I agree 100%!!

 

The C6 does have outstanding looks, if you're a fan of European sportscars. It's just not the traditional corvette styling that I prefer.

 

I like the new Z06 very well. But, I like the C5 Z06 equally well. I go only on the street. An unmodded 02 with drag radials is just dandy with me for the street. What would I do with 500 hp on the street that I can't come very close to doing, or actually do, with my old 02?

 

I've got to say that I still think the C5 is a better, smoother looking car than the C6. The lines on the C6 just don't flow like they do on our beloved C5s.
As far as performance goes, there will always be something out there with just a little more "go-fast" than we have, no matter how much $ we put into the mods.
I'm sticking with my C5s.

 

True about what you can't do, but the getaway 500hp in second and third is unreal.

 

Indeed... a C5 Z06 with over 500 HP is more fun that one with 405 HP.

 

I agree with you, but I don't know what you said.

 

You were suggesting that the opportunities to use the power of more than 405 hp on the streets were rare, i.e., using the extra power is what you can't do, and he agreed. Maybe someone can offer an opinion as to how much hp might be occasionally needed in daily driving. The 305 hp of a stock C4 was a lot and on the high end of regular production models in the early 90s. I can remember stepping on it occasionally when passing, but rarely using it except outside of town.
I originally thought that the stock Z06 was a good DD, but now I lean more to defining it as a race car. When legitimate situations for drawing on the power do not exist then perhaps it doesn't belong on the streets. The garage queens are like trophies on the wall that might be in our thoughts, but rarely get attention. So too is much of the extra power of the Z. As a trophy it is fine, but as a toy it is distinctly something else and there is no middle ground IMO.
I own a Z06 and I am not suggesting that people who have one or have one modded are warped in some way. For some it can be a research project trying to squeeze every bit of power out of it with one mod or another. For many it can be thrilling just riding around on a rocket. Some of the posts suggest that for some it is compensation for a deflated ego as if the car we drive changes us as a person. IMO each time we unleash that power we are putting at least one life at risk and possibly others. Perhaps that could be justified on a back country road known to be devoid of anything but deer and rabbits, but the papers occasionally remind us that someone's judgment was flawed. Inevitiably we are informed that the deceased loved life so much ... that they were willing to risk it in a cheap, stupid stunt.
I will take the other member's word for it that the acceleration of a 500 hp Z is unreal and I would add unrealistic and dangerous to experience it anywhere but a track.

 

I agree with this to an extent... I submit, that people around me are more safe with me in my 405HP Z than some lady on a cell phone in her SUV.
I do use the "Z" power on the steet. There are situations that allow the use of 405 or even 500 HP. An acceleration ramp for instance... a quick blast off the line to 60mph usually never hurt anyone. I don't abuse the car or put people in danger. Using good judgement and paying attention still allow me to enjoy the Z on the street.
In the hands of the inexperienced, I would say the Z would be the wrong choice.
My insurance rates are very low for the vette. I assume that corresponds with the fact that most experienced drivers who can afford the vette know how to respect it. Some common sense and experience allow many to safely enjoy 400+ HP rockets on the street... you know... guns don't kill people, people ....

 

A skilled, trained and experienced driver with good judgement and 500 HP is safer than a cell phone gossiping teenager who just got their license 30 days ago and is driving a 120 HP Hyundai..IMHO

 

I think both of you make good points. I tend to go along with C5~Missle mostly though. Adding to what he says, I use my G-meter to measure 0 to 60 times on the street when safe. Also, people in Phoenix always seem to want to race. So, I take off pretty fast often with no wheel spin and then just coast at 40 or 45. They don't much want to race thereafter. My insurance rates are incredibly low (too).

 

After I put the A&A D1SC that I'll be gettin tomorrow installed with the ECS Alky kit, and along with my LGM Longtubes I just put on...505 wont mean much. I think the new Z is nice, but I like my C5 more.

 

This was more of a rhetorical question. I do not need validation either. And as I state, I love my beautiful, long and slinky lady far better than her successor. It takes an hour to wipe the smile off my puss after each and every drive!

 

Definitely for moi!! Not sure where I was so unclear here but I dearly love my baby. And I do not care for the newer version half as much as I do the C5. I have some mods and have more than enough power. My question went more to others and if we, as a group, feel like second class citizens now that the new version eclipses the performance of our lovely gals. As humans, we tend to act that way and my hope was that we were not. Attention is not what I seek but the Z sure deserves it even if the C6 Z has a little more oomph-power.

 

People may be safer with you and your Z than they are with a lady wrapped up with her cell phone. And there safer with me than someone finishing off their second six pack, but what's the point. I often punch it entering an on ramp, but never to the full extent that 405 hp could produce. I've never seen a ramp yet where someone could safely use 500 hp to get to 60 and what would be the logical and sane reason for doing so. It's a 3-4 second thrill that proves what? You'd leave your tires in the dust behind you, and convince everyone but your mother you were deprived of oxygen at birth. There is always the possibility of raod hazards or oily spots, but you in your infinite wisdom have all that covered. You'd explain to someone else's mother that it wasn't your fault that there was a nail in the road, or some other unexpected hazard which you were unable to avoid with your reasonable use of 500 hp. Guns don't kill people and neither does 500 hp. What kills people are the idiots who think they can justify the use of 500 hp on the streets. Present company excluded, of course.

 

The C6 Zo6 is a great car. But for guys who like the track the car has a few problems yet. You can't put wheels and track tires on without the pressure sensors on the wheels. Without the sensors the Z's computers will not function properly. I have been told that you can't take that out of the software either.

I'm sure Chevy will work on it and give us a car we can mod for the track in the next few model years.

Until then, I like my C5.

 

 

You don't have to use all 500HP for long to still enjoy the car. Having and knowing the power is there is good enough for many. Having a car that is a track star and using it on the street is still a thrill.
The capabilities of the car are useable on the street, but obviously within reason... my car pays for itself everytime I get a chance to get on it and it nails me in the seat. I can avoid road hazzards and obstacles without losing control. I can hit the gas at anytime and be where I need to be.. point and shoot driving.
You don't have to drive around town with the pedal mashed to the floor to enjoy the virtues of the Z.
I know the power is there when I need it, but I don't have to use it all the time.
That 3 or 4 second thrill keeps me young.. I still enjoy rowing the gears at WOT even if its just for getting on the highway.
A honda civic can be just as dangerous in the wrong hands... so whats the point...

 

I'd like a C6 Z06 for daily driver so that I can keep my C5 Z as a garage queen

 

With all due respect, I think your question is absurd. A car is just a car. A machine that is designed to do a certain job. Feeling "better" or "worse" because you have a more powerful car, or a less powerful car is a psychological problem, not a machine problem.

MD