Just Noticed Something / Which Would You Rather?

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
11/09/2016 at 16:03 • Filed to: None

So I just noticed the Camaro ZL1 configurator is up. What caught my attention, though, was the base price. It starts at $62,135. For comparison, the GT350R starts at $62,070, yet makes almost 125 less horsepower. Which would you take and why?

DISCUSSION (45)

RyanFrew > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:06

GT350R all day. ZL1 will be way quicker, but the Mustang will be better in every other way.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:09

mustang cuz dat sound from the flat crank, unless your on the track the HP difference isn’t going to be noticeable, i like being able to see out of the car, the Camaro is ugly and I couldn’t grow a mullet.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:09

New Z/28. Or old Z/28. whatev.

Matt Nichelson > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/09/2016 at 16:12

No now that’s cheating. Gotta pick one of the two.

Matt Nichelson > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/09/2016 at 16:13

I’ll agree with you on the sound for sure.

citizennick > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:13

Honestly? I’d take the GT350R. The ZL1 is a 1LE with a supercharger slapped on it. Plus I prefer natural aspiration.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:13

Whichever revs highest. I don’t care which one makes the most power. Superchargers aren’t anything new for ‘Murica; but 8000+rpm V8s are never a bad thing.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:15

I will continue to cheat.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > OPPOsaurus WRX
11/09/2016 at 16:18

125 hp will definitely be noticeable.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:19

New ZL1. The thinking mans hellcat, that can actually corner pretty well.

Arrivederci > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:19

Super tough call. I’d be happy with either, but given how good the new Camaro is, I think I’d go ZL1.

But, if I was actually spending that much cash on a new car, I’d pick up a C7 GS.

Matt Nichelson > citizennick
11/09/2016 at 16:21

Really? Very interesting. Wasn’t expecting that answer from you. That being said, would you take the 1LE over the stock version of your current car?

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:22

I’d go with the 350R. I like being able to see out of my car.

Matt Nichelson > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
11/09/2016 at 16:24

Then the GT350R would be your choice. I believe the ZL1 is 650 @ 6400 rpm.

OPPOsaurus WRX > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/09/2016 at 16:25

probably, but for someone who has never driven anything with more than 265, eh, they are both going to be face melting.

Matt Nichelson > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/09/2016 at 16:27

Gah! Ok fine.

Matt Nichelson > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
11/09/2016 at 16:27

That’s actually a really good justification. I like it.

AestheticsInMotion > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:27

Don’t even care. I’m not a muscle car guy and I would still be beyond ecstatic to see either of these vehicles every day.

The mustang MIGHT win because of the glorious engine note and better visibility . . .

citizennick > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:28

Hah, I know. If I had the option between the SS and 1LE I might still go the SS route since I’m not one to keep a car stock and the aftermarket for suspension is growing. I know the 1LE has the FE4 Magnetic Ride while the SS has the FE3. Don’t ask me the difference because I have no clue.

But whatever the Z/28 is going to be, I’ll take that over anything.

Matt Nichelson > Arrivederci
11/09/2016 at 16:30

Indeed. The both have their pluses and negatives.

I’m with you on the money part. I could think of so many other choices both new and used in that price range that I could go with.

Matt Nichelson > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP
11/09/2016 at 16:31

I think that is one of the main arguments against the Camaro. Gotta be able to see!

Chasaboo > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:31

Honda Fit because purple.

Kinja'd!!!

Matt Nichelson > AestheticsInMotion
11/09/2016 at 16:33

They’re both good for what they are, but both indeed have drawbacks.

Textured Soy Protein > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:34

ZL1 because it can be had with a sunroof. I like sunroofs. Also in playing with the configurator I saw that the automatic transmission has 10 speeds. Holy crap.

Matt Nichelson > citizennick
11/09/2016 at 16:36

I can only assume it must be a slightly tweaked/updated version. Almost like a software update for a phone. I’m not sure either, though.

You’re the second one who has said that. It seems (to me at least) the Z/28 didn’t sell as well as the ZL1 though.

Matt Nichelson > Chasaboo
11/09/2016 at 16:37

Damn, is that a stock color?

Matt Nichelson > Textured Soy Protein
11/09/2016 at 16:39

It does indeed have 10. At what point does it get to be two many, though? Wouldn’t having that many cause more wear? Or would it have the opposite effect?

citizennick > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:42

They probably never anticipated it to sell more considering it’s a stripped down track car. The ZL1 will always sell more. It’s got that power number Camaro owners love to brag about when they go to Cars & Coffee. They’ll talk about how it’s faster than a GT350R on the Nurburgring but would probably get their ass handed to them by a Miata if they went to the track.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 16:46

I would take a GT350 R hands down. It sounds amazing. Sure, the Camaro is cool and fast, but it doesn’t match the high revving Voodoo 5.2 V8 in the Mustang.

Matt Nichelson > citizennick
11/09/2016 at 16:50

That right there is some truly excellent reasoning. I think you’re exactly right. The ZL1 is like that flashy guy at the party we all know but don’t, whereas the Z/28 is the enthusiasts choice.

Matt Nichelson > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
11/09/2016 at 16:51

It does sound intoxicating for sure.

bob and john > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 17:16

less wear on the engine. lower RPM at any given speed.

Textured Soy Protein > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 17:21

This is also a stock Honda color.

Kinja'd!!!

Matt Nichelson > Textured Soy Protein
11/09/2016 at 17:26

Wow. I actually really like that. I get so tired of black/silver/white/beige everything. I like different colors.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 17:39

Aside from the lack of visibility I actually like the Camaro much more than the Mustang, but being able to see out of the car is really super-critical.

Speed > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 19:18

Can I just take a 5th gen Z/28 instead of either? I love these, but I truly lust over the Z.

gmctavish needs more space > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 20:54

Easily the GT350R. I love how it looks, and the Voodoo is an amazing engine. I’m fine with the new Camaro, but I would want the V6 with a manual because it seems like a stupidly good deal for an also amazing sounding car. I also prefer the looks of the Camaro with less go-fast bits added one. The Mustang, however, I think pretty much always looks great.

Also I like to see out of my car.

Matt Nichelson > Speed
11/09/2016 at 20:57

Eh, may as well. You’re the third one so far.

Matt Nichelson > gmctavish needs more space
11/09/2016 at 21:01

The V6 does sound better than I thought it would. The biggest hangup is the opinion that these cars should come with nothing less than A V8. A manual V6 would be able to hold it’s own just fine though I would imagine.

Being able to see is the biggest issue I have seen so far and that’s obviously understandable.

gmctavish needs more space > Matt Nichelson
11/09/2016 at 21:24

If I lived somewhere where it was possible to go fast without driving for a few hours, I might feel the same way, but I’d definitely go for the 4 cylinder or the V6 if I was buying a modern Mustang or Camaro, and actually be able to use some of it. Also I generally don’t drive fast, so my opinion on muscle cars is pretty irrelevant

Matt Nichelson > gmctavish needs more space
11/09/2016 at 22:39

You nailed it right there. Like I said, the hangup is the opinion of it because ‘it’s not a muscle car if it ain’t got a V8' is still what some say. Not everybody needs the big motor. If you want the looks, yet you don’t need all the power, then a smaller motor is available. I see nothing wrong with that.

Cherry_man1 > Matt Nichelson
11/10/2016 at 03:34

GT350R It sounds amazing and seems like a better car overall.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Matt Nichelson
11/10/2016 at 05:48

ZL1 , i’d take GM over Ford any day

Matt Nichelson > Cherry_man1
11/10/2016 at 10:42

It does make a good noise.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > pip bip - choose Corrour
11/10/2016 at 15:14

Good on you.