Test drove a ZL1 today

[ZL1-V]

Originally Posted by Secret Squirrel

Context brother. Do you know what his "unconscious motives" were? I would assume not, so your definition of rationalize, and the context in which you used it, was more along the lines of "to create an excuse". By your comment, you came across as

pre·ten·tious
priˈtenCHəs/
adjective
adjective: pretentious
1.
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.

This is fun...

You win, I have been on the internet long enough to not get involved back and forth on who got the biggest d__k. I'm glad you are enjoying your SS. I have a friend who has an SS and parked next to her car. I will in turn enjoy my ZL1.

[OldScoolCamaro]

...my wow factor,<motor wise> didn't really come into play until close to 1,200K miles. Go figure...., and I drove the car every time I took it out. M6. Power comes and goes depending on driver operation preferences, the weather conditions, mode of operation, and frequency of fun time useage. It tries to figure out over time what you want it to do, based on algorythyms.

[v8]

Originally Posted by Lee123

You're absolutely right about that. My SS makes 563 rwhp and 507 torque, which should put it close to the ZL1, and it feels about twice as fast as it did stock. Something would have to be wrong with a ZL1 to feel no faster than an SS.

The ZL1 will put down about 495 to the wheels stock. Just utube ZL1 Dyno comparison.

Originally Posted by SlingShot

IMO anyone who says the ZL1 isn't much faster than or doesn't handle much better than a SS is on drugs. I drive one of each on a regular basis, and the SS is lethargic compared to the ZL1. You can light up the back tires of the ZL1 from a 50 roll at will. When I matt the gas from a 75 roll, it's like getting punched in the chest and pushed into the seat. The SS isn't even close to being on the same level as the ZL1.

Mine will not do that, maybe you have an auto, mine is a stick and when I downshift I can't break them free that easily

Originally Posted by Camaro2ss2013

I know I'm going to get flamed for this post but its my honest opinion. I found a good deal on a new 2013 Camaro ZL1 (30 miles on it) so i went to go look at it. When I pulled up a salesman came out and said yea we have it here its around back getting washed. Long story short he brought it around and threw the keys at me and said lets go for a ride. When I got in I said I'm going to put it through its paces. He looked at me laughed and said drive it how you want. I turned the traction control off and right out of the lot I had a quarter mile to the light with no one around so I floored it and ran through the gears. I was expecting to be pushed back in the seat and have perma grin from the extra horses. Instead it was a total let down. It didn't feel like it had much more power than my SS. We then took it around some corners with speed and I could tell that the suspension was better than my SS but not all that much. If I could have tracked the car my opinion may have been different. We were on a public road so I could only push it so far. I did like the transmission that was in the car. It just felt better changing gears and was a lot shorter shifts than my SS. Needless to say I went to test drive it with all intentions of trading mine in on it but I left with my SS.

Everyones expectations are different. I was disappointed with the power of my ZL1, but I absolutely love the looks and the handling is great. It is heavier than an SS, but feels lighter when you drive it. It is faster than an SS, but not a whole lot faster.

[OldScoolCamaro]

...sidenote, being old, half blind, and half crazy,...<well, probably better than half there>, I couldn't figure out the whole PTM LC stuff. I tried to launch the car at a RPM determined by myself with PTM on.....the car will nose over, sputter, and die...it will not recover until you lift <you must use LC in PTM>. In tour or sport you can launch at any RPM. So, the service writer form the dealer shows me how PTM works <LC>. This was early on in miles on the odometer. The car fluctuted between launch RPM launch points, and bogged coming out of it. So....., I have done many things since then with it....especially blocking nannies to launch, or doing it in sport only...but..., in a general sense, the car needs to read your mind over time and, based on your sustained preferences.... it provide an envelope of performance based on your habits. It's AI....that learns.

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by H8S FORD

Not even a top 5...

Originally Posted by Evotion

I respectfully disagree.

No Camaro will ever be able to replace my 69. That being said, my ZL1 is as close as one could come.

Out of all the Camaros I have driven, this is the best. Historically speaking, it is not top 5, but line this up on a road course with any current or previous production Camaro and it's game over.

What are the top 5?

[ZL1-V]

Originally Posted by OldScoolCamaro

...sidenote, being old, half blind, and half crazy,...<well, probably better than half there>, I couldn't figure out the whole PTM LC stuff. I tried to launch the car at a RPM determined by myself with PTM on.....the car will nose over, sputter, and die...it will not recover until you lift <you must use LC in PTM>. In tour or sport you can launch at any RPM. So, the service writer form the dealer shows me how PTM works <LC>. This was early on in miles on the odometer. The car fluctuted between launch RPM launch points, and bogged coming out of it. So....., I have done many things since then with it....especially blocking nannies to launch, or doing it in sport only...but..., in a general sense, the car needs to read your mind over time and, based on your sustained preferences.... it provide an envelope of performance based on your habits. It's AI....that learns.

I have noticed my hill assist doesn't hold as long as before. It now eases off as soon as I press on the throttle. It took awhile for it to adapt.

[kevinw]

OMG. i drove a new 2 LT 2 weeks ago and thought that was fast! i did drive a friends 2010 SS with 6 speed, and while it was faster from stop than the 2 LT, once you are on the hwy cruisijng at 70, i couldnt tell the differnce. i cant imagine driving a 580 hp car, i would need a radar detector!

[Johnman]

Originally Posted by MYDLIFECRISIS

LMAO! Get ready for all the stick drivers to light you up, because they're faster, of course. (In their minds)

In the minds of Chevrolet, too. The new Z/28, whose sole purpose is fast lap times, is not even offered with an automatic transmission.

[SlitherByU]

Originally Posted by NVmyZL1

I agree. This video pretty much sums up my position regarding both cars. If you are strictly a GM guy, a ZL1 is an awesome combination of street cruiser/part-time track beast. Likewise, the GT500 will satisfy even the diehard Ford guy. Both are great offerings. My ZL1 is my preferred track vehicle, but my GT500 is the one I enjoy driving more.

I don't know how this video could persuade a truly neutral person one way or another. On one hand you got the Euro talking about the ZL1 as the better daily driver and one the other hand you got Randy P. talking about a brake upgrade for the GT500 and it would be the all around the better car. I got the impression that Randy had better fun with GT500 on the track to be honest. While the Euro liked the ZL1 for getting groceries.

[Bad@ssCamaro]

Originally Posted by SlitherByU

I don't know how this video could persuade a truly neutral person one way or another. On one hand you got the Euro talking about the ZL1 as the better daily driver and one the other hand you got Randy P. talking about a brake upgrade for the GT500 and it would be the all around the better car. I got the impression that Randy had better fun with GT500 on the track to be honest. While the Euro liked the ZL1 for getting groceries.

Needing a brake upgrade defeats the purpose of comparing stock for stock

[SlitherByU]

Originally Posted by Bad@ssCamaro

Needing a brake upgrade defeats the purpose of comparing stock for stock

I agree with you. Both cars are outstanding examples in there own right. And yes the GT500 should have come equipped with better braking. I actually find the brakes pretty responsive. Tho, I don't flog it on the track either. I'm sure both GT500 and ZL1 owners wish GM and Ford would've done this or that to improve their respective cars.

If there's one thing I'd like to drive thru to the ZL1 croud, it's that the GT500 does handle quite well. I think the perception that it doesn't or that's it's marginal is waaay off.

[Evotion]

Originally Posted by SlitherByU

I agree with you. Both cars are outstanding examples in there own right. And yes the GT500 should have come equipped with better braking. I actually find the brakes pretty responsive. Tho, I don't flog it on the track either. I'm sure both GT500 and ZL1 owners wish GM and Ford would've done this or that to improve their respective cars.

If there's one thing I'd like to drive thru to the ZL1 croud, it's that the GT500 does handle quite well. I think the perception that it doesn't or that's it's marginal is waaay off.

I have nothing but respect for both cars. I prefer my Camaro, but deep down I love cars period.

In response to the video I agree. Watching that neutral would be an impossible decision. What I took away from the laps run in both cars was that he seemed more comfortable in the Camaro, and slightly more scared in the GT500. Both emotions are great.

In the end the Camaro is more refined on a track, the GT500 is a monster on both. As was said though, the Camaro was the more consistent car lap after lap.

When I ordered my car back in Oct '08' with the talk of GM maybe not even making the Camaro due to Bankruptcy, the ONLY other car I considered was the GT500. IMO they are both great cars, and I would be proud to own both.

[silverds]

Originally Posted by SlitherByU

If there's one thing I'd like to drive thru to the ZL1 croud, it's that the GT500 does handle quite well. I think the perception that it doesn't or that's it's marginal is waaay off.

Unfortunately, you will not likely be able to "drive thru" anything that contradicts the concensus of numerous reviews, comparisons, shootouts, head to heads and track tests.

There's really nothing you are going to convince us of that we have not already been convinced of when we made our choice.

One thing, you have driven through to me is that you seem to have something to prove. I would suggest you try to prove it at the drag strip and not the road course. Congrats on your new car though. I'm sure it handles like a dream, though maybe not like my dream.

[sportyb24]

Originally Posted by Lee123

You're absolutely right about that. My SS makes 563 rwhp and 507 torque, which should put it close to the ZL1, and it feels about twice as fast as it did stock. Something would have to be wrong with a ZL1 to feel no faster than an SS.

If your putting that horsepower down your faster than any stock ZL1 and probably most lightly modded ones too.. Your Camaro on top of that is 200lbs lighter ..

What I think it is ,is the ZL1 is so smooth and doesn't jerk you around so it may seem slower which in fact it's not..