Camaro vs Corvette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,803
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
6th Gen 1LE is great car whether in SS or ZL1 trim and either can be had with the 10-speed or manual, my problem is they’re heavier than a Vette and have poor visibility. Other than that I’d gladly own one if I needed a back seat, but then I’d probably consider something with 4-doors to make the back seat more useable if it was my only vehicle.
Yes, the Camaro is heavier.
Yes, they lack a front facing camera (which boggles the mind).
Yes, they are without HOMELINK...but the visibility is fine.
What they have in spades is a heated steering wheel (when comparing the C7) and cooled seats that usually feel cool and an AC system that pumps out metric F*k-tons of cold air. Not saying they are better than the Corvette, just the visibility REALLY is not an issue.
Last edited by Big Lebowski; Jun 7, 2021 at 04:11 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 187
Likes: 128
I own both a 6th generation (2017) Camaro ZL1 and a 2021 C8 HTC so I can tell you firsthand the differences between the two cars.
First, let me say the Camaro is no "Walmartization". I had to spend damn near $11K in options on the Corvette just to keep parody with the Camaro. Such things as the heads-up display, heated/ventilated/memory seats, blind spot sensors, performance exhaust, mag ride shocks, suede (Alcantara) interior, and Ricaro seats all come standard on the $65,000 MSRP ZL1. The only things my Corvette has that the Camaro doesn't is the front and rearview mirror cameras and wireless Apple Car Play. If my Camaro was a later model year, it too would have the rearview mirror camera and wireless Apple Car Play.
The 6th gen Camaro chassis is based on the Alpha platform from the Cadillac. It is stiff. Jack up the front of the car and the rear wheel will come off the ground, that's how stiff the chassis is. The Camaro underpinnings are made out of more aluminum than previous generations to help keep weight down.
As far as to build quality, they're both about the same. The interior on the 6th generation Camaros is a marked improvement over the 5th generation in terms of fit and finish. The body panels on both cars fit about the same. I have no issues with either car.
As far as handling, both cars corner very well. The Corvette is about 500 lbs lighter with the engine behind the driver so it feels a little more nimble than the Camaro. The Camaro has the majority of its weight in the long front end so it can feel big and heavy.
With the engines in each car being different (NA vs Supercharged), it's hard to make a fair comparison between the two. The acceleration of the Corvette is very controlled and linear. Start jamming air in the cylinders with the supercharger and the Camaro takes off like a scalded dog. I tell people my Corvette is quicker but my Camaro is faster. My Corvette has yet to make my sphincter pucker. I can't say that about the Camaro.
And finally, the biggest difference between the two cars is the Camaro still comes standard with a manual transmission. A 10-speed automatic is an option. There are many times I wish the Corvette had a manual tranny. The DCT is good but in my opinion, a true manual transmission would have made the C8 almost perfect.
To sum up, the Camaro ZL1 is no slouch. You don't do 7:16 around the Nuremberg Ring if you're poorly engineered. I'm am truly blessed to be able to own both cars.
First, let me say the Camaro is no "Walmartization". I had to spend damn near $11K in options on the Corvette just to keep parody with the Camaro. Such things as the heads-up display, heated/ventilated/memory seats, blind spot sensors, performance exhaust, mag ride shocks, suede (Alcantara) interior, and Ricaro seats all come standard on the $65,000 MSRP ZL1. The only things my Corvette has that the Camaro doesn't is the front and rearview mirror cameras and wireless Apple Car Play. If my Camaro was a later model year, it too would have the rearview mirror camera and wireless Apple Car Play.
The 6th gen Camaro chassis is based on the Alpha platform from the Cadillac. It is stiff. Jack up the front of the car and the rear wheel will come off the ground, that's how stiff the chassis is. The Camaro underpinnings are made out of more aluminum than previous generations to help keep weight down.
As far as to build quality, they're both about the same. The interior on the 6th generation Camaros is a marked improvement over the 5th generation in terms of fit and finish. The body panels on both cars fit about the same. I have no issues with either car.
As far as handling, both cars corner very well. The Corvette is about 500 lbs lighter with the engine behind the driver so it feels a little more nimble than the Camaro. The Camaro has the majority of its weight in the long front end so it can feel big and heavy.
With the engines in each car being different (NA vs Supercharged), it's hard to make a fair comparison between the two. The acceleration of the Corvette is very controlled and linear. Start jamming air in the cylinders with the supercharger and the Camaro takes off like a scalded dog. I tell people my Corvette is quicker but my Camaro is faster. My Corvette has yet to make my sphincter pucker. I can't say that about the Camaro.
And finally, the biggest difference between the two cars is the Camaro still comes standard with a manual transmission. A 10-speed automatic is an option. There are many times I wish the Corvette had a manual tranny. The DCT is good but in my opinion, a true manual transmission would have made the C8 almost perfect.
To sum up, the Camaro ZL1 is no slouch. You don't do 7:16 around the Nuremberg Ring if you're poorly engineered. I'm am truly blessed to be able to own both cars.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,396
Likes: 2,912
From: Fort Worth, Texas
This is such a popular misconception on the Camaro. The visibility in my ZL1 is no worse than my C7 Z06 AND the 6th Gen has blind spot monitoring indicators on the side mirrors (when comparing Convertible to Convertible, which are inherently bad with the top up).
Yes, the Camaro is heavier.
Yes, they lack a front facing camera (which boggles the mind).
Yes, they are without HOMELINK...but the visibility is fine.
What they have in spades is a heated steering wheel (when comparing the C7) and cooled seats that usually feel cool and an AC system that pumps out metric F*k-tons of cold air. Not saying they are better than the Corvette, just the visibility REALLY is not an issue.
Yes, the Camaro is heavier.
Yes, they lack a front facing camera (which boggles the mind).
Yes, they are without HOMELINK...but the visibility is fine.
What they have in spades is a heated steering wheel (when comparing the C7) and cooled seats that usually feel cool and an AC system that pumps out metric F*k-tons of cold air. Not saying they are better than the Corvette, just the visibility REALLY is not an issue.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 3,929
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
And yes, the main difference between the Corvette and the Camaro up through the C7 generation was weight. Corvette being much lighter and made out of SMC fiberglass, and front-mid-engine (now rear-mid-engine with the C8) whereas the Camaro is front-engine.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 623
Likes: 409
From: Charlotte, NC
Modified C8 of the Year 2021 Finalist
This is such a popular misconception on the Camaro. The visibility in my ZL1 is no worse than my C7 Z06 AND the 6th Gen has blind spot monitoring indicators on the side mirrors (when comparing Convertible to Convertible, which are inherently bad with the top up).
Yes, the Camaro is heavier.
Yes, they lack a front facing camera (which boggles the mind).
Yes, they are without HOMELINK...but the visibility is fine.
What they have in spades is a heated steering wheel (when comparing the C7) and cooled seats that usually feel cool and an AC system that pumps out metric F*k-tons of cold air. Not saying they are better than the Corvette, just the visibility REALLY is not an issue.
Yes, the Camaro is heavier.
Yes, they lack a front facing camera (which boggles the mind).
Yes, they are without HOMELINK...but the visibility is fine.
What they have in spades is a heated steering wheel (when comparing the C7) and cooled seats that usually feel cool and an AC system that pumps out metric F*k-tons of cold air. Not saying they are better than the Corvette, just the visibility REALLY is not an issue.
Visibility I didn't mine at all, it was fine for driving around normally, the only time it was a challenge was when I was cornering on the city streets, because of the longer hood and it not being tapered down would mess with me and I'd curb the wheel constantly. Definitely my fault for being impatient or overzealous in the city streets but that's the only visibility thing that hampered me.
Your earlier reply about the trunk, rear seat and center console was completely on the money too.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 625
From: Southeast, FL.
I had 2012 ZL1 and I tracked it for many years. I always drove it to the track and then back home afterwards. I had no problem staying with Corvettes in my group. An incredibly reliable car. I was thinking of upgrading to a 2019 ZL1 when it looked like the mid engine Corvette was really going to happen. When Mark Reuss announced that it was real and the price started at $60,000 I was all in. I still miss my ZL1 but ordered my C8 with homage to the Crystal Red Camaro with RedMist and black interior with suede inserts, red stitching and red seat belts.
If you decide to go with a Camaro consider going with a manual transmission. The rev match works great. Both the the SS 1LE and ZL1 are great cars.
If you decide to go with a Camaro consider going with a manual transmission. The rev match works great. Both the the SS 1LE and ZL1 are great cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 570
From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,803
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
For me the weight was felt when I was trying to move the car around bends and corners. As tight as the suspension could be, I also upgraded the springs and swaybars on the 6th gen, I could still feel the weight being a drag. In the C8, I don't even think about how heavy the car is.
Visibility I didn't mine at all, it was fine for driving around normally, the only time it was a challenge was when I was cornering on the city streets, because of the longer hood and it not being tapered down would mess with me and I'd curb the wheel constantly. Definitely my fault for being impatient or overzealous in the city streets but that's the only visibility thing that hampered me.
Your earlier reply about the trunk, rear seat and center console was completely on the money too.
Visibility I didn't mine at all, it was fine for driving around normally, the only time it was a challenge was when I was cornering on the city streets, because of the longer hood and it not being tapered down would mess with me and I'd curb the wheel constantly. Definitely my fault for being impatient or overzealous in the city streets but that's the only visibility thing that hampered me.
Your earlier reply about the trunk, rear seat and center console was completely on the money too.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 7
Wow regardless of the decision I believe both cars are amazing. I own a c7 corvette z06 and compared it to the 2020 Cameron zl1 which was shockingly good. I honestly feel the z06 is still more special to me however the ZL1 camero is a bit more practical for everyday use. 🏎🔥
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1,200
From: DFW
You really ought to edit that post to clean it up. a bit ridiculous.
A ZL1 isn't your typical Camaro. I traded in a 2011 Camaro SS on my C8. Night and day different cars. The Camaro was fast. The C8 is OMG. C8 brakes and handles FAR better as well.
A ZL1 isn't your typical Camaro. I traded in a 2011 Camaro SS on my C8. Night and day different cars. The Camaro was fast. The C8 is OMG. C8 brakes and handles FAR better as well.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
It's simply a question of whether you prefer "sportscars" (Corvette) or "muscle cars" (Camaro)?
Sports Car:
A general term for any nimble two-door car that favors performance over all else. Typically, 2-seaters, though a limited number may have very small back seat. Built to be quick and handle twisty roads with authority. Early sports cars came from legendary brands like Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Maserati, Porsche, Morgan and MG etc.. Many of these sports cars found their way across the ocean during the 1950s and ’60s. Corvette is widely known as America's Sports Car.
Muscle Car:
An American V8 coupe and sometimes sedan that prioritizes acceleration over handling. These cars starting appearing in the 1960s and early 1970s. They’re typically rear-wheel-drive, American production cars that are typically equipped with a large V8 engine, wide tires, flared fenders, and large hood scoops. They were often the top-performing versions of typical (read boring) daily drivers such as the Chevrolet Chevelle, Camaro, Ford Mustang etc. Muscle cars exist primarily to go fast in a straight line, where as true sportscars also emphasize handling.
Sports Car:
A general term for any nimble two-door car that favors performance over all else. Typically, 2-seaters, though a limited number may have very small back seat. Built to be quick and handle twisty roads with authority. Early sports cars came from legendary brands like Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Maserati, Porsche, Morgan and MG etc.. Many of these sports cars found their way across the ocean during the 1950s and ’60s. Corvette is widely known as America's Sports Car.
Muscle Car:
An American V8 coupe and sometimes sedan that prioritizes acceleration over handling. These cars starting appearing in the 1960s and early 1970s. They’re typically rear-wheel-drive, American production cars that are typically equipped with a large V8 engine, wide tires, flared fenders, and large hood scoops. They were often the top-performing versions of typical (read boring) daily drivers such as the Chevrolet Chevelle, Camaro, Ford Mustang etc. Muscle cars exist primarily to go fast in a straight line, where as true sportscars also emphasize handling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I've had 2 ZL1s, a 17 model and an 18 ZL1 1LE. Both times, although I loved the ZL1s, I couldn't wait to get back into a Z06 Vette. Now with the C8, even more so. The attraction of a ZL1 now is the availability of the 7 speed. Still, I would rather have a C8.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
C8 on order so I cannot comment on that car yet. I have owned 28 previous generation corvettes and 5 Camaro’s. 1 was a 2012 Callaway. Like the others have said the Camaro is a great car. You feel the weight and size of the car when you drive the Camaro. And they are a little bit heavier as well. Visibility isn’t great in the 2010-up versions. They are a great alternative to a Corvette if you need a back seat. The Camaro is a hell of a car. Good quality and performance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,515
Likes: 927
From: Alaska
I never thought my 2020 ZL1 (non 1LE) handled as good as my C6 or C7. Don’t get me wrong, the handling is good but it isn’t razor sharp good. The Z flies under the radar because most people don’t know it packs as much power as it does. C8 is quicker from a standing start but I have out pulled at least six C8’s from 40-50 and up. The back seat is totally useless and the trunk opening is small but it holds enough. The A10 trans is amazing. Hard to get traction under 30 mph.
There are rumors circulating the 23 might get the LT5 for its final year of production.
Great car, especially considering what I paid for it 2 years ago. Glad I had the chance to enjoy one for awhile. Right now I’m waiting for my CT5 V Blackwing to be built. If that allocation doesn’t appear soon might bail and go to 3LT C8.
There are rumors circulating the 23 might get the LT5 for its final year of production.
Great car, especially considering what I paid for it 2 years ago. Glad I had the chance to enjoy one for awhile. Right now I’m waiting for my CT5 V Blackwing to be built. If that allocation doesn’t appear soon might bail and go to 3LT C8.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,188
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Not being an aficionado like many here, what are the basic differences (aside from the obvious body style), between the Camaro and the Corvette? The Camaro was (in my limited knowledge base) for those that could not afford all of the features the Corvette offered - Walmartization. It had some of the power, but not the handling.
Note: Looking for edumacation and not to start a thread war that my questions seem to initiate at times.
I don't want to be ignorant as I will probably be at events/gatherings eventually.
Note: Looking for edumacation and not to start a thread war that my questions seem to initiate at times.
I don't want to be ignorant as I will probably be at events/gatherings eventually.
The Corvette will never (legally) carry more than 2 occupants. The F Body will.
Handling for most models is close. Acceleration on some models is close. But the F Body always played 2nd fiddle to the Y Body.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 527
Likes: 307
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 181
Likes: 51
I had a 6th A8 Gen Camaro SS Convertible - traded it for a C7 M7 Convertible
I felt the C7 definitely handled better (or at least inspired more confidence) in throwing it into a turn
The Camaro definitely was much more raw - I absolutely missed the pops and growl (it sounded angry) vs the more refined C7
Almost picked up a ZL1 (had driven my friends GT500 and was amazed by the low end grunt of the supercharged V8) before my dealer called me with a C8 1LT Coupe in stock that was almost exactly how I was going to order it
I love the C8, though I do miss the rawness of the Camaro to the point where I am considering selling my C8 to get a Zl1 Convertible (just haven't found one nearby with the right color combo) - especially since I have a deposit still to order a C8....
I felt the C7 definitely handled better (or at least inspired more confidence) in throwing it into a turn
The Camaro definitely was much more raw - I absolutely missed the pops and growl (it sounded angry) vs the more refined C7
Almost picked up a ZL1 (had driven my friends GT500 and was amazed by the low end grunt of the supercharged V8) before my dealer called me with a C8 1LT Coupe in stock that was almost exactly how I was going to order it
I love the C8, though I do miss the rawness of the Camaro to the point where I am considering selling my C8 to get a Zl1 Convertible (just haven't found one nearby with the right color combo) - especially since I have a deposit still to order a C8....