[birdmanf16]

So here is an unbiased comparison between the two cars! I will start with just basic impressions and driving on the street. I have NOT gone over 5000 rpm on the GTS yet since it is in the break in period. So, when I do get it broke in, I will be able to update you all on the performance differences. '
Camaro Zl1: 650 hp 650 tq, 10 speed automatic. My primary track car.
GTS 4.0: Investment car and canyon carver. Not going to the track....for now. (my wife's orders!)
I will rate the cars on a scale of 1-10 and then add up the points. I don't know which one will win....probably pretty even actually. An SS 1le might be a better match up vs. the GTS....I have had that car as well. But, I will stick to the Zl1 since that is the track car I have now.
Overall appearance and looks: Zl1 is an 8. GTS is a 9. (mainly because I powder-coated the GTS wheels copper)
Which car has a better infotainment system and standard features: Zl1 is a 9. GTS is a 5 (Chevy infotainment and standard features are really good)
Which car has better seats: Zl1 is a 9. GTS is an 8. (Recaros in Camaro are awesome. GTS seats are a bit tight, but feel good as well)
Which car has a better stereo: Zl1 9, GTS 7. (Bose system in Camaro is real good, GTS is not.)
Which car has better fit and finish: Zl1 7, GTS 9 (110k car vs 65k car....Porsche wins)
Most trunk and space for tires and suitcases etc: (Camaro 9, Porsche 7). For the size, the GTS is pretty good.
Better sounding exhaust: Zl1 9, GTS 8. (Both sound really nice...different sounding v8 vs flat 6, but I like v8's better)
Fun to drive: Zl1 9, GTS 10. (GTS is sublime, balanced and is probably the best feeling driver's car I have driven in a long time. Camaro is very, very good, but not quite as good)
View out of the cockpit: Zl1 7, GTS 9
Bang for the buck: Zl1 10, GTS 8
Value over time: Zl1 7, GTS 10
Classy enough to go to a Orange County party?: Zl1 6, GTS 9

Total so far: Zl1 99, GTS 99

Feel free to add some categories!

[BlaqWhole]

Which GTS is it? I'm not up on Porsche talk. Is it a 718? Cayenne?

NM, I see it in the sig.

[CamOnlyJabroni]

If you add a line for investment car I would definitely mark the ZL1 higher than that Porsche.

[laynlo15]

Jeeezzz, your gonna need a bigger garage if you keep adding nice stuff to your stable. Both are killer but color wise the Porsche is wicked looking.

[MakCamaro]

For me, it's the Camaro all the way.

[closs2sx]

the only one I would argue would be looks. They both could look better from the rear but the camaro wins in the front by a huge margin in my opinion but I have never been a fan of the Porsche look. They look like a flattened version of the beetle to me.

[Revalot]

Nice write up, Long term value the porsche wins, for the average blue collar worker the ZL1 is a steal ! What color is the porsche ?
I think it's similar to hyper blue.

[LS3 Machine]

I would say they both depreciate. The ZL1 is sooooo much cheaper…. So it depreciates a bit from a pretty low entry price. The P doesn’t depreciate that much… but the entry point is almost double.

[jvandy50]

Have you guys seen the markups on GT3s lately?? The whole market is nuts but those are just insane. Porsche wins easily in investment category.

There is not a better bang for buck than a ZL1 IMO, but if i had the dough i would definitely have a porsche…despite seeing the beetle at times, something about their shape and function is just sooo fawking hawt

[serper3]

I love porsches, and thank you for the review, this is super interesting to read.. that said I think your porsche ratings are a bit high, mainly on:

bang for the buck - I think 8 is really high for the porsche - for a 110k car at these performance specs. I think this would be like a 4 at best for me.

value over time - I think 10 is too high for the 718 GTS. the resale on porsche is great, sure, but this is not a 911 or a gt car.. I would say maybe a 7, but i am not an expert obviously just casually following the prices the last 5 years.

[infinitereality]

I've been kicking around the idea of selling my SLC before the spring. Unsure if I'll replace it then or wait a bit to see if prices fall. Really just want my "toy" to be more practical to drive so I can drive it more.

With the GT4s starting around $101k (+ options), how come you went with the GTS? I know the options can get way up there in price with the GT4, I assume you wanted more comfort than race?

[Gunkk]

Porsche makes a great car. A nice stable you got there. No argument about Orange County "status," if that matters.

OP, what do you consider "value over time" to be?

...likely to hold resale value?

...or is it more of your feeling that "I know I'm going to keep this car forever so $/year for me will be lower"

...or something else?


As far as resale values go, Porsches hold their value well but with a typical 40% upcharge for options over base price I don't see 4 year old Porches still selling at MSRP sticker. But more like base price (i.e. options are now discounted). But I do see ZL1s. So there's that.

Still, a hell of a car. Congrats

[Plasar]

Thx for the review and what a great garage!

[birdmanf16]

I am judging the resale based on a couple of factors.
1. Most likely, the Cayman/Boxster will become electrified soon, so ICE Caymans will become rare and in demand.
2. The base model and Cayman S are only available in turbo 4 motors. Porsche guys hate them, and those cars are going mostly to tuners and guys who want to modify.
3. This 4.0 motor may be one of the last naturally aspirated motors Porsche ever makes. Right now, the only NA motors they make are this motor and the GT3 motor.
4. Markups at dealerships are now 20k+ for this car. They are not making very many either.
5. The expert consensus is that this model and motor is one of the best drivers cars they have ever driven. I would have to agree....it is a special car....but so is the Camaro. Don't get me wrong, I love the Zl1 and will keep it for track duty to beat up on the Porsches at the track!