SS or ZL1?

HurtSS · 09-28-2023, 09:35 AM

Currently have a 2018 1SS, looking for some advice on which route to take.

the Car currently has

- Long tube headers
- E85
- Ported TB
- Ported Intake
- CAI

Mileage is currently at 87,xxx

The car is fully paid off and i owe nothing on it, clean title.

So my questions would be, What's your thoughts on keeping the car and continuing to mod it with the high mileage? (Looking to go NA route but not opposed to boosting it)

or

Would you sell it and get into a lower milage zl1? but pick up a monthly payment in the process?

m6-lt1 · 09-28-2023, 09:56 AM

I would always opt for the more powerful car stock as I’m not a fan of modding cars anymore. So if it were me and I could easily afford it without changing anything else in my lifestyle and investments I’d 100% get a lower mileage zl1 as long as I can afford a 19+.

gpskinzhut · 09-28-2023, 10:35 AM

If it's in your budget, go the Z. I was debating going mods on my '17 SS after the warranty expired but opted to trade-up. Can't say I regret a thing.

RamAir02 · 09-28-2023, 10:41 AM

I'd continue to mod your SS.

- 87k miles & modded / tuned, won't command a great private party price nor trade-in value but we know with regular maintenance these engines are reliable, she's more valuable to you than others
- the car is paid off, no need to take on debt, allocate funds towards modding your car and it'll be more capable than a stock zl1
- you prefer an NA build, you've got an NA build

CTRifecta · 09-28-2023, 11:42 AM

Lower mileage ZL1 and cash in on your stock clean and low mileage SS

arpad_m · 09-28-2023, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTRifecta

Lower mileage ZL1 and cash in on your stock clean and low mileage SS

Hm, 87K is low mileage? The car isn't worth a whole lot, $27-28K tops, so a ZL1 would be a significant upgrade but an even bigger new debt. Cut the mileage in half and OP is looking at $60K, if he really wants low mileage, it'll be closer to $70K.

I'd wait a while, then if used ZL1 prices don't trend down, probably upgrade the SS.

LT4Greg · 09-28-2023, 02:32 PM

Find a lower mileage ZL1 and have no regrets. That’s my advice. ��

ctrlz · 09-28-2023, 03:01 PM

I think you should look at the cost of planned (future) mods to the SS vs. cost of moving to a ZL1.
My cynical view:
Future mods to SS add no value to resale of car.
Value of ZL1 will depreciate predictably.

Then you do a little math to find your "happy" ratio.
Say $5000 cost of mods to the SS vs $20,000 to upgrade to ZL1.
So mods/switch is 25%.

Make up some "logic" so you can be happy about your decision.
And, of course, keep looking. The right ZL1 comes along at the right price... problem solved!
I like to think I'm being rational when it's clearly not the case.

CalgaryZL1 · 09-28-2023, 03:31 PM

If your current car owes you nothing, you basically have 40-50 grand to play with to make it better than a ZL1 if you choose

Rock-It Man · 09-28-2023, 05:31 PM

I would go with the ZL1.

Modding late model cars is a can of worms. Plus the ZL1 has a beefed up drive train.

Regarding the financial side, only buy treats when you can pay cash. Cars are not investments, they are consumables, like ice cream cones only a bit slower to depreciate.

Idaho2018GTPremium · 09-28-2023, 05:52 PM

I’d go ZL1 with a small payment in a heartbeat.

Invertalon · 09-28-2023, 06:22 PM

Keep the car you have, would be my vote.

FarmerFran · 09-28-2023, 06:29 PM

Lower mileage?

82K
75K
12K
1k

Way not enough information

NYS2 · 09-29-2023, 07:11 AM

I prefer the spoiler and camera setup on a 2SS 1LE over the ZL1, but prefer the hood and front facia of the ZL1. Mo power is always welcomed but with that comes the added cost increase of consumables. Six or half dozen take your pick.

09-28-2023, 09:35 AM	#1
HurtSS Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: May 2023 Location: Texas Posts: 1	SS or ZL1? Currently have a 2018 1SS, looking for some advice on which route to take. the Car currently has - Long tube headers - E85 - Ported TB - Ported Intake - CAI Mileage is currently at 87,xxx The car is fully paid off and i owe nothing on it, clean title. So my questions would be, What's your thoughts on keeping the car and continuing to mod it with the high mileage? (Looking to go NA route but not opposed to boosting it) or Would you sell it and get into a lower milage zl1? but pick up a monthly payment in the process?

09-28-2023, 09:56 AM	#2
m6-lt1 Drives: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,037	I would always opt for the more powerful car stock as I’m not a fan of modding cars anymore. So if it were me and I could easily afford it without changing anything else in my lifestyle and investments I’d 100% get a lower mileage zl1 as long as I can afford a 19+. __________________ Current: 2023 2SS 1LE Prior: 2016 Camaro 1SS 2007 Mustang GT 2008 Civic Si

09-28-2023, 10:35 AM	#3
gpskinzhut Drives: 2017 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,960 View My Garage	If it's in your budget, go the Z. I was debating going mods on my '17 SS after the warranty expired but opted to trade-up. Can't say I regret a thing. __________________ 2017 ZL1 A10 2017 2SS M6: (SOLD) \|\| 2014 2LT Convertible: (SOLD) \|\| 2010 2LT M6 Supercharged:(SOLD) \|\| 1987 IROC-Z 5.0 M5: (SOLD)

09-28-2023, 10:41 AM	#4
RamAir02 Shadow Gray '19 ZLE M6 Drives: '19 ZL1 1LE M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,442 View My Garage	I'd continue to mod your SS. - 87k miles & modded / tuned, won't command a great private party price nor trade-in value but we know with regular maintenance these engines are reliable, she's more valuable to you than others - the car is paid off, no need to take on debt, allocate funds towards modding your car and it'll be more capable than a stock zl1 - you prefer an NA build, you've got an NA build __________________ 2019 ZL1 1LE \| M6 \| SGM \| PDR \| CF Dash \| Nav \| Wheel Locks PPF \| Paint Correction \| ZL1 Addons Rock Guards \| ZL1 Addons Lift Pads \| ZL1 Addons Feather Lite Tow Hook \| JWM Smoked Sidemarkers \| Wildhammer Smoked Rear Reflectors \| JWM License Plate LEDs \| RotoFab CAI \| ADM IC Reservoir v2 \| BC Forged RZ05 \| SPL Toe Arms \| BW Brake Deflectors \| CMS Roll Bar \| Schroth Profi II ASM Harnesses . Sold: '99 Trans Am (bolt-ons & cam) \| '00 WS6 (bolt-ons, heads, cam, 12 bolt) \| '05 CTS-V (bolt-ons, short throw) \| '10 SS/RS M6 (short throw, CAI, coilovers, LTs, catback, JRE tune) \| '01 WS6 YouTube

09-28-2023, 11:42 AM	#5
CTRifecta Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 320	Lower mileage ZL1 and cash in on your stock clean and low mileage SS __________________ 2024 2SS 1LE \| 6MT \| Riverside Blue 1100 - Order submitted - 7/12/23 2000 - Order accepted - 8/22/23 Vehicle Built (per chevy chat bot) - 10/10/23 Window sticker available online - 11/4/23 Arrived at dealership - 11/10/23

09-28-2023, 02:32 PM	#7
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	Find a lower mileage ZL1 and have no regrets. That’s my advice. �� __________________ 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.

09-28-2023, 03:01 PM	#8
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,181	I think you should look at the cost of planned (future) mods to the SS vs. cost of moving to a ZL1. My cynical view: Future mods to SS add no value to resale of car. Value of ZL1 will depreciate predictably. Then you do a little math to find your "happy" ratio. Say $5000 cost of mods to the SS vs $20,000 to upgrade to ZL1. So mods/switch is 25%. Make up some "logic" so you can be happy about your decision. And, of course, keep looking. The right ZL1 comes along at the right price... problem solved! I like to think I'm being rational when it's clearly not the case.

09-28-2023, 03:31 PM	#9
CalgaryZL1 Drives: 2020 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Calgary Canada Posts: 1,486	If your current car owes you nothing, you basically have 40-50 grand to play with to make it better than a ZL1 if you choose

09-28-2023, 05:31 PM	#10
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,033 View My Garage	I would go with the ZL1. Modding late model cars is a can of worms. Plus the ZL1 has a beefed up drive train. Regarding the financial side, only buy treats when you can pay cash. Cars are not investments, they are consumables, like ice cream cones only a bit slower to depreciate.

09-28-2023, 05:52 PM	#11
Idaho2018GTPremium Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,212	I’d go ZL1 with a small payment in a heartbeat. __________________ 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 2022 GR Supra 3.0 Past: 2018 Mustang GT Premium w/ PP1, MR, and A10 2007 MazdaSpeed3 1995 Pontiac Trans Am 1987 Camaro Z28

09-28-2023, 06:22 PM	#12
Invertalon Drives: 2021 2SS Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Cleveland Posts: 299	Keep the car you have, would be my vote.

09-28-2023, 06:29 PM	#13
FarmerFran Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 4,032	Lower mileage? 82K 75K 12K 1k Way not enough information __________________ 2023 Camaro ZL1 Vert TR-6060 Sharkskin "Sharky" Firecracker Red Wrangler Willys, 3.6L eTorque, 850RE 8 speed automatic, 25W Willys package, Technology Group, Convenience Group (aka $600 garage door opener), Cold weather Group, Trailer Tow and HD electric group with AUX switches, 3 piece black freedom top.

09-29-2023, 07:11 AM	#14
NYS2 Drives: 20 Crush 2SS/1LE Volvo XC90 Join Date: May 2022 Location: NY Posts: 84	I prefer the spoiler and camera setup on a 2SS 1LE over the ZL1, but prefer the hood and front facia of the ZL1. Mo power is always welcomed but with that comes the added cost increase of consumables. Six or half dozen take your pick.

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