2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe or Convertible?

ISKI · 02-09-2018, 08:51 PM

I'm new to Camaros and really need help.

I want to get the convertible for daily driving, but also want the coupe for better perforance.

If I get the coupe why not just go for 1LE? Can you really use a 1LE for a daily driver and track?

likerage · 02-09-2018, 09:20 PM

I appreciate that you're new to Camaros but this has been beat to death. Search function.

chicagosam · 02-09-2018, 10:52 PM

If you are remotely considering the convertible - get it and don't think about the 1LE.

It'll be a great DD and have plenty of performance.

The 1LE is the track version of the coupe. Sure you can DD it but it wont be as comfortable as the standard ZL1 coupe or vert.

Ive driven all three - I'm not a convertible person and I like my Kidneys (Chicago roads) so I bought the coupe.

My $.02

1roadking · 02-09-2018, 11:37 PM

Coupe for the win��

hawk02 · 02-10-2018, 12:02 AM

Get the coupe with a sun roof. Best of both worlds.

My previous Camaro was a 2013 ZL1 convertible. While I enjoyed driving with the top down, I really missed not having all the performance goodies. My 6th gen ZL1 has the sun roof. Rolling down the windows and opening the roof satisfies my need for that open air experience while still retaining all the performance features. It’s a win-win in my book.

HDRDTD · 02-10-2018, 01:03 AM

The coupe is the cheaper of the three.
The convertible costs $5-7k more but you get to enjoy the top down.
For all out performance, there is the ZL1 1LE but it rides a bit harsh on city streets and costs even more(that's assuming you were talking about the ZL1 1LE).
If you're referring to a SS 1LE, then the price drops, it handle the road courses great, and makes a great DD, but it'll have less performance than the ZL1.

It all depends on what your performance goals are and how deep the pocket book is.

Gunkk · 02-10-2018, 03:45 AM

My take on choosing between trims as a vert owner...

1LE - This is for track use, not a DD car. An un-fun cruiser. If you want to crush $250,000+ supercars at the track at 1/4 the price, this is for you. For DD street use the 1LE is a nope. It looks great but rides like the race car track weapon that it is.
Coupe - can be tracked or DD. The coupe is an excellent compromise for both DD and track with PDR and ELSD but also rides well on the street with the magnetic dampers.
OK for cruising if you can live without the feeling the sun on your skin. Yes you can get the sunroof but it kinda kills the look of the coupe by eliminating the reverse mohawk, and extra weight doesn't help at the track.
Vert - not for track use, fine for DD. With the vert you give up the performance data recorder, and it also does not have the ELSD w/PTM. So if you plan to track the car occasionally, you may want to get the coupe. The hands down winner for cruising. Verts are more rare and will hold value longer; starting to appreciate after ~25 years if that matters. Dropping the top at will in the convertible and getting heavy with your right foot is just plain fun. The sound of open NPP exhaust at WOT with the top down can't be beat

For me there was no question about it. Mine is a fair weather weekend car. I go topless all the time and I only put the top up when I park it. If you are going to be 100% on the street and are going to only want a convertible 10% of the time get it ... or you'll regret it.

ISKI · 02-10-2018, 01:51 PM

Thanks. Do you think you lose much without the ESLD? I’m leaning on the convertible just seems like a blast to drive and has better visibility too!

hawk02 · 02-10-2018, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISKI

Thanks. Do you think you lose much without the ESLD? I’m leaning on the convertible just seems like a blast to drive and has better visibility too!

Without the ESLD there is no performance data recorder or the 5 PTM modes.

Visibility with the top up will be about the same as the coupe. It's only an advantage when the top is down.

Trunk space will also be a consideration. With top down, you'll loose about half of the available space.

Expect more wind and road noise when the top is up. There's also extra maintenance required to keep it in good shape.

Not trying to talk you out of a convertible. I previously owned three 5th gen convertibles (two were SSs and one a ZL1). They're a blast to drive with the top down. Just want to make you aware that there are some downsides to owning one.

For me personally, the 2013 ZL1 was my last convertible. I just feel the disadvantages of owning a convertible for out weigh any pleasure derived from driving with the top down.

ISKI · 02-10-2018, 03:19 PM

Cool.

I just need to find a deal on. Convertible manual ZL1.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 02-10-2018, 03:19 PM

Get the Coupe.

ISKI · 02-10-2018, 03:36 PM

Eff the coupe. I will never track. My buddy has 1000 HP sand car I can race. I’m going for convertible and cruising on mountain roads.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 02-10-2018, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISKI

Eff the coupe. I will never track. My buddy has 1000 HP sand car I can race. I’m going for convertible and cruising on mountain roads.

Why'd you ask us in the first place?

JB'sZL1 · 02-10-2018, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

Why'd you ask us in the first place?

Apparently, so he could respond "efff" to your suggestion of the coupe.

If it matters: I'm one for the coupe w/ sunroof.

02-09-2018, 08:51 PM	#1
ISKI Drives: 4Runner Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 7	2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe or Convertible? I'm new to Camaros and really need help. I want to get the convertible for daily driving, but also want the coupe for better perforance. If I get the coupe why not just go for 1LE? Can you really use a 1LE for a daily driver and track?

02-10-2018, 12:02 AM	#5
hawk02 Coupe Newbie Drives: 2017 ZL1, 2021 Corvette Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 3,283 View My Garage	Get the coupe with a sun roof. Best of both worlds. My previous Camaro was a 2013 ZL1 convertible. While I enjoyed driving with the top down, I really missed not having all the performance goodies. My 6th gen ZL1 has the sun roof. Rolling down the windows and opening the roof satisfies my need for that open air experience while still retaining all the performance features. It’s a win-win in my book. __________________

02-10-2018, 03:45 AM	#7
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,978 View My Garage	My take on choosing between trims as a vert owner... 1LE - This is for track use, not a DD car. An un-fun cruiser. If you want to crush $250,000+ supercars at the track at 1/4 the price, this is for you. For DD street use the 1LE is a nope. It looks great but rides like the race car track weapon that it is. Coupe - can be tracked or DD. The coupe is an excellent compromise for both DD and track with PDR and ELSD but also rides well on the street with the magnetic dampers. OK for cruising if you can live without the feeling the sun on your skin. Yes you can get the sunroof but it kinda kills the look of the coupe by eliminating the reverse mohawk, and extra weight doesn't help at the track. Vert - not for track use, fine for DD. With the vert you give up the performance data recorder, and it also does not have the ELSD w/PTM. So if you plan to track the car occasionally, you may want to get the coupe. The hands down winner for cruising. Verts are more rare and will hold value longer; starting to appreciate after ~25 years if that matters. Dropping the top at will in the convertible and getting heavy with your right foot is just plain fun. The sound of open NPP exhaust at WOT with the top down can't be beat For me there was no question about it. Mine is a fair weather weekend car. I go topless all the time and I only put the top up when I park it. If you are going to be 100% on the street and are going to only want a convertible 10% of the time get it ... or you'll regret it.

02-09-2018, 09:20 PM	#2
likerage Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Denver Posts: 75	I appreciate that you're new to Camaros but this has been beat to death. Search function.

02-09-2018, 10:52 PM	#3
chicagosam Drives: 2017 BLACK ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Chicago Posts: 109	If you are remotely considering the convertible - get it and don't think about the 1LE. It'll be a great DD and have plenty of performance. The 1LE is the track version of the coupe. Sure you can DD it but it wont be as comfortable as the standard ZL1 coupe or vert. Ive driven all three - I'm not a convertible person and I like my Kidneys (Chicago roads) so I bought the coupe. My $.02

02-09-2018, 11:37 PM	#4
1roadking Drives: 2017 ZL1 silver A10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Loudon NH Posts: 135	Coupe for the win��

02-10-2018, 01:03 AM	#6
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	The coupe is the cheaper of the three. The convertible costs $5-7k more but you get to enjoy the top down. For all out performance, there is the ZL1 1LE but it rides a bit harsh on city streets and costs even more(that's assuming you were talking about the ZL1 1LE). If you're referring to a SS 1LE, then the price drops, it handle the road courses great, and makes a great DD, but it'll have less performance than the ZL1. It all depends on what your performance goals are and how deep the pocket book is.

02-10-2018, 01:51 PM	#8
ISKI Drives: 4Runner Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 7	Thanks. Do you think you lose much without the ESLD? I’m leaning on the convertible just seems like a blast to drive and has better visibility too!

02-10-2018, 03:19 PM	#10
ISKI Drives: 4Runner Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 7	Cool. I just need to find a deal on. Convertible manual ZL1.

02-10-2018, 03:19 PM	#11
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	Get the Coupe.

02-10-2018, 03:36 PM	#12
ISKI Drives: 4Runner Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 7	Eff the coupe. I will never track. My buddy has 1000 HP sand car I can race. I’m going for convertible and cruising on mountain roads.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password