ZL1 vs Z06

PackManDan · 11-02-2019, 05:39 PM

Looking on CarGurus it looks like the difference between a low mileage 18 ZL1 and a low-ish mileage 15 or 16 C7 Z06 is around $5,000 give or take.

Same engine but completely different cars. Two seats vs Four, different appearance, more weight vs less weight, 6-speed manual vs 7-speed. Is there anyone on here who bought the Camaro but wishes they got the Z06 instead? What were your reasons for getting the ZL1 over the Z06 when the price is fairly similar?

I'm coming from a C6 ZR1 which was an absolute rocket even in stock form. Have about $55,000 to spend so that leaves me with 3 options: ZL1 Camaro, C7 Z06 or another C6 ZR1. Looking for some input.

Cleancoupe · 11-02-2019, 05:54 PM

Do you need a rear seat, do you rather the looks of one over the other, the ZL1 will have plenty of warranty left where the ZO6 might not have any. To me I didn’t even consider the vette. Performance wise, they are pretty close surprisingly with the nudge going to the Vette. I personal rather the look of the ZL1 one especially if you go with the 1LE version. The back seats on these cars is tiny so unless you have little ones, it’s a mute point. Check out this video
https://youtu.be/D25GwFG1dzk

likerage · 11-02-2019, 06:13 PM

I went in for the Z06 and left with the Zl1. Definitely a different car but in the end I preferred the looks and drive of the ZL1.

Hilltopper · 11-02-2019, 06:56 PM

Two completely different cars. I own both, and my 2017 Z06/Z07 is better handling, in my opinion, but the A8 is no comparison to the A10 in the ZL1. Both are great cars. You cannot go wrong either way......

PROMETHEUS · 11-02-2019, 07:01 PM

stay away from the 15 and 16 Z06s. Over heating issues on the track. Fixed in MY 17.

LT4Greg · 11-02-2019, 07:22 PM

The C6 ZR1 LS9 was a helluva strong LS engine and I’m sure yours was a rocket ship! You can’t go wrong with a C7 ZO6 or a 6gen ZL1 in my opinion but you will have to get what gives you a big smile and makes you happy! I personally like a ZL1 which with the money you have to spend you could find a nice used 2017 or 2018 ZL1 that would still have some remaining months on the 36,000 mile/36 month warranty. It’s a hard decision which I’m glad I don’t have to decide between the three! Good luck and any of the three would be a choice in my opinion! ��

JasonSB · 11-02-2019, 07:27 PM

I just traded my C6 Z06 that had 600 RWHP in for a 2018 ZL1 A10. The Z06 was a great car and fun to drive but got tired of the noise and just wanted more room and something that I could drive everyday.

Moniker · 11-02-2019, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackManDan

Looking on CarGurus it looks like the difference between a low mileage 18 ZL1 and a low-ish mileage 15 or 16 C7 Z06 is around $5,000 give or take.

Same engine but completely different cars. Two seats vs Four, different appearance, more weight vs less weight, 6-speed manual vs 7-speed. Is there anyone on here who bought the Camaro but wishes they got the Z06 instead? What were your reasons for getting the ZL1 over the Z06 when the price is fairly similar?

I'm coming from a C6 ZR1 which was an absolute rocket even in stock form. Have about $55,000 to spend so that leaves me with 3 options: ZL1 Camaro, C7 Z06 or another C6 ZR1. Looking for some input.

The C7 Z06 is faster everywhere. I didn’t like the Z06 A8 or the 7 speed. I drove my buddys Z06 18 on the track and I prefer the ZL1 chassis on the track. The roads where I live more closely resemble the surface of Mars than a road. Although the ZL1 is low the Vette is lower and I cringed taking the Vette for a drive. I went with the ZL1. Both are great cars.

PackManDan · 11-02-2019, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cleancoupe

Do you need a rear seat, do you rather the looks of one over the other, the ZL1 will have plenty of warranty left where the ZO6 might not have any. To me I didn’t even consider the vette. Performance wise, they are pretty close surprisingly with the nudge going to the Vette. I personal rather the look of the ZL1 one especially if you go with the 1LE version. The back seats on these cars is tiny so unless you have little ones, it’s a mute point. Check out this video
https://youtu.be/D25GwFG1dzk

I don't need a rear seat and this is one of the things that is holding me back on the ZL1. It is heavier and has a rear seat, which would be attractive if the rear seat was usable and could actually fit adults back there but from everything I've read, the rear seat is hardly big enough to fit an 8-year-old comfortably. If that is true, then it is pretty much useless to me. And if it is useless to me then that's a huge drawback, because I have a 4-seater car that can only be used as a 2-seater car.

I prefer the looks of the Corvette although the ZL1 looks very nice as well.

PackManDan · 11-02-2019, 10:31 PM

To answer some other members' questions: I will not track the car, it will strictly be a street driven weekend toy car. So I'm not concerned about the over heating issues with the Z06 as that is almost exclusively the automatic when on the track.

Also I love the 10-speed auto in the ZL1 but not a huge fan of the 8-speed auto in the Z06 so if I went ZL1 I would go Auto but if I went with the Z06 I would go with the 7-speed Manual.

The car would not stay stock but nothing too crazy. Maybe 750rwhp at most. Also it would not be daily driven...weekend only car for cruising.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 11-02-2019, 10:41 PM

I have both. Go C7 Z06 unless you want the A10. C7Z's only drawbacks are ground clearance, possible overheating. Backseats, or lack of, isn't a con because the Camaro's backseat is really just a luggage rack. It "works" for short trips and most people, as tall as 5'6" that I've had back there are happy to just be riding in a 650+ HP car.

Both cars are very fast, handle great, and turn heads. C7 Z06 is a little faster, a little quicker, a little nimbler, etc. Can't go wrong with either option. There are many owners that have come from Corvettes, including C7 Z06s, and gone to the ZL1 and have no regrets and feel they've upgraded. Conversely, some think the opposite.

You truly need to drive both, and back to back if possible. You're in Vegas, plenty of opportunity. Plus, I highly recommend going to Spring Mountain for the Corvette experience if you can.

If you want a true 4-seat car, check out the CTS-V as well. Those are bad machines. Had one for a while, great cars. Feels like a stretched ZL1, slightly looser in handling and of course a touch slower due to weight but great car still.

PackManDan · 11-02-2019, 10:54 PM

^^ Thank you for the input.

396ssrat · 11-03-2019, 01:20 AM

Correct choice is to find a good Chevy dealer and put in your order for a C8 Z51
As good as the Camaro and the C7 are they fall behind once the C8 hits the street. Of course you can fold down the Camaro rear seat for cargo.
Once Chevy lets the Cat out of the bag the higher performance C8 options are going to be one crazy ass ride. But not cheap. Patience is your friend.

Gunkk · 11-03-2019, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackManDan

Is there anyone on here who bought the Camaro but wishes they got the Z06 instead? What were your reasons for getting the ZL1 over the Z06 when the price is fairly similar?

Nope, but I bought new so the price difference was about $40k more for a similarly equipped 3LZ Z06 vert.

You can get a used ZL1 with a factory drivetrain warranty in your price range, and likely also with some bumper to bumper warranty left. That won't be the case with a 5 or 6 year old Z06.

They're both special cars, and around here ZL1s are far more rare than Z06s. But then again, I see more lambos and ferraris around here than ZL1s.

11-02-2019, 05:39 PM	#1
PackManDan Drives: None at the moment Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 38	ZL1 vs Z06 Looking on CarGurus it looks like the difference between a low mileage 18 ZL1 and a low-ish mileage 15 or 16 C7 Z06 is around $5,000 give or take. Same engine but completely different cars. Two seats vs Four, different appearance, more weight vs less weight, 6-speed manual vs 7-speed. Is there anyone on here who bought the Camaro but wishes they got the Z06 instead? What were your reasons for getting the ZL1 over the Z06 when the price is fairly similar? I'm coming from a C6 ZR1 which was an absolute rocket even in stock form. Have about $55,000 to spend so that leaves me with 3 options: ZL1 Camaro, C7 Z06 or another C6 ZR1. Looking for some input.

11-02-2019, 06:56 PM	#4
Hilltopper Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1, 2017 Z06/Z07 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Burns, TN Posts: 99	Two completely different cars. I own both, and my 2017 Z06/Z07 is better handling, in my opinion, but the A8 is no comparison to the A10 in the ZL1. Both are great cars. You cannot go wrong either way...... __________________ ___________________________________________ 2018 ZL1, Kong Ported LT4 SC, Kooks 2" Headers and X-Pipe, NW103mm TB, ATI Underdrive Pulley 673/688, 2017 Z06/Z07, Kong Ported LT4 SC, Kooks 2" Headers and X-Pipe, NW103mm TB, IW 18% Underdrive Pulley 640/664, 2019 Mustang GT Perf Pkg. 1

11-02-2019, 07:22 PM	#6
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	The C6 ZR1 LS9 was a helluva strong LS engine and I’m sure yours was a rocket ship! You can’t go wrong with a C7 ZO6 or a 6gen ZL1 in my opinion but you will have to get what gives you a big smile and makes you happy! I personally like a ZL1 which with the money you have to spend you could find a nice used 2017 or 2018 ZL1 that would still have some remaining months on the 36,000 mile/36 month warranty. It’s a hard decision which I’m glad I don’t have to decide between the three! Good luck and any of the three would be a choice in my opinion! �� __________________ 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.

11-03-2019, 01:20 AM	#13
396ssrat Drives: 66 Chevelle SS Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,347	Correct choice is to find a good Chevy dealer and put in your order for a C8 Z51 As good as the Camaro and the C7 are they fall behind once the C8 hits the street. Of course you can fold down the Camaro rear seat for cargo. Once Chevy lets the Cat out of the bag the higher performance C8 options are going to be one crazy ass ride. But not cheap. Patience is your friend. __________________ 66 Chevelle SS 396 91 octane Driver n/a 6.44@105.78 1/8th mile

11-02-2019, 05:54 PM	#2
Cleancoupe Drives: 18 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 703	Do you need a rear seat, do you rather the looks of one over the other, the ZL1 will have plenty of warranty left where the ZO6 might not have any. To me I didn’t even consider the vette. Performance wise, they are pretty close surprisingly with the nudge going to the Vette. I personal rather the look of the ZL1 one especially if you go with the 1LE version. The back seats on these cars is tiny so unless you have little ones, it’s a mute point. Check out this video https://youtu.be/D25GwFG1dzk

11-02-2019, 06:13 PM	#3
likerage Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Denver Posts: 75	I went in for the Z06 and left with the Zl1. Definitely a different car but in the end I preferred the looks and drive of the ZL1.

11-02-2019, 07:01 PM	#5
PROMETHEUS Drives: 2019 ZL-1, Shadow Gray, Sold Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,390	stay away from the 15 and 16 Z06s. Over heating issues on the track. Fixed in MY 17.

11-02-2019, 07:27 PM	#7
JasonSB Drives: 2018 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Texas Posts: 83	I just traded my C6 Z06 that had 600 RWHP in for a 2018 ZL1 A10. The Z06 was a great car and fun to drive but got tired of the noise and just wanted more room and something that I could drive everyday.

11-02-2019, 10:31 PM	#10
PackManDan Drives: None at the moment Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 38	To answer some other members' questions: I will not track the car, it will strictly be a street driven weekend toy car. So I'm not concerned about the over heating issues with the Z06 as that is almost exclusively the automatic when on the track. Also I love the 10-speed auto in the ZL1 but not a huge fan of the 8-speed auto in the Z06 so if I went ZL1 I would go Auto but if I went with the Z06 I would go with the 7-speed Manual. The car would not stay stock but nothing too crazy. Maybe 750rwhp at most. Also it would not be daily driven...weekend only car for cruising.

11-02-2019, 10:41 PM	#11
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	I have both. Go C7 Z06 unless you want the A10. C7Z's only drawbacks are ground clearance, possible overheating. Backseats, or lack of, isn't a con because the Camaro's backseat is really just a luggage rack. It "works" for short trips and most people, as tall as 5'6" that I've had back there are happy to just be riding in a 650+ HP car. Both cars are very fast, handle great, and turn heads. C7 Z06 is a little faster, a little quicker, a little nimbler, etc. Can't go wrong with either option. There are many owners that have come from Corvettes, including C7 Z06s, and gone to the ZL1 and have no regrets and feel they've upgraded. Conversely, some think the opposite. You truly need to drive both, and back to back if possible. You're in Vegas, plenty of opportunity. Plus, I highly recommend going to Spring Mountain for the Corvette experience if you can. If you want a true 4-seat car, check out the CTS-V as well. Those are bad machines. Had one for a while, great cars. Feels like a stretched ZL1, slightly looser in handling and of course a touch slower due to weight but great car still.

11-02-2019, 10:54 PM	#12
PackManDan Drives: None at the moment Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 38	^^ Thank you for the input.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password