[TheShooter]

New here...so here's what I'm thinking about...

I own a 2016 Charger Hellcat.

HELLCAT YES & NO
It's a very comfortable and fast monster that is also a great family car. The ZL1 can't touch that aspect of the Hellcat. The Hellcat also has personality because Dodge knew how to name a car and have fun. Folks love the Hellcat. They love to SAY Hellcat. The silly name really does add to the fun. In spite of what some may think, the Hellcat is fun to drive, even on a twisty road here in LA, such as the Crest or the Snake. But...we all know that it's not a drivers car by any stretch. Fun? Absolutely. But a drivers car? No. When I trade the Hellcat I know I will miss it.

ZL1
On occasion I need back seats! And the Camaro has them. The Camaro is nearly as fast as my Hellcat, but we all know that this IS a drivers car. Not really as comfortable as my Charger, but good enough. I wish the ZL1 had more design differences from the lower end models to make it a bit more "special" looking. I have the same issues with the Challenger. Most folks know right away that my Charger Hellcat is "special." It's a great looking car.

ZL1 1LE
With the added bits, THIS Camaro does look like something special. I like that big CF wing and the other bits. But I'm sorry to say that the M6 is not a great idea for a LOT of enthusiasts. 3500 RPM at 75MPH in top gear is HORRIBLE. On a long drive this is every bit as annoying as the Evo X was for taking even short trips. I could live with the ultra stiff suspension, but the tranny is a deal killer.

AN SO...
A ZL1 seems like the best idea and here are my questions...

1) Can I add that rear spoiler and what would it cost? Is the trunk different and what are the mounting issues?

2) I'm thinking of Garnett red with a black wrapped hood because I like that look with the 1LE. Can the dive planes be added? This all feels vaguely wrong, like UP-BADGING. Is that wing really 3 grand?? Is something more reasonable coming?

3) It seems to me that the ZL1 is the superior all-around car while the 1LE is ONLY a track monster and not good at much else. Am I being to harsh? 3500 RPM on a two hour drive?

PS: Please spare me the "real men drive manuals" stuff. I've driven and owned plenty of great manual cars. But I'm not a kid anymore and I don't shift as fast as I used to! The A10 fixes that and is just more livable.

Thanks for any thoughts...


R.

[Sven59]

I would marry the hellcat if I were you.

[Battlezone580]

At 3500 RPMS your in the power band, If you watch the reviews people love this fact (in terms of fun). We all know this is the extreme track package not your daily driver. I highlighted extreme track package, because nothing else should be said on the subject. That word extreme then track package implying everything you need to know if your considering this as a daily driver.

Every review I've seen mentioned the car its self is a lot of fun to drive, but your going to feel every bump in the road. Its similar to driving the GT350R, Z/28, VIPER ACR.

Now talking about the hellcat vs the ZL1 what are you really looking for? The hellcat is a great daily driver, that can provide loads of fun. The only reason you should get a ZL1 is if you want it for the handling aspects.

Originally Posted by Sven59

I would marry the hellcat if I were you.

Agreed he should keep the hellcat.

[CarFlow1]

What is interesting to me is people will still daily drive a 1LE. Everyone that purchases a 1LE isn't necessarily reserving it for the track. I've seen a few in my area already and they're driven around the city like any other vehicle.

[TheShooter]

Originally Posted by CarFlow1

What is interesting to me is people will still daily drive a 1LE. Everyone that purchases a 1LE isn't necessarily reserving it for the track. I've seen a few in my area already and they're driven around the city like any other vehicle.

Yeah...same for the Viper ACR. But it's a terrible car in almost every way possible once you spend an hour in it.

I have no idea what the "marry the Hellcat" comment is all about. Some folks just wake up angry I guess.

I wonder if the 1LE might get the A10 soon. But it does seem that the regular ZL1 is the best pick since I don't plan on much track work. From the standpoint of a muscle car owner, the ZL1 is also a faster car (in a straight line) than the 1LE and will crush any Hellcat for handling.

I plan to wait until just after the holidays before working the trade.


R.

[Sven59]

Originally Posted by TheShooter

Yeah...same for the Viper ACR. But it's a terrible car in almost every way possible once you spend an hour in it.

I have no idea what the "marry the Hellcat" comment is all about. Some folks just wake up angry I guess.

I wonder if the 1LE might get the A10 soon. But it does seem that the regular ZL1 is the best pick since I don't plan on much track work. From the standpoint of a muscle car owner, the ZL1 is also a faster car (in a straight line) than the 1LE and will crush any Hellcat for handling.

I plan to wait until just after the holidays before working the trade.


R.

Troll testing.

[CarFlow1]

Originally Posted by TheShooter

Yeah...same for the Viper ACR. But it's a terrible car in almost every way possible once you spend an hour in it.

I have no idea what the "marry the Hellcat" comment is all about. Some folks just wake up angry I guess.

I wonder if the 1LE might get the A10 soon. But it does seem that the regular ZL1 is the best pick since I don't plan on much track work. From the standpoint of a muscle car owner, the ZL1 is also a faster car (in a straight line) than the 1LE and will crush any Hellcat for handling.

I plan to wait until just after the holidays before working the trade.


R.

Good plan. The ZL1 A10 is great, nimble and smooth shifts plus more. You'll enjoy the vehicle just as much as you did with the Hellcat if not more. However, I too am surprised that Chevy just didn't include the A10 into the 1LE or just equip the standard ZL1's with all of the aerodynamic features as the 1LE.

[TheShooter]

Originally Posted by Sven59

Troll testing.

Not a troll.

But I am a car enthusiast. That means I really dig the Hellcat and I love to drive the Miata too. Car wars are silly and usually pushed by people who don't even own a nice car.

There are so many great cars out there these days. I'm 6'3 so I don't fit great in a Vette or Lambo (at all!), but cars like the ZL1 do fit, so I'm happy.

I doubt I'll lose anything in the way of speed from a dig because the ZL1 will launch much better as it has the right rubber. People have little idea of how hard it is to get a Hellcat to do 0-60 in under 4 seconds with stock rubber. The Hellcats best quality is really high speed. The power just never seems to end, pulling well beyond 150 MPH. But I've done that maybe three times. Seems to me that the ZL1 will just be more fun overall.

They need to give the ZL1 a better name. Even a nickname would be fine! Cool cars deserve cool names...Cobra, Hellcat, Demon. Camaro is very generic after all of these years and ZL1 sounds like a vaccine!

Anyway....My thought is...

ZL1, G-red, carbon fibre insert, black satin wrap on hood, side mirrors and spoiler. That should give me the look I want, though not quite the 1LE look, but that's okay.



R.

[Tr6]

Welcome! Great place to be to get all the info you need!

ZL1 is actually faster than a Hellcat 1/4 mile. Albeit extremely close and it is a drivers ability after all. Hellcat on an open road is very comfortable but so is the ZL1 thanks to MRC but the weight difference does make you seem like the Hellcat is just a tad more comfortable. You can easily DD a ZL1 just as you DD a hellcat. But one thing is that you have the Charger hellcat which is just a FANTASTIC sedan. If only Chevy made a 4 door sedan with LT4 in it and didn't cost 100k but costed 65-70k (aka not a ctsv) which I have told them many times! I would totally buy an alpha platform Chevy SS with LT4 in it. Things about the ZL1 you got to understand is that, it is a coupe, it is fast on straights AND curves. They do call it "Tripple Threat" because of that and it really does accomplish it's job. You can DD it, you can take it to a real track and you can hit up the drag strip as well then just drive home, comfortably.

You mention EvoX, i know exactly what you are talking about as I had 2 evo x's. GSR and MRT. Also have modded the hell out of them (except built block). The tiny gas tank, rough ride (had bilstein shocks with eibach pro kit on both), 5 speed, ride quality and noise was just horrid when it came to road trips.

To me, it really sounds like that the ZL1 1LE is NOT for you but a ZL1 with A10 is. 1LE is NOT made for DD purposes in mind, can you do it? Well yeah. You can DD ANY car, it does have wheels and tires after all. The real question is, do you WANT to? That, for me is a... Hell no. 1LE is a TRACK PACK. Going from a Charger Hellcat to a ZL1 1LE, you will definitely regret it (if you decide to DD). When it comes to the fun of it, ZL1 is a bit more fun purely because of the speeds you can actually corner with AND have a stupid amount of power coming in and out of them. Even for the non 1LE ZL1. Just comparing my Evo X that had fully suspension upgrades (sway bars, springs, shocks, brakes, the whole deal) my stock 2SS with MRC out performs it even in tour mode, let alone sport or track mode.

As for space... Charger Hellcat has a crap load more space. Can't even compare it to a Camaro. Coupe vs Sedan alone... The back seats of the camaro are for baby seats and backpacks and for insurance reasons. Not for any adult human being lol. My dogs don't even fit back there... 1 contortionist can fit very well though. As for the trunk, it is very spacious however the trunk opening is laughable. Golf club bags and carry on size luggage fit just fine but an actual decent size hard cover Samsonite will NOT fit in it.

As for your questions:
1: You can buy and install a 1LE wing to a ZL1. It will cost you about 3500 easy.
2: Garnet red is a perfect choice The canards up front, not entire sure if you can fit them or they actually come WITH a bumper. But worse case, you could literally buy an OEM 1LE ZL1 bumper, paint and slap it on. Parts aren't readily available from the 1LE just yet as they are stockpiling it for customers who actually OWN it first. Wings became available and so did the brake lights but other stuff, not so much. There will be more ZL1 1LE OEM style aftermarkets wings in the works. One is already out by 6LE Design ($1500). I am very certain that ACS composite, Street Scene, RK sport will make one as well.
3: You are not being harsh. If people fail to see that 1LE = Track pack, that's their personal problem. Not yours. 1LE's Will NEVER be as good and as comfortable as a non 1LE on the road. But a non 1LE will NEVER be as good as a 1LE on track. Pros and cons.

Feel free to do some research on here about the ZL1 and ZL1 1LE! Also, while being on the other side of the country, don't let that stop you from contacting Becky @ Michael Bates Chevy in MI (used to be Rodgers Chevy till very recently) whom also sponsors the forums and does ship vehicles to the entire 48 states. It would be EXTREMELY rare that you would be able to find better customer service and knowledge from any other person and place!

[TheShooter]

Originally Posted by CarFlow1

Good plan. The ZL1 A10 is great, nimble and smooth shifts plus more. You'll enjoy the vehicle just as much as you did with the Hellcat if not more. However, I too am surprised that Chevy just didn't include the A10 into the 1LE or just equip the standard ZL1's with all of the aerodynamic features as the 1LE.

Maybe because the aero is best for the track, but slows the ZL1 down in other respects. There are times when a ZL1 will be quicker/faster than the 1LE.

R.

[Sven59]

Originally Posted by TheShooter

Not a troll.

But I am a car enthusiast. That means I really dig the Hellcat and I love to drive the Miata too. Car wars are silly and usually pushed by people who don't even own a nice car.

There are so many great cars out there these days. I'm 6'3 so I don't fit great in a Vette or Lambo (at all!), but cars like the ZL1 do fit, so I'm happy.

I doubt I'll lose anything in the way of speed from a dig because the ZL1 will launch much better as it has the right rubber. People have little idea of how hard it is to get a Hellcat to do 0-60 in under 4 seconds with stock rubber. The Hellcats best quality is really high speed. The power just never seems to end, pulling well beyond 150 MPH. But I've done that maybe three times. Seems to me that the ZL1 will just be more fun overall.

They need to give the ZL1 a better name. Even a nickname would be fine! Cool cars deserve cool names...Cobra, Hellcat, Demon. Camaro is very generic after all of these years and ZL1 sounds like a vaccine!

Anyway....My thought is...

ZL1, G-red, carbon fibre insert, black satin wrap on hood, side mirrors and spoiler. That should give me the look I want, though not quite the 1LE look, but that's okay.



R.

Good, you fit the M.O.

[SplorgFlorgman]

Went through the same thought process. Ended up ordering a ZL1. I'll track it, but nowhere near as much as I'll drive it. If you go 1LE, you lose a lot of the things that make it a better DD (like the magnetic ride control.) I only track occasionally for fun, so I doubt the 1LE would really give me that much more value, and I figured the additional pain on using it as a DD would outweigh any benefit in that regard.

If you're only looking at the 1LE for aesthetics, it's not going to be that hard to replicate it over time.

[Joe's_cool_1le]

Originally Posted by TheShooter

New here...so here's what I'm thinking about...

I own a 2016 Charger Hellcat.

HELLCAT YES & NO
It's a very comfortable and fast monster that is also a great family car. The ZL1 can't touch that aspect of the Hellcat. The Hellcat also has personality because Dodge knew how to name a car and have fun. Folks love the Hellcat. They love to SAY Hellcat.

R.

I say "Hello Kitty"

[TheShooter]

Originally Posted by Tr6

Welcome! Great place to be to get all the info you need!

ZL1 is actually faster than a Hellcat 1/4 mile. Albeit extremely close and it is a drivers ability after all. Hellcat on an open road is very comfortable but so is the ZL1 thanks to MRC but the weight difference does make you seem like the Hellcat is just a tad more comfortable. You can easily DD a ZL1 just as you DD a hellcat. But one thing is that you have the Charger hellcat which is just a FANTASTIC sedan. If only Chevy made a 4 door sedan with LT4 in it and didn't cost 100k but costed 65-70k (aka not a ctsv) which I have told them many times! I would totally buy an alpha platform Chevy SS with LT4 in it. Things about the ZL1 you got to understand is that, it is a coupe, it is fast on straights AND curves. They do call it "Tripple Threat" because of that and it really does accomplish it's job. You can DD it, you can take it to a real track and you can hit up the drag strip as well then just drive home, comfortably.

You mention EvoX, i know exactly what you are talking about as I had 2 evo x's. GSR and MRT. Also have modded the hell out of them (except built block). The tiny gas tank, rough ride (had bilstein shocks with eibach pro kit on both), 5 speed, ride quality and noise was just horrid when it came to road trips.

To me, it really sounds like that the ZL1 1LE is NOT for you but a ZL1 with A10 is. 1LE is NOT made for DD purposes in mind, can you do it? Well yeah. You can DD ANY car, it does have wheels and tires after all. The real question is, do you WANT to? That, for me is a... Hell no. 1LE is a TRACK PACK. Going from a Charger Hellcat to a ZL1 1LE, you will definitely regret it (if you decide to DD). When it comes to the fun of it, ZL1 is a bit more fun purely because of the speeds you can actually corner with AND have a stupid amount of power coming in and out of them. Even for the non 1LE ZL1. Just comparing my Evo X that had fully suspension upgrades (sway bars, springs, shocks, brakes, the whole deal) my stock 2SS with MRC out performs it even in tour mode, let alone sport or track mode.

As for space... Charger Hellcat has a crap load more space. Can't even compare it to a Camaro. Coupe vs Sedan alone... The back seats of the camaro are for baby seats and backpacks and for insurance reasons. Not for any adult human being lol. My dogs don't even fit back there... 1 contortionist can fit very well though. As for the trunk, it is very spacious however the trunk opening is laughable. Golf club bags and carry on size luggage fit just fine but an actual decent size hard cover Samsonite will NOT fit in it.

As for your questions:
1: You can buy and install a 1LE wing to a ZL1. It will cost you about 3500 easy.
2: Garnet red is a perfect choice The canards up front, not entire sure if you can fit them or they actually come WITH a bumper. But worse case, you could literally buy an OEM 1LE ZL1 bumper, paint and slap it on. Parts aren't readily available from the 1LE just yet as they are stockpiling it for customers who actually OWN it first. Wings became available and so did the brake lights but other stuff, not so much. There will be more ZL1 1LE OEM style aftermarkets wings in the works. One is already out by 6LE Design ($1500). I am very certain that ACS composite, Street Scene, RK sport will make one as well.
3: You are not being harsh. If people fail to see that 1LE = Track pack, that's their personal problem. Not yours. 1LE's Will NEVER be as good and as comfortable as a non 1LE on the road. But a non 1LE will NEVER be as good as a 1LE on track. Pros and cons.

Feel free to do some research on here about the ZL1 and ZL1 1LE! Also, while being on the other side of the country, don't let that stop you from contacting Becky @ Michael Bates Chevy in MI (used to be Rodgers Chevy till very recently) whom also sponsors the forums and does ship vehicles to the entire 48 states. It would be EXTREMELY rare that you would be able to find better customer service and knowledge from any other person and place!

I was not aware that ZL1's were under 11 seconds in the 1/4 mile with DR's, but if so...cool! Hellcat's are pretty much stuck at 10.85. My friends Challenger has a best of 10.95. with just DR's'

But back in the real world I have no doubt that I'll be faster off the line with the ZL1 because it's got the correct rubber on day 1. Top speed (mythically) is likely the same as well. The Charger Hellcat is at 204 MPH. I believe the ZL1 is at 198. But again, the aero of the Hellcat is helped by those skinny 275's. The fatter ZL1 tires add a lot of windage.

The Hellcat is really a cruiser with a heavy dose of insanity. BTW, the back seats of the Camaro aren't that bad. My 13 year old son is okay back there with some compromise in the passenger seat.

The more I think about it, the more I'm certain I won't add the 1Le wing. It's too much like up badging to me. Thanks for the comments. I'm really looking forward to driving the ZL1 on the local LA roads and hanging with Jay Leno!


R.