I sold my 2019 Z06 M7 and bought a 2021 ZL1 1LE A10. Unfortunately I tore my meniscus and shifting became too painful. Why not buy an A8 Z06? Because that A8 trans is pure crap compared to the A10 and no matter what anyone tells you, A8 Z06’s of any year overheat on track. I could write multiple paragraphs about how good the A10 is but if you want a manual you really don’t care…….I will say that I was a skeptic until I drove one on track and now I’m a believer. This is the closest GM has ever come to creating a trans that is just as smart as the Porsche PDK. Anyway…..l just remembered you don’t care.
Let’s first agree that both cars are 2 seaters. No one is riding in the back seat of a Camaro. So no explaining that the Camaro is more practical because it seats 4…..no, no it doesn’t. It seats 2 and punishes 2 poor bastards who will never ride with you again. If you don’t plan to track the car then get whatever you think looks best. Life is short and you should enjoy the car you drive. 650hp is a f&$@ing blast in a Camaro or a Corvette.
If you plan on tracking the car then read on…….if not just stop here 🛑.
If you’re tracking the car consider the ZL1 1LE and know that the ride on the street can be punishing at times. Also know that the ZLE WILL run with the Z06, in fact at VIR it’s a drivers race. If you run a non-1LE, then not so much. Which is all good if you know that going in - and don’t mind being 3 to 4 seconds slower then the Z06. Not meant as an insult just reality. If you can drive a 650hp Camaro or Z06 you’re going to be faster than 90% of the guys we see on track.
Again assuming we’re going to run some track days, try to find a 2019 Z06 M7. There were several upgrades in the final year that made that car more track worthy including:
- Mag shock retune (I had the DSC controller in my 2016 Z06 and frankly the ‘19 didn’t need it)
- Larger radiator
- Spider gears from ZR1
- I believe better fuel system also from the ZR1
There was more but memory fades. Also know that the Z06 M7 will give you max performance on the track AND max comfort on the street with the mag shocks. You select the ride quality which you can’t do with the ZLE. Visibility in the Z06 is also better. Lower belt line, lower dash, smaller A pillar…….it all just adds up and there’s just better visibility in the Z06.
Get ready for sticker shock. A used 2019 Z06 M7 is still going to be $80-$90K. Go look on AutoTrader and you won’t find one that doesn’t say ‘call dealer for price’. I bought mine for $79K (GMS) and sold it 3 years and 24K miles later for $76K. We need a few more C8 Z06’s out there to drive the C7’s back down to reality.
A used 2021 ZL1 1LE is around $70-$75K. Mine was $71K OTD with 6K miles and PDR. Felt like I stole it and still do frankly. Doubt many will land a 2023 ZLE given the constraints, demands and dealer shenanigans. Regular ZL1’s I see occasionally at local dealer with the usual +$5 to $10K market adjustment.
Final thoughts:
1) Not tracking? Get the car you think looks the best. They’re all fast (ZL1, ZLE and Z06) and low mile Z06’s are reasonably priced if you look at 2016/2017’s.
2) Tracking and don’t care about being slow-ish compared to a Z06, get the ZL1 M6 and don’t look back.
3) Tracking and want to run with all but the fastest GT3 RS boys…..get the Z06 or ZLE.
4) Tracking but like your tooth fillings right where they are thank you……get the Z06.
Hope that helps……