AutoTrader Find of the Week: 5th-Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is a Wicked Performance Bargain

In its final year of production, you could expect to pay upwards of $70,000 for a V8-powered Chevrolet Camaro SS. Not a limited edition. Not a halo-level, supercharged ZL1 model. It costs $70,000 for a V8, manual transmission Camaro.

It’s much the same story with the Camaro’s competitors, the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. A well-optioned 2025 Mustang GT (not a Dark Horse) can push its price to almost $80,000 with the right options. Even leftover 2023 Challenger Scat Packs (not Hellcats) still command prices that high.

You might be tempted to think, “Well, that’s inflation for ‘ya!” 

Except that’s not what this is. The sales price of a then-new Camaro SS sold in 1969 would run you the equivalent of about $30,000 to $35,000 in today’s money. And yet, somehow, the Big Three can’t seem to figure out why sales have stagnated for these three models. Hmm, let’s see. Well, the target market for these cars is the segment of the working population whose wages have stayed essentially flat for the last 50 years. Jeez, guys. Do you think maybe, just maybe, the cars are too damn expensive?

With the goal post always being moved further, it can feel almost impossible to finally purchase that halo muscle car of your dreams. But what if you have, say, halo muscle car money from 15 or even 10 years ago? What if your goal post is still firmly, reasonably, planted in 2015?

How far can you push $55,000 in this market?

Well, if you’re willing to settle for yesterday’s model, that sum can take you pretty dang far in a fifth-gen Camaro ZL1. 

(Technically, this was only the second time Chevrolet used the ZL1 designation for a Camaro, making it a “second-generation” ZL1. Except the first car in 1969 was the ZL-1 and was only a special production order referring to the engine code, not an official trim level. So, you could say the 2012 to 2015 ZL1 is kind of the first generation. We’re just going to stick with “fifth-gen” in reference to the Camaro platform on which it's based to avoid confusion.)

There are plenty of Camaro ZL1s listed for sale right now on AutoTrader for under $55,000, like this mint, black on black, automatic example from Stoney Plain, Alta. (above), or this red, manual car from Winnipeg, Man (immediately below).

Don’t mind a convertible? This one in Parksville, B.C. (below), has only done 36,000 km and is going for $50,000. Convertibles were reasonably rare in ZL1 guise. Only about one in four ZL1s was a convertible.

This hardtop in Edmonton (below) might push your budget slightly. But dang, it looks great in white with the contrasting black hood scoop. And it’s only done 30,000 km. 

Granted, $55,000 is still a lot of money. You could certainly get into a fifth-generation Camaro SS with the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 for far less.

But first, consider a few things. First, a lot of ZL1s can be found with good maintenance records and low mileage. Second, because they were a top-trim option and not as many were sold (just a smidge over 14,000 units in four production years), these cars may appreciate as collectables over time.

What’s way more important than all of that, however, is what you’re getting for your money now. Because it’s a lot. A 580-horsepower, supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 that enables a sub-four-second zero-to-100-km time is the big headline. But unlike a contemporary Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500, which may have had more horsepower, the ZL1 could actually hold its own in the corners, thanks to magnetically adjustable shocks, multi-link suspension, 14.6-inch vented disc brakes, and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar Tires (285s up front and whopping 305s out back).

The 2013 model lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:41.2, which was two seconds faster than a 2010 Nissan GT-R, a second faster than a 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 and a 2010 Lamborghini Murciélago SuperVeloce LP670-4, and almost exactly as fast as a 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S.

This means the fifth-generation ZL1 is a lot of car for the money.

For a sixth-generation ZL1, you’re likely to pay another $15,000 to $30,000 at minimum, and prices extend all the way up past $100,000 for the new, higher-optioned models.

And just to bring this one back full circle, a 2012 to 2015 Camaro ZL1 can be had for around $20,000 less than a new Mustang GT, Challenger Scat Pack, or even Camaro SS — except you’re getting Dark Horse track capability and Hellcat straight-line performance.

Some people argue that cars peaked in the ‘90s, but I think 2015 will be viewed as the real turning point. Nowadays, it’s not really impressive for halo muscle cars to have 500, 600, 700, or even 800 horsepower, because they’re often priced like super sports cars and even supercars. 

But 2015 was the last time you could have the kind of bonkers performance in a car you could aspire to on a blue-collar salary. And the fifth-generation Camaro ZL1 may be the ultimate example of that.