i'm 22, and i picked up the 98 C5 for a few diff reasons,

1.) it is still a C5, minus some improvements over the years
2.) the roof was removable
3.) i planned to mod it anyways, saved a couple bucks.

go with what works best for you, and what you like most!

 

As for what I will be using the car for... Mainly as a street car but I do make it out to the track now and again. The convertible has been an option, but for the times I plan to run the roll cage comes into play too quickly, as someone already mentioned. In reallity I am a raw power guy and the car will not stay stock. The reason for the question was mainly that I do plan to upgrade Cams and heads etc, and eventually possibly forced induction. I had been leaning towards the Z06 but I also like the idea of the targa top on the standard C5. Really I think I ahve some good ideas and that I need to look for a 99 or newer, low mileage etc.

As for insurance, it isnt an issue of whether I can pay it or not, just more looking for a ballpark to figure out what I can expect.

Thanks alot fellas, Ill be trollign around in the next few months and then hopefully be joinging the board not too long from now as well.

 

I just turned 30 and drive an '02 Z06 $990 a year.

 

The Z is a very nice car and straight from the factory it has some nice additions not on the coupe or vert. But, if you like open air driving, its not the one for you and compared to the coupe, it will run you a few thousand dollars more.

 

I'm 22, and I pay 1600 every 6 months through USAA. I have two non-fault accidents under my belt, and they together rose my premium by 300 every 6 months.

 

Holy monkey batman! Have you called Geico yet?

Seriously though, I'm glad I'm now over 25 and married. $65 a month, $1k deductible, no accidents or tickets. State Farm rocks in my book (at least while my record has been good for the last 14 years).

 

I may have to be making some calls. I am not liking my rate after hearing that.

 

C5 differences....

1997

Completely new, redesigned Corvette. Base (FE1) and Z51 (FE3) suspension packages.
All Z51 cars include: Power Steering Cooler, xx, xx, ??
97-00 C5 LS1's produce 345 HP @ 5600 RPM and 350 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998

Convertible becomes available
Active Handling becomes available late in year
The two slots of a 1998 (and possibly late 1997s) curve toward the rear at the bottom. (versus straight down)

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1999

26# injectors substituted for 28#
Fuel pump revised to reduce noise
FRC "Fixed Roof Coupe" aka the hardtop, becomes available. All FRC's are MN6 (6-speed) cars with the Z51 suspension package, and are about 60lbs lighter than coupes.
HUD introduced
only one line in driver's side fuel rail cover (no fuel return line?)
Power telescoping wheel becomes an option
? Steering hardware changed to combat wandering
door sill trim plates added

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000

Millennium Yellow available
? "Thin Spoke" versus "wagon wheel" design wheels become standard.
Pup cats added to CA models for LEV emissions requirements (5hp loss relative to 97-99)
Steel swaybar endlinks instead of plastic on Z51 equipped cars
Z51 swaybar diameters grow (25.4/21.7 to 28.6/21.7 to 28.6/23.6 (note: new rear same as Z06)
No keyhole on passenger side doorhandle
Passenger airbag 'off' switch added to console (light by TC/AH button)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001

return to 28# injectors for all models.
Second Generation Active Handling
Nassau Blue discontinued
Alternator 'clutch' pulley added on A4 cars
New soundproofing + foam in all cars
Smaller keyfob
electrochromic dimming rearview and driver's mirrors
lighter AGM battery
Thickness + Material in vert change
Chrome exhaust tips for coupe + vert
85MM MAF with integral temp sensor (versus 74mm with separate plug for IAT)
LS1 cam profile changed to: .500/0.500, 198/208 on 115.5LSA (From: 0.472/0.479, 202/210 on 117)
All Corvettes now have the LS6 intake manifold
All Corvettes now have the LS6 engine block (windage passages in block), which includes a beefier oil pump.
LS1 changes result in new output of 350 HP @ 5200 RPM and 375 Ft Lbs of torque @ 4400 RPM (MN6)
Hardtop/FRC discontinued
Pup cats added to all models
Stronger synchros in all transmissions
Exhaust manifolds revised (5hp regained) - thin wall cast replacing SS manifolds
metal valvestem caps (late year)
Torque Tube changed from metal-matrix composite to aluminum alloy 6061, increased in dia from 55 to 63 mm.
Driveshaft couplings have also been upgraded on manual-equipped models for additional strength and durability
Introduction of the Z06, which has as differences:
hardtop body style
rear brake ducting
screened inlets on front fascia, without foglights
F1 supercar tires 265-17 front, 295-18 rear, on 17x9.5 and 18x10.5 (one inch wider, respectively
new LS6 top-end with new style head design (10.5:1 compression, 64cc chamber), LS6 cam (0.525/0.525, 204/211 on 116) - 385hp
M12 transmission with shorter gearing (1-2-3 analagous to MN6 with 3.90 rear diff
Titanium exhaust system
lightweight windshield
New, stronger clutch with redesigned master + slave cylinder
Stronger rear differential (shotpeened ring gear)
Red brake calipers (otherwise identical)
Trans overtemp warning light on DIC
6500 redline gauges with special checkering + Z06 font
redesigned PCV system to help combat oil burning
Red LS6 Fuel Rail Covers (FRC's)
FE4 Z06 suspension - uprated springs, bars (30mm/23.6mm), shocks (note front spring and rear bar same as Z51)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002

Z06 Changes:
Z06 LS6 cam changed to: 0.551/0.547, 204/218 on 117.5
Less restrictive intake airbox lid
Descreened MAF
Removal of pup-cats (total with changes = 405hp)
Z06 shocks revised with less rebound for better launching
Z06 brake pads revised for better stopping (generate more dust)
Lighter, sodium filled valves w/ stronger valvesprings
higher tension rings installed to prevent oil burning problems
slight piston redesign *
clutch strength upgraded.
HUD available on Z06 (not avail '01 model year)
Wheel supplier changed to Speedline, moved from forged to cast. Weight nearly identical
Electron Blue color offered
Steel endlinks changed to aluminum

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003

Late model-year new fuel system design from C6's

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004
· Z06 shocks further refined. Accompanying upper front control arm bushing, and rear swaybar bushing changes.


The 2002 and new have more changes and are a better choice if in your budget..

 

Wow thanks chriswtx, that seems to be about as comprehensive as I could ahev possibly asked for. And thanks for the insurance quotes fellas. I was basically hoping for full coverage to hover around $200 or hopefully less. If it is more, so be it I suppose. Thanks for all the great info!!!

 

It's simple to me. You can always get Z06 performance from a vert with the right mods. But you can never drop the top on a Z06. Once you've enjoyed an spring evening's ride with the top down, you'll never go back.

 

I bought a coupe because I bracket race all the time, and wanted an auto trans. Even though I was winning with a stick twenty years ago, for consistancy you can't beat an auto. It's actually awesome for autocrossing too.

 

For the longest time, I thought I wanted a Z06 or a FRC. Until recently when I really started to get into corvettes... in particular the C5s. Not only did I want to be able to say I had a Z06... I absolutely loved the look of the fixed roof... until recently, like I said. Now I think a lowered coupe looks ten times more sleek then a FRC. And I guess the price difference has some influence... but to be honest not that much. B/c like you I plan to upgrade well beyond that of what even the C6 Z06 puts down... so my advice to you is, if you don't mind the look of either body style and don't "need" the Z06 badge then go for a coupe. Especially if you plan on modding heavily... not just the engine... wheels, brakes, tranny, etc. The money you save on the coupe could be thousands spent on upgrades. If you don't plan on upgrading much, but want the most performance from a Corvette, then go the Z06 route. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a Z06, just to say I have a Z06... but at this point thats about the only reason.


But to be honest, either way you can't go wrong!




I'm 21 and I was quoted at $289 a month for an 01 Z06. All other quotes have been similar on corvettes regardless of model thru my insurance agency. Generally in the $270 to $290 range... a 99 WS6 was higher yet.

 

The increase in insurance premiums for a Z06 over a standard C5 is definately something you should look into before you decide because that can add up over just a few years.

 

Yep, I was quoted 500 more per 6 mos. with a same year Z06. Surely it'll be different for you all, as I've just found out.

I just tweaked my insurance tonight to now cost me 794 every 6 mos. with pops as the primary driver on the Vette, since I still live at home and will barely be driving the car but for pleasure, as will he. Funny how I'm quoted 1600 and he's 794 huh.

 

I'm with USAA as well... and I'll tell you what... not that I do business with them, I'll never stop. They know the true meaning of customer service and satisfaction. IMO on that alone its money well spent. I was quoted at only $10 cheaper on my previous vehicle thru Geico... there representatives were rude to me on three different instances. My mother had a dispute about something being payed that they told her wouldn't be, when she found out it was and called to say she was dropping them... they made no effort at all to retain a 15+ year customer who had a spotless record in everyway possible. Not to mention my sister used to work for Geico... so I know some things.

 

 

Really? $500 difference between a Coupe and a Z06 with USAA? Mine was only a $30 or $40 difference on cars that were 3, 4, and even 5 years older... there all kinds of things that can effect your premium... some of those coverages that get over looked.

If I owned that Z06 and payed $288 a month thats $1,728 every 6 months, which is in turn $3,456 a year. But I'm not married, male, under 25, and have had my license only since I was 18. I'm sure its not the cheapest premium I could have despite those facts, but I'm not going to give my money to another insurance agency... I just won't.