Here's the deal. I own an '04 mil yellow Z06 with 36K miles. It's stock except for a Stinger exhaust and a Stinger intake. It's my every day driver. I normally get a new Vette every 3 years or so. I would love to get a new Z but the $25k premium over a coupe has put it beyond reach for me. The 2 C5 Zs I've had were not priced that far beyond a coupe.

I'm thinking of getting an '08 coupe with manual, Z51, exhaust, chromes, 2LT package. Don't need or want the other stuff that you can get on it. Just not sure I'll be happy with it. I drove an '07 manual w/Z51 and it just didn't feel the same as my Z. It was nice, but I preferred my car. Haven't driven an '08 but I think it will be similar.

I'm also considering putting a supercharger on my '04 and going that route. Nothing real radical as it has to stay dependable. I'm thinking the Kenny Bell package.

According to Edmunds, I can get what I need from a dealer on a trade in for my car. I hate trying to sell cars on my own.

The third option is to just be happy with what I have and keep driving it. But you know what it's like when you get the bug.

If you were me, what what you do?

 

I would love to hear your impressions of how the C6 compared with the C5.

For me what swayed my decision is the insurance on the C6 would cost much more. My C5 is already $322/mo

 

I guess it depends how much you like losing money. You can look far and wide and not find a car thats actually much better than a C5 Z06 for anywhere near the money.

Stick a supercharger on the C5Z and you're looking at a car that'll run with or outrun a C6Z, Porsche 997 GT2, Ferrari F430 "Scuderia", Ford GT, Lamborghini Murcielago or just about anything you can think of short of an Enzo or a Carrera GT.

I'd choose an ATI Procharger so you don't have to replace the hood. The Kenne Belle and Magnacharger require a different hood. If you do go with the KB, try to find a nice vented hood because you'll be flying but it'd be nice to be able to keep the tires ON the ground.

 

 

That is insanity!

I pay $400 a month through statefarm (not the cheapest) for my 03 z06, my 04 denali, my 01 acura cl-s, and my 99 escort zx2. And I'm only 25.
Insurance between a c6 and c5z wouldn't be much different, although my stupid registration just finally dropped from $600 to $300.

 

if i had money to blow and were dead set on getting a C6, id tear out all the sound deadening and the rest of the crap under the carpet and get some new shocks and swaybars to give it the raw feel of a c5z. but that defies the purpose of the new "refined" c6.

 

If you are not buying a new Z, I would keep the 04 and bump up the HP.

 

Since the appearance of the C6 still hasn't grown on me, I'd keep the C5Z. What I would do, which I actually did, would be to make some appearance changes to the exterior. This way when you walk up to your car, it will be like looking at a new one each time. Lower it, some new wheels and tires, maybe some subtle spoiler thingies, like front and rear Caravaggio items. Not only will it look new to you, but it will be slightly different looking from everyone else's cars. Then maybe still add a little extra hp. A supercharger would be nice, or maybe just headers and a head and cam kit. It'd be like falling in love again. I know I have no desire to trade in mine, I followed my own advice.

 

I was facing the same thing with mine.

Came down to:

For $10k I got just as much HP(as a C6 Z06) and a really bitchin hood on my 03 Z06.

If I had sold the car I would have gotten halfway there on a C6 Z06.

Now I have a car that I can scare myself with even better then I could before.

It was worth every cent.

Maggie it.

 

Here's something to consider - pick up a low end POS daily driver and park your Z for 3 days a week. Trust me, you'll get back in your Z and scare the hell out of yourself! I work with my wife, we ride together three - four days a week so my seat time in the Z has been considerably less since Jan. I'm keeping a few miles off the Z and every time I drive it it's like a new car!

But, if your really dying to mod the Z I'd go with a Maggie as well...

 

Stary WITH THE C5 Z HARDTOP I THINK IT'S A MUCH BETTER VETT.

 

I drove an 08 coupe/6-speed last week - it does have 435hp and is very impressive, but I prefer the raw power and slam-you-back-in-your-seat feel of my Z. The 08 was a little too refined, not enough "race car".

BTW, I pay $212 per month with Geico for my Z and a 2004 SSR. However, I just wrecked my Z and Geico was trying to repair it with reconditioned parts . That didn't happen, but it took a lot of drama on my part. My collision guy told me that is standard operating procedure for Geico and Progressive, and that State Farm and USAA are the only ones who WON'T use reconditioned parts. Waiting on a quote from State Farm now.

 

Keep the Z, I thought about getting a new Z but like you don't want to pay the premuim price. I love my car and even if someone gave me an 08 Z51 with all the bells and whistles I'd sell it and keep my C5Z.

 

Thanks guys. The one thing I didn't like about the new coupe is that it felt front end heavy. didn't have that nimble slot car feel of my Z. When you drive it every day you get used to that race car like feel and handling. The new one is almost too refined. Still, it's a very capable car. I don't know. I'm still on the fence.

 

I have a friend who had an '03 C5, but not a Z06. When a C6 was traded into the dealer he works at, he traded in his C5 for the C6. He went on to tell me how much more he likes his new car, it drives so much smoother and quieter. I replied that now he knows why I have no desire to get rid of my '03 Z. What he likes about his new car is exactly what I don't like about it.

 

im in my late 50's. I purchased a c6 with magnetic ride, auto, nav convertible. Had it for couple of years. It was smooth, refined, and nice to cruise in.... but,, and this is a big but!!, It was boring!! I didnt want a vette to be boring. Yes much better made than the old 60's cars, but it was just too smooth. Also, every time I would look at the c5, I kept thinking it still looks better. At least to my eyes. I never liked stripes too much on a car, but I bought a c5z commemorative edition with the carbon fiber hood. Just love the thing!. Love the way it looks, love the way it rides, love shifting, and the race car feel , but yet sophisticated enough .. Its just more of what I think a corvette should be. If I wanted smooth and boring, I would have bought a lexus.

 

Try and sell your present ride..

When the offers come in, listen to the prices they are offering and then ask yourself.. Could I really sell this existing ride for that kind of cash..

The problem with the C5 Z06 being such a dam fine ride is can you bring yourself to sell it for such a ridiculously low price..?

I'd suggest keeping your car stock, enjoy it for 3 more years and then either buy a C6 Z06 or a C7 when they release...

I also anticipate a 2009 C6 coupe with direct injection (better fuel economy, emissions and performance) with 475hp for 46 grand..

Now that might tempt you out of your Z but the extra year or two of depreciation at this point should be minimal..

I happen to agree the leap in price from the 436hp C6 coupe to the 505 hp Z06 is pretty steep...

I like the widened fenders of the C6 Z better than the still very attractive Z51 coupe.. (and of course the added performance of the Z is enticing...but the price differential is harder to rationalize than with the C5 versions)

BTW I wouldn't supercharge the car either as there are a ton of pain in the butt experiences that don't get onto the various forums that can ruin the ownership experience. The C5 Z06 right out of the box can roll out at 4 flat to 60mph.. 170mph top speed, high 11 @ 117 mph quarter mile times..

Thats more than enough. Don't mess with the cam and headers either as it makes it so you can't just drive into a dealership and trade the car in if you decide at some point thats whats you want to do..

JMO

 

I just got rid of my 2008 Z51 NPP coupe for a 2004 minty Z06. I just could not stand having a base Vette after having nothing but Z cars for the last several years. I only lost $1000 on the deal as I got the 04 Z for just under 30K. I am planning to put a procharger on it and being done. I can tell you the 2008 is nice, but you will wish you had the Z after a few years and the older Z is worth more than the newer coupe.

 

I looked at a few C6s (but not the 2008, they had just come out) a few months back when I was looking to buy a newer Vette. They are damn sweet cars, but just weren't me. The Corvette is almost getting too refined and I don't need all the crazy convienience stuff like Nav, soleniod door-handles, and keyless start. I felt much better in a 2004 Z16, so I bought it instead...

 

$322.00 a month ???

OMG I have 5 company trucks , an 05' tahoe and my 01 Z and my insurance is just over $4900.00 a year ...and that includes my liability insurance...

Youre getting smashed....I feel sorry for ya