[travislambert]

I've been thinking about buying a ZL1 1LE since before I took delivery of my ZL1, and it's been slowly eating at me ever since. I feel like the ZL1 1LE would have been a better choice for me. At the time I was afraid I would end up without a Camaro to drive to Camaro Fest. In hindsight, I probably should have canceled my order and waited for the ZL1 1LE.

Anyway, I'm leaning heavily toward swapping cars this winter.

I'd really like to ride in the ZL1 1LE before committing to a purchase, but I doubt I'll get that opportunity... So, do you guys who own the ZL1 1LE have any regrets? Any disappointments with the 1LE-specific features?

On a related note, if anyone is SERIOUSLY interested in buying my ZL1, PM me. I'd sell it for whatever KBB says it's worth. It's a '17 Black M6, Coupe, Nav, PDR, ~4,000 miles. It has about 7 track days on it, but it's been very well maintained. It was properly broken in, and had almost 2,000 miles before the first track event. The oil was changed after 500 miles and after every track event. I used Mobil 1 5w-30 for street and 15w-50 for track. The differential oil has been changed 3 times, and the transmission oil was changed once (OEM fluids). It has new OEM tires and brake pads.

[nighttowl]

Do you ever set your mag ride to race and then think to yourself "the suspension is just way too soft on this car"? if so the 1LE may be the car for you.

[unavailablezl1]

I have put mine in Race mode and it does not seem much different than Sport.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by unavailablezl1

I have put mine in Race mode and it does not seem much different than Sport.

I suppose you mean Track mode and then PTM race. That mode(s) is way stiffer than Sport to me.

[misterjaayy]

Well, since you have owned a SS with a LT4 conversion and currently own a ZL1, the ZL1 1LE seems like the natural progression.

Seriously though if you have the money, which it appears that you do, why not? It sounds like you will use it for what it’s intended. YOLO.

[travislambert]

Originally Posted by nighttowl

Do you ever set your mag ride to race and then think to yourself "the suspension is just way too soft on this car"? if so the 1LE may be the car for you.

In my opinion it's tough to feel a difference between the magnetic ride control settings. The suspension is nice, but it doesn't seem to me that there is enough variation between the modes to justify the feature.

The stiffness of the 1LE suspension is the only hesitation I have, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking how bad could it really be? I don't see a bunch of used ZL1 1LEs, so I feel like people must like the car in spite of the ride quality.

This will be my 3rd 6th Gen Camaro, so I know the cars pretty well. The reduced weight, added downforce, wider tires, and especially the camber adjustment by rotating the dampers are all really appealing.

My plan is to put it on a diet, so the ride will probably feel even more firm after I'm finished. I'm considering carbon ceramic brakes (-50+ lbs), lithium battery (-40 lbs), Borla cat-back exhaust with secondary cat removal (-40+ lbs), and possibly Forgeline wheels (-30+ lbs).

[travislambert]

Originally Posted by misterjaayy

Well, since you have owned a SS with a LT4 conversion and currently own a ZL1, the ZL1 1LE seems like the natural progression.

Seriously though if you have the money, which it appears that you do, why not? It sounds like you will use it for what it’s intended. YOLO.

Thanks for the support!

My plan is to track the hell out of it, so "why not?" is pretty much what I'm thinking.

[nighttowl]

I would say test drive one, but it looks like there isnt any near your location.

[travislambert]

Originally Posted by nighttowl

I would say test drive one, but it looks like there isnt any near your location.

I was hoping that one would show up that I could take for test drive. I've been checking dealer websites and auto-trader almost daily.

So how do you like yours? Do you feel like you should have bought the non-1LE instead?

[nighttowl]

I really like it. I just wish the roads out there werent so screwed up. I live outside los angeles in a suburbs like area. they use concrete for the freeways out here, but they do not fix them up. the road sinks around the bridges, and there are cracks in the concrete that shake the hole car. even better would be if the mag ride version of the DSSV shocks were on it instead, but those most likely cost mega-money. im kind of used to the ride now, its like riding in a truck that has really stiff suspension. think old school - thick leaf springs. the only real problem is if you hit a pothole 1-2" deep - you can hear the coil-overs bottom out. not much suspension travel.

[travislambert]

Originally Posted by nighttowl

I really like it. I just wish the roads out there werent so screwed up. I live outside los angeles in a suburbs like area. they use concrete for the freeways out here, but they do not fix them up. the road sinks around the bridges, and there are cracks in the concrete that shake the hole car. even better would be if the mag ride version of the DSSV shocks were on it instead, but those most likely cost mega-money. im kind of used to the ride now, its like riding in a truck that has really stiff suspension. think old school - thick leaf springs. the only real problem is if you hit a pothole 1-2" deep - you can hear the coil-overs bottom out. not much suspension travel.

The roads in West Virginia aren't known for being smooth to say the least, but fortunately the roads I regularly travel aren't bad. For the most part the bumps and holes can be avoided.

Your description is very similar to how I had imagined the car would ride, but it's very helpful to get confirmation from an actual owner.

Thank You!

[S.T.A.R.]

Originally Posted by nighttowl

I really like it. I just wish the roads out there werent so screwed up. I live outside los angeles in a suburbs like area. they use concrete for the freeways out here, but they do not fix them up. the road sinks around the bridges, and there are cracks in the concrete that shake the hole car. even better would be if the mag ride version of the DSSV shocks were on it instead, but those most likely cost mega-money. im kind of used to the ride now, its like riding in a truck that has really stiff suspension. think old school - thick leaf springs. the only real problem is if you hit a pothole 1-2" deep - you can hear the coil-overs bottom out. not much suspension travel.

nightowl, thanks for the above description of the 1LE ride quality. This was my only apprehension with the purchase of this car. I can handle 3/4 ton pickup ride.

Originally Posted by travislambert

The roads in West Virginia aren't known for being smooth to say the least, but fortunately the roads I regularly travel aren't bad. For the most part the bumps and holes can be avoided.

Your description is very similar to how I had imagined the car would ride, but it's very helpful to get confirmation from an actual owner.

Thank You!

Travis, it sounds like the 1LE is exactly the type of car you'd enjoy, make the move!

As far as your roads go there, I live in anthracite coal country, our roads suck to put it mildly. I'm only going to use the car sparingly, weekends and such, not sure about the track as of yet.

I just like the fact that I won't see 6 to 12 of these on a 15 minute drive!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by travislambert

I've been thinking about buying a ZL1 1LE since before I took delivery of my ZL1, and it's been slowly eating at me ever since. I feel like the ZL1 1LE would have been a better choice for me. At the time I was afraid I would end up without a Camaro to drive to Camaro Fest. In hindsight, I probably should have canceled my order and waited for the ZL1 1LE.

Anyway, I'm leaning heavily toward swapping cars this winter.

I'd really like to ride in the ZL1 1LE before committing to a purchase, but I doubt I'll get that opportunity... So, do you guys who own the ZL1 1LE have any regrets? Any disappointments with the 1LE-specific features?

On a related note, if anyone is SERIOUSLY interested in buying my ZL1, PM me. I'd sell it for whatever KBB says it's worth. It's a '17 Black M6, Coupe, Nav, PDR, ~4,000 miles. It has about 7 track days on it, but it's been very well maintained. It was properly broken in, and had almost 2,000 miles before the first track event. The oil was changed after 500 miles and after every track event. I used Mobil 1 5w-30 for street and 15w-50 for track. The differential oil has been changed 3 times, and the transmission oil was changed once (OEM fluids). It has new OEM tires and brake pads.

If you're ever in the Buffalo area (while it's warm, ), get in touch, and I'd be happy to let you take it for a spin.

As far as regrets or disappointment with 1LE-specific features...there are only three big differences between the cars. Aero, Wheels/Tires, and Suspension. I'll call out a few "compromises" you have to be willing to make.

Aerodynamics: The wing blocks about half of your view out of the rear window, right in the middle of the viewing area. It's also a HUGE attention-grabber...so if subtlety is your thing, that alone kills it. The front splitter is very low, in part thanks to the suspension/wheel combo. Even in full-high setting, the car scrapes on virtually everything, and you need to approach nearly every driveway at an angle.

Suspension: It is stiff. Stiffer-than-Z/28 stiff. It is low. Very, Very low....even in full-high setting. Over smooth highways or roads, it just feels incredibly tight and controlled...more responsive than any vehicle I've ever driven. But as soon as the bumps start...YOU move, there is minimal absorbing by the suspension...I have hit my head on the headliner once, my seatbelt was not tight enough. There was a section of about 20 miles of rough pavement on the trip back from the Camaro Fest, and I had to pull over after it was done to get out and stretch/relax.

Wheels/Tires: They grab more debris...they stick out past the car (throwing stuff everywhere). They're relatively loud...and they do not like standing water of any kind...even on brand new tread.

That all said - I bought the car to drive on the track...to have some fun around town when I want to. I bought a second vehicle (Chevy Sonic) to daily drive. So, I don't NEED to drive the ZL1 1LE, which makes it more of a "choice" and fun-factor to deal with the compromises above. That results in enjoying the Camaro a TON, sometimes because of the things above...it reminds me what I'm driving.

But I don't think I'd be very happy if I had to live with this car as my only car on a daily basis.

Have you thought about evaluating the loss you might take on selling your car and getting a new one...vs just putting the aero, tires, and maybe suspension on your car?

[travislambert]

Thanks for your input!

There's no doubt there will be compromises, but like you I have another vehicle to use as a DD. The Camaro is just a toy. I think I can handle my head bouncing off of the headliner once in a while, but I'm not sure how my wife will feel about it when it happens to her. (I know how I'll feel when it happens to her. )

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

...
Have you thought about evaluating the loss you might take on selling your car and getting a new one...vs just putting the aero, tires, and maybe suspension on your car?

I have. I'm hoping I won't have to take a big loss on the ZL1. The private party KBB value is $58,000. Whether I can get that or not, who knows, but I feel I can get close even if I have to trade it to the dealer.

For some, the bolt-on approach would work just fine. For me, not so much.

When it comes to cars I have a little bit of OCD. Even with every 1LE bolt-on, it still won't be a ZL1 1LE because GM doesn't make the software available. So the PTM coefficients are going to be wrong, the speedometer is going to be off, etc. (Of course the speedometer can be corrected with a tune, but that'd void the powertrain warranty.) Not to mention some 1LE features like the transmission gearing and lighter weight rear glass aren't practical to swap. I'd also need painted parts like the reinforced '18 trunk lid and front fascia. I'm betting I'd always see a slight difference in the paint, which would drive me nuts.

In terms of dollars, swapping aero, tires, and wheels only would probably make sense if GM would offer the 1LE software. I'd seriously consider it, but I'd probably still prefer having a genuine 1LE.

Thanks again for your input. The wing blocking the driver's view behind the car is something I hadn't thought of. It's certainly good to know these things beforehand.