[PackManDan]

Hey everyone. First off, I realize I'm on the 6th Gen Forum so I'm anticipating the responses I will get. However, I'm hoping for some practical unbiased opinions, if possible.

I'd like to get a weekend toy car. My budget is about $35,000. For that amount I can get myself a 2012-2015 ZL1 or a 2016-2018 2SS. My ultimate goal for this car is to have it as a weekend only street driven car and mod it to around 700whp. The performance specs I've seen put both the ZL1 and SS almost identical to each other with 0-60 times of 4.0 seconds and 1/4 times at 12.3 seconds.

I prefer the exterior looks of the ZL1 but I prefer the upgraded interior of the SS. With a budget of $35,000, would you guys prefer to mod a 5th Gen ZL1 or a 6th Gen SS to 700whp?

I would love to hear from anyone who has driven both cars.

[nancygrl]

I didn't have a 5th gen ZL1, but did have a '15 SS/1LE, same suspension and seats among other things. I did however; have a 2017 ZL1 and 2016 2SS. The recaros in the 5th gen were nowhere near as comfortable as any 6th gens that I've had and currently have. As much as I thought I'd miss the SS/1LE 5th gen, I don't. 6th gen is much more responsive and nimble compared to the bigger, heavier, bulkier 5th gen. Whichever way you go, get the manual transmission.

[ST1LE]

The used market has gone a little insane right now, but $35K used to be enough to buy a lightly used 6th Gen 1LE.

My plan is to buy a used 2020+ 1LE when they start showing up on the used lots and prices normalize. I won't mod it quite to 700, but headers and cam for sure.

Loved my 5th Gen 1LE, but there's no beating the new Alpha. Even modern sport cars cant keep up.

[LT4Greg]

I would try and find a low mileage 6gen ZL1 to buy and I know it’s more than your budget of $35,000 but might be worth spending the extra money. They are a good value for the money and you won’t have to spend a ton of money on mods to get to your goal of 700 hp. The SS will need upgrades to the drivetrain, suspension, wheels/tires etc when going for 700 hp which means spending more money. The 5th gen ZL1s seem to be going up in the used market now but are a solid platform for mods to the LSA engine and suspension and they look good too. Just my ideas but if you buy a 6gen ZL1 I really don’t think you will regret your decision. You do what’s best for you and enjoy whichever Camaro you decide on!��

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

I would try and find a low mileage 6gen ZL1 to buy and I know it’s more than your budget of $35,000 but might be worth spending the extra money. They are a good value for the money and you won’t have to spend a ton of money on mods to get to your goal of 700 hp. The SS will need upgrades to the drivetrain, suspension, wheels/tires etc when going for 700 hp which means spending more money. The 5th gen ZL1s seem to be going up in the used market now but are a solid platform for mods to the LSA engine and suspension and they look good too. Just my ideas but if you buy a 6gen ZL1 I really don’t will you will regret your decision. You do what’s best for you and enjoy whichever Camaro you decide on!��

This was my plan too, but in the end of the day I need something with more practicality to supplement the Camaro, so that extra $15K will go to a used CUV to daily and provide the practicality needed.

That was a tough decision, it is so difficult to not take advantage of the insane value of a used 6th Gen ZL1. It blows my mind you can buy a car like that for around $50K(before the market dried up).

Tough decision, but your last sentence is the easy part HAHAHA.

[Fraxum]

Hello,

I have owned 3 5th gens and 3 6th gens including both cars you are looking at. You also might consider a new LT1 at that price range. It is a smart decision to settle at a price you can afford and stick to it. Smart.

The 5th gen ZL1 is more like old muscle with modern car advancements which has a certain charm. I loved the whine, especially with a Rotofab. It handled well but it was heavy. Mine was a M6 but it still weighed over 4K pounds. You can feel the weight driving. But still a fun driver. And it may be the best looking Camaro ever to me. The gas mileage is awful

The 6th gen is a very different car. It is more of a sports car with a V8 for sure. It is hundreds of pounds lighter and has one of the best chassis on the planet at any price. It is a great handling car and overall performs as well as the twice as expensive BMW M4. It get much better gas mileage than the CA5 ZL1. I wish it had more room inside. But in exchange you get the solid chassis and better handling,

As for speed stock the CA5 ZL1 = CA6 LT1 powered Camaros. Both of my CA6 LT1 powered Camaros and the CA5 ZL1 all ran the same times at Atco within a tenth of each other. All were M6es. Both Gens can be modded to run low tens if that matters.

After owning 5 modern Camaros I sold my CA6 A10 ZL1 and decided to take a break for a while and decide on a car to keep (considering more than Camaros) and decided to get an LT1. I car-love it.

[willzilla]

I was looking at the same decision (but 6th gen zl1 instead of 5th) but finding a low mile ZL1 seems quite hard right now, figured I'd just grab a new 2ss1le and mod it once I put some miles on it lol

[LT1ornothing]

OP, you should be able to find a new, zero mile 2020 1SS for $35K. Not my money, but only a used ZL1 6th gen is the only used camaro worth throwing $35k or more at in my eyes. I'd steer clear of any 5th gen but that's just me. Also, used stingrays are going around what you are looking to spend.

[m6-lt1]

Getting 700 whp from a 6th gen SS is going to take quite a lot of money. If horsepower is your main goal than I would actually get the 5th gen Zl1. Now having said that, if you test drive a 6th gen SS you will probably end up with it because once you get a taste of the better interior and ride, you won't be able to go backwards. Having said all this don't buy a used car right now. The prices are artificially inflated. If you wait until the late fall/early winter, you'll be able to get a 16-18 SS for 25-30k, instead of 30-35k. You'll need those savings if you're trying to make the 6th gen have 700 whp (fueling for these LT motors is $$$).

[ZX-10R]

Friend of mine has a fifth gen ZL1 and it's been in the shop on and off since day 1 - I would stay far away

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

Friend of mine has a fifth gen ZL1 and it's been in the shop on and off since day 1 - I would stay far away

Mine was bought back by GM. But the norm for the 5th gen ZL1 is not what we experienced.

[LT4Greg]

I remember that some of the 2012s and 2013s had bad bearings in the superchargers and had to be replaced under warranty. So maybe stay away from those 2 years of the gen 5 ZL1s.

[KingLT1]

There is a mint 2017 ZL1 A10 in the classifieds with 13k miles and extended warranty for 45k. That is what I would be going for if I was in the market.