Drag Race Showdown: 2020 GT500 vs Challenger Hellcat Redeye vs Camaro ZL1!

[millhouse]

Both have there cheapness factor and anybody buying these cars for an excellent interior is shopping the wrong car. But, when approaching six figures and up with ADM, I feel like Ford needed to up its game more in that department.

This just in, the GT500 is really fast, especially when it gets rolling.

If you just care about a track at current prices the ZLE is a much better value proposition than a GT500. ANd obviously the only one that comes with a manual if that is important, which it is to me. Also if you want suspension adjustability the ZLE has it out of the box over the GT500. I don't know the layout of the GT500, but the ZLE is a lot easier to work on than my GT350 was except for transmission fluid changes. Oil changes on the GT350 (which you barely had to do because you just add oil ) were a messy pain in the ass. Also the diff fluid is a lot easier for the DIY mechanic to do on the ZLE IMO.

Don't get me wrong, both cars have their cheapness. The interior quality however has been a talking point for camaro fans...who seemed to think their interiors were of superior quality.

I guess it depends on what your definition of "value" is. Neither of these vehicles are cheap. A SS 1LE puts both of these to shame in terms of "value". The ZLE is definitely less expensive...but it comes at a cost.

I'll use this as a data point. Randy sure as hell looked like the GT500 was a drive in the park compared to the GT3 RS. They claim comparable performance, yet the GT500 is obviously MUCH faster at a dragstrip and they failed to test the vehicles around an actual track. So they think they have comparable stopping distances and skidpads and think that means comparable in performance?

I was surprised with no track times with track cars. Odd comparison. Why do both base cars then?

Right! Very strange.

 

[Laststandard]

At the test track, the Camaro also outgripped and outstopped the Mustang, with a 1.17-g skidpad performance and stops from 70 mph in 137 feet and from 100 mph in 268 feet. The Mustang trailed but not by much. Its 1.13-g skidpad performance is impressive considering it carries 56.6 percent of its 4059 pounds over the front wheels. It stops from 70 mph in 142 feet and from 100 mph in 279 feet.

Unfortunately, the Mustang's steering is numb compared to the Camaro's, and its chassis isn't as sorted. The ZL1 is more stable, and it puts its power down better with its wider rubber, a more sophisticated traction-control system, and an excellent electronic limited-slip differential. Toss it around, and the Shelby feels smaller and lighter than it is, but it's also a bit skittish and less forgiving. It always feels like one false move, one mistake, one miscalculation, and you could easily end up in a ditch.

oof.

 

[newmoon]

People do call him out. They usually get banned for picking on him! Ask me how I know. But I’ll never let his famous quotes die. He claimed he did 180+ on a road course. And also claimed he tried to run an 11.9ET in an automatic ZL1 on purpose. If he’d just admit he’s a magazine racer with no practical skills. You could just laugh him off as another fanboy like hotlap.​

While I hate to defend him as you probably know, I don't think he was stating that he ran 180 on a road course but rather a spirited night in Mexico, maybe I am wrong. I do however remember him stating that he brought his ZL1 to the strip and purposely ran slow times because he wasn't trying, he could have said he was trying but couldn't get the car too launch, he wouldn't have been the 1st to have a hard time with a high hp stock tired car at the strip.

I cant even bring myself to respond anymore on that site they have gone full blown insane with their hatred of the GT350 and GT500, the improvements to the 19 and 20 GT350(R) and now 500 have pushed them (or I should say a few of them) over the edge, the subtle accusations that they are too expensive POS are there almost on a daily basis now. Its too bad as there were some good back and forth going on there for awhile.

 

[02gtnh]

While I hate to defend him as you probably know, I don't think he was stating that he ran 180 on a road course but rather a spirited night in Mexico, maybe I am wrong. I do however remember him stating that he brought his ZL1 to the strip and purposely ran slow times because he wasn't trying, he could have said he was trying but couldn't get the car too launch, he wouldn't have been the 1st to have a hard time with a high hp stock tired car at the strip.

I cant even bring myself to respond anymore on that site they have gone full blown insane with their hatred of the GT350 and GT500, the improvements to the 19 and 20 GT350(R) and now 500 have pushed them (or I should say a few of them) over the edge, the subtle accusations that they are too expensive POS are there almost on a daily basis now. Its too bad as there were some good back and forth going on there for awhile.

Is it any different here for the full blown hatred of the Camaro?

 

[Laststandard]

Is it any different here for the full blown hatred of the Camaro?

Don't you mean the Crapmaro?

I'd wager there's far more hatred of the Camaro over here.. but this is the internets and my ego isn't so wrapped up in the car i own that it bothers me. Obviously I only speak for myself, but I think the GT350/500 are pretty damn cool. Even the normal GT isn't too shabby. You guys better enjoy them until the V8 goes away in 2024 and you're all driving electric Mustang crossovers!

 

[millhouse]

GT 500 is not beating the Demon...If both are on a strip with equally good drivers the GT 500 is NOT beating a Redeye....Stock vs stock...That woman driving the redeye was a shit driver.

Curious as to your rationale. We haven't even seen hero times for the GT500 yet and they have already ran a 10.6.

 

[V00D00]

It won't lol.

Might be close on the Demon's 808 tune.

you mean stock

 

[millhouse]

Some food for thought, camaro has tested the camaro SS with a trap speed off 118mph. 6 mph less than this ZL1 1LE. The GT500 traps 8mph more than this ZLE.

For those that recognize what trap speed means for dragstrip 1/4 mile times, those numbers are very telling.

 

[ZRacerLE]

I was surprised with no track times with track cars. Odd comparison. Why not do both base cars then?

Useless without laptimes!

 

[ZRacerLE]

Some food for thought, camaro has tested the camaro SS with a trap speed off 118mph. 6 mph less than this ZL1 1LE. The GT500 traps 8mph more than this ZLE.

For those that recognize what trap speed means for dragstrip 1/4 mile times, those numbers are very telling.

GT500 is next level with straight line speed

 

[roygriffin2020]

Don't you mean the Crapmaro?

I'd wager there's far more hatred of the Camaro over here.. but this is the internets and my ego isn't so wrapped up in the car i own that it bothers me. Obviously I only speak for myself, but I think the GT350/500 are pretty damn cool. Even the normal GT isn't too shabby. You guys better enjoy them until the V8 goes away in 2024 and you're all driving electric Mustang crossovers!

I would have to agree with the "more hatred" of the "Crapmero" , but it is at least A mara can. I have been on the C6G for almost 3 years and all of the 'stangers that come over with a chip on their shoulder, to be sure, get hammered. But most true people that like cars on C6G like the Mustang, as do I, and they are treated nicely. The only time I hammer back on here is when someone throws the first stone at me. I don't hit, but I do hit back.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Curious as to your rationale. We haven't even seen hero times for the GT500 yet and they have already ran a 10.6.

Because woman ...

 

[roygriffin2020]

GT500 is next level with straight line speed

I am looking forward to the GT500/C8/Crapmero with all wheel drive, using electric assist in the front, to remove understeer completely. Of course, America will just be catching up with Germany, and the rest of Europe. Why in the Hell are they always first? Probably the government I suppose.

 

[Minn19]

oof.

MSRP as tested 76k vs 94k.

Real world 65ish to 140ish is a real oof IMO.

Good read and I liked the review. If you want a manual dedicated track car the ZLE is the one to get. If you want the better all rounder and a DCT the CFTP is the one to get. But what a premium after whatever ADMs you have to pay if you want GT500 CFTP......

Strangely the more dedicated track car has rear seats still.

 

[millhouse]

MSRP as tested 76k vs 94k.

Real world 65ish to 140ish is a real oof IMO.

Good read and I liked the review. If you want a manual dedicated track car the ZLE is the one to get. If you want the better all rounder and a DCT the CFTP is the one to get. But what a premium after whatever ADMs you have to pay if you want GT500 CFTP......

Strangely the more dedicated track car has rear seats still.

140ish is way...way too high. Typical Admin fees seem to be much less....typically.