[jbp8653]

I have 1 of each. A 2017 ZL1 A10 and a 2025 Z06. Both bought new. It would probably be really hard for me to pick 1 over the other. They are both fantastic cars. I also have a 2013 ZR1 60th Anniversary. If I could only keep one it would be that one. It's definitely the fastest of the 3.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by jbp8653

I have 1 of each. A 2017 ZL1 A10 and a 2025 Z06. Both bought new. It would probably be really hard for me to pick 1 over the other. They are both fantastic cars. I also have a 2013 ZR1 60th Anniversary. If I could only keep one it would be that one. It's definitely the fastest of the 3.

It probably is the quickest in a straight line with traction by a very small margin over the C8 Z06 but the C8 Z06 is going to be the quickest track car.

[jbp8653]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

It probably is the quickest in a straight line with traction by a very small margin over the C8 Z06 but the C8 Z06 is going to be the quickest track car.

yup, you are probably right. I was meaning fastest top end. ZL1 and Z06 around 195....C6 ZR1........206

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by jbp8653

I have 1 of each. A 2017 ZL1 A10 and a 2025 Z06. Both bought new. It would probably be really hard for me to pick 1 over the other. They are both fantastic cars. I also have a 2013 ZR1 60th Anniversary. If I could only keep one it would be that one. It's definitely the fastest of the 3.

Those C6 ZR-1's were and still are absolutely LETHAL.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by jbp8653

yup, you are probably right. I was meaning fastest top end. ZL1 and Z06 around 195....C6 ZR1........206

That part is true, the C8 Z06 is geared very low to help get the engine into his power curve quicker. That and I suspect the C8 Z06 has more downforce too.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by ZLRob

Those C6 ZR-1's were and still are absolutely LETHAL.

They are but require a lot of traction mods. The chassis wasn't amazing as well as the Magride suspension being a much older version, coupled with the lightweight of the car and a manual trans means that car was always going to be a handful to get the power down, but the power to weight ratio in those cars is still awesome today.

[wakespeak]

Interesting thread. Was seriously kicking around the idea of trading my ZL1 1LE for a Z06 but tabled it since COTA is going private. On the track the Z06's are about 3-4s faster, probably more with the best drivers. The spread at VIR on the CD Lightning Lap results was 6s.

The C8 as a platform is interesting. Wishbones all around and mid-engined. Lighter nose, easier to get the power down. The auto is an advantage on the track. I had an instructor tell me to leave the ZLE in 3rd on the slow turns and the ability to be smooth into the next turn without the shift is transforming even with the slower hole shot.

The ZLE has been easy to keep on the track. Fluid changes easy. Same with brakes. Brake flush easy. Consumables costs are reasonable except for tires. With the exception of brake rotors every other year that's all I have done over almost 6 seasons.

So if my regular track weekends are over next year I am keeping the ZLE for the M6 for the street. The ZLE is a rare car, is oozing personality, wife likes the look better.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by wakespeak

Interesting thread. Was seriously kicking around the idea of trading my ZL1 1LE for a Z06 but tabled it since COTA is going private. On the track the Z06's are about 3-4s faster, probably more with the best drivers. The spread at VIR on the CD Lightning Lap results was 6s.

The C8 as a platform is interesting. Wishbones all around and mid-engined. Lighter nose, easier to get the power down. The auto is an advantage on the track. I had an instructor tell me to leave the ZLE in 3rd on the slow turns and the ability to be smooth into the next turn without the shift is transforming even with the slower hole shot.

The ZLE has been easy to keep on the track. Fluid changes easy. Same with brakes. Brake flush easy. Consumables costs are reasonable except for tires. With the exception of brake rotors every other year that's all I have done over almost 6 seasons.

So if my regular track weekends are over next year I am keeping the ZLE for the M6 for the street. The ZLE is a rare car, is oozing personality, wife likes the look better.

Most people don't love the looks of the 6th Gen Camaro but if you own one like I did, then obviously you do and that's all that matters. The ZL1 is certainly far more rare than the C8 Stingray which are a dime a dozen. The C8 Z06 is approaching that category as well, but at least it feels special compared to the Stingray.

[JJinGa]

I traded in my 2022 Stingray for a 2023 ZL1 6-speed convertible. The Vette treated me right but after 3 1/2 years I really missed a manual transmission.
I also believe the transmission issues are overblown. I don’t think the failure rate is that high, but when it goes, owners like to make it known, especially on CorvetteForum.
Don’t forget it has a 5 year/ 60k power train warranty. That’s a long time to not have to worry about the transmission.
If you get the chance, try launch control and the car just screams.
I wanted a hot rod with either targa top or convertible so my options were limited.
Is the Z06 worth twice as much as a newer ZL1? My opinion is no.

[JJinGa]

I feel lucky to have had 2 great cars.

[Gunkk]

A pair of beauties!

[ariZona28]

Having been around both cars in the track environment I'd have to say the C8 Z is noticeably faster on the bigger road courses. I'm able to keep pace with the ZLEs in my modified C5Z but no way can I hang with the modern Z06s in the twistys or the straights! I'd personally have to lean towards the Camaro however because I like shifting gears, I just wish GM would have created a bare-bones, no-frills ZLE similar to my Z/28 for track duty. Pic is of me in my C5 after getting passed by a C8Z. They look AND sound awesome when they fly by!

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Having been around both cars in the track environment I'd have to say the C8 Z is noticeably faster on the bigger road courses. I'm able to keep pace with the ZLEs in my modified C5Z but no way can I hang with the modern Z06s in the twistys or the straights! I'd personally have to lean towards the Camaro however because I like shifting gears, I just wish GM would have created a bare-bones, no-frills ZLE similar to my Z/28 for track duty. Pic is of me in my C5 after getting passed by a C8Z. They look AND sound awesome when they fly by!

Not being familiar with the 5th gen platform, especially the features that the Z28 of that time had, do you care to elaborate a little on what they provided (or lack thereof) about what made the Z28 more "bare bones" than the ZLE? I'm SUPER curious, and something tells me a Google search wouldn't necessarily tell me the answers to that.


Killer track photo by the way!!

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by JJinGa

I traded in my 2022 Stingray for a 2023 ZL1 6-speed convertible. The Vette treated me right but after 3 1/2 years I really missed a manual transmission.
I also believe the transmission issues are overblown. I don’t think the failure rate is that high, but when it goes, owners like to make it known, especially on CorvetteForum.
Don’t forget it has a 5 year/ 60k power train warranty. That’s a long time to not have to worry about the transmission.
If you get the chance, try launch control and the car just screams.
I wanted a hot rod with either targa top or convertible so my options were limited.
Is the Z06 worth twice as much as a newer ZL1? My opinion is no.

I look at the C8 transmission issues the same way people look at ZL1 oil pump failures. Maybe it’s a small percentage overall—but when it happens to you, it’s a huge deal.

And with the C8, these issues show up way more often than they should. You see threads about failures driving off the lot, GM buybacks, leaking cases, and Park Pawl actuator problems all over the CorvetteForum. Then add in the confusion around the flush procedure before replacing the external filter, the early cars needing an extra two liters of fluid for track use, and the requirement to change transmission fluid every three years regardless of mileage. That’s a lot of noise for a modern drivetrain.

My own experience didn’t help. I did the “free” transmission service early at 4,000 miles because Chevy required it at 1 year or 7,500 miles at the time—only for them to later change it to 2 years. Then they reversed course again and said any car serviced early needed the filter replaced again at 7,500 miles… which I had to pay for.

At 10,000 miles (3 years), I followed the required fluid service. At 13,000 miles, the transmission started skipping even gears—no check engine light, just an internal code set. Dealer diagnosed and replaced the main valve body. Got the car back 12 days later, and it was worse—hesitation, then a sudden lurch from a stop. A couple of those moments mid-turn were legitimately sketchy. Still no codes.

At that point, the car just wasn’t fun anymore, so I sold it. Last I heard, it ended up needing a full transmission replacement.

So yeah—the DCT was easily the biggest disappointment of the car for me. And it’s the reason I won’t consider another Corvette, no matter how good the rest of it is.