[ckt227]

If you can find a dealer that has a C8 2LT even on the lot, let alone selling for MSRP, my 22 ZL1 would be gone in a second. And I love the ZL1. Rick Hendrick Chevrolet in Naples FL called me a little while back and said they had 2 orphaned C8's because the 2 orders were cancelled by the buyer after they arrived. Asked if they were selling at MSRP. The lady kind of chuckled and said yes MSRP, plus $25k ADM. That was the end of that conversation.

I have not driven a C8 yet, but I have had 3 C6's and 4 C7's, 2 different 2SS 1LE's and 2 ZL1's. It is an apple to oranges comparison in my opinion. They are 2 different beasts.

[Zybane]

I had looked at and sat in a C8 before I bought my ZLE. I was not impressed with the C8. The proportions are goofy and it will age quickly IMO. Then I found out at 6'4" my head touched the roof, and no manual, I put the C8 out of my mind almost instantly.

Manual ZLE way better car IMO. Only the Z06 C8 will be better.

[LT4Greg]

As was said by ckt227, it is an apples to oranges comparison. The C8 is in a class by itself.

[raptor5244]

My thoughts...

Transmission - ZL1 if you want a manual, C8 if you want an auto.
Visibility - C8 with its short downward sloping hood feels great when driving.
Handling - C8 - lighter and mid engine handling dynamics. Puts the power down better.
Power - ZL1 if you prefer the high speed pulls. C8 if you prefer a more nimble chassis and quickness of the DCT.
Value - ZL1 is a better performance value but the C8 will probably hold its value better long term.
Driving feel - IMO, the ZL1 is more visceral. Exhaust is louder and makes great supercharger noise. The C8 feels more refined than ever which takes a lot of the edge off. Feels more GT car. The Z06 should address that.
Styling - subjective of course but both look great.

They are very different cars so you have to soul search and figure out what you really want most out of the car.

[Chippy]

Well I know for a fact there’s no C8 love on the tracks a ZLE will crush it. However the Z06 will change that but at a huge price increase. Z06 will be the shit but it’s knocking on Mclearan and Porsche monies.

[KingLT1]

ZL1. Better car for modding with more robust drive line. Stronger engine and trans. 5k to upgrade clutches in the DCT to go above 600whp. LT2 doesn't have forged Pistons like the LT4. The A10/LT4 combo will handle 1000whp.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by raptor5244

My thoughts...


Handling - C8 - lighter and mid engine handling dynamics. Puts the power down better.
Power - ZL1 if you prefer the high speed pulls. C8 if you prefer a more nimble chassis and quickness of the DCT.

It's hard to consider a car that suffers from inherent understeer and requires extreme camber to complete a corner as a good handling car.

It's low to the ground and feels like a Go-Kart, but nimble... it is not (channeling my inner Yoda )

Here's a classic case of understeer turning into snap oversteer turning into off-track excursion.


Guys, I'm actually out here doing this stuff. I don't just talk from my a$$.

[NG329]

As much as I pretend to not be a fan of the C8, I really do want one. In fact, I'm kind of bummed that the Z06 will likely end up being a mere dream for me since they are impossible to get and production will be very low. E-Ray anyone?

That leaves the C8-Z51 as a potential future addition. Here's how I rank it vs the ZLE:


Handling: ZLE > C8 Z51
In spite of the weight difference and front engine design, the ZLE acquits itself like a much smaller car. It is extremely balanced and does whatever you ask of it. C8 requires tinkering right off of the showroom floor. ZLE does not.

Engine: ZLE > C8 Z51
At the end of the day it's hard to argue with 650 Supercharged horses

Acceleration: TIE
From a Dig you want the C8. Roll racing you want a ZLE

Components: ZLE > C8 Z51
11 heat exchangers, 15.x" rotors, Forged Wheels, Aero, DSSV ....

Visibility: ZLE < C8 Z51
C8 wins here as visibility outside of the cabin is superior to the Camaro.

Comfort: ZLE < C8 Z51
C8 wins again with more compliant suspension, plush seats, and plenty of leg room.

Styling and Desirability: ZLE < C8 Z51
This is really subjective but I would say C8 since it's the 'Flavor of the Week'.

Presence and Intimidation: ZLE > C8 Z51
The ZLE is just straight up Menacing!

Tun-ability ZLE > C8 Z51
C8 limited to piggyback tuning solutions. Camaro in general has endless tuning support and an infinite supply of aftermarket goodies.

Long Term Value and Resale: ZLE < C8 Z51
Right now you have to give it to the C8. The demand is creating a frenzy and dealers are exploiting its novelty for maximum profits. This could change down the road as future corvette versions will diminish the base C8's desirability. Long term, the ZLE might possibly prove to be the rarer car and when our kids are grown it may fetch more $$$$$$.

C8 Z51 and Z06 vs the World
Cars I'd rather have in the $130k-$225k price range:

• Audi R8 V10
• Lamborghini Huracan
• McLaren 570s (GT)
• 911 GT3
• 911 Turbo
• 911 Turbo S
• AMG GT (S, R)

What I Would Like To See:
I would love to see 'Car and Driver' or 'Motor Trend' or some other source equip the C8 Z51 with an R compound tire and put it up against the ZLE.


Food For Thought:
I'm pretty skeptical that the Z06 has achieved a sub 7 minute Nurburgring lap. If they did I'm pretty sure we would have heard about it by now. For now, it might be that the C7 ZR1 (7:06) still reigns supreme here. (*the rumor is also that the ZLE did the 7:16 Nurburgring lap without fully warming the tires to start the lap, and supposedly they simulated a 7:13 which would have tied it with the official C7 Z06 lap.)

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by raptor5244

My thoughts...

Transmission - ZL1 if you want a manual, C8 if you want an auto.
Visibility - C8 with its short downward sloping hood feels great when driving.
Handling - C8 - lighter and mid engine handling dynamics. Puts the power down better.
Power - ZL1 if you prefer the high speed pulls. C8 if you prefer a more nimble chassis and quickness of the DCT.
Value - ZL1 is a better performance value but the C8 will probably hold its value better long term.
Driving feel - IMO, the ZL1 is more visceral. Exhaust is louder and makes great supercharger noise. The C8 feels more refined than ever which takes a lot of the edge off. Feels more GT car. The Z06 should address that.
Styling - subjective of course but both look great.

They are very different cars so you have to soul search and figure out what you really want most out of the car.

raptor, I think you nailed it on the differences between the two cars. I couldn't have said it any better.

It's a testament to the design of the C8 Stingray that it has performance numbers in the same league as the ZL1 with 150 less horses and torque.

No question the C8 Z06 will be a game changer. It's too bad the dealer shenanigans and supply chain issues have thrown the production of this car into a big mess.

This a ZL1 forum so I get all the ZL1 fans. I own one so I'm a big fan too. But you have to ask yourself if performance of the ZL1 is so much better, why is Chevy having so much trouble meeting C8 demand and killing off the cheaper Camaro in two years? Do you really think the market is making that big a mistake?

I get the biggest smile on my face whenever I see these two cars side-by-side in my garage. It's a blessing to be able to own two of Chevy's latest performance cars. They are both great cars in their own right.

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by hawk02

raptor, I think you nailed it on the differences between the two cars. I couldn't have said it any better.

It's a testament to the design of the C8 Stingray that it has performance numbers in the same league as the ZL1 with 150 less horses and torque.

No question the C8 Z06 will be a game changer. It's too bad the dealer shenanigans and supply chain issues have thrown the production of this car into a big mess.

This a ZL1 forum so I get all the ZL1 fans. I own one so I'm a big fan too. But you have to ask yourself if performance of the ZL1 is so much better, why is Chevy having so much trouble meeting C8 demand and killing off the cheaper Camaro in two years? Do you really think the market is making that big a mistake?

I get the biggest smile on my face whenever I see these two cars side-by-side in my garage. It's a blessing to be able to own two of Chevy's latest performance cars. They are both great cars in their own right.

Sweet rides.

By the way, how do you decide which one to drive? Do you just let the mood decide or which one has gas in it?

[ST1LE]

No manual = No fun

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by raptor5244

Sweet rides.

By the way, how do you decide which one to drive? Do you just let the mood decide or which one has gas in it?

Pretty much. Yesterday was a beautiful day for top-down driving so I made an extended beer run in the Corvette during the afternoon. And drove the Camaro to a weekly cruise-in at a local restaurant in the evening. Doesn't get much better than that.

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by hawk02

Pretty much. Yesterday was a beautiful day for top-down driving so I made an extended beer run in the Corvette during the afternoon. And drove the Camaro to a weekly cruise-in at a local restaurant in the evening. Doesn't get much better than that.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by ST1LE

No manual = No fun

I would agree. Probably my biggest disappointment with the Corvette is the DCT. And not because it's a bad transmission, it's not. It's just not a manual and I prefer a manual transmission in my sports cars. I'd feel the same way about my ZL1 if it had the A10.