1985nightmare

Does anyone out here have any experience with a C4 ZR1 and and a C5 Z06 (405 HP) ? I would like to know how the two compare in terms of handling, acceleration, comfort on long hauls, etc. And any quirks or problems specific to each car would be appreciated. My current C4 is up for sale and sometime in the near future I plan to get one or the other (well that is the plan, wife doesn't know yet) Thanxs in advance to all who write.

dallas916

I never had any trouble keeping ahead of one...but I do think they are supposed to be more comfortable than the older sport seats.

ztheusa

I own both. The Z06 is quicker, faster, more agile, better handling, better looking, much more reliable, gets better gas milage, MUCH more fun to drive. The ZR1 has better seats and a way more heavier/complicated way of making power.

Neither one will ever be a C2.

USAFPILOT

I have owned both...they are both great cars.

The ZR-1 will hold its value better, but be harder to acquire and to sell.

The ZR-1 does not handle as well, to be expected from a much older design (C5 has a trans axle in the rear for better weight bias and is lighter), but the LT5 is much more entertaining to drive and to look at.

The C4's interior is more rattle prone than the C5, and the Chassis will flex more.

The C5 is an easier car to get in and out of for sure, but the seats in a C4 will keep you from sliding around in the corners, they are much better than C5 seats. C5's also have rubber bushing in the seats that will get old and crumble leaving you with a seat that rocks back and forth.

The C5 also has that stupid column lock problem that is a royal pita and there is NO FIX. If you want a newer car than the ZR-1 get a C6. The C6 does not have the column lock problem. The extra 100HP on the C6 Z06 will leave a stock ZR-1 in the dust. But any Stock ZR-1 can keep up with the C5 Z06.

I did think the C5 Z06 was more responsive to your initial throttle input and revs quicker (not higher). That could be more due to the gearing of the Z06 trans, something a ZR-1 could have used.

I had the 2004 Z16 with the carbon fiber hood and it would bow up real high at 150MPH.

I wish I still had both, but when financial trouble hit I unloaded the C5 Z06 Z16 and kept the 1994 ZR-1.

ZO6R1

I had both and the ZR-1 is my favorite. The tranny in the ZR-1 is better and I always felt the ZO6 was not built to last so I ended up selling it. No regrets at all.

WydGlydJim

Only experience was with a friends 03 Z06.......we were neck and neck from a roll to about 140mph.......several times......from a dead stop I think the new car launches better, and will run away a bit. So performance is close, the LT-5 and uniqueness wins hands down IMO.

rickyrj1

HEY, we won one!(better seats)
I love mine and I have smoked several C5's Z06. I do have a HP advantage over stock. As with anything in life there is always someone/something bigger, faster, stronger.
I have seen some c5's that were sick fast with auto's. I live 15 min from Raceway Park. ECS & Vette Dr's are putting out some of the fastest Vettes around.
Ask the same question in the c5 z06 & c6 z06, the breed is always improving with every generation.

Enjoy whatever you have, still beats walking

Dominic Sorresso

I had the opportunity to run a C5Z at the track recently. He had me up to the 1/8, then I walked away from him. His trap was 113mph vs my 116. He later came up to say he thought my car had a heck of a top end.
When I bought my ZR, I drove one and a Z06 on the same day. I thought the ZR felt much more substantial while the Z felt flimsy and cheaper. The Z06 was very quick and revved like a Singer. It handles like stink too. But I just liked the interior of the C4 better, the targa top and the exclusivity of a 32V DOHC motor. I love the clamshell and when you open it to reveal 16 runners and all that ALUMINUM, there's just no comparison IMO.

Dominic Sorresso

Says it all, doesn't it?

C1ANDZR1

Everything else could be true, and maybe as good looking, but better looking? Not so sure about that one... BTW, love the C2's also!

sabastian458

So the column lock bypass doesnt fix it?

93Rubie

Funny all the magazines complain about the seats in C6's and C5's. Somehow, the C4 has better seats. Why did they go backwards with the seats. I don't get it. I love my sport seats, FYI.

Z51JEFF

I guess that all depends on who you ask.The C5 Z06 is a better car.............but it aint no ZR-1.

mike100

mainly to cut a little cost, but I think the fact that the C6 seats don't weigh anything is one reason engineering didn't complain on that compromise.

ammrpm

I have had both cars as well. They are both very nice cars. Each one has appealing things about them. The ZR-1 is more unique. It has that beautiful motor that has a sound all its own. The C5 Z06 is better handling, more forgiving if you make a mistake, more responsive, lighter and more agile.

One question you should ask yourself... what do you plan to do with the car? If you want to do track day events at road courses the C5 Z06 is amazing on the track. I found it a joy to drive on a road course. The C4 ZR-1 can be driven on the road course as well, but there are many more driving quirks you will need to master when driving a C4 fast on a road course.

For occasional dragstrip blasts, car shows, cruising and other events either would be great, but the ZR-1 is more unique.

The best thing to do would be to go drive them both and see which one really calls you.

I wish I still had both, but I currently have a 95 ZR-1.

MRDZR1

Road racing!? Or on the track?

bb62

Quicker - yes
Faster - Around a track - yes, in a straight line - no.
Better handling - Around a track - yes, at high speed - no.
Better looking - always subjective. I actually prefer the look of the ZR-1.
Better gas mileage - This is important?!?
Much more fun to drive - Not to me, I don't like sliding around in a seat. My 95 Z fits like a glove. But both are great cars. I was looking at C4 ZR-1s, C5 Z06s, and C6 Z06s. I bought the 95 Z. It just appealed to me more. And it seems to be an excellent counter point to my C2.

EvanZR1

I had a 92 LT1, an 01 Z06, and now my 91 ZR-1. While the C5 Z06 is a great car, it just isn't as unique nor what I think of as a "sports car". It's a better car for a daily driver, or for use on a road course, but the C4 ZR-1 is much more a fun toy to me. If it's going to be your only vehicle, go with the C5 Z06. If you're going to have a beater/daily driver, and want a unique Vette, get the ZR-1.

rickyrj1

Nice job! Dom, I never turn down the opportunity to show what I got. I'm a waxer but when I run her I run her for all she can give. The local young guns all have respect for the ZR-1 and can't beleive something that goodlookin can move so fast. The look on their faces is priceless when you pop the clam shell hood and they see a LT5 for the 1st time.
That being said I would still love to own a Z06 or C6 ZR1 but will never give up my 95 to do so.

hiznhrz

Very accurate description of how much better the C6 Z06 is as compared to a C5 Z06. As far as comparing a C6 Z06 to a ZR-1, not so much. The C6Z06 is quicker in that it certainly gets power to the road better than the ZR-1, certainly for my wife thinks it is more comfortable. The difference in torque between the C6 Z06 and the ZR-1 is hard to believe.

To say either a C5 or C6 Z06 is better looking, much more reliable, much more fun to drive is, well ... Let's just say we'd could only agree to disagree.

The fact that people still compare a 20 year old car to one engineered with todays technology pretty much says it all. The fact that the ZR-1 is still deserving of such a comparison is why it will, in time, be remembered as the supercar of its day. JUST LIKE A C2, only different