[Travis104]

Hello,
I currently have a 5th gen ZL1 with a little over 700hp. Car has been great, but I have had it for a while, and want something different. I have basically narrowed it down to rhe ZL1/1LE or the C7Z. I have been doing a lot of research on the 2, but wanted to get some real world reviews of each if anyone has went from one to the other. I plan on driving both, but decision won’t be made until spring, and we get better weatherhere. I sent a few guys messages on here that switched, and they provided me with some great info, just thought I would open the discussion up for everyone. I also posted this on the C7 forum, and trying to get the opinion of both sides.

Thanks,
Travis

[mariojmoe]

I don't have a 1le but do have both a zl1 manual and a C7Z manual and love both. I alternate all 3 as my dd (ctsv zl1 and z06). If you want to turn heads and love straight line performance buy a manual Z06. If you need a back seat and might hit up a track buy a Zl1. Keep in mind in 2020 the vette is going mid engine which will more than likely kill the resale value on the somewhat dated Z06. As for which one is more fun it's more of a balance. I prefer the Z06 personally bc it's more of a head turned but you can't go wrong with either.

[TRZ06]

For track ZL1 1LE over the Z06. The Z06's rear-end is more twitchy and snap-oversteer prone, while the ZL1 1LE is more composed and gives you greater confidence and puts the power down better.

For looks and straight line stuff the Z06 (assuming you can find traction).

[Travis104]

Just realized the title is jacked up...should have read, ZL1/1LE vs C7Z. If one of the mods could change it, I would appreciate it.

[BlackinBlack]

Originally Posted by mariojmoe

If you need a back seat and might hit up a track buy a Zl1. Keep in mind in 2020 the vette is going mid engine which will more than likely kill the resale value on the somewhat dated Z06.

I had a 2013 ZL1 M6 and now have a 2016 Z06 A8 that I have had for 3 years.

A new ZL1 is a more rare car to see on the streets but most people will not know what it is. I have been surprised how much more attention my Z06 gets as they are so common in my area.

A Z06 will be a ton faster than a ZL1. This I can confirm. The car straight hooks up and the 60 foot is insane. I have seen many stock A8 Z06 run deep into the 10s. 10.50s are very possible with a good driver with a 100% stock car. The manuals will be close to a 1/2 second slower.

I have tracked a 2016 A8 Z06 in Nevada in 90+ weather with no issues. IE no overheating on 15+ minute runs and the car I was driving is the one that is the most prone to the issue. I was fastest driver in every session in the fastest group too. Also the snap oversteer thing is not a thing on a car in spec. One issue is that GM is famous for shipping the cars from the factory with the rear out of alignment. (The car does have 650 HP so turn off the nannies on a cold tires and mash the throttle will be a dumb idea.)

Handling the Z06 is in a different level. On the track I saw max cornering G loads over 1.3. The car was a Z06 Z07 car but was running normal SuperSports and not the SportCup 2s. On the track a Z06 Z07 is SECONDS faster than the ZL1 1LE. Not hating on the ZL1 as it is a very capable car but the Z06 is much faster.

With the C8 it could be a very interesting time if certain rumors hold true.

1) Rumor base C8 will be mid 100K (Some are saying 169K). If this is true the C7 cars will be the last cheap Corvette. This could stabilize values or even make them increase a bit.

2) Rumor no more manual trans in the C8. This is almost 100% confirmed that the C8 will be DCT only. This will make all C7 M7 cars more desirable as the last manual Corvettes.

3) C8 being rear mid engine means the C7 will be the last front mid engine corvette. Time will tell how this effects value. (Look at the last air cooled 911 Porsche values.)

4) C8 may lose the classic American V8 sound. Youtube "C8 R testing" and hear the new motor. If production cars sound like that it could help C7 values.

5) Used fully loaded C7 Z06 are everyplace and so many 1st owners never drove them. You can get a 2016 for under the price of a new ZL1 1LE with many way under 10K miles.

End of day get what you like as both cars will be fun to own.

My order would be:

1) Tracking and street. 2017 - 2019 Z06 Z07 M7

2) Drag and street. 2016 - 2018 Z06 A8 (no Z07)

3) Cheaper tracking and street. ZL1 1LE

4) Muscle car and street. ZL1

[Can'tHave2MuchHP]

Originally Posted by BlackinBlack

I had a 2013 ZL1 M6 and now have a 2016 Z06 A8 that I have had for 3 years.

A new ZL1 is a more rare car to see on the streets but most people will not know what it is. I have been surprised how much more attention my Z06 gets as they are so common in my area.

A Z06 will be a ton faster than a ZL1. This I can confirm. The car straight hooks up and the 60 foot is insane. I have seen many stock A8 Z06 run deep into the 10s. 10.50s are very possible with a good driver with a 100% stock car. The manuals will be close to a 1/2 second slower.

I have tracked a 2016 A8 Z06 in Nevada in 90+ weather with no issues. IE no overheating on 15+ minute runs and the car I was driving is the one that is the most prone to the issue. I was fastest driver in every session in the fastest group too. Also the snap oversteer thing is not a thing on a car in spec. One issue is that GM is famous for shipping the cars from the factory with the rear out of alignment. (The car does have 650 HP so turn off the nannies on a cold tires and mash the throttle will be a dumb idea.)

Handling the Z06 is in a different level. On the track I saw max cornering G loads over 1.3. The car was a Z06 Z07 car but was running normal SuperSports and not the SportCup 2s. On the track a Z06 Z07 is SECONDS faster than the ZL1 1LE. Not hating on the ZL1 as it is a very capable car but the Z06 is much faster.

With the C8 it could be a very interesting time if certain rumors hold true.

1) Rumor base C8 will be mid 100K (Some are saying 169K). If this is true the C7 cars will be the last cheap Corvette. This could stabilize values or even make them increase a bit.

2) Rumor no more manual trans in the C8. This is almost 100% confirmed that the C8 will be DCT only. This will make all C7 M7 cars more desirable as the last manual Corvettes.

3) C8 being rear mid engine means the C7 will be the last front mid engine corvette. Time will tell how this effects value. (Look at the last air cooled 911 Porsche values.)

4) C8 may lose the classic American V8 sound. Youtube "C8 R testing" and hear the new motor. If production cars sound like that it could help C7 values.

5) Used fully loaded C7 Z06 are everyplace and so many 1st owners never drove them. You can get a 2016 for under the price of a new ZL1 1LE with many way under 10K miles.

End of day get what you like as both cars will be fun to own.

My order would be:

1) Tracking and street. 2017 - 2019 Z06 Z07 M7

2) Drag and street. 2016 - 2018 Z06 A8 (no Z07)

3) Cheaper tracking and street. ZL1 1LE

4) Muscle car and street. ZL1

I have both cars as well and I agree. The ZL1 is an excellent Camaro. The Z06 is a super car in every way except price and "special" factor.

[shootamc58]

I've had both. I prefer the zl1 1le. Tons of pros and cons either way. You can pm me if you'd like more insight. My reasons may not line up with yours.