rjacobs

I think I have a vehicle sold so long as the rest of the deal goes through.

I have done a lot of research, but I am going to post the obligatory "help me decide" post.

I have started looking at Vette's once again. I had an 07 base model for about a year in 09 so I am familiar overall with the platform.

I have wanted a z06 for a long time and now I can afford one so with the sale of my other vehicle(as long as it goes through) I am leaning towards picking one up. This will not be a daily driver.

I understand the differences between years:
06-07 basically the same
08 new trans, new steering, slightly updated interior
09 bigger oil tank, bigger half shafts
10+ new abs/stability control

I dont think I can swing a 10+, so my focus has been 06-09. I am not finding many 09's and the prices are a bit high IMO. I think an 09 would be the way I would want to go, but 40-45k is getting into C7 Z51 territory.

I am trying to stay under 40k.

It seems every car needs cylinder heads done which is ~1500 give or take(I am mechanical so I can do the swap myself no problem). I dont read of to many other problems with the cars overall. Some trans issues in the 08+ cars, but should have shown themselves in the used cars by now.

Is there any reason I shouldnt seriously look at 06's(seeing them in the 33-35k range) and save 7-10k over an 09? 07's I am seeing in the 35-38k range and 08's in the 38-42k range. Is the trans and steering change in 08 enough to justify spending the extra money?

So if I am planning on, no matter what car I buy, getting the cylinder heads done, and knowing what changes took place year to year mechanically, is there any reason I shouldnt be looking at the older cars?

08mojo

You seem to have it pretty well covered. I think it will be hard to find an 09 for under $40k "out the door." That will also be difficult for an 08.

I don't think there is any reason to not consider the older cars. All of the cars have the valve issues. The 2012+(or is it 2011+) have issues with bearing material for further complicate engine potential failures.

The key fobs and center console are nicer on the 2008+ models, if that means anything to you.

Too-Fast

As I recall, I thought the bearing material issues surfaced with the 2013's; more prevalent in the 427 'verts because there were a lot more of them built than Z06's that year.

rjacobs

I looked at a few 09's 3-4 months ago that were right at the 40k mark, maybe 41k, but they all seem to have dried up. There is a nice yellow 09 for 44k at a local dealership that I think they have had for a while so maybe a good deal to be had.

There are quite a few 08's at the 38-40 range. One locally has 36k miles on it for 39 I think it is and its pristine.

My one issue is knowing I need to spend 1500 to get the heads done fairly soon after purchase so I have to price that into the purchase. I know I cant go to somebody(private or dealer) and say "yea I know you want 40k for this car, but im going to have to spend 1500 bucks to get this head issue taken care of" and not have them throw me off their property for "bad mouthing" their car.

Once I break that 40k price, there are a few 14 z51's that IMO can be bought around 45k(ask of ~47k) which makes spending 40k on an 08 Z06+1500 for heads a bit of an issue in my mind.

I know the C6Z06 is a "better" car than the 14 Z51, but performance specs for the new Z51 cars are showing almost equal performance as the C6Z06, with, from what I can tell, none of the issues(at least I cant find a lot that the C7's have wrong with them, although I am sure issues exist). That and a 6 year newer car. Although the rear end styling of the C7 is leaves a lot to be desired.

ChoppinVette

Wow. Everything in your post is exact same situation I am in. Same price range, waiting on my other toy to sell and looking at the same issues and model years. I hope you make whatever the best decision is for you!

Since I am in the same boat as you, I can tell you that I am specifically looking for a z06 because at the end of the day, it still is a z06. Yes, you may be able to afford a c7 for the same price range, but think in 5 years it will just be a base model vette instead of the infamous and highly desired z06. This is the reasoning myself for wanting the z06 instead of a new c7 simply for the fact of the z06 aspect.

Best of luck to you!

Tim

C6z06man

Sounds like you're pretty interested in the C7. I'd say drive both if you haven't then decide what you want. You might hate one or the other.

rjacobs

I wouldnt necessarily say that. I look at it as a money thing. When I look at an 09(~7 year old car) Z06 for 40-44k vs. a 14(~2 years old) z51 for 45-47k, its hard NOT to look at the 5 year newer car that in a lot of basic performance numbers is pretty similar. I know performance numbers dont mean a lot in the real world though.

Im not sold on the looks of the C7 really is why I am not seriously entertaining them. I really didnt think they could be bought in the mid 40's already.

There are also a lot of 04 C5 Z06's for sale for pretty decent prices too, although I know they dont stack up to the C6Z06 at all, but the price tag is a lot more palatable.

MTPZ06

You've done your homework it looks like...so really just a couple of thoughts here.

I always say to buy the newest, cleanest, and lowest mileage car you can afford. Now the X factor with that is the C7 you keep bringing up. As mentioned previously, drive them both and see which you prefer. No way in hell would I give up my '09 C6Z for any variation of a C7.

My only other thought is that the '06 is the first MY of the C6Z; and as a rule of thumb, I just never buy the first MY of anything. Have I heard of issues with '06's? No.

Good luck with your decision.

racerx3317

As an 07 owner is can give a little bit of input. I drove a base 08 and a couple of 07's. There is a difference in the steering but I prefer the feel of the 07. It's a bit heavier steering overall. I don't know about the tr6060 compared to the 56 but to me it's not a big enough difference to make it a deal breaker. As far as the center console and key fobs, those are both easy upgrades. I did my console and the new one is way nicer.

C6z06man

I agree. We had a C7Z in the shop the other day and the guys were asking when I was trading up. I told them that I really don't see how I could... Now having BOTH...... That's something I could get down with. But a car as raw as a C6Z just isn't going to happen again IMHO.

capevettes

Absolutely don't rule out the 06 Z. They did not have the "teething" problems many first year cars did. I have an 06 Z and it is the most reliable Corvette I have ever owned. Fast and reliable. They can be purchased more reasonably. Find a nice unmolested, low mileage example with a clean history and you will love it.

Ice95z

2006 were lightest of the Z's. Drive all of them. I personally bought a 2008 because of the better steering ratio, better trans and the price tag. 37k, 42k miles 1 owner, bone stock Florida car. A extra 3-6k for a bigger oil sump tank is not worth it for me in the 2009's. Almost every upgrade in the Z over the years is interchangeable. The smaller upgrades like sump tanks and blue tooth I can switch over for low cost. Transmissions and steering rack were not cost effective for me. So I just bought the updated platform in that aspect. Good luck with either choice, the C6z is an amazing machine to drive. The power comparison to a new C7 is ludacris. All I'll say is drive the 2 and 427cu in tells its own story.

LMB-Z

Don't be afraid to buy an 06. I have one...bought it with 39k miles on it 4 years ago. Have had zero issues with it since I bought it. I had the heads done, and added a few other things to go with it. Gets great gas mileage, rides good, and turns heads wherever I go.

REDZED2

A proper C6z would stomp on a c7 z51 in most performance tests... it's on par with a c5z. A z06 is a special corvette in any gen. Compared to any other, better except a c6 ZR1. 2014 c7's had tons of 1st year bugs... stay far away!

jasonz28camaro

If you find a cheap enough 06 you can spend some cash to make it just like an 09 and have some money left over. This seems to be the last of a big cube LS motor, I'd much rather the 427 over the LT1. I cant get over the long front ends of the new ones but it will probable rub off me one day.

The 6060 vs the T56 is up in the air to most and they seem to both be good transmissions so I personally wouldn't factor that in. The 09 oil tank is not a big deal unless you are at a track ripping through corners (just costs another $30 on oil changes) and who cares about ABS upgrades. I have been in cars that have the mag ride and cars that do not and I cant personally tell the difference, just get some good shocks.

I got a 08 that has all the benefits of a 09. If you put a little money into them they will outrun the C7Z all day long on just the NA motor if that's the kind of performance you are looking for? Search my user name if you are interested in a texas car, mine is for sale in the classifieds.

Travlee

is the yellow one off of 35 and frankford area, forgot the dealership name

i got my 08 a year ago, paid $44k with 10k miles

fueledpassion

I have an 06.

The newer ones are nicer but they aren't any faster or quicker around tracks unless you are comparing to one with the magneto rheological ride option or Z07 package.

If you want one that is really comfortable and with a high quality look, I suggest the 2LZ or better interior package. The TR6060 trans is much smoother than my T56, but I doubt it actually performs any better from a power delivery standpoint.

If performance and visceral experience are what you are looking for, then the 06-07 can deliver. I have the 1LZ 06, so it is bare bones. But I had planned to mod if rather extensively over time, so it made sense to save $4-6K in purchase price and put that money back into it in mods later. Just a thought.

The car looks way, way better with skirts, rear diffuser and front splitter upgrade, along with some better rims. The 06-07 rims are decent but there are better options. If another Vette with these mods pulls up next to you, it will make yours look a bit plain but if you can resist the urge to "keep up with the Jones", you'll be fine. And as far as performance comparison to the new Corvette, who cares if there is a newer model that is faster or not.

That NA LS7 is an amazing visceral experience that supercharged and turbo'd cars even with FAR more power cannot match. Fun factor is real. No lag and traction issues are manageable. To this day I'm not sure how the C6Z can pull so hard for so long, but 100-160mph this car often matches or beats other FI cars with more power. There is something about this car that cannot be articulated on paper. You just have to try it out yourself.