TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE...NEED OPINIONS...BE NICE - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MIKZ28 · 07-01-2021, 09:55 AM

First of all I really love my Z. I wish I could drive it more but I live in a area of the country (northern midwest) where many of the roads are very ruff and full of raised expansion joints. Needless to say this makes for a very uncomfortable ride, even to the point of causing me neck pain. Long story short if I keep the car it will become my daily driver winter included. I must replace the F1 struts with standard SS struts both to increase the ride height and to improve the ride quality. 3 1/2" ground clearance will not work for winter time around here. I have a set of 2010 Camaro 20" wheels with snow tires that I can use in the winter. A thin 3/16" spacer is required to install the front wheels to clear the calipers. I will also remove the front splitter to gain more ground clearance. I am not sure GM tested the Z for cold weather driving. Is there any other winter drive issues specific to the Z i should be worried about?

My other choice is to trade the car in for a new 2022 Camaro 1SS. Now that production of the 2022's has moved up to next month. I am really not sure what to do here. I would love to keep the Z but it seems a shame to basterdize it by removing it's world class handeling prowess. I had a 2010 1SS for 8 years I used as a DD and I loved the ride and handeling. Ultimatly I know it is my decision to make but with Z values going up and the rarity of the car, should I let somebody else enjoy the car as it was made or modify it for my own use. My 17 year old 2004 GTO is getting tired and needs to be retired.

Zslash28 · 07-01-2021, 10:22 AM

I'd go buy a beater Honda civic and call it a day. The money to mod the Z car, and the gas money saved pays for itself right away.

MIKZ28 · 07-01-2021, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zslash28

I'd go buy a beater Honda civic and call it a day. The money to mod the Z car, and the gas money saved pays for itself right away.

Thanks for the idea but I will not drive a boring car. I need excitment behind the wheel even in winter. I'm old school... rear wheel drive, V8 is a must.

FLOW TIE · 07-01-2021, 10:51 AM

Not sure I'd mod the Z for winter, but that's just me. It's your car, do what you want.
Maybe buy a mid 90's Impala SS with higher mileage. It's a cool car, is a damn Tank and will last 300k with good maintenance. Parts are cheap/easy to get. Probably a pretty damn safe car in the snow as well. Good luck w your decision..

FLOW TIE · 07-01-2021, 10:52 AM

Oh yeah, and keep the Z for nice weekend driving!
:-)

AustexaSS · 07-01-2021, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKZ28

Thanks for the idea but I will not drive a boring car. I need excitment behind the wheel even in winter. I'm old school... rear wheel drive, V8 is a must.

Sell the Z and buy a 4WD truck. Modifying the Z in the manner you have stated absolutely ruins the intent of the Z/28 platform.
I would also say getting a used Audi AWD with a V8 is another option, something like an S8 or go get a Subaru, yeah not a V8 but you can mod them to increase performance and go full rally car.

Zslash28 · 07-01-2021, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKZ28

Thanks for the idea but I will not drive a boring car. I need excitment behind the wheel even in winter. I'm old school... rear wheel drive, V8 is a must.

LoL...then I would suggest a 1995 Ford Thunderbird LX with the 4.6.

ariZona28 · 07-01-2021, 12:22 PM

Get a nice truck for winter. Every car guy should own a truck for parts chasing, house projects etc. I'm very familiar with your region, my dad is down in Rockford. The roads absolutely suck! We took his '85 Z out and bounced around on Route 173. Maybe start taking your Z out to Blackhawk Farms and enjoying the car as designed? Let me remind you that the Z is a low production collectable, modding as you mentioned to use it as a winter car is sacrilege and will greatly reduce its value, performance and driving excitement. I can't imagine driving my beautiful Z/28 behind a plow/salt truck in 8" of snow. Not to mention the potential of somebody sliding through an intersection and totaling my vehicle!

MIKZ28 · 07-01-2021, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLOW TIE

Not sure I'd mod the Z for winter, but that's just me. It's your car, do what you want.
Maybe buy a mid 90's Impala SS with higher mileage. It's a cool car, is a damn Tank and will last 300k with good maintenance. Parts are cheap/easy to get. Probably a pretty damn safe car in the snow as well. Good luck w your decision..

I had 94 and a 96 Impala SS. Great cars! I also had a 94 9C1 Caprice ex Police car and it was faster than both my Impala's. I wish I still had that 9C1. But the bottom line is those cars are just too old now. I need a newer car for reliability. I have pretty much decided on the mods to the Z or the new 1SS. I am now leaning toward the new 1SS. I am not a truck guy.

Silveradoss573 · 07-01-2021, 01:12 PM

Find yourself a nice cheaper daily and save the z for a weekend toy. I understand the roads in many places across the nation are absolute garbage. No way in hell could I or would i want to daily my 1le. Suspension doesn't have much give so i can only imagine what you feel in yours.

Fast.Freddie · 07-01-2021, 03:05 PM

Prices are the highest they have been in a while. If you do not want to add to your fleet then its the right time to sell and order your 6th gen and probably have enough left over for your winter wheels / tires and a few other things. Price for maintenance is another big factor as we all know the Z isn't the cheapest to maintain.

HoodCheck · 07-01-2021, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silveradoss573

Find yourself a nice cheaper daily and save the z for a weekend toy. I understand the roads in many places across the nation are absolute garbage. No way in hell could I or would i want to daily my 1le. Suspension doesn't have much give so i can only imagine what you feel in yours.

The Z is a PERFECT daily driver...I've had 2, both have been DDs.

GeneRoss · 07-01-2021, 06:52 PM

Don't ruin the Z/28. Either keep it and enjoy it when the time is right or sell it now. These are super rare cars. Look at the values of Gen 5 Vipers right now shooting through the roof. the Z/28 will be hovering near $100K soon IMO. You're not seeing raw 6 speed manual drivers cars anymore with big N/A motors. It's Viper, C6 Z06 or the Z/28.

Get an LT1 or LS1 F-body. Excellent daily drivers even in winter months. I still miss my 02 SS should have never sold it.

Silveradoss573 · 07-01-2021, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoodCheck

The Z is a PERFECT daily driver...I've had 2, both have been DDs.

Not arguing with you but I haven't seen too many other owners say this? Is there something I'm missing?

07-01-2021, 09:55 AM	#1
MIKZ28 Drives: 2015 Camaro Z/28 #311 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 133	TOUGH DECISION TO MAKE...NEED OPINIONS...BE NICE First of all I really love my Z. I wish I could drive it more but I live in a area of the country (northern midwest) where many of the roads are very ruff and full of raised expansion joints. Needless to say this makes for a very uncomfortable ride, even to the point of causing me neck pain. Long story short if I keep the car it will become my daily driver winter included. I must replace the F1 struts with standard SS struts both to increase the ride height and to improve the ride quality. 3 1/2" ground clearance will not work for winter time around here. I have a set of 2010 Camaro 20" wheels with snow tires that I can use in the winter. A thin 3/16" spacer is required to install the front wheels to clear the calipers. I will also remove the front splitter to gain more ground clearance. I am not sure GM tested the Z for cold weather driving. Is there any other winter drive issues specific to the Z i should be worried about? My other choice is to trade the car in for a new 2022 Camaro 1SS. Now that production of the 2022's has moved up to next month. I am really not sure what to do here. I would love to keep the Z but it seems a shame to basterdize it by removing it's world class handeling prowess. I had a 2010 1SS for 8 years I used as a DD and I loved the ride and handeling. Ultimatly I know it is my decision to make but with Z values going up and the rarity of the car, should I let somebody else enjoy the car as it was made or modify it for my own use. My 17 year old 2004 GTO is getting tired and needs to be retired.

07-01-2021, 10:22 AM	#2
Zslash28 Jumanji Drives: '14 Z/28 - AGM - No A/C Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,688	I'd go buy a beater Honda civic and call it a day. The money to mod the Z car, and the gas money saved pays for itself right away. __________________ Keeper of the 5th Gen Z/28 Registry. Registry Facebook. Follow: @5th_gen_z28_registry I track wrecked Z/28s Total lost -41

07-01-2021, 12:22 PM	#8
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,227	Get a nice truck for winter. Every car guy should own a truck for parts chasing, house projects etc. I'm very familiar with your region, my dad is down in Rockford. The roads absolutely suck! We took his '85 Z out and bounced around on Route 173. Maybe start taking your Z out to Blackhawk Farms and enjoying the car as designed? Let me remind you that the Z is a low production collectable, modding as you mentioned to use it as a winter car is sacrilege and will greatly reduce its value, performance and driving excitement. I can't imagine driving my beautiful Z/28 behind a plow/salt truck in 8" of snow. Not to mention the potential of somebody sliding through an intersection and totaling my vehicle! __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

07-01-2021, 06:52 PM	#13
GeneRoss Drives: 14 Z/28 #368 02 SS(sold) 2012 Equus Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 184	Don't ruin the Z/28. Either keep it and enjoy it when the time is right or sell it now. These are super rare cars. Look at the values of Gen 5 Vipers right now shooting through the roof. the Z/28 will be hovering near $100K soon IMO. You're not seeing raw 6 speed manual drivers cars anymore with big N/A motors. It's Viper, C6 Z06 or the Z/28. Get an LT1 or LS1 F-body. Excellent daily drivers even in winter months. I still miss my 02 SS should have never sold it. __________________ 2014 Z/28 #368

07-01-2021, 10:51 AM	#4
FLOW TIE Drives: 2015 Z/28 #898 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: DFW Posts: 416	Not sure I'd mod the Z for winter, but that's just me. It's your car, do what you want. Maybe buy a mid 90's Impala SS with higher mileage. It's a cool car, is a damn Tank and will last 300k with good maintenance. Parts are cheap/easy to get. Probably a pretty damn safe car in the snow as well. Good luck w your decision..

07-01-2021, 10:52 AM	#5
FLOW TIE Drives: 2015 Z/28 #898 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: DFW Posts: 416	Oh yeah, and keep the Z for nice weekend driving! :-)

07-01-2021, 01:12 PM	#10
Silveradoss573 Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: May 2018 Location: USA Posts: 1,348	Find yourself a nice cheaper daily and save the z for a weekend toy. I understand the roads in many places across the nation are absolute garbage. No way in hell could I or would i want to daily my 1le. Suspension doesn't have much give so i can only imagine what you feel in yours.

07-01-2021, 03:05 PM	#11
Fast.Freddie 2015 Z/28 #48 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #48 Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 116	Prices are the highest they have been in a while. If you do not want to add to your fleet then its the right time to sell and order your 6th gen and probably have enough left over for your winter wheels / tires and a few other things. Price for maintenance is another big factor as we all know the Z isn't the cheapest to maintain.