Move up from SS1LE to ZL1? - Page 2

Hops · 10-11-2021, 03:05 PM

it's hard to argue against any Camaro purchase one can afford, given all the talk of the Camaro being discontinued, and ICE going away. I'd test drive one... (is that even possible now? with lack of inventory) I've thought about a ZL1 but consumables for tracking are probably too much for me.

arpad_m · 10-11-2021, 03:26 PM

Whoever says there is no or negligible difference on the street is either rationalizing or been there and doesn't care about it anymore. There is a huge difference, and yes, you can't wind a ZL1 out in multiple gears and stay below the impound+jail threshold, but even when you don't, you'll feel the difference. In a built ZL1 (or SS for that matter), well, you'll probably have some brown pants moments, too.

Venomcustom · 10-11-2021, 05:29 PM

Get the ZL1. That’s all I got.

Gunkk · 10-11-2021, 06:09 PM

If you can get the ZL1, then get the ZL1.

s346k · 10-11-2021, 06:29 PM

if you're asking the question, get the ZL1.

i struggled with the same thing very shortly after buying the 1LE. i don't care for features. performance is what i'm after. i decided that a built na approach to keep weight down and reliability up is the best option for me in terms of matching ZL1 performance with an ss car. m6 to m6 its really not too difficult up to 130 mph or so.

N Camarolina · 10-11-2021, 06:29 PM

Do what you want.

Not everybody is as rational as me. I wouldn't spend money on extra power that you for the most part can't use (you made it clear you won't be tracking). Just ask yourself if the thrill you get for 2-3 seconds of acceleration is worth the extra money and whether those brief spurts of extra power will (or won't?) manage to keep a smile on your face over the longer run or whether it will get old.

DaveC113 · 10-11-2021, 06:40 PM

If you can get a ZL1, get a C8 Z06 instead.

LT4Greg · 10-11-2021, 06:54 PM

I upgraded from a 2016 2SS M6 to a slightly used ZL1 back in 2019 and haven’t looked back! Entirely different Camaro as compared to the SS. I don’t plan to track mine and just enjoy the extra hp. Some might say it’s overkill but I made the right decision for me and so far no regrets.

raptor5244 · 10-11-2021, 08:31 PM

I owned a 2013 SS 1LE, 2016 SS, C7 Grand Sport M7 and just picked up a 2021 ZL1 with the A10. The ZL1 is the complete package so if you can afford it, then it is the one to get.

As for power, basically all of these V8 cars are overpowered for the street but I wanted to own a supercharged V8 in my lifetime before they disappear. While it is difficult to use all the ZL1 power on the street it is still a lot of fun having it under your foot. The torque comes on real quick so you don't need to wind it out to feel the extra power. Furthermore, the power is very manageable. That fact that this car an go from mild to wild is one of the things I really dig about it.

From a cost perspective, if you compare a 2SS with 1LE package to a ZL1 there is about a 15k delta and about 2k of that is a darn gas guzzler tax. Anyway, that is the price delta for a factory supercharged LT4 with 195 more hp and torque and the ZL1 badge. It is a pretty hefty jump but it is still a performance bargain if you compare it to anything else out there. I guess you can go C7 Z06 and pay through the nose for a used one or go C8 and pay MSRP and wait a year to get one.

avalonandl · 10-12-2021, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunkk

If you can get the ZL1, then get the ZL1.

I traded in my 2SS M6 and got the ZL with A10.....never looked back....

ember1205 · 10-12-2021, 07:39 AM

I thought about moving to a ZL1 and have decided against it.

Cost isn't a factor for me, and I have ZERO interest in a Corvette for a variety of reasons.

For me, the reason I don't want the ZL1 is predominantly aesthetics and the true lack of choice. The ZL1 is basically built "one way", take it or leave it. I would like different wheels, I don't want the Recaro seats, I don't want any of the fake-suede stuff, and I'd like to at least have the flexibility of an interior trim package that adds accent colors (I really like the Adrenaline Red that I have with the Summit White exterior, but there's nothing at all like this with the ZL1).

I'm never going to be able to truly take any advantage of the power driving around the city streets and it's only going to get me in a LOT of trouble on the highway (I have enough difficulty with the SS staying out of trouble).

If I make a change, it will be to another 2SS Convertible with a couple of slight differences in the options.

raptor5244 · 10-12-2021, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ember1205

I thought about moving to a ZL1 and have decided against it.

Cost isn't a factor for me, and I have ZERO interest in a Corvette for a variety of reasons.

For me, the reason I don't want the ZL1 is predominantly aesthetics and the true lack of choice. The ZL1 is basically built "one way", take it or leave it. I would like different wheels, I don't want the Recaro seats, I don't want any of the fake-suede stuff, and I'd like to at least have the flexibility of an interior trim package that adds accent colors (I really like the Adrenaline Red that I have with the Summit White exterior, but there's nothing at all like this with the ZL1).

I'm never going to be able to truly take any advantage of the power driving around the city streets and it's only going to get me in a LOT of trouble on the highway (I have enough difficulty with the SS staying out of trouble).

If I make a change, it will be to another 2SS Convertible with a couple of slight differences in the options.

That is why it is great they give us so many options.

For me, it was down to a 2SS 1LE or ZL1. I prefer the ZL1 Recaro seats with the red stitching and the ZL1 badge on them more than the grey inserts on the 1LE seats. I also prefer the ZL1 hood, front grill and spoiler to the SS 1LE. The wheels were a toss up as I like them both on the 1LE and ZL1 and the red calipers are nice on the 1LE. Let's face it though, you buy the ZL1 for the same reason one would buy a Z06, CTS-V, GT500, Hellcat, etc. Totally unnecessary but a blast to own.

gpskinzhut · 10-12-2021, 11:22 AM

If I didn't have a ZL1 1LE's worth of house repairs, I'd have traded into a ZL1.

If any of us really truly cared about what was practical for the street, we'd be in V6's or 4's.

Staves · 10-12-2021, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpskinzhut

If any of us really truly cared about what was practical for the street, we'd be in V6's or 4's.

Not true. $35k for my SS new was a good deal. Comparable ZL1 was $25k+ Huge difference.

10-11-2021, 03:26 PM	#16
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 13,440 View My Garage	Whoever says there is no or negligible difference on the street is either rationalizing or been there and doesn't care about it anymore. There is a huge difference, and yes, you can't wind a ZL1 out in multiple gears and stay below the impound+jail threshold, but even when you don't, you'll feel the difference. In a built ZL1 (or SS for that matter), well, you'll probably have some brown pants moments, too. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle Terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

10-11-2021, 06:29 PM	#19
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,485	if you're asking the question, get the ZL1. i struggled with the same thing very shortly after buying the 1LE. i don't care for features. performance is what i'm after. i decided that a built na approach to keep weight down and reliability up is the best option for me in terms of matching ZL1 performance with an ss car. m6 to m6 its really not too difficult up to 130 mph or so. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

10-11-2021, 06:40 PM	#21
DaveC113 Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Front Range, CO Posts: 2,205	If you can get a ZL1, get a C8 Z06 instead. __________________

10-11-2021, 06:54 PM	#22
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,872	I upgraded from a 2016 2SS M6 to a slightly used ZL1 back in 2019 and haven’t looked back! Entirely different Camaro as compared to the SS. I don’t plan to track mine and just enjoy the extra hp. Some might say it’s overkill but I made the right decision for me and so far no regrets. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

10-11-2021, 08:31 PM	#23
raptor5244 Drives: 2022 CT4-V Blackwing Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 2,723	I owned a 2013 SS 1LE, 2016 SS, C7 Grand Sport M7 and just picked up a 2021 ZL1 with the A10. The ZL1 is the complete package so if you can afford it, then it is the one to get. As for power, basically all of these V8 cars are overpowered for the street but I wanted to own a supercharged V8 in my lifetime before they disappear. While it is difficult to use all the ZL1 power on the street it is still a lot of fun having it under your foot. The torque comes on real quick so you don't need to wind it out to feel the extra power. Furthermore, the power is very manageable. That fact that this car an go from mild to wild is one of the things I really dig about it. From a cost perspective, if you compare a 2SS with 1LE package to a ZL1 there is about a 15k delta and about 2k of that is a darn gas guzzler tax. Anyway, that is the price delta for a factory supercharged LT4 with 195 more hp and torque and the ZL1 badge. It is a pretty hefty jump but it is still a performance bargain if you compare it to anything else out there. I guess you can go C7 Z06 and pay through the nose for a used one or go C8 and pay MSRP and wait a year to get one. __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Black - Sold 2013 Camaro SS 1LE - Black - M6 - Sold 2016 Camaro SS - Mosaic Black - A8 - Sold 2017 C7 Stingray - M7 Coupe - Sold 2019 C7 Grand Sport M7 Vert - Sold 2021 Camaro ZL1 - Black - A10 - Sold 2019 Tesla Model 3 2022 CT4-V Blackwing - M6

10-11-2021, 03:05 PM	#15
Hops Drives: 2019 1ss 1le, blue wrap Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Maryland Posts: 635	it's hard to argue against any Camaro purchase one can afford, given all the talk of the Camaro being discontinued, and ICE going away. I'd test drive one... (is that even possible now? with lack of inventory) I've thought about a ZL1 but consumables for tracking are probably too much for me.

10-11-2021, 05:29 PM	#17
Venomcustom Hard to want. Drives: 2020 red hot 1SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Nashville Tennessee Posts: 533	Get the ZL1. That’s all I got.

10-11-2021, 06:09 PM	#18
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 5,179 View My Garage	If you can get the ZL1, then get the ZL1.

10-11-2021, 06:29 PM	#20
N Camarolina Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 975	Do what you want. Not everybody is as rational as me. I wouldn't spend money on extra power that you for the most part can't use (you made it clear you won't be tracking). Just ask yourself if the thrill you get for 2-3 seconds of acceleration is worth the extra money and whether those brief spurts of extra power will (or won't?) manage to keep a smile on your face over the longer run or whether it will get old.

10-12-2021, 07:39 AM	#25
ember1205 Hot Camaro Drives: '20 2SS Convertible 6MT Join Date: May 2020 Location: CT Posts: 3,682	I thought about moving to a ZL1 and have decided against it. Cost isn't a factor for me, and I have ZERO interest in a Corvette for a variety of reasons. For me, the reason I don't want the ZL1 is predominantly aesthetics and the true lack of choice. The ZL1 is basically built "one way", take it or leave it. I would like different wheels, I don't want the Recaro seats, I don't want any of the fake-suede stuff, and I'd like to at least have the flexibility of an interior trim package that adds accent colors (I really like the Adrenaline Red that I have with the Summit White exterior, but there's nothing at all like this with the ZL1). I'm never going to be able to truly take any advantage of the power driving around the city streets and it's only going to get me in a LOT of trouble on the highway (I have enough difficulty with the SS staying out of trouble). If I make a change, it will be to another 2SS Convertible with a couple of slight differences in the options.

10-12-2021, 11:22 AM	#27
gpskinzhut Drives: 2020 Corvette Stingray Z51 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,982 View My Garage	If I didn't have a ZL1 1LE's worth of house repairs, I'd have traded into a ZL1. If any of us really truly cared about what was practical for the street, we'd be in V6's or 4's. __________________ 2020 Corvette 2LT Z51 2017 ZL1 A10: (SOLD) \|\| 2017 2SS M6: (SOLD) \|\| 2014 2LT Convertible: (SOLD) \|\| 2010 2LT M6 Supercharged:(SOLD) \|\| 1987 IROC-Z 5.0 M5: (SOLD)

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