Best performance per dollar: LSA Z/28 or base Corvette?
02-22-2010, 03:20 AM
#2
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Honestly it's an Apples vs. Oranges comparison.
Here's why I say this. Corvettes by their nature are true sport cars, they are Chevy's answer to Porsche, Ferrari & Lambos. These are sport cars for those who can afford & and want a true classy sports car that costs at least 50-60K. The Corvette combines luxury, & performance, in a classic two seater sports car.
While the Camaro is more the working man's (or woman's) muscle car - it generally much more affordable to the general public. The Camaro isn't a true sports car - it's a pony car. In some ways a Camaro is also a bit more practical for man or woman with children -since it has 4 seats. The Camaro's natural foes are also pony cars.
And a 556hp supercharged Camaro would be the perfect car to target the Shelby GT500.
While a base Corvette may be able to hold it's own against the Shelby performance wise. Still at it's core the Corvette is a very different animal than the Shelby & the Z/28.
So it's very possible for Chevy to have both.
In all likelihood the Z/28 Camaro will be the better bargain if the customer is looking for raw power & straight line performance. But the Corvette will be the superior choice if they want a pure sports car that can do it all.
Here's why I say this. Corvettes by their nature are true sport cars, they are Chevy's answer to Porsche, Ferrari & Lambos. These are sport cars for those who can afford & and want a true classy sports car that costs at least 50-60K. The Corvette combines luxury, & performance, in a classic two seater sports car.
While the Camaro is more the working man's (or woman's) muscle car - it generally much more affordable to the general public. The Camaro isn't a true sports car - it's a pony car. In some ways a Camaro is also a bit more practical for man or woman with children -since it has 4 seats. The Camaro's natural foes are also pony cars.
And a 556hp supercharged Camaro would be the perfect car to target the Shelby GT500.
While a base Corvette may be able to hold it's own against the Shelby performance wise. Still at it's core the Corvette is a very different animal than the Shelby & the Z/28.
So it's very possible for Chevy to have both.
In all likelihood the Z/28 Camaro will be the better bargain if the customer is looking for raw power & straight line performance. But the Corvette will be the superior choice if they want a pure sports car that can do it all.
02-22-2010, 04:02 AM
#3
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i agree that they are apples to oranges, but its still a valid question... if i had the money i would be torn. I believe that the camaro will actually be better performance per dollar, but performance is often times based on 0-60 and quarter mile times in the world today. I think the z28 would be a very good handling car, but with the big heavy motor in the front, i think the corvette should be nimbler and out handle it. Close race around a track, and too hard of decision to make if i had the money. The camaro would probably win because of the simplicity of a pulley swap to gain big power.
02-22-2010, 07:06 AM
#4
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If they really did cost the same amount of cash...roughly a MSRP of 49K USD, I would say the Z28 is the better performance bargain. It is the fastest Camaro you can buy. It will probably not be as fast around a track as a Z51 Vette, but who knows...it may compete with an A6 example of a base C6 on a track that favors big power.
OTOH, what if the Z28 eclipses the base C6 in price due to demand/markup/options? Then I think you are better off with the Vette. No sense in paying Corvette GS money for a 4K plus pound straight line specialist. The Shelby GT500 can be optioned to $50K...maybe more if it is completely loaded.
It's a tough choice. When the 2011 Mustang GT rolls out with it's more powerful 5.0L engine, it might well be the best performance car under $50K.
OTOH, what if the Z28 eclipses the base C6 in price due to demand/markup/options? Then I think you are better off with the Vette. No sense in paying Corvette GS money for a 4K plus pound straight line specialist. The Shelby GT500 can be optioned to $50K...maybe more if it is completely loaded.
It's a tough choice. When the 2011 Mustang GT rolls out with it's more powerful 5.0L engine, it might well be the best performance car under $50K.
02-22-2010, 08:30 AM
#5
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While it is an Apples vs Oranges debate, I LOVE threads like this as I'm a performance per dollar guy 
I'd say it honestly depends on what type of performance the driver wants from the vehicle though.
If you want a weekend test and tune or drag track toy then it would be MORE than up the buyers alley to get a LSA Z28 Camaro.
I'm more of a road race/auto x kinda guy, AND I don't think the LSA Z28 Camaro would handle near as well as a Base Vette.
For me, I think I'd have to choose the Base Vette and I'd up the suspension at my leisure
I'd say it honestly depends on what type of performance the driver wants from the vehicle though.
If you want a weekend test and tune or drag track toy then it would be MORE than up the buyers alley to get a LSA Z28 Camaro.
I'm more of a road race/auto x kinda guy, AND I don't think the LSA Z28 Camaro would handle near as well as a Base Vette.
For me, I think I'd have to choose the Base Vette and I'd up the suspension at my leisure
02-22-2010, 08:52 AM
#6
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Vette, for overall performance per dollar. Though if the CTS-V is any indicator, an LSA Z/28 might actually nip a base Vette in a straight line, which would be a curious situation indeed.
Every comparo I've seen of the Vette (Z51 or Grand Sport, usually) against a GT500 has the Vette coming out on top rather handily. However, if you need / want a back seat, it is nice to have a car that can put up similar performance on the street. The LSA Z/28 would add another option.
Every comparo I've seen of the Vette (Z51 or Grand Sport, usually) against a GT500 has the Vette coming out on top rather handily. However, if you need / want a back seat, it is nice to have a car that can put up similar performance on the street. The LSA Z/28 would add another option.
02-22-2010, 09:08 AM
#7
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From a non-performance perspective when I see a
GT500 I think "Damn, that is a bad@$$ car"....
when I see a base Corvette I think "...."
when I see a Z06 I think "Damn, that is a bad@$$ car"
when I see a ZR-1 I think "Damn, if i were a girl I'd need to change my panties"
GT500 I think "Damn, that is a bad@$$ car"....
when I see a base Corvette I think "...."
when I see a Z06 I think "Damn, that is a bad@$$ car"
when I see a ZR-1 I think "Damn, if i were a girl I'd need to change my panties"
02-22-2010, 09:30 AM
#8
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Extrapolating the Z/28's performance specs from what we know about the CTS-V and the Camaro SS, it looks like the base Corvette may out accelerate, out handle and out brake an LSA Camaro.
I think you'll get more drama in a Camaro though, more power, more weight, more tests of the law of physics. More fun??? That we'll see.
Won't matter much though. They'll sell every Z/28 at over sticker...
I think you'll get more drama in a Camaro though, more power, more weight, more tests of the law of physics. More fun??? That we'll see.
Won't matter much though. They'll sell every Z/28 at over sticker...
02-22-2010, 09:35 AM
#9
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I think the Vette would win convincingly in the handling and braking department. However, I think I've seen six speed auto CTS-V's in the low 12s @ 119 mph. Usually the Vette times I see are in the low-mid 12s @ 116-117 mph.
In a straight line, it would be pretty damn close. Outside of that, it would be all Vette. The Z/28 would have an advantage in the "badass" category, however. Unless we are allowed to include the Grand Sport as a "base" (powertrain) Vette...
In a straight line, it would be pretty damn close. Outside of that, it would be all Vette. The Z/28 would have an advantage in the "badass" category, however. Unless we are allowed to include the Grand Sport as a "base" (powertrain) Vette...
02-22-2010, 09:37 AM
#10
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I don't think the people who can afford these cars new really care about best performance per dollar. They can afford a 50k car and they pick the one that they want. I would probably go with the Vette, but I can't right now since I have a 2 year old. But I am not sure I would go with a Z/28 either. I am actually really looking forward to the Buick Regal GS when it comes out. I just need something more practical with 4 doors.
Kids will do that to you...
Kids will do that to you...
02-22-2010, 12:16 PM
#12
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02-22-2010, 12:24 PM
#13
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I'm going to guess that an LSA-powered Z28 will sticker for mid-40's, base. That just makes sense compared to GT500.
If we're talking about performance per dollar and that's all, Vette no contest. There would be a few intangibles however that would go to Camaro.
If we're talking about performance per dollar and that's all, Vette no contest. There would be a few intangibles however that would go to Camaro.
02-22-2010, 01:26 PM
#14
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I'd say it depends on what standard features it has. I could see them basing it off a 1SS and charging $39,995
02-22-2010, 01:37 PM
#15
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They're going to upgrade the suspension (a "Z28" with the same setup as the SS? No way.) They're going to charge the exclusive big-horse premium. The SS is already modestly more than the Mustang GT, I can't see them throwing the price structure out of whack. If the car is supposed to compete with the GT500 in every way, it's going to be priced like the GT500.