[QC-1LE]

Not the same, but test drove a Darkhose just for fun today and the chassis is miles away from the ZL1. One feels like a muscle car, and the other a real sports car.

[clg82]

I do notice at most car and coffees that ZL1s are more rare than other cars. You can literally see a 5.0 mustang as a dime a dozen on the streets as well.

[jjgi5150]

Hi all,

Ford looks cheap and feels cheap. Very bad reliability with the Voodoo engine. My ‘13 Boss 302 felt like a cheap, entry level import. It had the worse 6 speed Getrag manual transmission that was ever put in a performance car. Granny gear 1st gear with a huge RPM drop to 2nd and lots of mechanical issues. I looked at and drove GT 350R’s and still hated the manual trans ratios and couldn’t trust their motors.

The fact the GT 500 didn’t have a manual trans also ruled it out. That and the ridiculous ADM’s. I just don’t trust Ford anymore.

My ‘18 ZLE scared me with its always low oil pressure. I couldn’t get past that and sold it before it suffered the broken oil pump. It only had 7,000 miles. I bought my ‘22 ZLE and never looked back. It’s been flawless. If I could have bought a ‘22 GT 500, even if it would have had the same MH3 TR6060, for the same cost as my ZLE, I still would have gotten the ZLE.

The ZLE is a classier, better looking and better handling car all around.

JMO,

JJ

[chevy pilot]

Cause it's a Ford.

[ariZona28]

Not a Ford guy. It would be interesting to ask the Mustang guys why they didn't buy the better performing, better looking ZL1 or ZLE.

[FarmerFran]

No vert
No TR6060
Overall cost

Same with the new Corvette
Has vert but...
No TR6060
And overall cost, I like my heated and vented seat you need to go 2LT in the Vette and the price jumps yet again

[shaffe]

Because I was never in the market for one because I can't afford a third car as a toy lol

[Jus Cruisin]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Not a Ford guy. It would be interesting to ask the Mustang guys why they didn't buy the better performing, better looking ZL1 or ZLE.

The moderator on the GT500 forum tracks his carbon fiber track pack all the time around Texas and recently shipped his car to Minnesota for some special track day. He's an upper level driver and has posted lots of track videos of his car smoking ZL1's (and plenty of other cars). It's pretty dang fast and he's a pretty dang good driver.

[clg82]

Originally Posted by Jus Cruisin

The moderator on the GT500 forum tracks his carbon fiber track pack all the time around Texas and recently shipped his car to Minnesota for some special track day. He's an upper level driver and has posted lots of track videos of his car smoking ZL1's (and plenty of other cars). It's pretty dang fast and he's a pretty dang good driver.

You don't think an equally capable driver would be faster in a 1LE?

[NG329]

For me it was a mashup of the following:

ADM on the GT500 were ridiculous. Dealers wanted $125k for a carbon package equipped GT500 around the time I was ready to buy.

Lack of a manual was a buzzkill for me.

I preferred the ZL1-1LE styling with its low and wide stance.

I was sold on the Nurburgring achievement. That was a historical milestone and really embodies what affordable performance truly is.

The track use warranty from GM was also a strong selling point.

Overall I just felt that the Alpha platform was better. The DSSV suspension is unique, and the chassis bracing is optimal for road course use.

For me, the ZLE would have been the perfect car with the LT5.

[Jus Cruisin]

Originally Posted by clg82

You don't think an equally capable driver would be faster in a 1LE?

I'm sure he'd be pretty fast in a ZL1, too. Here's him at night on COTA. The GT350R driver is an instructor there. https://youtu.be/XwhjHJYEH_M?si=b-uw2Wh98dIOSlIl

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by clg82

You don't think an equally capable driver would be faster in a 1LE?

It would be close and track dependent. Any of the tracks with multiple long straights (VIR, Road America, etc) I’d give a strong edge to the GT500. It’s just too difficult to overcome the 100 horsepower deficit. Chevy really shoulda given the gen 6 an LT5 and called it a Z/28. They coulda charged GT500 prices for it.

[clg82]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

It would be close and track dependent. Any of the tracks with multiple long straights (VIR, Road America, etc) I’d give a strong edge to the GT500. It’s just too difficult to overcome the 100 horsepower deficit. Chevy really shoulda given the gen 6 an LT5 and called it a Z/28. They coulda charged GT500 prices for it.

Throw a Magnuson on it and you're still costing less with a better chassis than the GT500.

[Eddymel1998]

Well you know what Ford stands for right?
Fix it again Tony


But really because I can't even afford a ZL1 let alone a GT500, I'm also partial to pushrod V8s, they're fun and sound very good without much effort. Other then that having worked delivery for a GM dealer we got to deliver parts for other brands because same dealer had lots of branches and I would live happy if I didn't have to deal with another Ford part number ever again.