2016 Camaro SS vs C4 ZR1

[C4Ray]

The new 2016 Camaro SS.....What you guys think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwuhmxtfBBc

[MuRCieLaGo]

The new 2016 Camaro SS.....What you guys think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwuhmxtfBBc

Will it ever become a legend? No.

Will the ZR-1 become a legend? Yes.

That's my primary argument.

[C4Ray]

Will it ever become a legend? No.

I understand ... But the Camaro is an American iconic Sports Car. Is it a legend? I don't know. However, the Corvette does seem to be the #1 American sports car of all time. The Mustang is right up there with the Camaro. I never liked the 4th and 5th generation Camaros. But the new 2016 Camaro SS looks pretty good. Chevy is finally getting right with the new Camaro. Question is, how does this brand new Camaro SS compare to the 1990-95 ZR-1? I think the new Camaro offers very good crash protection compared to the ZR-1. The Z sits so low. Imagine a side impact crash of a dump truck or Hummer?

[XfireZ51]

I'll get a new Camaro when it looks like a 2Gen.

[Paul Workman]

I suppose it's some sort of complement to the ZR-1 to be compared to a "sports car", some 26 years later.

W/o and "head to head" track data, about the only thing to choose from is subjective at best. But, I can guess at a few things, I suppose.

However, there are other cars for 2016, both here and abroad that would fit in the same class. Just w/in Ford, GM, and Chrysler there are some contenders to be considered before jumping into a Camaro. (I'd love to see a head-to-head with the 2016 Mustang GT350 and that 5.2L 32 valve, DOHC, 8000+ rpm, flat plain - 8...for instance!:jawdrop:)

http://www.enginelabs.com/news/ford-releases-final-details-on-the-gt350s-insane-5-2-liter-engine/

[Kevin]

Will it ever become a legend? No.

Will the ZR-1 become a legend? Yes.

That's my primary argument.

no
and neither will the zr-1. we've been saying it will for 25 years and it till hasn't and it won't.

[Kevin]

I suppose it's some sort of complement to the ZR-1 to be compared to a "sports car", some 26 years later.

W/o and "head to head" track data, about the only thing to choose from is subjective at best. But, I can guess at a few things, I suppose.

However, there are other cars for 2016, both here and abroad that would fit in the same class. Just w/in Ford, GM, and Chrysler there are some contenders to be considered before jumping into a Camaro. (I'd love to see a head-to-head with the 2016 Mustang GT350 and that 5.2L 32 valve, DOHC, 8000+ rpm, flat plain - 8...for instance!:jawdrop:)

http://www.enginelabs.com/news/ford-releases-final-details-on-the-gt350s-insane-5-2-liter-engine/
from what I've heard the ss is faster then the 350

[-=Jeff=-]

26 year newer car (based form the 1990 Z)

All depends on what you are looking for. For me, I would love a newer sports car for everyday chores.. but I still like the fact that I can easily wrench and work on my 1990 without a Degree in Computer Science ;)

[MuRCieLaGo]

no
and neither will the zr-1. we've been saying it will for 25 years and it till hasn't and it won't.

I'm a pretty neutral guy. I know the goods and the bads of my RX-7/ZR-1. But I consider them as legends already.

They were both in the first Need for Speed! :p

[Z51JEFF]

I see late model Camaros everyday,every hour. The only time I see a ZR-1 is when I take a peek in my garage. And the Z is far more a legend than a late model Camaro ever will be.

[HIZNHRZ]

Hate to disagree but...

- a ZR-1 is a 26 year old car with 26 year old technology being compared to a 2016 Camaro SS which, given it's price point obviously, has the best of todays automotive technology.

- This is not the first discussion taking place comparing the ZR-1 to todays best. Every time I go to a Cars and Coffee someone wants to compare my C4 ZR-1 to todays best. Why? Perhaps because by todays standards, while its 26 year old performance may no longer the King of the Hill but, it is still relevant.

It may not yet be valued as a legend (and maybe it never will be) but every automotive standard I can imagine makes the C4 ZR-1 a celebrity, a star (if not a superstar), an icon, a phenomenon, a luminary, a leading light, a giant in its day...

By definition, the C4 ZR-1 is a legend. Long live the King.

[edram454]

the camaro looks awkward and big. i would not mind trashing one for a few weeks but I would not consider it a legend in any stretch of the imagination. as far as performance, a new ss might put down 360 to the wheels on a dyno. a zr1 with intake porting and good exhaust would put down more. I would have no problem lining up against one anytime. the cars that i would not want to race is a c6 z06, c6 zr1 of course and a c7 z06 in stock condition. other than those I would not back away from any other corvette. (big lt5 strokers and cammed z's of course are off limits.) there are always the heavily modified vettes and supercharged and turbo'd c5 and c6 that it is anyones guess how fast they are. the point here is that after 26 years the zr1 lt5 is still relevant performance wise.

ed ramos #3028

[JimZRyd]

I grew up on Z28's and a couple IROC's. They were fun but no comparison to my Z. The new Camaros are pretty cool enough but like Mustangs they are everywhere. Now the other day I saw the first GT350 in the wild, a white one with blue stripes, That was a great looking Stang!!! Sounded pretty darn good in stock form too!

[Paul Workman]

the camaro looks awkward and big. i would not mind trashing one for a few weeks but I would not consider it a legend in any stretch of the imagination. as far as performance, a new ss might put down 360 to the wheels on a dyno. a zr1 with intake porting and good exhaust would put down more. I would have no problem lining up against one anytime. the cars that i would not want to race is a c6 z06, c6 zr1 of course and a c7 z06 in stock condition. other than those I would not back away from any other corvette. (big lt5 strokers and cammed z's of course are off limits.) there are always the heavily modified vettes and supercharged and turbo'd c5 and c6 that it is anyones guess how fast they are. the point here is that after 26 years the zr1 lt5 is still relevant performance wise.

ed ramos #3028

I couldn't have said it better, Ed.:cheers:

[C4Ray]

This thread is not just about which Car is faster, it's more about comfort and driving and every day issues. Why is every comment about "My Vette is faster than yours". We all know the C4 is very comfortable to sit in and drive, but what about this new 6th gen SS? The 5th gen had Recaro seat options, I never sat in those, but I did test drive a 5th gen with stock seats and I was NOT impressed. Hard to see out the back, blind spots and seats were not very comfortable.

Has anyone sat in or test drove this new 2016 SS?

[Mystic ZR-1]

[QUOTE=Has anyone sat in or test drove this new 2016 SS?[/QUOTE]

Pretty much every current car mag out there has a road test or a comparison
with Mustang article.
They may be faster/quicker than our Zs, but not by much...

[32valvesftw]

The ZL1 is a better comparison than an SS. You see an SS everyday, ZL1 not so often. In any case its kind of apples to oranges. The SS is an Enhanced Camaro, kind of like that nice girl Cinnamon at the strip joint. Not sure how to characterize the ZL1 though, her sister on crack maybe?

[cvette98pacecar]

I'll get a new Camaro when it looks like a 2Gen.

+1 has to be the Trans Am though.

[Kevin]

The ZL1 is a better comparison than an SS. You see an SS everyday, ZL1 not so often. In any case its kind of apples to oranges. The SS is an Enhanced Camaro, kind of like that nice girl Cinnamon at the strip joint. Not sure how to characterize the ZL1 though, her sister on crack maybe?

the ss is faster then the zl1 from what i understand

[Z51JEFF]

I can never understand why somebody will compare old HP with new HP,makes now sense.

[C4Ray]

My question is Camaro vs ZR-1 general driving comfort, if anyone here has sat in or test driven the new 2016 Camaro SS or ZL1? How did the experience compare to your Z?

[-=Jeff=-]

Ray there is a guy in Corvetteforum that has a c4 and a 5th Gen Camaro.. you might want to ask there if you are asking more about comfort than performance

[WARP TEN]

Ray, this is an apples and oranges question as has been noted by several here. If you want a new car, go get one or at least test drive one. Maybe try a new Corvette while you are at it. Both great cars. Our old friend Tony Gaples (who once owned seven ZR-1s) races Camaros in the Pirelli World Championship under the Black Dog Racing banner. He says he really likes the new Camaros as street cars, better even than the new Corvettes. But he still owns a black '95 ZR-1 and loves that too.

I guess my question is, why depend on forum member opinions when you can decide for yourself by test driving. Our cars are a quarter century old based on technology that is probably over 30 years old, so they won't match up with a new car in many ways. But they are special and still have very impressive performance given what they are. The question you need to answer as you search for an interesting toy car is: What exactly do you want? Enjoy your search, and let us know what you decide.--Bob

[We Gone]

WARP TEN, great response and well stated :cheers:

[MarkSS]

I would agree that there is an apples and oranges element to this discussion. I have a 5th gen Camaro 1LE as well as a 4th gen Callaway Corvette and I am in the market for the right ZR1 and have driven them quite a bit, though never owned one.

From a track perspective, the Camaro will win hands down. I would not buy a ZR1 primarily for track use because there are better options available now.

I have driven the 6th gen Camaro and comfort is sort of subjective. My biggest gripe with the 6th gen from a comfort perspective is the narrow area where my knees usually go (6'2"). The center console flares out at that point. Seats are subjective but I am comfortable for long drives in my 5th gen with standard (non-Recaro) seats. Option content is higher on the Camaro, as much of that technology was not available in the early 90s. Ride comfort is also subjective, but a ZR1 in "tour" mode is quite a bit softer ride than the new Camaros. I usually use the "sport" mode for street driving and the "performance" if on a fun road.

I agree with the response of taking a test drive because there is a lot of subjectivity with what you like. I am interested in a ZR1 because I have wanted one since before they came out and I value the "King of the Hill" history of the car, as well as enjoy driving them and the sound of the LT5 at speed. I am not interested in one because I think it is an overall better performance car than some later model offerings from Chevrolet. After all, if they still hadn't surpassed what they could do in 1990, they might as well close the doors.

[Z51JEFF]

This reminds me of when Camrys started pumping out close to 300 HP and everybody was comparing it to the C4 LT1s. It just doesn't work.

[5ABI VT]

By the trap speeds the 2016 SS is around 115-116. That puts it slightly ahead of a c4 zr-1 but close enough to be a drivers race that can be won/lost just from the start. The numbers look great but the exterior styling and interior styling just don't cut it for me. The 5th gen wasn't even in the picture nor never will be when I considered the Mustang that I now have. Just finished up suspension and other mods so far and its a fantastic machine. Very very different than my zr-1 and not really comparable. For all the reasons I have my zr-1, the mustang doesn't even get a vote. As an awesome fun to drive, solid, good looking and sounding car with winter capability a huge trunk and room for my kids in the back.. the mustang is the best DD ive ever had :)

I don't have much performance work just Intake, tune, and A full Corsa cat back exhaust but I will be doing the gt350 intake manifold and re-tune in the spring. It will be around 440 rwhp and spin to 8k rpm. :-D
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb463/Emm3Speed/MUSTANG%20GT/B0591512-D9B1-44C3-B8C4-161FB5EB564A_zpsevllcr7p.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/Emm3Speed/media/MUSTANG%20GT/B0591512-D9B1-44C3-B8C4-161FB5EB564A_zpsevllcr7p.jpg.html)

[KFoster]

Hard to compare across all those years as technology and driving styles change. My 930S had 330rwhp at 2900lbs. My Mustang has 360hp at 3150lbs with a twin turbo kit sitting in the garage waiting on me. Both of those can be like driving a shifter cart on a wet road. Not enough tire on the Mustang and the 930S nose will rise at 120mph when you hammer it. New Camaros and Mustangs are totally different. More power, more power to the ground, better brakes, heavier. You can go on and on. Faster, but with a totally different and somewhat less enjoyable driving experience IMO. Still like them, just different and safer. Probably the most "out there" car comparable to what the ZR-1 was in 1990 is the GT350R. Wicked. Different direction than anyone else and will probably only run a few years like the ZR-1 did. Wish it were lighter, down around z06 weight. Totally different direction on engine development than what we have been seeing. Tell you the truth, if the ZR-1 was powered by a Chevy pushrod 350 with 400hp, I would not have one now. Same reason you won't see me in a Camaro. Fast yes, but cool, not to me. Hellcat, maybe. GT350 or GT350R, who do I have to kill?

[Kevin]

Hard to compare across all those years as technology and driving styles change. My 930S had 330rwhp at 2900lbs. My Mustang has 360hp at 3150lbs with a twin turbo kit sitting in the garage waiting on me. Both of those can be like driving a shifter cart on a wet road. Not enough tire on the Mustang and the 930S nose will rise at 120mph when you hammer it. New Camaros and Mustangs are totally different. More power, more power to the ground, better brakes, heavier. You can go on and on. Faster, but with a totally different and somewhat less enjoyable driving experience IMO. Still like them, just different and safer. Probably the most "out there" car comparable to what the ZR-1 was in 1990 is the GT350R. Wicked. Different direction than anyone else and will probably only run a few years like the ZR-1 did. Wish it were lighter, down around z06 weight. Totally different direction on engine development than what we have been seeing. Tell you the truth, if the ZR-1 was powered by a Chevy pushrod 350 with 400hp, I would not have one now. Same reason you won't see me in a Camaro. Fast yes, but cool, not to me. Hellcat, maybe. GT350 or GT350R, who do I have to kill?

Local dealer has a 350 for 10,000 over sticker

[KFoster]

Dupont Registry has one for $149000. Nuts.

[Mystic ZR-1]

Some dealers got over $100k for ZR-1s back in the day...
I guess they're still crooks.

[C4Ray]

Hard to compare across all those years as technology and driving styles change. My 930S had 330rwhp at 2900lbs. My Mustang has 360hp at 3150lbs with a twin turbo kit sitting in the garage waiting on me. Both of those can be like driving a shifter cart on a wet road. Not enough tire on the Mustang and the 930S nose will rise at 120mph when you hammer it. New Camaros and Mustangs are totally different. More power, more power to the ground, better brakes, heavier. You can go on and on. Faster, but with a totally different and somewhat less enjoyable driving experience IMO. Still like them, just different and safer. Probably the most "out there" car comparable to what the ZR-1 was in 1990 is the GT350R. Wicked. Different direction than anyone else and will probably only run a few years like the ZR-1 did. Wish it were lighter, down around z06 weight. Totally different direction on engine development than what we have been seeing. Tell you the truth, if the ZR-1 was powered by a Chevy pushrod 350 with 400hp, I would not have one now. Same reason you won't see me in a Camaro. Fast yes, but cool, not to me. Hellcat, maybe. GT350 or GT350R, who do I have to kill?

After looking at more youtube vids, I dont like this 16' SS 100%. The back end looks square and cheap but the inside does look high end finally. The front looks angry and cool. But overall, the new Camaro looks boxy. I'm sure it drives like a dream. I hope to test drive one soon. The new Mustang GT350 is probably a better deal for the money-and I've never owned a Ford-don't like the back sides of the Mustang how it swoops downlooks like a family sedan looking at the back sides. I imagine the GT350R is the top of the heap but price point and availability is the concern.

[mike100]

I saw the new camaro in person and it is definitely the right size... basically more like the mustangs from 2014 and earlier. Maybe its the same as the 2015 and newer mustangs, but it does look dramatically less chunky than the 5th gen f body. I thought the dash board looked out of place, but the rest of the interior was really a lot nicer than pony cars have offered up to this point.

I'm not really looking to buy a new GM car (maybe with the exception of the Volt). I like the GT350 a lot, but dealer mark-up is a no go.