Sold my ZL1 to get back into a Fbody

[savage99ss]

Originally Posted by lbls1

Tell you what though, the 4th gen may have been easier for me to drive; However the 5th Gen ZL1 was definitely more precise on the road. This may have been because Chevy worked specifically on handling for the 5th gen, whereas it may not have been such a hot priority for the 4th gen. We had a couple of super 4th gens at the end of the run, but those were aftermarket installations, and many were modding their already hot 4th gen ls1s. The 4th gens were no slouches in handling either, as I found it to be well balanced on the road.

4th Gen cars were great handlers. I was at the bash in 2002 at the Corvette Museum, and we were told a story of the Camaro beating a Corvette around a road course. They ran them back and forth and couldn't figure out how the Camaro was beating the Corvette around the track (time wise). They said, well we cant let this info get out.

[lbls1]

Originally Posted by savage99ss

4th Gen cars were great handlers. I was at the bash in 2002 at the Corvette Museum, and we were told a story of the Camaro beating a Corvette around a road course. They ran them back and forth and couldn't figure out how the Camaro was beating the Corvette around the track (time wise). They said, well we cant let this info get out.

Couldn't agree more. I know why the 4th gen did so well against the vette; A little thing called "LS1". It was a well known but unspoken fact that a good ls1 4th gen could more than handle its own against the current vette of that genre. Couple the excellent engine, light weight body, solid rear axle with posi-traction and it was no wonder that it owned its competition.

Have to give credit where its due, however. The vette was specifically designed for handling, as it would show its prowess on the autocross and the track. This was a brief but exciting time between '98 and '02 to own an ls1 Fbody.

[camarodude87]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

Congrats! I’m planning on going back to a 4th Gen next summer. I know the 5th outperforms the 4th in almost ever category but there was just something about the 4th that I just like better. When I sold my 4th gen earlier this year I immediately regretted it and I gave my SS this entire summer but I’m just not feeling it like I did my old car. Frankly I’ll never use anything close to the performance the SS has and the Z28 was just a more practical and actually an easier car to drive and live with. I especially like the fact that I could actually PUT things in it like my bike and a big cooler and the IP was way easier on my older eyes.

Crazy thing was that I sold my old SOM SS that I sunk about 15k worth of mods in for a 69 Camaro. That car was a money bucket so I said **** it why not, lets get a ZL1, always wanted one. Had it for about 9 months and I seen that the market was slowly creeping back up on the 4th gen. The LT firehawks and the LS WS6's are starting to be worth more money. I am really happy that I went back, I missed the 4th gen so much, I do miss how my ZL1 drove, miss the butter smooth shifting but I may add a MGW shifter to see if it helps mine.

[sswt00ss]

Get both?

I have a 2000SS built to be a solid street car. Stock when I bought it in 2005 with 21k (56k on her currently). She moves and turns people's heads in the process. Garage queen. 458rwtq/ 410rwtq

I daily drive a 2012 1SS that I scored around 2.5 years ago on a killer deal for my '04 GTO. Took ownership of it with 1800 miles on it back in 2016 (now 23k). Previous owner did a lot of small and tasteful appearance mods and a JBA cat-back, and CAI intake. I've only added JBA catless mid-pipes and a 1LE spoiler. 406rwhp/ 408rwtq.

[96SS390]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

383Z, I appreciate it. I definitely plan on taking care of this car and leaving her pretty much stock. I did add a UMI strut tower brace and UMI bolt in subframe connectors. Don't want to do anything that I can't reverse in a HR so this is about it. I found a set of Fikse FM5's I may purchase and just these ZR1's on the wall.

I really want a 97 SS Anniversary car next. I may save up for that one eventually.

Get a 96SS unless your can swing an LT4 97. Those stripes and interior are overrated. The 96 exclusive parts make it pretty neat. Bright Red or Arctic White without monochromatic and fully SLP optioned. The guy who owns my dream 1996 I think is actually a member on here. I miss mine almost every day especially the Bose system best stock unit I have ever heard.

[Cheap Guy]

After having three 4th Gens - I wouldn't touch anything but a LS1 (98-02). I know the LT1 has some fans, especially when it comes to appearances, but the LS1 was just a much more reliable and easier to work on engine than the LT1.

The cool thing about possibly going back would mean I could get a 4th Gen AND a fun high mile daily driver for the cost of my 2011 SS. Right now my "other" car is a V8 SUV which drinks gas like a lush.

[camarodude87]

Originally Posted by sswt00ss

Get both?

I have a 2000SS built to be a solid street car. Stock when I bought it in 2005 with 21k (56k on her currently). She moves and turns people's heads in the process. Garage queen. 458rwtq/ 410rwtq

I daily drive a 2012 1SS that I scored around 2.5 years ago on a killer deal for my '04 GTO. Took ownership of it with 1800 miles on it back in 2016 (now 23k). Previous owner did a lot of small and tasteful appearance mods and a JBA cat-back, and CAI intake. I've only added JBA catless mid-pipes and a 1LE spoiler. 406rwhp/ 408rwtq.

I would love to have two but I would not buy a SS 5th gen, I would have to buy a ZL1. However, my fishing hobby eats up the rest of my time so one camaro will have to do.

[camarodude87]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

After having three 4th Gens - I wouldn't touch anything but a LS1 (98-02). I know the LT1 has some fans, especially when it comes to appearances, but the LS1 was just a much more reliable and easier to work on engine than the LT1.

The cool thing about possibly going back would mean I could get a 4th Gen AND a fun high mile daily driver for the cost of my 2011 SS. Right now my "other" car is a V8 SUV which drinks gas like a lush.

I have a feeling that the clean 4th gens, low mile, no mods are going to be worth a pretty penny. You can see it happening now.

[lbls1]

^Good luck in finding a mint 4th gen ls1. They do exist (it looks like you have one), but they are already starting to demand higher price tags. The late 4th gens also have their share of gremlins that were made worse by less careful owners.

Dunno, I know about the ZL1...I had to have one; The 5th gens are no slouches either. I actually like the '13 1LE and the 14-15 gen 5 'ss cars. They are heavy, but improvements were made in materials and they handle fairly well. The Ls3 is a great motor, but an equally great innovation was the NPP exhaust. I've said it before, but a well optioned '14 SS with NPP and Recaro Sport Seats will get my respect anytime.

[RyangAsh]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Crazy thing was that I sold my old SOM SS that I sunk about 15k worth of mods in for a 69 Camaro. That car was a money bucket so I said **** it why not, lets get a ZL1, always wanted one. Had it for about 9 months and I seen that the market was slowly creeping back up on the 4th gen. The LT firehawks and the LS WS6's are starting to be worth more money. I am really happy that I went back, I missed the 4th gen so much, I do miss how my ZL1 drove, miss the butter smooth shifting but I may add a MGW shifter to see if it helps mine.

I added a MGW to your old ZL1. It now makes 703 to the tire

[camarodude87]

Originally Posted by RyangAsh

I added a MGW to your old ZL1. It now makes 703 to the tire

Dear lord Ryan, Glad to see you are building that car and you are enjoying the car!

[detltu]

A 4th gen is probably next on my list. Wouldn't mind finding a 97 LT4 or a 02 SS convertible with the anniversary package. I miss my 99 SS. It was a great car.

[RyangAsh]

Originally Posted by camarodude87

Dear lord Ryan, Glad to see you are building that car and you are enjoying the car!

Yes sir, it is an amazing car. Still drives like stock. Thanks for taking good care of it!

[Baseball]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

Congrats! I’m planning on going back to a 4th Gen next summer. I know the 5th outperforms the 4th in almost ever category but there was just something about the 4th that I just like better. When I sold my 4th gen earlier this year I immediately regretted it and I gave my SS this entire summer but I’m just not feeling it like I did my old car. Frankly I’ll never use anything close to the performance the SS has and the Z28 was just a more practical and actually an easier car to drive and live with. I especially like the fact that I could actually PUT things in it like my bike and a big cooler and the IP was way easier on my older eyes.

I fully appreciate this sentiment. I owned a 2002 SS M6 convertible for years before buying my 2010 M6 hardtop. My 2010 is one of the most beautiful cars I’ve seen, but the 2002 was just more fun to drive. I keep eyeing pristine 35th anniversary convertible models and could see myself returning to the 4th gen.