Can'tHave2MuchHP

I know I may get some bias here, but I asked on the ZL1 Forum too. I'm seriously considering these two cars. Ignoring some of the obvious...

They both would cost me about the same. ZL1 makes a tad more HP from the factory, Hennessey has already gotten 632 WHP (80 HP over their baseline) with Headers, Intake, and a tune. the LS9 also makes amazing power, and has tons of headroom with the big blower and forged internals.

ZL1 has the advantage in stuff like, line lock, active rev-match (Not a big deal since I can rev-match myself), a touch screen that wasn't designed after a potato, and an overall nicer interior. I sat in one at the NAIAS, it's a tight car, much smaller than the 5th Gens.

But I still have a huge "fanboy" soft spot for the ZR1, because, it's the King...for now. The ZL1 weighs 3880 vs the ZR1's 33xx. I could go into more detail but if you could try to be unbiased, which would you buy if you had neither of them as of right now?

Just trying to get some opinions. Here's my problem with the ZL1, I know that buying it puts me into competition with the GT500 and the Hellcat, both of which have yet to announce their refresh versions of their car. GT500 will likely come out and wipe the floor with the ZL1, as will the Demon. For that reason, I kind of don't want to be in the muscle car class. It's a lot easier to make 3300 pounds go fast than nearly 4000 too, another thing I hate about muscle cars. If I were to buy either car, I'd just do bolt ons and a drag radial and call it a day, and drive it. I'm sure the ZR1 would be faster no matter, but is that worth it?

Hockyz

I just fought the same question and bought the zr1. Short of electronics and not having a rear seat, it is better in every metric as far as I am concerned.

Red Devil

What is the purpose of the car, daily driver, toy, straight line, canyon carver?

Can'tHave2MuchHP

Well, here in Michigan we only have 3 month summers. Car would be a fun weekend car, not daily driven. I wouldn't race it either, most I would do would be a few passes at the strip and that's it. I want good power but nothing crazy. I'll of course play with my local guys on late night roll races if I feel I can compete.

darth g-f

Just think that the ZR1s have already lost about half their initial value while the ZL1 is full price. By the time you change your first set of tires, the ZL1 will have lost a huge amount of $ while the ZR1 would practically be the same price.

If you want to buy the ZL1 for its touch screen and interior then by all means go ahead. I owned a Caterham and an Elise so to me the ZR1 is crazy luxurious. I don't need a nice interior for my performance car. But if it's your daily driver then it makes sense. Otherwise, the ZR1 is more than enough. But I drive my ZR1 for fun and sometimes for long drives on the highway. I don't need a luxurious interior to be happy.

With that said, the ZL1 is a beast of a car. But it doesn't tickle my fancy the way the ZR1 does.

1Sikstik

I just read that the hellcat will be called venom and I think it will be 800hp. just breezed through it on my timeline today

Can'tHave2MuchHP

Yeah, I wasn't saying that the interior is the reason for either car, tbh I'm like you and could give a crap less for the most part.

Think I'd still take a super low mileage ZR1 over the ZL1, but I'd buy a ZL1 over a 10,000+ mile ZR1.

Gary '09 C6

I'm a bit biased being a ZR1 owner, but to me the ZL1 is FUGLY and heavy...and it is not a two-seat sports car.

Both choices are quite different...I think you need to first decide what type of "go fast" car you really want.

jbp8653

Have a 13' ZR1 that I will probably keep forever. Been thinking about trading wife's truck for a ZL1. I think it is a cool car and she likes it too. At the end of the day however it is still a Camaro and although it is probably the best ever Camaro I don't think it can stand up to a ZR1 in the long term.

ROCKGT

ZR1 is bad *** car. But it is a 6-7 year old bad *** car.
Right now, I would go with the newer car but I would wait a couple of weeks just to see what the GT500 brings to the game.

PHPD7102

Demon, Challenger only not Charger, rumored to be 808 HP set up for the drag strip from the factory.

The test cars are supposedly running a high 9 second 1/4, but due to rules and regs they think the released version will be running low 10's off the dealer lot on the tires that come from the factory.


Sounds wild, but nobody thought they would be releasing a 707 HP muscle car that runs low 11's and high tens if you put sticky tires on them. This from a 4500 lb car.

RobWilson

Buy the ZR1. In a couple of years, you can sell the ZR1 and buy a used ZL1 with money left over.

Either way you decide is a win! The latest ZL1 is a huge improvement over the 4th gen Camaros I owned except in driving visibility.

RobWilson

For the record, 10,000 miles is a super low mileage ZR1. There are so many low mile ZR1s out there, that people's perspectives are skewed.

BAAD LS2

I just went through the same exact conundrum. The ZL1 is a badass camaro, its fresh and new, has super nice interior compared to the vette. However, to me, I see 15+ camaros every day, and the ZL1 looks too similar to the base model. See maybe 1-2 C6's, and you absolutely never see a ZR1.

It really came down to my wife. I took her to the dealer to look at some new camaros because I was trying to decide between nightfall grey and hyper blue. I was pretty much ready to order the car. She took one look at the row of camaros, then glanced at the row of corvettes, and said "You are getting the vette." She knew I wanted the ZR1, and that was all the persuasion I needed. Found my 2010 JSB with only 4200 miles on it a couple months later.

Can'tHave2MuchHP

Yeah, maybe. But I still would prefer a 5000 mile car or even less so that I can drive it a lot.

rcjoe

i'd do a ZL1 all day...

phils C5 vette

Im surprised that ZR1 hasn't dropped more in price with the C7ZO6 out there. Im on the market for something new, but I keep asking myself do I want a race car in a box that's older, or a new car that will take a $10K hit in the next two years.

Can'tHave2MuchHP

Yeah I have the same thoughts. But I wouldn't be surprised if you bought a ZR1 and lost 5,000$ too. No doubt over a few years you'll lose a lot more by buying a new ZL1/Z06 though. Only reason I'm leaning ZL1 now is because of some of the new stuff in the ZL1/Z06, like line lock (ZL1), touch screen, 5 mode exhaust, and active rev match...

ZR1 is definitely better for aftermarket mods.

Jackie Chan

The way new cars are dropping right now i wouldn'tbe surprised if your 10k number is about half. At least the zr1s will always have that essence of top dog and exclusivity like a tt supra or 03/04 cobra. There are so many zo6s out there its crazy. Im sure the zl1s will be easy to get as well but probably not as many takers with what you can find a zo6 for price wise new and used

Higgs Boson

the TT Supra was a 1000rwhp 12 second car and I am pretty sure the illegal immigrant installing the drywall in the house they are building down the street drives a Terminator.