EtidW

I am thinking of getting a Z around 2006 to 2008 and I am undecided. If there are any Z owners out there that had a C6, are you pleased with the change or would you rather have the C6 back? I put a lot of miles on my vettes before selling them. Is it the type of car that I could use on a daily basis? I do not race just think the Z is a special car.

capevettes

I had a 2005 Z51, 6 speed. It was a fast, fun car to drive (although I had many problems with the car). I bought a lightly used 2006 Z06 with 2,500 miles on it 2 years ago. It now has 14,600 miles on it. Zero issues.

As far as the difference: The Z06 is a much better handling car and between 4,000 and 7,000 RPM's, the acceleration is ferocious I find it very comfortable. It also gets over 27 mpg on the highway. The only 500 plus horsepower car in the world that doesn't pay a gas guzzler tax. Go for it. You won't regret it.

cec58

I went from a 2006 Z51 vert to a 2008 Z06. The Z is a much more visceral car to drive and the acceleration in 2nd gear is fantastic as is it's overall power and handling. I have no regrets.

tim414

had a '09 C6 Vert w/Z51, MN6....Nope, I want the Z06. BUT, it NOT a dd. If your concerned with operating cost such as tires, stay w/C6. Z06 tires cost more and they do not get quiet as good of mileage as a standard Vette.

The Z06 for me is a toy that I plan to own the rest of my life. If I bought a Z06 and did dd it, I would most certainly check it out very well, especially if it's had track time. Maint requirements increase then. I would spend a lil and have upper cylinders checked.

If cost is concern and you dd the car, I would stay w/C6. If it's a car you plan to dd and have resources to checked it out and do not mind losing a couple miles/gallon and do not mind tire cost a lil higher, the Z06 is a lengendary car and one I would/do keep around (I holding onto mine for life as it is planned as a retirement toy many years from now).

But, if you do, ge the heads/guides checked after you do you homework. If the car has been tracked, it should be done because I belive maint requirements/engine refreshes are /should be done after so many hours under hard use. You can drive them daily. It will cost a little more in tires/fuel.

Add: I only avg 25 mpg on highway 93 octane. If it's going to be a toy, h3ll yes...find one you like, do your homework and grab it. BTW my '09 Vert was new too. Only kept it 9 months and sold it to get my 2010 Z.

Les-10

I had a brand new 06 Coupe, 6 speed manual, Z51, with the equivalent 3LT package, both tops and every option available. Loved the color combination (Monterey red with bone interior). It was a nice car but a friend bought an 07 Z06 2LT and had me to drive it too many times. There is no comparison, not just the brute power difference but also the feel in the steering and overall handling. Add to that the wide body look & it's just apples & oranges. Another friend bought a '10 Grand Sport and although a nice car, it is not a Z06 (and that is not a prejudicial statement, I've driven it too, I'm the club's tech/go-to guy). I never regretted the move & there are 8 other C6's in my club. The removable top is just not enough to make me look back.
If you find the right deal, do yourself a favor and take the plunge!

gatti-man

I had an 08 c6 and now own an 11 z06. I DD'd both cars. Avg mpg of the c6 22mpg, avg mpg of z06 19mpg. I don't drive in heavy traffic ever but the z06 could do it if you want it to.

The Z06 is a really nice car to daily drive HOWEVER the car is a louder and stiffer ride. The wider tires will pick up rocks and the lower nose seems to get more impact as well. I would recommend a clear bra for the nose and side panels unless you are cool with pock marks and dings.

I wouldn't worry about tire costs, the extra charge is nominal in the grand scheme of things.

Norm_427

... then I'd drive a C6. Spend the extra money on something else.

I've had both.

Joezone914

Had 05z51 coupe, an 07 z06and an 09 zr. You can daily drive the z mpg not much less the only true cost is brakes and tires but not a ton more. If you are not tracking but looking to put lots of miles on an older z, I would find one that has extended GMPP so you can add more warranty time to it. There are a very low percentage of z's with failure due to valve guides and some early years due to rocker issues. It's a small number and I wouldn't sweat it but if you plan on driving many miles for a long time, it is a small cost for piece of mind.

I loved the z51 but once in the z06 I didn't miss it at all. Not even the removable roof. The z is more performance and a great look with incredible gas mileage compared to performance. If you are fine with a fixed roof and m6 tranny you will love it.

Joe

VetteVinnie

Started with a 2003 Z06 that I traded for a brand new 2006 Z51 Coupe (A6). Held onto each of those for a couple of years. The 2006 coupe was not near as "raw" as the 2003 Z06. In fact, when I first drove it off the lot, it didn't feel like a Corvette to me. It was almost too refined comparatively speaking.

December of 2008, I was in Corvettes of Houston looking at exhaust options for my coupe to try to spice it up a little, and there sat the car I own now. I made the mistake of asking if I could drive it, and to my surprise the sales guy said "yes".

Five minutes behind the wheel of this thing is all it took. It was incredible. It was everything my 2003 had in the "raw" department with all the refinement of the 2006 coupe, yet outdid both of them ten times over in acceleration and handling.

I could never go back to a regular coupe. The only thing I miss sometimes is the removable roof. If I were to do anything with this car, it would be to trade it in for a 427 Convertible. But the cost differential between what I could get for my C6Z versus what a 427 Convertible would cost, I could just convert my C6Z to a targa (hell, even a convertible) and have the best of both worlds.

El Paso Vette

I am with Capevette, you will not regret it. The Z is totally driveable everyday the ride is not rough unless you get bad tires and the powertrain is well worth it. The difference is noticeable. Tires and oil changes are more expensive.

Werks

Had a '98 C5 and picked up a '05 C6 right when they were released. Ended up driving the C5 the most as it felt rawer, more sports car like than the C6 which to me felt too refined, too isolated. Kind of like driving a Honda or something lol. '05 C6 sat in the garage only putting about 1k miles per year on it until I traded it in summer of 2011 for a '11 Z06. Completely different animal, car is fun to drive, has tons of power and you somehow feel connected to the car if that makes sense which was what was totally lacking with my '05 C6. The car is an absolute blast to drive so much so that my '98 C5 has taken on the role that my '05 had which is garage queen sitting for months lol. I prefer the Z06 so much that after sitting in the garage for most of the last year I finally pulled the plug and finally got rid of the C5 and do not regret it. The Z is imho everything that you could want out of a sports car!

Landru

Have owned a new '03 C5, '06 MN6 w/Z51, now a '08 2LZ Z06.
No chance I'd ever go back.

Test drive one, you're familiar with the C6. I call the Z06 a world class touring car because as others have testified, they're just so much fun to simply drive. While a regular C6 isn't chopped liver, the Z06 is totally different. Totally.

Want/need surreal power? Got it in spades.
In fact at WOT it's north of legal so quick one really has to think hard about the where & when. Really.

Try one.

EtidW

Hey everyone thanks for all the info. It will be a go for me as soon as I get financially ready. Thanks again. As always the forum people are the greatest.

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

I had a 2006 Z51 car with all of the bolt on's and made about 405 rwhp first. Great car ad you could toss it around back and forth to work and operating costs were really not that bad. I could avg. 21mpg and a set of tires would run me less than $1k.

I sold it for a 2008 Z06. Tires are now 2x as much, mileage is 2-3 mpg worse. Insurance is roughly the same.

Both cars saw/see the same mileage each day, roughly 45 miles back and forth to work.

While some days the LS2 car seemed more fun and easier to drive through traffic.....I don't think I can get myself to sell the Z. Handling, torque, and the brakes (for a street car) are better than the base cars by a good bit.


If your worried about that....NEVER drive a ZR1.

JoesC5

Didn't have a base C6 but did have a 98 C5. In 10-1/2 years I put 30,000 miles on it. I purchased a 09 Z06 in 2008 and now, four years later, I have 24,000 miles on it. It's just plain fun to drive. I've doubled the annual mileage over the C5 because it's a driver's car.

BTW, it's not a DD, just a toy.

xcutter

Had a 2005 C6 with Mag Select Drive (F55). My wife and I were concerned that the Z would be a harsh ride. We were pleasantly surprised. It rides just fine on these decent roads in Florida. It may be an issue where you live if you have lots of bad roads. No regrets with my purchase. I get 28 mpg on the highway. Half that around town. I got 8k miles on my OEM Goodyears. I now have Michelins.

Mike McGinnis

My realization is this. If its a DD get a Grand Sport.

gatti-man

I'd only buy a GS if looking wide is all I wanted.

LMB-Z

Not trying to split hairs, but a 2006-2008 Z06 IS a C6. I think you meant to say "base car" or "non-Z".

The "C6" is the designation for the 6th generation car...2005-2013, whether it be a base model, GS, Z06, or ZR1.

My previous Corvette was an 05 coupe, automatic. I absolutely loved this car. The Z is a little rougher riding, but a lot of fun to drive.

ByByBMW

I've had both. But driving a Z is nothing like driving a base C6. The LS7 is a beast, maybe even brutal, there is no other way to put it. If your thrill is hammering and the increased heart rate that goes with it, the LS7/Z06 can't be beat. But!!! the LS7 has issues. If your pocket book can support it, go for the Z, you won't regret it. But if your pocket book can't support it, stay away. I will always miss "The Other Woman" and think it was the most amazing car I have ever driven. But all that thrill was tempered by the possibility of loosing my engine due to valve issues. I wish desperately I could have afforded to keep her. It is an AMAZING ride.