What are your opinions on the C5 Z06...
 

As a weekend track toy? It seems 2002 models can be had for high 20's to low 30's depending on mileage

I think the C5 ZO6 was a great car that has been over-shadowed by the C6 version which is an unbelieveable car for the $$$. I think it would be a great car for a weekend track toy. I have driven the C5 ZO6 and I can tell you that you will not be disappointed.

I agree, the regular C6 is just as good performance wise--but as a weekend toy I think its a great buy. I prefer the design of the C5 over the C6 anyway (except interior). I'm a Porschephile though, a Vette is my stepping stone to 911-dom.

Yep.

If you start with the C6, you will be severely let down by the C5, though (IMO).

It's no rx8, that's what i think.

I was wondering about that, but haven't read anything definitive. Are the C6 coupe with the Z51(?) suspension package and C5 Z06 more or less equal in performance

EDIT: It appears Z51 refers to the transmission, but I think there was a C6 sport suspension package available.

no Z51 is a suspension pkg

Just found this...

Z51 Performance Package. The Z51 Performance Package brings Corvette Coupe performance very close to the same level as the widely admired Z06. The Z51 offers more aggressive dampers and springs, larger stabilizer bars, and larger, cross-drilled brake rotors for optimum track performance capability while still providing a well-controlled and comfortable ride. Extensive racetrack testing reveals that a C6 equipped with the Z51 suspension almost equals the lap time of a C5 Z06 – marking a major advance in the overall performance of a Corvette Coupe by nearly approximating the extreme performance capabilities of the vaunted Z06 at a remarkable value.

Okay, I was a little confused there. The C6 build page on the Chevy canada website makes it sound like a tranny upgrade. Thanks snizzle.

I've got to wonder what "almost equals" means.

Well, just remember that the year you are looking at was only (lol, only) 385 HP compared to 400 the next year I believe for the Z06. I'm positive the above article is comparing the most recent C5 Z06.

I think 2002 was the first year for the 405 hp engine. 2001 being the 385 hp variant.

You're right. Just looked it up.

my friend has one, i love the HUD that reflets into the windshield. I wish my car has that feature. it has rediculous grip and its got a nice and stiff suspension.

C6 Z06>911 in everything

Not really.

Maybe not in everyone's eyes since every person has different tastes...but its faster in a straight line, turns better, looks better IMO, and has a nicer interior (fully equipped).

Looks are subjective. I've personally never been a Vette fan, but have love Porsche for decades (all of them... 928, 911, 968...). The C5 Z06 and C6 Z06 are great performance deals for the money... but I don't know if I'd buy one still. That's just me though.

If you want to talk about tracking... compare the Cayman to the Z06. The Vette may dominate the straights, but the Cayman is said to be an unbelievable handler. Short track advantage to the Cayman. Looks too, in my book.

I'm not a Corvette fan, nor of GM quality. If i spend that amount of money, i would like to feel special.

Nonetheless, i would say no to a test drive.

Here's mine...
It's a Limited Edition, #61-of 75, 3-Top Z06
It runs well inside it's limits, but really it's just for show.
I never take it out in weather.
I'm a Veteran Corvette Club of America member and it's my 3rd Vette.
I had a nice Ferrari 360 Modena (a friend's, not mine) to compare it to and I like the 360 better, but the Z06 was way quicker. Maybe one day, he'll lose his memory and leave it at my house.

Damn scary car!
It handles better than you'd expect when you keep the revs up, but it's the traction control upgrade that really pays off. Most Corvette drivers miss this important option.

ProCharger Supercars upgrade to:
588 HP
Borla Titanium Exhaust
Brembo Race Upgrade
Granatelli Intake
Getrag 6 spd transmission
TCS Chip Upgrade

I love my 8 though.
It gets all the attention! :worship:

The Z06 is a great car, it's very fast and I'd love to have one sitting in my driveway next to my Evo. However, even though they handle well they don't compare in feel to the exotics people like to compare them to. In fact as far as driver feedback and steering feel goes I like my Evo better. I also could never get away with driving a Z06 year round like I do my Evo :(

Here's an interesting comparo Winding Road did a few months ago between the C6 Z06 and the Evo IX.




"Huh? Compare the mighty Z06 to the pipsqueak Evo IX? Are we nuts? Sure we are, but remember that the prior generation Evo finished #5 in the Winding Road Top 50, just ahead of the C6 Corvette.

Driving the ZO6 and the Evo back to back is an eye opener to say the least. the first thing you learn is that getting the power down coming off a corner is one of the keys to going really quickly, and in that department, the Evo feels like it has it all over the Z06. The Evo's AWD and center diff, combined with responsive but not explosive power, mean that you can really launch the little Mitsubishi out of tight corners. And while the weight of the cars isn't far apart, the Evo feels much lighter and more agile, aided by really quick steering and firmer suspension settings.

On the street, there are times you'd swear the Evo accelerates faster. This is clearly an illusion brought about by the advent of big boost around 3200 rpm. A longer driving session reveals that the 2.0 liter motor really can't keep up, of course. More important than raw speed is the way the Z06 gives you the sense of complete ease during hard acceleration as if there were much more power available by simply dipping further into the throttle. For fun, you could call it a tossup but the Z06 is definitely more impressive in the way it goes about its business."

Good looking car. Except for the absolutely terrible interior, I really like the car as a weekend/track toy. How do you find the interior to live with?

I've said it before, but I wish the EVO was in Canada. It would also make an excellent weekend/track car. I wonder if they have addressed the car communication issues with the C6 coupe.

Since I don't drive it a lot, it's more of a novelty to me.
The HUD (Heads Up Display) is my favorite OE option, keeps your eyes off the rest. :hahano:

Even though it's the best they can offer, it's still a GM...
My sentiments exactly.

You have got to be kidding me.

Nice play toy. Worst bodystyle between the three bodystyles for the Vette (Coupe/Regular Vette, Convertible & hardtop). I know it was to save weight but just doesn't look complete without the back rear coupe window.

I agree with that completely. I much prefer the look of the C5 coupes rear glass.

Looks wise I like the C5 Z06 coupe best.

The hardtop Z06 design was mostly to insure the most structural rigidity for handling purposes. I'm sure it's a lighter design too though.

The C5 Z06 has been absolutely dominant in SS autox events over the last few years. I wouldn't be so quick to proclaim the Cayman as the better tight track racer, even though I'm sure the Porsche has far superior feel. If you go here and look for results from past years, you'll see that the vast majority of top finishers run Corvettes, with a couple of GT3s, M3s, and even an RX7 or two in there.

IMO, a used C5 Z06 is the best performance bargain out there right now, and its decent gas mileage for a sports car (it's rated at about the same as a Mazda6s) means it won't hurt too much to drive as gas prices rise if you're just cruising around. I'd say it's definitely worth picking one up if a weekend track toy is what you're looking for.

I spent three days a couple of weeks ago driving various Corvettes on a highly technical race track in Nevada. I had significant seat time in C5 Z06s, C6 coupes, and C6 Z06s (for comparison, we own an RX-8, and my normal track car is my S2000).

All were marvelous cars, even with the run-flat street tires on them.

This being a highly technical track, with few straights and many turns, both sharp and gradual, I found (to my surprise) that steering these beasts was much more work than I had expected.

But that's more of a nit than a serious complaint. Chevy has done a remarkable job with these cars, and a C5 Z06 would be a hoot as a track car, especially considering how much after-market support there is, and how easy it is to get more out of these things. I personally prefer lighter, momentum cars, but that's personal preference. If the Corvette is attractive to you, go for it!

IMHO... thats one part of the styling that I really dont like..... makes the vette look like it just cant let go of the 80s.....

I love how the C5 Z05 dropped that crap

All that said I think the vettes are great but if push came to shove I could see myself coughing up the difference and getting a 911S

I have owned nothing but lightweight, 4 cylinder or Rotary cars all my life and never desired a V8. That is, until I bought my CTS-V.

You really can't appreciate the appeal of these cars until you own one, and spend some time driving it in trafffic. Yes, I know that on a track, there are a lot of smaller, lighter cars that will turn equal lap times. There's just something about that LS6 rumble, as well as not having to drop 2 gears to pass someone.

I still love my lightweight cars, and also own an F-Prepared 94 Miata that I autocross, but until I owned my first American muscle car did I appreciate the experience. It's not all about lap times.

I too am a Miata and CTS-V guy. The one thing these pups have in common is their precision steering. The shifters....well that's another story. BTW, have you done the UUC shifter yet? Best $400 ever spent.

I believe it was road and track (i will check the article tonight) but they said that the C6 Z06 was better in a straight line and in turning