[ZL1Jetsfan]

I've never owned a domestic vehicle, let alone one with 650hp. I have many questions. Firstly all my local dealers will not allow test drives. How big of a difference is there between an SS and ZL1 regarding how they drive and power? Price is another issue. I've seen similar cars advertised with very different pricing. How much has the dealer discounted your purchases? When I go to the bank to get pre approval they'll want to know how much I need? Since I can't drive one, I have no idea which model I want to buy.

[Junkyardspecial]

They will usually let you drive it if you are serious about buying and have funds.

The 650hp is a major difference to the SS. Ive driven both and own the zl1 and it never ceases to wake me up when I hit it. It is not a slow car at all. If you thought the SS was fast, add 50% to that essentially.

Tell them you want to take your own loan out and when you get a buyers order thats usually good enough to apply for a loan with.

[arpad_m]

SS: wow, this is fast
ZL1: holy s***

I bought the SS new and then added a supercharger, it was like getting a 40% faster car all of a sudden. All things considered, dealer gave me ~10% off MSRP on my order.

Very hard to answer the "what should I buy" question without knowing you, but if you can swing the ZL1 financially, go for it; if not, the SS will not disappoint unless you come from vehicles that put down 500+ rwhp to the tires. The SS has about 390-400 rwhp and the ZL1 about 540-570 rwhp in general.

[JonDaddy82]

To me, the ZL1 made more sense. I knew if I bought the SS I'd be doing 10K+ (which I don't get back) in mods to make it how I wanted it, and the ZL1 is much much closer from the factory. ZL1 already had:

- nicer interior
- side skirts
- front splitter
- cooler hood
- cooler front bumper
- nicer wheels and tires
- bigger brakes
- stronger rear end
- SUPERCHARGER!
- lets not forget RED SEAT BELTS!
- etc etc

All that adds up to 10K+ in a hurry, and it's easier for me to do $200 more a month in payment, than hundreds if not thousands a month here and there for mods to have a never finished car. My insurance and LTV are also right in line with what the car is, vs having to fight with insurance or lenders on a modded SS.

[LT4Greg]

You might consider a low mileage used ZL1 over a new one to save some money. Mine was used with less than 500 miles when I bought it in early March. I had a 2016 2SS and it was fast but the ZL1 is scary fast to me! I didn’t drive a ZL1 before I got mine except to take a 2 mile drive while the paperwork was being done. The ZL1 has the manners of a SS until you kick in the supercharger and then it’s hold on time! Whichever one you get depends on your financial situation though but either Camaro will be a good choice!

[LT4Greg]

Yeah JD82 I agree about the red seat belts too!!

[G37Sam]

Given your username and the subforum this is in, it sounds like you'll regret not getting a ZL1.

[F419sr1]

Like mentioned above. If you already approved and going to buy there is really no reason not to let you test drive one. If the salesman says no ask for a manager. I gave them a deposit and the handed me the keys no salesman for a ride along. Didn’t need to go far to make my mind up. I had driven a SS before

[Chris357]

Originally Posted by JonDaddy82

To me, the ZL1 made more sense. I knew if I bought the SS I'd be doing 10K+ (which I don't get back) in mods to make it how I wanted it, and the ZL1 is much much closer from the factory. ZL1 already had:

- nicer interior
- side skirts
- front splitter
- cooler hood
- cooler front bumper
- nicer wheels and tires
- bigger brakes
- stronger rear end
- SUPERCHARGER!
- lets not forget RED SEAT BELTS!
- etc etc

All that adds up to 10K+ in a hurry...

1,000 times this.

The Z literally lacks nothing. Doesn’t aspire to be anything more.


And the Z will not depreciate like an SS.

[Scottyz]

Get the ZL1 if you can swing it. I ordered mine without having even looked at a ZL1 in person. When it arrived at the dealership and I went to look at it believe me my jaw was on the ground. So sexy.
Performance. I’ve driven lots of nice and lots of pretty fast cars. This car to me is a total package of absolute awesomeness. True performance car. In fact I’m glad I didn’t buy the Z06 I was going to purchase. It was a an awesome car too but when I was looking the two cars over on paper honestly the ZLE just felt right and boy I don’t regret it one bit.
If you can get a ZL1.
If not try and get a SS 1LE. Even the SS models are still great cars but I bet you will often think you should have bought the big dog.

[cbr1100xx]

Originally Posted by ZL1Jetsfan

I've never owned a domestic vehicle, let alone one with 650hp. I have many questions. Firstly all my local dealers will not allow test drives. How big of a difference is there between an SS and ZL1 regarding how they drive and power? Price is another issue. I've seen similar cars advertised with very different pricing. How much has the dealer discounted your purchases? When I go to the bank to get pre approval they'll want to know how much I need? Since I can't drive one, I have no idea which model I want to buy.

I never apply for any loan until I know what I'm getting first. I would test drive whatever first and then apply. Or to get GM's rebates, I always finance with them for like a month or so and then refinance the loan with my credit union.

If they wouldn't let me test drive a ZL1, then I wouldn't buy one. With that said, I find the reserves of power my SS on the street as gigantic and it's hard for me to even utilize it without hitting 80 in no time. A ZL1 would be complete overkill for me. But if $ was no object, then why not but I still prefer the n/a SS.

[CruisintheCountryLife]

I test drove 2 new ZL1s, one used ZL1, an SS 1LE and a used Z06 before purchasing. Try to find a dealer with a used one. They’re more likely to allow you to drive one with miles on it then a car with zero miles. I’m not sure if I got lucky to test drive so many different cars before signing my name but if you’re serious than they will most likely want to please you and get your business.

Also, the SS 1LE was a crazy fun car to drive, the ZL1 was just crazy haha