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SS vs Z28
#21
TECH Enthusiast
This is our disconnect then, it's honestly been the opposite for me. When I bought my first Z28 new, the SS was ~$3k more to start (as you mentioned) just for the base package that didn't perform any better than a Z28. I didn't really care about the hood or spoiler either way, so it just didn't make sense to pay for the SS (I did like the wheels better, but those alone were much cheaper than the cost of the SS package.)
In the years since, every time I've been shopping for another 4th gen on the used market, the SS cars are *always* more expensive, all else (mileage/condition) being equal. If they were the same price, sure, I agree, it wouldn't matter to me either way, but this has never been the case in my experience. I just hate to pay more for a hood, spoiler and badges that I feel indifferent towards....
In the years since, every time I've been shopping for another 4th gen on the used market, the SS cars are *always* more expensive, all else (mileage/condition) being equal. If they were the same price, sure, I agree, it wouldn't matter to me either way, but this has never been the case in my experience. I just hate to pay more for a hood, spoiler and badges that I feel indifferent towards....
Last edited by Firebrian; 05-10-2016 at 11:00 AM.
#22
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It all comes back to your goals for the car. If you only care about racing and you love to humiliate people with deeper pockets than yours get a Z28 and put your money in a well thought out driveline combination.
If you want to impress the kids at sonic with your big hood scoop get the SS.
In my world, the way a car functions is exponentially more important to me than how it looks. I really liked the 96-97 SS "two out the left" exhaust because it confused idiots and actually improved the accelerative performance of the car. (I've seen stock Lt1 SS cars run low 13's). I also loved the single out exhaust on the 98' SS cars for the same reason, it actually flowed better than the stock Z28 muffler.
I think I'm just at ranting at this point but you guys get the idea. If I had an SS it would have to be a completely original 96-98 model with one of the aforementioned SLP exhaust systems. I'd take it to sonic and spend the whole night trying to explain to ricers how its possible for a V8 car to have exhaust that only comes out on one side.
Thats not the world I live in though. I drag race on a shoestring budget. I weigh every dime I throw at my car because if it doesn't make it faster it's not really worth my time and effort.
I like my Z28's because up front they have belt buckle scratches and greasy hand prints on their fenders. Out back they've got tire rubber all over their wheel wells and soot stains on the bumper above the tailpipes from running rich.
I know that there are plenty of SS cars out there that get beat on and raced like mine do. I just never needed any of the extra stuff that they came with...
Maybe I'll try something different and autocross my 2.73 car. Anybody got a nice set of chrome ZR1's?
If you want to impress the kids at sonic with your big hood scoop get the SS.
In my world, the way a car functions is exponentially more important to me than how it looks. I really liked the 96-97 SS "two out the left" exhaust because it confused idiots and actually improved the accelerative performance of the car. (I've seen stock Lt1 SS cars run low 13's). I also loved the single out exhaust on the 98' SS cars for the same reason, it actually flowed better than the stock Z28 muffler.
I think I'm just at ranting at this point but you guys get the idea. If I had an SS it would have to be a completely original 96-98 model with one of the aforementioned SLP exhaust systems. I'd take it to sonic and spend the whole night trying to explain to ricers how its possible for a V8 car to have exhaust that only comes out on one side.
Thats not the world I live in though. I drag race on a shoestring budget. I weigh every dime I throw at my car because if it doesn't make it faster it's not really worth my time and effort.
I like my Z28's because up front they have belt buckle scratches and greasy hand prints on their fenders. Out back they've got tire rubber all over their wheel wells and soot stains on the bumper above the tailpipes from running rich.
I know that there are plenty of SS cars out there that get beat on and raced like mine do. I just never needed any of the extra stuff that they came with...
Maybe I'll try something different and autocross my 2.73 car. Anybody got a nice set of chrome ZR1's?
#24
TECH Fanatic
#26
TECH Fanatic
please read my previous posts, At least where I live, low mile good condition Z28's are way cheaper to get into and go fast in on a budget. They are still the best speed bargain in the universe.
#28
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The Z28s actually have a smoother ride stock for stock, due to the 245/50 tires. When I switched to the SS wheels/tires on my Z28, this was immediately noticeable. After the switch, my Z28 drove exactly like my WS6 (which came with the same wheel/tire size as an SS.)
Now that these cars are all used, and even the low mileage ones are 15+ years old, any differences in how they drive today has much to do with how they've been treated over that period.