Test drove an impressive car today
 

I know this report may not play well here but it was a C6 Z06/Z07. Did not expect to like it and was very wrong. Power for days--Jekyl or Hyde depending on which is summoned, tight, handled really well, braked as well as it handled, made the right noises or almost no noise at the flip of a switch. ugghh. It was awesome. Did I mention power for days? Dang!

I have found myself eyeballing them...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1527990715.jpg

Remember what happened to me after leaving the Church...:D The haters will give you much amusement.

It took Detroit a long time to catch up. But they really do make some decent cars now.

My unkle bought one last year. So C7 i guess. I turned down a joy ride. Doesnt appeal to me and I dont want to be converted. but its quite the machine for sure. I didnt like how cramped the interior is for the size of the car but i suppose all modern cars are that way

I'm not a fan of the C7 styling and honestly am not head over heels about the C6 styling either but after that, the Z06 (and by extension, the ZR1) are bonkers. I don't see a legitimate opportunity at a GT2 in my future so this might be as good as it gets for me.

Wait until the mid-engined C8 wit 32 valves with variable timing, dual overhead cams, and a flat-plane crankshaft comes out. Unfortunately, something tells me it may cost a bit more than the current C7 and won't depreciate like the C6 did...

A friend of mine has a 2017 C7 Z06/Z07. Very impressive car. It sure did make me give the C6 version of the Z06 a long look, considering how cheap that car can be.

(But insurance costs for a 'vette are still heart-attack inducing, even for an old guy with a good record..)

edit, and the seats in the C6 can be compared to torture devices from the Spanish inquisition for anyone with long legs, or if you want to take a long drive.

Seen gas prices lately?

They get 24 MPG on the highway. My Cayman S only gets 27.

If performance is what you want, I can't think of a better bargain. I used to have a C6 (2008) ZO6, and it was brutal for sure, but I didn't really bond with it. Consider Spock's advice:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-wtYGZt7aI4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The ONLY thing I didn't like about the new Vets was the taillights but I think the new mid engine will be back to round taillights. like it mattered and I had the money to buy one.

Insurance cost for me @40 years old was 30% cheaper than a mustang. Seats? They worked well for street use with my long legs. 27mpg for the C6 wish that l still had it.

I refuse to subsidize the UAW and the people that effed over their shareholders and the American people in 2008-09. Maybe some have forgotten. I haven’t. I’ll never buy a Detroit car (other than possibly Ford, who turned down the bailout money although they only make pickups now which I have zero interest in).

The ‘vettes are nice and formidable cars but I just couldn’t own one myself. Never.

Hey, I'm with ya. No GM purchases in my future because of the hosing given the stock and bond holders of the old GM. In a traditional bankruptcy, assets are sold & the bond holders get something back. No such luck with the Government takeover. Still, the 'Vette is one hellofa bang for the buck.

But hey, Ford makes more than just pickups...check this out. Manual 6 speed, 480 horsepower. This is a come on ad, tho...just giving you an in on a yet to arrive car. A Vegas dealer. (edit) Price listed is roughly $5K above sticker.

https://www.ebay.com/i/153045909973?rmvSB=true

I could live with C6, I'm sure the C7 is a great car to drive but good golly the look like the fell out of the ugly tree.

I much prefer the late 60's Vettes but at the prices they are bringing not going to happen in my lifetime.

While I understand the sentiment, how much time has to pass before people get over something like this? I mean, I’m glad people have gotten past nazi Germany enough to drive their cars...and It looks like people have gotten past Pearl Harbor too...but Americans bailing out an American company? Oh NO.

I am n the boat of not buying a GM or Chrysler product due to the bail out. The shame is I am not all that crazy about Ford styling these days. That being said I haven't liked the Vette since 1982 so never has one of the new ones been on my radar. great performance or not..

I wasn't so much opposed to we Americans bailing out American companies but I was opposed to the way the way in which it was done. First the people that buried those companies didn't loose a thing and many got golden parachutes, bonuses, etc. The part that really irks me is if we Americans (the tax paying ones) bailed them out where is the interest on my money or my share of the profits or dividends? Same for the banking industry. They lent money to people to buy house they couldn't afford. They get bailed out. The people who bought houses they couldn't afford got bailed out. The shmuck who was responsible got nothing. Also bailing out a few select companies and the unions that helped burry them is far different than helping to rebuild entire countries. Many if not most of the population in those countries had nothing to do with what their governments did.

I disagree with this statement but the thread is drifting.

I prefer the C5 to the C6. I could live with the C7. Maybe someday, but probably not.
Not a good argument, huge power and loping along on the freeway at 1500rpm beats my Boxster S by 15-30%.
I had a colleague that swore that he topped 30 mpg on the one that he had 2-4 years ago. I think his was a special edition or something, not Z06/7. My '08 Boxster S only gets about 23 on the highway.

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.

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.

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...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1528037284.jpg

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.SmileWavy

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Omgwtf????
 

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.