How Many Miles Are To Many To Buy A Used ZL1

JLM1956 · 11-17-2020, 11:49 AM

I have been looking for a used ZL1 for to long. In used I did not want to buy over about 4,000 miles. With used prices so high now I thought after the first of the year I would just order new (hate paying MSRP). I came across a nice private seller 2017 that is exactly what I would order. It has 25,000 miles on it but is over 20k less dollars. My yearly driving miles will be under 3,000 per year. In a normal car 25,000 miles would be fine. As we all know this is not a normal car. How are these cars as the miles go up? Why would or would not you buy this car?

JasonGofast · 11-17-2020, 11:55 AM

These cars are pretty reliable. If they haven't broken in the first 20k miles they're probably fine. As long as regular maintenance has been noted on the car history and it wasn't tracked heavily I think you'll be fine. I have friends who have bought 2015 Z06s with 40k+ miles on them that still run like new. The Camaro I'd say is the more reliable car. I would be more worried about interior/exterior body issues more than the engine.

newchevyman · 11-17-2020, 12:50 PM

There's a lady in Houston with 133k miles on her 2017 ZL1 and never had any serious issues. It's a Camaro not a high maintenance exotic. Get the best condition car in your budget and don't worry about mileage.

gtfoxy · 11-17-2020, 12:59 PM

It depends on what you’re looking for in terms of wear & tear.

I personally wanted as pristine as possible. One ‘18 I was looking at had 548 miles, but it was in Indiana, so another 800 miles to get it back home. I ended up with mine that had 1,900 on it. Condition was almost like new. It’s now up to me to keep it as close to that as possible.

Petrol Head · 11-17-2020, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newchevyman

There's a lady in Houston with 133k miles on her 2017 ZL1

I know there's nothing wrong with that, but I would still feel a bit awkward driving a ZL1 as an every day driver. Heck I can't bring myself to drive my lowly SS to work lol.

JasonGofast · 11-17-2020, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrol Head

I know there's nothing wrong with that, but I would still feel a bit awkward driving a ZL1 as an every day driver. Heck I can't bring myself to drive my lowly SS to work lol.

I drove my ZL1 everyday. 13k miles in 5 months. It's too much fun not to drive. At the end of the day it's a Camaro, and even more so a Chevy. The cost to fix something on these things is typically pretty small.

gtfoxy · 11-17-2020, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrol Head

I know there's nothing wrong with that, but I would still feel a bit awkward driving a ZL1 as an every day driver. Heck I can't bring myself to drive my lowly SS to work lol.

Mine is a DD, but I live less than 2 miles from work. When I don’t want to I ride with the wife. Not sure how I’d feel if it was say 40miles one way. That’s quite a fuel bill each month. Probably would have a cheap fuel-mizer if that was the case.

SoCal Smith · 11-17-2020, 01:14 PM

It's a simple cost analysis. I have to agree with @newchevyman, it's not something crazy exotic. Supercharged LT4 engine has been out since 2005 and the find one that has had all the services completed like you would normally with a used car purchase and your going to be good to go! I have seen CTS-V with 50K+ miles on the LT4.

If you are that worried, by insurance for it (extended warranty).

SoCal Smith · 11-17-2020, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petrol Head

I know there's nothing wrong with that, but I would still feel a bit awkward driving a ZL1 as an every day driver. Heck I can't bring myself to drive my lowly SS to work lol.

Well... with that weather in your profile pic, I wouldn't drive it either!

ZX-10R · 11-17-2020, 01:16 PM

Lower the better - honestly the big hit comes right after you roll off the lot so you can often find very low mileage cars (<5k) at good prices - with that said ZL1 values have gone up in the last 6 months.

Low mileage means you can still get that nasty diff fluid changed out and install an oil catch can ASAP before the valves get more coked up with blowby (also install a coolant reservoir while you're at it)

Petrol Head · 11-17-2020, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Smith

Well... with that weather in your profile pic, I wouldn't drive it either!

LT4Greg · 11-17-2020, 02:28 PM

The lower mileage the better in my opinion! I would keep searching for a lower mileage one. You may pay a little more but it might be worth it. You do what’s best for your situation though. Good luck!��

gtfoxy · 11-17-2020, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

The lower mileage the better in my opinion! I would keep searching for a lower mileage one. You may pay a little more but it might be worth it. You do what’s best for your situation though. Good luck!��

I would add that newer low mileage allows for a little bit of warranty time remaining. I picked up another year of 3/36. If you are close to stretching your budget that doesn’t leave any headroom if something does fail.

What do you add to the end of your statements? It always shows weird question marks.

LT4Greg · 11-17-2020, 03:51 PM

A thumbs up!

11-17-2020, 11:49 AM	#1
JLM1956 Drives: 67 Camaro Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 27	How Many Miles Are To Many To Buy A Used ZL1 I have been looking for a used ZL1 for to long. In used I did not want to buy over about 4,000 miles. With used prices so high now I thought after the first of the year I would just order new (hate paying MSRP). I came across a nice private seller 2017 that is exactly what I would order. It has 25,000 miles on it but is over 20k less dollars. My yearly driving miles will be under 3,000 per year. In a normal car 25,000 miles would be fine. As we all know this is not a normal car. How are these cars as the miles go up? Why would or would not you buy this car?

11-17-2020, 12:50 PM	#3
newchevyman Drives: 2017 Camero ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 130	There's a lady in Houston with 133k miles on her 2017 ZL1 and never had any serious issues. It's a Camaro not a high maintenance exotic. Get the best condition car in your budget and don't worry about mileage. __________________ 2017 ZL1 A10 Dyno/Quarter Mile/Dragy 9.71@141.2 MPH so far. 2007 Z06 H/C/I/E Half Mile - 169 MPH. Sold.

11-17-2020, 02:28 PM	#12
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,811	The lower mileage the better in my opinion! I would keep searching for a lower mileage one. You may pay a little more but it might be worth it. You do what’s best for your situation though. Good luck!�� __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

11-17-2020, 03:51 PM	#14
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,811	A thumbs up! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

11-17-2020, 11:55 AM	#2
JasonGofast Used to own a ZL1 Drives: '16 Z06 Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: TX Posts: 279	These cars are pretty reliable. If they haven't broken in the first 20k miles they're probably fine. As long as regular maintenance has been noted on the car history and it wasn't tracked heavily I think you'll be fine. I have friends who have bought 2015 Z06s with 40k+ miles on them that still run like new. The Camaro I'd say is the more reliable car. I would be more worried about interior/exterior body issues more than the engine.

11-17-2020, 12:59 PM	#4
gtfoxy Account Suspended Drives: '21 Wild Cherry ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: WI Posts: 2,082	It depends on what you’re looking for in terms of wear & tear. I personally wanted as pristine as possible. One ‘18 I was looking at had 548 miles, but it was in Indiana, so another 800 miles to get it back home. I ended up with mine that had 1,900 on it. Condition was almost like new. It’s now up to me to keep it as close to that as possible.

11-17-2020, 01:14 PM	#8
SoCal Smith Drives: 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: SoCal Posts: 313 View My Garage	It's a simple cost analysis. I have to agree with @newchevyman, it's not something crazy exotic. Supercharged LT4 engine has been out since 2005 and the find one that has had all the services completed like you would normally with a used car purchase and your going to be good to go! I have seen CTS-V with 50K+ miles on the LT4. If you are that worried, by insurance for it (extended warranty).

11-17-2020, 01:16 PM	#10
ZX-10R Drives: 2019 ZL1 Riverside Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,138	Lower the better - honestly the big hit comes right after you roll off the lot so you can often find very low mileage cars (<5k) at good prices - with that said ZL1 values have gone up in the last 6 months. Low mileage means you can still get that nasty diff fluid changed out and install an oil catch can ASAP before the valves get more coked up with blowby (also install a coolant reservoir while you're at it)

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