What You Need To Know Before Buying A Used 2017-2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Summary

• The Chevy Camaro ZL1 impresses with a powerful 650 horsepower V-8 engine, hitting 0-60 MPH in 3.5 seconds at a modest price point.
• Despite its muscle car roots, the ZL1 offers a smooth ride with practical features like four seats and a spacious trunk.
• Featuring race car technology and a track-focused 1LE package, the ZL1 redefines the muscle car genre with impressive performance.

A distinct feeling comes from a true V-8, and Chevrolet knows it very well. With the Camaro now being officially discontinued, Chevrolet has left enthusiasts with a few special editions to commemorate the iconic model, but they can often be found to be going way above their MSRP’s. Though there is an entire hierarchy of models and options you can go through, the base ZL1 does not disappoint.

But all things considered, the Chevy Camaro ZL1 is a serious car for its price margin. It defies all stereotypes about muscle cars, outperforming even their German and Japanese counterparts in terms of handling and feedback. The ZL1 has many things to say to such allegations, but mainly responds with stellar performance, so much so that it’s banned in Europe.

With that being said, the ZL1 is not a perfect car by any means, as is the case for pretty much all vehicles out there. Here are the things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a ZL1.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Chevrolet, Edmunds, and Car and Driver.

The Chevrolet ZL1 Is An Astoundingly Capable Daily Driver

Chevrolet equipped the ZL1 with a big engine. They have blessed it with a 650 horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 aided by a 1.9-liter supercharger. This, combined with the impressive 650 pound-feet of torque, manages to push the ZL1 chassis from a standstill to 60 MPH in 3.5 seconds.

This supercar-like acceleration allows the ZL1 to complete the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds at 128 MPH. The top speed of the Chevy ZL1 is 198 MPH, so it is not slow by any means. Of course, all this performance is coming at a cost, but for $73,696 MSRP, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is on the lower end of the performance market.

Chevrolet Combines Usability And Experience Perfectly Into The ZL1

This does not make the ZL1 less worthwhile when it comes to daily driving. The power band is smooth and, with help from the supercharger, you will be able to enjoy the engine’s power all around the rev range. Chevy gave the buyers the option of a manual transmission, which in recent times has been nothing short of a blessing in disguise. It’s as if the old-school V8feeling wasn’t enough to please car enthusiasts.

According to the specifications, the Chevy ZL1 has four seats that can be used comfortably by adults due to the car’s boxy shape. It is also noteworthy that Chevy gave the ZL1 a decent amount of room. The trunk can fit 7.1 cubic feet of cargo in convertible form and a generous 9.1 cubic feet as a coupe.

Chevy Camaro ZL1 2017-2024 Interior Dimensions

(source: Chevrolet)

The ZL1 Offers Super-Car Performance And Exclusivity Incredibly Cheap

Muscle cars are clouded with a lot of stereotypes. A big one is their inability to handle as well as performance cars. Though that might have been the case in the past, Chevy’s ZL1 downright redefines what it means to be a muscle car. The video above embodies everything that Chevrolet threw at the ZL1.

The ZL1 Utilizes Racecar Technology Flawlessly

The ZL1 is a very potent track toy, boasting a MacPherson-type strut suspension with a direct-acting stabilizer bar and dual lower ball joints at the front end. At the rear end, we find a fully independent five-link suspension with monotube shocks. The ZL1 is equipped with Chevy’s Magnetic Ride Control, which allows the shocks to adjust according to the road conditions in real time.

The 1LE Package Takes The ZL1 To The Next Level

While the standard ZL1 has more than enough potential, adrenaline-driven individuals might want to consider the 1LE package. The package is a $7,500 add-on for the Camaro ZL1. This transforms the ZL1 into an intense track-focused machine, benefiting from Multimatic DSSV dampers both in the front and in the back. Six-piston caliper brakes sit at the front, while four-piston caliper brakes are in the back. While the engine is identical to the one on the standard ZL1, the 1LE package offers an aerodynamic kit that boosts track performance through enhanced grip.

The track version also benefits from variable-ratio steering, which allows the steering to have a different feel in each of the driving modes: snow, touring, sport, and track, with the last two giving the driver a more natural steering experience.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE can go toe-to-toe with supercars like Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS. Nürburgring sees the ZL1 finish with a time of 7:16 while the GT3 achieved 6:56. Though the difference is not minuscule, the 1LE package costs around $75,000 while a brand new GT3 RS can set you back as much as $225,000.

The ZL1 Is Still A Boxy And Heavy American Muscle Car

The ZL1 still has American blood in its veins. The 2022 model weighs over 3,900 pounds, which is 200 pounds more than a 2020 Ford Mustang. Though Chevy’s engineering can turn the ZL1 into a potent sports car, the sheer weight of the vehicle cannot be masked.

Visibility Is Limited Due To The Sheer Proportions Of The Interior

The Camaro has been deemed to have poor visibility by users. This is mainly because of the vehicles’ thick B-pillars along with a high dashboard and narrow windows, especially the rear one.

It is described as being noticeable, but not so much as to make you unable to drive. That being said, the 2018 Camaro ZL1 is considered a safe car by NHTSA standards, scoring four out of five stars in the frontal crash test and a full score in the roll test.

Fuel Consumption Is Not The ZL1’s Forte

The ZL1 could be considered as a daily driver option. All things considered, the main thing that would stop someone from getting a ZL1 as a daily, would be its fuel efficiency. After all, it is a performance car, but the 6.2-liter engine that comes as standard certainly does not help to save money at the pump.

If the driver is not too heavy-footed, the ZL1 will return a modest 14 MPG and 20 MPG on the highway when equipped with the six-speed manual. The 10-speed automatic variant will see these figures change to 13 and 21 MPG. Whoever owns a ZL1 must have a heavy wallet, as the ZL1 has a 19-gallon fuel tank that only takes premium gas.

The Interior Of The Chevy ZL1 Is Outdated Yet Comforting

The interior of the Chevy ZL1 is underwhelming compared to its aggressive and sharp exterior. Though it is roomy and cozy, the 2024 models have an interior that can be compared to a 2018 German car. What stands out the most about the interior is the small and bulky steering wheel — it looks like something from an early 2010 car, even in the 2024 model.

Aside from the dated look, the ZL1 is described as comfortable and roomy. The comfortable seats with an array of premium materials such as colored leather make their last appearance on the ZL1, along with the iconic circular HVAC vents.

ZL1 Keeps You Safe On And Off The Track

The ZL1 is equipped with adequate technology and driver aids for a modern car. The 2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1 allows the driver to enjoy a lavish array of safety features, some of which might include:

• Blind spot detection
• Parking assist
• Stolen vehicle tracking
• Seat belt pre-tensioners

Source: Chevrolet, Edmunds, and Car and Driver.