Inside Line: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Comparison

[Van@RevanRacing]

Bueller..........

Bueller............

Bueller...........

Bueller............

And some are going to look at the above and not know what I'm talking about. LOL

Bueller............

[Fenderaddict2]

If I was reviewing the cars I'd pick the ZL1 a the winner too. Itsimply isthebetter choice for most, but I'd probably still pick the GT500 for myself.

[Aaron Grabowski]

[8cd03gro]

Can't any of you just be happy with what the cars are instead of making BS excuses all day long? Here are the facts:

-GT500 is way faster in a straight line
-ZL1 has more grip and better refined handling
-On a given track, it's going to be a toss up based on track configuration and driver comfort
-The ZL1 is the daily-driver-friendly, smooth riding, refined performance car
-The GT500 is the pavement eating, fire-breathing, "oh shit" handle performance car

What we have here is a GT-R and a Z06 comparison in new duds. Pick which one you like more, they will both perform way beyond most of their competition and shine in different aspects.

They're both great.

[Truck Norris]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

If I was reviewing the cars I'd pick the ZL1 a the winner too. Itsimply isthebetter choice for most, but I'd probably still pick the GT500 for myself.

Looks like I'm gonna wait to see how that new IRS performs under the GT500 before I make my decision. It would be nice if it sixty footed and was as strong as the current rear but with improved handling and performance. Maybe an electronic diff to really bring it into the 21s century. I could give a rats behind as far as ride quality goes.....I'm young and drive a diesel truck everyday so I'm not afraid of a firm ride when it comes to a $55k super muscle car I just want it to perform.

[2012ZL1]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

Aaaand why the face palm?
Tell me this isn't all pretty much a waste of time.
This thread is useless. Once again its mostly bench racing, hazy facts, people complaining about their car losing if they don't like the driver or the writer. The following is not directed at you fenderaddict, just a general feeling about this thread. I will comment this last time then leave it alone for those who like to argue back and forth relentlessly forever about things they don't know.

Somebody who lists their car as a "boob" thinks he can tell me a thing or two, and some other cracker who, (surprise) owns a Rustang who gives "mr boobs" an applause smilie for his awesome opinion on the subject.

Like I said, Who cares? drive your car, race your car, report your own verified results, and thats it. That would be interesting, and actually mean something. All the stuffed chest crap talk sucks beans, and is not just a little bit juvenile.

What magazines post, and tube videos show can never be considered real results because everyone has an excuse why it ain't right.

When you own one of these cars, take it to the track and race and figure it out for yourself.

I realize most people on here are like 17-20, but I thought there was a little more experience floating around here..guess not.

There are plenty of Ford sites for the teenies to post their theories on why their coveted GT500 (that they don't own) is not getting better ratings than the ZL1 (that they also don't own).

Don't talk down to me and suggest I am garaging and waxing. You don't know me. You don't know how I use my car. buy one and figure it out for yourself.

[mdmoore23]

The bias continues in the new issue of Car and Driver. GT500 beats ZL1 and they declare the ZL1 the winner. Is the government influencing these magazines? The Shelby wins just about every performance category except braking distance and they say the lap time at Grattan was the same. Really?!! The comparisons to date have been absolute garbage. Everyone seems to be rooting against the Shelby and printing total idiotic reviews because their favorite doesn't win.

[hognutz]

Originally Posted by mdmoore23

The bias continues in the new issue of Car and Driver. GT500 beats ZL1 and they declare the ZL1 the winner. Is the government influencing these magazines? The Shelby wins just about every performance category except braking distance and they say the lap time at Grattan was the same. Really?!! The comparisons to date have been absolute garbage. Everyone seems to be rooting against the Shelby and printing total idiotic reviews because their favorite doesn't win.

Do you actually read magazine reviews very often?

are goverment must subsidize porsche, BMW, and ferrari as well. I can't coun't the number of times they were destroyed by perfromance specs and still delcalred the winner.

bottom line the ZL1 is easier to drive and nicer to drive so the reviewer picked it. the same way they love the M3, 911, 458. none of those car usually perfrom the best in the tests they win.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by mdmoore23

The bias continues in the new issue of Car and Driver. GT500 beats ZL1 and they declare the ZL1 the winner. Is the government influencing these magazines? The Shelby wins just about every performance category except braking distance and they say the lap time at Grattan was the same. Really?!! The comparisons to date have been absolute garbage. Everyone seems to be rooting against the Shelby and printing total idiotic reviews because their favorite doesn't win.

Simple really. The GT500 is the pinnacle of the current muscle/pony car. The ZL1 is ground zero for the next generation of world class pony cars. I, for one, expect great things with model year 2015.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by cobrakon

agreed, i remember when car and driver picked their 10 favorite track cars. the z06 finished fifth even though it destroyed all the other cars on the track. the car they picked 3rd is what really irritated me. they picked the mazda miata third. it was by far the slowest car.

It is slow, but well balanced, nimble, rewards a driver's five senses, is cheap to own, easy to mod, and has high resale. I've owned many, just not a fan of the bloated high-beltline look of the current model.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by 2012ZL1

Aaaand why the face palm?
Tell me this isn't all pretty much a waste of time.
This thread is useless. Once again its mostly bench racing, hazy facts, people complaining about their car losing if they don't like the driver or the writer. The following is not directed at you fenderaddict, just a general feeling about this thread. I will comment this last time then leave it alone for those who like to argue back and forth relentlessly forever about things they don't know.

Somebody who lists their car as a "boob" thinks he can tell me a thing or two, and some other cracker who, (surprise) owns a Rustang who gives "mr boobs" an applause smilie for his awesome opinion on the subject.

Like I said, Who cares? drive your car, race your car, report your own verified results, and thats it. That would be interesting, and actually mean something. All the stuffed chest crap talk sucks beans, and is not just a little bit juvenile.

What magazines post, and tube videos show can never be considered real results because everyone has an excuse why it ain't right.

When you own one of these cars, take it to the track and race and figure it out for yourself.

I realize most people on here are like 17-20, but I thought there was a little more experience floating around here..guess not.

There are plenty of Ford sites for the teenies to post their theories on why their coveted GT500 (that they don't own) is not getting better ratings than the ZL1 (that they also don't own).

Don't talk down to me and suggest I am garaging and waxing. You don't know me. You don't know how I use my car. buy one and figure it out for yourself.

I can understand your frustration, but bench racing was invented over a Ford vs. Chevy conversation years before either of us were born. Some of us enjoy the back and forth, other may find it repetitive and boring. Most of us are smart enough to know there is no definitive winner, and that we will pick the car that we want no matter what the reviews say. Doesn't mean we don't enjoy some juvenile past-times, after all we all like (according to my 84 year old Mom) juvenile cars.

[IOMZL1]

Originally Posted by Fenderaddict2

Simple really. The GT500 is the pinnacle of the current muscle/pony car. The ZL1 is ground zero for the next generation of world class pony cars. I, for one, expect great things with model year 2015.

[Blue Menace]

Another thing not discussed is the age of the magazine reviewer. Some members have stated that all-around balance becomes more important as you age. Most likely, the magazine reviewers are older. I betcha if we had a crop of 20-something reviewers, who, like Truck Norris (good point above!), don't care about ride, the GT500 would come out on top more often.

When we take a review as gospel, then take it personally, then post our complaints on this forum, it does indeed get dull. When we recognize that more variables go into decision making than are discussed here or in magazines, we can all relax a little and enjoy the ride. (Pun intended!)

[Erik@Torq]

Van, sent you a PM!

Originally Posted by KKreme15

But then if they aren't stock, what is even the point? What is the cap on modifications?

In my opinion, HP is not everything in this comparison. HP truly is secondary when it comes to road racing. A lot of HP can make a bad driver look good (at least in the straights) but the V-box data and total laptime will be the interesting part in this. Van clearly knows how to drive, 2.29 at Sebring is rocking on street tires!

More HP also means higher speed in the straights will also means harder braking, not always a good thing depending on a cars set-up.

Already off the bat the cars are quite different, stock for stock there is about a 200lb difference and 80-100hp. But then the Camaro has a great suspension, wider tires, a little more brake etc. There will ALWAYS be someone with more power mods, more suspension mods, more lap times at that specific track. This is about what two "decent" drivers can do with their own cars in the real world.

Turns out I will be running some mods this weekend due to some testing we have to do, I sent a PM to Van to let him know what I will be running so I'll see what he says

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

That was a smart move on your part...

I have been thinking although what you guys are doing won't settle which car is actually better, it will be a real world test to what owners will be faced with when competeing against each other. I hope everything goes well and you both are safe.

True, what says that a car is better than another? Is it a laptime? A 1/4 mile time? How many years warranty it has? Not that warranty reall is something we are worrying about haha... Anyways, a lot comes down to personal opinion.

Originally Posted by evolve

GoPro footage in this right guys?

You bet, Go Pro and V-Box!