C5Dobie

Which got me into looking into the specs and such for him, and it basically dropped my jaw. How is it possible a $55,000 car made in 2014 (or low $40s used like he's looking) is no more capable down the strip or around a track than a 13 year old 2 generation old Vette I just bought? Is it like 1 step forward 3 steps back??

Forget about the fact the fastest 1/4 mile for a C5 Z seems to be around 11.8, that's not the norm. What IS the norm is guys running 12.2-12.5 @ 117mph ish. And guess what? A ZL1 does no better.

Auto (should be much easier) running 12.5x http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216280

Fastest mag test I've found running 12.1 @ 117
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/..._shelby_gt500/

Magnetic ride control steamroller super sticky tires and its pulling .96g on the skid pad - impressive but not better than a C5 Z

By all rights even with 175 more hp (advertised) and the latest gadgets it is not faster than a Z06 by any measure, even a 1/4 mile - which is amazing, if anything it's dead even or a hair slower seeing how the first mags testing it were getting times even as slow as 12.7 it even has active launch control!!!

I guess the big lesson here is weight is an absolute killer and that LS6 was a bit underrated, the Z06 was/is a very potent and balanced combo of performance.

I still would love the Camaro ZL1 - smooth ride, bigger and more comfy, nicer interior, and you're only a pulley and tune away from big big power.

Supercharged111

They started out with the right idea, putting 2 Corvettes together, but failed on execution when they only used a single powertrain.

troyguitar

That's really it. That's why I bought my C5Z. 3100 lbs with enough power to get out of its own way and still get nearly 30 mpg on the highway = ultimate street/track car unless you need a back seat.

rjwz28

Yup, it's the weight
All those niceties don't come without a penalty at the scale, plus it's a sedan-based chassis not a sports car, so that doesn't help

However, that trend is visible in the C7 as well: the base car, despite its aluminum chassis, weighs over 200 pounds more than a C5Z

There is hope for the Camaro yet, though; for 2016, it moves to the chassis underneath the Cadillac ATS, which weighs 36xx pounds in fully-optioned trim. Stripped for Camaro duty, we'd be looking at around 3600 pounds with the LT1 and probably not any more than 3750 in a done-up car with a powertrain like the LT4 (a weight savings of 300 pounds vs the current SS and ZL1, respectively)

C5Dobie

Did a little more research- it shares the same platform as my last car a Pontiac g8 GT but my G8 was about 200 lbs lighter still!!! And much bigger! The ZL1 weighs 4,200 lbs damn!


If I'm taking on that much of a weight penalty I'd rather go full on huge- give me a cts-v wagon w/ a stick and I'd be happy.

bob22z06

Yes I would go with a cts-v s vagon too...

Verrückt ZR1

I've seen a few ZL1's up close, and they are definitely a step up from the standard SS package. That being said, I will never spend $55k plus for a camaro. Period. (Or $40k for that matter. Ha.) That kind of price tag is C6Z territory, or C7 depending on your tastes. Furthermore, what's with the Z28? Lol.

rjwz28

The 2014 Z28 beat the time for the 2006 Z06 with the exact same engine and an extra 550 pounds

That car is legit

Also, drumming up used car prices to demean new car stickers is absurd. Example: "Why would anybody in 2013 spend nearly $100k on a new Z07 when they could've bought a 2009 Z06 for $55k and modded the HELL out of it to beat the Z07 with the $45k they saved?" It's a silly, tired argument typically brought up by ricers and guys who can't afford the car they are putting down (clearly not the case here); buy what makes you happy.

Verrückt ZR1

Hmmm, presumptuous, aren't you? I wasn't "drumming up" used car prices vs new car stickers. I wouldn't be caught dead in a Camaro, for any price. As stripped down as the Z28 is, it had better beat the 8 year old Z06's track times! If you want to pay $70k plus for that boat/track machine, good for you. I can think of much less expensive track cars that would satisfy the urge though.

rjwz28

I'm not presumptuous; you said that a ZL1 was in "C6Z06 price territory"

The only way you're getting a C6Z06 for $55k is used; those cars sticker new at $80k

I've got no interest in buying a 5th-gen Camaro of any sort, as I hate how much they weigh and how much of an ergonomically-challenged design exercise of a tank they are inside, but that doesn't mean that the performance variants don't have their merits. I drive a modified C5Z06 for a reason.

rjwz28

Blowers, big brakes, and that sweet high-tech suspension carry a penalty at the scales. The Camaro SS (G8 GT with two doors and a 6.2 instead of a 6.0) weighs a bit less than your car did.

danziger

That weight is a huge turn-off for me. One of the many reasons I love the C5Z is the light weight. You can really feel it in the handling dynamics...

rjwz28

I'd buy a Boss 302 before I'd buy a 1LE for the weight and ergonomics alone... but decided to go with the Z06 instead since I've always wanted one and it trumps both on weight

LSX_NUT

Not trying to take anything away from the new Z28, it is a bad *** car and I like it. However, the Z28 comes with a squared setup and R compound tires from the factory. Of course its going to beat a 2006 Z06 with lowly street tires around the track. The C6Z06 in my opinion is a much better platform than the 5th Gen camaro no matter what you do with the suspension/tires.

Just my opinion anyways.

envyz06

true but some people prefer the camaro.

bikeriderga

Like many of you, I would never pay 55K for a Camaro.

You can get a Vette for that (and less for a extremely low mileage used one), and a Camaro, as nice as they are, is not a Vette.