12-13-2019, 05:38 PM | #29 | |
Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada, eh!
Posts: 5,091
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Secondly, that's a good question and one i have asked myself more than once I suppose if i were to list specific reasons...and i have several...one sums it up best: i will always remember Randy Pobst commenting on his first test of an SS 1LE at Laguna. After gushing about the car, he then wanted to offer some critique...paused searching for words and said this: "I dont own one!". Personally, i have tried to talk myself into a ZL1, but: 1. Not at all sure that spending $30k extra on a car and 20% extra on consumables would necessarily guarantee more fun, as fun for me is corners vs straights and the SS 1LE is so superbly balanced (and fast!) in the twisties. Maybe ZL1 is equally well balanced, but i simply dont know. 2. I already spend a sizable amount on my track hobby every year. Almost half a car's price. For me more days = more fun vs absolute pace, for sure. But: 3. If i felt an urgent need to increase my pace I'd rather take an easier (and much cheaper) way to get there: a set of Apex rims with G3Rs, or R7s. Even if it doubled my tire budget and necessitated friggin with changing wheels twice a day. $30k extra buys tons of tires 4. I am not fond of the LT4 small supercharger and various gremlins folks have been posting here, even if not that frequently. It would drive me nuts to have to mod a new car to make it track capable (as some have had to do apparently), or to camp at a dealer's service dept...(especially given LT4 cars are not mainstream per se). Incidentally, i did have a supercharged Stang at one point and it did give me much grief, so that memory doesn't help... 5. The last 3 seasons have been an absolute blast! The car surpassed my expectations at every level (incl some new PBs) and allowed me to be very competitive even against some exotics, which blows my mind (and those of being passed too 6. Lastly, i know that tons of folks (been there myself) look at various mods (incl power) to make them faster. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, depending where they are driver development wise. For me, there is no greater fun to challenge myself - as a driver - to get more out of a car. And i am still working on it! Bottom line: I'd rather spend less on a purchase, but not have to limit my track time and trade every 3 yrs to maintain full warranty. And if i ever need more pace, i will simply bolt G3R rubber on and challenge the driver again Cheers! |
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12-13-2019, 08:43 PM | #30 |
Drives: 1LEs Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW - Texas
Posts: 1,319
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Excellent summary above. With my drag cars sold, I have a stash of cash that I keep coming close to buy a ZL1 1LE with. I'd keep the SS 1LE, but, I keep coming back to the reality of the amount of money for not much more performance especially considering I'm already on ZL1 1LE wheels, tires, and brakes. I may get one, but, it will be an emotional gotta have it moment vs. a logical purchase. For a buyer, good news is that the resale value sucks on these. I keep seeing more and more with between a few hundred and few thousand miles at $55K and dropping. Asking price may be a bit more, but, not transaction price.
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12-13-2019, 10:05 PM | #31 | |
Drives: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Florida
Posts: 210
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Is the SS that good? |
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12-14-2019, 11:24 AM | #32 | |
Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada, eh!
Posts: 5,091
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Quote:
Of course, ZL1 1LE is faster, but with a skilled driver, who knows how to get the speed out of its sticky tires, more power and aero. You'll also pay for new tires every 3 vs 6 or 7 track days, pay more for gas, brakes, etc. So, your consumables costs will be much higher. But, money aside, I would not recommend it as a first track car to anyone, as it is more difficult to learn on a faster car vs not. That applies to anyone no matter how "talented" they may think they are (and almost always peeps have no idea whatsoever how much learning and skill it takes to pilot a car to go really fast). It takes many track days (plus instruction and studying) to learn how to feel a car's limit, make corrections when those get exceeded to prevent spin outs or wrecks, etc. And quite simply the higher the car's limits and the higher the speeds, the more difficult and longer the journey. That's assuming one is serious about the track hobby with a primary objective of becoming a fast driver. If the objective is to have an uber car with big wing etc and take it to a track from time to time and brag to friends about "racing" it, that's ok too. Fun is fun! But that's a different path and results will be very different as well. Cheers! |
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12-14-2019, 03:37 PM | #33 | |
Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Diego, CA.
Posts: 457
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12-14-2019, 10:18 PM | #34 |
Drives: '18 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Pennsyltucky
Posts: 2,571
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The one downside is that it is only clean for a minute or two after you wash it. One short drive leaves it covered in dust.
I love/hate it. Looks really mean, but all I see is the dirt that needs to be cleaned off.
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'18 1SS 1LE Black, PDR
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12-14-2019, 10:58 PM | #35 |
Drives: 2019 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Posts: 103
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UPDATE: Pulled the trigger on a 2019 1SS 1LE in Black today! Will pick it up Wednesday (hopefully Tuesday). Car has a PDR and I got it for $43,300 out the door (tax, title, fees included) and I live in FL where there are no limits on dealer fees. IMO a very good deal, I am happy with it.
First of: Thanks for everyones input! Now let me explain what my thoughts were in a little more detail. I drive up to the dealership and there is a beautiful white C7 GS with black rims sitting infront. Next to it stands a white SS 1LE and all I could think was damn am I making the right choice with the 1LE that GS looks amazing? So here I am looking at a 1LE and a GS side by side and yes the GS looks more special, it becomes very evident when you see them side by side. But then I remember the price difference and immediately the 1LE becomes more appealing again. I take the 1LE for a quick spin! What... a... car...! I drove a 2019 GS about two weeks ago and the 1LE is so much more emotional in my eyes. The crackling the exhaust makes on the 1LE is just , I can't recall the 2019 GS that I drove making that kind of sounds. As far as suspension feel and handling they felt very similar, but the GS felt a little bit more planted with a lower center of gravity (I am judging this from driving around the block with both cars, so take it with a grain of salt). For the price difference the 1LE is a no brainer. I was also surprised how different the 1LE is from a regular SS. I had a 2016 SS Manual earlier this year and did not think that these cars (SS vs. SS 1LE) would be so different (part of it might come from the fact that I drive a 2.0T Sedan as my DD and forgot how the 2016 SS rides). The handling, grip and exhaust is so much better on the 1LE vs. SS! Super happy with my decision and the deal I got. |
12-15-2019, 12:15 AM | #36 |
Drives: 2020 SS 1LE (previous: 2017 SS 1LE) Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada, eh!
Posts: 5,091
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Congratulations!!!
Do post some pix when you get a chance pls. Cheers! |
12-15-2019, 06:56 AM | #37 | |
2019 ZL1 1LE MY GOON
Drives: 1980 Z28 Big Red. Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Stoney Creek
Posts: 2,061
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12-15-2019, 09:34 AM | #38 | |
Drives: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Florida
Posts: 210
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12-15-2019, 12:37 PM | #39 |
Account Suspended
Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,538
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Congrats!
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12-15-2019, 03:48 PM | #40 | |
Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE...makes me go YeeeHaw! Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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To the OP...Congrats & enjoy the ride! WARNING: Beware of the MOD Gods...they're everywhere!
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The Thrill isn't around the corner, the Thrill is the corner!
So don't hesitate, just brake late! |
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12-15-2019, 05:50 PM | #41 | |
Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: May 2016
Location: East Bay, Ca
Posts: 301
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I've owned a 6th gen camaro and c7 GS and am now going back to the camaro. I'm tall. The camaro has just slightly more head room. The interior on the 2ss is nicer than the mid-level corvette. Corvette uses seemingly cheaper materials. The corvette info-tainment center has a very wonky UI and the controls are not as ergonomic - making you looking down to change music on the corvette - while on the camaro you can easily feel your way around. The camaro is slightly wider - so at 6'3" 220#'s I fit better. The camaro is safer. Corvettes are not crash tested and have no crash test rating. Camaro's OTOH have been tested and have done quite well. The use the same engine. But the stick in the camaro is easier - having 1 less gear. it's super common on c7's for people to miss shifts now and again. I know the camaro 1LE will be about 1.5 seconds slower around the track - but at some point we all make comprimises. I think the camaro is a good one. |
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12-21-2019, 05:11 PM | #42 | |
Drives: 2019 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Posts: 103
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Sorry for the delay, delivery took longer than expected but here she is! |
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