[Z06] C5 Zo6 Or C6???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 3
The C5 Z06 is better if you're looking for a car to simply track.
The C6 Z51 is better if you're looking for C5 Z06 performance that can work comfortably as a daily driver with occasional weekend track days.
The whole "performance gap" is really not the staggering gap people make it out to be. If you had two equal pro drivers on the same track under equal conditions, yeah, the C5 Z06 would be a tick or two faster... barely. Cool I guess. Most people here can't drive their cars to their 100% potential anyway.
My dad has a black/black 02 Z06, I have a C6 Z51. We both love the cars, he bought his though as his track toy, I bought mine as my only car. I love it to death between the nav, removable top, all the performance, and the looks.
Looks really are subjective, too, I personally find both cars beautiful, though my dad (the z06 owner!) thinks his C5 looks really dated next to my C6...
One thing is certain, they're both Corvettes
The C6 Z51 is better if you're looking for C5 Z06 performance that can work comfortably as a daily driver with occasional weekend track days.
The whole "performance gap" is really not the staggering gap people make it out to be. If you had two equal pro drivers on the same track under equal conditions, yeah, the C5 Z06 would be a tick or two faster... barely. Cool I guess. Most people here can't drive their cars to their 100% potential anyway.
My dad has a black/black 02 Z06, I have a C6 Z51. We both love the cars, he bought his though as his track toy, I bought mine as my only car. I love it to death between the nav, removable top, all the performance, and the looks.
Looks really are subjective, too, I personally find both cars beautiful, though my dad (the z06 owner!) thinks his C5 looks really dated next to my C6...
One thing is certain, they're both Corvettes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
I drove both and prefer the C5 Z. That being said I could see better with the C6 headlights and the shifter and interior materials was a little nicer but my bottom line is performance and the Z definitely performed and sounded better. I also prefer the looks of the C5 Z but looks are subjective. Now the C6 Z is a different story. Freaking AWESOME. 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Originally Posted by KMK454
The C5 Z06 is better if you're looking for a car to simply track.
The C6 Z51 is better if you're looking for C5 Z06 performance that can work comfortably as a daily driver with occasional weekend track days.
The whole "performance gap" is really not the staggering gap people make it out to be. If you had two equal pro drivers on the same track under equal conditions, yeah, the C5 Z06 would be a tick or two faster... barely. Cool I guess. Most people here can't drive their cars to their 100% potential anyway.
My dad has a black/black 02 Z06, I have a C6 Z51. We both love the cars, he bought his though as his track toy, I bought mine as my only car. I love it to death between the nav, removable top, all the performance, and the looks.
Looks really are subjective, too, I personally find both cars beautiful, though my dad (the z06 owner!) thinks his C5 looks really dated next to my C6...
One thing is certain, they're both Corvettes
The C6 Z51 is better if you're looking for C5 Z06 performance that can work comfortably as a daily driver with occasional weekend track days.
The whole "performance gap" is really not the staggering gap people make it out to be. If you had two equal pro drivers on the same track under equal conditions, yeah, the C5 Z06 would be a tick or two faster... barely. Cool I guess. Most people here can't drive their cars to their 100% potential anyway.
My dad has a black/black 02 Z06, I have a C6 Z51. We both love the cars, he bought his though as his track toy, I bought mine as my only car. I love it to death between the nav, removable top, all the performance, and the looks.
Looks really are subjective, too, I personally find both cars beautiful, though my dad (the z06 owner!) thinks his C5 looks really dated next to my C6...
One thing is certain, they're both Corvettes
Very well said!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 1
From: Minburn Ia
Originally Posted by Blooty
you could buy my 2003 EB Z06! I will give you a good deal, but the car is in So. Cal....
Whats GM tell you about the clutch problem?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 1,463
From: Pittsburgh PA
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach CA
I waited for the C6 because everything I read indicated that the C6 was a better car. After driving several 04 ZO6s' and C6s' back to back, I bought the ZO6. It seems GM civilized the C6 to make it more appealing to the masses. The visceral effect of the ZO6 is amazing. Drive them both back to back, it will make your decision a little easier.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I just made the move from a modded 03 Z to a now modded 06 w/Z51. I can tell you the performance and feel are about a dead heat. For me it boiled down to refinement and more creature comforts.
2003 QS Z06:
2006 MR C6
Both great cars, but time marches on. The nav, heated sport seats, homelink, XM and HID headlights closed the deal for me.
A question like this is like asking a parent which child they like best - there is no CORRECT response. They are both great cars. Buy the car that suits your needs, budget and desires.
Good luck.
Cheers
Tom
2003 QS Z06:
2006 MR C6
Both great cars, but time marches on. The nav, heated sport seats, homelink, XM and HID headlights closed the deal for me.
A question like this is like asking a parent which child they like best - there is no CORRECT response. They are both great cars. Buy the car that suits your needs, budget and desires.
Good luck.
Cheers
Tom
Last edited by AFVETTE; Mar 31, 2006 at 06:30 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
From: River Vale, NJ & Ft. Myers, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Originally Posted by Dr Octane
If you really want to know the difference, go to Spring Mountain. There you can drive the C5 ZO6, the C6 Z51, and the C6 ZO6 on a track and discover the true capabilities of all the cars. You will have a great time as well. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
From: Flagler Beach Florida
Had the same dilemma myself just a few months back. I knew that I was going to get one, just had to make up my mind which to pursue. Did quite a bit of reading different quality reviews, performance reviews, and owner opinions from different sources. Bottom line for me is I wanted the closest thing to a "race car" that I could get. I am an auto racing nut and that is one thing that has always driven me to want a vette. I have always viewed the vette, no matter what model, as leaps and bounds above the normal car for performance, power, and handling. The $ savings did not really go into the decision making process for me even knowing that the C5 Z06 would be a little less than the C6. I decided on the C5 Z06 based entirely on the "race car" aspect and have not regretted it for a moment. I would have always wondered what it would have been like to have the Z06. At this point I still think I may get a C6 sometime in the future....but it would only be the Z06. Make your decision on what is driving you to get a vette, either way wether the C5 or C6, you will not go wrong.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by AFVETTE
I just made the move from a modded 03 Z to a now modded 06 w/Z51. I can tell you the performance and feel are about a dead heat. For me it boiled down to refinement and more creature comforts.
2003 QS Z06:
2006 MR C6
Both great cars, but time marches on. The nav, heated sport seats, homelink, XM and HID headlights closed the deal for me.
A question like this is like asking a parent which child they like best - there is no CORRECT response. They are both great cars. Buy the car that suits your needs, budget and desires.
Good luck.
Cheers
Tom
2003 QS Z06:
2006 MR C6
Both great cars, but time marches on. The nav, heated sport seats, homelink, XM and HID headlights closed the deal for me.
A question like this is like asking a parent which child they like best - there is no CORRECT response. They are both great cars. Buy the car that suits your needs, budget and desires.
Good luck.
Cheers
Tom