Drove a ZL1...not impressed

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by cam99

I think a lot of the sensation of what you would expect from these late model "supercars" is numbed down by the very sorted and controlled chassis and loads of sound deadning to be honest. I felt the same way when I bought my 08 gt500 sight unseen. Coming from a modified 03 cobra I thought I was going to very excited when I dropped the hammer on the then hellish 500 hp shelby. I went wot and thought, wait this is it? Ihear a lot of the same from people road testing the 662 hp shelby now. Its fast no doubt, but hear " it doesn't feel like a car with 662 hp" . You don't get that hair raising , kinda scary sensation with these new cars as you did with older cars when your driving the hell out of it. Its because they are so good, but I do miss that sensation a little! Just mod it some and it gets scary again. Lol

Absolutely correct! It's the same as when a racecar is dialed in. It's very predictable and controllable...no drama.

It's sad how some of the V6 guys rank on the SS and some of the SS guys rank on the ZL1. Especially after a little test drive. It's obviously purchase justification. Even sadder is some of the ZL1 owners are doing it to the Z/28 which isn't even available yet.

[Secret Squirrel]

Originally Posted by WLNY

How much in mods do you have? Costs?

Parts and labor...probably about 6k

[Secret Squirrel]

Originally Posted by ZL1-Camaro

yo

lol. very nice

[cvp33]

Folks that don't feel a difference, frankly don't know how to drive. I'd like to see a stock SS follow me through some twisties. As for a S/C'd SS. Of course there are SS Camaros that can put down the power, run 11's, run 10's, etc. But then add in the suspension work needed to equal the ZL1 and well....you're right back at ZL1 MSRP. And at that point I'll just drop a pulley, tune, plugs and larger injectors and pull away again. Enough?

[Stephen12ZL1]

Very simply...stock 580hp was underwhelming acceleration for me...a few mods later and it is awesome! You can make huge gains with pulley, air intake, tune (75hp ish). The stock suspension and brakes continue to impress!

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by SUKXOST

So you say 67K for a ZL1 and youre good to go. I'm @ 53K on my lowered 1LE with phenominal handling. My drivetrain loss from baseline was appx 11%. That puts me currently @ 725 crank HP (to compare your stated crank hp ZL1 with mods @ 670hp).

I'm not saying my modded 1LE is better than all ZL1s. I'm saying FOR ME it was way better to mod a 1LE and get way more for way less money. Yes I gave up the MR suspension and warranty but who cares :P

This car has to be the best modded 1LE in the world! I have seen it in person and it is awesome. I would have modded the exact same way!!

[ernie scar]

This isn’t meant to start an argument of which car is better (SS over the ZL1). As far as I am concerned the 20k price difference is worth the money, and I am happy with this car stock.

Yes, your SS with the mods you have on it may be faster than my stock ZL1. But say you wanted to put a SC on your SS how much extra would it cost, and with all the mods you have done to the car so far; how much have you spent? When you start to mod a car, the cost can add up pretty quick.

As signature below says “Engine out of a Corvette and suspension out of a Cadillac”. All this extra technology costs money and some people have forgotten that. Not to mention you can take this car to the track, beat it like a rented mule, and it will still be covered under warranty.

For myself, could I mod my ZL1? Sure I could. But when I am driving this car 25 years from now I will be able to say “I ordered it from the factory this way”.

Just my 2 cents

[batman53201]

[FINALLYSATISFIED]

It comes down to if you want a SS, 1LE or ZL1 then get it assuming you can afford it. I love when people say for $20k I can make my car more bad ass, etc. That applies to every car out there, lol. Most people who say that can't afford it so instead that's the only way they can come with terms with themselves for the reason why they can't buy one. At the end of the day it's just a SS with mods which I highly doubt you'll keep forever.

OP I've owned a '10 SS/RS in stock form. I choose to keep it that way for many reasons, mainly the reason being I knew some time down the road if trade it in for something faster/better I won't lose out on $. The ZL1 is just that. Hands down faster than a SS, handles better and looks better. Trying to justify it to the masses doesn't work with most members as it comes off being jealous. I truly believe you didn't have intentions on buying one that day, but hey I hope you enjoy your SS. At the end of the day no one cares, be happy with what you have.

[bumblebeecamaro]

I felt the same way as the OP did when I first bought my Z. I came from a Maggied SS to a ZL1 and the power differences between the two were minimal. I then realized nice the Z handles and the fact that I now have a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty means a lot to me. 580HP is plenty of power for me so I'm a happy camper.

[oldfriend]

Originally Posted by Secret Squirrel

I was pretty impressed the first time I drove a stock 2SS, until I drove a stock 5.0. Obviously the 2SS won me over for other reasons, and now having modded it, I am still impressed every time I drive it.
I am by no means bashing the ZL1. It is an amazing machine. Like I said, I expected the wow factor, and it just wasn't there. I have no doubt that with a couple mods, it would be insane, however, after dropping 60k on a 580hp car, I don't think I should have to drop any more money into it to give me that wow factor. I am just a lowly military guy and I don't have money to blow on a $60k car, much less mod it because the 580hp it came with didn't live up to its expectations. I guess its all relative to your situation and personal expectations.

I'm with you that your SS may be faster on a strait away

But you know better than I that , not even life is all that way , there always be all kinds a turns , ups and downs , doesn't mater what route one decides to take

And remember , that anyone can go fast on a strait way , but to come out strait off a turn , it's a all different story

And on the last one ,the ZL will be way ahead , over and over again ,just making my point

[rumbling]

Op.....you asked for it and you knew it was coming so dont take it personal. Aside from the military comments which were way out of line and totally un-called for (thank-you for your service). We are all passionate about our cars regardless of which version they are and we all hold them in high regards and when someone questions that regard we automatically get defensive. You were supposed to say you drove the ZL1 and it was like a top fuel dragster in a straight line and an Audi R18 around the corners

[mrmertz]

Hmm...how do I add to this without offending someone? I can't, so here goes. Bought a new 2013 2SS 1LE RS package. Managed to turn just over 1,700 miles on it before trading it in for a 2013 ZL1. So I got to hear it pull and roar before I let her go.

Personally, I think it was a huge mistake, thus far. Granted, it is not broken in yet but DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR I think that the SS package I had was a better run for the money. I notice no difference from idle to 4,000 RPM between the two cars. The SS pulled just as strong, but for over $15,000 less. I do not race at the track. I do not drag race. So the money I spent throwing into a fancy suspension package will most likely never get put to use. I believe the SS topped at 155 where as the ZL1 goes to around 184 MPH. Great. If I'm ever involved in a pursuit that will come in handy. Otherwise as of this date and only 800 miles on the ZL1 if you really aren't planning to race the car I would recommend getting the 1LE package on the SS and pocket the $15,000.

[cam99]

Originally Posted by mrmertz

Hmm...how do I add to this without offending someone? I can't, so here goes. Bought a new 2013 2SS 1LE RS package. Managed to turn just over 1,700 miles on it before trading it in for a 2013 ZL1. So I got to hear it pull and roar before I let her go.

Personally, I think it was a huge mistake, thus far. Granted, it is not broken in yet but DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR I think that the SS package I had was a better run for the money. I notice no difference from idle to 4,000 RPM between the two cars. The SS pulled just as strong, but for over $15,000 less. I do not race at the track. I do not drag race. So the money I spent throwing into a fancy suspension package will most likely never get put to use. I believe the SS topped at 155 where as the ZL1 goes to around 184 MPH. Great. If I'm ever involved in a pursuit that will come in handy. Otherwise as of this date and only 800 miles on the ZL1 if you really aren't planning to race the car I would recommend getting the 1LE package on the SS and pocket the $15,000.

I'm a bit confused why you would trade your 1le for the zl1 if you had no need for the suspension improvement, the on track ability, or the speed of it? Not flaming just curious? You already had the wheels and other body parts could be swapped if you like them. It may feel the same accelleration-wise but it truely isn't. I had a cam/exhaust SS on dr's and the zl1 now with cai and the same dr's and at the strip it is faster at every part of the track. I agree the "feel" of the two cars is different