[hawk02]

Okay. So yesterday I drove the ZL1 for the first time in 5 months. I put it away right after Veterans Day. At the end of December, I head for Florida for the winter. I just got back to Ohio on Thursday. I had the C8 transported to Florida so I drove it regularly during the winter months.

Here's my initial assessment of the ZL1 compared to the C8 after a five month hiatus.

1. My goodness does it feel big compared to the Corvette.

2. The small windows and high sides make it feel like you're driving in a bunker. I was surprised how close to the steering wheel I have the driver seat adjusted.

3. Yep, there's a lot, and I mean a lot more plastic to the interior than I remember.

4. The side-view mirrors seem tiny compared to the C8

5. Handling was much better than I remembered. Yes, there's more body roll than the C8. Because you're sitting closer to the front axle on the C8, it feels like the car pivots around you when talking a corner. With the ZL1, it feels like you have to wait for the front end to turn first. Overall I'd say the alpha platform is damn good for such a big car.

6. The ZL1 once again confirmed my perception of a totally visceral driving experience. Jump on the throttle and the car throws you back in the seat and just starts to pull like crazy. It makes you a little nervous what the car might do next. When you finally let off the throttle you can't help but have a big grin on your face. The C8, on the other hand, is very smooth and sophisticated. It won't throw you back or give you that feeling of pulling. But it does feel light, quick and planted. You look down at the speedometer and you're shocked how fast you're going. It doesn't feel like you were going that fast. If I didn't have the convertible where I can drop the top at the press of button, I could see myself getting a little bored with the C8. I don't think I'll ever say that about the ZL1.

No question the ZL1 and C8 are definitely the ying and yang of the Chevy performance line. I'm anxious to see reviews of the Z06. Will the extra 175 horses compensate for the relative lack of torque on the low end? I firmly believe all that low-end torque coming from the LT4 is what makes the ZL1 so much fun to drive. Will revving to 8500 rpm do the same for the Corvette?

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by hawk02

Okay. So yesterday I drove the ZL1 for the first time in 5 months. I put it away right after Veterans Day. At the end of December, I head for Florida for the winter. I just got back to Ohio on Thursday. I had the C8 transported to Florida so I drove it regularly during the winter months.

Here's my initial assessment of the ZL1 compared to the C8 after a five month hiatus.

1. My goodness does it feel big compared to the Corvette.

2. The small windows and high sides make it feel like you're driving in a bunker. I was surprised how close to the steering wheel I have the driver seat adjusted.

3. Yep, there's a lot, and I mean a lot more plastic to the interior than I remember.

4. The side-view mirrors seem tiny compared to the C8

5. Handling was much better than I remembered. Yes, there's more body roll than the C8. Because you're sitting closer to the front axle on the C8, it feels like the car pivots around you when talking a corner. With the ZL1, it feels like you have to wait for the front end to turn first. Overall I'd say the alpha platform is damn good for such a big car.

6. The ZL1 once again confirmed my perception of a totally visceral driving experience. Jump on the throttle and the car throws you back in the seat and just starts to pull like crazy. It makes you a little nervous what the car might do next. When you finally let off the throttle you can't help but have a big grin on your face. The C8, on the other hand, is very smooth and sophisticated. It won't throw you back or give you that feeling of pulling. But it does feel light, quick and planted. You look down at the speedometer and you're shocked how fast you're going. It doesn't feel like you were going that fast. If I didn't have the convertible where I can drop the top at the press of button, I could see myself getting a little bored with the C8. I don't think I'll ever say that about the ZL1.

No question the ZL1 and C8 are definitely the ying and yang of the Chevy performance line. I'm anxious to see reviews of the Z06. Will the extra 175 horses compensate for the relative lack of torque on the low end? I firmly believe all that low-end torque coming from the LT4 is what makes the ZL1 so much fun to drive. Will revving to 8500 rpm do the same for the Corvette?

Thanks for the feedback. I am focused on the "fun" part of your review. The C8 sounds like it is more surgical, whereas the ZL1 handles well but adds that extra visceral grunt from the LT4 that tickles the senses. The ZL1 on the alpha chassis has this ability to go from mild to wild real quick. I felt the C8 is great but less wild, maybe more serious with its mid engine driving dynamics is the right way to put it.

That said, if they offered a manual in the C8 I would have probably ordered one already since the increased driving engagement of the manual would offset the lack of the supercharged LT4.

[Grozny]

Originally Posted by Sindri

I just want to know where I can go test drive all 3!?!

I've got a deposit in to order a car with one of the larger Chevy dealers on the east coast and he has... 1 Camaro (V6 convertible) and 1 C8 Corvette (used, 2LT convertible) in stock.

Yep, plenty of inventory. It was definitely nice to have the selection and ability to drive them all back-to-back. I'm leaning towards ordering a ZL1 at the moment. The C8 platform is here to stay, and will only get better. I want to see Red Hot on a ZL1 in person before ordering, but there's none in the Houston area at the moment. I test drove the Rapid Blue and liked the color, but not sure I'd be in a "Rapid Blue Mood" every day. I loved the way black looked in pictures, but I went and saw one this morning and it didn't come across the same.
https://www.beckmastensouth.com/used-vehicles/

[NG329]

Originally Posted by hawk02

Will the extra 175 horses compensate for the relative lack of torque on the low end?

It definitely won't because the C8 Z06 torque figure is not impressive. It is a high strung car that will need to be kept at high rpms for max performance. I still expect it to lose roll races .... and to be frank, I don't expect it to be a sub 7 minute Nurburgring car, but I could be wrong. We'll see.

On the other hand, my gut feeling tells me that an LT5 powered ZL1 1LE or a Magnuson 2650 equipped ZL1 1LE would be a sub 7 min Nurburgring car. Unfortunately that may never be tested.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by NG329

It definitely won't because the C8 Z06 torque figure is not impressive. It is a high strung car that will need to be kept at high rpms for max performance. I still expect it to lose roll races .... and to be frank, I don't expect it to be a sub 7 minute Nurburgring car, but I could be wrong. We'll see.

On the other hand, my gut feeling tells me that an LT5 powered ZL1 1LE or a Magnuson 2650 equipped ZL1 1LE would be a sub 7 min Nurburgring car. Unfortunately that may never be tested.

Torque can be remedied rather easily with gearing so I don't see it being an issue at all with the Z06.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Torque can be remedied rather easily with gearing so I don't see it being an issue at all with the Z06.

Unfortunately it's not that straight forward. On smaller tracks/courses it might help but any time you make up with a shorter ratio, you will lose banging through the gears. Also you lose a lot of top end.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by NG329

Unfortunately it's not that straight forward. On smaller tracks/courses it might help but any time you make up with a shorter ratio, you will lose banging through the gears. Also you lose a lot of top end.

It is that simple though, and top end can be remedied with more gears and more power. The bottom line here is that GM didn't design this engine to disappoint anyone. You can forget what you think about it. It doesn't lack torque at all, it just doesn't make quite as much as an LT4.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

It is that simple though, and top end can be remedied with more gears and more power. The bottom line here is that GM didn't design this engine to disappoint anyone. You can forget what you think about it. It doesn't lack torque at all, it just doesn't make quite as much as an LT4.

I didn't say it lacked torque. I said it was unimpressive. To your credit though, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Maybe the Z06 will pull a "Porsche" and do more with less. I will gladly eat my words if the Z06 is sub 7 minutes, but I honestly can't see it, and I've literally turned thousands of laps over the last two decades.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by NG329

I didn't say it lacked torque. I said it was unimpressive. To your credit though, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Maybe the Z06 will pull a "Porsche" and do more with less. I will gladly eat my words if the Z06 is sub 7 minutes, but I honestly can't see it, and I've literally turned thousands of laps over the last two decades.

How can you say its unimpressive though? No one has driven one yet.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

How can you say its unimpressive though? No one has driven one yet.

The 'claimed torque figure' is unimpressive (to me anyways). 460ftlb of torque is only 5ftlb more than the Camaro SS, and it is made at a much higher RPM.
This is all just my opinion so obviously don't put any weight on it. With that said, it's widely known in racing communities that Peak horsepower doesn't equate to winning races. While 670hp from a NA engine is in fact impressive..... on paper, it just seems to me that it could be a recipe for a peaky powerband.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by NG329

The 'claimed torque figure' is unimpressive (to me anyways). 460ftlb of torque is only 5ftlb more than the Camaro SS, and it is made at a much higher RPM.
This is all just my opinion so obviously don't put any weight on it. With that said, it's widely known in racing communities that Peak horsepower doesn't equate to winning races. While 670hp from a NA engine is in fact impressive..... on paper, it just seems to me that it could be a recipe for a peaky powerband.

Peak torque isn't everything either otherwise a semi truck would be a 1/4 mile king. Both are important but gearing helps to keep an engine where it performs beat. I won't disagree that the powerband will feel different but it's really that way with all NA engines compared to a PD blower engine.

[KaMaRow]

So I sold my 2021 3lt z51 c8 and got the 2022 zl1. Here is why...this is my personal experience and my personal opinion and im not saying anyone else is right or wrong.

1. I found the C8 to be too refined. it s great driving experience if you want to go to sleep. sure it has acceleration it has handling but... its so dialed in its boring. In comparison the ZL1 feel like a race car and feels every bit of its 650 HP. The c8 i could hit a 120 and still ask the passenger if they wanted tea with their crumpets.

2. the constant engine noise behind my head got annoying. you can hear the lifters and fuel injectors ticking away . evetime the engine goes from v4 to v8 mode there is a strange sound that got on my nerves.

3. The attention got annoying. if a stood still for more then 3 seconds someone wanted to talk about the car. Plus it (for me) attracted the wrong attention. I guess everyone thought i was some mogul and were constantly asking what i did for a living and if i wanted to invest in this and that.

4. I owned the C8 for about 7 months and I have had the Zl1 for 2 months now. I live on very curvy very inclined mountain roads and im sorry to say but the zl1 will beat the c8 up any hill side. we timed it several times with two different drivers and the zl1 won every time. ( my buddy owns both a c8 and zl1 as well and we got same results in his cars)

5. The C8 is a driver oriented car. it really isolates the passenger to the point of they are in this little compartment. where the ZL1 is more open and inviting to the passenger.

6. The Zl1s mid range 60-100 is better it gets up and screams the C8 sorta has to get going there is a real dead spot in the c8s 60 to 100. yes the c8 has a great 0-60 but at a roll even my 21 supra could leave it at a rolling 60

7. speaking of the 0-60. it is stated that it is 2.9 seconds. Both me and my buddy with both our c8s mine a 21 and his a 22 absolutely under no circumstances could hit that. the best we could ever get was 3.1. we tried different elevations different levels of fuel different drivers different temperatures a drag strip and nothing we did were we able to get 2.9 out of the car.

For pure driving thrills the ZL1 is a far better car but for over all package let me tell you my list of positives for the C8.

1. Gas mileage is far better in the c8 then the Zl1

2. the interior at least on my 3lt is far superior, it is way more refined and comfy compared to the ZL1.

3. The premium stereo is wow. The premium stereo in the ZL1 is no slouch but the c8 is just that much better.

4. The C8 has hype the ZL1 does not. the C8 will get attention everywhere. and in my area at least no one looks twice at the ZL1 as most people see it as just a Camaro. so if attention and looking important is valuable to you defiantly get the C8.


for me personally I dont think the C8 lived up to the hype. Its a great car dont get me wrong. I would most likely own another one once the stupidity of pricing dies off. in my area t least you can find used c8s everywhere. there are thousands and thousands for sale on line with less then 5k miles. Because I think most people were like me and said its a great car but eh....

I have owned many high power cars and I think if you have then the C8 is sorta eh... fun but eh... if you haven't owned fancy high powered cars then the C8 is gonna make you man hood 3 inches bigger.

Im on 8 wait lists for the z06 and most dealers have 300 plus z06 orders. once z06s hit i think you are gonna find a flood of used c8s everywhere for much lower prices.

as for the zl1 you aren't gonna see then on every corner and i feel they will become collectable here soon.


plus something to consider. Ive been told that the drivers at the corvette driving school all drive Zl1s in their personal lives. more then a few YouTube reviewers who have test drove and reviewed the c8 and zl1 picked a zl1 as their own car. and one of gms top drivers has a zl1 as his personal car ....


any point i have made can be argued either way as with anything my opinions are as subjective as yours. I might feel the c8 is to refined while someone else might feel its balls out the best thing ever. its all personal preference really. they are both great cars and you cant loose with either. except the mark up on c8s LOL

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by KaMaRow

So I sold my 2021 3lt z51 c8 and got the 2022 zl1. Here is why...this is my personal experience and my personal opinion and im not saying anyone else is right or wrong.

1. I found the C8 to be too refined. it s great driving experience if you want to go to sleep. sure it has acceleration it has handling but... its so dialed in its boring. In comparison the ZL1 feel like a race car and feels every bit of its 650 HP. The c8 i could hit a 120 and still ask the passenger if they wanted tea with their crumpets.

2. the constant engine noise behind my head got annoying. you can hear the lifters and fuel injectors ticking away . evetime the engine goes from v4 to v8 mode there is a strange sound that got on my nerves.

3. The attention got annoying. if a stood still for more then 3 seconds someone wanted to talk about the car. Plus it (for me) attracted the wrong attention. I guess everyone thought i was some mogul and were constantly asking what i did for a living and if i wanted to invest in this and that.

4. I owned the C8 for about 7 months and I have had the Zl1 for 2 months now. I live on very curvy very inclined mountain roads and im sorry to say but the zl1 will beat the c8 up any hill side. we timed it several times with two different drivers and the zl1 won every time. ( my buddy owns both a c8 and zl1 as well and we got same results in his cars)

5. The C8 is a driver oriented car. it really isolates the passenger to the point of they are in this little compartment. where the ZL1 is more open and inviting to the passenger.

6. The Zl1s mid range 60-100 is better it gets up and screams the C8 sorta has to get going there is a real dead spot in the c8s 60 to 100. yes the c8 has a great 0-60 but at a roll even my 21 supra could leave it at a rolling 60

7. speaking of the 0-60. it is stated that it is 2.9 seconds. Both me and my buddy with both our c8s mine a 21 and his a 22 absolutely under no circumstances could hit that. the best we could ever get was 3.1. we tried different elevations different levels of fuel different drivers different temperatures a drag strip and nothing we did were we able to get 2.9 out of the car.

For pure driving thrills the ZL1 is a far better car but for over all package let me tell you my list of positives for the C8.

1. Gas mileage is far better in the c8 then the Zl1

2. the interior at least on my 3lt is far superior, it is way more refined and comfy compared to the ZL1.

3. The premium stereo is wow. The premium stereo in the ZL1 is no slouch but the c8 is just that much better.

4. The C8 has hype the ZL1 does not. the C8 will get attention everywhere. and in my area at least no one looks twice at the ZL1 as most people see it as just a Camaro. so if attention and looking important is valuable to you defiantly get the C8.


for me personally I dont think the C8 lived up to the hype. Its a great car dont get me wrong. I would most likely own another one once the stupidity of pricing dies off. in my area t least you can find used c8s everywhere. there are thousands and thousands for sale on line with less then 5k miles. Because I think most people were like me and said its a great car but eh....

I have owned many high power cars and I think if you have then the C8 is sorta eh... fun but eh... if you haven't owned fancy high powered cars then the C8 is gonna make you man hood 3 inches bigger.

Im on 8 wait lists for the z06 and most dealers have 300 plus z06 orders. once z06s hit i think you are gonna find a flood of used c8s everywhere for much lower prices.

as for the zl1 you aren't gonna see then on every corner and i feel they will become collectable here soon.


plus something to consider. Ive been told that the drivers at the corvette driving school all drive Zl1s in their personal lives. more then a few YouTube reviewers who have test drove and reviewed the c8 and zl1 picked a zl1 as their own car. and one of gms top drivers has a zl1 as his personal car ....


any point i have made can be argued either way as with anything my opinions are as subjective as yours. I might feel the c8 is to refined while someone else might feel its balls out the best thing ever. its all personal preference really. they are both great cars and you cant loose with either. except the mark up on c8s LOL

Thanks for the detailed feedback. I only had a limited amount of seat time in the C8 Z51 I drove but like you said I found the C8 to be a bit subdued and less visceral than the ZL1. Sure if you push the C8 the handling is excellent and all but when I push the ZL1 it can offer another level of excitement.

You have pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. A performance car that is less refined can be more “fun” to drive. Now the Z06 powerplant should help and obviously sound better but I wonder how much so on the street. The torque figure will be about the same so you will really need to wind it out to experience it, which is a bit tough on the street. Plus with no option for a manual in the Z06 it will lack some engagement. The ZL1 by comparison delivers tons of torque down low so you can experience more of it on the street.

The price/performance of the ZL1 is really incredible, probably only the SS 1LE is a better value. Hellcats are too big and heavy, the Redeye is like $87k in my area. Gt500 don’t exist and cost too much, C8s are hard to get or marked up and like you said, just eh? If I didn’t have the ZL1 I would probably just go back to a Miata with a 6 speed and rip through the gears.

[KaMaRow]

Originally Posted by raptor5244

Thanks for the detailed feedback. I only had a limited amount of seat time in the C8 Z51 I drove but like you said I found the C8 to be a bit subdued and less visceral than the ZL1. Sure if you push the C8 the handling is excellent and all but when I push the ZL1 it can offer another level of excitement.

You have pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. A performance car that is less refined can be more “fun” to drive. Now the Z06 powerplant should help and obviously sound better but I wonder how much so on the street. The torque figure will be about the same so you will really need to wind it out to experience it, which is a bit tough on the street. Plus with no option for a manual in the Z06 it will lack some engagement. The ZL1 by comparison delivers tons of torque down low so you can experience more of it on the street.

The price/performance of the ZL1 is really incredible, probably only the SS 1LE is a better value. Hellcats are too big and heavy, the Redeye is like $87k in my area. Gt500 don’t exist and cost too much, C8s are hard to get or marked up and like you said, just eh? If I didn’t have the ZL1 I would probably just go back to a Miata with a 6 speed and rip through the gears.

Like I said don't get me wrong the C8 is a great car and if it was available at the 60k range like it was suppose to be then it would be amaze balls. but when the average used one is 100k plus... forget it. dollar for performance I dont think much can touch the ZL1. If you want a pure drivers car the ZL1 is the one you want. if you want a comfy plus grand touring car with some chops then the c8 is what you want.

Something else to consider is look at how GM builds them. The C8 comes with all seasons . It is a touring street car first and a track car second. The ZL1 comes with track tires. Its a track car first and a street car second.

I think owning both is a great combo and perfect stable of cars. Only reason I sold my c8 was the stupid and I mean stupid amount of money I was offered. But if I personally had to chose just one to own it would be the ZL1 and I am honestly not that big of a Camaro fan to tell the truth. so that should say something LOL


As for car prices yes they are stupid on every car. IM about to get out of cars because of it. I love my cars but I think I would rather buy a investment house and travel the world instead. I have just placed my order for the lotus Emira and other then the z06 (if i get one) this will be the last high end car i get. about time to just get a old used truck and live the farm life LOL