ZL1 regrets....

[427vette]

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

So I've been seeing a lot of used ZL1's for sell lately and I started wondering......

If the people who owned the original 69' ZL1's could go back in time would they have sold their ZL1's?

I know some peeps just move on to something new and that's cool. But I wonder if 20+years from now some former ZL1 owners will regret selling their cars.

I understand the new and improved 6th gen is coming out but there's something raw about the 5th gen's muscle car looks and feel. The ZL1 backs this up with amazing HP and a robust drivetrain.

Not hating on anyone who has to sell for whatever reasons....just some random thoughts.

Having been there back in the day, remember, they only made 69 1969 ZL1's. Chevy did not advertise them because they were only available to dealers for racing. Unless you had a dealer friend you had no chance. Plus cost was more than double.

If they were pumping them out then like they are today their value probably would be just slightly more than 1969 396 camaro now. Long term big value ($) will only apply if they are low (100 +-) production.

[Fraxum]

No regrets here. I did not know it until I bought it, but the ZL1 is the perfect car for me. I just wish the roof was raised and so far not a big fan of the Recaros. Maybe I need to lose some weight.

I will keep my eye on the new ZL1 and GT500, but I wonder how much speed you need. Already the Zl1 easily overpowers the traction control. And I am very tired of spending $$.

[BRcar]

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

My 15 year old keeps asking questions about the ZL1....I just laugh and say "dream on" kid. lol

I know what your talking about. Several years ago I caught my son (17 at the time) with the keys to my 69 Chevelle ss on his way to taking it on a joy ride! SOLD IT THE NEXT WEEK ... Missed it until I got the ZL1 ..... hardly think about it anymore. lol

[L36L72LS3]

The new ZL1 sits next to the 69 I've had for 32 years. (I know, signature needs updated pic. Just sold the SSRS)

[Infurno]

Selling my 68 RS/SS was a sad day. The ZL1 is a better car in every aspect, but it is impossible to cure acute nostalgia.

[hognutz]

completely different production volume. they made like 15,000 zl1's they will always be around to buy again if you want one.


anybody who actually owned a 69 zl1 would kick themselves for sure.

[KaBoom1701]

Originally Posted by el ess A

I had a zillion cars I'd like to have back. With this ZL1, I don't plan on tossing it aside any time soon, but unlike yesteryear, I'm not quite as attached to cars like I once was.

One in particular that I owned I contemplated on partial trade for a 69 Hurst/Olds. I ended up where I did NOT get rid of it. I ordered a 1985 Olds 442 in September of 1984. I did not get allocated until after January and I received the car in the end of Feburary 1985. It was one of 3,000 made for 1985. In 1988, a guy who had a near-mint 69 Hurst/Olds (912 produced) was willing to trade my car and 2500 cash. I ALMOST bit. I eventually ended up with a 69 Hurst/Olds too, so I feel like I won overall.

But I didn't keep it because I thought it would be worth a million dollars. I kept it because when I was a punk kid, I promised myself one day I would buy a brand new 442. You can never get back your first new 442. Interestingly, my first new Camaro was an 82 Z/28.

So I did order/buy the 442. Was my only car for a little while. Kept it rock stock for the last 30+ years as it rolled to 60K miles. Even kept the original Delco battery that came in it, although I have no idea how I could get that rebuilt. Bought several thousand GM parts for it over the years to restore it one day to its former glory. Probably when I retire in a few years...all it will need is paint work (crappy 80s GM lacquer). I have 98% of all the other parts I need. Even reproduction Eagle GTs. I'll sink a lot of money into it I'll never get back, but that's ok with me.

Love that ride. Congrats.

Originally Posted by hognutz

completely different production volume. they made like 15,000 zl1's they will always be around to buy again if you want one.


anybody who actually owned a 69 zl1 would kick themselves for sure.

True but the worlds population has doubled since then as well...so adjusted for population growth and the average income still makes the current ZL1 a rare bird on the streets....I hardly ever see one...and I live in SoCal. lol

[stc315]

I counted up all the cars I've owned since my first car at 16 and the number was 43. A few I wish I had still are:
71 RS/SS 396 Camaro- Sold it to buy a new dirt bike. Kid that bought it from my got it sideways (posi and th400 with hard hitting shift kit) and hit a dumpster at 40mph totaling it.
68 427 4spd Stingray Roadster Nassau Blue with white top- Voluntarily surrendered it to the bank when I went 98 days without a paycheck (work comp bs, long, angry story).

Step Dad’s 70 SS396 Nova L78/M22- had an opportunity to buy it for impound fees when he got locked up for drug possession (after he divorced my mom). But I knew if I bought it, he’d never leave me alone (the drugs really messed up his mind, bi-polar schizophrenic now).

Only regret about buying ZL1 is my wife nagging me that she wanted a Hellcat Challenger instead, so now I have to buy her one after the truck is paid off. The Challenger definitely have better sound system and creature comforts than the Camaro! Not to mention more room inside!!! But I do love the power and mag ride.

[Enough Already]

Significant regret selling my 1977 screaming chicken TA 6.6 Smokey & The Bandit back in the early 90s. Oh wait, not really.

[2MCHPSI]

The ZL1 really impressed me over any other muscle car i have owned over the years..the ride is incredible for a car like this and it is also really comfortable. A few mods and you are set. I hope to keep it to pass on to my kids.

I had. 1970 GTO convertible that. I wish I kept.....kick myself all the time on that one.

[ZL1-V]

I have finally found a car with tons of aftermarket parts for both engine and suspension. I have always wanted a car to modify. I have also noticed that several ZL1 owners are jumping on the Z/28 bandwagon due to the price drop! Not sure if they are chasing the shiny new car syndrome or not? My 2013 is high mileage now anyway due to me actually DRIVING THE CAR.

[harmonyp]

I don't know that there are that many used ZL1s in the marketplace right now - at least not manuals - after looking for one, I had to buy from across the country.

Only car I regretted selling was my 2012 c6 corvette. I LOVE the C6's. Ended up replacing it with a 2011 Z06. Almost all cars are replaceable so no need for regrets.

[el ess A]

Originally Posted by 427vette

Having been there back in the day, remember, they only made 69 1969 ZL1's. Chevy did not advertise them because they were only available to dealers for racing. Unless you had a dealer friend you had no chance. Plus cost was more than double.

True. Funny too, that even today there's about 4 or 5 cars I'd want to own right now, but I'm not wealthy enough to buy a quarter million dollars worth of cars at one shot.

So just like "back in the day", the price points keep me from buying every car I like. It's relative cost. ZL1's in 69, as well as other old-school muscle, didn't cost all that much when we look at the window sticker today, but back in 69, that was a HUGE amount of money for a car. I even heard all the "no Camaro is worth 75K" when the Z/28 came along again. But trust me, it is worth every dime.

Case in point, the ZL1 convertible you just sold, I'd have LOVED to buy that one. But the wife nixed that idea. She said she was not going through the same thing we did in 2002. We bought matching Z28s (mine was an SS) within a couple of months of each other. She thinks I'm crazy now because we still have her Z28 and we got the 2010 SS and the 2013 ZL1. And I'm still eye-f**king every new Camaro on the lots still. Maybe she's right.

[Kevlar382]

Im glad that my father kept his 57 chevy that he left to me when he passed away and that I kept the 71 RS/Z28 that my parents bought for me for my 16th birthday. Also kept the C5 Vette that I bought new for my wife, just wish we used them more. 2012 ZL1 just turned 2,000 mi. Don't use them much but see no reason to sell them.