[TheYankeeMarshal]

Alright fellow car nuts, I am facing a serious dilemma and really need advice. After several years of buying new cars every year, everything from Wranglers to Mini Cooper JCW and including all three modern muscle cars, I have decided Camaro is the car for me. I just need to decide if the one I have is the one for me or should I upgrade before settling down? I currently have a 2023 2SS but I am wondering if I should move up to the ZL1. Even though I do not track my car and mostly drive canyon roads I still think I would like the extra power. The ZL1 would be the only way to get that now without voiding my factory warranty. I assume it is too late to order a 2023 ZL1 so I would have to wait until ordering starts for the 2024 unless I find the right one on a lot. What do you guys think? Is they swap worth it? Has anyone here went from SS to ZL1 and how do you fell about the change?

My current car.

[Chevelle vs Camaro]

When’s the last time you had a warranty issue with a car? Most worry about them but never used them.

Pro charge it and if anything did happen to go wrong you’ll have plenty money left to fix. Also although I love a ZL1 I would rather customize yours the way you want than have a cookie cutter ZL1.

Spend the extra money to make your 2ss unique. It looks good by the way…

Just my personal opinion.


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[MakCamaro]

I went from a 2SS to the ZL1. Both great cars. I don't track mine but it's good to know that you have that extra power under the hood. If I were in your position and had the extra cash, I would do it.

[302crossram]

I own a 2ss.
if I had a do over it would be in this order

ZL1
1ss 1LE
2ss (heads up is the only upgrade I use)


all great cars nonetheless

[cvp33]

Wow, your ‘forever car’ is being discontinued…perfect timing. J/K

Simple answer - If you’re a car guy, the extra power is always worth it.

More detailed answer - If the ZL1 badging means something to you above the warranty and limited edition nature then the extra $’s and peace of mind are worth it. If not, then sure, power adders and suspension mods are fairly easy to come by.

Mod hell - I finally broke myself from mod hell but it took some hard lessons.

1) 2006 300C SRT8 - Flawless but was really a race car after all the mods.
2) 2010 CTS-V burned up 2 pistons from a crappy, lean tune from RPM in NC.
3) 2012 CTS-V blew 3 rear differentials trying to road race it even after adding auxiliary cooling.
4) 2016 Z06 with 757hp Callaway package. Blew the blower belt twice when no-lift shifting. Blew the coolant tank twice. Hydrolocked the motor and had to be replaced.

With my mod-hell behind me, bought a 2019 Z06 and only had 1 warranty issue. Now in my 2021 ZLE and no issues but only at 10K miles.

[LT4Greg]

I upgraded to a ZL1 back in 2019 from a 2016 2SS. I bought the 2016 new and the 2017 ZL1 was very low mileage used when I traded for it. Was it worth the extra money over my 2016 2SS? I would say yes and have no regrets. You have a good looking 2SS and it will never be a ZL1 so if you can afford upgrading to a ZL1 do it since 2024 will be the end of the line for Camaros.

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

LT1 to ZL1. I don’t even know how financially responsible it was in hindsight but I still don’t regret it. It has shown me how little dollars mean to me other than to an end to get what I want. My only regret is not having the budget to go wild with it yet. Warranty until 2028 so I’ll sit on that for now. I guess it’s worth mentioning I had to get the trans rebuilt at 14k and thankfully it’s ran flawless for 3k miles or so

[JTS]

I purchased a 2022 1SS in November 21 , I had fun for a year , til I was told April 22 , I could order a 23 ZL1, which I did , and received September 22 , and traded the SS . Glad I did and enjoying the Car .
I didn't want the 1LE pkg. I'm a Drag Racer at heart . Good luck with your dicision.

[FarmerFran]

Had a 2SS now a ZL1, if you can ZL1 everyday and twice on Sunday.

[Palutz]

Yes I would go for that LT4 before the Camaro goes extinct… you won’t regret it.

[Invertalon]

I can hardly do with the power of my 2SS alone as is... I can't imagine a ZL1 if you are not tracking or have the ability to use that power!

Unfortunately, no autobahn here in the US... lol. When driving on it last week, I was thinking how awesome it would have been to have my Camaro with me for the drive instead of the VW hatch rental (which basically limited me to about 125mph), but still was a fun time. Always a treat when that speed limit sign goes bye bye.

[arpad_m]

That's not a real dilemma, is it You want the ZL1, otherwise you wouldn't ask the question.

The extra power is always welcome, but know that you won't be able to go WOT that often and for long on public roads. If not being able to use the available power 90% of the time frustrates you, think again.

The ZL1 is clearly superior to your 2SS (although I will say yours looks very, very nice as-is), but it's not a "completely different car" at "another level altogether" as some ZL1 owners invariably claim here, it's a Camaro still, not some miracle McLaren 720S-like creation. Set your expectations realistically, and you'll love the ZL1.

[Fstlane]

ZL1...ZL1...ZL1...

[haggler]

I went though the same exact thoughts as you.. If money is no object and you can comfortably fit in the seats, go for it - other than that see below for my thoughts. I sold my daily driver since I don't drive much any more (got a great price). "Daily" driving this car lead me to a few conclusions:
1) I barely can go WOT as it is in my 2SS around here...partially because of the long gearing in the manual. You didn't mention which transmission you have, but from what I read the gearing is even taller in the ZL1 manual.
2) I prefer naturally aspirated with this much HP.
3) Interest rates are much higher now, I got GM special financing at 3.49%. My payment would more than double, APR would double around 6-7%, and I would lose the 7k in taxes since CA requires tax on the full car amount (no trade in credit).
4) I actually find myself looking for a lower power manual daily that I can actually ring out. Don't get me wrong, I love this car, the power, and the v8, but my whole life I've had relatively low hp (200-300hp) manual Japanese cars. I sometimes miss the shorter gearing.
5) I sat in a brand new ZL1 and didn't feel like I would be comfortable in the Recaros. Sure some folks say you break them in but to be honest I felt like i was sitting on top of the bolsters.
6) The handling upgrades from the ZL1 I probably will never use without going to the track. The car handles great as it is. I try to convince myself to get the GM performance suspension upgrade (non-mag ride), but everytime I drive the car in the canyons I see no need.
7) The luxury bits in the 2SS package make the car feel special, especially at night. I definitely utilize the 2SS more than I would the 1LE.

All this to say - the ZL1 is a great deal, there is no better car for the price. I mean I just read a Car and driver in which they compared the new M2 to a SS 1LE. It's basically neck and neck with that car, and the SS 1LE came out in 2017 and is more than half the price. That tells you what a bargain these cars are.