S550 GT PP vs ZL1

[Macstang]

So I'm about to replace my SRT with something new. I've been waiting for the new Mustang to come out to really compare all the cars I'd been considering and I think for me it's down to the new GT with the Performance Pack of course vs a 14/15 ZL1. I realize it's not totally fair because the ZL1 has SO much more power but unless Ford pulls out the rumored GT350 sooner than later, it will effectively come down to those two for me. I also realize that since the GT isn't even out yet we really don't know how it will compare but I figured I'd start the thread to gather info as it comes out and see what you guys think differentiate these two vehicles.

My use is as a second car, a fun car, and I do currently track my SRT several times a year and plan to only do more of that with the GT/ZL1. I figure either will be a big step up in handling and hopefully power too.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Sponsored

 

[ChefBorOzzy]

Are you going to get the ZL1 used and that's why you're comparing them? Brand new, 1LE would make more sense.

Nobody knows anything about the Mustang and the way it drives. I'm sure it will be a solid performer and obviously better than the previous generation. I say go ahead and test drive the cars and see if you like them. You'll have to wait a little on driving the Mustang, but you could go out and see if you even like the way the Camaro drives and how you feel inside of it.

 

[Macstang]

Are you going to get the ZL1 used and that's why you're comparing them? Brand new, 1LE would make more sense.

Nobody knows anything about the Mustang and the way it drives. I'm sure it will be a solid performer and obviously better than the previous generation. I say go ahead and test drive the cars and see if you like them. You'll have to wait a little on driving the Mustang, but you could go out and see if you even like the way the Camaro drives and how you feel inside of it.

Thanks for your reply. I'm on the fence, new, new leftover or very low mile used ZL1. I don't understand why you think a 1LE would make more sense, the ZL1 is everything the 1LE is and then a boatload more power. I admit it cost more and it doesn't directly compare to the GT but I'm trying to compare the pro's and con's of the top two vehicles in my own personal comparo, even if it's not totally fair to the cars. Unless I'm missing something about the 1LE...please advise.

 

[ChefBorOzzy]

Thanks for your reply. I'm on the fence, new, new leftover or very low mile used ZL1. I don't understand why you think a 1LE would make more sense, the ZL1 is everything the 1LE is and then a boatload more power. I admit it cost more and it doesn't directly compare to the GT but I'm trying to compare the pro's and con's of the top two vehicles in my own personal comparo, even if it's not totally fair to the cars. Unless I'm missing something about the 1LE...please advise.

I just meant that 1LE would be more of a direct competitor. A used ZL1 can be picked up for 45k with fairly low miles so it's very close to the pricing of the 1LE or Mustang when they're brand new. I've also seen 1LE's for low 30's. I guess you just need to figure out how much performance you really want and where you want to cap off how much you want to spend. Based on below link, the ZL1 is a few seconds ahead of the 1LE at VIR.

http://ls1tech.com/articles/video-camaro-1le-vs-zl1-hot-lapping-vir/

 

[1320']

A 1SS 1LE NPP w/Recaros is the nearest Camaro analog to a GT PP in power and weight. A ZL1 is a great grand touring coupe but it's not a focused total package like the S550 GT PP will be.

Plus the 1LE won't heatsoak like a bitch which is a very real issue with tracking a ZL1.

 

[Fenderaddict2]

So I'm about to replace my SRT with something new. I've been waiting for the new Mustang to come out to really compare all the cars I'd been considering and I think for me it's down to the new GT with the Performance Pack of course vs a 14/15 ZL1. I realize it's not totally fair because the ZL1 has SO much more power but unless Ford pulls out the rumored GT350 sooner than later, it will effectively come down to those two for me. I also realize that since the GT isn't even out yet we really don't know how it will compare but I figured I'd start the thread to gather info as it comes out and see what you guys think differentiate these two vehicles.



My use is as a second car, a fun car, and I do currently track my SRT several times a year and plan to only do more of that with the GT/ZL1. I figure either will be a big step up in handling and hopefully power too.



Thanks for your thoughts.

I drove a few ZL1's after I already owned my Boss, as I considered a trade up. It wasn't and I didn't. It may have the numbers, and no doubt the magic-magnetic shocks worked well, but it wasn't as much fun. Not as nimble, not as fast to change direction, poorer sight lines, and not as cool sounding. Now I know my Boss isn't a new S550 but they supposedly bench-marked it for the new car, so....

 

[1320']

I drove a few ZL1's after I already owned my Boss, as I considered a trade up. It wasn't and I didn't. It may have the numbers, and no doubt the magic-magnetic shocks worked well, but it wasn't as much fun. Not as nimble, not as fast to change direction, poorer sight lines, and not as cool sounding. Now I know my Boss isn't a new S550 but they supposedly bench-marked it for the new car, so....

Yup, the story goes that the Boss 302 (maybe the 302LS) was the car the GTPP had to best and it did. The S550 GTPP was also seen testing with a 302S (maybe a 302R) at this time last year but they didn't release how that went.

 

[Macstang]

I drove a few ZL1's after I already owned my Boss, as I considered a trade up. It wasn't and I didn't. It may have the numbers, and no doubt the magic-magnetic shocks worked well, but it wasn't as much fun. Not as nimble, not as fast to change direction, poorer sight lines, and not as cool sounding. Now I know my Boss isn't a new S550 but they supposedly bench-marked it for the new car, so....

Super helpful insofar as keeping the GT/PP in the running. I know we keep hearing the new car should exceed the Boss 302 on the track and I couldn't agree more about sight lines. That's one thing the Camaro is miserable at...

 

[Macstang]

I just meant that 1LE would be more of a direct competitor. A used ZL1 can be picked up for 45k with fairly low miles so it's very close to the pricing of the 1LE or Mustang when they're brand new. I've also seen 1LE's for low 30's. I guess you just need to figure out how much performance you really want and where you want to cap off how much you want to spend. Based on below link, the ZL1 is a few seconds ahead of the 1LE at VIR.

http://ls1tech.com/articles/video-camaro-1le-vs-zl1-hot-lapping-vir/

Awesome link. I'd heard about the LL and certainly seen some videos of the "Ring" but this one was great. Can't wait to see how the GT/PP does.

Sponsored