[White1SS]

What do you guys feel a clean 1 owner 2017 or 2018 A10 low mileage <5k ZL1 should sell for in today's market?

[Curr]

Trade in? Retail? Wholesale? Private?

All different my friend.

Pull up Cars.com for your local area, select +1/-1 year of your car (as applicable), same with mileage, set the area for 2-3 hours drive (100-200 miles) and look at the prices.

Take the average price and for private sale add ~5%, wholesale I'd say subtract 10%. Trade in probably around wholesale or lower. Remember to re-sell cars dealers need to make a profit, so they'll have profit margins they have to meet.

CarMax and Carvana will give you lowball-ish numbers but could be a starting point.

I'll say that 99% of people way overvalue their cars without doing any research.

[RobZL1]

With that low mileage, $60-63k in my opinion. Problem is finding one if you are in the market. Bump that mileage requirement up to 20k or less, and the selection and price will get much better.

[White1SS]

Thanks guys...I was thinking around 60k. I just don't know whether to put 15k into my 24 SS and void the warranty just to get to ~600whp, or just sell it and purchase a ZL1 and keep it stock. I also know the 17-18 ZL1's have oil pump issues and it's not a cheap fix. Not that it's the deciding factor, but in 10+ years I feel a built SS won't be worth much, but I think a stock ZL1 will hold much of its value.

[Booher]

If you want to mod your ss, you will eventually get used to the zl1 power and want to mod as well. Does it have to be a 17-18 zl1?

[White1SS]

Originally Posted by Booher

If you want to mod your ss, you will eventually get used to the zl1 power and want to mod as well. Does it have to be a 17-18 zl1?

I do like the look of the 17-18 models, and thought they might be a bit less costly than newer 19+ models, but I'm certainly not tied to those years. I like my SS, but just feel it lacks power in today's world. I have a completely stock 05 Mustang GT convertible that's only 300hp, but I don't expect it to be more than it is, it's a cruiser. I also have a 72 Olds Cutlass with a stroked 496 that's probably no quicker than my Camaro, but it sure feels quicker, and has that old school brute force feel to it, it's a lot of fun on the street. My SS is nice, but it's starting to feel very middle of the road, it's not the quickest car by today's standards, or best cruiser, or best sounding, etc. I still think it's a good value, but feel it's like a Jack of all trades, pretty good at a lot things, but not particularly great at any one thing.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by White1SS

I do like the look of the 17-18 models, and thought they might be a bit less costly than newer 19+ models, but I'm certainly not tied to those years. I like my SS, but just feel it lacks power in today's world. I have a completely stock 05 Mustang GT convertible that's only 300hp, but I don't expect it to be more than it is, it's a cruiser. I also have a 72 Olds Cutlass with a stroked 496 that's probably no quicker than my Camaro, but it sure feels quicker, and has that old school brute force feel to it, it's a lot of fun on the street. My SS is nice, but it's starting to feel very middle of the road, it's not the quickest car by today's standards, or best cruiser, or best sounding, etc. I still think it's a good value, but feel it's like a Jack of all trades, pretty good at a lot things, but not particularly great at any one thing.

If you want a raw and brutal Camaro, you need at least 750-800 rwhp or 850-900 crank hp. The stock ZL1 will feel fast for a few days, then you'll get used to its power, it isn't neck snapping either. I've tried everything from a 335 hp V6 to a ~1000hp ZL1, the visceral feel you're looking for isn't there with the stock ZL1.

Addiionally, even the quickest Camaro will feel slow off the line compared to the fastest electric cars, and there is no "normal" tire that'll hold brutal power levels on a RWD car off the line; the more power you add, the higher speed rolls you'll be limited to for WOT.

This means you'd be better off without the ~$20K loss if you just buy a ZL1, even an older one, when you can make your SS much more powerful for the same amount of cash.

On the other hand, the resale value of a ZL1 will always be much higher than that of the SS, because it will remain the highest trim forever, and many are willing to pay the "perceived prestige premium". If you're planning to sell your Camaro, be it your SS or a potential ZL1 in 3-4 years, your overall loss will be much less with an unmolested ZL1 than a built SS (or ZL1), because the hardly anybody will pay the "mod premium" you'll feel fair.

At the end of the day, it's your money, your choice If you want to know what I did in a similar situation, just check my signature.

[radz28]

There might be some technology in the drivetrain that might separate an SS from ZL1, from a performance standpoint, that I think could be argued, but if you're just looking for a missile (for example), some of those technologies could stand in the way, or be unnecessary for what you're trying to do. Bigger brakes (heavier, too); additional cooling (maybe unnecessary for highway rolls, and heavier); ELSD (some people criticize these aren't completely consistent and you have to modify your driving style to get the most out of it/keep it from intervening); pretty stout long block; you can make big power on the 1.7 (porting services) with a fuel system (which you'd end up doing anyways); etc. I think if you were thinking you were going to stay PD blower, ZL1 might be a good start, but if you were going centri' or turbo, you'd be, essentially, starting over with a good bit of that stuff anyways, so SS might have a leg up. Except for a few beefier ZL1 powertrain assemblies, I don't know that one would be missing out much staying with SS.

This is fun little situation you're in.

[KingLT1]

GM doesn't make either anymore, so the SS will hold value just like a ZL1 but at lower number. If you want a ZL1 then get a ZL1, but I wouldn't use that logic to justify one.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by White1SS

I do like the look of the 17-18 models, and thought they might be a bit less costly than newer 19+ models, but I'm certainly not tied to those years. I like my SS, but just feel it lacks power in today's world. I have a completely stock 05 Mustang GT convertible that's only 300hp, but I don't expect it to be more than it is, it's a cruiser. I also have a 72 Olds Cutlass with a stroked 496 that's probably no quicker than my Camaro, but it sure feels quicker, and has that old school brute force feel to it, it's a lot of fun on the street. My SS is nice, but it's starting to feel very middle of the road, it's not the quickest car by today's standards, or best cruiser, or best sounding, etc. I still think it's a good value, but feel it's like a Jack of all trades, pretty good at a lot things, but not particularly great at any one thing.

This is how I feel as well. Neither my SS or SS 1LE were as fun to cruise in as my 07 GT. That felt like a muscle car but my Camaro feels like a full blown sports car.

If you think there’s no brutal feel when you floor it in your SS it’s even worse in the SS 1LE. These cars hide the speed too well and don’t really feel that fast when we step on them.

You answered your question though when your brought up value. Go for the ZL1. Like you mentioned though upgrade the oil pump or find one that had it done. I’ve seen multiple ZL1’s were the carfax showed it was done.

One poster said that the ZL1 will also get boring. He may be correct but all of us have different requirements for speed/getting pushed back in the seat. Also if you want more power it’s way easier and cheaper to add a little extra power in the zl1 than it is on our SS’s.

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

My 2 cents, the power hit when going WOT in my ZL1 always SHOCKS the crap out of passengers riding with me! It is a thrill that compares to none! To hear words like Holly SH$, WOW, now that's impressive, and my favorite of all time! "Don't EVER do that again with me in the car"... enough said!

[White1SS]

A lot of good points !


The decision would be easier for me if my car was a couple years older and out of warranty, or even close to being out of warranty. I just don't know if I can bring myself to void the warranty on a year old car. All the recent talk about oil issues with 6.2's has me paranoid as well.

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

Originally Posted by White1SS

A lot of good points !


The decision would be easier for me if my car was a couple years older and out of warranty, or even close to being out of warranty. I just don't know if I can bring myself to void the warranty on a year old car. All the recent talk about oil issues with 6.2's has me paranoid as well.

If it helps. I voided mine with at 99 miles (less than 100) !!!! Remember, it's not a decision, it's a passion ! Good luck on what ever you decide !

[White1SS]

Originally Posted by 2023_ZL1-AUTO

If it helps. I voided mine with at 99 miles (less than 100) !!!! Remember, it's not a decision, it's a passion ! Good luck on what ever you decide !

You have no idea of the amount of sleep I would lose voiding a perfectly good warranty...lol.
On the other hand, I'm getting older and want to experience the full joy of a truly fast car while I still have the ability and nerve to do so.