by HumanWiki

Seriously?

GB "Please post the link where it was stated that the GT500 would never be faster than the ZL1 on any lap on any road course. "

I did just that.. Now, how didn't I prove anything?

Originally Posted by mlee

Ummmm no it doesn't... Way old claims aimed at the 2012 GT500. Don't think we heard a peep after the 13 was announced, except for Oh Sh$#!!

I agree with Mlee, there is no way GM could have known what Ford was going to counteract with and all of you ford people are clinging to Al's statement like a bunch of retard's waiting on your next meal. OMG, if that's what you are basing your premises that the Camaro community thought the ZL1 was going to smoke the '13 GT500, then you are too heavily dependent on your addictions and those in the Camaro community that thought likewise deserve to be heckled by the Ford people.

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by The IOM Ninja

They designed the ZL1 to be as good on the strip as they said it would be on the road course. This was stated when they introduced the ZL1.

Yeah. and the mail-slot on my 1SS was supposed to serve a purpose when they designed the fascia. How's that working out for both of us?

To me, radio- and heater-delete, lighter wheels, etc is more germane to drag-strip suitability than words spat out by General Motors telling me that the ZL-1 package will be all things to all people. YMMV

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Yeah. and the mail-slot on my 1SS was supposed to serve a purpose when they designed the fascia. How's that working out for both of us?

To me, radio- and heater-delete, lighter wheels, etc is more germane to drag-strip suitability than words spat out by General Motors telling me that the ZL-1 package will be all things to all people. YMMV

Oh it's not a surprise I'm just amazed that GM continues to allow its employees to make GM look like morons.

[tt335ci03cobra]

Ya all the stuff aside, everybody on this thread obviously remembers all the bashing on both sides. Here are some various ones I remember that went both ways in various forums and threads. Call me a liar or an instigator, I just have a good memory. Most of these are from members here over the last 6 months when everything was known tech wise.

-won't take turns over 5mph
-won't break 12's
-won't offset its weight
-won't last motor wise; pop at 600whp
-probably flipped over on the ring
-won't put power down at all, the car needed grip not power
-the zl1 will smoke it because the ford can't turn
-the gt500 will destroy it on the strip
-the zl1 will over heat too quickly
-the gt500 wont have braking after 3 laps
-the boss is as fast as the gt500 so zl1 will kill the gt500
-gas mileage doesn't matter, who cars
-there's a huge price difference but gas mileage doesnt matter
-the mustangs interior is absolute crap and flimsy
-the camaro is impossible to see out of
-the gt500 has crappy wheels
-the gt500 is way too loud to drive everyday
-the zl1 is grandmas cushy cruiser the gt500 is the coolest thing ever
-the gt500 is a horse and buggy, the zl1 will destroy it
-the zl1 will be a drivers race against a gt500 at a drag strip so they are even and since the gt500 is harder to drive without spinning it's tires, the zl1 will win more often
-it can't go 200 that's a marketing ploy
-it won't trap over 120 because it won't get grip
-it's a one trick pony
-it can't stop
-it's a shitbox

So on. Its a pointless mission to wanna keep a discussion like this free of mud slinging but honestly, I think anybody who says very few people on this site have flung crap at the cobra or zl1 in the past would be lying to themselves. I got over flinging crap for the most part about a year ago and just decided it wasn't worth it. Now I'm seeing it's not even worth correcting improper statements; what's the point.

Let's just all keep the past behind us and keep the discussion more or less bash free. Both cars are amazing values in the new car market, congrats to all the buyers of each.