Why would I want a Z/28 over the ZL1?

[BlackinBlack]

Originally Posted by Whos_Drivin

The badge alone will drive the sales initially

For sure. Also the group of people that have to own the "newest" "hottest" thing. Surprises me the number of people that buy the new model just to trade it for the next model a few short month later. Look at all the ZL1 owners that sold less than a year later to buy a C7 or potentially a Z28.

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

I still dont think the z28 and zl1 are going to be cross shopped against one another.

the z/28 is going to be more exclusive than the zl1 is.

they are aimed at two different buyers..
ZL1s are like, "heres some beautiful cake, go ahead and eat it too if you would like"

Z/28 rams it down your throat and tells you seconds...

I think a better analogy would be a finally aged rum Vs rum 151. The nicely aged rum can be drank straight, mixed into drinks or just get you crazy drunk. The 151 was created for one purpose. To get you crazy drunk fast.

The ZL1 was built to be a refined all around car. Drive well on the street... check. Decently fast in a straight line.... check. Preform well on a road course.... check. (In this analogy road course = drunk)

The Z28 was built for a single purpose. Be the most capable curb stomping road course monster that can be built out of a Gen 5 Camaro.... period. Driving on the street is like sipping 151 straight. You can do it but so much better things out there to drink straight. Use in a mix drink.... you can but other things will taste better.

You want to get drunk..... heck yeah.... 151 all the way. This is what the Z28 is built for. To be the ultimate track car.... period.

For me.

Overall general super pony car = ZL1 for sure.

Straight line drag pony car = GT500 without question.

Road course beast pony car = Z28 all the way.

This thread has gone on forever.

Why would anyone want a Z28 over a ZL1. The only reason would be if you drove your Camaro exclusively on a road course. If not keep the ZL1 as it is a better car for everything else. To those that disagree please explain to me how a car with no AC, sound deadening, insanely expensive quick wearing tires with no radio is a better street car? Z28 as a straight line drag car vs the ZL1. Can you say light weight less strong driveline? The only place the Z28 is better than the ZL1 is on a road course.... because it was born and breed to be a track car. In this one aspect it rightfully should crush a ZL1 and from the looks of it.... it does.

[72MachOne99GT]

Can the GT500 be Steel Reserve?

Hard to handle, tough to keep down, will ruin your night if not treated with respect?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by AirBull

After seeing the new Z/28 Nürburgring time at 7:37.4 compared to the ZL1's 7:41.3, I'm not terribly impressed with 3.9 seconds on a 13 mile track, for all that one gives up and pays more for, compared to that of a ZL1.

First off, nobody has seen the Z/28's straight acceleration times yet, 0-60, 1/4 mile, 0-100, and when they do, my guess is that it will be lucky to even keep pace with the ZL1. Despite the 300lbs weight savings, the Z/28 produces 505hp & 481lbs/ft torque (somehow 11lbs/ft more than the Z06?), for a total of 75hp & 76lbs/ft of torque less than the ZL1.

Sure, it's got a 3.91:1 rear axle compared to that of the 3.73:1 in the same manual transmission ZL1, but that's 75hp and lbs/ft of torque less than the ZL1! And what all do I have to give up in order to drive a Z/28?

First I have to pay more. GM sells the LS7 crate motor minus the dry sump for about $17k retail, compared to that of the LSA which retails for just under $14k. Sure, the Z/28 has carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes (not ideal for street use) but come on, the ZL1 still has very stout Brembo brakes, (which per GM's new ZL1 parts counter says the front and rear retail for $9,647 combined!) The Z/28 gets a little larger wheels and tires (which the star pattern looks like they were stolen off a Mustang and are horribly ugly in my humble opinion,) but as far as go-fast components, that's it.

Now I'm one of the LS7's biggest fans and love the hand-built motor in the 3150lbs Corvette Z06, but it's not doing it for me in the Camaro.

On top of that, to own a Z/28 I have to forgo the very useful and functional 3rd generation magnetic ride suspension, HID headlights, a radio, and A/C is optional?! Same goes for the tire-inflator kit, interior sound deadener and carpet in the trunk, smaller LN3 battery, and 2/10's of a mm thinner rear glass (really?)

If I wanted to build a track car, couldn't I do so for a lot less than the $65k to $70k a Z/28 is going to go for? For just a few fractions of a second less in road-course performance figures (not straight line,) I'll take the ZL1 with all the modern, real-world amenities that we have come to almost take for granted such as A/C, premium radio, navigation, etc., and scratch my head every time I see a Z/28 at a car show and say to myself "to each their own!"

Am I wrong here? Am I the only one who sees the new Z/28 and am just not that impressed? For me, the new Z/28 maybe more expensive than the ZL1, but the ZL1 is still King of the Camaro, and I'm fine with that.

Two different Camaros. Two very different purposes.

Just note; the Z/28 is very likely good for a 7:30 time or faster around the 'Ring. As I'm sure it's been stated - the lap time videoed was in the wet. Those Trofeo tires HATE the wet...worse than the ZL1's Goodyears.

[Sven59]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

Can the GT500 be Steel Reserve?

Hard to handle, tough to keep down, will ruin your night if not treated with respect?

You have to drink it straight just like they drive.

[72MachOne99GT]

Then your zl1 can be smirnoff

[2cnd chance]

ZL1 = Fine Wine
Z/28 = Single Malt Scotch
GT500 = Moonshine

[mkorgan]

Originally Posted by 2cnd chance

ZL1 = Fine Wine
Z/28 = Single Malt Scotch
GT500 = Moonshine

lol

[NightmareZL1]

Originally Posted by snackbar64

I want to see Chevy succeed with this car, but I am interested to see just who will buy one over a ZL1 or a Z06. It seems that the platform from which to work to make either car faster comes better suited in the ZL1. In the end, men are driven by horsepower and 505 HP over 580 is a tough sell. It would be for me at least. Chevy really hit a home run with the ZL1 as they are about to find out when these cars are placed side by side on the showroom floor. But then again one of the greatest tricks in marketing is making the customer believe less is more.

Nicely put. Agreed.

[yellow69z28rs]

I don't drink, but I'm ready to start now!

[OldScoolCamaro]

...the ZL1 and the Z/28 standing together in the Chevy lineup will be at the apex of the high performance production line. Who can claim that position other than Corvette.<with the big dogs still not released>, Chevy wins.

[Chados]

Hi, all.

As for me, the main reason I do not plan to buy a Z/28 is that three weeks before they made the announcement I bought a ZL1. And I like it, so I don't regret that. In the final analysis, I don't want to give up the sunroof, floor gauges, MyLink, and HUD anyway, so all's well that ends well.

Why is the Z/28 always going to be faster than the ZL1 on a road course? I respectfully differ with our learned friends who think otherwise. The differences, in my eyes, are the 3.91:1 final drive ratio, the better brakes and suspension system, the engine with a 1,000 RPM higher redline, 300 pounds less unsprung weight, and the much better tires.

But in terms of *top speed* and staying power at that speed, the ZL1 has it all over the Z/28. The Z/28 will top out at about 170mph, maybe 175 at best. Watch the Nurburgring run, where it's clocking 165 or so on the back straight at 6500 rpm. The redline is at 7200, and he's about at the top of his power curve. The ZL1 is running 175 and still accelerating before Aaron Link has to hit the brakes for the turn and can do a verified 186 in stock trim.

The biggest advantage the Z/28 has is the fact that it has that 3:91 final and a motor that can live at 6500 RPM. The driver can keep it in the fat part of the powerband all the time. Our ZL1 times out at 6200, stock, and the 3.73s are great for road cruising and touring but not short enough for getting to speed as fast on a track. Plus, the Z/28 can go faster into a turn thanks to its titanic brakes. I think that the pundits are right and the car can pull a 7:33 on dry pavement. The ZL1 can compete-better tires and a brake-pad upgrade will give it 2-3 seconds off that 7:41 time right there-but it will need shorter final gears, better tires, a real brake upgrade to carbon ceramic, and some engine work to up that RPM limit to something closer to 7000 RPM, in my opinion.

[OldScoolCamaro]

...305's square and 1'" lower ground clearance will be tough to wheel around on the street, the Z/28 will not cost a bunch over the ZL1, but it's low production run will be hard to catch.

[screamin chicken]

Im a Pontiac man (dead now) :( but i d rather have a ZL1 myself. i am actually looking to get one...

[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

Can the GT500 be Steel Reserve?

Hard to handle, tough to keep down, will ruin your night if not treated with respect?

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

Then your zl1 can be smirnoff