zl1 or 1le - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

charles s · 02-21-2014, 04:23 PM

hey guys im up here in Canada im going to trade in my 2011 2ss for a 1le or a zl1, im looking at 50k for a 1le 2014 or I can get used zl1 with 9k on it for 60k ish for the zl1 12-13-or 14. can you guys help me make my decision?

DaemonGPF · 02-21-2014, 04:27 PM

I had the same decision to make and I chose the 1LE mostly because I'm more into handling over raw power (I know the ZL1 can do both reasonably well). For me it wasn't practical due to the way Colorado punishes those of us who like nice cars with all sorts of taxes. Plus my insurance went way down going from my Lexus to my 1LE. It was going to inflate a ton going to the ZL1. Those were just a few factors I looked at but to each their own.

B-_-RAD · 02-21-2014, 04:30 PM

1le then an ecs supercharger

DaemonGPF · 02-21-2014, 04:36 PM

Exactly my thinking. 1LE = cheaper to operate and is already fairly prepped. Just add a blower and tune and call it a day!

SSTG · 02-21-2014, 06:01 PM

I chose the 1LE. More car for the money.
And since I will never race/track the car I didn't need the extra HP.

Front Runner · 02-21-2014, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles s

hey guys im up here in Canada im going to trade in my 2011 2ss for a 1le or a zl1, im looking at 50k for a 1le 2014 or I can get used zl1 with 9k on it for 60k ish for the zl1 12-13-or 14. can you guys help me make my decision?

Boils down to what you really want. Test drive both and decide then. That's the fun of it all. You can't go wrong either way.

1LE= great car, awesome performer, less cash
ZL1 = big dog Camaro, does all well, more cash

It's a win, win decision!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonGPF

Exactly my thinking. 1LE = cheaper to operate and is already fairly prepped. Just add a blower and tune and call it a day!

Quick question, if he did blow & tune the 1LE, wouldn't it be the same cost (or very close) as the ZL1 he's looking at? If so, why not purchase the ZL1 to begin with?

2Muchmark · 02-21-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles s

hey guys im up here in Canada im going to trade in my 2011 2ss for a 1le or a zl1, im looking at 50k for a 1le 2014 or I can get used zl1 with 9k on it for 60k ish for the zl1 12-13-or 14. can you guys help me make my decision?

Hi Charles,

I have a 2013 2SS RS 1LE that I'm willing to let go for $39,900 CDN. The car has only about 3000 kilometres on it and is in showroom condition. Fully loaded, but no sun roof. The car is in storage in a heated garage, and never winter driven. Contact me if you're interested, and I can send you some photos and more details.

*Camaro_Corvette* · 02-21-2014, 07:23 PM

I chose a 1LE cause I really didn't need all the tech in the ZL1, plus the 1LE is considerably lighter. The lighter the better with me. When I mod up to 500+ hp, I'll have a little less weight to lug around. The front fascia on the ZL1 never grew on me either. For me the most important part, I like having a sleeper.

only thing I wish my car had was the g-meter. :(

Highland Ranger · 02-21-2014, 07:27 PM

I am waiting on a ZL1 now. Chose it over the new Corvette because it has a back seat and is more comfortable plus its special. A corvette will just be a plain jane Corvette. A ZL1 is a special Camaro. (It's also more comfortable for us big boys.)

To a lesser extent true of the 1LE - its not just a Camaro.

I guess its about $$$. If you have the scratch get a ZL1. If you have some better to do with the $20k difference get the 1LE.

They are both really nice cars. Enjoy whichever you choose.

fabric8 · 02-21-2014, 07:49 PM

Last year I went to Miami Lakes Auto Mall to look at the 2013 ZL-1. They had 3 (IOM, Yellow and a Black) unfortunately all automatics. Decided to take a drive over to Tropical Chevrolet which is a couple miles from my house and they had an IOM 2SS. RS NPP 1LE sitting on the lot in early Sept of last year. Apparently it had been sitting there for a while with no interest. Needless to say I traded in my SRT8 Jeep and drove it away the following day. Got a solid trade in for the Jeep and significant discount on the sticker of the Camaro. You can't go wrong with the 1LE, Big Bang for the buck.

DaemonGPF · 02-21-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Front Runner

Boils down to what you really want. Test drive both and decide then. That's the fun of it all. You can't go wrong either way.

1LE= great car, awesome performer, less cash
ZL1 = big dog Camaro, does all well, more cash

It's a win, win decision!

Quick question, if he did blow & tune the 1LE, wouldn't it be the same cost (or very close) as the ZL1 he's looking at? If so, why not purchase the ZL1 to begin with?

I guess that all depends on what price the OP can get into one for. A used ZL1 as mentioned would close that gap considerably of course and then what I said wouldn't make sense at all. New to new, it could be a fair savings going the 1LE route - on payment, insurance, and build (more cash for parts). Not everyone wants to void a new car though, understandable as costly as they are these days.

But the OP really has to drive both and make the decision of course. Everyone has a different taste.

jumpshot233 · 02-21-2014, 09:47 PM

I have always preferred a naturally aspirated engine.

Msmall143 · 02-21-2014, 10:04 PM

I've owned both. You can't go wrong with either. Both are very fun. I loved my 1le but have mixed feelings how people portray the car.

I wish peeps wouldn't give the perception that a 1le is a completely different beast than an ss. It's a very nice package at a great price and I enjoyed the car. to be honest, in my opinion the wheels were the best part about the package.

Based of the details you provided I would go with the zl1. Not because the car, but because of the way you are going to buy. If you buy a used zl1 a big chunk of the depreciation took place and you won't take the hit. Buying a new ss you take the hit the minute you title and register it.

charles s · 02-22-2014, 02:30 PM

sounds good guys and I think I have my heart set on a 1LE now seems like the right choice.

02-21-2014, 04:23 PM	#1
charles s Drives: 2011 camaro 2ss Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: canada Posts: 106	zl1 or 1le hey guys im up here in Canada im going to trade in my 2011 2ss for a 1le or a zl1, im looking at 50k for a 1le 2014 or I can get used zl1 with 9k on it for 60k ish for the zl1 12-13-or 14. can you guys help me make my decision?

02-21-2014, 07:23 PM	#8
Camaro_Corvette 36.58625, -121.7568 Drives: Team 1LE Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 23,709 View My Garage	I chose a 1LE cause I really didn't need all the tech in the ZL1, plus the 1LE is considerably lighter. The lighter the better with me. When I mod up to 500+ hp, I'll have a little less weight to lug around. The front fascia on the ZL1 never grew on me either. For me the most important part, I like having a sleeper. only thing I wish my car had was the g-meter. :( __________________ I am seriously never serious vv V vv Next order of business

02-21-2014, 07:49 PM	#10
fabric8 Drives: BMW E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Miami Shores Posts: 31	Last year I went to Miami Lakes Auto Mall to look at the 2013 ZL-1. They had 3 (IOM, Yellow and a Black) unfortunately all automatics. Decided to take a drive over to Tropical Chevrolet which is a couple miles from my house and they had an IOM 2SS. RS NPP 1LE sitting on the lot in early Sept of last year. Apparently it had been sitting there for a while with no interest. Needless to say I traded in my SRT8 Jeep and drove it away the following day. Got a solid trade in for the Jeep and significant discount on the sticker of the Camaro. You can't go wrong with the 1LE, Big Bang for the buck. __________________

02-21-2014, 04:27 PM	#2
DaemonGPF Redonkulous Drives: Camaro Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: United States Posts: 306	I had the same decision to make and I chose the 1LE mostly because I'm more into handling over raw power (I know the ZL1 can do both reasonably well). For me it wasn't practical due to the way Colorado punishes those of us who like nice cars with all sorts of taxes. Plus my insurance went way down going from my Lexus to my 1LE. It was going to inflate a ton going to the ZL1. Those were just a few factors I looked at but to each their own.

02-21-2014, 04:30 PM	#3
B-_-RAD Banned Drives: ... Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: ... Posts: 398	1le then an ecs supercharger

02-21-2014, 04:36 PM	#4
DaemonGPF Redonkulous Drives: Camaro Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: United States Posts: 306	Exactly my thinking. 1LE = cheaper to operate and is already fairly prepped. Just add a blower and tune and call it a day!

02-21-2014, 06:01 PM	#5
SSTG Drives: 2014 Z51 Corvette Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ofallon, Mo. Posts: 5,822	I chose the 1LE. More car for the money. And since I will never race/track the car I didn't need the extra HP.

02-21-2014, 07:27 PM	#9
Highland Ranger Drives: 2014 CRT Convertible ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NW NJ Posts: 377	I am waiting on a ZL1 now. Chose it over the new Corvette because it has a back seat and is more comfortable plus its special. A corvette will just be a plain jane Corvette. A ZL1 is a special Camaro. (It's also more comfortable for us big boys.) To a lesser extent true of the 1LE - its not just a Camaro. I guess its about $$$. If you have the scratch get a ZL1. If you have some better to do with the $20k difference get the 1LE. They are both really nice cars. Enjoy whichever you choose.

02-21-2014, 09:47 PM	#12
jumpshot233 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2ss 1le Summit White Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Amelia Posts: 101	I have always preferred a naturally aspirated engine.

02-21-2014, 10:04 PM	#13
Msmall143 Drives: Camaro Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,718	I've owned both. You can't go wrong with either. Both are very fun. I loved my 1le but have mixed feelings how people portray the car. I wish peeps wouldn't give the perception that a 1le is a completely different beast than an ss. It's a very nice package at a great price and I enjoyed the car. to be honest, in my opinion the wheels were the best part about the package. Based of the details you provided I would go with the zl1. Not because the car, but because of the way you are going to buy. If you buy a used zl1 a big chunk of the depreciation took place and you won't take the hit. Buying a new ss you take the hit the minute you title and register it.

02-22-2014, 02:30 PM	#14
charles s Drives: 2011 camaro 2ss Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: canada Posts: 106	sounds good guys and I think I have my heart set on a 1LE now seems like the right choice.