Homepage Garage Wiki Register Social Groups Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
#Camaro6
Go Back   CAMARO6 > CAMARO6.com General Forums > ZL1 Discussions


Phastek Performance


Post Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 05-25-2020, 09:35 AM   #1
ssyellow1
 
Drives: Mustang
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
ZL1 Buyers Guide (things to watch for)?

Hello all,

Potential new buyer of a 2018 ZL1 (manual) with low miles (under 5K) and certified pre-owned. With that in mind, I'm not worried too much about issues, but was curious of the main things to look for. Options are PDR and premium radio.

Overall it seems that the ZL1 drivetrain is pretty damn bulletproof aside from the oil pump issue in early years, but looking for any thoughts and feedback on items I should check when looking over the car in person.

Still searching on the forum, but figured I would ask around as well. Thanks for any help in advance.

Regards,

Nate
ssyellow1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 09:52 AM   #2
LT4Greg


 
LT4Greg's Avatar
 
Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 5,804
Nate, don’t think you will have to worry too much since it is a certified pre-owned ZL1. Check the Carfax if it has one and give the car a good look over and it should be okay. Of course take a test drive and listen for any noises that don’t seem normal, steering, shifting, body condition of paint and panels/bumpers, etc. Check the tires too.
__________________
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.
LT4Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 10:00 AM   #3
ssyellow1
 
Drives: Mustang
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by LT4Greg View Post
Nate, don’t think you will have to worry too much since it is a certified pre-owned ZL1. Check the Carfax if it has one and give the car a good look over and it should be okay. Of course take a test drive and listen for any noises that don’t seem normal, steering, shifting, body condition of paint and panels/bumpers, etc. Check the tires too.
Hello Greg,

Thanks for the prompt response and agreed, figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Clean Carfax and such, nothing out of the ordinary from what I saw.

I'll certainly be doing a thorough inspection once I check it out in person.
ssyellow1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 10:12 AM   #4
CW3SF

 
CW3SF's Avatar
 
Drives: 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 M6
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Sea level
Posts: 1,252
Check to see if it has PPF installed. I’d get it right away if not. GM paint is thin on these cars. Search PPF on here and get some ideas on what areas to get covered for max protection. Good luck with your search and purchase.
CW3SF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 10:38 AM   #5
bobby35ny


 
bobby35ny's Avatar
 
Drives: 18 ZL1 A10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South East, FL
Posts: 3,024
I see you are coming from a Mustang, FYI::
ZL1 Manual wont launch from the dig like a mustang. ALOT of built in torque management.
Sold mine because of it.
__________________
2017 ZL1 M6 Bog City, 2013 ZL1 M6, 2010 2SS M6
ZL1::J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS
bobby35ny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 11:16 AM   #6
LT4Greg


 
LT4Greg's Avatar
 
Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 5,804
It doesn’t matter if it won’t launch that good if you aren’t going to the drag strip. If the car is what you are looking for and the price is right then get it and start enjoying the drive like all of us are doing!��
__________________
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.
LT4Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 11:49 AM   #7
ZX-10R

 
ZX-10R's Avatar
 
Drives: 2019 ZL1 Riverside
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,138
'17 and '18 oil pump failures (although rare, but most of these cars are still very low mileage) and a few upgrades are the main reasons I went with a '19, even though '17/'18s are about $4-5k less. Tailights on the '19s really grew on me, the 17/18s look plain now
ZX-10R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 07:55 PM   #8
ssyellow1
 
Drives: Mustang
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
Also prefer the 2019 and up taillights I believe, but hard to find a 2019 in my price range.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobby35ny View Post
I see you are coming from a Mustang, FYI::
ZL1 Manual wont launch from the dig like a mustang. ALOT of built in torque management.
Sold mine because of it.
Good eye! My 2015 Mustang GT (Recaro seats + Performance package) has been a fantastic car since new and I currently have 88K miles on it. Not big into dig racing, more so road course stuff, but appreciate the insight.
ssyellow1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 06:30 AM   #9
SteveV

 
SteveV's Avatar
 
Drives: 2018 ZL1 Camaro 6M Red Hot
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 1,137
As others have noted, the only real issue to look out for in a 2018 is the oil pump.

Find out what the build date is on the car. My oil pump failed after 2 years and only 16,272 miles.
__________________
People are a lot like slinky's: not very helpful most of the time, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs...
SteveV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:40 AM   #10
L78toLT1

 
L78toLT1's Avatar
 
Drives: Hyper Blue 2016 2SS 6M
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: North Ga
Posts: 1,786
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZX-10R View Post
'17 and '18 oil pump failures (although rare, but most of these cars are still very low mileage) and a few upgrades are the main reasons I went with a '19, even though '17/'18s are about $4-5k less. Tailights on the '19s really grew on me, the 17/18s look plain now
I'm not there yet. I still like the earlier tail lights so much better that I'd take a '17 - '18 even with the increased risk of an oil pump failure.
I'll probably change my mind eventually though. It's funny how it takes a while for styling changes to grow on you. For instance, I initially thought the redesigned 1500 GM pickups were ugly, but after seeing some in the right colors, I have almost changed my tune. The new 2500's on the other hand...those are going to take some time. IMHO, they still look like they have taken a pretty good beating with an ugly stick!
__________________
Baby Blue
2016 Hyper Blue 2SS/6m/MRC/NPP/Silver Rally stripes/ZL1 wheels & brakes/GForce DS and axles/ZLE Cradle Bushings/FE4 ARB front & rear/SEMA Grill/Rotofab dry/95mm TB/Magnuson 2300/Full LT4 fuel system/JMS boost-a-pump/E85 Sensor/Ported CID heads from LME/Cammotion PD cam/Thompson Motorsports forged shortblock/catted Kooks 1 7/8 headers /JRE remote tuned
L78toLT1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:50 AM   #11
LT4Greg


 
LT4Greg's Avatar
 
Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 5,804
Yeah I agree about the new 2500 trucks being ugly!
__________________
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.
LT4Greg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 06:11 PM   #12
ssyellow1
 
Drives: Mustang
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
Likewise hard pass on the 2500 at this time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveV View Post
As others have noted, the only real issue to look out for in a 2018 is the oil pump.

Find out what the build date is on the car. My oil pump failed after 2 years and only 16,272 miles.
I was digging around the oil pump thread but can't remember off the top of my head, is there a specific month/date the oil pump PN was changed?

I sent an email to the GM social address per a few other thread suggestions, so we will see if they get back to me. Alternately, does the door jam weight sticker have build date in the top right?
ssyellow1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 09:26 PM   #13
Scottyz
2019 ZL1 1LE MY GOON
 
Scottyz's Avatar
 
Drives: 1980 Z28 Big Red.
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Stoney Creek
Posts: 2,061
Quote:
Originally Posted by CW3SF View Post
Check to see if it has PPF installed. I’d get it right away if not. GM paint is thin on these cars. Search PPF on here and get some ideas on what areas to get covered for max protection. Good luck with your search and purchase.
This. I’d highly recommend ppf
Scottyz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 09:27 PM   #14
Synister87
 
Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 5
If it's still factory rubber there is a good chance you will need new tires in less than 3000 miles. The only real options for these cars are the PDR, navigation and carbon fiber dash. I think every other factory option is simple bolt on stuff.
Synister87 is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Post Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.