Motor Trend says there’s a “pervasive rumor that suggests you can’t daily drive a Z/28,” and they’re determined to prove it wrong. Chevrolet sent them their most track-capable Camaro ever after hte publication named it their Best Driver’s car, and told them to keep it for 12 months, driving it on the track and street all in the name of science.
The analog Z/28 isn’t an ideal daily driver, but in sunny Southern Califrnia where MT’s offices are, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. It may have a 7.0-liter LS7, a 6-speed manual transmission, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Pirelli Trofeo R tires and rear wheel drive, but it also has four seats a trunk, and in MT’s case, a radio and A/C.
The loaner Z/28 has only been driven 400 miles from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, but it’s so far proved to be an amiable every day driver. We’re curious to see if the editorial staff feels the same 10 months from now, so we’ll be keeping you updated on its progress.
Comments
I always find stuff like this funny. I know it may be a little louder, a lot stiffer, and probably not the most creature comfort friendly car vs a standard SS, but if someone once upon a time or maybe even some desperate soul today could daily drive a Chevette, I’m sure the Z/28 would be nothing short of a pleasure to wheel around in. Obviously the Z/28 is not an ideal daily driver and most who buy one will have one to several more options in the garage. However, if I was to own and drive one every day I’d be more worried about it getting dinged up in the parking lot than how my backside feels after a 15 mile commute.
I drive an Ls2, crammed, tuned, Lt headers everyday to work. I’ll have no problem driving this Z28.
Back in the day I daily drove a ’70 Nova SS with solid lifter cam, dual 4’s, 4 sp, drag shocks and traction bars. Man I miss that car and would do it again. p. s. In the winter I ran redline wide oval studded snow tires!! Man those babys would throw sparks in the night when you did a burnout.
Daily driver means different things to different people.
I have driven louder and stiffer with pleasures.