[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by HemiDave

Will you regret not getting the ZL1?
Thats the only question you should ask yourself.

I got what I wanted.
No regrets.

That is definitely the question. I've just got to figure out the answer. The money is a factor, but not the deciding factor.

[LT4Greg]

It’s your decision ZPirate, but I don’t think you will regret getting a ZL1. You shouldn’t have any worries with the oil pump issue like on some of the 2017s and 2018s. I upgraded from a 2016 2SS non 1LE and haven’t regretted it so far since I bought my used 2017 back in 2019. Good luck and the ultimate decision to upgrade is up to you.��

[CTRifecta]

Assuming you can afford it comfortably, I would ask yourself how do you plan on driving it?



The appeal of the 1LE is that it's a super balanced track-focused car that beginners can take out to the track and have fun with, and still enjoy on the streets. Compared to a ZL1, I'd argue a 1LE is more fun on the street if you stick within speed limits, as you'll get to rev the car out more.



If you plan on going to the drag strip a lot, and/or if highway roll races is what you live for, I see tons of appeal with the ZL1.


20k is interesting though, as your 1LE is probably worth ~45k, and a 2019 ZL1 I would think is around 55-60 tops?

[CHASLT1]

By the time you add the power you almost have what it cost to get the ZL1 from the get go.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by BundiMan

I would say it's not worth it. You already have a great car. You know how you have treated it. You never really know how someone else takes care of their car. It's like being in a relationship; everyone sees how you treat them in public, but you could be a total douche in private, and you would most likely never discover that until their ex is now in a relationship with you. You have a great car; don't save it for the next owner.

Also, with a little more than $20k, you could get it new and a full warranty.

Good point regarding new versus used. I probably wouldn't consider a used ZL1 with more than 10,000 miles. The issue for me is that a new ZL1 would likely cost me another 7 to 10k.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

It’s your decision ZPirate, but I don’t think you will regret getting a ZL1. You shouldn’t have any worries with the oil pump issue like on some of the 2017s and 2018s. I upgraded from a 2016 2SS non 1LE and haven’t regretted it so far since I bought my used 2017 back in 2019. Good luck and the ultimate decision to upgrade is up to you.��

Thanks for the feedback Greg. Your experience is certainly a good barometer having been in a similar situation. Do you daily drive your car or is it a weekend car?

[LT4Greg]

I pretty much drive mine as a daily, sometimes 3 times a week to work and around the city doing errands. I have a 2005 1500 Silverado truck and a 1970 VW Beetle that I can alternate between the 3 so I can keep the mileage down on all of them.

[LateBrakeU2]

I much prefer the aesthetic of the SSL1E over the ZL1. Front end, wheels, rear blade spoiler,matte hood,red brembo's. Sure would love an LT4,but for 20k more and IMO less appealing looks the choice for me was easy.

[Bumbleboy92]

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

What version of the TR-6060 does the SS-E get?

I’d like to say the SS 1LE shares its transmission with the ZL1 since they’re usually sharing parts with the 1LE and FE4 suspension especially since the diffs between them are both eLSD and 3.73. The SS only has LSD, so my hope is they just pushed in the ZL1 transmission as well but can’t be 100% sure

[FarmerFran]

Originally Posted by Bumbleboy92

I’m like to say the SS 1LE shares its transmission with the ZL1 since they’re usually sharing parts with the 1LE and FE4 suspension especially since the diffs between them are both eLSD and 3.73. The SS only has LSD, so my hope is they just pushed in the ZL1 transmission as well but can’t be 100% sure

See the ZL1 has 650HP so the 1st gear is a 62MPH shift. I bet the SS-E has the 2.66 vs the ZL1 2.29 transmission, and for me - that is worth it alone.

[Rock-It Man]

After 13 years in a Gen5 2SS, I have 1500 miles on my 2023 ZL1. Now I realize that the Gen6 SS is quite an upgrade from Gen5, but on the other hand, your SS is a 1SS.

The ZL1, in addition to being a performance monster, has a luxury feel to it that far surpasses even my old 2SS. From the Recaro seats to the Bose sound to the dashboard, this is a great driver interface.

I do think the ZL1 will hold value more than a 1SS also.

[BlackbeastSS2]

Get what u want and build what u want.

My case I knew I wanted a faster car then the stock ZL1 so it made no sense for me to buy one, 540 - 580 RWHP is not going to do it for me. So a forged engine and a ported LT4 plus a few other bells and whistles makes me smile every time I drive the car. It did cost me an extra $20K but IMO totally worth it. The ZL1 is the top model in the Camaro line up and every stock minded person that likes speed should get one. Now a modded SS 1LE and a modded ZL1 can truly be an interesting dual.

This is an ongoing story that will never end. I am sure the GT 5.0 boys and the Shelby gt500 boys have the same stories. But that Shelby has 760 Hp from the factory that looks very intriguing to say the least. Now don’t ask me why GM did not boost the ZL1 numbers up in the final Gen6 year, that was a shame they didn’t and frankly unforgivable IMO.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by LateBrakeU2

I much prefer the aesthetic of the SSL1E over the ZL1. Front end, wheels, rear blade spoiler,matte hood,red brembo's. Sure would love an LT4,but for 20k more and IMO less appealing looks the choice for me was easy.

I agree with you about the anesthetics of the 1LE. The 1LE is bold and in your face aggressive looking for all the reasons you stated. The ZL1 (in non 1LE trim) is overall more understated, although I think the front facia is very aggressive looking. If I do purchase a ZL1 I'll likely have the rear spoiler wrapped in gloss black.

[m6-lt1]

I just upgraded from a 16 1ss with a decent amount of miles to only a 2ss 1le. I had to spend more than 20k to do it. If money wasn’t an issue I would have gotten a zl1. Prior to the used car price hike my goal was to get a 2-3 year old zl1.

Power is my favorite things about cars. I like handling to but power is more fun. One thing to keep in mind is the gearing in the zl1 is less fun than the gearing in the SS. Also a big reason I settled for a 1le was I felt I wouldn’t be able to use all 650 hp on the street. I already feel 100 mph comes up way too quick with just an LT1 engine. Aesthetically I think the 2020+ front end combined with the 1le package looks better than the slightly dated zl1 front end as the zl1 stuck with the 16-18 looks. Looks are also subjective so that’s for you to decide.

One other thing I’ll mention is while I know you said you feel like you don’t want/need the 2ss/zl1 features, they really are nice to have. I originally was going to order a 1ss 1le but I did not want to regret it so I forked over the extra cash and got a 2ss and I’m extremely happy I did. Once you sit in it and get used to the extra fluff you won’t be able to go back to the 1ss interior.I also only drive the car once a week but I’m glad it has all the goodies it has.

Anyway, for only 20k I’d make the jump. Especially since it’s a 19+ zl1. Value wise, if the used market goes back to normal, neither your 1le or zl1 will hold its value well. Pre pandemic (year 2019) you could get 2017 zl1’s for 44-48k. It is possible that will happen again but I don’t have a crystal ball and neither does anyone else. Just something to keep in mind in case value matters to you.

Also that 2019 zl1 won’t have much warranty left. Your 2022 has plenty. Another reason I went new 1le versus used zl1 was the track warranty Chevy gives. Prior to owning a 6th gen I didn’t think I would ever track a car I owned but I decided to do a track day with my last camaro and now I’m hooked. I bet if you decided to track your 1le while it’s under warranty, you’ll have more fun with it than with the 19 zl1 on the street!