[Mister Will]

I think this is a good place to get this off my chest.

I noticed recently that my local dealership has a 2017 1LE on the lot in the color I like. This is tempting. However it would require that I trade in my S/C C5 Corvette. Sure I could hang onto it and sell it privately. But it doesn't seem like C5's are moving very quickly at the moment. I have been watching sales ads over at Corvetteforum.com and some seem to sit for months. Corvette buyers are finicky.

I have always appreciated the cost effectiveness of the 1LE. Basically a C7 corvette Z51 with a backseat which I could use. It would also be easier to daily drive or just drive more often (I have a current daily driver). My corvette just sits in the garage at the moment and I have to make excuses to drive it. My boy is 5 and too young to ride in the front seat. So if I need to transport him or the whole family (3) the corvette is out. Also the corvette has been highly modified. It drives well but the coilovers are stiff and the lowered profile causes my front air dam to scrap on everything. I cringe every time I see a bump or a dip. But the supercharged engine is a thrill to drive.

I am hesitant to go the ZL1 route because of the high torque of the LT4 engine. Over 500 ft-lbs just off of idle. I know several friend with 5th gen ZL1's and C7 Z06, they say the torque is too much and they are constantly spinning their wheels. But it would mean ultimate performance on par with my Corvette with a back seat.

The 1LE just seems more practical, and would be more fun. Yet, I would no longer have the ultimate power my C5 has, with the ability to challenge all comers (Roush S/C Mustang, Viper, GTR). But the 1LE does seem more reasonable, and practical for the street.

Any thoughts?

[Zepp]

The bottom line:

The 1LE is more practical for you, will get used more, perform extremely well and still put a big smile on your face.

Do it!

[WhyUMad1LE]

I find the 1LE to be a comfortable and enjoyable everyday car, however I have never been a power-junky.

[RideZX6R]

I've owned 3 C5s and 1 C6GS... all of them modified (C6 was SC, C5s were bolt-ons, one TT with built motor, and one with a high-rev/max effort H/C setup)...

Hands-down for practicality and drivability the Camaro is better. It'll also be better for the technology as well.

Some thoughts regarding power/overall differences...

1. The "C7 Z51 with back seats" comment is sort-of right - however the brakes are from the Z06 and the mag ride programming is newer - Not huge changes, but food for thought
2. The back seat isn't going to work for your child after he's 9-13 depending on how tall/big he is - if you keep cars for long periods of time, this might matter to you
3. 1LEs should dyno about 380-395whp stock - and the power delivery/throttle response is VERY immediate because of the DI system (compared to even a tuned LS3 or any other LSx)
4. LT1s respond VERY well to mods (especially on E85) so if they stock power isn't enough - getting another 50-100whp isn't as hard as you'd think - I have 80-100whp over stock with only headers/intake/ported TB and IM and a tune on E85 for example

[Joe's_cool_1le]

My youngest is 7 the older ones are out of the house. The little guy has trouble with his feet because his legs aren't long enough to stuff them under the front seat. BUT...he manages and we drive her every chance we get. He sits Indian style or feet pointing left or right. Performance is awesome but the sticky tires made me throw a sc on her. She is very torquey but I've learned how to pedal her. Hitting 5k and still have quite a bit of rubber left. Then again I'm not a burnout fan on the streets. Rather lose the rubber by trying to plant it to the road. Good luck on your decision.

[hlyshft]

I had a C5 Z06 a few years ago. Not as powerful as what you currently have but man... you are talking leaps in years of technology and just the overall fit and finish.

Can you live without being the fastest on the streets, but on the other hand knowing you have the capability to perform on the track?

A big positive is that you get the warranty back by buying new, if you keep it stock. If you find yourself frustrated with lack of power you could always add a blower.

I honestly wish I would have thrown the money down for the ZL1, at mid 60's it's a steal. But that is because I was coming from a much higher HP car. I do feel like the 1le is lacking a bit of power, but I'm not willing to void the warranty by adding a blower or building with cams etc. So waiting for the ZL1 1LE...

Best of luck in your decision.

[EV2DEMON]

I have a 2004 Z06 that I bought new in 04. It's a geat car that even by today's standards, is plenty quick. I've done track days with it, and it's a very competent car.

A few weeks ago, I bought a new 1LE. Totally different animal. Driving the Z06, it feels like a go-kart in comparison to the Camaro. Lighter, lower belt line, a little quicker in a straight line, but the Camaro really does everything else better. Better brakes, better steering, excellent handling, etc. The C5 still feels like a modern car to me, but things have come a long way in 13 years.

My suggestion...Keep the C5 and add the 1LE to the fleet. Best of both!

[Jastone]

I'm kinda thinking that you can have both. I mean if you are contemplating a Zl1 that is approx $20k more than the 1le why couldn't you keep your current c5 and buy a 1le? Trade in value on your c5 is probably in the same $20k ish range. If you can spring the extra $20k on the zl1, shouldn't you be able to eat the $20k for trade in and keep the c5?

I was in the similar spot when I bought my 1le. My TA is modestly modified with more $ in parts than the car would retrieve in a sale or a trade. I decided to keep the TA and buy the 1le outright. Now the 1le is a completely different animal, but when I want a visceral rush of unrefined power, I just take the TA out for a quick spin. Though as a daily or even occasional driver, the experience of the 1le is unequaled for me. And I have a 4yr old too that I didn't like taking trips in the TA with, but love taking him out in the 1le (and he does too)!!

Straight line = TA
Refined cruiser or twisty road or track car = 1le

Good luck with your decision.

[jdrop01]

I'm with Jastone on this one. If you can keep your C5 and purchase the 1LE then I do that, I regret everyday I sold my 98 C5 that was modded. Now life has thrown me curve balls left and right and currently I am beating around in a Honda Accord because I am the only source of income while my wife finishes college and I must support her and my little one. Plus after leaving the military I haven't landed a decent job until literally today and I find myself looking at the 1LE myself but only in the V6 trim because ever since having my baby I try to live well within our means. Even though I most likely could afford the V8 I just only daily drive and nothing else and believe the V6 can do what I am looking for.

I think it all boils down to getting the most out of what you pay for and if you feel you'll do this with the 1LE then I say go for it, life is short my friend enjoy it to the fullest.

[Mister Will]

Thanks for the responses and the insight, most of all for reading my rant.

Back seats would be nice. But I would really regret it if I sold the corvette and later found the back seats were simply unusable. Which is why I've even considered a new C7 Grand Sport. Because why get back seats if you aren't going to use them.

While I would love to Get a 1LE and keep the S/C Corvette, that simply isn't going to happen. I just don't have the space, and I would then have two cars that I don't drive that often.

Then there is another practical consideration. Recently our local car club membership simply lost interest and it is all but dead. Since we don't do runs anymore, the corvette sits in the garage most of the time (sigh). At the moment it isn't costing me any money. But is I bought a new car, then it would spend a lot of time in the garage collecting dust. Who wants a $45K - $70K dust collector. Then I have to ask the tough question, is my desire just wanting a shiney new toy? The Corvette makes more sense financially.

[Mister Will]

Originally Posted by Jastone

I'm kinda thinking that you can have both. I mean if you are contemplating a Zl1 that is approx $20k more than the 1le why couldn't you keep your current c5 and buy a 1le? Trade in value on your c5 is probably in the same $20k ish range. If you can spring the extra $20k on the zl1, shouldn't you be able to eat the $20k for trade in and keep the c5?

I was in the similar spot when I bought my 1le. My TA is modestly modified with more $ in parts than the car would retrieve in a sale or a trade. I decided to keep the TA and buy the 1le outright. Now the 1le is a completely different animal, but when I want a visceral rush of unrefined power, I just take the TA out for a quick spin. Though as a daily or even occasional driver, the experience of the 1le is unequaled for me. And I have a 4yr old too that I didn't like taking trips in the TA with, but love taking him out in the 1le (and he does too)!!

Straight line = TA
Refined cruiser or twisty road or track car = 1le

Good luck with your decision.

Well said.

Actually the trade in value is a lot less. The market on C5s has bottomed out. I see C5 sitting on the for sale web pages for months with sellers saying make "me an offer", please! A ZL1 could be the answer for both cars. Though I think a 1LE would be a better car to teach my son to drive one day (but that is a long way off).

[Mister Will]

Originally Posted by EV2DEMON

I have a 2004 Z06 that I bought new in 04. It's a geat car that even by today's standards, is plenty quick. I've done track days with it, and it's a very competent car.

A few weeks ago, I bought a new 1LE. Totally different animal. Driving the Z06, it feels like a go-kart in comparison to the Camaro. Lighter, lower belt line, a little quicker in a straight line, ***

This is also something to ponder. There will never be another car that is as light and nimble as my C5. Even the current C7s are heavier. I really have in my C5 something I always wanted, a killer street machine.

So how much does your TA put to the rear wheels? I think your cars are an excellent example to what I am looking at.

[HalfMoon]

Originally Posted by Mister Will

I think this is a good place to get this off my chest.

I noticed recently that my local dealership has a 2017 1LE on the lot in the color I like. This is tempting. However it would require that I trade in my S/C C5 Corvette. Sure I could hang onto it and sell it privately. But it doesn't seem like C5's are moving very quickly at the moment. I have been watching sales ads over at Corvetteforum.com and some seem to sit for months. Corvette buyers are finicky.

I have always appreciated the cost effectiveness of the 1LE. Basically a C7 corvette Z51 with a backseat which I could use. It would also be easier to daily drive or just drive more often (I have a current daily driver). My corvette just sits in the garage at the moment and I have to make excuses to drive it. My boy is 5 and too young to ride in the front seat. So if I need to transport him or the whole family (3) the corvette is out. Also the corvette has been highly modified. It drives well but the coilovers are stiff and the lowered profile causes my front air dam to scrap on everything. I cringe every time I see a bump or a dip. But the supercharged engine is a thrill to drive.

I am hesitant to go the ZL1 route because of the high torque of the LT4 engine. Over 500 ft-lbs just off of idle. I know several friend with 5th gen ZL1's and C7 Z06, they say the torque is too much and they are constantly spinning their wheels. But it would mean ultimate performance on par with my Corvette with a back seat.

The 1LE just seems more practical, and would be more fun. Yet, I would no longer have the ultimate power my C5 has, with the ability to challenge all comers (Roush S/C Mustang, Viper, GTR). But the 1LE does seem more reasonable, and practical for the street.

Any thoughts?

First, never compare or shop prices on corvette forum. The guys there are pretty good for the most part, but almost all of them suffer from the "I don't pay MSRP, I pay CASH!" mentality when buying that seems to also be followed by "My car is worth MSRP+ because of mods" or "I should get more than KBB Excellent value for my 120k mile car with only 5 repaints and 9,000 "small" scratches". I do agree with never paying MSRP, unless it's a brand new model and hard to come by. I ordered both my C7's and at the time I was happy to pay MSRP on the Z51 since everyone else taking orders was marking them up. Still took me 4 months to get the car even though my dealer had allocations, but constraints on carbon fiber parts held me up.


I have purchased new the following Camaro/Corvettes a a 1995 4th Gen Z28, a 1999 4th gen SS, a 2004 C5, a 2011 C6 Grand Sport, a 2014 C7 Z51 and currently have a 2016 C7 Z06/Z07 and the 2017 SS 1LE, and a 2015 Mustang GT Perf. Pack, so I'll give you my opinions.

Keep the C5 if you are happy with the interior. That is the only reason I don't still have one. Otherwise the platform is awesome and you have a supercharger on it to make up for the power increases of today. Add a 1LE as a daily or fun new car. However, with your comments about the coilovers and scraping, it sounds like you might be done with the car. I've been there too, especially with mods (my 1999 SS was FBO, heads and cam, no mufflers and very fast for the time. I drove it very little after the "new" wore off the mods.

If you are 5'10" or taller, at least 1/2 the back seat in the camaro is going to be next to useless as soon as your son grows a bit. Since you still have a C5, I assume you keep cars awhile and don't "need" the next new thing all the time. Go checkout the car, sit in it and setup your seat, then get out and see how much leg room is there in the back. I refer to my backseat in the Camaro as the "coat check". The Mustang really was no better here, so scratch it off the list.

Don't be afraid of the LT4. I have no issues controlling the power in my Z06 unless I am being careless and use the accelerator as an on/off switch in which case you get either traction control bog or a smoke show. That said, would I buy a ZL1? No. I could have, but did not want to. I wanted to keep the Camaro cost lower since I already have the Z06, and the LT1 is an excellent platform. The price of the ZL1 is too close to the GS, which is too close to the discounted price of the Z06 if you don't need a 3LZ....

The 1LE really is pretty magical and blows me away when driving it. This is probably going to sound kind of negative, but it really isn't: The 1LE handles incredibly well for a car that is much larger and heavier than the C5/C6/C7 and I would bet that it handles as good or better in stock trim than your modified C5. Mag Ride has come a LOOOOONG way and the current implementation is awesome. However, the Camaro feels like a land yacht that is sitting about 8" too high when I get in it after driving my C7Z. Driving on the freeway feels weird and oddly similar to the ride height in my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (mostly kidding). BUT.... the car handles so well in the corners and actually is much easier to get in and out of than any of my Corvettes that this is something I don't want to change. I usually lower every car I own, I have the LG spindles on my Z06 today, but with the 1LE I don't really want to mess with the suspension geometry as it works so well as it is. If there were spindles for it like the C7 I would think about it.

As for your comment "Yet, I would no longer have the ultimate power my C5 has, with the ability to challenge all comers (Roush S/C Mustang, Viper, GTR). But the 1LE does seem more reasonable, and practical for the street.", that is only a couple grand away with a supercharger kit if you really need it and you should best your LS1 numbers unless you have internal mods on the C5.

What exactly are the mods on your C5 and the power output on a dyno, or 1320 times?

In the end, I would tell you to go out today and drive that 1LE and see what your head and your gut say. Just pay attention to the back seat legroom as I mentioned if it is a concern to you.

[1LE caSSper]

Sounds like a no brainer from what I just read.....