Mag and bench racing: ZL1

[GM4lyfe]

I find it entertaining how some people compare mag times as gold and determine their decision on a vehicle. Just skimming the forum with articles comparing the ZL1 against Boss 302 is one of the latest. This happens all the time and yes it will not stop. But seriously how many ZL1 owners are going to do it up at the track(road or drag)? Many are novice and inexperienced on driving a car with so much potential on the track that even a Mazda Miata will take your more sophisticated ZL1, Boss or whatever in the bends. Point is the more time you have with a car the faster you will be. Magazine editors, pro race car drivers(Randy P), are no different. These guys spend so little time with the car and post times, sit back and collect a check. Prime example. The ZR1, SS Camaro, GT500, Z06 have posted better times in the hand of an owner or someone that spends alot of time with a car than lets say your off the shelf publishisher. Most post better times than the manufature claims. Search around on Youtube and you can find the bone stock Z06's, and ZR1's deep into the 10's when they were quoted mid/high 11 sec cars and slower trap speeds.

Why do you think GM use the same guy to test the Camaro, Corvette suspension on the N-ring, because he knows the car. You put someone like John Heinricey, Ron Fellows, O'Connell, Jan Magnussen behind the wheel of these cars because they know them. I bet 95% of the people on the planet can't acheave the times set on the N-Ring. The point was to tune the suspension and show its full potential.

If you are a true enthusiast buy what your heart wants not what bragging rights you can get. There will always be someone faster.

[PQ]

I approve of this message. lol

[HumanWiki]

I'm not ordering a ZL1, so ignore my thoughts if you so choose..

but..

Man, there are way, way too many people focusing on the 1/4mi times of this car.. GM isn't building this car to run the 1320... It's nice to go fast and all, but it's even nicer to go faster around curves.

So what if it did only run 12.0? There are drag cars running 9s and faster that could sail right off a curved track. Does that make them junk? No. It just means that's not the event they were set up to run.

I don't see people talking about how bad of a drift car the ZL1, GT500, etc are.. Why? I'm sure there are much cheaper cars out there that make much better drift competitors, but no one is complaining about how these cars don't stack up.

Can we stop the and the and do a little more ?

[radz28]

I nominate this thread as Thread of the Day.

[piepouli]

Originally Posted by GM4lyfe

I find it entertaining how some people compare mag times as gold and determine their decision on a vehicle. Just skimming the forum with articles comparing the ZL1 against Boss 302 is one of the latest. This happens all the time and yes it will not stop. But seriously how many ZL1 owners are going to do it up at the track(road or drag)? Many are novice and inexperienced on driving a car with so much potential on the track that even a Mazda Miata will take your more sophisticated ZL1, Boss or whatever in the bends. Point is the more time you have with a car the faster you will be. Magazine editors, pro race car drivers(Randy P), are no different. These guys spend so little time with the car and post times, sit back and collect a check. Prime example. The ZR1, SS Camaro, GT500, Z06 have posted better times in the hand of an owner or someone that spends alot of time with a car than lets say your off the shelf publishisher. Most post better times than the manufature claims. Search around on Youtube and you can find the bone stock Z06's, and ZR1's deep into the 10's when they were quoted mid/high 11 sec cars and slower trap speeds.

Why do you think GM use the same guy to test the Camaro, Corvette suspension on the N-ring, because he knows the car. You put someone like John Heinricey, Ron Fellows, O'Connell, Jan Magnussen behind the wheel of these cars because they know them. I bet 95% of the people on the planet can't acheave the times set on the N-Ring. The point was to tune the suspension and show its full potential.

If you are a true enthusiast buy what your heart wants not what bragging rights you can get. There will always be someone faster.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by HumanWiki

I'm not ordering a ZL1, so ignore my thoughts if you so choose..

but..

Man, there are way, way too many people focusing on the 1/4mi times of this car.. GM isn't building this car to run the 1320... It's nice to go fast and all, but it's even nicer to go faster around curves.

So what if it did only run 12.0? There are drag cars running 9s and faster that could sail right off a curved track. Does that make them junk? No. It just means that's not the event they were set up to run.

I don't see people talking about how bad of a drift car the ZL1, GT500, etc are.. Why? I'm sure there are much cheaper cars out there that make much better drift competitors, but no one is complaining about how these cars don't stack up.

Can we stop the and the and do a little more ?

I agree. But most people want Red light to Red light. THAT's where 90% of the actual show off comes from. Right or wrong, wrong or right, that's where the obsession with the 0-60mph and drag times come from. It's why companies use it in their advertizing.

Now on an enthusiast site those numbers should be more even but it seems they are not.

[htron50]

I think we can all agree that a FLAT 12 will be easily attained. Skill, weather, traction, tires, will improve it. Any factory car in 11's is in ELITE status. They key word here is FACTORY. Not aftermarket. However, put some slicks on the ZL1 with a good driver, good conditions, and this 4100 lb. highway cruiser or track ready car is a BEAST. Simple. It will not RULE "all comers"...... but who really cares? For what it's worth, any new reviews that show it slower (i.e., 12.5) will be highly scrutinized, as will those who turn 11.7. But, I'm sure both will happen.

And meanwhile, the REPUTATION is already LEGENDARY.

And GM hasn't delivered the first consumer unit yet! How much more could you ask for at this price?

[2ndCamaro79]

Originally Posted by htron50

I think we can all agree that a FLAT 12 will be easily attained. Skill, weather, traction, tires, will improve it. Any factory car in 11's is in ELITE status. They key word here is FACTORY. Not aftermarket. However, put some slicks on the ZL1 with a good driver, good conditions, and this 4100 lb. highway cruiser or track ready car is a BEAST. Simple. It will not RULE "all comers"...... but who really cares? For what it's worth, any new reviews that show it slower (i.e., 12.5) will be highly scrutinized, as will those who turn 11.7. But, I'm sure both will happen.

And meanwhile, the REPUTATION is already LEGENDARY.

And GM hasn't delivered the first consumer unit yet! How much more could you ask for at this price?

Any factory car with 1/4 mile times in the 11s or 0 to 60 less than the ZL1's 3.8 is a monster and will run WAY MORE than what chevy is asking for the ZL1. I wanted the ZL1 to be the faster car in the world too, but I think they came pretty close. I mean c'mon guys you lose at the strip or stoplight it will be to a six figure 911, lambo or something else out of this world.

[motorhead]

Completely agree with the OP. I am one of those that is planning on beating the crap out of mine. I'm not saying I will be the fastest ,but I will have much fun trying to be.

[GM4lyfe]

I agree with the above post.

I think some folks missed the point of the ZL1(not you folks in the thread). I think GM built a Camaro eqivelent to the ZR1 is to the Vette. A car that is the jack of all trades the master of none. Yet still make it affordable, and take on the best of the best. If you wanted an all out brawler buy a Vette. Just one touch of a button turns a Dr. Jekyll to Mr Hyde. You go from a highway cruiser to a strip/track beast

I'm sorry but magazine/bench racers annoy me. I should know better I've been around cars long enough. I need to quit my bitching about people bitching and move on

[MauriSSio]

Originally Posted by 2ndCamaro79

Any factory car with 1/4 mile times in the 11s or 0 to 60 less than the ZL1's 3.8 is a monster and will run WAY MORE than what chevy is asking for the ZL1. I wanted the ZL1 to be the faster car in the world too, but I think they came pretty close. I mean c'mon guys you lose at the strip or stoplight it will be to a six figure 911, lambo or something else out of this world.

to be realistic, cars at the strip are mostly modded so it probably won't take something like a lambo or 911 to beat it. Cam only camaros and stock c6vettes are already trapping in zl1 territory. Also, at the track I'm convinced with the right driver, the boss mustang can still hang with the zl1. It just needs a driver better suited for its characteristics. Didnt insideline already run sub 1:40 times at leguna seca with the boss? Id like to see more numbers all around.

[Blueclyde]

OP You are spot on.

Anybody with one of these cars on order, or considering ordering one, that is influenced by one of the mags is, well, an idiot. Sorry if that is too blunt but it is true. This is going to be an unbelievable car, and I don't need some magazine to validate that for me. I know enough to be able to see this without the help of some potentially biased magazine editor.

[2ndCamaro79]

Originally Posted by MauriSSio

to be realistic, cars at the strip are mostly modded so it probably won't take something like a lambo or 911 to beat it. Cam only camaros and stock c6vettes are already trapping in zl1 territory. Also, at the track I'm convinced with the right driver, the boss mustang can still hang with the zl1. It just needs a driver better suited for its characteristics. Didnt insideline already run sub 1:40 times at leguna seca with the boss? Id like to see more numbers all around.

I am mainly talking factory cars vs the ZL1. Once you starting looking at modded cars anything is possible. Right now the ZL1 is King of the Hill and it feels good

[MauriSSio]

Originally Posted by 2ndCamaro79

I am mainly talking factory cars vs the ZL1. Once you starting looking at modded cars anything is possible. Right now the ZL1 is King of the Hill and it feels good

not quite king just yet. The ZL1's time doesnt beat road & tracks time around leguna seca with the boss mustang. 1:39
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca...02-laguna-seca
i guess it takes a certain kind of driver to be able to handle the boss.