ZL1 or c6Z06... Opinions wanted

[Blackkaz04]

Originally Posted by m1key1111

I currently have a 2012 ZL1 with around 600RWHP, if I didn't have a child or need for a back seat I'd be in a C6 Z06. The ZL1 is super heavy (over 1000#s versus a C6 Z06).

Two completely different cars though.

Why would you be in a Z06? What do you like more that would make you switch?

[rcandiloro]

I'm going to chime in here, though I don't have a C6 Z06, I switched from a 2014 ZL1 to a 2009 C6 ZR1. I did, however, test drive a C6 Z06. I agree with a comment about how different these cars are. I will strongly advocate that you make the decision based on what you will do with the car. It sounds like you're looking for straight line acceleration. Stock for stock a C6 Z06 is quicker than a ZL1 simply because it's 1000lbs lighter. My test drive in the Z06 was directly back to back driving my ZL1 and when I got back in my ZL1 (the only mod I had was a CAI, good for about 20hp) was that the ZL1 felt a bit sluggish. Z06 is definitely more race car than the ZL1. My recommendation is to test drive both and you'll know which to go with. I loved my ZL1 but the ZR1 is a rocket ship. Any car can be modded for speed, but reliability is obviously a concern. I think the ZL1 is rock solid at high hp. I've read a few issues with Z06 motors, but nothing that really screams they will blow up when modded. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with either and I wouldn't have any regrets whichever way you go. Sorry, I kinda sound like a politician......good luck!

[m1key1111]

Originally Posted by Blackkaz04

Why would you be in a Z06? What do you like more that would make you switch?

I had a 2003 Z06 before and test drove a C6 Z06 and honestly I like the all motor feel, making back to back 1/4 passed at the strip with little heat fade versus the Zl1 which is super temperature sensitive.

The Z06 is super nimble and feels light as a feather where my zl1 feels like a tank but you're still very confident with it's handling.

The ZL1 stock for stock compared to the C6 z06 is slow. Now that it has 600rwhp it feels better but still is slower than a stock c6 z06.

Again this is my personal opinion.

[BeardWS6]

I just sold my 2013 ZL1 Auto made 676rwhp and only 9600 miles on her. Loved it, was a beast of a ride! I also have a 2015 Luguna Blue C7 ZO6 now. I had both cars in the garage and loved it! Never drove the ZL1 because I couldn`t get the wife out of the C7, lol... Both are awesome cars but I`m in true love with my C7 ZO6, the fastest stock car I have ever driven.. The ZL1 drove like a dream and the ride was a lot smoother than my C7 for sure. Making right at 700rwhp it rolled out also...

[Anthony @ LG Motorsports]

Drag race......ZL1......road race Z06.


Street car...that's hard to say. I daily drove a 08 Z06 for 3 years and that car is a ton of fun. They are light, well geared, and stop extremely well. Not a ton of room inside but for my wife and I the car was a blast. 27-30 mpg on highway trips and 18-19 around town if you really care about that kind of thing.

We have had a couple ZL1's for shop cars and they have a ton of torque with the blower and 700 rwhp is not hard to do with those cars nor the low end torque which stop light to stop light is what makes that car fun. The fuel mileage if you drive it a lot, along with tire life and 4400 lb curb weight are really the only major draw backs with it.


All up to what you like to drive more.


A good driver in both cars....a 550-575 rwhp C6Z will walk a 650-700 rwhp ZL1 on the highway.

[Blackkaz04]

Originally Posted by BeardWS6

I just sold my 2013 ZL1 Auto made 676rwhp and only 9600 miles on her. Loved it, was a beast of a ride! I also have a 2015 Luguna Blue C7 ZO6 now. I had both cars in the garage and loved it! Never drove the ZL1 because I couldn`t get the wife out of the C7, lol... Both are awesome cars but I`m in true love with my C7 ZO6, the fastest stock car I have ever driven.. The ZL1 drove like a dream and the ride was a lot smoother than my C7 for sure. Making right at 700rwhp it rolled out also...

Yea...I'd love to get into a C7Z but that's over the budget. Enjoy your Z!

[Blackkaz04]

Originally Posted by Anthony @ LG Motorsports

Drag race......ZL1......road race Z06.


Street car...that's hard to say. I daily drove a 08 Z06 for 3 years and that car is a ton of fun. They are light, well geared, and stop extremely well. Not a ton of room inside but for my wife and I the car was a blast. 27-30 mpg on highway trips and 18-19 around town if you really care about that kind of thing.

We have had a couple ZL1's for shop cars and they have a ton of torque with the blower and 700 rwhp is not hard to do with those cars nor the low end torque which stop light to stop light is what makes that car fun. The fuel mileage if you drive it a lot, along with tire life and 4400 lb curb weight are really the only major draw backs with it.


All up to what you like to drive more.


A good driver in both cars....a 550-575 rwhp C6Z will walk a 650-700 rwhp ZL1 on the highway.

Great post. Thanks. That's the kinda first hand info I'm looking for--which car is more comfy on a 6 hour drive? ZL1 Im guessing? But was the c6z harsh?

I've owned a c5z and it was not a great distance car.

[E. Bryant]

Originally Posted by Thor142

On a road coarse the ZL1 isn't even in the same ballpark....its not even playing the same game.

I'll agree that a ZL1 doesn't feel as fast around a road course, but lap times indicate that it's a much closer match-up than a simple analysis of spec sheets would indicate.

[lbls1]

Originally Posted by Thor142

It depends on how you purpose the car. If you are doing 1/4 mile this is accurate. On a road coarse the ZL1 isn't even in the same ballpark....its not even playing the same game.

If you're going entirely on looks it's completely subjective.

If you're going on raw HP get the ZL1

Both great cars OP, just make yourself a check list of how you're going to use the car and what things are more important to you.

I would go with the Z06 cause it's better for the track but thats just me.

Take a good look at a few ZL1s on a road course, some of its Nurburgring videos and lap times, and then talk to me. It can and will handle I assure you.

[Herk]

I had a 06 Z06, it was an amazing car. The 427 wound to 7000 and pulled like a freight train in all gears. It felt like it was on rails and was light and nimble. It had surprisingly adequate storage space, I could put my cleaning stuff and a 12x12 tent in it with room to spare. I found the seats very comfortable but only had it on one trip of about 2 hours so mostly around town driving. It averaged 22 mpg according to the computer. It was badazz to say the least. It was also so low it hit everything on the road and I finally had to get rid of it because I couldn't get it in and out of the driveway. I have a great relationship with my dealer and basically traded it for a 14 SS vert fully loaded which means after 5 years I made $4k on the sale. Loved the vert but the loss in performance was as you can imagine huge. My dealer called me almost exactly a year later and said he had an 09 Z06 and a 14 ZL1 vert. The ZL1 was loaded and the Z06 was not. I had put a lot of money in to fix and adjust the driveway so was again able to get the Z06 in. Test drove both and loved the ZL1. While there is a difference in performance it is not too bad. The ZL1 gets about 14 mpg way worse if you care. My biggest complaint is the so called trunk, it is horrible in the vert with the top down and the seats do not go down which I think is ridiculous. I bought the vert and I love it and better so does my girlfriend and she did not like the vette. I don't think you can go wrong with either but with one caveat the vette will hold its value better while the ZL1 will not. Loved both and they are very different cars. Hope it helps.

[Blackkaz04]

Originally Posted by Herk

I had a 06 Z06, it was an amazing car. The 427 wound to 7000 and pulled like a freight train in all gears. It felt like it was on rails and was light and nimble. It had surprisingly adequate storage space, I could put my cleaning stuff and a 12x12 tent in it with room to spare. I found the seats very comfortable but only had it on one trip of about 2 hours so mostly around town driving. It averaged 22 mpg according to the computer. It was badazz to say the least. It was also so low it hit everything on the road and I finally had to get rid of it because I couldn't get it in and out of the driveway. I have a great relationship with my dealer and basically traded it for a 14 SS vert fully loaded which means after 5 years I made $4k on the sale. Loved the vert but the loss in performance was as you can imagine huge. My dealer called me almost exactly a year later and said he had an 09 Z06 and a 14 ZL1 vert. The ZL1 was loaded and the Z06 was not. I had put a lot of money in to fix and adjust the driveway so was again able to get the Z06 in. Test drove both and loved the ZL1. While there is a difference in performance it is not too bad. The ZL1 gets about 14 mpg way worse if you care. My biggest complaint is the so called trunk, it is horrible in the vert with the top down and the seats do not go down which I think is ridiculous. I bought the vert and I love it and better so does my girlfriend and she did not like the vette. I don't think you can go wrong with either but with one caveat the vette will hold its value better while the ZL1 will not. Loved both and they are very different cars. Hope it helps.

Awesome first-hand perspective. The gas mileage on the ZL1 scares me a bit. But I think it would be more comfy than the corvette. Thank you very much for your post.

[2NASSTY]

This is a tough one. The C6Z is an absolute beast bone stock. My 06' With just a tune and filter trapped 127-128. Could not get it out the hole without bad wheel hop on street radials. From a roll it ran down sport bikes. The 06' and 07' were the most wicked and lightest by far. 3150 lbs for the 06'.

GM added weight each year to separate it from the ZR1 in 09'. The first model year C6Z ran 11.6-11.7 bone stock at 124-125 mph in 06'. Think about that for minute.

The ZL1 is a most balanced, BADASS looking, and easiest to drive muscle car I've ever driven. The drivetrain and the LSA are practically Bullitt proof. Can't say that about the LS7 or C6Z.

[Herk]

I did the same as 2nassty did to his 06, a ZR1 filter and tune. Made 468hp to the wheels and ripped the tires loose in almost every gear at anytime. They truly are beasts.

[Blackkaz04]

Originally Posted by 2NASSTY

This is a tough one. The C6Z is an absolute beast bone stock. My 06' With just a tune and filter trapped 127-128. Could not get it out the hole without bad wheel hop on street radials. From a roll it ran down sport bikes. The 06' and 07' were the most wicked and lightest by far. 3150 lbs for the 06'.

GM added weight each year to separate it from the ZR1 in 09'. The first model year C6Z ran 11.6-11.7 bone stock at 124-125 mph in 06'. Think about that for minute.

The ZL1 is a most balanced, BADASS looking, and easiest to drive muscle car I've ever driven. The drivetrain and the LSA are practically Bullitt proof. Can't say that about the LS7 or C6Z.

I think the bulletproof drivetrain is one of the biggest attractions with ZL1, and it looks more beastly than the c6Z. Still on the fence, honestly I'm 50/50 at this point. Where do you guys think the ZL1 will bottom out at? I'm thinking around 35k for the next few years as long at the mileage is less than 30k ish.

The 06-09 C6Z seems to have bottomed out at around mid to upper 30 the last couple of years.