[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Wrong! LOL!

That one is great but the 5th gen SS’s left a lot to be desired.

Op, the SS is also stolen a lot so you still have to be very careful. I didn’t see that you are coming from a Miata. The SS will feel like a rocket ship compared to that car haha. In reality, I think the SS, especially in 1LE form feels like a big miata. They put power down really well. The standard SS handles good enough for public roads, you’ll never get to its limits.

I can see one of two things happening to you based on the extra background information you gave about your cars. You buy the SS and take it to the track and fall in love, or you miss being able to drive your Miata on the “edge” on public roads. The SS is too capable to do that in.

By the way, the 6th gen Camaro isn’t a muscle car. It’s too good to be a muscle car. It’s a full fledged sports car with the heart of a muscle car/V8. If you want a more “muscle car” feeling car, I’d go Challenger or Mustang. They are much sloppier cars and are closer to the cars of old.

[LT4Greg]

Get the ZL1. You will be happier with it as opposed to a SS or LT1. I went from a 2016 2SS to a 2year old ZL1 back in 2019 with no regrets. Just keep it locked up in a garage and when you take it out be cautious. Good luck.

[MisterMarauder]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

ZL1 is the most common stolen car in USA from my understanding.
Camaro's in general are the 3rd most common stolen car.
V8 cars are the prime targets.
Unfortunately, GM left huge security vulnerabilities in the 6th gen Camaro's. An experienced thief can steal one in just a few minutes with a couple hundred dollar OBDII diagnostic tool.

The most stolen car per the number of cars manufactured.

But, yes, it's best to keep them under lock and key whenever you can.

[N Camarolina]

OP, I've had my SS 1LE for 5 yrs now. It's my track and occasional weekend/fun car. I can share a bit of my experience in hopes that it helps you in your choosing:

- The LT1 or SS car is going to accelerate plenty fast on public roads. It feels like barely a blink of the eye before you are at the top of 3rd gear (manual trans) and into triple digit speeds. For most back roads, that's about as fast as you can reasonably get before you either need to slow for a curve or slow for another car.

- If not used in a track environment, particularly one with longer straights, the ZL1 is generally overkill. On backroads, stabbing the throttle and rowing gears gets you to "arrest me" speeds in even less time than an SS or LT1, which means even less time to enjoy the "muscle car" effect.

- The other "muscle car" feel you'll get (this is my first car with significant engine displacement) which will be new for you is TORQUE. There's nothing quite like to feeling of being pushed into your seat the second you step on the throttle. You don't even have be going fast or at high rpms to feel this in a V8 equipped Camaro. And the LT1 and SS have this in spades. So will while the ZL1 has 200 more, I don't know how if the incremental amount is strictly necessary

- In the event you think you might ever be willing to track your Camaro, I can say that the SC3 tires and front rotors last me at least 2 full seasons (about 15 track days). The OEM pads are up to the track task and barely wear the rotors (they last 2 yrs because of heat checking), but they will only last about 5-6 track days. Fuel in an LT1 or SS will cost you about 6 miles per gallon on track.

If the track consumables suddenly sound more appealing than you expected, buy an SS 1LE. If not, then I'd suggest you buy an LT1 and at most add some wider wheels and tires to help put the power down better and help with cornering that chassis was built for.

[Maverick ZL1]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

Get the ZL1. You will be happier with it as opposed to a SS or LT1. I went from a 2016 2SS to a 2year old ZL1 back in 2019 with no regrets. Just keep it locked up in a garage and when you take it out be cautious. Good luck.

Unfortunately Greg I don't have a garage where I'm currently living, so that's not an option for me.
This is why I didn't go with a Porsche 911 Carrera T I was also interested in, because I didn't want it sitting vulnerable on my driveway.

[Maverick ZL1]

Another pic.

[Maverick ZL1]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

OP, I've had my SS 1LE for 5 yrs now. It's my track and occasional weekend/fun car. I can share a bit of my experience in hopes that it helps you in your choosing:

- The LT1 or SS car is going to accelerate plenty fast on public roads. It feels like barely a blink of the eye before you are at the top of 3rd gear (manual trans) and into triple digit speeds. For most back roads, that's about as fast as you can reasonably get before you either need to slow for a curve or slow for another car.

- If not used in a track environment, particularly one with longer straights, the ZL1 is generally overkill. On backroads, stabbing the throttle and rowing gears gets you to "arrest me" speeds in even less time than an SS or LT1, which means even less time to enjoy the "muscle car" effect.

- The other "muscle car" feel you'll get (this is my first car with significant engine displacement) which will be new for you is TORQUE. There's nothing quite like to feeling of being pushed into your seat the second you step on the throttle. You don't even have be going fast or at high rpms to feel this in a V8 equipped Camaro. And the LT1 and SS have this in spades. So will while the ZL1 has 200 more, I don't know how if the incremental amount is strictly necessary

- In the event you think you might ever be willing to track your Camaro, I can say that the SC3 tires and front rotors last me at least 2 full seasons (about 15 track days). The OEM pads are up to the track task and barely wear the rotors (they last 2 yrs because of heat checking), but they will only last about 5-6 track days. Fuel in an LT1 or SS will cost you about 6 miles per gallon on track.

If the track consumables suddenly sound more appealing than you expected, buy an SS 1LE. If not, then I'd suggest you buy an LT1 and at most add some wider wheels and tires to help put the power down better and help with cornering that chassis was built for.

Thanks my friend, that makes so much sense.

[vaeron]

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

If "Money is not an issue" the ZL-1 and a base LT-1 are NIGHT and DAY different... By all means, get the ZL-1... If you are just looking for something with a V8 to play around with and not spend a lot, the LT-1 would be a good choice... But may need some upgrades to handle the power (wider wheels/tires, perhaps suspension upgrades...)

Basically the LT-1 is the V-6 car with a V-8 dropped in it, but nothing else...

If you want something in the middle, grab a nice 1SS or 2SS... You'll get some great handling, performance (cooling, etc) and ride upgrades without going full steam into a ZL-1...

Not to beat a dead horse with this one, but absolutely this. I was back and forth on a ZL1 vs the 2SS... The price difference and the fact that I still have a beautiful car and more than enough power to enjoy on the street was worth saving $25k. I don't track my car nor do I want to get arrested and the SS can still get to that point rather quick.

I've seen and driven a couple local ZL1s and they are fun, but as everyone has pointed out the extra power is useless if you're trying to stay legal on the roads. That being said, if you wanna track it, the ZL1 is a crazy good track car!

[NYTMARE23]

I don't get why so many people "dog" the ZL1 as being "useless" at 650hp. Guess what? Cruising at 35, 45 55, 60, 65, 70mph etc..is the SAME whether you have 100hp or 1,000hp. If you're not stupid with the throttle ALL the time, the ZL1 is VERY and EASILY drivable on the street regularly.. I have ZERO issues just tooling around on regular roads with my Z. NOW, with that said, if it's a PRICE issue, I can understand that, as not ALL people can afford a $67-$75,000 car. Paying on mine is definitely a stretch, but it's what I wanted(personal preference). If I couldn't have afforded it, then yeah, I might have gotten a 1SS or 2SS for a cheaper payment/more affordability, but to say the ZL1 at 650hp is stupid/useless/pointless for street driving is just comical.. If that's the case, then ALL these Teslas and other EV'S that are FASTER than our Camaros are useless/pointless for street driving as well.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by NYTMARE23

I don't get why so many people "dog" the ZL1 as being "useless" at 650hp. Guess what? Cruising at 35, 45 55, 60, 65, 70mph etc..is the SAME whether you have 100hp or 1,000hp. If you're not stupid with the throttle ALL the time, the ZL1 is VERY and EASILY drivable on the street regularly.. I have ZERO issues just tooling around on regular roads with my Z. NOW, with that said, if it's a PRICE issue, I can understand that, as not ALL people can afford a $67-$75,000 car. Paying on mine is definitely a stretch, but it's what I wanted(personal preference). If I couldn't have afforded it, then yeah, I might have gotten a 1SS or 2SS for a cheaper payment/more affordability, but to say the ZL1 at 650hp is stupid/useless/pointless for street driving is just comical.. If that's the case, then ALL these Teslas and other EV'S that are FASTER than our Camaros are useless/pointless for street driving as well.

I agree, I don’t think they understand how intoxicating the extra power feels when you’re accelerating. Also some of us are trying to break the law but in a safe manner

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

I agree, I don’t think they understand how intoxicating the extra power feels when you’re accelerating. Also some of us are trying to break the law but in a safe manner

Truth!

[bishopts]

My choice of an SS over a ZL1 was just for change. I ran a big turbo supra for quite a while and it was fun learning how to build and tune it. When it came time for me to get back into a sports car i wanted to do a solid build N/A car.

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by bishopts

My choice of an SS over a ZL1 was just for change. I ran a big turbo supra for quite a while and it was fun learning how to build and tune it. When it came time for me to get back into a sports car i wanted to do a solid build N/A car.

That's fair!. I understand people have their reasons for this or that, or what they choose to buy, I'm more talking to those that say a stock ZL1(which is what I have) with 650hp is too much power or is "useless" for regular street driving and unless your going to track it's pointless to have, is just absurd. Mine drives fine "regularly" and it's also alot of fun when I feel like being spirited with it(SAFELY of course)

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by NYTMARE23

That's fair!. I understand people have their reasons for this or that, or what they choose to buy, I'm more talking to those that say a stock ZL1(which is what I have) with 650hp is too much power or is "useless" for regular street driving and unless your going to track it's pointless to have, is just absurd. Mine drives fine "regularly" and it's also alot of fun when I feel like being spirited with it(SAFELY of course)

Unfortunately you probably have less seat time than any of us. 2026 just started, make it the year you put some miles on it