The ZL1 is what got me into the Chevy showroom the day I bought my Stingray.

The ZL1 Camaro had sold the night before I got there, so I decided to test drive an SS.

Amazing chassis, great shifter--and crap everything else.

--I hated the driving position
--I hated the sight lines
--I don't really like how it looks on the outside either
--My head hits the ceiling in the back seat (and I am short), so its useless

As noted, the ZL1 has impressive performance.

But like it was said above--non-enthusiasts see a Camaro.

So I decided to take advantage of that the other way--a non-enthusiast doesn't really know the difference between a Z06 and a base Stingray...

Plus, throw a supercharger on a bargain priced leftover Stingray, and you might come in under a ZL1 and have a faster, lighter, and (for me) better fitting/driving car.

 

or cup2 tires

 

I love the way some people play fast and loose with the definition of a sports car. You guys do know that 911 Porsches have back seats too, don't you?

 

My Z06 is a beast!!
But I kept my ZL1 as the grocery getter!!!

 

Not ZL1 but my wife has a blast with hers at car shows....but even if it had 650hp no way it could replace our ZO6....2 totally different cars

 

I traded in my 2015 ZL1 on a 2016 Z51.

What I loved about the ZL1: Endless power, extremely comfortable seating position (and AWESOME Recaro seats), super smooth suspension. Could drive the car all day, and be very happy.

What I didn't love about the ZL1: Power laid down SO smooth, that you never NEVER got that "throw you back in the seat" thrill in hitting the throttle. Lousy stereo. Slightly claustrophobic interior (low roofline, minimal front window), feel weight of car around corners. Interior quality wasn't up to par with the vehicle price.

What I love about the Z51 (with MSRC): Throw yourself back in the seat any ole time you want - torque all day. Select your suspension and steering - soft, medium, stiff - anything you want at the touch of a button. Amazing cornering, Very good (comparatively) stereo. Pull off the targa and you have a vert. And the car is drop dead gorgeous!

I sat in (but didn't test drive the Gen 6 ZL1). From what I could derive from NOT driving, the look and seat feel of the car feels like a step backwards from the Gen 5. I'm sure it's amazing to drive. But the interior is now extremely claustrophobic, seating position is too upright and limited, and take away exterior "ZL1 frill", and the car is visually pretty darned boring. Back seat in the Gen5 was useless (unless you have a small dog), and even more-so now.

I've done my Camaro stint. I did enjoy it a lot. I'm staying with Vettes now...

 

For the money I would buy something different. I would add to my collection but definitely not replace (all things being equal new vs. new).

 

As much as I like them, I don't think I want to be driving a Camaro- I dont care how fast it is. It's still a high school dream car to first car out of college kinda car to me.

If I wanted a track car, I'd buy a track car that could run circles around the ZL1 for half the price.

 

Camaro SS to ZL1 to Z51 to Z06. Not looking back.

 

I say why choose??

 

How do you decide which one to drive?

 

 

Yep....my first car out of college was a 1974 Camaro Type LT with its pathetic excuse of a 145 hp engine...BUT it was a Camaro and hence, I thought I was cool.

It was the generation of cars that was forced to comply with stringent smog regulations so the easiest way was for manufacturers to put all sorts of smog control devices on them which tended to substantially reduce engine power. From the glory days of the '68 -'69 Camaro Z28 with monster power all the way down to a pitiful 145 hp imitation of what once was. Little did I ever dream that those horsepower wars would ever be back, but here we are and I'm lovin' it.

To answer the OP's question, No, I'd never get a ZL1 as long as they're still selling Corvettes.

 

One vehicle is all I can handle at a time with all my OCD'S !!

 

I have been getting one or two of those a day, this week. Difference might be, the young guys revving at me are, to a person, grinning the whole time - good spirits. And I grin back but don't bite. I might pop into neutral for a quick rev, and they go on their way.

What's been the best part, are all the children - the little boys and little girls - looking out the window of Mom's SUV or van - when they notice / recognize the car motoring past them (or beside them at the light) is a new pretty Corvette, and you watch their eyes get really big, and their jaw drops, and then they wave like crazy

 

Longer trips I prefer the Camaro. Also, keep the clubs in the trunk. As far as visceral experience..Z06 ALL DAY.

 

Would likely take a new Mustang over a Camaro, neither over a Corvette

 

I have always liked the looks of the Camaro's - but the moment Chevy produced the V6 Camaro, every mother and brother bought one and it's now a "Me Too" car. Oh you have a Camaro, me too...lol
We have a great guy that I see at cars and coffee all the time with one. I also applaud him as he takes it to the track and AutoX as well. It's always a pleasure to see people drive performance cars in these atmospheres.
BUT - I smoked checked him at the track and reminded him his car is so much heavier and not a Corvette. LOL. You can check out the video. Just Google - Jeffrey Beasley Z06.....then scroll down and you will see a YouTube video that says Z06 vs ZL1 Camaro. This was one of the races between him and I. I own the Shark Gray Z06 taking the GoPro pointed backwards. He owns the new black ZL1

 

Went from 14' C7 to 16" SS with MRC ( just came out) , I wanted a change but loved the LT1. That car was amazing, felt big obviously, was not a fan of the AC vent locations. I am back in. 16" Z51 and loving life

 

I agree, why choose?