[Z06] C5 or not...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 215
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From: LA CA
C5 or not...
I cannot afford the amazing c6, do you think that th C5 is a good car compared to the 350z, infiniti g35 coupe and honda s2k...
I am coming down to crunch time and the thing putting me off the c5 is the re-sale value...
EDIT: 30k spending limit.
I am coming down to crunch time and the thing putting me off the c5 is the re-sale value...
EDIT: 30k spending limit.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
From: pensacola fl
wrong forum unless you are taling about a z06. but i have a feeling pretty much everyone here would rather have a corvette than any of those cars. 
the resale value might help you land a good deal on a corvette since you are not buying new.
the resale value might help you land a good deal on a corvette since you are not buying new.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
ive owned the g35 coupe 6spd, 03 brembo package got it brand new with 6 miles and had it for 2 yrs. It was a fun car to drive and the creature comforts were great. But i have to say that the corvette put a bigger smile on my face, and i still have that smile, even though she is away for the winter. I still peek under the covers. The power and sound is just awesome compared to the g35 coupe. I have to say that i did like the factory short throw shifter on the g35. Vibrated a lot more than other cars ive driven but thats b/c they used a different bushings. All in all. Drive each of them as much as you can. Especially in the weather u plan on driving these cars in. and test drive more than once and at diff locals. i think that the more seat time you can get with these cars, the easier your decision will be. I was also looking at the s2000 when i was looking at the G and the only thing that kept me from the s2000 was that it was a little too small. Goodluck with your search 
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 293
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In my opinion the C5 is a steal right now on the used market. There are so many low mileage, only driven on weekends, no rain examples to be had in your price range. The fact that you can pick up a 30k car that costed 50k new shows that the brunt of the depreciation has already hit. Further depreciation shouldn't be too far off from the other cars in my opinion. As far as the other cars you mentioned, I also considered both the 350 and the G35 and picked the Z06 over both. It has so much more performance out of the box.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 89
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I owned an 01 S2000 for 2 years...
It is a TOTALLY different experience than the Z06. You really should drive both if you have not already. For one, its a LOT smaller than the Vette. Its also ALL high RPM power. You know the cliche about the S2000 - you need to drive it like you stole it (ie. constant redline runs). The shifter is quite good - some of them are a bit nochy, but all around stellar. The top is not insulated so you get a decent amount of road noise with the top up. That said, the Z06 has a lot of engine noise comparatively. I think Honda may have resolved this by now, but in 2001 these cars were known for snap oversteer due to rapid change in cam profiles when you hit the upper lobe in the VTEC setup. I never had an issue with it...
The G35 is a nice car - test drove one once. Its faster than the S2000, though the handling is a bit less sharp. The 350Z never really did much for me - dont know why. For the money, I'd definately rather have the Z06 (which is why I am looking for one now myself).
It is a TOTALLY different experience than the Z06. You really should drive both if you have not already. For one, its a LOT smaller than the Vette. Its also ALL high RPM power. You know the cliche about the S2000 - you need to drive it like you stole it (ie. constant redline runs). The shifter is quite good - some of them are a bit nochy, but all around stellar. The top is not insulated so you get a decent amount of road noise with the top up. That said, the Z06 has a lot of engine noise comparatively. I think Honda may have resolved this by now, but in 2001 these cars were known for snap oversteer due to rapid change in cam profiles when you hit the upper lobe in the VTEC setup. I never had an issue with it...
The G35 is a nice car - test drove one once. Its faster than the S2000, though the handling is a bit less sharp. The 350Z never really did much for me - dont know why. For the money, I'd definately rather have the Z06 (which is why I am looking for one now myself).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
The Corvette is a unique car and is hard to compare to the foreign competitors because they are built from different perspectives. The Corvette is a sports car in the American tradition...big power, classic lines and great all around performance and handling.
As C5~Missle said above it is really up to you...nobody else can answer this question for you.
Good luck with your decision!
As C5~Missle said above it is really up to you...nobody else can answer this question for you.
Good luck with your decision!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Be unique and get a Z06 There are 350zs all over here and are very common and um slow :o
There was an old 300z TT at the track Sunday, along with a S2000, and a bone stock 98 A4 with 273s spanked them both like they where in reverse!
Ok now to bust up the unique side... there where 3 red C-5s at the track, a grey C-5 and two C-4s, but that is just because red C-5s are soo cool
BLUFF Z06!!!
Dave
There are 350zs all over here and are very common and um slow :o There was an old 300z TT at the track Sunday, along with a S2000, and a bone stock 98 A4 with 273s spanked them both like they where in reverse!
Ok now to bust up the unique side... there where 3 red C-5s at the track, a grey C-5 and two C-4s, but that is just because red C-5s are soo cool
BLUFF Z06!!!
Dave
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Centennial CO
Originally Posted by LA Brit.
how much would ins. be on a 21 singe in a garage in a good area though...
would i be able to find a 'z' with under 15k on it?
would i be able to find a 'z' with under 15k on it?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
I think you know what type of answer you will get on the Z06 forum. If anyone here liked those other cars better they wouldn't be here.
Really this forum should change its name to, " For those who know better".
For $30k you can get a Z06 and it is in a whole different league than the cars you listed. No comparison.
Really this forum should change its name to, " For those who know better".
For $30k you can get a Z06 and it is in a whole different league than the cars you listed. No comparison.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Originally Posted by LA Brit.
I cannot afford the amazing c6, do you think that th C5 is a good car compared to the 350z, infiniti g35 coupe and honda s2k...
I am coming down to crunch time and the thing putting me off the c5 is the re-sale value...
EDIT: 30k spending limit.
I am coming down to crunch time and the thing putting me off the c5 is the re-sale value...
EDIT: 30k spending limit.
For a good C5 (only), then maybe. The regular C5 would be way better than the other cars also.
Last edited by donv; Dec 15, 2005 at 11:40 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Originally Posted by LA Brit.
I cannot afford the amazing c6, do you think that th C5 is a good car compared to the 350z, infiniti g35 coupe and honda s2k...
I am coming down to crunch time and the thing putting me off the c5 is the re-sale value...
EDIT: 30k spending limit.
I am coming down to crunch time and the thing putting me off the c5 is the re-sale value...
EDIT: 30k spending limit.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: LA CA
Originally Posted by skeet
I think you know what type of answer you will get on the Z06 forum. If anyone here liked those other cars better they wouldn't be here.
Really this forum should change its name to, " For those who know better".
For $30k you can get a Z06 and it is in a whole different league than the cars you listed. No comparison.
Really this forum should change its name to, " For those who know better".
For $30k you can get a Z06 and it is in a whole different league than the cars you listed. No comparison.
The financing will also be more expensive as it is a used car
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
Originally Posted by Charles7Mitchell
Insurance costs will depend mostly on your driving record. Try making a few calls to insurance companies for quotes. Then check your newspaper, see what cars are available, and try driving them. No one else can answer the questions you are raising. If you are seriously thinking about both the Honda S2000 and a Z you either do not have a well defined idea of what you want or you just haven't looked at the cars. They are very different. The Honda is a toy next to the Z.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 73
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From: Great Mills MD
I was in this predicament just a few months ago. I was looking at M3's, S2000's, and G035's but none of them "fit" what I was really looking for. I had always loved Corvettes, especially the Z06 but didn't really think they were within my budget (30K as well).
I started looking at C5's and found out good used Corvettes were reasonably priced. I ended up finding a 02 Z06 with only 22K miles that had an extended warranty good for another 20 months. Once I drove the Corvette there was no turning back. It truly is an amazing car.
As far as insurance goes, I ended up saving over $400 a year after I sold my 02 WRX and put the 02 Z06 on my policy. I'm a few years older then you so not sure how your rates will compare.
I started looking at C5's and found out good used Corvettes were reasonably priced. I ended up finding a 02 Z06 with only 22K miles that had an extended warranty good for another 20 months. Once I drove the Corvette there was no turning back. It truly is an amazing car.
As far as insurance goes, I ended up saving over $400 a year after I sold my 02 WRX and put the 02 Z06 on my policy. I'm a few years older then you so not sure how your rates will compare.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Meadows Place Texas
No doubt in my mind. For me, the Corvette is absolutely the best choice. I tried out a Z and was amazed with Jay Leno reviewed the car, making almost the same statements about it that I did. The S2000 is an outstanding vehicle. Even so, it just can't compare to a Corvette. I've owned Infiniti and Lexus. To me, there is no comparison. The Lexus is far superior, especially in service. I'd go for the IS350 over the G35 any day. However, my choice was and still is Corvette.
Dave
In the end, there can be only one... and the one is Corvette,
the legend lives.
Dave
In the end, there can be only one... and the one is Corvette,
the legend lives.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
I wouldnt let resale value stop you from owning a performance automobile of any kind. The "fun factor" far outweighs the thought of resale. Remember, if you want an investment buy mutual funds (they are good with interest but really stink in the 1/4 mile ) or a house ( and you gotta have a place to stay anyway ) but a vehicle is never an investment.
Also, you can buy one used and not take the hit. I baught my 03 in feb of 04 for 14k less than the original owner. No, its not worth what I paid for it then but its probably only depreciated about 4-5k. Thats worth the 2 years of excitment. In fact the last 3 sports cars ive owned I baught slightly used. Drove an 03 vert cobra for a year and a half and traded it in for only 1500 less than I paid for it. You just gotta shop smart and find the right deal.
Also, you can buy one used and not take the hit. I baught my 03 in feb of 04 for 14k less than the original owner. No, its not worth what I paid for it then but its probably only depreciated about 4-5k. Thats worth the 2 years of excitment. In fact the last 3 sports cars ive owned I baught slightly used. Drove an 03 vert cobra for a year and a half and traded it in for only 1500 less than I paid for it. You just gotta shop smart and find the right deal.