2016 Camaro ZL1 or 2016/2017 Stingray Z51

Optimus · 03-20-2016, 06:17 PM

High class problem, I know...
I am the former owner of two Camaros (2010 2SS and 2013 2SS 1LE). My wife just gave me "permission" to get a Stingray Z51 2LT (convertible). While I am SUPER excited, I am also torn. The announcement of the forthcoming Camaro ZL1 with 640HP is pretty compelling to me. Any feedback from Vette owners? Again, high class problem.

Thanks in advance,

Optimus

rcandiloro · 03-20-2016, 08:20 PM

Not a Vette owner, but in a similar situation. I was dead set on getting the Grand Sport when it comes out, but now the Gen 6 ZL1 has my attention. Will have to see in person, and drive both, to figure out what I'm going to get. I would guess there are probably a lot of folks in this situation. I love the Z06, but this car will be my DD, so I was thinking the Grand Sport would be perfect.......wasn't so thrilled with the Gen 6 Camaro, but the ZL1 seems so badass....will be a tough choice. Good problem to have, like you said.

GretchenGotGrowl · 03-21-2016, 06:39 AM

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice, so drive both and decide what you like best.

phillip123hastings · 03-21-2016, 08:26 AM

Take them both for a test drive, see which one suits you best. No wrong choice here.

BigEastVette · 03-21-2016, 09:40 AM

Just get'm both,......... problem solved !

h422694 · 03-21-2016, 02:37 PM

I had a 3LT Z51 coupe and now have a '16 Z06. While the Z06 is a blast to drive and the performance difference is incredible, I would not want it for a daily driver.
That being said, I agree with the others - drive both and then make your decision.

aa406079 · 03-22-2016, 01:32 PM

perhaps wait till the 2018's are announced... the new Z28 has been caught spy testing and shoudl feature a more powerful naturally aspirated engine.... I could see them putting it in the Grand Sport.

I think a Grand Sport with 500+ naturally aspirated horses would be the best (DD with track days ) Vette yet....

Bosse'sBoss · 03-24-2016, 05:46 PM

I own a great 5th. Gen ZL1, as strange as it sounds I prefeer a lightweight NA standard transmission sport car with a performance suspension. My choice:
C7 Corvette Grand Sport
Corvette Stingray Z51
Upcoming Camaro Z28
6th. gen Camaro SS 1LE

Strong NA engines feel more natural (specially at the curves)in their power delivery compared to SC and turbo engines that are a sudden blast and most of the time at the track will suffer from high heat exhaustion, dropping down their performance.

But for 1/4 straight line racing, then the best choice a SC or turbo engine with automatic trasmission.

Juttman88 · 03-25-2016, 12:07 PM

I myself was in the same situation and two days ago decided to put a deposit down on a 2016 C7 Z51 2LT which I will be picking up next week! Obviously personal opinion but you just can't beat the look of the corvette vs a camaro. Two completely different leagues if you ask me in terms of looks. I know the ZL1 is clearly gonna smoke the Vette but at the end of the day the we're still talking about a Camaro vs a Corvette aka a boy's car vs a man's car and again I mean that just in the way they are looked at not specs. Good luck with your decision but like others said there really is no wrong choice in this one!

johnu · 03-25-2016, 11:38 PM

Back in 1978 I had the same decision......I've been with fiberglass ever since

Optimus · 03-28-2016, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the feedback. While not 100% finalized, I think I am going to go with a 3LT Z51 Stingray. Don't want to miss out on the whole summer waiting for the Camaro ZL1. If (when

) I do get my Vette, I'll post pix. Pretty damn excited!!!

WoodBoss · 04-22-2016, 08:42 AM

Z51

CAMAROdrivin'BALLplaya · 05-16-2016, 10:53 AM

I ran into a similar situation. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get a Gen 6 ZR1 or a C7 Z06. I ended up buying both along with a Henessey Venom GT after I won a lot of money on the prize wheel. But I haven't picked up Forza in a few weeks so I've been stuck with my 2013 Camaro SS.

All jokes aside, I believe if you are using it for a daily driver, stay with the Grand Sport, since the engine will have all its kinks worked out, and its N/A. Just knowing how new engines are the first year they come out with any car ever made, there are going to be issues that will make you take the car back in for work. I know people think its the same exact engine as the Z06, but its not. Its like what the ZL1 was to the last ZR1 and CTS-V. There were a good amount of new ZL1 owners that went through issues with the blower when they first came out. I was always taught not to buy a car the first year they arrive. But then again, if you pulled up to a stoplight in a brand new grand sport and a brand new ZL1 pulls up along side, you will most likely get spanked and regret getting the corvette. Lol. Just the obvious thought that any enthusiast would have in getting the car with less power. Having a budget like you though, you are in a win win honestly.

OldJedi · 05-21-2016, 04:04 PM

Get both and have a his and hers cars!

03-20-2016, 06:17 PM	#1
Optimus Drives: Former 2010 and 2013 Camaro owner Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Warwick, NY Posts: 145	2016 Camaro ZL1 or 2016/2017 Stingray Z51 High class problem, I know... I am the former owner of two Camaros (2010 2SS and 2013 2SS 1LE). My wife just gave me "permission" to get a Stingray Z51 2LT (convertible). While I am SUPER excited, I am also torn. The announcement of the forthcoming Camaro ZL1 with 640HP is pretty compelling to me. Any feedback from Vette owners? Again, high class problem. Thanks in advance, Optimus

03-21-2016, 06:39 AM	#3
GretchenGotGrowl Drives: 11 F150 EB/13 Sonic RS/15 Z06 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 7,129 View My Garage	I don't think you can go wrong with either choice, so drive both and decide what you like best. __________________ New Ride -- 2015 Z06 2LZ (stock) -- Journal Old Ride -- 2012 Camaro 2LT/RS (647 RWHP & 726 RWTQ) -- Build Thread

03-21-2016, 09:40 AM	#5
BigEastVette Drives: 2017 Z06 3LZ BLACK ROSE, FORD F250 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NEW ORLEANS Posts: 133	Just get'm both,......... problem solved ! __________________

03-21-2016, 02:37 PM	#6
h422694 Drives: '16 Z06 7 Spd, 2024 High Country HD Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 442	Decision I had a 3LT Z51 coupe and now have a '16 Z06. While the Z06 is a blast to drive and the performance difference is incredible, I would not want it for a daily driver. That being said, I agree with the others - drive both and then make your decision.

03-22-2016, 01:32 PM	#7
aa406079 Drives: New : 2017 SS 1LE Old: 2012 TTRS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Calgary/Vancouver Posts: 810 View My Garage	perhaps wait till the 2018's are announced... the new Z28 has been caught spy testing and shoudl feature a more powerful naturally aspirated engine.... I could see them putting it in the Grand Sport. I think a Grand Sport with 500+ naturally aspirated horses would be the best (DD with track days ) Vette yet.... __________________ . . https://www.wheelwell.com/profile/56...ed9c3a/garage/ . . Project 1LE Wraith: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=474068

03-20-2016, 08:20 PM	#2
rcandiloro Drives: 2018 ZLE Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: United States Posts: 454	Not a Vette owner, but in a similar situation. I was dead set on getting the Grand Sport when it comes out, but now the Gen 6 ZL1 has my attention. Will have to see in person, and drive both, to figure out what I'm going to get. I would guess there are probably a lot of folks in this situation. I love the Z06, but this car will be my DD, so I was thinking the Grand Sport would be perfect.......wasn't so thrilled with the Gen 6 Camaro, but the ZL1 seems so badass....will be a tough choice. Good problem to have, like you said.

03-21-2016, 08:26 AM	#4
phillip123hastings Drives: A real beast Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Alabama Posts: 186	Take them both for a test drive, see which one suits you best. No wrong choice here.

03-24-2016, 05:46 PM	#8
Bosse'sBoss Drives: '16 Camaro SS 6 spd manual transm. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,463	I own a great 5th. Gen ZL1, as strange as it sounds I prefeer a lightweight NA standard transmission sport car with a performance suspension. My choice: C7 Corvette Grand Sport Corvette Stingray Z51 Upcoming Camaro Z28 6th. gen Camaro SS 1LE Strong NA engines feel more natural (specially at the curves)in their power delivery compared to SC and turbo engines that are a sudden blast and most of the time at the track will suffer from high heat exhaustion, dropping down their performance. But for 1/4 straight line racing, then the best choice a SC or turbo engine with automatic trasmission. __________________ '16 Camaro SS Prior cars: '14 Corvette C7 Stingray Z51 '14 Camaro ZL1 w/. Recaro seats '11 Mustang GT 5.0 w. track package '02 Porsche 911 Carrera '05 Infiniti G35 coupe sport

03-25-2016, 12:07 PM	#9
Juttman88 Drives: 2016 Corvette Z51 (2LT) Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: New York Posts: 47	I myself was in the same situation and two days ago decided to put a deposit down on a 2016 C7 Z51 2LT which I will be picking up next week! Obviously personal opinion but you just can't beat the look of the corvette vs a camaro. Two completely different leagues if you ask me in terms of looks. I know the ZL1 is clearly gonna smoke the Vette but at the end of the day the we're still talking about a Camaro vs a Corvette aka a boy's car vs a man's car and again I mean that just in the way they are looked at not specs. Good luck with your decision but like others said there really is no wrong choice in this one!

03-25-2016, 11:38 PM	#10
johnu Drives: 1981 C3, 2014 C7 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: MN Posts: 50	Back in 1978 I had the same decision......I've been with fiberglass ever since

03-28-2016, 03:27 PM	#11
Optimus Drives: Former 2010 and 2013 Camaro owner Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Warwick, NY Posts: 145	Thanks for the feedback. While not 100% finalized, I think I am going to go with a 3LT Z51 Stingray. Don't want to miss out on the whole summer waiting for the Camaro ZL1. If (when) I do get my Vette, I'll post pix. Pretty damn excited!!!

04-22-2016, 08:42 AM	#12
WoodBoss "Old School" Drives: 2010 2SS L99 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sherrills Ford, NC Posts: 1,295	Z51

05-16-2016, 10:53 AM	#13
CAMAROdrivin'BALLplaya Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Black Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New York Posts: 93	I ran into a similar situation. I couldn't decide if I wanted to get a Gen 6 ZR1 or a C7 Z06. I ended up buying both along with a Henessey Venom GT after I won a lot of money on the prize wheel. But I haven't picked up Forza in a few weeks so I've been stuck with my 2013 Camaro SS. All jokes aside, I believe if you are using it for a daily driver, stay with the Grand Sport, since the engine will have all its kinks worked out, and its N/A. Just knowing how new engines are the first year they come out with any car ever made, there are going to be issues that will make you take the car back in for work. I know people think its the same exact engine as the Z06, but its not. Its like what the ZL1 was to the last ZR1 and CTS-V. There were a good amount of new ZL1 owners that went through issues with the blower when they first came out. I was always taught not to buy a car the first year they arrive. But then again, if you pulled up to a stoplight in a brand new grand sport and a brand new ZL1 pulls up along side, you will most likely get spanked and regret getting the corvette. Lol. Just the obvious thought that any enthusiast would have in getting the car with less power. Having a budget like you though, you are in a win win honestly. __________________ Drive it like you stole it

05-21-2016, 04:04 PM	#14
OldJedi Use the Force Drives: 2015 Corvette Z51, 2018 Porsche GTS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Davie, Fl. Posts: 3,862	Get both and have a his and hers cars! Attached Images __________________ Walk softly, carry a light saber and drive a ZL1!