C5 or Z06?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
I never cared that much for convertibles because the times that I actually had the top down when I did have one were not that many. Besides, I wanted maximum performance: power, handling, weight. I also happen to like the look of the FRC. I went with the Z06 and love it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,606
Likes: 219
From: Ohio
I got the coupe...because of the A4.
The Z06 is the best looking Vette IMHO...but only stick.
I think the lines of the hardtop/or vert is much more attractive than the coupe...but the coupe is outstanding too.
Can't go wrong...if you pay attention driving!
The Z06 is the best looking Vette IMHO...but only stick.
I think the lines of the hardtop/or vert is much more attractive than the coupe...but the coupe is outstanding too.
Can't go wrong...if you pay attention driving!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,339
Likes: 1
From: His name is Tandy Dillen. Altruism is the last Frontier.
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by StoCK
What you buy and why? 
There's no joy greater than top-down road trips.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 8
From: Avon CT
I had to make a similar choice, but went with the vert because I never owned one. It's great for a cruise with the wife and there is enough storage for a weekend trip. The visibility stinks with the top up, so you really have to use the vert, but the open air is great. The Z06 is great and if you are going to go to the track it's the only choice. Consider how much power you really need for the street and how much you need for ego (ok, I admit too much power is never enough). You can't make a mistake with either. Get one and you can always sell it and get the other.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Odenton MD
Ummm... ZO6 of course!
Originally Posted by EB20003
From the owner of a coupe, and a vert before that, get the Z06.
Riding around with the top down is vastly overrated. The Z06, in stock trim, is one of the most powerful automobiles in the world. There is very little that you will run up against, or see on the road, stock for stock which can hold a candle to it.
Riding around with the top down is vastly overrated. The Z06, in stock trim, is one of the most powerful automobiles in the world. There is very little that you will run up against, or see on the road, stock for stock which can hold a candle to it.
but then again, I'm prejudiced.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
The problem with asking this question is that we all have an "agenda". Since you asked here's mine.
I've owned two coupes, a vert and now a Z06. I much perfer the Z, and I'm not about to slight other's with my justification or raltional. Because at the end of the day it's not about whiich vette is better, it's about what the owner wants, needs and feels.
You really need to drive each type and make up your own mind. Sorry if that sounds harsh but none of us can make this decision for you.
Good luck with whatever platform you choose - they are all still Corvette's after all.
Tom
I've owned two coupes, a vert and now a Z06. I much perfer the Z, and I'm not about to slight other's with my justification or raltional. Because at the end of the day it's not about whiich vette is better, it's about what the owner wants, needs and feels.
You really need to drive each type and make up your own mind. Sorry if that sounds harsh but none of us can make this decision for you.
Good luck with whatever platform you choose - they are all still Corvette's after all.
Tom
CF Enhanced Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Section 326 Row A!! Finally. Go STARS!!
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St. Jude Donor '06
I decided on the coupe because:
1. I MUST have open air....it's just a vette thing.
2. I can go topless or have a choice of 2 tops: clear and solid.
3. Very, very near hard top comfort when top is on.
4. With coupe top off....man it looks GREAT!!
5. The power/handling of the Z can be easily had with mods.
6. I couldn't live without the topless option.
1. I MUST have open air....it's just a vette thing.
2. I can go topless or have a choice of 2 tops: clear and solid.
3. Very, very near hard top comfort when top is on.
4. With coupe top off....man it looks GREAT!!
5. The power/handling of the Z can be easily had with mods.
6. I couldn't live without the topless option.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Coupe here. Z06 I thought about but the removeable top is VERY important to me. In the summer I practically always have the top off. Also 2 years ago when I got my car used the difference between a z06 and my coupe (since z06 wast made in my year) was upwards of $8,000. Of course some of my friends, they would rather have the non-removeable roof in terms of performance, ridgidity etc
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: New England
I have a 67 RS/SS 396 Camaro vert and a bike if I want an open air fix so there was NO question in my mind.... ZZZZZZZZZZZ.
I'm a performance kind of guy, so it was a no-brainer. If you're a wax and go for a sunday cruise kind of person... go with the vert because it will still offer good performance. If you want the best looking C5 body style (IMHO) and world beating performance, well then you need to find a Z06.
I'm a performance kind of guy, so it was a no-brainer. If you're a wax and go for a sunday cruise kind of person... go with the vert because it will still offer good performance. If you want the best looking C5 body style (IMHO) and world beating performance, well then you need to find a Z06.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
I already had a convertable car in the stable so a convertable 'vette was not really necessiary for me. I love top-down motoring. However, if you want to track the car most places will require a rollbar of some kind.
So since I wanted to track the car, and I already had a 'vert. I went to the Z06.
Words to live by: Go big, or go home.
So since I wanted to track the car, and I already had a 'vert. I went to the Z06.
Words to live by: Go big, or go home.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
Originally Posted by Joe Diver
I decided on the coupe because:
1. I MUST have open air....it's just a vette thing.
2. I can go topless or have a choice of 2 tops: clear and solid.
3. Very, very near hard top comfort when top is on.
4. With coupe top off....man it looks GREAT!!
5. The power/handling of the Z can be easily had with mods.
6. I couldn't live without the topless option.
1. I MUST have open air....it's just a vette thing.
2. I can go topless or have a choice of 2 tops: clear and solid.
3. Very, very near hard top comfort when top is on.
4. With coupe top off....man it looks GREAT!!
5. The power/handling of the Z can be easily had with mods.
6. I couldn't live without the topless option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 5
From: Florida Gulf Coast
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'10-'11
Originally Posted by AFVETTE
The problem with asking this question is that we all have an "agenda". Since you asked here's mine.
I've owned two coupes, a vert and now a Z06. I much perfer the Z, and I'm not about to slight other's with my justification or raltional. Because at the end of the day it's not about whiich vette is better, it's about what the owner wants, needs and feels.
You really need to drive each type and make up your own mind. Sorry if that sounds harsh but none of us can make this decision for you.
Good luck with whatever platform you choose - they are all still Corvette's after all.
Tom
I've owned two coupes, a vert and now a Z06. I much perfer the Z, and I'm not about to slight other's with my justification or raltional. Because at the end of the day it's not about whiich vette is better, it's about what the owner wants, needs and feels.
You really need to drive each type and make up your own mind. Sorry if that sounds harsh but none of us can make this decision for you.
Good luck with whatever platform you choose - they are all still Corvette's after all.
Tom
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Washington
I went with a vert, this will be my first one, I would never buy an frc only because the corvette to me is a summer cruising fun car 350 hp is plenty of power, when I was shopping I was always leaning towards coupes but in the back of my mind I was wondering what it would be like to have a vert they always seemed to be a little more special, I had my doubts , would I enjoy driving with the top down, do I like the look, road noise, leaking if I get caught in a rainstorm, vandalism, my wife made a comment about how much fun we could have just the two of us she loves verts, it was fate how we got this beautiful 99 vert I was still a little skeptical so I made them such a ridiculous offer that there was no way they would do it but they did, after buying a vert I can tell I can't wait to have the top down there is very little road noise, the night I drove it home it rained hard no leaks, and since then I have lowered it, and now I love the look of the convertible, I have no regrets at all!! good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 0
From: Yakima WA
I had to settle for 01 coupe not Z06
I really would have liked to get the Z06 instead of my 01 coupe (not vert), but $$ always make a difference, at least for me. I guess I shouldn't complain, since the 01 vette is still faster than 90% of the cars on the road, Z06 or not.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Personally, I would get the coupe if you like that bodystyle more. Power and handling are easy to come by. I got the FRC because I knew I was going to end up changing heads/cam anyway, so why get the z? But I perfer the bodystyle of the hardtop personally. Either way, you'll be happy, PROMISE. I dont know many Vette owners that regret it. 
