[detltu]

Originally Posted by Egon

This may seem silly but assuming I could afford either I think I would still go for the 1LE due to the fact that it is likely to be placed in the SCCA FS class where I am currently running my 5th Gen 1LE. The 6th Gen 1LE looks to be a hell of a lot better than my car, and I already got spanked by a regular 6th Gen 2SS at one event. (although I did better than it on the previous day on a wet track by almost 2 seconds on a 60-70 second course) I love autocross and most of the time excessive power is not helpful in getting around the courses they set up, and extra weight is very detrimental.

However I have to say I would be tempted to change my mind if I was all of a sudden able to afford a ZL1, it is one bad ass car and I am sure I could find other fun things to do if it was uncompetitive in autocross. (the ZL1 would be up against some serious cars if placed in AS or SS where it would be likely to end up) Lets just say I would love to be in the position of making such a decision, I couldn't go wrong either way really.

I think autocross is one reason to choose the 1LE over the ZL1.

1. Cost
2. autocross competitiveness
3. NA engine
4. lighter weight

For the 5th gen I considered the 1LE, ZL1, and Z/28.

For me the versatility of the ZL1 won me over.
1. Still fun at an autocross (maybe not as fun as the 1LE)
2. Still fun on the track (not as fun as the Z/28 though)
3. Fun on the drag strip.
4. Best daily driver of the bunch (minus fuel economy).

[OldJedi]

Originally Posted by detltu

I think autocross is one reason to choose the 1LE over the ZL1.

1. Cost
2. autocross competitiveness
3. NA engine
4. lighter weight

For the 5th gen I considered the 1LE, ZL1, and Z/28.

For me the versatility of the ZL1 won me over.
1. Still fun at an autocross (maybe not as fun as the 1LE)
2. Still fun on the track (not as fun as the Z/28 though)
3. Fun on the drag strip.
4. Best daily driver of the bunch (minus fuel economy).

I agree with you completely. The 5th Gen. ZL1 was the best all around car of the group primarily because of the Mag Ride. The only negative points to a ZL1 were the Gas Guzzler Tax and gas mileage. Putting MR in the 6th Gen. SS, 1LE and ZL1 is a game changer that really opens the class. With MR available to all V8 models it is just a matter of which one fits your needs and budget.

[avalonandl]

Cost and has the Recaro seats from the factory.

[detltu]

Originally Posted by avalonandl

Cost and has the Recaro seats from the factory.

Zl1 and 1LE will both have Recaro's.

[avalonandl]

Originally Posted by detltu

Zl1 and 1LE will both have Recaro's.

I know the SSV8 1LE has Recaro seats. You cant get those in the regular SS unless I read it wrong. The ZL1 has Recaro too.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by avalonandl

I know the SSV8 1LE has Recaro seats. You cant get those in the regular SS unless I read it wrong. The ZL1 has Recaro too.

This is all correct. Your original post was interpreted as though you were saying that a reason to buy the 1LE over the ZL1 was because it was cheaper, and because it has Recaro seats and the ZL1 does not.

[mcsoul]

If you want to drive a manual, I suspect the 1LE will be a lot less work to handle as a DD than a manual ZL1. If your considering that 10 speed, I'd be all over the ZL1.

[Mister Will]

Originally Posted by DenverTaco07

Buy the car that does it for YOU. They are both high performance, one is a 1320 beast with retro styling, the other excels very well at many things and has new age styling.

Which one does it for YOU is the car for YOU.

Good luck to everyone.

Taken from another thread in the ZL1 section. I must be getting old, but I've caught myself asking, "Do I really need all of that power"?

I often wonder if 455 hp is enough for the street?

[clanky]

Originally Posted by Mister Will

Taken from another thread in the ZL1 section. I must be getting old, but I've caught myself asking, "Do I really need all of that power"?

I often wonder if 455 hp is enough for the street?

My wife keeps saying that too... Why do you want all that horsepower??

I've come to the conclusion and answer.... "Cuz I _need_ it!"

In reality yes the 455 hp is more than enough for the street and you probably won't even use it's full potential more than a handful of times a year (or if you drive like me a month...or maybe a week).

[Thor142]

Originally Posted by clanky

My wife keeps saying that too... Why do you want all that horsepower??

I've come to the conclusion and answer.... "Cuz I _need_ it!"

In reality yes the 455 hp is more than enough for the street and you probably won't even use it's full potential more than a handful of times a year (or if you drive like me a month...or maybe a week).

In reality most people don't even understand peak HP enough to utilize it at all. What the average person wants is nice low end torque and quick throttle response.

[Mister Will]

I remember when "Do I really need all of that power" was considered a ridiculous question to gear heads. But it wasn't that long ago when we breached the 300 HP barrier. Remember the 4th gen was just over 300. The 2003 & 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra Terminators were considered monsters at 390 HP. Now any car with a coyote engine or a LS3 has it beat. Then the C6 Z06 came with the LS7 engine at 505 HP. People thought that was insane yet they were sought after(all the big runners in my group anyway).

Most of the people I have talked to seem to agree that 600 rwhp seems to be the breaking point. At this point the cars stop being fun and becomes temperamental. As one guy stated, "feels like I'm driving with an egg under my pedal".

So ZL1 will probably be driven at half throttle most of the time, and come with increased maintenance costs (gas), insurance premiums, and ton of unused horsepower.

However, this rational venture into logic will all go away when the first Shelby GT350R pulls away from you.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Mister Will

However, this rational venture into logic will all go away when the first Shelby GT350R pulls away from you.

Or gets its door blown off.

I traded "down" to a 1LE because I felt like I never used the power in the last gen ZL1. It felt a waste, and I had better places to put my money at the time...like it's been said - the car was always driven at half throttle...you were terrified to accelerate (not speed) in confined spaces like a crowded highway or streets with cars parked on them.

Oh, but out on a road course it was a sublime experience...the power, handling, electronics, and brakes worked together in such perfect harmony...

The 1LE was a similar experience, just at a slightly lower level of speed. 8/10s of what the ZL1 offers...for 2/10 the price. Simply stunning.

But it's time for me to go back to the Z....I've come to terms that I miss it.

[Mister Will]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

Or gets its door blown off.

I am anxiously waiting for the Head 2 Head comparison.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

I traded "down" to a 1LE because I felt like I never used the power in the last gen ZL1. It felt a waste, and I had better places to put my money at the time...like it's been said - the car was always driven at half throttle...you were terrified to accelerate (not speed) in confined spaces like a crowded highway or streets with cars parked on them.

Oh, but out on a road course it was a sublime experience...the power, handling, electronics, and brakes worked together in such perfect harmony...

The 1LE was a similar experience, just at a slightly lower level of speed. 8/10s of what the ZL1 offers...for 2/10 the price. Simply stunning.

With the sale of my car in the Avatar, the 1LE will be a cake walk. The ZL1 will be a little harder (obviously). My group does do runs like we used to (Banzai!). Even so the guys with C6 Z06s told me the power level was more than enough. I suspect with the suspension improvements the whole set up of the 1LE will mimic the ZL1, with less power. Maybe with a few bolt-ons, a little tuning.... You may have sold me on a 1LE.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

But it's time for me to go back to the Z....I've come to terms that I miss it.

Or maybe not.....

"One drink is too many, but ten are not enough"

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by Mister Will

However, this rational venture into logic will all go away when the first Shelby GT350R pulls away from you.

You mean like in a drag race? In what world will that happen? GT350's have a hard time breaking into the low 12's...most are in the mid 12's.