Bankg for your buck Z06, or 996

[fastfredracing]

Early examples are just about in the same price bracket. What would your pick be ?
Just for fun, no need to run me down

[masraum]

That's tough. I imagine that they are both great cars with very different personalities. I guess which would make you happier, the hoonability of the Chevy V-8 or the refinement and surgical precision of the 911?

[racer]

Just buy the Z06.. save times from having to put a V8 in the 996 when that engine fails

[Noah930]

Corvette. More HP. Cheaper to fix. Plus I've already had a couple 911s.

[Alan A]

another vette vote - unless you are talking turbo.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Alan A

another vette vote - unless you are talking turbo.

And even then, maybe. I drove a 2001 996TT and wasn't impressed. It just didn't feel that fast. Although I've long wondered if that particular example was clapped out.

[Z-man]

For overall fun, I'd say bang for the buck, you can't beat the Z06. But - I would upgrade the brakes -- the stock ones are just not sufficient to slow that car down.

Plus the "engine go boom!" issues with the 996's should be something that you'd have to put into your budget.

[aschen]

We talking c5 or c6? Doesnt really matter Id have either over a NA 996


C6 ZO6 is so choice, you gotta fix the valve guides or whatever, but that is something OP can do half asleep after 4 beers.

[Nostril Cheese]

The 996 engine issues are not as common as certain engine builders would like you to believe. I would not hesitate to drive one hard.

Id take the 996 over the Vette. 996 turbo is even better.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Pure performance bang for the buck, I think the C5 Z06 is the best deal going. $15k gets you a higher mileage driver, $20k buys you a really nice one. It’s really not a direct comparison, you’ll get more Z06 for your money than 996. $20k will best case get you a high mileage base equipment 996.1. The Z06 also offers way more performance for the money and will be cheaper to maintain and repair.

Now as for which I would rather have it’s 996 all day long. I think it’s a better sorted overall package and nicer to drive. The Z06 has impressive performance but to me it feels huge and the interior is crap. Honestly that’s probably the biggest thing, when I’ve driven them I can’t get over the interior. It is the worst of GM quality and parts bin engineering.

With all that said, for the same money as a nice 996 I bought my SL63 and couldn’t be happier.

[cabmandone]

Z06 hands down. Considering one myself.

[Tobra]

Corvette, no question.

[Norm K]

I go through cars (I'm at, I think, 85), but one of the quickest to enter, then depart, my garage was a C5 Z06. Unquestionably a horsepower per dollar value, but it followed a line of 911's, and a couple of SL Mercedes and it simply paled in comparison when it came to overall quality and fit & finish.

Looked good and went like stink but that's not enough.

_

[pavulon]

Seeing that you own an OG 930 and 97 M3, be careful of owning a Z06 as (although wonderful) your current stable may shine a little less bright. Maybe LS7 swap the M3?

[Brian 162]

Z06 is cheap to repair. I had a main bearing failure (low oil pressure), engine rebuild charge for new bearings, polish crank, and re-assemble engine was $1500. What would that cost on a 996?
Like Matt. J said the 996 interiors are much nicer. The Z06 is like an updated Cavalier

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Z06 hands down. Considering one myself.

I don't think I could get used to the dead spot in the center steering of the C6 Z06 - both cars that I have driven in anger had them - and though subtle - it would drive me crazy. Maybe I just found two poor examples.

Originally Posted by masraum

And even then, maybe. I drove a 2001 996TT and wasn't impressed. It just didn't feel that fast. Although I've long wondered if that particular example was clapped out.

Most people that either drive mine or ride in mine are totally blown away by how fast it is. I'm guessing the one you drove had some boost leaks or bad diverter valves or something along those line.

That said - a stock 996 is a heck of a car. I know several guys that beat the crap out of them at Sebring. The upgrade path is very well documented - They are fast - even faster if you remove weight out of them.

[onewhippedpuppy]

To me a 996TT is like a different car, it’s such a departure from a standard 996. If they weren’t $45k+ I would be all over one for a driver. But that exceeds my toy budget at the moment.

[HardDrive]

Z06, that ones easy.

[Esel Mann]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Z06, that ones easy.

not so fast. OP needs to chime in again to double confirm, is it bang for the buck, or buck for the bang? peeps seem to forget about the other chic tractor beam vette on the dollauh value meal board....

nobody wants to say it but i will, Chevette!!! say it with me, vette, vette, vette! (drop the Che for savings!)

ahhhh the memories, rwd, manual, 4 cyl cuz i can't afford 5 or 6, lookin fast but getting there tomorrow.....

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Z06, that ones easy.

+ one.