Advice is greatly appreciated...

[Tribute]

Good morning C5'ers -

I have been lurking around the forums for some time now, enjoying all of the informative and entertaining posts. I'm posting in the ZL1 forum as I'm in a situation that some others have been in, but perhaps slightly unique?

I am not currently a Camaro owner, but have been contemplating the idea of becoming one in the not too distant future. I was initially drawn to the SS, and since word started about and all of the greatly tracked posts and news about the ZL1, I have become a huge fan. What's not to like?

Here is where I struggle... The main issue is figuring out if I should purchase a ZL1 (I have a spot for an allocation in my area) or saving money and getting an SS. Here are the weighing factors.

1) I live in a townhome, no garage, open parking lot. So I worry that I would stress quite a bit about dings, bad parkers, etc with either of the two cars, but probably more so with the ZL1. Also considering I live in Northern Virginia and have four seasons of elements to worry about.

2) Both are great vehicles and I could probably see myself being very happy either way.

3) I would probably not track either, at least not initially. The hopes is to become comfortable with the car, take some courses, then track it occasionally.

4) I perhaps wouldn't do any heavy modding, most likely not much on the ZL1 if at all, but could see myself doing some mods on an SS over time.

Originally I thought to myself I would wait a year and save first for a house that has a garage and then consider getting a great vehicle such as the ZL1, but of course there is worry that waiting could be opportunity lost. Maybe this isn't the case?

There is a significant amount of saving by going with an SS perhaps 20K?

This has been eating away at me a bit and would love some feedback, advice, and thoughts.

Thanks in advance...

Luke

[Joebot8484]

First of all, Welcome Luke! There is a ton of info in these forums as you may know.

Second, my thought about your situation. I would go ZL1, if you have an allocation secured and you can afford it go for it. You want to track the car? this car is ready for it. Get a car cover for it and cover it every night (like tucking it in). Just my two cents! But most of all welcome!

[LED Crazy]

Car cover would be a good idea if you would like to stay at your current resident. However, if you would like to treat your lovely future ZL1 or SS to a garage save up for a home equipped with a warm cozy garage. Make SURE to get some winter tires if this Camaro will be your daily driver. Summer tires do not fare to well in colder conditions. Especially ice and snow. Although.. it is a little fun

[Tribute]

Thanks for the quick notes and welcomes. I was thinking a car cover would be a good idea. I also saw a neighbor down the way has a mustang with these removable bumper type of things that stick out a bout 3 inches, must be magnetic that he puts on both sides to help reduce dings from the careless. Anyone have these or heard of them? Looks like there are some wires that go into the car to prevent theft. Interesting concept. Maybe I need to go ask him.

My worry about the car cover, are you supposed to wash the car before cover in fear of scratching/heavy swirls? I've never used a car cover.

Also, another question that came to mind is, are most folks that are going to have a ZL1 not treating it like it could be a valuable car one day (e.g. rarely drive it, store it maintain it like a collector car?) It seems like it should be a beast to play with as much as you can. A pricey one, but sometimes fun comes with cost. It seems like from the majority of the posts, no one is really considering this as a future collectors item?

I wonder if there are any other non-garage equipped folks that are taking the plunge for the ZL1?

Thanks again!

Luke

[htron50]

Luke, I lived and grew up in Alexandria, Fairfax, and Mclean. Based on the information from the manual below, I would NOT get the ZL1 . IN addition, parking in open places like that tends to get a lot of jealous people pulling out "keys" by mistake. Just a stressful situation if you don't have a garage. No Va gets plenty of temps <20 and alot of days <40. Get the SS and you will be able to sleep at night.

The manual on these says:

Tires
The Goodyear Eagle® F1 Supercar® Generation 2 (G:2) tires have been developed and optimized specifically for the ZL1 to yield outstanding handling while maintaining requisite street-tire performance for wet handling, treadwear, noise, mass and rolling resistance. The ZL1 front tire goals were focused mostly upon steering linearity, steering response and handling balance through the use of sidewall inserts, rubber compound and alignment
settings. The ZL1 rear tire received particular attention for optimizing treadwear, wet handling, combined traction (powering
out of a turn) and handling balance through the use of sidewall stiffness changes, groove carving, rubber compound and footprint shape. This tire is aggressive and “race bred”. They are also 5.3 kg (11 lbs.) lighter per car than the tires on a Camaro SS.
Please note:■■ZL1 Camaro summer-only tires tend to wear faster and are more susceptible to damage from road hazards or curb impact than standard profile tires. This type of damage is not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. You may want to get different tires if you expect to drive in winter conditions■■It is not recommended to use the high-performance summer tires when temperatures drop to approximately 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) or below
■■It is recommended these tires be stored indoors at temperatures
above 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) when not in use
■■The ZL1 tires should not be rotated. They are corner specific
by design.
■■These tires are unique in their wear patterns. The outside
shoulder may appear worn as compared to other tires. Always
inspect at the wear bar

[Tribute]

Htron50 - Thanks for the reply. Yeah, NOVA is quite a tough place to have a good car. The TH complex parking spaces are pretty narrow as well, I pretty much keep knocking myself in the forehead for not getting a place with a garage. I realistically won't be moving for at minimum another year. Just refinanced.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this previously, my apologies, this will not need to be my daily driver as I do have an Acura RL, which has suffered greatly from the NOVA inconsiderate. However, I do not pay as close attention to it or am not as cautious as I would be with the Camaro.

Again thanks to everyone for your comments, concerns, and advice. They are very helpful, keep em' coming.

Luke

[Z4me]

I would look into a place where you can store your car and when you when you want to drive it. Go pick it up and have fun, and when your done drop back it back again.

Thats what I plan on doing, due to the fact my house is with out a garage
as well. Here's another welcome to the forums, and check out the mid atlantic section for activites in our area.

[BiggFoot]

Get the ZL1 bro and rent a storage building nearby to use as your garage.

[OldJedi]

Luke, I have never lived up north and have no idea about ice and snow for 6 months. For myself, I seriously doubt I would get a ZL1 for myself if it had to be outside without a garage/car port/overhang full time. If I had to keep it outside and drive in the ice and snow and with the salt they put down, I would buy the LT and bank the rest till I was better suited to have the ZL1.

[Z_Rocks]

Just buy a low end car for now until you move to a house with garage. This car will also have heavy insurance + interest + price of the car. And then sit outside?

[BiggFoot]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

Luke, I have never lived up north and have no idea about ice and snow for 6 months. For myself, I seriously doubt I would get a ZL1 for myself if it had to be outside without a garage/car port/overhang full time. If I had to keep it outside and drive in the ice and snow and with the salt they put down, I would buy the LT and bank the rest till I was better suited to have the ZL1.

I hear ya Jedi! Where I live (near Galveston, TX) it snows about once every 30 years and when it does everything shuts down so folks can go out and play in it, LOL!

[ron10]

welcome to C5.that said,after reading your post,i would not buy any new car that i didn't have a place to keep it out of the weather.

[Tribute]

Thanks everyone, these comments are great. Its funny, i have already scoped out local storage places and the lowest i found was 268/month. Thats a tough one. If it ends up being that i can not or should not, or really choose not to get the ZL1 i hope there is someone i can put in my place.

This is tough, but everyones comments are helping.

Luke

[Nucorman]

SS and mod the heck out of it.