05-25-2020, 09:35 AM | #1 |
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 |
05-25-2020, 09:52 AM | #2 |
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.
|
05-25-2020, 10:00 AM | #3 | |
Drives: Mustang Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
|
Quote:
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. |
|
05-25-2020, 10:12 AM | #4 |
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.
|
05-25-2020, 10:38 AM | #5 |
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 |
05-25-2020, 11:16 AM | #6 |
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.
|
05-25-2020, 11:49 AM | #7 |
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
|
05-25-2020, 07:55 PM | #8 |
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.
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. |
05-26-2020, 06:30 AM | #9 |
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...
|
05-26-2020, 10:40 AM | #10 | |
Drives: Hyper Blue 2016 2SS 6M Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: North Ga
Posts: 1,786
|
Quote:
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 |
|
05-26-2020, 10:50 AM | #11 |
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.
|
05-26-2020, 06:11 PM | #12 | |
Drives: Mustang Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
|
Likewise hard pass on the 2500 at this time.
Quote:
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? |
|
05-26-2020, 09:26 PM | #13 |
2019 ZL1 1LE MY GOON
Drives: 1980 Z28 Big Red. Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Stoney Creek
Posts: 2,061
|
|
05-26-2020, 09:27 PM | #14 |
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.
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|