logan1080

I am very much a new camaro lover. I had a 2010 camaro ss on order but it was delayed at factory so I pulled the trigger and bought an 06' Z instead. I am glad I took the Z over the 2010 SS. The camaro interior doesn't do it for me and the Z is obviously way faster. But I feel like I am missing something not having that camaro. Every time I see a silver SS I am like damn, is that my car I had coming? Now that the new 2012 ZL1's are coming out I am tempted to get one. My plan was to trade the Z for a ZR1 someday but that camaro is pretty nice. The interior has been dressed up with suede and HUD. The exterior is slightly tweaked also adding down force and a very nice functional hood. Wider tires, stronger drive train, etc etc. Horsepower has not been confirmed but GM says it will have "At least 550 hp". Plenty for the street. Just wanted to hear what your opinions were on trading the Z for the ZL1 and if any of you were considering the same thing?

phxcobra

I wouldn't, but to each there own. What motor is it supposed to have? Get an all black one and lowered it. I've seen some SS's like that and I think they look pretty mean. But arent they sorta porky. Ok for a street car, but if you want to open track it, the Z will be more at home. Why not test drive the 2012 and see if it's something you want to give up the Z for?

logan1080

The new camaro will have the Supercharged LSA. They are a little heavy but GM did a few things to shave weight. GM says they made changes to 1/3 of the car.

Silver05GTO

The Z06 is still the much faster car especially as speeds increase. If you wonder what a drag race would look like comparing the 2 cars you can get a rough estimate from the drag race video pitting the Z06 vs GT500 vs GTR.......Z06 finishes about 4-5 car lengths ahead of the GT500 in the 1/4.

Also consider the dealer markup will be substantial on the ZL1 for the first 6-12 months, the ZL1 will also depreciate big the first 3-4 years you own it.

Guess you have to decide if you won't mind driving a slower car and spending much more on it then you did your Z06 AND losing $20-30K+ on it's value in the first few years.

As an owner of a Z06, the ZL1 is costly step backwards and I won't see myself having more fun with the Camaro then I do with my Z06.

Just IMHO, if I didn't own a Z06 and still had my 07 Z51 coupe.....the ZL1 would probably be an upgrade. As i stands now not many cars can touch a pre-owned Z06 for bang for the buck as you and I purchased.

Train66

The Camaro is based off a Holden based sedan, much heavier and nowhere near the level of race car engineering that is bred into the Z06.

Even with 550+ horsepower, the Camaro is probably almost 1,000 lbs. heavier than a 2006 Z06, and that excess weight results in compromised and reduced performance in every meaningful category.

Always keep this in mind when considering overall performance of any vehicle, including fuel economy: Weight is the ENEMY.

To me, even a Camaro ZL1 is inferior in almost every performance category to a Z06.

Remember, the Z06 was bred from the Corvette Racing program, it's 427cube engine is not encumbered with the potential heat soak issues seen with supercharged engines. I would highly doubt that a bone stock Camaro ZL1, even with the 550+ engine, could turn a 1/4 mile in the same ET range as a Z06 (some bone stock Z06s with drag radials have seen 10.85 ETs).

My .02c

logan1080

the SS camaro weight 3800 lbs compared to my 06' Z which apparently weighs 3180ish. The LSA will weigh a little more but they saved weight in other areas. I don't drag race or track my Z anyway as it is. I would definitely notice that the camaro is not the car the Z is but it is still a damn nice car and will still be pretty quick with 550+ hp weighing less than 4000 lbs. It will be in the 12's stock without a doubt and maybe even 11's on drag radials.

160KTS

I'm not a Camaro person, and having never even considering owning one... I'd just keep the Z. I hate the way you sit in a Camaro too... it's like a monster truck.

ranger1

I do like the New camaro... most likely will have the catty motor...

550... Why pay 100,000. for a camaro?

I would buy one in a couple of years, park it next to my Z..

Garry

logan1080

It won't be remotely close to $100K for a ZL1. it will be priced close to the GT500 which is around $50K depending on options.

EdsC6Z06

Love to have one. Will be a sweet street car. I'll stick with my Z for the street/track combo though. Be great to have both!

msnbound

If u want a race car, keep the z, but if u want a sports sedan get the camaro....to me camaro will always be second to the allmighty corvette.....no comparison....poor mans zo6.....period!

GMuffley

Do you want light and nimble or heavy and numb?

logan1080

Haha i am sure the camaro still handles pretty good.

Train66

2006 Z06 with 1LZ published weight was 3,132 lbs.

The 2011 SS Camaro's published weight is more than 3,800 lbs.

The Camaro ZL1 will weight considerably more than the Camaro SS, with much bigger brakes and tire combo, plus additional strengthening of the ZL1 chassis. If I recall correctly, several inside GM sources have stated that the Camaro ZL1 will weigh in the same neighborhood as the Shelby GT500, which is in the 4,000 lbs. neighborhood.

Again the Camaro is based on a GM Holden sedan, the chassis for the Camaro, regardless of which version (6 banger, LS3 or supercharged ZL1), use the same Holden-based chassis - which is heavily reinforced to meet the USA crash and rollover stds.

A 2006 Z06 has a titanium interior shell/cradle, carbon fiber panels, and lightweight aluminum suspension, with lightweight components used throughout the Z06.

Lower weight = more money, and GM spent heavily when they engineered the Z06.

Having the advantage of being at least 850 lbs. lighter than the Camaro ZL1, is huge for the Z06, and is not easily overcome.

I'll be curious to see how the Camaro ZL1 makes out in the 1/4 mile; I suspect the ZL1 will perform similarly to the Shelby GT500; and the Shelby is no match for the Z06, whem both are bone stock.

The Z06 is a pure sports / race car, engineered with big $$$ invested, bred from the Corvette Racing program.

Go to Youtube and look up the Z06 at the 'Ring. No bone stock Camaro ZL1 or Shelby GT500 will come close to that lap performance.

Landru

I'd bet it doesn't, if only due to the limited numbers that'll be built. Will without a doubt result in outrageous dealer marke-ups. Always has.
Recall the Z06s -C5 & C6- when first introduced? How about the GT500s or the GT? Being the first on the block means paying a hefty premium.

In any event my wife's a 2010 Camaro (not SS) laoner right now.
Frankly I'm impressed how well the car performs w/ a V6, handles, rides and especially appearence (it total black). Of course like you I've owned several F-chassis cars, a Z28 & SS w/ LS-1s, loved 'em, so I'm receptive to the model.

No one buys a SS or ZR-1 to compete against the Z06/ZR-1.
The new Camaros are cruisers, and damned nice ones at that IMO.

Methinks owning a limited production Camaro ZR-1 would be an instant collector. Not unlike the Z-Corvettes. Again, IMO.

Would I trade-off my Z06?
Probably not, but, I certainly understand anyone who isn't involved in HPDEs contemplating it. Good luck whatever you land on.

logan1080

if you put rubber on a gt500 then it would significantly pick up its 1/4 mile times. There are videos of GT500's with slicks running low 11's. No reason the ZL1 on slicks couldn't run that either. Lots of guys with slicks on their Z06's are running low 11's. I am not saying that the zl1 is faster, it wont be. But a ZL1 with good driver and slicks might give some Z06 drivers with stock tires a good run. Give the ZL1 a pulley swap and it would be pretty quick.

Lawdogg

Besides the performance and weight issues, park your Z06 next to a new Camaro. The Camaro will look like a boat.

logan1080

Yup it is definitely bigger, doesn't mean the camaro is ugly or slow though.

capevettes

The Z06 IMO is superior in every measure to the Camaro. Looks, acceleration, handling, fuel efficiency. The Z06 is a much lighter, faster, better handling car.

It sounds like you really want the Camaro if you lust for one every time you see one. If that's what you want you should buy it and sell your Z06 to a Corvette enthusiast. The Camaro is not on my radar screen but it's what you like that counts.

FrankTank

Just on sheer looks alone not even talking performance, I don't care if they make a 1,000HP Camaro, I have never liked the way they looked Not a fan at all. I'd take a Mustang or Charger over the camaro any day..and I would prefer to stick with a Chevy, but that is how much I despise the way the camaro looks