I wish I would have bought a ZL1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GONIF · 07-21-2014, 02:30 PM

I like the 1LE a lot ,but wish I bought the ZL1 . Modifying the 1LE engine with a Maggi SC is $7000.00 and would work real well I suppose ,but I would then need to do the brakes. I know I would never recoup the cost in 2 years when I sell it ,whereas a stock ZL1 with just Headers would have been more fun and less loss at resale time . I was too dumb/cheap to realize just how good a ZL1 is . A cam might work ,but to get real power NA ,it would need to be a big one and would kill drivability and this is a daily driver. So in the end GM had it right FI is the answer . If ya want to play ya gotta pay. And nothing has changed ,the question was and still is how fast do you want to go ? And the answer is still ,how much are you willing to spend. So the Mods are done and I will just enjoy the car as it is .Bo Ported TB, long tubes with HF cats, CAI with race scoop ,and a Nick D tune .

X25 · 07-21-2014, 02:45 PM

Right, if you had ZL1 level power as a goal, buying a ZL1 would make more financial sense, not to mention the improved reliability from the OEM parts. The beauty of the 1LE is its much-cheaper price and lighter weight. I would also very much hesitate to upgrade ZL1's beautiful magna ride, while I feel completely OK upgrading the 1LE with coilovers, so there is that, too.

I think you should remove your mods, put them on sale, and move on to a ZL1. If you regret buying the 1LE in the first months of ownership, you will only regret it more in time, so you might as well cut your losses and move on. In the end, I'm sure your loss will be minimal while the car is new.

P.S. if the headers are Texas Speed LT + x-pipe, I could even get it off your hands : P

Stock Boy · 07-21-2014, 02:47 PM

Do you feel like the headers, cats, CAI and tune made a noticeable difference?

X25 · 07-21-2014, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stock Boy

Do you feel like the headers, cats, CAI and tune made a noticeable difference?

You can send a PM to admins to have your forum name changed ; )

GONIF · 07-21-2014, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stock Boy

Do you feel like the headers, cats, CAI and tune made a noticeable difference?

It made a small improvement over stock, I was being unrealistic with my expetations . It was cheap enough but after driving a ZL1 it feels kinda under powered . No need to change name . As it stands I will just get used to it and in 2 years if I'm still power hungry replace it with something with a lot more power . The feel of a Super Charged vehicle under your right foot right off idle is intoxicating .At my age 63 you deal with disappointment ,and just get over it . It was my own fault for cheaping out. At any rate I still enjoy driving the 1LE and will keep it till 2016.

CamaroTom · 07-21-2014, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GONIF

It made a small improvement over stock, I was being unrealistic with my expetations . It was cheap enough but after driving a ZL1 it feels kinda under powered . No need to change name . As it stands I will just get used to it and in 2 years if I'm still power hungry replace it with something with a lot more power . The feel of a Super Charged vehicle under your right foot right off idle is intoxicating .At my age 63 you deal with disappointment ,and just get over it . It was my own fault for cheaping out. At any rate I still enjoy driving the 1LE and will keep it till 2016.

Do you want us to feel sorry for you? You have a new 1LE with a bunch of new bolt-on parts be happy or trade for what you want. YOLO

raptor5244 · 07-21-2014, 03:16 PM

Yeah, I guess it depends on your goals for the car. The 1le is the sweet spot for price and performance. I guess the question is do you really want/need more power? I mean I can't stretch the 1le legs as it is. You get a short blast on a highway on ramp and you need to shut it down. This car really needs to be on a track to have fun.

My last performance car was a 2002 z06. I did all the typical mods, intake, exhaust, cam, tune and then the clutch wasn't holding the added power, then you need bigger brakes, fine tuning drivability of the cam upgrade, etc. So, to your point, it makes sense to buy the performance from the factory for simplicity and reliability and may save money in the long run. Also all those mods are worthless on resale unless you have the right buyer.

Now, the 1le is very tempting because of the extra power and magnetic suspension but like everything in life you will eventually get bored or find a reason to want some different, etc. I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer but just really make sure you want to fork over the extra cash.

If I had the cash you are talking about, I would head right over to the C7 vette with z51 package and exhaust. 7 speed rev matching manual, upgraded interior and probably faster than the zl1 naturally aspirated.

GONIF · 07-21-2014, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LEMayhem

Do you want us to feel sorry for you? You have a new 1LE with a bunch of new bolt-on parts be happy or trade for what you want. YOLO

No I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me . The reason for the post was to let folks know the difference in the way a 1LE drives and a ZL1 drives. I thought someone on the fence might benefit from my experience. Simple as that . I was told by my salesman ( Doug Bonham at auto Nation Mesa ) who owns a ZL1, to do it , but I didn't listen .

GONIF · 07-21-2014, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptor5244

Yeah, I guess it depends on your goals for the car. The 1le is the sweet spot for price and performance. I guess the question is do you really want/need more power? I mean I can't stretch the 1le legs as it is. You get a short blast on a highway on ramp and you need to shut it down. This car really needs to be on a track to have fun.

My last performance car was a 2002 z06. I did all the typical mods, intake, exhaust, cam, tune and then the clutch wasn't holding the added power, then you need bigger brakes, fine tuning drivability of the cam upgrade, etc. So, to your point, it makes sense to buy the performance from the factory for simplicity and reliability and may save money in the long run. Also all those mods are worthless on resale unless you have the right buyer.

Now, the 1le is very tempting because of the extra power and magnetic suspension but like everything in life you will eventually get bored or find a reason to want some different, etc. I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer but just really make sure you want to fork over the extra cash.

If I had the cash you are talking about, I would head right over to the C7 vette with z51 package and exhaust. 7 speed rev matching manual, upgraded interior and probably faster than the zl1 naturally aspirated.

The year they put the duel clutch in the Z51 C7 ,I'm a buyer.

X25 · 07-21-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GONIF

The year they put the duel clutch in the Z51 C7 ,I'm a buyer.

GM has high praise for their new 8 speed automatic, and they claim it shifts at the same speed, or faster than Porsche's PDK, at least on the Z06. If it could shift as fast as a PDK, yet not have any jerkiness at the street associated with dual clutch transmissions, it might quickly become the transmission sought after by everyone.

I'd personally stick with the manual, though: I have enough # of automatic cars already besides my fun car.

cornerspeed92 · 07-21-2014, 04:01 PM

I would love to have a ZL1, but out of my price range. As this is my 1st V8, and 1st nice car i am very happy. I now need to get her paid off and start saving for the retirement i will never be able to have.

Todd in Vancouver · 07-21-2014, 04:07 PM

I feel for you. I went through the same kind of thoughts and test drove other brands and really thought about what I wanted out of my car and what I was going to do with it. In the end I pulled the trigger on a '14 ZL1 and I could not be happier. I'm racing my car on weekends and driving it for work all week long and it just does it all well.

IMO, trade in the 1LE and go get what you want. You'll only take a bigger bath on the trade the longer you wait. Life is to short so get what you want, as long as you can swing it, and enjoy life. We only get one shot at this life so go have fun and here is a link to a post I just did of my AutoX.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=369699

fatboy99 · 07-21-2014, 04:31 PM

Why zl1 and not the z28? Everything I read about Z is it's strictly build for track and many would not be happy using for a daily driver. But it's one mean Camaro.

102SS · 07-21-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboy99

Why zl1 and not the z28? Everything I read about Z is it's strictly build for track and many would not be happy using for a daily driver. But it's one mean Camaro.

If I had to live with one car it would be the ZL1.

Why not have it all for a lot less than a spartan chuckwagon....albeit a fast good looking spartan chuckwagon

07-21-2014, 02:30 PM	#1
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	I wish I would have bought a ZL1 I like the 1LE a lot ,but wish I bought the ZL1 . Modifying the 1LE engine with a Maggi SC is $7000.00 and would work real well I suppose ,but I would then need to do the brakes. I know I would never recoup the cost in 2 years when I sell it ,whereas a stock ZL1 with just Headers would have been more fun and less loss at resale time . I was too dumb/cheap to realize just how good a ZL1 is . A cam might work ,but to get real power NA ,it would need to be a big one and would kill drivability and this is a daily driver. So in the end GM had it right FI is the answer . If ya want to play ya gotta pay. And nothing has changed ,the question was and still is how fast do you want to go ? And the answer is still ,how much are you willing to spend. So the Mods are done and I will just enjoy the car as it is .Bo Ported TB, long tubes with HF cats, CAI with race scoop ,and a Nick D tune . __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW

07-21-2014, 02:45 PM	#2
X25 Drives: '16 C7 Z51 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 3,056	Right, if you had ZL1 level power as a goal, buying a ZL1 would make more financial sense, not to mention the improved reliability from the OEM parts. The beauty of the 1LE is its much-cheaper price and lighter weight. I would also very much hesitate to upgrade ZL1's beautiful magna ride, while I feel completely OK upgrading the 1LE with coilovers, so there is that, too. I think you should remove your mods, put them on sale, and move on to a ZL1. If you regret buying the 1LE in the first months of ownership, you will only regret it more in time, so you might as well cut your losses and move on. In the end, I'm sure your loss will be minimal while the car is new. P.S. if the headers are Texas Speed LT + x-pipe, I could even get it off your hands : P __________________ '16 Corvette C7 Z51 1LT (Build Thread) '14 AGM 1SS 1LE [COTW 11/17/14] (Build Thread) (SOLD) '13 Mazda MX-5 Club (Build Thread) '17 RAM 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 Night Edition '15 Nissan Rogue S AWD

07-21-2014, 04:01 PM	#11
cornerspeed92 Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,188 View My Garage	I would love to have a ZL1, but out of my price range. As this is my 1st V8, and 1st nice car i am very happy. I now need to get her paid off and start saving for the retirement i will never be able to have. __________________

07-21-2014, 04:07 PM	#12
Todd in Vancouver Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,538 View My Garage	I feel for you. I went through the same kind of thoughts and test drove other brands and really thought about what I wanted out of my car and what I was going to do with it. In the end I pulled the trigger on a '14 ZL1 and I could not be happier. I'm racing my car on weekends and driving it for work all week long and it just does it all well. IMO, trade in the 1LE and go get what you want. You'll only take a bigger bath on the trade the longer you wait. Life is to short so get what you want, as long as you can swing it, and enjoy life. We only get one shot at this life so go have fun and here is a link to a post I just did of my AutoX. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=369699 __________________ Todd in Vancouver '14 ZL1 Camaro '67 Camaro SS Pro-tour in process How hard can it be... Check out my other build http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/9...ject-Obsession

07-21-2014, 02:47 PM	#3
Stock Boy Drives: 2014 1LE Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 479	Do you feel like the headers, cats, CAI and tune made a noticeable difference?

07-21-2014, 03:16 PM	#7
raptor5244 Drives: 2022 CT4-V Blackwing Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 2,723	Yeah, I guess it depends on your goals for the car. The 1le is the sweet spot for price and performance. I guess the question is do you really want/need more power? I mean I can't stretch the 1le legs as it is. You get a short blast on a highway on ramp and you need to shut it down. This car really needs to be on a track to have fun. My last performance car was a 2002 z06. I did all the typical mods, intake, exhaust, cam, tune and then the clutch wasn't holding the added power, then you need bigger brakes, fine tuning drivability of the cam upgrade, etc. So, to your point, it makes sense to buy the performance from the factory for simplicity and reliability and may save money in the long run. Also all those mods are worthless on resale unless you have the right buyer. Now, the 1le is very tempting because of the extra power and magnetic suspension but like everything in life you will eventually get bored or find a reason to want some different, etc. I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer but just really make sure you want to fork over the extra cash. If I had the cash you are talking about, I would head right over to the C7 vette with z51 package and exhaust. 7 speed rev matching manual, upgraded interior and probably faster than the zl1 naturally aspirated.

07-21-2014, 04:31 PM	#13
fatboy99 Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Smashville, TN Posts: 42	Why zl1 and not the z28? Everything I read about Z is it's strictly build for track and many would not be happy using for a daily driver. But it's one mean Camaro.