What would you rather have?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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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
What would you rather have?
I love my job, but some days it is really slow. So reading my "Corvette. Sports Car Superstar" book I came across the ZR-1. A very nice looking car with awesome performance but it got me wondering. I love my C5 but other than from a collectability stand point what would I rather have, a bone stock '04 C5 coupe MN6 or a stock '95 ZR-1. Tough choice, what do you people think without being biased? I also posted the same question in the C4 General forum, take a look at their responces.
Last edited by themonk; Sep 8, 2006 at 03:58 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Coconut Creek FL
If you are thinking of keeping something as a collectible- then a ZR1 would be the car...I understand they can be difficult and VERY expensive to repair those engines though...
However- if you plan to drive it....and want the power of the ZR1 and the features of a C5...then get a Z06- if you have not driven one...I would...then again, when you do...you will buy one!
I drive my C5 every day...I also had 2 C4's in my years (84 Z51 and a 94 Vert)...and to be honest, the C5 is a much nicer comfortable car...
However- if you plan to drive it....and want the power of the ZR1 and the features of a C5...then get a Z06- if you have not driven one...I would...then again, when you do...you will buy one!
I drive my C5 every day...I also had 2 C4's in my years (84 Z51 and a 94 Vert)...and to be honest, the C5 is a much nicer comfortable car...
Team Owner
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by corvetmike
The ZR-1 would be a nice collectable, but I like the new technology.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Went Vetteless for a year (had an 86)... Well about a month ago, I suddenly got a bug up my *** to buy a ZR-1. I wanted one bad. Gave it a lot of thought, and a little bit of time.
In the end, I really like my "new" C5.
In the end, I really like my "new" C5.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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C5's are dime a dozen. The LT5 would cost more too upkeep, but its a performer. There is something to be said about reving 4 cams to 7000rpm's. I have driven both, You cant compare the two cars.
ZR1!!
Now if you said 04 Z06 or 95 ZR1 it would be a "much" closer decision. But I would still take the LT5. It's all about history, and like I said, C5's are dime a dozen.
Before you C5 owner say C5, You should really try and find an LT5 and take it for a spin, or at least pop the hood and sit in the cockpit.
ZR1!!
Now if you said 04 Z06 or 95 ZR1 it would be a "much" closer decision. But I would still take the LT5. It's all about history, and like I said, C5's are dime a dozen.
Before you C5 owner say C5, You should really try and find an LT5 and take it for a spin, or at least pop the hood and sit in the cockpit.
Last edited by 88BlackZ-51; Sep 8, 2006 at 04:45 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Pearland, TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
I have driven the ZR-1 before and it is hands down wayyy better than the standard C4.
If you are going to drive it often, I think that you will enjoy the C5 alot more.
My vote C5
If you are going to drive it often, I think that you will enjoy the C5 alot more.
My vote C5
Race Director
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Originally Posted by Allzwell
I have driven the ZR-1 before and it is hands down wayyy better than the standard C4.
If you are going to drive it often, I think that you will enjoy the C5 alot more.
My vote C5
If you are going to drive it often, I think that you will enjoy the C5 alot more.
My vote C5
The wayyy better thing is the "get up and go". Stretch 5th all the way up to 180mph. I think you will find different opinions on the C4 side. BTW. Maybe the better question is an 04 Z06 or a 95 ZR1. Forgot the stock C5 all together. ZR-1's and Z06's have some character to them.
Last edited by 88BlackZ-51; Sep 8, 2006 at 05:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Earth
They are two totally different cars. Like it was said above if you plan on makeing which ever car high miles do it to a C5. They are a dime a dozen yet they are a more driver friendly car.
If you want something that is going to be a lot more stable and not depreciate any further then I would look at the any of the 405hp ZR's. The 95 would be the top choice but some really like the interior of the 93's seeing how thats the last year of that interior or a 40th Anniv. ZR.
Any time you have production #'s under 500 a year per model year, thats pretty rare. Considering how many super nice low mile cars are left you could probley cut that figure in half.
The C5 will continue to go down in value at a much faster rate than a late model ZR-1. The market on the low mile cars has been very stable for the past few years. Other than a Grand Sport you really can't say that about any other late model car for the money.
If you want something that is going to be a lot more stable and not depreciate any further then I would look at the any of the 405hp ZR's. The 95 would be the top choice but some really like the interior of the 93's seeing how thats the last year of that interior or a 40th Anniv. ZR.
Any time you have production #'s under 500 a year per model year, thats pretty rare. Considering how many super nice low mile cars are left you could probley cut that figure in half.
The C5 will continue to go down in value at a much faster rate than a late model ZR-1. The market on the low mile cars has been very stable for the past few years. Other than a Grand Sport you really can't say that about any other late model car for the money.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
There is nothing more sexy than the LT5 motor! When I started looking for a Corvette, the '95 ZR1 was my first choice as well. Lots of internet research and day dreaming made me realize that the ZR1/LT5 either runs forever with relatively few issues or would be a royal PIA to maintain, nickle and diming me to death. Parts availability is difficult and good techs who know the car are hard if not impossible to find. There would be no GMPP warranty on an 11 year old car...at least not to the degree that a later model C5/Z06 has. The technology is very dated, just like my '96 Impala SS (and to some degree my '04 Z16).
In the end, I'm happy with my Z16 over the ZR1.
In the end, I'm happy with my Z16 over the ZR1.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
Tough call. My Z revs to 7500 rpms. Does the 'new technology' pushrod motor do that?
The Z is like the cockpit of a fighter plane. It fits like a glove. The C5 (yes, I have a 2000 coupe) is roomier, more comfortable for long trips, easier to get in and out of and has double the storage capacity!! Unfortunately, a stock C5 coupe is as exciting as eggs over-easy. If the comparison was between the Z06 and the ZR-1, it is a tough call performance wise, and the C5 is more user friendly on many levels - but NOTHING looks like an LT5 when you pop that clamshell!
In order to make my Coupe more exciting than unsalted butter I threw a couple of snails on it - solved that issue nicely!
Were I given the choice, I'd go with the ZR-1 - but then I know that there is no better station to tune in than WLT5@7200 rpm!
The Z is like the cockpit of a fighter plane. It fits like a glove. The C5 (yes, I have a 2000 coupe) is roomier, more comfortable for long trips, easier to get in and out of and has double the storage capacity!! Unfortunately, a stock C5 coupe is as exciting as eggs over-easy. If the comparison was between the Z06 and the ZR-1, it is a tough call performance wise, and the C5 is more user friendly on many levels - but NOTHING looks like an LT5 when you pop that clamshell!
In order to make my Coupe more exciting than unsalted butter I threw a couple of snails on it - solved that issue nicely!
Were I given the choice, I'd go with the ZR-1 - but then I know that there is no better station to tune in than WLT5@7200 rpm!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Traverse City MI
If you dig C4's the ZR-1 is the ultimate machine. The seats suck you in, the sound of the engine at 7000rpms, the exotic wide rear with those 315's sitting out back... The ZR-1 can be diven like a kitten or it can be a lion, eating whatever road you throw at it. If C4's dont do anything for you, go for a C5Z06.