Trade 5th Gen ZL1 for 6th Gen 1LE

[lbls1]

No way would I do that (unless I'm trying to get away from a problem). Its up to you, though.

[d454brisson]

I feel your thoughts I have a 2014 6Spd with all the fun mods, Ported blower, JTR cam, 2.55 upper big lower, headers, injectors, 5inch intake, interchiller and thought wow the ZL1 1LE really looks nice.

Unfortunately it would be starting over to get to the same hp level. So cost of car plus mods. I even looked (well still thinking about) at the Redeye Hellcats. The problem there is they are very hard for the user to mod. limited Hptuners, flaky trans issues etc etc. There too is would be a 20-30k jump between the current car and the Redeye and a down round in HP.

Also thought about putting the down payment into just a Texas speed 417 lsa long block and going big.

Who knows decisions, decisions. For me unless fiscally forced to, I don't want to go down in HP, performance envelop or capacity to upgrade.

F up, not F down

[VRZL113]

Originally Posted by Lou gill

Don’t forget about the incredible difference the magnetic ride control makes on the ZL1

The 2019 SS 1LE has the mag ride and ediff like the 6th gen ZL1, so the suspension will be comparable if not a little better than my 5th gen ZL1. That's another point which makes the decision difficult.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by VRZL113

Hey guys, toying with the idea of trading my 2013 ZL1 for a brand new 2019 Riverside Blue 1LE. I know the new front end is controversial in it's looks, but in person it looks pretty aggressive and even better with the 1LE package. The dealership is offering me 28k for my ZL1 which has just a tick over 34k miles. The MRSP for the 1LE is $45,395, and I got them down to $42,500. The car sounds amazing, and it's def quick, but I'm worried I'm going to eventually miss the blower whine, and having a ZL1 in general. What would you guys do in my situation??

After reading through your posts, it sounds as if you may just have a "case of the wants". IMHO, the ZL1 is the Camaro's apex predator. It does everything exceptionally well. It can handle the strip and a road course all in one day and it still has superb street manners. Don't get me wrong, the SS 1LE is no slouch either, but it is not a ZL1. Sure, you'd be getting a brand new car, but IMHO, you'd be taking a slight step backwards. Good luck with your decision.

Originally Posted by LD18SS

My 1SS and the ZL1 were real close power wise, I just enjoy the 13 ZL1

What did you have done to your '18 SS that it had near 600 crank hp?

[rvnmaniac]

Originally Posted by VRZL113

Hey guys, toying with the idea of trading my 2013 ZL1 for a brand new 2019 Riverside Blue 1LE. I know the new front end is controversial in it's looks, but in person it looks pretty aggressive and even better with the 1LE package. The dealership is offering me 28k for my ZL1 which has just a tick over 34k miles. The MRSP for the 1LE is $45,395, and I got them down to $42,500. The car sounds amazing, and it's def quick, but I'm worried I'm going to eventually miss the blower whine, and having a ZL1 in general. What would you guys do in my situation??

I would trade it in for a used 6 Gen ZL1 only...

[BlaqWhole]

The only progression from a ZL1 is to another ZL1. Once you're used to ZL1 stuff nothing lower will compare. My recommendation is to search for a used 6th Gen ZL1 and trade up to that. Performance wise the 6th Gen SS 1LE is side by side with the 5th Gen ZL1 if not faster. But there is more to these cars than performance. However it is a newer car vs an older one so that does factor in it a bit. It really depends on what you want. Again, after having a ZL1, I doubt I could ever go back to a SS even if the 7th Gen SS (if it does come out) performs just as good. Owning a ZL1 just puts you on a different level.

[lbls1]

Also think hard about this: If I bought a 5th gen new, why the heck would I trade it for a used 6th gen? I get the plus/minuses: Lighter, quicker. Bear in mind there is a definite difference in feel and experience in a new car versus a used car. You almost can't compare the two in terms of overall experience.

Think long and hard before you act; You may find that the actual owner experience may not be what its cracked up to be.

This isn't a slight on the 6th generation. I feel that they're excellent camaros. I just say that if you are gonna buy one buy it right....make it hurt and buy it brand new!

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Originally Posted by StreetRage320

I went through a similar thought process with the release of the ZL1 1LE. That car would out perform my car in every way. So I spoke to a dealer that put the rough numbers around my car + 32k...ouch.

My car is a 2013 ZL1, honestly mint, 2400 miles. So it got me thinking, what if I took my 5th Gen to Vengence, GPI, Janetty, RPM, CSP, who ever and said I have 30k in my budget and I want to outperform a ZL1 1LE. And I still like the look of my 5th gen better, so for me it was simple. Stay with what I have.

Hell for 30K you could engine swap to the LT4 and have Z28 suspension parts put on and be a hell of a ride. Big part is being careful with trying to keep front to back weight balance and keep the engine center of gravity as low as you can for handling. If you only drive on the street you do not have to worry about that as much.

[VRZL113]

I really appreciate everyone's comments.... I didn't think I would get so many helpful opinions. I agree one of hardest parts of this is going from a ZL1 to an SS even though its a 1LE and newer. I think I'm going to hold off and just keep my 5th gen ZL1, and be happy. If a 6th gen ZL1 comes around for the right price, I may jump on that. Thanks again guys!

[lbls1]

The 5th gen ZL1 is a cornerstone chevrolet; Its so good that I wouldn't concede anything with it. There will always be faster, but the combination of speed, power, beauty, technical advancements are incredible with the 5th gen. Yes, if I were starting from zero I would definitely go with a 6th gen but the 5th gen should be enough car for many.

[VRZL113]

Originally Posted by lbls1

The 5th gen ZL1 is a cornerstone chevrolet; Its so good that I wouldn't concede anything with it. There will always be faster, but the combination of speed, power, beauty, technical advancements are incredible with the 5th gen. Yes, if I were starting from zero I would definitely go with a 6th gen but the 5th gen should be enough car for many.

Absolutely agree with this... That's why my ZL1 has stayed mostly "stock" power wise... I've never really craved more power from it.

[CFrance]

Sounds like you already made up your mind but just my 2 cents....

I have a 2013 ZL1 and my girlfriend has a 2019 SS 1LE. My ZL1 is faster in a straight line, but we haven't really had a chance to compare them in corners. While I may be slightly bias, the ZL1 just feels more special. Her 1LE is still plenty quick and tons of fun but there is just something about the ZL1 that makes it more special.

One thing I don't like about the 6th gens is how much smaller they are inside. I am not a big guy or anything and I am sure I would get use to it but I prefer my Z's interior because it is more roomy and comfortable imo.

Unless you just love the look of the 6th gen, I don't really see a reason move to the SS 1LE. As others have said if it was a 6th gen ZL1 it would be a different story but while there is nothing wrong with the SS 1LE, it just isn't a Z.

If you're getting a little bored of the Z, just throw some mods on it and you'll fall in love all over again!

[VRZL113]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Sounds like you already made up your mind but just my 2 cents....

I have a 2013 ZL1 and my girlfriend has a 2019 SS 1LE. My ZL1 is faster in a straight line, but we haven't really had a chance to compare them in corners. While I may be slightly bias, the ZL1 just feels more special. Her 1LE is still plenty quick and tons of fun but there is just something about the ZL1 that makes it more special.

One thing I don't like about the 6th gens is how much smaller they are inside. I am not a big guy or anything and I am sure I would get use to it but I prefer my Z's interior because it is more roomy and comfortable imo.

Unless you just love the look of the 6th gen, I don't really see a reason move to the SS 1LE. As others have said if it was a 6th gen ZL1 it would be a different story but while there is nothing wrong with the SS 1LE, it just isn't a Z.

If you're getting a little bored of the Z, just throw some mods on it and you'll fall in love all over again!

Nice to hear about an exact comparison between the two... I agree that the 6th gen interior is a lot smaller on the inside. The belt line felt higher than my ZL1's as well. I told my salesman the trade would be easier for me if it was ZL1 for ZL1, but most of the low mile 6th Gen ZL1's are still a bit out of my comfortable price range. Once they get into the lower 40k area, I may start looking into one.

The other reason I contemplated selling my ZL1 for the 1LE is it would be a brand new car that only I drove. I purchased my 13' ZL1 pre-owned and I must say the previous owner did not know how to wash the car correctly. I have since corrected the paint defects to nearly 95% perfect, but being an engineer I'm very anal, and even the smallest flaw drives me nuts, lol.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by BlaqWhole

The only progression from a ZL1 is to another ZL1. Once you're used to ZL1 stuff nothing lower will compare. My recommendation is to search for a used 6th Gen ZL1 and trade up to that. Performance wise the 6th Gen SS 1LE is side by side with the 5th Gen ZL1 if not faster. But there is more to these cars than performance. However it is a newer car vs an older one so that does factor in it a bit. It really depends on what you want. Again, after having a ZL1, I doubt I could ever go back to a SS even if the 7th Gen SS (if it does come out) performs just as good. Owning a ZL1 just puts you on a different level.

On a road course, it would be close. In a straight line, the 1LE would see nothing but taillights. Even though it is lighter than a 5th Gen, it is still outgunned by ~125hp. Sorry.