[tmp123]

I drove a new 26 Z06 today and it did not impress me coming from a ZL1 6 speed.
It didnt seem that fast off the line and the engine has to get over 6k to start pulling hard. The DCT shifting is just weird...maybe coming from a manual made me feel this way.


The Z06 sounds nice and it has tons of grip. I didnt really get on it since it wasnt my car but it just felt disconnected.


the price was 138K for the Z06


Im keeping my Camaro


Also considering the massive Transmission issues most c8 corvettes are having it once again proves the ZL1 is a keeper.


Any thoughts guys?

[NYTMARE23]

Vette is cool, but I'm a Camaro guy all the way...I RARELY see a ZL1 driving around where I live and I personally like it that way...the rarity of seeing another ZL1 far outweighs seeing C8 Vettes every other block...they used to turn my head, now I could care less when I see one.

[tmp123]

The only one I would consider is a McLaren 570S....the v8 turbo (2016-19)

[arpad_m]

If we want to talk Corvetter, the ZR1X is where it's at. Electric assistance on the front axle, tire shredding power sent to the rear, fastest accelerating production car in the world, ICE or electric.

Too bad it's north of $200K, but anything comparable is several times, if not an order of magnitude more expensive.

[Mark R]

The Z0-6 is the one Vette I would like to try. I like the naturally aspirated V-8. I don't think I would need more than the 670 hp of the Z0-6. However, I'll likely never even sit in one, so I'm good.

[hawk02]

OP, your comment about the Z06 DCT shifting being “weird” caught my attention. I owned a 2021 C8 Stingray convertible for about 4½ years. During that time, I also had a ’17 M6 ZL1 and now own an M6 CT5-V Blackwing.

My biggest disappointment with the C8 was the DCT. Maintenance is expensive, there are documented reliability concerns, and the calibration—at least in my experience—leaves a lot to be desired. When you compare it to the TR6060 in the ZL1 and Blackwing, it really highlights how mediocre the C8’s DCT feels. Ultimately, the transmission was the primary reason I sold the car.

Two weeks after selling the C8, I stumbled into a pre-owned Porsche with PDK that was too good to pass up. That’s when it clicked why Porsche’s PDK is considered the gold standard for dual-clutch transmissions. The calibration is exceptional—it consistently keeps the engine in the optimal powerband, and downshifts are so seamless you barely notice them, unlike the C8. My Porsche is down about 100 hp compared to the Stingray, but you’d never know it given how well the transmission and engine are integrated.

Tremec builds one of the best manuals out there with the TR6060. The TR9080 DCT, however, doesn’t live up to that same standard.

[tmp123]

The Porsche PDK is superb. GM however , decided to save $20 and destroy their iconic car by creating a cheaper and low quality DCT.


The internet is full of horror stories of owners being denied warranty repairs on their GM DCT. GM went as far as requiring a filter change at 7500 exactly or warranty is gone.


Look at what GM did with the 6.2L and thin oil change to meet the EPA requirements ...


General Messup .....We are lucky our Camaros didnt require the EPA BS and the stupid start stop BS.


Do not sell your camaro, there is not much out there unless you have 300k

[m6-lt1]

I like the z06 engine a lot. I know it doesn’t make power until 6k but I like trying different things and the LT6 is the opposite of the LT1/4/the traditional small block Chevys.

This is the vette to have imo. Don’t need 1k hp in a street car and the LT2 powered cars leave a little to be desired as they are just a slightly more powerful LT1.

[TurboC3]

Going to be hard to let go of my ZL1 M6. Purchased while looking for a C7z, still under a warranty. I wanted a car I could track, under warranty. The camaro will remain stock, until GM PPP exp in 2032. I hope. Sorry about sideways pic.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by tmp123

I drove a new 26 Z06 today and it did not impress me coming from a ZL1 6 speed.
It didnt seem that fast off the line and the engine has to get over 6k to start pulling hard. The DCT shifting is just weird...maybe coming from a manual made me feel this way.


The Z06 sounds nice and it has tons of grip. I didnt really get on it since it wasnt my car but it just felt disconnected.


the price was 138K for the Z06


Im keeping my Camaro


Also considering the massive Transmission issues most c8 corvettes are having it once again proves the ZL1 is a keeper.


Any thoughts guys?

Thoughts? Well, stock for stock the Z06 is much more capable. The ZL1 takes some tuning work to beat a C8 Z06. In spite of that, I'd much rather have my ZL1-1LE M6. It's a more engaging car to drive, and I love the brute force nature of it. It's easier to work on, and I prefer the engine architecture.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by tmp123

I drove a new 26 Z06 today and it did not impress me coming from a ZL1 6 speed.
It didnt seem that fast off the line and the engine has to get over 6k to start pulling hard. The DCT shifting is just weird...maybe coming from a manual made me feel this way.


The Z06 sounds nice and it has tons of grip. I didnt really get on it since it wasnt my car but it just felt disconnected.


the price was 138K for the Z06


Im keeping my Camaro


Also considering the massive Transmission issues most c8 corvettes are having it once again proves the ZL1 is a keeper.


Any thoughts guys?

Having owned both, 2021 ZL1 for 4 years and 2023 C8 Z06 for 1 year, I can't agree with your assessment. The Z06 never feels like its lacking torque because of the trans and rear end gearing and how quickly the engine revs and certainly doesn't need to be revved to 6k to start pulling however, it IS a naturally aspirated car and it IS a DOHC engine so some of that power curve is going to be inherent in the design but it certainly does NOT feel like a drawback the way GM has implemented it. The Z06 is also significantly quicker than a stock ZL1 in every way. A manual car will also typically feel quicker but we all know they aren't.

If someone had asked me last year which car to choose, I would have said it depends on whether you want to mod it or not. The ZL1 has plenty of aftermarket parts and most importantly it can be tuned. Fast forward to today, the tuning has been unlocked on the Z06 and I would say, the Z06 is the far better platform although considerably more expensive assuming its within your budget. Stock to stock, the Z06 is still the better car in every way as it should be for the price and based on the superior engine layout.

[FH-ZL1]

These are always interesting conversations and like many things in life, there are never really any "right" answers, only the answer that is "right" for each individual. Cars are like food, clothes and just about everything else, we like what we like and I would never diss anyone for their personal preferences. "Better" can also be a bit subjective and no matter what, there will always be something "better" from either a personal preferences standpoint if not raw numbers standpoint.

In 1972 as a 16 year old kid I purchased my first car which was a 4 speed 68 SS 350 Camaro. Even though by todays standards the difference in price between that car and a similar Corvette at the time is laughable, for a kid with a part time job paying $1.60 an hour at the local Chevy dealership as a parts delivery driver and fill in counterman, a Corvette was in the total unobtainium range price wise for me.

Since then I have owned many Camaros of all generations and trim levels and despite having been blessed enough by life to have moved far beyond my very humble beginnings, I have never owned a Corvette. Chevelle's, (even a true LS6), Nova's and even a beautiful 68 427 SS Impala in addition to the many Camaro's, but not one Corvette.

I have absolutely nothing against them, they are amazing cars and it is certainly not any "reverse snobbery" at play here, but I have just always loved the more "blue collar" aspect of the Camaro. It harkens me back to my roots. It is truly an "every mans (or womans) car" and with the Gen 6, it is also a serious automobile. I will never forget street racing a 16 year old girl in the Golden Gardens park area in Seattle in 1973 with my 68 against her 70 Z-28 she and her brother had built. That car and those early experiences cemented my lifelong love with the "F" body.

With my first Camaro, I drove what I could afford. Today I can drive what I like and I still drive a Camaro. I have found over the decades that I just like "Camaro people" and being around them. (and Mustang people etc too, the friendly rivalry is part of being a "car guy")

I have been truly blessed to have lived through 2 great muscle cars eras and I may have lived through my last barring a change in the current trajectory of the car world. I will always be addicted to the sound of an 8 cylinder engine with some "interesting" mechanical type sounds emanating from it and that ship may have sailed. But I am also in a position of no longer really needing to worry about what cars will be like in 20, 30+ etc years from now. I'll be perfectly happy to drive my ZL1 until they throw dirt on me and if I wear this one out, there almost certainly will always be a supply of current garage queens I can replace it with.

GM (and especially Al Oppenheiser with the Gen 6) did us car people a great favor in giving us (certainly me) the Camaro and I have a lifetime of wonderful memories involving the platform. But like everything in life, YMMV. Life is short and goes by quick so whatever it is, drive what gives you the biggest grin.

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by FH-ZL1

These are always interesting conversations and like many things in life, there are never really any "right" answers, only the answer that is "right" for each individual. Cars are like food, clothes and just about everything else, we like what we like and I would never diss anyone for their personal preferences. "Better" can also be a bit subjective and no matter what, there will always be something "better" from either a personal preferences standpoint if not raw numbers standpoint.

In 1972 as a 16 year old kid I purchased my first car which was a 4 speed 68 SS 350 Camaro. Even though by todays standards the difference in price between that car and a similar Corvette at the time is laughable, for a kid with a part time job paying $1.60 an hour at the local Chevy dealership as a parts delivery driver and fill in counterman, a Corvette was in the total unobtainium range price wise for me.

Since then I have owned many Camaros of all generations and trim levels and despite having been blessed enough by life to have moved far beyond my very humble beginnings, I have never owned a Corvette. Chevelle's, (even a true LS6), Nova's and even a beautiful 68 427 SS Impala in addition to the many Camaro's, but not one Corvette.

I have absolutely nothing against them, they are amazing cars and it is certainly not any "reverse snobbery" at play here, but I have just always loved the more "blue collar" aspect of the Camaro. It harkens me back to my roots. It is truly an "every mans (or womans) car" and with the Gen 6, it is also a serious automobile. I will never forget street racing a 16 year old girl in the Golden Gardens park area in Seattle in 1973 with my 68 against her 70 Z-28 she and her brother had built. That car and those early experiences cemented my lifelong love with the "F" body.

With my first Camaro, I drove what I could afford. Today I can drive what I like and I still drive a Camaro. I have found over the decades that I just like "Camaro people" and being around them. (and Mustang people etc too, the friendly rivalry is part of being a "car guy")

I have been truly blessed to have lived through 2 great muscle cars eras and I may have lived through my last barring a change in the current trajectory of the car world. I will always be addicted to the sound of an 8 cylinder engine with some "interesting" mechanical type sounds emanating from it and that ship may have sailed. But I am also in a position of no longer really needing to worry about what cars will be like in 20, 30+ etc years from now. I'll be perfectly happy to drive my ZL1 until they throw dirt on me and if I wear this one out, there almost certainly will always be a supply of current garage queens I can replace it with.

GM (and especially Al Oppenheiser with the Gen 6) did us car people a great favor in giving us (certainly me) the Camaro and I have a lifetime of wonderful memories involving the platform. But like everything in life, YMMV. Life is short and goes by quick so whatever it is, drive what gives you the biggest grin.

Beautiful insight and perspective. Especially the part where you mention how there is no right or wrong, only right for the person making the choice. It's true, and it took me many years past my late teens and 20's to realize that.


Aging is a gift and I can see that you have appreciated all of your time here and you are grateful for all you have in this life.

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by FH-ZL1

These are always interesting conversations and like many things in life, there are never really any "right" answers, only the answer that is "right" for each individual. Cars are like food, clothes and just about everything else, we like what we like and I would never diss anyone for their personal preferences. "Better" can also be a bit subjective and no matter what, there will always be something "better" from either a personal preferences standpoint if not raw numbers standpoint.

In 1972 as a 16 year old kid I purchased my first car which was a 4 speed 68 SS 350 Camaro. Even though by todays standards the difference in price between that car and a similar Corvette at the time is laughable, for a kid with a part time job paying $1.60 an hour at the local Chevy dealership as a parts delivery driver and fill in counterman, a Corvette was in the total unobtainium range price wise for me.

Since then I have owned many Camaros of all generations and trim levels and despite having been blessed enough by life to have moved far beyond my very humble beginnings, I have never owned a Corvette. Chevelle's, (even a true LS6), Nova's and even a beautiful 68 427 SS Impala in addition to the many Camaro's, but not one Corvette.

I have absolutely nothing against them, they are amazing cars and it is certainly not any "reverse snobbery" at play here, but I have just always loved the more "blue collar" aspect of the Camaro. It harkens me back to my roots. It is truly an "every mans (or womans) car" and with the Gen 6, it is also a serious automobile. I will never forget street racing a 16 year old girl in the Golden Gardens park area in Seattle in 1973 with my 68 against her 70 Z-28 she and her brother had built. That car and those early experiences cemented my lifelong love with the "F" body.

With my first Camaro, I drove what I could afford. Today I can drive what I like and I still drive a Camaro. I have found over the decades that I just like "Camaro people" and being around them. (and Mustang people etc too, the friendly rivalry is part of being a "car guy")

I have been truly blessed to have lived through 2 great muscle cars eras and I may have lived through my last barring a change in the current trajectory of the car world. I will always be addicted to the sound of an 8 cylinder engine with some "interesting" mechanical type sounds emanating from it and that ship may have sailed. But I am also in a position of no longer really needing to worry about what cars will be like in 20, 30+ etc years from now. I'll be perfectly happy to drive my ZL1 until they throw dirt on me and if I wear this one out, there almost certainly will always be a supply of current garage queens I can replace it with.

GM (and especially Al Oppenheiser with the Gen 6) did us car people a great favor in giving us (certainly me) the Camaro and I have a lifetime of wonderful memories involving the platform. But like everything in life, YMMV. Life is short and goes by quick so whatever it is, drive what gives you the biggest grin.

Totally agree here....I think most people just get caught up in "well the Z06/ZR1/ZR1X is faster than the ZL1"...so what...doesn't mean it's the "better" car for someone just because of that. Teslas are generally faster than my ZL1 also but I damn sure don't ever want one. It's personal choice/wants/needs in the end...not "which car is faster"...