Selling the M4 to get a ZL1 1LE, any thoughts?

[Caliboy951]

So I built my M4 into a full blown track car and it just didn't get the job done. I was always over driving it to keep up with the GTR's, GT3's and so on. So after doing a ton of research I decided on the ZL1 1 LE Camaro (no I am not a GM fan) but the numbers are just staggering on that car.
What are anyone's thoughts?

[FC4]

Same shit, different toilet. You had a hard time keeping up with GTRs and GT3s because those are dedicated performance platforms from the ground up, not modified $30K rental cars.

It's usually a better idea to use sports cars for track duty.

[Caliboy951]

Originally Posted by FC4

Same shit, different toilet. You had a hard time keeping up with GTRs and GT3s because those are dedicated performance platforms from the ground up, not modified $30K rental cars.

It's usually a better idea to use sports cars for track duty.

Can you go into detail, i'm a bit slow (no pun intended)? Have you seen the specs on the ZR1 1LE Camaro?

https://media.chevrolet.com/media/us...2019.tab1.html

[Mazen189]

Best of luck in your purchase


That's a great track car, not a big fan of looks, but the sound that car makes, makes up for it

[NYG]

It's a beast...

I love my F82 but I too want to replace my F32 with a 1LE.

The only thing I will say is that you're still going to have a hard time against GT3s and GT4s. If driver skill is equal and we're talking about stock potential, it's going to be real hard to top/compete with a Porsche on the track without going into the supercar game. Daily driving is another story if you're talking GT3/GT4+.

IMO, Porsche is king.

[stevehifi]

I've driven one... it's the real deal for sure. Stiff clutch, stiff suspension and crazy aero all around.
Build quality is terrible and not even close to the same league as BMW/Porsche. I predict that you would have tons of reliability issues in the long run- these cars are known to overheat. Visibility also is probably the worst I've been in any car.

Save up for a GT3...

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by FC4

Same shit, different toilet. You had a hard time keeping up with GTRs and GT3s because those are dedicated performance platforms from the ground up, not modified $30K rental cars.

It's usually a better idea to use sports cars for track duty.

pretty much this. The M3 is compromised from the get go. You can't really turn a regular mass produced coupe/sedan into a track monster without going to extremes (see team schirmer M3). At that point you might as well just spend the money on a Viper, Z06, GT3, GTR etc. Or even a cup car.

or just be happy with your M in the fact that it can handle track days, go cross country, transport four fully grown adults, etc. AND has better build quality than GM and Nissan products.

[nicknaz]

OP, I’m worried about the weight and power raising your consumables costs a lot and making the car trickier to drive

Could getting setup support elsewhere or coaching / data review from elsewhere be a potential step before you sell the car?

Sorry that you are feeling frustrated. I myself am feeling that frustration a bit trying to get the last 4-8% out of my spec Miata to get the car down to its target time (that the builder/pro driver has been able to achieve)

Good luck with the rest of your season!

[///M4ster Yoda]

Make sure you grow a mullet, buy some gold chains and pick up a case of Budweiser

Kidding. Good Luck

[swanson]

Do it.

[Suds]

The LT4 motor is a beast, you will enjoy trying to tame it!

[Caliboy951]

Thanks for all the comments, I appreciate it! I'll keep you guys posted no matter what I pick up.


-Mike

[Golfster]

Go for the car you feel will make you happy and best serve your purpose. Good luck with the car you ultimately choose!

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by Suds

The LT4 motor is a beast, you will enjoy trying to tame it!

this man knows what he is talking about.


The LT4 is not a joke.

With that being said, you'd probably be better off in a z06 trying to keep up with gt3's.

[Salespunk]

GM is building some serious track machines. There are a lot of badge humpers out there that will trying and dump on what they are doing, but the 1LE cars are no joke. The Camaros are a heavy platform, but there are way fewer compromises than in an M platform for track work. For primarily track use I would personally much prefer a 1LE over and M product. M cars are highly compromised these days unless you are looking at an M4 GTS.

It would be great to get something like a GT3 which is an amazing vehicle, but understand that Porsche warranty specifically excludes track use where Chevrolet will send a flatbed to pick up your car if you break it at the track. In addition none of these cars are perfect.

A GT3 is going to require work to make it fit for sustained track use. Even the mighty Metzger motors had issues around RMS, coolant hoses needing to be pinned, etc. As a side note my buddy is on his fourth motor in his 991.1 GT3 with zero track use. It was not abuse based, they were manufacturing issues. You will also have the Porsche tax for everything you buy which is like the BMW tax x2.

[stevehifi]

[QUOTE=Chevrolet will send a flatbed to pick up your car if you break it at the track. [/QUOTE]

Please send me a link to the fine print.. I find this hard to believe...

[CanAutM3]

The Camaro 1LEs are helluva rides on track. I have a track buddy who just got a SS 1LE, and it has me truly impressed. The ZL1 1LE will be even more so.

[BetrayMyWord]

The most common next-destinations of M cars are usually Porsches afaik

[Caliboy951]

Originally Posted by BetrayMyWord

The most common next-destinations of M cars are usually Porsches afaik

I agree and that's what I was thinking until I was on the track with a ZL1 1LE and I was surprised.

[stevehifi]

If you're really looking for one, you can easily find them for $65k/$66k (2019 brand new). I went to Harbor Chevrolet in long beach and they had 3-4 of them (white, black (2), grey). All were 6 speed.
Don't go for the automatic, it's junk. I drove a regular ZL1 with the auto
and the downshifts were terrible (rough/laggy)

[hellrotm]

Go for it. Always a handful of them at each track weekend I go to. They are very quick in hands of a good driver.

[shortseller]

I think You might have started off on a wrong premise, the M4 is not a full blown track car like the ones you were chasing, but the ZL1 1 LE seems to have been factory built as such. Good luck with your new choice.