[TRZ06]

I posted this in the ZL1 section, but for those that spend most of their time here, I thought I would cross post it here (MODS, I hope you don't mind)

Got bored today and decided to go test drive the ZL1 1LE. My local dealer has 3 of them.

Let me start by saying that the last time I test drove one was when I was thinking of replacing my lease-end M3 with one, before I knew about the SS 1LE.

So, lets get the elephant in the room out of the way first...

RIDE QUALITY:

Now, my M3 had Ohlin coilovers on it and was pretty stiff and harsh around town. Driving the ZL1 1LE at that time was actually a bit of an improvement over the Ohlin set-up I had.

Fast forward to today and after 6 mths of SS 1LE ownership...

You get spoiled by the MRC!!! Damn, the ZL1 1LE was pretty harsh now by comparison. For driving around town and a quick jot on the freeway, the damping didn't feel any better than the MRC, although I am sure it would with triple digit speeds, but damn there is a BIG ride quality difference. You bounce around A LOT more, you forget just how good the MRC is.

I also have the ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings upgrade, so the ZL1 1LE didn't feel any more solid that my car does in that regard, but from a stock SS 1LE and remembering what it felt like before the upgrade, the ZL1 1LE does feel more solid feeling in stock form in the rear-end.

POWER:

Wow, so much quicker feeling, but you also have to be careful. Between those tires that need more time to warm up and the added HP & TQ, mashing 1st is a no-no. While I enjoyed the added throw you back in the seat feel, I think the SS 1LE is more satisfying to drive off track as even with the tires not up to temp, you can still pretty much mash the throttle in 1st gear and just go, as long as it isn't 30 degrees out.

Also because of the added HP and TQ and supercharger, Track Mode throttle mapping doesn't feel nearly as anemic as it does in the SS 1LE.

The clutch pedal has a stiffer feel to it and takes a little more muscle to push in, probably because of stiffer clutch springs to adjust to the added power.

EXHAUST SOUND / LOUDNESS: This only applies to aftermarket exhausts, since I have the Corsa Cat-back system, but going back to a stock exhaust, it sounded weak by comparison, I just love the sound of the Corsa system over stock.

Love the wing from the outside, but damn, it is right smack in the middle of the rearview mirror, not optimum for daily driving.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
The ZL1 1LE is BAD ASS, but I choose the right car for me in the SS 1LE.

Since the dealer let me test drive it and I didn't want to be a total dick and just say bye, I decided to let the dealer "run numbers" just for fun. They offered $30K for my 2SS 1LE with 8K miles on the clock. LOL.

[appleman22]

You already posted this in the Zl1 section. Why copy and paste?

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by appleman22

You already posted this in the Zl1 section. Why copy and paste?

I did indeed, and I made a note of that in my first sentence on this thread. Some may not visit both, so I didn't see the harm.

Too bad you can't cross post in multiple forums and have them merged on the back-end.

Anyhow, don't be offended

[Bosse'sBoss]

From what you mentioned, probably you would love instead the base ZL1

[WhyUMad1LE]

My favorite 6th gen is an SS 1LE with heads/cam/longtubes. I may try the solid bushings if they get rid of the wheelhop.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by Bosse'sBoss

From what you mentioned, probably you would love instead the base ZL1

Possibly, but then I thought about the weight penalty up front. That is more weight over the front axle and my main goal was handling balance over straight line accelaration.

I also like the cosmetic looks of the SS 1LE over the ZL1. But the SS 1LE wheels on a ZL1, hmmmm

[Boost Creep]

They offered you $30k for your car, and you know monday morning it will be on their front line for $42k.




Stealership.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by Boost Creep

They offered you $30k for your car, and you know monday morning it will be on their front line for $42k.




Stealership.

Yep, most are all the same. You just come to expect it and play your own game. If I was serious about trading, I would be a bit peeved, but this was just for fun and to see how my perception had changed from going to the M3 to the ZL1 1LE , compared to now of having the SS 1LE for 6 mths.

It was enlightning and I wanted to share with the forum members that are interested in my observations.

[Camarentino]

Stick with what you have. People get so caught up in hp and tq numbers these days. As I get older I now realize that there is such a thing as too much power. Personally anything more than 500whp is too much to have fun with on the street. It's another thing entirely if you race the car though. Just my 2 cents.

[Boost Creep]

[beedo]

The ss 1le is so much fun and 200 more hp sounds amazing but I feel it would take away driving on the street trying to keep the ass end under you. I just got mine and I'm sure I'll get use to the power but damn it's a fun car. But damn these seats are tight, lol. 6' 285 td the wife I gotta go on a DIET

[Uncle Sam]

Thanks for posting, I usually just check this section of Camaro 6. Your dealer has three? Mine has none and they keep a lot of cars. They have at least six ZL1s. BTW, the Sebring Orange color looks good if you can live with it.

Using 455HP is tough to do on the street but I would still like to have the extra 200. Is it worth $25,000 more? Maybe. Be nice to have.

Roughly, how much were the ZL1 cradle bushings installed? Might consider them.

[L99BEN]

Seriously, two threads on this??

[TheRealJA105]

Originally Posted by appleman22

You already posted this in the Zl1 section. Why copy and paste?

Originally Posted by L99BEN

Seriously, two threads on this??

He really really needs to tell everyone "why" he won't buy a ZLE.

Just go post this stuff on the stupid facebook groups, people there might care and agree with you.