[Z06] would you downgrade?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
would you downgrade?
I am currently driving an 03 QS Z06 with about 42.6k miles. Ive put about 14k miles since March when I got it. My dad has an 03 Cobra convertible with a little under 12k miles. He told the last time I went to go visit them that he'd consider selling his Cobra to me for what he owes and that is 12k. Would you sell your Z and pick up the cobra or just keep the Z, which keeps dropping in price, as opposed to the cobra which has held its value pretty well. And before anyone says keep both that is not an option as I would not be able to keep both. I know it is a downgrade but its not like I am downgrading to a Honda or anything like that. I am on the fence with this one. Let's hear some opinions.
Thanks
Jake
Thanks
Jake
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 1
From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
downgrade?
I won't get rid of my Z for a Cobra!!! I think the C5 Z's have pretty much leveled out. The Mustang IS a downgrade!!! how come your dad doesn't just sell it for what its worth? I know you probably wouldn't buy it from him and then sell it to turn a profit but getting rid of a car that we all know is 200% better makes no sense either.
Keep the Z. Maybe your dad can sell the cobra for what its worth and jion the Vette club.
Keep the Z. Maybe your dad can sell the cobra for what its worth and jion the Vette club.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
I won't get rid of my Z for a Cobra!!! I think the C5 Z's have pretty much leveled out. The Mustang IS a downgrade!!! how come your dad doesn't just sell it for what its worth? I know you probably wouldn't buy it from him and then sell it to turn a profit but getting rid of a car that we all know is 200% better makes no sense either.
Keep the Z. Maybe your dad can sell the cobra for what its worth and jion the Vette club.
Keep the Z. Maybe your dad can sell the cobra for what its worth and jion the Vette club.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 1
From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
Do what you need to do definately!!! I am sure you could sell the Z at a profit and buy your dads Cobra... Of course I bet your dad could get a sweet trade on a newer more "child" friendly car, then you would still have the Z.... Its up to you. If it helps your money situation though, do it!! GOOD LUCK
GOOD LUCK
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 1
From: North Aurora IL
Tough call....but get the Cobra make atleast 12k back when you sell it come spring, can be driven in the winter and still get the skirts to drop and get something nicer or faster come spring when you unload the Cobra
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
That is my plan if I do get it. And hell the cobra can be made just as quick as my Z for about 2-3 grand. Then come spring I'll be in either a MY Z or a LMB C6. And as for the person said that he could get a child friendly car, well he doesnt need a child friendly car as Im 21 and my lil brother is 18 but he's in Great Lakes training to be a sailor, so no more little kids here. I am leaning more to picking it up, the cbora, and just waiting for spring to pick up another vette.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 614
Likes: 24
From: Manteca, CA
An 03 Cobra will never be worth what a same year Z06 is worth. Corvettes historically retain their value better than most cars. To argue the Cobra will be worth more or retain it's value better is just plain ludicrous.
Now I would not mind owning a Cobra, but a Cobra will need about ~100rwhp on a Z06 to be as fast.
Despite our opinions you need to do what you want to do and what will require the least amount of regret! Life is too short for regret.
Now I would not mind owning a Cobra, but a Cobra will need about ~100rwhp on a Z06 to be as fast.
Despite our opinions you need to do what you want to do and what will require the least amount of regret! Life is too short for regret.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
An 03 Cobra will never be worth what a same year Z06 is worth. Corvettes historically retain their value better than most cars. To argue the Cobra will be worth more or retain it's value better is just plain ludicrous.
Now I would not mind owning a Cobra, but a Cobra will need about ~100rwhp on a Z06 to be as fast.
Despite our opinions you need to do what you want to do and what will require the least amount of regret! Life is too short for regret.
Now I would not mind owning a Cobra, but a Cobra will need about ~100rwhp on a Z06 to be as fast.
Despite our opinions you need to do what you want to do and what will require the least amount of regret! Life is too short for regret.
You may be able to make the cobra as fast in the 1/4 with more power, but youll have to spend a lot more than 2-3k to get it to handle and brake like the Z!
All of that aside though, if you are really trying to get out of debt then sell the vette and just drive around a honda for a while. If your willing to drive around in a sports can (and mod it, sounds like you will)then getting out of debt isnt that high of a priority. Unless your trying to be a car dealer, then I wouldnt consider how a car depreciates in what to buy. Why would you buy a car planning to sell it a few years later. Buy it, drive it till the wheels fall off, glue em back on!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Arlington TX
You may be able to make the cobra as fast in the 1/4 with more power, but youll have to spend a lot more than 2-3k to get it to handle and brake like the Z!
All of that aside though, if you are really trying to get out of debt then sell the vette and just drive around a honda for a while. If your willing to drive around in a sports can (and mod it, sounds like you will)then getting out of debt isnt that high of a priority. Unless your trying to be a car dealer, then I wouldnt consider how a car depreciates in what to buy. Why would you buy a car planning to sell it a few years later. Buy it, drive it till the wheels fall off, glue em back on!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,610
Likes: 12
From: Philly Burbs PA
I like 03/04 cobra's, but it sounds like you have a plan. If your intentions are to buy the cobra for that cheap, pay off debt then buy another vette it sounds like a good plan IMO.
Debt sucks, I paid off all college debts before I got my Z because I didnt want to be car poor
Debt sucks, I paid off all college debts before I got my Z because I didnt want to be car poor
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
If you could sell your Z and not lose any dough, then drive the Cobra for several months and sell that for profit, I could see that. As long as you don't lose sight of the real prize(03Z-C6), a little break from a vette won't kill ya. I'm only saying that cause it's a S/C 03 Cobra, if it wasn't then I'd say keep the vette.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Spicewood, TX
An 03 Cobra will never be worth what a same year Z06 is worth. Corvettes historically retain their value better than most cars. To argue the Cobra will be worth more or retain it's value better is just plain ludicrous.
Now I would not mind owning a Cobra, but a Cobra will need about ~100rwhp on a Z06 to be as fast.
Despite our opinions you need to do what you want to do and what will require the least amount of regret! Life is too short for regret.
Now I would not mind owning a Cobra, but a Cobra will need about ~100rwhp on a Z06 to be as fast.
Despite our opinions you need to do what you want to do and what will require the least amount of regret! Life is too short for regret.
LOL, I'm of the firm belief that you have never raced one and never ridden in one. I owned my 03 Cobra for 3 years prior to getting the Z06. Took it from 360rwhp all the way to 660rwhp and mid 10 second quarter.
Pulley, intake, exhaust, tune and you have a mid 11 second car if you can drive it well.
My friends all had Corvettes during my time with the Cobra so I got a pretty good idea of what's needed to best the other. Cobra is a great car and the only reason that I got rid of it was because I turned it into basically a race car and just got to be too much. They are solid, reliable, and have forged motors from the factory. Good buy.
That said, the Z06 is in another league and they really aren't a good comparison. I just think alot of Corvette owners have this bad stigma about Mustangs. The 03 Cobra is certainly not a car to be taken lightly, even in a Z06.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 3
From: New fairfield Connecticut
I have to agree with Zee916, my daughters boyfriend has a 2003 Cobra, they are just as fast as a C5Z06.
To Mr Azrael
Since my daughter is looking to buy a 2003 or 04 Cobra, I can tell you resale value is pretty close to a Z06. A low mileage, garage queen cobra can fetch more that $30k. Its also harder to find one in stock condition compared to a Z06, most have been modified, beat to hell.
To Mr Azrael
Since my daughter is looking to buy a 2003 or 04 Cobra, I can tell you resale value is pretty close to a Z06. A low mileage, garage queen cobra can fetch more that $30k. Its also harder to find one in stock condition compared to a Z06, most have been modified, beat to hell.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Warrington Pennsylvania
I like 03/04 cobra's, but it sounds like you have a plan. If your intentions are to buy the cobra for that cheap, pay off debt then buy another vette it sounds like a good plan IMO.
Debt sucks, I paid off all college debts before I got my Z because I didnt want to be car poor
Debt sucks, I paid off all college debts before I got my Z because I didnt want to be car poor
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Warrington Pennsylvania
So you are saying that a stock (350whp) Z06 is gonna run down a 450rwhp Cobra?
LOL, I'm of the firm belief that you have never raced one and never ridden in one. I owned my 03 Cobra for 3 years prior to getting the Z06. Took it from 360rwhp all the way to 660rwhp and mid 10 second quarter.
Pulley, intake, exhaust, tune and you have a mid 11 second car if you can drive it well.
My friends all had Corvettes during my time with the Cobra so I got a pretty good idea of what's needed to best the other. Cobra is a great car and the only reason that I got rid of it was because I turned it into basically a race car and just got to be too much. They are solid, reliable, and have forged motors from the factory. Good buy.
That said, the Z06 is in another league and they really aren't a good comparison. I just think alot of Corvette owners have this bad stigma about Mustangs. The 03 Cobra is certainly not a car to be taken lightly, even in a Z06.
LOL, I'm of the firm belief that you have never raced one and never ridden in one. I owned my 03 Cobra for 3 years prior to getting the Z06. Took it from 360rwhp all the way to 660rwhp and mid 10 second quarter.
Pulley, intake, exhaust, tune and you have a mid 11 second car if you can drive it well.
My friends all had Corvettes during my time with the Cobra so I got a pretty good idea of what's needed to best the other. Cobra is a great car and the only reason that I got rid of it was because I turned it into basically a race car and just got to be too much. They are solid, reliable, and have forged motors from the factory. Good buy.
That said, the Z06 is in another league and they really aren't a good comparison. I just think alot of Corvette owners have this bad stigma about Mustangs. The 03 Cobra is certainly not a car to be taken lightly, even in a Z06.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Ca
So you are saying that a stock (350whp) Z06 is gonna run down a 450rwhp Cobra?
That said, the Z06 is in another league and they really aren't a good comparison. I just think alot of Corvette owners have this bad stigma about Mustangs. The 03 Cobra is certainly not a car to be taken lightly, even in a Z06.
That said, the Z06 is in another league and they really aren't a good comparison. I just think alot of Corvette owners have this bad stigma about Mustangs. The 03 Cobra is certainly not a car to be taken lightly, even in a Z06.
Will I downgrade from a C5 Z06.. I believe the term "Hell no, I won't go", suits.