Test drove an impressive car today

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Was walking to my car from a work meeting Thursday night and there in the lot sat a red C5 Z06 with plates from my home state. I was eyeballing it when I heard "Stop looking at my car!" ring out. Turns out one of the guys who works in the hospital across the street bought it from his dad the weekend prior for $1 (one buck) with 15K miles. Bastage.

Wow! That's a hell of a thing. There would be no way to turn that deal down.

[LesPaulFan]

A 2010 or newer C6 grand sport coupe in black with the auto trans is next for me. The manuals come with dry sump hand built LS3. Built right next to the LS7 engines. 30K or so is you hunt for them. There are tons sitting in the garages of old men. The cars have wide bodies, big brakes, and better than Z51 suspension, but not harsh like the Z06.

[ted]

I've had two C5 Z06 vettes in the last 6 years.
They look great and run well.

I know the C6 ZO6 is twice the performace, 3rd gear will do 30mph to 130mph quickly.

So with C6 Z06 prices slowly falling I went and looked at some nice condition C6 Z06 vettes recently.

It seems my interest is only in the C6 Z06 performance.
Unfortunately the appearance of the C6 exterior and interior were so bland that I lost interest in the C6.
I could use it as a track toy, and have fun pitting up the windshield on track but the styling of the inside and outside were just boring.

Actually for a C5 Z06 replacement I liked the new Mustang I test drove recently.
Just for an everyday park anywhere car.
The 4 cylinder turbo with the 10 speed auto seemed light and sporty and it was under $25k new...

[pavulon]

Ted, did you happen to drive a c6 Z06? I'd be really interested to read your impression of it given your experience with the c5 Z06.

[ted]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Ted, did you happen to drive a c6 Z06? I'd be really interested to read your impression of it given your experience with the c5 Z06.

I have driven a few of both c5z and c6z and have run with them on track.
The C5Z gearing is sometimes refered to as the close ratio vette.
Where as the C6Z has and can pull the longer gears.

For example at Chuckwalla raceway my C5Z required 4 more up and down shifts a lap where the C6Z could use just 3rd gear for most the lap.

The C6Z will destroy a C5Z.

The nannies on the C5 are the worst, totally invasive!
Just turn them off on track or they will torch your brakes.
Felt like the hand brake came on as you achieve your perfect slip angle exiting a 3rd gear sweeper.

Both the C5 or C6 would make a fun GT car.
Drove the C5Z for 7 hours to a Laguna Seca track day and back home with no issues.
They will run warm when flogged, just need to back off and let it cool a little when that happens.
On a hot day like most street cars, if you drive it hard on track the car does get heat soaked and will not dissipate heat well.

Video with our all stock 02 C5Z chasing my buddy's gt350 at laguna.
https://youtu.be/wKqCob6VH7o

[pavulon]

Thanks Ted. Good insight there.

I have a tough time imagining what a LS7'd C5 or Katech'd C6 would be like. Perhaps it's just an acclimation issue but it would take a long time for me.

[ted]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Thanks Ted. Good insight there.
I have a tough time imagining what a LS7'd C5 or Katech'd C6 would be like. Perhaps it's just an acclimation issue but it would take a long time for me.

Katech makes some nice lightweight parts.


Every year sports cars are getting faster and better?
Improved nannies in new cars make everyone a great driver, or at least they make everyone think they are a great driver.
I'm sure the C8 will blow the doors off all the older Vettes...
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116966_report-mid-engine-c8-corvette-to-get-flat-crank-600-and-800-hp-v-8s-1000-hp-awd-hybrid-version-but-no-manual

[Tervuren]

My recommendation is if you are getting a C5 and are not going to be doing track days, do not get the Z06. Just look for an already modified coupe.

Especially if you hunt for one with the luxury options, magnetic ride, adjustable sport seats, etc.

Personally I chose the C5 Z06 primarily for the styling of the fixed roof, I liked the aggressive notch back.

The C5 coupe will be more comfortable, have more space, if modified more straight-line punch, and have a nicer ride.

When it comes to the C6, the Z06 or a Grandsport, with preference to the Z06 and its dry sump engine.

If getting an automatic, the paddle shift of the C6 is a big improvement over the C5.

Ultimately these are fun toys, pick the style you like best. For me it is the C5, with the C6 Z06 a close second.

[pavulon]

I like the C5 FRC/Z06 body lines and they sell for a lot less than a C6 Z06 (and are plentiful). However, I was really impressed by the grunt of the LS7 in normal driving. It's tough to argue with 7 liters that burbles along at 1500 rpm under light loads and howls to 7k RPM!

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I like the C5 FRC/Z06 body lines and they sell for a lot less than a C6 Z06 (and are plentiful). However, I was really impressed by the grunt of the LS7 in normal driving. It's tough to argue with 7 liters that burbles along at 1500 rpm under light loads and howls to 7k RPM!

Not to mention a low slung dry sump engine.

I still remember my first encounter with a C6 Z06, it used an entrance ramp to pass a line of cars and the speed limit was 70MPH.

[pavulon]

Right! The car's owner wasn't afraid to stick his foot in it and I was allowed to lean on it a bit myself. I don't have a ton of experience in high performance cars so the experience was rather mind bending for me. I found it rewarding to drive it as a regular car (exhaust valve closed, touring suspension setting, shifting at 3k or less...).

I'm gonna have to stop writing about it as I already sound like a fan boi. But man do I want one.

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Not to mention a low slung dry sump engine.

I still remember my first encounter with a C6 Z06, it used an entrance ramp to pass a line of cars and the speed limit was 70MPH.

[pwd72s]

Watching the Indy car race...the pace lap, the hot 'vette pace car lost it, crashed into a wall. Gawd, talk about being shamed on national TV...feel sorry for the driver.

[944 S2]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Watching the Indy car race...the pace lap, the hot 'vette pace car lost it, crashed into a wall. Gawd, talk about being shamed on national TV...feel sorry for the driver.

All that HP. Could use all wheel drive!

[pavulon]

Looked like his foot was stuck on the floor and he forgot about steering...and in Detroit to boot! It has been pretty cool up here for the last few days so I'd imagine those tires were not super sticky. Fail.

[RANDY P]

I like the c6 z06 VS the other two myself, it doesn't look as bloated as the c5 or origami as the C7.

I just worry about the C6 depreciation.

That C7 is a turnoff.

rjp

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

I like the c6 z06 VS the other two myself, it doesn't look as bloated as the c5 or origami as the C7.

I just worry about the C6 depreciation.

That C7 is a turnoff.

rjp

Interesting, to me, the C6 looks bloated compared to the C5. Seems like the rear end is a foot taller and the tail lights are huge. The C6 just seems like a much taller car to me.

Per wikipedia, the C5 is 4" longer. It's also about 1" wider than a standard C6, but about 1" narrower than a Z06 C6. The C6 is about 1.5" taller than the C5.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Looked like his foot was stuck on the floor and he forgot about steering...and in Detroit to boot! It has been pretty cool up here for the last few days so I'd imagine those tires were not super sticky. Fail.

Poor guy...forgot he wasn't leaving a cars and coffee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNoMcL5Zsw8

[Tervuren]

Something I have noticed in my short term Corvette ownership.

Women tend to view the Corvette as its own brand, they do not see it as a GM or Chevy.

[aschen]

C6Z is an absurd value, LS7 is amazing though I heard it does need valve guides frequently? Occasionally I see nice ones around 30k which is crazy. I think the only reason Ive never bought one is I think it maybe a bit too fast to enjoy safely.

[onewhippedpuppy]

All of the Z06 models are a crazy performance deal. I drove a C6 Z06 and it was absurdly fast. I've never been able to get over how big they feel, and the cheap interior and crappy seats are a turn-off as well. Not really my thing, but they are an awesome car for the money.