I've had my '18 Camaro ZL1 for a year now, and in honor of the one year anniversary of ownership and of having a RU-vid channel, I did a review of the car.
I’m in the market for a ZL1 and this has been the best review I’ve seen on the car, you went in to detail on the transmission on things that I didn’t know about because I didn’t get that from other RU-vid reviews
I was in the U.S.A.F before 9/11! Was never a pilot, yet I feel right @ home in this cockpit. I can see why this REAL pilot chooses the cars & cockpits he does. Especially those Z vette classes he has had. Nice ride to you MASTER OF THE SKIES. 👍🏽🥂🙇🏽♂️
I love the color! The zl1 has been my dream car for a while now. From what I remember, it has 11 intercoolers/heat exchangers that keep that engine from overheating
Great review! I always support Camaro owners. I can see the passion in you and the respect you have for the car. You seem to be a humble person. Keep having fun and live life full😜
Appreciate the honest review and the comparison to the c6 and c7 z06 really helped tremendously. I had a aggressive head cam c6 z06 and it just became tiring to drive and was not daily driver friendly enough. This car seems leaps and bounds better for daily use while still being very exciting and rewarding to drive.
My wife’s daily driver is a 2017 Camaro RS convertible, 6 speed manual. Same color blue as yours, I thinks it’s called Hyper Blue Metallic. I love that car. She loves it too.
George A why bash on the RS? it costs less to buy, less money on gas, insurance, and maintenance, looks great, it’s a ton of fun to drive, and it’s probably faster than whatever you drive lol
I purchased my ZL1 about two years ago. I have not had any problems with this car. I hit 15,000 miles. This is my 4th Camaro and I guess the reason I stay with the Camaro is it is the most reliable car I have ever owned. I think it is also the nicest looking, best handling car for the money. I love all the American Muscle cars but I don’t see as many Camaro’s as I do mustangs and mopars. I like that. I don’t want to drive a car that everyone has. I love the way the car handles and the way it takes off when you step on the pedal. I use my car to get back and forth to work every day which makes the drive enjoyable. This car has it all. Oh, and by the way, I have not had any problems with the paint. Just the normal paint chips from the debris on the road.
Totally agree with everything you say I own a summit white version and to combat the paint defects I have it color corrected and fully xpel’d... you’ve earned a new sub thank you for your service!
Thanks for the review I can only dream of having one but it’s nice when someone writes a good review what it is like to own one and drive one for a period of time
I love the car ✊I have the nightfall gray metallic 2018 Camaro SS. I have done a paint correction and ceramic coating myself. I get so many compliments about the shine and color. I love the blue and I also have a sunroof it came with it.I blacked out the car with the smoked taillights and emblems. I enjoy the car and I’m glad you are enjoying it as well.Thanks for the time and effort you put into the video ✊
@@W0rld_Toor Either one of u But Big D said he had a paint correction done I heard alot of chevys have the peeling problem Iam going to look at a 19 zl1 Tuesday and defiantly want to fix the paint before it's a problem
@@j2j17 yeah that's true, even the guys who corrected my car's paint told me Chevy uses really cheap pain for the Camaros. They said the trucks are a different story but the Camaros for some reason have cheap paint. Honestly man I know it's gonna be expensive but it is worth it. U will always turn around and adore ur car no matter where u go just because of how good the paint is. And the orange peeling doesn't start right away it's mainly due to a lot of car washing and not using the right soap. But there are many more problems with the paint. For example the clear coat takes minor scratches easily. A rock chip can strip the paint through primer all the way down to metal. And many more. So if you can go for it, if not then wash the car ur self and polish it once a month at least.
Great review. We have a 1LE SS in my autocross club, driven by a multiclass national champion and he's often FTD or very close. His car is blue, too. From your review, I would expect yours to be even faster although there's not a need to shift the trans with a manual once in 2nd gear. the top end Camaros are pretty impressive performance-wise. The PTM seems to work great to make the car drivable with that much horsepower. Thanks!
I as well owned a 2001 SOM SS and really miss the open air drive. But my 2019 ZL1 is a worthwhile upgrade. I love the blue as well. Best wishes Mover and keep up the solid work. Thank you for your Service.
Sharp looking car Mover. Looks like it’s going a buck and a half standing still. The video at the Nola track really showed what it could do. I’ve always been a manual shift fan in the 3 corvettes I’ve had over the years, and us cops (retired now) drive all day with one hand but I can see how it would be a distraction on a track shifting up and down. Hands at 10 and 2 with an automatic seems like the better alternative. Watch your six and always remember - “Complacency” kills cops. (Bill from Slidell).
Had a feeling you was in Louisiana when I saw Hood Chevy, then it was confirmed when you said Belle Chasse. I'm looking to get a ZLE hopefully soon. Subscribed
Hey bro - very nice video. I'm really a gun channel but I have the 2017 Camaro ZL1 and have done a couple vids with it. Mine is still under 3k miles at just over two years old - but I'm hoping better weather and lighter workload can help me rectify that a bit this summer. I have the M6 trans and enjoy rowing through the gears, but I'd love to feel the 10 spd sometime. Envy your access to a track! Mine is limited to Sunday drives.
I had the same process prior to getting a 2019 ZL1 as far as the transmission. All my other performance cars are 6-speeds, but after test driving the 10-speed I was sold easily and have no regrets. It's mated perfectly to the car with it's torque/power band and shifts remarkably fast. It's also very smart and intuitive in that it will stay in gear to redline when driving hard and also downshift gears perfectly depending how hard you whomp on the throttle = "Performance shift activated". It's the faster of the transmissions and isn't even offered in the Corvette which is a big deal as the Z06 is 30k more with the same engine.
I have a 07 Z06 6spd. It's all stock I just put a K&N air filter box with Billy boat cat back system. I bought it brand new in 07 I'll never sell it it's my summer toy. I have 23,000 miles on it.
Nice car, reminds me of my 1983 Trans Am. Which had no room for a car seat and I had to trade in for Mini-Van. Now that all the kids are grown that Camaro just might be calling my name!
Excellent review brother. Both my wife and I are looking forward towards purchasing a new ZL1 6M. I miss having a V8 and a manual transmission. Back in high school I had a 1968 Mustang that ran 11.71@121mph on slicks. She was my very first car _and_ a daily driver. She also cost me four girlfriends, two and a half jobs and a copious amount of money (usually for gas and upgrades). In her prime she got an abysmal ~9mpg but then again gas was also .98 cents per gallon for Premium. Mind you, this was roughly 20+ years ago. I have no idea what gas prices were back in the 60s/70s. Nevertheless, I would plan my weekends accordingly. They were basically a cruise (sometimes a sprint) from gas station to gas station until I eventually made my way home. Ah those were good times. Lastly, I want to give you a tremendous shout-out for combining my two worlds. 2A and cars. Being that Arizona is a Constitutional Carry state, I have no reason to be disarmed. Therefore, I am curious how appendix carry feels in the ZL1? Stay classy my friend.
I owned a ZL1 1LE and wound up trading it in for a '19 Grand Sport (had an SS 1LE before that). I would honestly say that your non 1LE ZL1 is the best Camaro out there if you plan on driving it on the street at all. LOVED the ZLE, but it was flat out dangerous on the road (tires), and too harsh (DSSV shocks). Perfect Camaro would be your car with 1LE aero IMO. GREAT channel, subbed. THANKS
ZL1 is so good and a great value, definitely slept on by the public. I have a ‘23 rapid blue and only saw 1 other ZL1 on the road. It turns into corners so effortlessly with Zero body roll, the car is amazing! Never sell! Great honest review! Thank you
I enjoyed the video. I have a 6speed 2017 ZL1. You can customize the exhaust setting such that the exhaust is on the sport mode when you drive in touring mode. You can do the same with the steering setting as well.
I track a '14 SS 1LE, I'm thinking about an A10 ZL1 or ZL1 1LE. Funny you mentioned the "German pillbox", haha, that's how I've described the Gen 5 Camaros. Great review, you know your car stuff.
Hey thanks for the video. I felt like your opinion wasn’t an, “I’m in love with my car it’s so amazing” kind of opinion. I’m possibly pulling the trigger on a zl1 this weekend or next week. Drove it today on a test drive but didn’t really get intimate with it. Maybe I’ll sit in it tomorrow and spend an hour on the settings. Def a sweet car.
Agree about the pop-up Navi screen hidden compartment design.They should incorporate that as standard being that it was such an innovative design that definitely gave it's interiors that surprise element! But now they want to copy everyone else with that oops we almost forgot look of these new designed Navi screens! Great car by the way & very informative!!
also this car and the corvette Zo6 were tested by randy pobst known for setting the quick times with street cars and noted road course racer, your car is faster than any corvette on the track. it was also faster on the nurbering, the reason was exactly like you said, it puts the power to the ground better than the corvette does,
Great review and I think your assessment is spot on! The car does come with a few gripes, but to me they are mostly minor (aside from the paint issue you discussed). For the money, I think the car is amazing. One thing you didn't mention was the ability to keep the exhaust in sport or track mode (via the settings menu) while the suspension and steering are in touring mode (via the console switch). That's a nice feature that lets you customize the sound and feel to your liking.
Great video and very interesting! Congrats on the year of vlogs! How do you think car will do with lots of miles on it? I'm averaging 22K miles per year in my Optima....
Very well done. I am thinking of getting a new 2021, auto base with same options you have. OR a Hellcat?? Have you ever been beside one or a 392 Dodge 1320? Thanks again for your Service. Semper Fi.
I have the 2017 ZL1 6 speed Absolutely love it 3 problems though 1. Pulling out in 1st gear, the fueling sucks and it shuts the fuel down if the throttle is even a single mm off. 2. Wish the Throttle maps, suspension settings and steering modes were decoupled. I’d love to have the lightest steering with the track setting for the throttle 3. The BS 1-4 shift lock , you can get around it by holding onto 1st linger or by going 1-3 I live in Detroit and I’ve seen a couple of 1LEs near where I live and I’ve seen them bounce over even the smallest road imperfection
Great review! I am thinking about buying a 2019 ZL1 and your review helped with my decision. I will track the car at Sebring a couple times a year so I am glad to hear you had no overheating issues at all. Did you have any issues with brake fade with the stock brakes at your track day?
Hi, First, I want to thank you for your series and inspiration, I am on track to get a bachelor in Aerospace Engineering and Air Force ROTC. I am wanting to become a F-16 or A-10 pilot and read your books didn't know you had a youtube channel. Thanks for all of the advice, just have a few questions if you have time. Since you have the "option" to choose your aircraft in the reserves if you wanted to transfer to active duty would you still fly the same aircraft? I am in Air Force ROTC and didn't know if you could go into the reserves without going to OTS? Trying to find the best way to fly the aircraft I would like and if I need to study or do whatever I will, just want the best possible way to fly F-16. Thanks for the inspiration (making people tell me no has HELPED SOOOOO MUCH) thank you.
Nice Camaro, beautiful color. But, I can't see paying $50k+ for any automobile. I've owned a 68' 78' 88' Camaro. But, skipped the 90s 00s. I keep thinking about a new one, but $50k+.... is hard to fork over. I only paid, $4k in 68, $12k in 78, and $19k for my 88' IROC Convertible, new off the showroom floor... $50+... whew
Hey how's it going? I'm in the market for a c6 ZR1 or a 17+ ZL1..I believe you said you had a c6 ZR1.. After owning both do prefer the ZL1 over the ZR1?
Orange peel is on every new car in varying degrees. Only way to get rid of it is to have someone polish the surface down flat with polishing compound, which takes hours.
Beautiful car. I pick my 2019 ZL1 this Wednesday, can't wait. Trading my way less worthy 2018 GT350 for it. Really excited man. Only thing I would say negative to ya man is you should of stayed true to the manual. I made that mistake before going auto in my hellcat. Never make that mistake again. Auto no matter how good they are, they just get boring. Good review...... Cheers pal.
Great update and review and I love the car. Being the only one that has mentioned the paint as an issue have you had any further issues or tried any corrections to the paint job? Also have you had any protective film kits installed ? Thanks
If you could go back and have the same car but in a manual would you pick it over the 10 speed? I am looking at getting one but the trans is the biggest problem I have.
Install a catch can on it especially since its direct injected, i have a 2016 camaro 2SS myself and installed one and within a week its already collecting oil
@@CWLemoine I’m sorry before I posted that I didn’t realize you had both! I watched your comparison between the ZL1 and the C7 so I am curious what you think of the C6 ZR1 vs the ZL1. Thanks!
@@CWLemoine I would be using it for mostly street duty, maybe an occasional track day but I’ve never done one before so I doubt I could drive the either car to its potential. I like the ZR1 but the market is so crazy for it now. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it paying 70+k for a used ZR1.. or just go with a new ZL1 for MSRP.
my 2017 f150 is that color, IMO that color blue is just about impossible for them to paint right. it aint that great on my f150 either, so don't feel bad
@@jdub1139 orange peel is a factory defect in which the paint has a textured look (like an orange peel) beneath the clearcoat. I have never heard of any cars with actual peeling paint.
Jaison J Camaro’s aren’t known for great reliability, but that’s often the case with sports cars. People generally buy them for fun, not cuz they want a long-lasting car.
