GS982

I am considering trading my '16 C7Z, A8, Coupe for a new '18 ZL1, A10, Vert. and wanted to see if anyone had owned or had seat time in both? This is my wife's car and she complains that she doesn't get to drive it enough. The ZL1 would allow us to take the car out with our small children in the back. IMO, the A8 in the Z completely lets the car down. Is the A10 in the ZL1 noticeably better? I realize I'm downgrading from a Corvette to a Camaro, but just don't want to make a regrettable decision. Also I've heard the Alpha platform of the Camaro is spectacular, but that the convertible really hurts the driving experience. Any experiences to share? Thanks in advance.

Mr. Gizmo

GS982

Our Z06 is a coupe and that is another reason the wife wants the vert. She can not remove/replace the top by herself, and driving it to work and leaving the top off all day is not ideal.

Full disclaimer, I do not like automatic sports cars. I don't feel like I even know how to drive them correctly. My two biggest gripes with the A8: 1.) I push down the go pedal.... it switches gears about twelve times (yes I'm exaggerating!) then builds boost and then finally takes off..... I keep my foot in it a couple more seconds and then I'm at going straight to jail speeds. If you just give the throttle a quick jab, it doesn't feel any faster or more responsive than the '15 Z51 Stingray I traded for it. 2.) Maybe I just haven't gotten the hang of it, but manual shifting seems to only slow the car down and the time it takes to shift doesn't seem any faster than the A8 on my Sierra (not exaggerating here).

Don't get me wrong, the Z06 is a beast, but I vastly prefer the driving experience in my '13 427. I would only expect the A10 to be a marginal upgrade, but all I have heard is good things about it. I don't think I would be truly happy with an automatic trans unless it was a dual clutch. End of the day, it's the wife's cars and she doesn't drive manual cars. Sucks this car has to be an auto, but at least it keeps my other cars safe!

Z0HS1CK

but actually the a10 is A LOT better than the a8. It shifts faster on the upshifts and even downshifts faster too lol. Idk how that's possible isnt it the same trans essentially? Lol

and the camaros are ugly. The verts even uglier. And the backseat is useless and the car has zero visibility.

I had a 5th and 6th gen before. Not verts but I did own the car. It sucks.

Kevin Parent

I'd look at the rear seat before making the final decision. Not much room at all.

GS982

I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old. My boy is the oldest and might start getting cramped in a few years. We will definitely take the whole family with car seats for a test fit before any purchase.

charlierogers

i have a 2016 c7.r edition with manual but have had seat time in 2012 zl1 and 2016 zl1 both convertibles with autos. i don't think they are a downgrade at ALL. though the targa top is nice on the vet it is nothing like a real vert. camaro with top down there is nothing you cant see. with top up there is a lot of blind spots but imho so does the vett. the backseat on the 2012 zl1 was ok with 2 adults and the 2016 being a smaller car has a smaller back seat but i don't think it would be bad for 2 kids. performance difference,,, lets face it i am a pretty darn good driver but unless i start taking a couple hp driving classes + start doing some track days. i am never going to really drive either one of these cars to near there potential. and i am not talking about on the highway roll racing and ripping a couple gears. i am sure a lot of us have got that down. i loved the autos in both camaros , but a vett to me should have a manual trans but that's just personal preference. just for reference i have had 2005 z51, 2007 zo6, and a few street hotrods that have gone hi 10s and low 11s.
Charlie,,,

intensifi

GS982

Visibility is bad with the top down?

intensifi

23/C8Z

Idk. Vette for Camaro is tough. ZL1 makes the hit easier but in the end the special feeling is gone for me.

just my opinion but the vettes are special like a fighter jet.

the camaros all look so close nobody knows that theres anything special about A ZL1 unless it's a ZL1 1LE with the stick on stuff.

the Camaro platform is spectacular but the cluster is the same as a Sierra... and other things irk me about interior. Vettes interior is nicer. More driver focused. Again special..

if you dont like it? Sell it.

look for a used 17 so somebody else took hit.


the 19s have new tails and they look great.

GS982

Agreed! The Z06 is definitely more special. I had a '14 ZL1 Coupe and while is was an awesome car and I appreciated what it was, only car guys and pimple-faced teenaged boys could tell the difference between it and a V6 rental car.

GS982

I might add that in the 2 years we have owned the Z06, we have completely worn it out with a staggering 1,500 miles. Wife finds her van more comfortable for commuting to work. We can't go anywhere with kids in a 2 seater, and anytime the wife and I get out just the 2 of us we take my 427 vert or my '70 stingray vert. The only reason for the trade would be so we could get a little more use out of the car.

AMMUSCLE

I traded in my 2013 783 HP ZL1 Manual Vert for a 2017 ZO6 A8 Coupe.
The Camaro had a small back seat but could carry children, which I did.
The ZL1 was pure muscle fun and I had a tough time giving it up until I drove the ZO6.
I'm now pushing 811 Hp in the ZO6 which is a better ride and so much quicker.
The ZO6 seems so much more refined and turns heads all the time.
I feel the ZO6 is a Race car and the ZL1 is a muscle car, just my opinion.
But if I had to pick a car to hold children and have fun it would be a ZL1 A10 Vert. or a ZL1 1LE .
Nothing but great cars both of them.

Warp Factor

I'm not sure why you'd consider a ZL1 Camaro to be a downgrade. Both the Z06 and ZL1 are spectacular cars.
What it's sounding like is that you'd really prefer a manual transmission. I realize that your wife doesn't know how to use one, but it wouldn't be a big deal to teach her. My wife has driven manuals for decades, but when she took a motorcycle training class, there were numerous people who had never driven a manual, who became reasonably competent within two weekends, despite all the other challenges they were facing (like never having driven a motorcycle before).

Snap_zo6

The challenger has the most room in the backseat of any modern 2 door. No vert option tho. The wife and I both enjoy driving so I take one kid and she takes the other when were heading out on the town. It gets interesting Most importantly keep the wife happy.

BMadden

I have nothing against the Camaro, especially the ZL1, but there's no way I would give up my Z06 for one.

C7X46

I completely disagree on the A8, I find it leaves by friends M7 for dead.

Why work harder to go slower.............?

GS982

A8 is faster, don't think anyone disagrees. IMO the A8 is only beneficial at WOT. To me it leaves a lot to be desired for spirited joyrides. My days of street racing or going to a drag strip are behind me. I'll take my LS7 and row my own gears all day long!

GS982

Thanks for all the input! I would still love to hear more first hand experiences about driving an A8 Z06 vs an A10 ZL1!