2013 camaro zl1 - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Expunge · 03-25-2013, 06:03 PM

Do a search on youtube, there are several out there that directly compare the GT500 to the ZL1.
Do a search on car mag reviews. The four I know of all chose the ZL1.
But you are an idiot if you let others choose for you.

Drive one. Pick what best suits you.

We can tell you that the ZL1 overall is better than the GT500 and that I feel is very true.
Interior: ZL1 > GT500
Braking: ZL1 > GT500
Handling: ZL1 > GT500
Features: ZL1 > GT500
Cost: ZL1 > GT500
Power: GT500 > ZL1

Now the base GT500 is cheaper.. but to get it up to a comparable ZL1 you need to add some additional options which are standard on the ZL1 pushing the price of the GT500 over 60K.

I dont have a ZL1.... yet. But I have driven one,(6spd black) and they are superb. On Wednesday GM unveils the 2014 Camaro which will have some changes. Regardless, soon I will order mine be it a 2013 or 2014.

Good luck on your choice.

JAX CAMARO · 03-25-2013, 06:08 PM

You can ask peoples opinions but that is just what they are. Until you go to a dealer and drive both you cannot make that decision and it may be to your benefit to tell them where you are at in getting a little something extra at deal time. Drive them !!

Forty5th · 03-25-2013, 06:09 PM

IMO, I would also get a ZL1 over a GT500 basically since the Shelby is overpriced with the optional goodies... plus the ADMs don't help to persuade you. However you can't really go wrong with either at the end of the day. It all depends on which you like more.

KLR ZL1 · 03-25-2013, 06:24 PM

The ZL1 is a better all around car. You get everything performance wise on base Zl1. The ZL1 will cost you less.

The GT500 is faster in a straight line and it better be with 82 more horsepower and almost 300 pounds lighter. To get all the track packages / coolers to equal the ZL1 it wiil definitely be over 60K and that isn't including any other options that you might want like nav. Also the ZL1 is warrantied on the track as long as you don't modify it. I am not sure if anyone else does that. Most dealers are going to have a 10K markup on the GT500 and you could buy a ZL1 under MSRP. You can go test drive a ZL1 but I doubt you will find a dealer that would let you test drive a GT500. Good luck on YOUR decision, you won't be dissappointed with either one.

DrkPhx · 03-25-2013, 07:00 PM

You will certainly get bias on this forum toward the ZL1; so the best thing is to test drive both of them then pick the one you like better depending on your budget.

SamHouseIII · 03-25-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumpkinrancho

Mustang with the right driver is faster in a straight line. Camaro with just about any driver is faster in the corners. Camaro costs less, has more front seat leg room, has a better warranty and has a better suspension. Mustang has a facory installed cold air kit. Same tires, same brakes, both are faster than most people can handle.

bbenavitz · 03-25-2013, 07:51 PM

They are both awesome cars so if you are not able to spend time driving them both you will really need to decide based upon your impression. Keep in mind that it can be tough to get a dealer to let you drive either of these cars if they don't think you are a legit buyer. My impression is that I liked the exterior styling of the ZL1 and having driven several GT's I was not impressed with how the rear end felt in bumpy corners. Liked the interior of the ZL1 a bit better but not a lot better. The new 650 HP Shelby 500's are not readily available for anything close to a reasonable price if you can even find one.

2010SLVRBULIT · 03-25-2013, 07:53 PM

depends on the site you visit...

ZO6 Bryan · 03-25-2013, 08:46 PM

I'll also say "Go drive both!" Then make a decision. Buy the one that appeals to you most, not your friends. They're not the ones that get to drive it, you do. I personally like the feel of the independent rear suspension in the ZL1. But that's just me.

cvp33 · 03-25-2013, 08:57 PM

I thought the chassis in the GT500 was pretty stout, but the interior sucked. Then I drove the ZL1. Chassis is light years better in the ZL1, as is the interior in my opinion. I just got out of a 643rwhp 300cSRT8. The car ran 10.73@128.5mph in the 1/4 mile. I loved that car, but the ZL1 is an infinitely more enjoyable car.

Lots of cars go fast or can be made to go fast for a lot less than either the ZL1 or GT500. But none are the total package of power and handling that the ZL1 is.

billbunton · 03-26-2013, 05:55 AM

FWIW, I just traded in my (2011) GT500 on a 2013 ZL1. The GT500 is fun to drive in a straight line. The feeling of being pinned back in your seat listening to the SC whine is amazing. I love the Shelby exhaust noise.

But I like the looks of the Camaro better. I very much appreciate the better handling -- this is the big one for me. As mentioned above, any kind of bumpy curve really upsets the GT500. The more linear power delivery is deceptive.

Either one will be fun. In the end, you really need to drive both and decide which will give you the bigger grin.

RedWingsZL1 · 03-26-2013, 06:03 AM

It's quite simple.

The GT500 is the first car to lose a race on Top Gear. haha.

Drive both, pick what you like.

acebrave · 03-26-2013, 06:06 AM

I will be using it for about three days a week, thanks I really appreciate your response

acebrave · 03-26-2013, 06:09 AM

Yes I got the chance to test drive the GT 500 and the back end was a little scary, but the quick take off was amazing. I will have some pictures this afternoon. Thanks for the response

03-25-2013, 06:08 PM	#16
JAX CAMARO Drives: orange 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: royersford Pa Posts: 1,081	You can ask peoples opinions but that is just what they are. Until you go to a dealer and drive both you cannot make that decision and it may be to your benefit to tell them where you are at in getting a little something extra at deal time. Drive them !! __________________ ARH 1 7/8" Headers W/HFC, GM Performance Exhaust / K&N Typhoon CAI, Comp Custom Grind Dominator 3 Cam, Pioneer Dual Valve Springs, Trickflow Push rods, IWIS Timing Chain, Rapid Motorsports Tune, 496 RWHP

03-25-2013, 06:24 PM	#18
KLR ZL1 H-Town Camaro Club Member Drives: 17 Hyper Blue Metallic KLR-ZL1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pearland Tx. Posts: 2,035 View My Garage	The ZL1 is a better all around car. You get everything performance wise on base Zl1. The ZL1 will cost you less. The GT500 is faster in a straight line and it better be with 82 more horsepower and almost 300 pounds lighter. To get all the track packages / coolers to equal the ZL1 it wiil definitely be over 60K and that isn't including any other options that you might want like nav. Also the ZL1 is warrantied on the track as long as you don't modify it. I am not sure if anyone else does that. Most dealers are going to have a 10K markup on the GT500 and you could buy a ZL1 under MSRP. You can go test drive a ZL1 but I doubt you will find a dealer that would let you test drive a GT500. Good luck on YOUR decision, you won't be dissappointed with either one. __________________

03-25-2013, 08:46 PM	#23
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	I'll also say "Go drive both!" Then make a decision. Buy the one that appeals to you most, not your friends. They're not the ones that get to drive it, you do. I personally like the feel of the independent rear suspension in the ZL1. But that's just me. __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

03-26-2013, 06:03 AM	#26
RedWingsZL1 Drives: 2013 AGM M6 ZL1, 2008 Tahoe LTZ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 372	It's quite simple. The GT500 is the first car to lose a race on Top Gear. haha. Drive both, pick what you like. __________________ 2013 ZL1

03-25-2013, 06:03 PM	#15
Expunge Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6, '99 Tahoe 2Dr Sport Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: South of Houston, TX Posts: 890 View My Garage	Do a search on youtube, there are several out there that directly compare the GT500 to the ZL1. Do a search on car mag reviews. The four I know of all chose the ZL1. But you are an idiot if you let others choose for you. Drive one. Pick what best suits you. We can tell you that the ZL1 overall is better than the GT500 and that I feel is very true. Interior: ZL1 > GT500 Braking: ZL1 > GT500 Handling: ZL1 > GT500 Features: ZL1 > GT500 Cost: ZL1 > GT500 Power: GT500 > ZL1 Now the base GT500 is cheaper.. but to get it up to a comparable ZL1 you need to add some additional options which are standard on the ZL1 pushing the price of the GT500 over 60K. I dont have a ZL1.... yet. But I have driven one,(6spd black) and they are superb. On Wednesday GM unveils the 2014 Camaro which will have some changes. Regardless, soon I will order mine be it a 2013 or 2014. Good luck on your choice.

03-25-2013, 06:09 PM	#17
Forty5th Drives: Camaro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Posts: 542	IMO, I would also get a ZL1 over a GT500 basically since the Shelby is overpriced with the optional goodies... plus the ADMs don't help to persuade you. However you can't really go wrong with either at the end of the day. It all depends on which you like more.

03-25-2013, 07:00 PM	#19
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	You will certainly get bias on this forum toward the ZL1; so the best thing is to test drive both of them then pick the one you like better depending on your budget.

03-25-2013, 07:51 PM	#21
bbenavitz Drives: 2013 ZL1, Panoz GTWC, 2013 Durango Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 43 View My Garage	They are both awesome cars so if you are not able to spend time driving them both you will really need to decide based upon your impression. Keep in mind that it can be tough to get a dealer to let you drive either of these cars if they don't think you are a legit buyer. My impression is that I liked the exterior styling of the ZL1 and having driven several GT's I was not impressed with how the rear end felt in bumpy corners. Liked the interior of the ZL1 a bit better but not a lot better. The new 650 HP Shelby 500's are not readily available for anything close to a reasonable price if you can even find one.

03-25-2013, 07:53 PM	#22
2010SLVRBULIT Drives: G5(LLT) & C6(LS3) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MARS Posts: 7,527 View My Garage	depends on the site you visit...

03-25-2013, 08:57 PM	#24
cvp33 America FVCK Yeah! Drives: 2021 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 1,388	I thought the chassis in the GT500 was pretty stout, but the interior sucked. Then I drove the ZL1. Chassis is light years better in the ZL1, as is the interior in my opinion. I just got out of a 643rwhp 300cSRT8. The car ran 10.73@128.5mph in the 1/4 mile. I loved that car, but the ZL1 is an infinitely more enjoyable car. Lots of cars go fast or can be made to go fast for a lot less than either the ZL1 or GT500. But none are the total package of power and handling that the ZL1 is.

03-26-2013, 05:55 AM	#25
billbunton Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 18	FWIW, I just traded in my (2011) GT500 on a 2013 ZL1. The GT500 is fun to drive in a straight line. The feeling of being pinned back in your seat listening to the SC whine is amazing. I love the Shelby exhaust noise. But I like the looks of the Camaro better. I very much appreciate the better handling -- this is the big one for me. As mentioned above, any kind of bumpy curve really upsets the GT500. The more linear power delivery is deceptive. Either one will be fun. In the end, you really need to drive both and decide which will give you the bigger grin.

03-26-2013, 06:06 AM	#27
acebrave Drives: camaro zl1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: weston florida Posts: 3	I will be using it for about three days a week, thanks I really appreciate your response

03-26-2013, 06:09 AM	#28
acebrave Drives: camaro zl1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: weston florida Posts: 3	Yes I got the chance to test drive the GT 500 and the back end was a little scary, but the quick take off was amazing. I will have some pictures this afternoon. Thanks for the response