What would you rather have?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
If you're main concern is 0 to 60 and quarter mile, then skip both the C5 coupe and ZR-1. Go buy a Subaru STi or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. They're both quicker than a C5 and a ZR-1. Or if you're hell bent on buying a Vette, get a Z06. It'll smoke either relatively easily.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park (Jacksonville) FL
ZR-1 vs C5
I've got both.
The C5 is much more comfortable, roomier, easier to get in and out of and my wife can drive it if her Tahoe is in the shop.
The ZR-1 has more power. Wraps around you. The cockpit is truly a cockpit. My wife cannot drive it.
The C5 is much more comfortable, roomier, easier to get in and out of and my wife can drive it if her Tahoe is in the shop.
The ZR-1 has more power. Wraps around you. The cockpit is truly a cockpit. My wife cannot drive it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 56
I've had several of both...it's a hard comparison. If given the choice of an early year Z vs early year C5, I'd take the C5 hands down.
However, to have one of the last ZR1's...I'd have to forego the C5. The Zr1 is slower where I can drive it, and the handling inferior, but it's a neat little car. It's got more character, and is a blast to drive...
I'll never forget pushing my 90 Z to 160mph. She still had plenty of life left in her. I've had a few of the C5's up to 150, they just don't pull as strong in that speed bracket.
However, to have one of the last ZR1's...I'd have to forego the C5. The Zr1 is slower where I can drive it, and the handling inferior, but it's a neat little car. It's got more character, and is a blast to drive...
I'll never forget pushing my 90 Z to 160mph. She still had plenty of life left in her. I've had a few of the C5's up to 150, they just don't pull as strong in that speed bracket.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 839
Likes: 40
From: Omaha NE/Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by 4GTABODT
You buy collectable cars to collect not drive...if you drove the ZR1 like the C5, it would drop in value too. Two differnt concepts at stake here...you concentrating on the long term value play with this statement...i have advisors for money management...but no one has to tell me how to enjoy my car NOW!
hmmm....by that logic, are you saying putting 30k miles on the c5 the next two years and 30k miles on the zr1 will cause each to drop a proportional amount?
not likely....the c5 will probably drop $3-6k and the zr1 will stay the same or sell for more. we wont go to the 10 year mark cuz thats a "no brainer".
in any case, i love every generation of corvette for their own intrinsic character(i've owned a 62,66,two 427 69's,70,a 91 zr1 and two 98's) and they each bring something to the table. i dont think the zr1 gets its due credit by many due to the view of many people have of the c4. i recommend any corvette enthusiast to at least drive(and i mean REALLY drive) a zr1 sometime before they give up the habit....it is a whole different car than a c4.
Last edited by 427muscle; Sep 10, 2006 at 01:44 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2001
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St. Jude Donor '03, '17
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Having owned many of both. I prefer the ZR-1 as a weekend car and if I had someone who could work on it near me and could afford to kep it. The C5 was a safer choice for me. I think the ZR-1 looks better and has more history. I like the rev range and the look of the LT-5 more...but the C5 is so easy to work with and mod and is obviously ore stable due to newer technology.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by DDSLT5
Eat your hearts out bitches!!!!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by Nat04Z06
This thread will turn out just like the previous 200, ZR-1 VS C5 threads. Alot of bullcrap with not much being accomplished.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx Got traction?
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
because it's my daily driver, i'd have to stick with my C5...if it was a weekend warrior...that ZR-1 is going to be FAST and collectible.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Originally Posted by themonk
Hey Gnat, what do you think "General Discussion" is all about. Why don't you read some of the threads and see all the differences of opinions. It's interesting to read about peoples views and the reasons why.
Oh my God, the newbie's gonna tell me how the forum works. Uuuuh, I think I've been around long enough to figure it out. But thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 4
From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by 427muscle
hmmm....by that logic, are you saying putting 30k miles on the c5 the next two years and 30k miles on the zr1 will cause each to drop a proportional amount?
not likely....the c5 will probably drop $3-6k and the zr1 will stay the same or sell for more. we wont go to the 10 year mark cuz thats a "no brainer".
not likely....the c5 will probably drop $3-6k and the zr1 will stay the same or sell for more. we wont go to the 10 year mark cuz thats a "no brainer".
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 0
From: Roswell New Mexico
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
I am by no strech a corvette guru. I simply bought a C5 because of the motor and the fact it was lighter than the F-body. I have had the experience of driving a ZR-1 and a regular C4 and of course i have owned 2 c5's.
I know everyone will disagree, but the C4 is a horrible car. I look at it and think how did corvette ever get this crappy. The ZR1, although it was a nicer car, and faster, still has nothing on the C5. I would think stock for stock the 6 speed c5's would out perform the ZR1. and for just a few dollars in Mods, kick the crap out of it.
The ZR1 guys that i have meet, think there car is the best thing on the planet, and it may have been in 1995, but this is 2006. I wouldn't buy a C4 corvette or a ZR1. They are just headaches.
MY VOTE C5
I know everyone will disagree, but the C4 is a horrible car. I look at it and think how did corvette ever get this crappy. The ZR1, although it was a nicer car, and faster, still has nothing on the C5. I would think stock for stock the 6 speed c5's would out perform the ZR1. and for just a few dollars in Mods, kick the crap out of it.
The ZR1 guys that i have meet, think there car is the best thing on the planet, and it may have been in 1995, but this is 2006. I wouldn't buy a C4 corvette or a ZR1. They are just headaches.
MY VOTE C5
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
Originally Posted by Mr. Big
I am by no strech a corvette guru. I simply bought a C5 because of the motor and the fact it was lighter than the F-body. I have had the experience of driving a ZR-1 and a regular C4 and of course i have owned 2 c5's.
I know everyone will disagree, but the C4 is a horrible car. I look at it and think how did corvette ever get this crappy. The ZR1, although it was a nicer car, and faster, still has nothing on the C5. I would think stock for stock the 6 speed c5's would out perform the ZR1. and for just a few dollars in Mods, kick the crap out of it.
The ZR1 guys that i have meet, think there car is the best thing on the planet, and it may have been in 1995, but this is 2006. I wouldn't buy a C4 corvette or a ZR1. They are just headaches.
MY VOTE C5
I know everyone will disagree, but the C4 is a horrible car. I look at it and think how did corvette ever get this crappy. The ZR1, although it was a nicer car, and faster, still has nothing on the C5. I would think stock for stock the 6 speed c5's would out perform the ZR1. and for just a few dollars in Mods, kick the crap out of it.
The ZR1 guys that i have meet, think there car is the best thing on the planet, and it may have been in 1995, but this is 2006. I wouldn't buy a C4 corvette or a ZR1. They are just headaches.
MY VOTE C5
To each his own And C5s make great disposable Vettes