There is no doubt that the stock Z06 is a marginally better (lower,stiffer ride and 50hp) performing car than the stock Coupe. It seems to be a matter of choice between a little better performance or a few more "comfort" options. They are still both awesome vehicles.

Gotta love 'em all!

 

Wow. The Z06 owners sure do get defensive about their choice! That's all we are talking about here folks, a personal choice. Does he want open-air driving or not? That makes the choice for him. The extra power is great, but it is not the top priority for every buyer (like it is with the Z crowd). You can make your C5 ABOUT as fast as a stock Z06 for three or four thousand dollars, but it will never be a Z06 (if that's what you truly desire). No, it will not be ABOUT as fast as a Z06 that's had three or four thousand in mods, but that wasn't even in the original equation. It's not about track times. Most people don't track their Vettes (yes, I know, some do). Considering the human factor, there is no way you can possibly begin to compare quarter mile times to within 1/4th of a second. It's not even about affordability. Most of us could afford to buy whatever they like (including the Z06). I looked at a Z06 that was the same year as the Coupe I purchased; cost was about $3k more than coupe. That's not a lot of money. In the final analysis, FOR ME, it was more important to have the Coupe styling/lines and removeable top. The decision is different for every person. There is no right or wrong decision.

 

Must be the Badges

 

I had the same dilemma... coupe for looks or Z06 for performance...
I chose a coupe that I will modify for more perf (engine & suspension)as the months go by...Plus I run a glass top full time, and can go topless anyime... love the open air feel...
As far as which looks better, that is a personal choice...
good luck.. and enjoy which ever you pick...

 

not anymore than the coupe owners who say we get defensive because we only have marginally faster cars

and also because almost every coupe owner jumps on and says get the open air, Z's aren't that fast, you can get z levels of performance cheap, then someone goes out and buys a coupe and after $4000 gets

out of curiosity, how many coupe owners drove a z06 before they bought their coupe? The only 2 comments I've seen have been from one person who now owns a Z instead of a coupe, and from the original who stated that the Z was "significantly" faster than the coupe. I personally drove a 13.7 1/4 stock 6 speed GTO and was bored by the acceleration, it wasn't even close to my Z. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't an auto coupe with 2.73 about a mid 13's car? If so go out and drive a low 12's car and you'll see what a difference it can be. Those with z51 6 speeds, you probably aren't going to have a night and day experience.

 

For me , I've always had Vette coupes , T tops , Targa , what have you. But when i first saw the FRC in '98 I was in love . I suppose that's what its about , an emotional reaction.
When the FRC emerged into the factory race car, I was hooked. The wife and I own both an FRC and the Z06.
The coupe is like a Lemans and the Z06 is the GTO. The coupe is the Chevelle and the Z06 is the SS. The coupe is a mustang and the Z06 is the Shelby.
Take off the targa top on a coupe and it looks to me like a big gap on top of the car. Just never looked balanced. Could just be me but as Walter Cronkite said so many times " and that's the way it is".

 

I could probably walk up to a ton of coupe/vert owners and offer a straight up trade and get it. How many coupes/verts could walk up to a z owner and do the same? think about it...

 

I would not trade my Coupe for a Z. And yes I have been offered.

 

you don't count, you're not even close to stock. In fact you and stock barely live in the same state If my z had a 402 motor built for boost would you trade straight up

AND you picked a great color so we'll let it slide

 

I had an 02' Z06, now have a C5 MN6 coupe with Z51. For me personally the stock C5 is enough power (I've spun more than once at an autox a couple of weeks ago) the Z06 was icing on the cake. i've only done one track event, but I can see after getting enough seat time I might want to increase power and definetly the suspension.

 

 

Whatever floats your boat...

I HATE the looks of the Coupe (hate the large rear glass)

Given the choice it would be the FRC/Z06 or another
Convertible...

Bob G.

 

I did. The Z06 was noticeably more powerful. So what? I still chose the Coupe. Clearly, you are a person who places great importance on 1/4 mile times. For you, the Z06 was probably a no-brainer. Why would you assume that everyone places such a high priority on track performance? We've heard from people who prefer the lines of the coupe, the open air driving of the coupe, etc. We've heard from people who prefer the performance of the Z06. Like I said before, it's a personal choice. In everyday driving, you can only run at wide open throttle for maybe three seconds before you either encounter traffic or speeds that'll get your license/insurance pummeled.

The Z06 is a terrific Corvette with outstanding performance. I'm not knocking the Z. No one is. You've just got it in your mind that the Z is "better". For you, I'm sure it is. Not for me (and others). Even those of us who didn't choose the Z still appreciate it and enjoy checking them out. I guess that's the difference between (some) Z drivers and all of us poor other morons who didn't make the "right" choice.

 

That's funny...I hate the looks of the Z06 (hate the notched off look and the small rear glass).

Given the choice it would be the coupe....

 

I did not drive a Z06. It really was a simple decision for me over the Z. I did drive a 911 cabriolet which was a tougher decision, but the C5 coupe was the car for me.

 

There are 10 in autotrader.

One newly listed w/27K miles in IA.
Blue 02 w/red/blk int

515-371-2163 & the ad reads well.

 

The extra space is nice, and being able to remove the top is also a plus. Is the extra $ worth the 50 hp? It's all up to you. I love the drive to Las Vegas, with the top off.

 

I dont know where all you guys are comming up with your prices for parts but ya all must be getting ripped off. You can get a set of 243 LS6 heads for around 300 bucks off ebay. Order a cam from comp cams for 325.00 any size custom 918 springs for 130.00. Head gaskets mls 45.00 SSAC long tube headers and X pipe for 400.00.. 3:90 rear end for 1200 (wich is gonna be about equal to the mn12 and 3:42 gears) And a dyno tune 500.00. Easy 400+RWHP for under 3000 if you do all the labor your self and would easly shut down any stock Z06 and still be able to pop off the top. I can see no one shops around for cheaper deals on parts. There getting ripped off on the corvette tax.

 

this is absolutely mind-blowing. when i bought my car, i thought i had found that one thing to make me understand why vette owners smile and wave at each other. i traded in my '02 blk slp-built camaro ss (difficult choice) and thought "now i can get away from the stigma that all camaro/firebird guys/gals are young, immature know-it-alls who find some kind of pleasure in talking sh** about anybody who does/tries something different". but i am sadly disappointed to read the same exact type of comments i would read on the camaro/firbird boards. i actually saw someone used the word "flossing" for christ's sake.

most of the people who posted here, including myself, are trying to give sound, objective advice re: the original post. but scattered thruout are the same "young, immature know-it-alls who find some kind of pleasure in talking sh** about anybody who does/tries something different".

while i can respect someone with a purist heart that feels that my car is no longer a true z0 in the original definition, i really could give two sh**s less whether or not someone believes my car started out as a z0. i know when i jump on it and grab those first three gears that i am driving something special.

so my anxiousness to dive headfirst into this new "community" has dwindled, but my love for the car has not. and i know that i am going to feel some kind of kinship with another vette owner, whether they're driving a coupe, frc, z0, vert, c1-c6, orange, black, white, electron blue, whatever. to quote an earlier poster: ALL VETTES ARE COOL!!!!!



a fellow enthusiast.......

 

Maybe Im odd...but I like the look of the Z better than the coupe!

I dont think Z owners get defensive, but it is dissapointing to see a fellow Vette enthusiats say that we paid extra "for only 50hp". I would think any Vette enthusiast would knw that the difference is MUCH more than just 50hp.

Obviously different people will prefer different cars for their use. Those who plan to race or just want that pure race car feel will go for the Z. If you want the sun on your face then get the coupe or vert.

Once again I have to say that you cant go wrong...ITS A VETTE! I want one from each gen! ...no seriously!