[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by tmp123

The Porsche PDK is superb. GM however , decided to save $20 and destroy their iconic car by creating a cheaper and low quality DCT.


The internet is full of horror stories of owners being denied warranty repairs on their GM DCT. GM went as far as requiring a filter change at 7500 exactly or warranty is gone.


Look at what GM did with the 6.2L and thin oil change to meet the EPA requirements ...


General Messup .....We are lucky our Camaros didnt require the EPA BS and the stupid start stop BS.


Do not sell your camaro, there is not much out there unless you have 300k

This whole post is quite melodramatic and laughable.

I will say that the ZL1 is the best bang for the buck out there but there's lots of cars under 300k that are better.

[tmp123]

I love drama )))


Not only the DCT is blowing up the z06 engines are even worse ...


Google is not a friend of GM


https://www.motorbiscuit.com/chevrol...at-you-expect/




Im not doing this to bash GM or justify my Camaro but truth helps GM to stay on course


We should not complain about minor issues with our Camaros , the C8 corvette owners are having bigger problems.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

This whole post is quite melodramatic and laughable.

I will say that the ZL1 is the best bang for the buck out there but there's lots of cars under 300k that are better.

Not trying to pick apart your post, but offering my take on it. I wouldn't necessarily say that "Lots" of cars under $300k are better. It's very limited. ...and "Better" depends on the context.

For outright lap times, I'd agree that the following will turn a faster lap in stock form:
- Viper ACR
- C7 ZR1
- C8 (Z06; ZR1)
- GT3 RS (which technically is a $400k+ car these days)
- McLaren 720s/600LT (was actually more than $300k+ new)

.....this is pretty much it and that's elite territory.

Conversely, the ZL1 would beat every single car listed above in any type of endurance race/event. It's just way more bulletproof as a platform.

Then there's:
- running costs = ZL1
- Comfort = ZL1
- Serviceability = ZL1
- OEM Parts Availability = ZL1
- Aftermarket = ZL1

There are probably some other categories where the ZL1 would dominate. So 'better' or 'best' mainly depends on the application or context.

To your point tho, yeah, to beat a true expert in a ZL1 around a road course you really gotta spend some serious $$$,$$$.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by tmp123

I love drama )))


Not only the DCT is blowing up the z06 engines are even worse ...


Google is not a friend of GM


https://www.motorbiscuit.com/chevrol...at-you-expect/




Im not doing this to bash GM or justify my Camaro but truth helps GM to stay on course


We should not complain about minor issues with our Camaros , the C8 corvette owners are having bigger problems.

I've owned two C8 Corvette's now, a Stingray for a year and a Z06 for a year. Neither had any issues. The owners having issues are in the small minority compared to how many C8's have been sold and they have sold WAY more than ZL1's. Let's not get on the 2017-2018 oil pump debacle for the ZL1. As you said, the truth helps GM stay on course though right? Truth is, ALL manufacturers have some defects and issues, even Honda and Toyota have had their fair share in recent years.

[tmp123]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

I've owned two C8 Corvette's now, a Stingray for a year and a Z06 for a year. Neither had any issues. The owners having issues are in the small minority compared to how many C8's have been sold and they have sold WAY more than ZL1's. Let's not get on the 2017-2018 oil pump debacle for the ZL1. As you said, the truth helps GM stay on course though right? Truth is, ALL manufacturers have some defects and issues, even Honda and Toyota have had their fair share in recent years.

Agree 100% Toyota is probably the biggest fail recently with their new v6 turbo main bearing failure.
The C8 issues are the DCT, dont get me wrong I like the z06 but for my pocket there is no room for failure.


I drove a used McLaren 570S and the C8 Z06 and i must say both were great and around the same price. McLaren seemed a bit more comfortable and refined.
To each his own....personally the manual 6 speed is where the fun is

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by tmp123

Agree 100% Toyota is probably the biggest fail recently with their new v6 turbo main bearing failure.
The C8 issues are the DCT, dont get me wrong I like the z06 but for my pocket there is no room for failure.


I drove a used McLaren 570S and the C8 Z06 and i must say both were great and around the same price. McLaren seemed a bit more comfortable and refined.
To each his own....personally the manual 6 speed is where the fun is

I actually traded a 2022 McLaren 720s Spider for the 2023 Corvette HTC Z06/Z07. The 720s is a fantastic car but it cost nearly 3x more than the Z06. The latest McLaren's (2018+) are a lot more reliable than the older models

[Smokin19]

I am more of a "bang for the buck" kind of guy. For what we paid for our ZL1's it is really hard to beat. Will GM ever make something comparable, only time will tell.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by Smokin19

I am more of a "bang for the buck" kind of guy. For what we paid for our ZL1's it is really hard to beat. Will GM ever make something comparable, only time will tell.

Honestly, the C8 Stingray is fantastic bang for the buck too, as well as the upcoming C8 Grand Sport. The only con against both of these cars is a lack of manual for those people that want manuals.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

I've owned two C8 Corvette's now, a Stingray for a year and a Z06 for a year. Neither had any issues. The owners having issues are in the small minority compared to how many C8's have been sold and they have sold WAY more than ZL1's. Let's not get on the 2017-2018 oil pump debacle for the ZL1. As you said, the truth helps GM stay on course though right? Truth is, ALL manufacturers have some defects and issues, even Honda and Toyota have had their fair share in recent years.

You’re absolutely spot on with this. Agreed.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Honestly, the C8 Stingray is fantastic bang for the buck too, as well as the upcoming C8 Grand Sport. The only con against both of these cars is a lack of manual for those people that want manuals.

I’ve always felt that the C8 Stingray was the best option when money came into play. They run extremely well when you throw aftermarket suspension, brakes, and aero at it. They can turn the laps even without the crazy power levels.

For the last couple of years, a Stingray bought at $60k slightly used, and another $25k thrown at it, you can run comparable laps to a stock Z06 for a lot less money overall. Now that Z06 prices are coming down to Earth, it just makes more sense to go with that, if you’re in the market now for a C8.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Honestly, the C8 Stingray is fantastic bang for the buck too, as well as the upcoming C8 Grand Sport. The only con against both of these cars is a lack of manual for those people that want manuals.

I wouldn’t put the C8 Stingray in the “bang for the buck” category—at least not based on my experience.

To match the equipment that was standard on my ’17 ZL1, I had to add nearly $11k in options to my ’21 C8. Getting basics like HUD, heated/ventilated/memory seats, blind spot monitoring, and a heated wheel required stepping up to the $7k 2LT trim. Then another $5k for Z51 package just to the get performance exhaust and eLSD, plus $1,800 more if you wanted the Mag Ride shocks.

Even things like Alcantara (standard on the ZL1) meant upgrading to GT2 seats for another $1,500—and yes, even red seat belts cost extra.

So that $59,999 base Stingray turned pretty quickly into an $75K car just to match what came standard on a ~$65k 6th gen ZL1.

The only real extras my C8 had over the ZL1 were the front and rearview mirror cameras. Otherwise, they were essentially optioned the same—aside from the transmission.

And to top it off, the C8 didn’t even include a tow hook. Had to spend another $100 for the OEM one.

People joke about a “Corvette tax,” but based on my ownership experience—it’s real.

From a performance standpoint, the only real advantage the Stingray had over the ZL1 was quickness off the line and handling thanks to the mid-engine layout. Performance per dollar, The ZL1 definitely had the edge.

In my opinion, the 6th gen Camaro ZL1 will go down in history as the best performance car for the money GM ever produced.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by hawk02

I wouldn’t put the C8 Stingray in the “bang for the buck” category—at least not based on my experience.

To match the equipment that was standard on my ’17 ZL1, I had to add nearly $11k in options to my ’21 C8. Getting basics like HUD, heated/ventilated/memory seats, blind spot monitoring, and a heated wheel required stepping up to the $7k 2LT trim. Then another $5k for Z51 package just to the get performance exhaust and eLSD, plus $1,800 more if you wanted the Mag Ride shocks.

Even things like Alcantara (standard on the ZL1) meant upgrading to GT2 seats for another $1,500—and yes, even red seat belts cost extra.

So that $59,999 base Stingray turned pretty quickly into an $75K car just to match what came standard on a ~$65k 6th gen ZL1.

The only real extras my C8 had over the ZL1 were the front and rearview mirror cameras. Otherwise, they were essentially optioned the same—aside from the transmission.

And to top it off, the C8 didn’t even include a tow hook. Had to spend another $100 for the OEM one.

People joke about a “Corvette tax,” but based on my ownership experience—it’s real.

From a performance standpoint, the only real advantage the Stingray had over the ZL1 was quickness off the line and handling thanks to the mid-engine layout. Performance per dollar, The ZL1 definitely had the edge.

In my opinion, the 6th gen Camaro ZL1 will go down in history as the best performance car for the money GM ever produced.

The C8 Stingray is still tremendous bang for the buck, I never said the ZL1 isn't arguably slightly better value but I will say, for the novice driver that wants to do some track days, the Stingray is a LOT easier to drive than a ZL1 at its limits and for that reason, the Stingray could easily outrun a ZL1 on a road course if the drivers aren't highly skilled. There's no question that the mid engine platform is superior.

With current 2026 pricing, the C8 Stingray with Z51 and 2LT packages would be around $85K MSRP which would be comparably equipped to a ZL1 1LE. 2024 ZL1s were selling for $72-75k MSRP and add another $8K to that for the 1LE package. That's pretty darn close in pricing and only the 1LE would likely win around road course and only with a very experienced driver.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by NG329

I’ve always felt that the C8 Stingray was the best option when money came into play. They run extremely well when you throw aftermarket suspension, brakes, and aero at it. They can turn the laps even without the crazy power levels.

For the last couple of years, a Stingray bought at $60k slightly used, and another $25k thrown at it, you can run comparable laps to a stock Z06 for a lot less money overall. Now that Z06 prices are coming down to Earth, it just makes more sense to go with that, if you’re in the market now for a C8.

Agreed.

[tmp123]

Originally Posted by hawk02

I wouldn’t put the C8 Stingray in the “bang for the buck” category—at least not based on my experience.

To match the equipment that was standard on my ’17 ZL1, I had to add nearly $11k in options to my ’21 C8. Getting basics like HUD, heated/ventilated/memory seats, blind spot monitoring, and a heated wheel required stepping up to the $7k 2LT trim. Then another $5k for Z51 package just to the get performance exhaust and eLSD, plus $1,800 more if you wanted the Mag Ride shocks.

Even things like Alcantara (standard on the ZL1) meant upgrading to GT2 seats for another $1,500—and yes, even red seat belts cost extra.

So that $59,999 base Stingray turned pretty quickly into an $75K car just to match what came standard on a ~$65k 6th gen ZL1.









The only real extras my C8 had over the ZL1 were the front and rearview mirror cameras. Otherwise, they were essentially optioned the same—aside from the transmission.

And to top it off, the C8 didn’t even include a tow hook. Had to spend another $100 for the OEM one.

People joke about a “Corvette tax,” but based on my ownership experience—it’s real.

From a performance standpoint, the only real advantage the Stingray had over the ZL1 was quickness off the line and handling thanks to the mid-engine layout. Performance per dollar, The ZL1 definitely had the edge.

In my opinion, the 6th gen Camaro ZL1 will go down in history as the best performance car for the money GM ever produced.

I am not sure if a manual Transmission sports/muscle car will ever resurface.
After driving the Z06 and a McLaren, I realized how fun a manual gear box is especially with some power behind it.


Aint no way a computer is tellin me how to shift lol


With the ZL1 we may have seen the last manual super car