I’ll take a ZL1 in a heartbeat. Car is Very much Under Appreciated. Hellcat’s are cool as well , but more people should give props to this menacing vehicle and I’m a Ford guy.
It's more than that. It's not like the Camaro is some unknown entity like say my Kia Stinger. GM just seems to make some awesome power plant choices but also poor usability choices at the same time and it hurts them.
False. To update or improve anything on these cars is hilariously way to expensive for what little numbers are increased. Whereas a 4 door sedan that puts down the same power while weighing much more is much more logical to me.
Absolutely love my ZL1. I have the 2021 convertible in black . Fastest car I ever owned. Love it so much that I sold my 2018 Corvette 6 months after I got the ZL! !!!
I daily a Zl1 1le and most of the complaints are overblown. It’s one of the best performance/dollar cars on the planet. Wish modding it was easier but so is life .
I had a zl1, I love the look of the zl1 1le but idk if it's worth the extra few grand for me to get it because of the looks. I'll probably take it to a track maybe 1 time lol what do you think?
I was born with one arm, and would love to drive the ZL1 somebody. I drove the Scatpack and that is a beast. The ZL1 is something I’ve been dying to get my hands on. One day we’ll get there. This was a dope episode, look forward to more!
Don’t let that stop u one of my moms friends is paralyzed from the waste down and somehow drives a z06 manual don’t ask me how 😂 and I don’t ask him how he does it but he does drive it and he drives it so well u can’t even tell he’s paralyzed until he gets out with his wheelchair
My son just bought a LT1 6-speed, darn fun car to drive. I can only imagine what another 200 HP would do for the driving experience. Side bar - no issues for me regarding visibility, and honestly I thought for sure I would. And the dual mode exhaust sounds incredible - you are right. Thanks, as always.
There are some visibility issues. For starters, u have trouble looking through a curve because of the a-pillar. Turning ur head to switch lanes is a pita because visibility but u get used to it and develop different methods. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for a REHC in a hundred years.
The difference is staggering Charles, the extra 200+hp transforms the SS into a true beast that will scare the crap out of you if you're not careful, I know as I have a '17 ZL1. My friend who did the mods on my car told me "when it don't scare you anymore is the time to add more power".... He's crazy but he's right as he is heavily involved in late model GM performance upgrades. It's cool you and your son share passion for performance cars, you can go to the track and go full on or just do the 1/4 mile runs togeather, either way there's many memories of running a great car together and he will remember them long after you leave him for the beautiful racetrack in the sky. I envy you as my Father had absolutely no appreciation for performance cars and had no desire to even entertain the thought of going with me or even talking about it. Hope you and your son have many safe days of enjoying the SS.
Definitely don't want to see it go. I am a Camaro guy, I have a 2018 SS and I prefer that more than the vette. It's a lot more bang for your buck. The quality is just perfect for the money. I'm sure going to miss it but I'm keeping mine SS.
The Vette , just because of the different configurations available for the dash gauges why it's a better value and in touring mode it rides better than the Camaro.
If at the expense of being able to see out the back seat is worth it. In my teens i was a Camaro guy in my 40s its ford & dodge because of being a larger man with a larger wife ...lol
They should have kept making these!!! We need competition to push eachother and the ZL1 is solid competition!!! They look real good and sound awesome!!! As always, great video!!!
So the ZL1 has been called a track car by track car guys… comes in just under a cppl Porsches, AMG GT and some other really nice cars… The Hellcat is a drag car… both nice cars for the price. However I have to say did everyone forget that the Viper is the fastest car around Nürburgring… I mean out of EVERY OTHER CAR… Why is nobody talking about this car it’s freakin awesome
I drive a GT350. Sometimes I wish I would have gotten the ZL1 instead. Then I go for a spirited drive through the hills and forget all about the Camaro. I'm sure I would be happy with the ZL1 too, especially with more torque and h.p.
Just sold my 2020 zl1 with 2500 miles on it so I can get a track hawk. Mind you. I got waxed by one at the track and it was my personal best time of 11.1 bone stock even the tires
Not enough room for me Challenger and Charger better daily driver and better buy. Looks like whomever traded it thought the same since you were at a Dodge dealership 😂
@@kewan2045 bunch of people meaning more than you and one passenger 😂 that means no kids, no family trips, no trips to Home Depot. These are practical things you need for a daily driver. Or maybe you a bigger dude taller and or wider Camaro is a poor choice.
@@MIXINGBOWLMAN do you feel the same way about 2 seaters? You can actually fit kids or small people in the back. That’s why dodge sells more it’s practical. Still not a better drive than a Camaro 🤷♂️
Absolutely, you're safer in a ZL1, 2SS, compared to a Hellcat Especially if you live in Cleveland, or Detroit You won't have to worry about being shot & killed, and car jacked, all because you have a Mopar vehicle
@@justinkrizenesky yeah I know, pretty much the only thing i don't like about the new ones, well and this goes for all the newer camaros honestly is the space on the inside and visibility otherwise great car
@@justinkrizenesky yeah thats why I like blind spot, because its hard sometimes, I went from a challenger to a kia stinger miss that car but some bad stuff happened when I had that car it wasn't from the car though, and then I got my mustang
He's right they do respond well to mods. The 2018 zl1 10 speed I used to have made 572whp and 570wtq with stock tune, cold air intake and mbrp cat back. With a tune on e40 from pray performance it made 649whp and 671wtq. Can't wait to get another
I started my Camaro experience with a 67 SS and wish I still had it, but the X took it and sold it. My next was a 79 Z28, sold it to buy a house. Now I have a 2012 SS convertible, 45th Anniversary with only 17500 miles, and never seen a winter. Don't know if I'll be around when they do bring it back, but I hope so for the younger generation.
It's tough to see a iconic muscle car disappear due to the brute strength of the V-8s and that goes for any of them. Awesome content RACER-X keep up the awesome work you do for the muscle car community. God bless you and as always be safe 👍
I found you via a ZL1 review about a year ago. I’m purchasing whichever year is the final ZL1 and taking it to Lingenfelter for the 1000 hp Exorcist package. Can’t wait for you to review it! 😎
I just purchased my first sport car ever I ended up getting a 2021 hellcat challenger my second runner up was the zl1 I’m a bigger guy so the challenger was the way to go fits me nice can’t believe they make something that will make a heavier man feel comfortable but if I was smaller I’d take a much harder look and probably might of went with the zl1 I think they are very nice and sad to see them go good video
I drove a ZL1 manual today because of this video. I have a C8 on order and was in to actually sit in and see a C8 in person. There was a ZL1 on the floor and we started talking about it and what I knew about it (thank you RacerX). Anyway, the salesman says, go take it out. Go get coffee and take it for a good drive. Make sure you have a big smile when you come back, you may change your mind on the car you get. Now I’m seriously thinking of buying the ZL1. We’re both skinny and we got the seats awesome. Like you said, it’s a great place to do business. The rear view camera makes all the difference in visibility. Now I have to decide whether to cancel that C8 order or not….
Great video! The only reason I didn’t make a ZL1 my 7th Camaro is because it is so hard to get in and out of when you have bad back issues. You got to be a gymnast...on the other hand, the Charger Hellcat is much more useful in the daily grind....the trunk on the Camaro was hard to put regular suitcases in...
I own a 2018 ss camaro 50th anniversary hot wheels edition. 4 days ago , I bought a 2023 zl1.....I absolutely love this car! To the 5.0 mustang and turbo audi I left I the dust.....RIP
What a beast! Sounds great too! Still, the styling IMO seems farther off the path of the OG Camaro look. Perhaps it's the styling that is causing the sales to fall behind vs the Mustang and the Challenger? To some, looks are everything too. That said, There's no denying that the ZL1 offers a tantalizing display of agility and power. That would defiantly tick the appropriate boxes for fans! Great review, Racer X!
As a ZL1 Camaro owner I love the car and it’s very fast yes but I think for a lot of people is why is Chevy so afraid to put the matching horsepower in the Camaro that dodge and mustang puts in their cars they probably would have sold a lot more of them if they would have done so that’s just my take on it but they are an excellent car
I don’t even think it’s because of the horsepower, I think it’s because just like when they killed the 4th gens, GM follows the trends instead of the hearts. GM doesn’t know how or care to market it’s stuff. Except the trucks. When is the last time you saw a Camaro commercial? The big ass. Dodges sell because they market the cars based on heart. Look at the Dodge commercials, power slides, donuts, and general hoonin’. Who tries to copy that with dumb shyt street takeovers?
@@robertc4311 I hear you but I definitely think it's because of the horsepower because if you look at the demon when it came out everyone jumped on it for bragging rights of having 840 horsepowerwhen the red eye came out everyone jumped on it and bragged about having nearly 800 horsepower when the Shelby GT500 came out with 760 horsepower everyone jumped on it but then you have the Chevy ZL1 Camaro with only 650 horsepower I guarantee if Chevy put 800 horsepower in a ZL1 Camaro everyone would jump on it guaranteed
I love the ZL1, but I’m 6’5”, and it’s uncomfortable. My Challenger is the perfect daily driver for me. I also didn’t know the ZL1 had such a small displacement blower. Makes sense why folks commonly switch to the Magnuson 2650 blower
Yup, it's a smaller blower, and they have to spin it a little faster. That's gonna create more heat. This is why it didn't work so well on the C7 Z06. More heat, and very little room under the hood for the supercharger and it's intercooler. That would allow the supercharger to become heat soaked, and put the car into limp mode. No good. That's why when they built the 755 hp C7 ZR1, they used a bigger 2.65 liter supercharger, so they don't have to spin it as fast, and they had to cut a hole in the hood, so they could now fit a nice fat cooling brick on top. They weren't gonna make the same mistake twice. Now everybody's putting a 2.65 liter SC like the magnuson tvs 2650. I'm not sure, but i think the hellcats and demons use a 2.9 liter SC?.
I can say this I'm 6ft4 330 had a 16 camaro ss with the Magnuson on it was stolen in January was pushing 650 hp tomorrow I'm picking up 18 zl1 872hp I don't like the fill of the seats for a big guy but I wanted the car hope it widening out a Lil in time
I have no issues seeing out of my ZL1 Camaro. I am 6ft 3 and 226lbs. As far as looking out the back window truthfully I never even adjust the mirror to use it, all I need to see is besides and in front of me.
Love my 21 ZL1... zero visibility issues especially with the camera rearview mirror for me. If you are 7' or 4' I could see having issues. As others mentioned, it can be a little tricky getting in and out if you are careful and don't want to bang up the tight Recaro side bolsters or hitting your foot on the wide side skirts, lol. The seat does have an option to auto back all the way for vehicle entrance and exit to make it easier for people who need that. I love almost everything about the interior minus the silver trim so I've been converting all of the silver into carbon fiber to spice things up a bit. Rear seats are fine.. I have no issues driving around with my kids (teens) in the back and I've sat in the back (passenger side with seat moved up pretty far of course). Would I want to sit back there for a 10 hour road trip? No, lol, I have an NV3500 for that :D The car is indeed pretty low to the ground and flares out wide so navigating a tight drive-thru can be a scary event haha... They def should of included a front camera in the grill or something! Anyways, great video!
Drive-thrus are the worst in my ZL1, getting in and out is kind of awkward but coming from mopar myself. I dont regret a thing! Im FBO rn and its running beautifully!
I've had both the ss and now the 2021 ZL1. I've been killing the stock hellcats and edging out the redeyes. The handling is amazing until the road is wet and cold, then shit gets scary. Didn't want the harsh ride of the 1LE, but definitely going to seriously increase the power and handling. I rented the hellcat and definitely did enjoy the power, but the handling was not as capable. I was torn between the mustang gt500 and the chevy zl1 camaro, so I finally chose the camaro and very happy with my choice. Been having a lot of fun
@@jtc1964x exactly you gotta change the tires on a HellCat because the car gets no traction and also remember this too i've seen many videos of dudes that changed the tires on their HellCats and they still couldn't gain traction and also it depends on pavement too keep that in mind as well
@@BlackghostKiller Agreed. I will say the ZL1 is more RELIABLE at putting its power down. GM's traction management system is vastly superior to the Chrysler-Benz ESP system. Dodge also puts really bad tires on the Hellcats - even the widebodies.
Quite honestly I’m in between both cars right now and a Z06 lol. The hellcats just have raw unleashed power. Whereas the ZL1 hooks and goes which is awesome. Thank you racerx for this video
BS. A tune and headers isn't beating a hellcat...that's like saying a tune and headers would beat a Zl1 lol It takes FBOs or a few bolt ons running E85 with a tune to keep up with a cat
Sad to see Camaro go and prefer the personality of the ZL1 much more so than the C8 Z51. Trying to get my hands on a ‘23 ZL1 1LE but with all the constraints and supply chain issues, its takes some patience and work. Hoping orders can get placed soon. The ZLE will be a long term keeper next to the C8, especially if this is the end of the road for Camaro in general.
Nice car, but I would definitely pick my hellcat over that “because I did lol“ to me the hellcat has a much fiercer road presence especially my wide body, but that’s just my opinion, but great video nonetheless
Got a 22 ZL1. Wanted one since 2012! I drove the car from point of purchase to my house. I have not drove it since! Prolly sitting 6 months now.Unbelievable car , just hard as hell to get in and out of!!
Jeff, what you said isn't going to make sense to anyone! I have a C7 corvette and I have back issues and I can get in an out of that fine. A camaro should be even easier. How old are you, like 70?
I love the ZL1, it’s such a good overall package, and it doesn’t take a lot to get them to run a good 1/4 time. JLSpeed got his to run 9.90’s with just a cold air intake, headers, drag pack, and E85/93 mix. It’s possible to run 8’s with that little baby blower. I got a 2019 SS, and I’d love to get a ZL1 but I think my next step is going to be a C8. I wish they’d put the LT5 in the Camaro but I don’t see it happening unfortunately 😔
I heard it's happening with the 2024 model year. They're calling it 'The farewell package'. The LT5 is only going to be available in the zl1le model. Just Google 2024 Camaro farewell package. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as a lot can happen between now and then
I am a Chevy and Camaro fan I bought one last Camaro Z28s in 2002 and still have it.The ZL1 IS one of my favorites ,It is very sad to see it going away again ,I also have a ZO6 C6 CORVETTE absolutely love Ana a 72 Chevy Elcamino ss 496
ZL1 all day long, sold my HC and won't look back. Easy to add 200hp with bolt on mods tune and e40, then you have demon power in a car that weighs almost 600 lbs less!
Beautiful muscle car but my problem with it is visibility and it’s tight interior maybe if it had the same interior space as a Dodge Challenger it might of been a more popular and successful then it’s competition
ya I sat in a Camaro and felt claustrophobic, the roofline is way too low and the doors are way too high. Then I sat in a Dodge Challenger right after and it was sooo much roomier and comfortable and the view is perfect
Not better, not worse. Different. I recently bought a 2013 ZL1 Convertible with only 8,100 miles on it. It is currently at a local performance shop getting a bump to 660 rwhp: long tubes, lower crank pulley, cam, etc. Haven't driven it too much yet...we're just beginning to shed Winter here in New England...but I love the car. For reference, other cars I have owned over the last 4 years: 2016 Mustang GT, 2012 Corvette Z06, 2019 Challenger Widebody Scatpack. I hope to hang on to this ZL1 for a while longer than those. Lol.
I currently have a 2020 Challenger Scat Pack Widebody. I am planning on getting either a Camaro ZL1 or a Challenger Hellcat Widebody soon. They are both great cars.
Chevy are the best vehicles. I am a ASE/ GOLD CERTIFIED auto technician for more than 30yrs. Worked at chryser/dodge for 17yrs of that. I would not own a dodge or chryser or Jeep if you gave them to me.💯💥
Primarily a GM guy, but I have one Dodge and one Ford...what should I be concerned about? The running joke around my group was Mopars run hard and look good, but the door handle will probably fall off while you were still making payments...that was the 80’s
My Eagle Talon burst into flames coming out of a toll booth on my way to work. That was when my life depended on every pay check. The way Chrysler handled that, I will never forgive. Now I drive a C6 Z06 on Saturdays, and a Mercedes C300 daily. Thanks.
@@eugenejones5087 I know there’s a power difference from my SS but the zl1 pretty much looks the same. I test drove a ‘15 Vette when they came out & I felt crunched in there, I’m only 6’2. Is your zl1 manual or automatic? And if I got a zl1, that’s something else I’ll have to consider. My SS is not my daily so changing gears is nothing. If I got that c8, my excuse from not getting a manual is they don’t come in one, LOL
@@livinglife3230 I have the 10 speed auto. I'm also 6'3 and I was cramped in the c8. The zl1 has a little more room but it's only a weekend car for me. I don't think I could drive it everyday because it's just too small. I will say it's just as fast or faster than a hellcat and most Vettes.
I’ve been a camaro fan ever since they put the 5th gen in the transformers movie. I was able to get a 2014 convertible (V6) and drove it for 7 years. I felt like I had our grown it for a while and wanted to get something bigger so I was recently able to get into a 22 Charger scat pack. It’s a huge step up from driving a V6.
Of the Muscle cars I like the Camaro the best by far. It's the best looking and it will out handle any of the others. Anybody can make a car that goes fast in a straight line...
So many of these comments are spot on, the ZL1 is absolutely awesome but it’s very uncomfortable for bigger dudes and totally unpractical for anyone who’s not single or has kids
I love them zl1’s with that mad aggressive front, was thinking about getting one only thing is the size for me, I’ll hate to get one the regret it a few months later trying to trade it in for something bigger 😭
In my line of work, I've been fortunate enough to be able to drive several versions of the Camaro, as well as the Mustang, Charger, and Challenger. Of them all, the Camaro had the best acceleration and handling-- because it's built low to the ground like an actual "race car." That said, I also *disliked* it the most-- exactly because it *rode* like a race car... You could feel every nook, cranny, and small piece of gravel on the road. Imho, the one with the best combination of handling, ride and acceleration was the Hemi-powered Challenger SRT. Fwiw
1st, I live in Mabank so id love to meet you. 2nd- i love my ZL1 (2018) and it’s bittersweet to see them go. As an owner, my unit just became more valuable but that means no new style to look at…not ever, and that sucks.
Yep, sorry to see the CAMARO'S GO!!! CHEVY IS MAKING A BIG/ HUGE MISTAKE... I picked up a 2021 2SS Red Tintcoat... LOVE IT!!! OH, CHEVY.... NO 4 DOOR EV CAMARO IN THE FUTURE EITHER... MY 2SS HAS A SOUL AND I HEAR THE HEARTBEAT EVERY TIME I HIT IT!!! NO EV IS GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT!!!!
Yes hate to see Camaro go. I have been a long standing Mustang guy. But I have been recently looking at the Camaro. I find performance for the dollar Camaro has unfortunately surpassed the Mustang.
This run of Carmaros has grown on me ... but I still think they lag behind Dodge and Ford on looks. And I'm not a GM hater ... I was a Pontiac guy for a long, long time. My concern with buying a Camaro knowing that Chevy is killing it off - again - is that I had a bad experience with GM providing any support for vehicles they stop producing. Even short-term support. I lived it with my '05 GTO and my '16 Chevy SS.
Here, here! And even cars they still produce. They told me, they would not help fix my driver's seat, nor would any parts be made available, for a 2007 Corvette. I understand that was 15 years ago, but when you see Resto-mod cars from the 1960's with brand new factory seats, you have to wonder how hard would it be to make sure there is some kind of replacement around? GM has always been bad at this. You just have to factor it in at purchase. All the way back in the 80's when I asked for help with Fiero seats, they were like "the price of the car". It's crazy how much they hate building or fixing automobile interiors.
handles at least just as good as a gt350 and has the acceleration of a hellcat. I drove a hellcat just to see how it compares to my zl1 and it felt sloppy and the body roll was terrible.
I own a ZL1, but love all American performance cars. Sad to see the ZL1, Hellcats going away. Respect Hellcats, always liked Challengers, like the room they have inside, plus the power. Governments green movement sucks, nobody wants a damn EV.
Interesting fact about the ZL1. It has 11 heat exchangers to keep things cool and diffuse heat. The Bugatti Veyron has 10. I love my ZL1 as it does many things extremely well and the standard version is great for the street, track, strip, and can even do touring very well. You do lose the ability to adjust the drive modes in the 1LE and the aero make it slower in both top speed and 1/4 mile, roll racing, etc. However, for the track it's a beast. I still contend changing out the standard ZL1 tires (From the Goodyear run flats) to better performance tires will also make a big difference on the track and overall grip and handling, as the 1LE comes with track rubber standard.
I think that would help...I thought about that and putting 1LE SS spoilers on it...I think it would help stick also...and I prefer that look over the wing on the standard SS and ZL1...and hate the park bench on the back of the ZL1 1LE...
