Cross Country Road Trip. Cool or Crazy? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Phrogpilot · 08-05-2015, 02:52 PM

Would like to get a few opinions. Picked up a minty 3k mile 2012 ZL1 a few months ago. Car is like new and has never even been driven in the rain. Love the car. I plan on keeping it for the duration (don't we always say that?) and its not my daily driver. I really think the ZL1 is the 1969 Z28 Camaro of today.

Here is my dilemma and a little look behind the story. I always laugh at my Father because when he buys a new vehicle if he likes it he puts it way and never drives it. Says he doesn't want to put miles on it and continues to drive the same old beat up pickup truck. I always laugh at him but...

I love the ZL1, love driving it and love having nice things but keep thinking about doing a "Round the Country" road trip. My thought was to pick ten or so places all over the country that I want to visit (you know, the usual Mt Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Biltmore, Yosemite, etc) and make one big lap of it. Probably be a 10,000 mile trip all told.

Thoughts???

Stephen12ZL1 · 08-05-2015, 03:05 PM

The ZL1 is a nice ride in "tour" mode and will treat you to a pleasurable experience. I say to "go for it" and please take lots of pics and post them here! Make sure you have the inflation kit just in case you have a tire issue. If no one has messed with it, it is located above the battery under the trunk floor panel. Have a great trip if you decide to make the journey!

OldJedi · 08-05-2015, 03:16 PM

We have taken our 2012 ZL1 on a couple of long trips 3000+ miles. It is a great car and an easy car car to drive all day. Figure on 20 MPG at 75 MPH average highway miles. Like Stephen said check the tires and inflater and bring a can of fix a flat for extreme emergencies. Something that I highly suggest is to put a clear bra on your car before the trip. I can almost guarantee that during a cross country trip you will get small rock chips from traffic. I did everything that faces forward and have no regrets. The self healing Expel is really good. Best of luck and post lots of pictures.

NVERL8TE · 08-05-2015, 05:21 PM

Do it, you will have a great time driving the ZL1. I picked mine up on the way to the Hot Rod Power Tour last year and had over 3000 miles on in the first week and enjoyed every mile.

TobysZL1 · 08-05-2015, 06:40 PM

I'd say go for it and if it's an auto definitely definitely go for it.
I had a manual ZL1 before my current convertible auto ZL1 and although it was fun, I find myself wanting to drive this one much much more on trips..
I agree with Jedi also, get the xpel done first. I have it on my current and my last 2 cars of mine and it's the best.

JacobC1983 · 08-05-2015, 07:03 PM

I have done it as well, my car is a manual.

Wonderful driving car, but there is some road noise that got old by the end of the day.

Nor Cal ZL1 · 08-05-2015, 07:04 PM

Do the expel or clear bra and roll that car. It is great for road trips. Its a great driver and you can't go wrong hitting the road.

KaBoom1701 · 08-05-2015, 07:05 PM

Like Nike says....JUST DO IT!

Dimitrim · 08-07-2015, 03:47 PM

I would Rainx all the glass and put a new coat of wax on the paint. In the midwestern states they got bugs bigger than UFO's. Take the Rainx with you and apply it every time you clean the front windshield.

Have fun.

musclecarfan · 08-07-2015, 04:07 PM

I have taken my 14 ZL1 to the Sturgis Camaro Rally from Idaho and I absolutely loved it on the curvy roads in the Black Hills near Mt. Rushmore. Also, didn't hurt that I was from the Black Hills area and was already familar with the roads. I love mine on long road trips, but also have a clear bra and a new wax job prior to each trip.

Z/28Dan · 08-07-2015, 05:00 PM

I did Power Tour in my ZL1 and I'm planning on doing it in 2016. I had the clear bra installed beforehand and it was the best money I've spent on the exterior.

This car is an excellent cruiser. You're going to have a blast on the cross country road trip. Only a suggestion, but you may want to change out the Goodyears for Michelins. I love the Eagle F1's for the track, but I love the Michelins even more for the road.

Screw collecting cars in garages. Invest in a small cap mutual fund if you're trying to make money with your money.

Drive it. Life's too short.

69ZLover · 08-08-2015, 10:41 AM

Drive the puppy everywhere and don't look back!!! Millage scares some people from enjoying the ride they just spent a boat ton of money on. 40 years is a long time to have a garage queen for investment reasons and maybe get out of it what you spent and zero enjoyment... Get your services done before you head out and don't forget the tires.

rmyers · 08-10-2015, 09:41 PM

I say make the trip! The car would be more valuable to you because of the memories.

Nor Cal ZL1 · 08-10-2015, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmyers

I say make the trip! The car would be more valuable to you because of the memories.

So very true, well said.

08-05-2015, 02:52 PM	#1
Phrogpilot Drives: Camaro ZL1 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 64 View My Garage	Cross Country Road Trip. Cool or Crazy? Would like to get a few opinions. Picked up a minty 3k mile 2012 ZL1 a few months ago. Car is like new and has never even been driven in the rain. Love the car. I plan on keeping it for the duration (don't we always say that?) and its not my daily driver. I really think the ZL1 is the 1969 Z28 Camaro of today. Here is my dilemma and a little look behind the story. I always laugh at my Father because when he buys a new vehicle if he likes it he puts it way and never drives it. Says he doesn't want to put miles on it and continues to drive the same old beat up pickup truck. I always laugh at him but... I love the ZL1, love driving it and love having nice things but keep thinking about doing a "Round the Country" road trip. My thought was to pick ten or so places all over the country that I want to visit (you know, the usual Mt Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Biltmore, Yosemite, etc) and make one big lap of it. Probably be a 10,000 mile trip all told. Thoughts???

08-05-2015, 03:05 PM	#2
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	The ZL1 is a nice ride in "tour" mode and will treat you to a pleasurable experience. I say to "go for it" and please take lots of pics and post them here! Make sure you have the inflation kit just in case you have a tire issue. If no one has messed with it, it is located above the battery under the trunk floor panel. Have a great trip if you decide to make the journey! __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

08-05-2015, 03:16 PM	#3
OldJedi Use the Force Drives: 2015 Corvette Z51, 2018 Porsche GTS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Davie, Fl. Posts: 3,862	We have taken our 2012 ZL1 on a couple of long trips 3000+ miles. It is a great car and an easy car car to drive all day. Figure on 20 MPG at 75 MPH average highway miles. Like Stephen said check the tires and inflater and bring a can of fix a flat for extreme emergencies. Something that I highly suggest is to put a clear bra on your car before the trip. I can almost guarantee that during a cross country trip you will get small rock chips from traffic. I did everything that faces forward and have no regrets. The self healing Expel is really good. Best of luck and post lots of pictures. __________________ Walk softly, carry a light saber and drive a ZL1! Last edited by OldJedi; 08-05-2015 at 06:31 PM.

08-05-2015, 07:05 PM	#8
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	Like Nike says....JUST DO IT! __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

08-07-2015, 05:00 PM	#11
Z/28Dan Drives: 2013 HWSE Indy Festial #26 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,670 View My Garage	I did Power Tour in my ZL1 and I'm planning on doing it in 2016. I had the clear bra installed beforehand and it was the best money I've spent on the exterior. This car is an excellent cruiser. You're going to have a blast on the cross country road trip. Only a suggestion, but you may want to change out the Goodyears for Michelins. I love the Eagle F1's for the track, but I love the Michelins even more for the road. Screw collecting cars in garages. Invest in a small cap mutual fund if you're trying to make money with your money. Drive it. Life's too short. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

08-05-2015, 05:21 PM	#4
NVERL8TE Drives: 1967 Camaro BBC, 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Tiverton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 114	Do it, you will have a great time driving the ZL1. I picked mine up on the way to the Hot Rod Power Tour last year and had over 3000 miles on in the first week and enjoyed every mile.

08-05-2015, 06:40 PM	#5
TobysZL1 Drives: ZL1 Gone but not Forgotten! Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Central NY Posts: 465	I'd say go for it and if it's an auto definitely definitely go for it. I had a manual ZL1 before my current convertible auto ZL1 and although it was fun, I find myself wanting to drive this one much much more on trips.. I agree with Jedi also, get the xpel done first. I have it on my current and my last 2 cars of mine and it's the best.

08-05-2015, 07:03 PM	#6
JacobC1983 Drives: 2019 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Missouri Posts: 488	I have done it as well, my car is a manual. Wonderful driving car, but there is some road noise that got old by the end of the day.

08-05-2015, 07:04 PM	#7
Nor Cal ZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,825	Do the expel or clear bra and roll that car. It is great for road trips. Its a great driver and you can't go wrong hitting the road.

08-07-2015, 03:47 PM	#9
Dimitrim Dimitri Drives: 68 GTO 455 Ram Air; 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Novato, California Posts: 602 View My Garage	I would Rainx all the glass and put a new coat of wax on the paint. In the midwestern states they got bugs bigger than UFO's. Take the Rainx with you and apply it every time you clean the front windshield. Have fun.

08-07-2015, 04:07 PM	#10
musclecarfan Drives: 1993 Indy Pace Car, 2014 ZL1 BRM Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Caldwell, ID Posts: 99 View My Garage	I have taken my 14 ZL1 to the Sturgis Camaro Rally from Idaho and I absolutely loved it on the curvy roads in the Black Hills near Mt. Rushmore. Also, didn't hurt that I was from the Black Hills area and was already familar with the roads. I love mine on long road trips, but also have a clear bra and a new wax job prior to each trip.

08-08-2015, 10:41 AM	#12
69ZLover Drives: 2015 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Oregon Posts: 55	Drive the puppy everywhere and don't look back!!! Millage scares some people from enjoying the ride they just spent a boat ton of money on. 40 years is a long time to have a garage queen for investment reasons and maybe get out of it what you spent and zero enjoyment... Get your services done before you head out and don't forget the tires.

08-10-2015, 09:41 PM	#13
rmyers Drives: Both American Made Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 781	I say make the trip! The car would be more valuable to you because of the memories. __________________ 2012 ZL1 #213 M6 Black on Black 2013 ZL1 #2638 Convertible Auto 2010 Chevrolet Suburban 2011 GMC Seirra HD Denali