What they all said - the ride isn't bad and the handling is great.
Z51 Option
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Better shocks, springs and rollbars for $395. It was a good deal. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Olympia WA
Did alot of research when looking for a C-5, after driving 3 or 4 cars the Z-51 option was on the top of the list. Have taken several long trips I really like the ride, gives the car a sports car feel. 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach NY
Z51
I have RPO Z51 on my '86 Coupe, handles great, love the options that go with it in that year: HD Cooling, perf axle ratio, aux fans, faster steering ratio, wider wheels, larger sway bars etc. The ride is ROUGH, every bump or pebble can be felt.as well as the rattles and noises. Also much more flex in the body particularly when the clear top or no top is on.
My FRC has it along with active handling. Much better ride as well as excellent handling.
I would not buy a Corvette without it! C4 or C5, IMHO thats what Sports Cars are about. Just goes with the territory.
My FRC has it along with active handling. Much better ride as well as excellent handling.
I would not buy a Corvette without it! C4 or C5, IMHO thats what Sports Cars are about. Just goes with the territory.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Whoever told you that is misinformed. We have a '04 CE coupe with Z51 and it is totally comfortable under all conditions. My wife says it is the most comfortable car for her back that she ever rode in (and we once owned a Caddy STS that had superb seats). I wouldn't go quite that far, but considering that the Corvette is a sports car the ride is totally fine with the Z51. Replacing the runflat GYs would make it even better, but as we only have 4400 miles on the car, that will have to wait. We have driven the car on a 2000 mile round trip, and it was stress free.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Victorville Ca
Sorry for the beginner question guys. im about to buy a vette. Obviously i should try to find one that has z51 suspension right? How will i know if the car im gonna buy has this? I have 21k to spend and am looking at probably a 99 or 00 hopefully. How do i know if it has z51?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 297
From: Sarasota Florida
I know I'm getting old. I've had muscle cars and sports cars, but those were before kids, college, all that good stuff. Now I'm 59, and have an '03 vert. LS1, A4. I ask myself if I made the right decision. I think so. I guess I'd still like to be able to punch 2nd or 3rd and watch my *** come up beside me... but not often. As for suspension, any stiffer and I'd get that wussy feeling that I'm hurting my baby. That being said, I gotta add; no one could love their ride anymore than me. Know what I mean?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Originally Posted by El Paso Vette
Look at the codes in the glove box and you will see Z51 or not.
BTW - Even my mother-in-law thinks the vette rides smooth.