C5 Hunt...need some advice please
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Florida
How ironic! I just noticed the Goodwrench Service ad that automatically attaches itself to my initial post...it shows a silver '04 Pontiac GTP...my current DD. Must be good karma...
-Dean
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 799
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From: Kansas City area
To the OP: If you're going A4, you can also consider seeking out or installing a performance gear to give the car some more pop on at the bottom end. I'd advise caution when going down the "performance" mod path. The standard bolt-ons (intake, exhaust, etc) will really only give you a little better throttle response, not much in the HP department. No chip for the C5, just computer tuning.
As far as the "must have options", I asked that same question when I first discovered this site. Here is that thread, which contains some good info: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1753618
As far as the "must have options", I asked that same question when I first discovered this site. Here is that thread, which contains some good info: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1753618
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Florida
Great link, Jeff. Thank you!
Is Selective Ride Control and the Magnetic Ride the same thing (I suspect they are not)? I had the FX3 option on my '93 and I (1) never felt much of a difference in ride quality between the 3 settings and (2) always shuttered at the cost of having to replace those shocks.
-Dean
Is Selective Ride Control and the Magnetic Ride the same thing (I suspect they are not)? I had the FX3 option on my '93 and I (1) never felt much of a difference in ride quality between the 3 settings and (2) always shuttered at the cost of having to replace those shocks.
-Dean
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 940
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From: Surprise Arizona
You raise several issues......fixed roof ZO6 -vs- targa..........A4 -vs- M6. If I were using the 'Vette as a DD with lots of traffic, I would stick with the A4...IMHO.........(mine is an A4 only because I fell head over heels in love with a Pewter coupe -- first one I looked at I bought...).
When you DO get the perfect day to take the roof off, the car just transforms itself.....the sky, the engine and the noise of the wind and the "live" feeling/hearing you get from the (Corsa) exhaust....fixed roofs are nice looking if that's the way you lean, but I think that the coupes are even better looking and you have the advantage of taking the roof off on the "perfect" day.......
As always, buy the newest, lowest miles car you can afford.....
When you DO get the perfect day to take the roof off, the car just transforms itself.....the sky, the engine and the noise of the wind and the "live" feeling/hearing you get from the (Corsa) exhaust....fixed roofs are nice looking if that's the way you lean, but I think that the coupes are even better looking and you have the advantage of taking the roof off on the "perfect" day.......
As always, buy the newest, lowest miles car you can afford.....
I have to agree. I bought an 02' coupe A4 knowing that my car included all of the meaningful updates ie LS6 intake manifold, etc. I couldn't be happier with it.
Knowing what I know now, here are the options I would personally look for if I were buying again:
-z51 package w/ 3:15 performance axle ratio (A4)
-HUD
-Telescoping steering wheel w/memory package (this is an option that I absolutely love but never considered before buying...i got lucky)
-Dual-zone AC
-Sport seats
-Cargo shade & net (although there are probably good after-market
alternatives)
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 799
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From: Kansas City area
You are very welcome. I don't know much about the suspension/ride choices by year. Perhaps someone else could chime in with that information. Mine has Active Handling (which I happen to like) and standard suspension (not Z51). The Z51 suspension package makes the car handle noticeably better (to me). Mine's just a fun, street car, so the suspension wasn't incredibly important to me.
Great link, Jeff. Thank you!
Is Selective Ride Control and the Magnetic Ride the same thing (I suspect they are not)? I had the FX3 option on my '93 and I (1) never felt much of a difference in ride quality between the 3 settings and (2) always shuttered at the cost of having to replace those shocks.
-Dean
Is Selective Ride Control and the Magnetic Ride the same thing (I suspect they are not)? I had the FX3 option on my '93 and I (1) never felt much of a difference in ride quality between the 3 settings and (2) always shuttered at the cost of having to replace those shocks.
-Dean
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In your price range, you should be able to find a nice '02-03 car - either coupe or hardtop. Since you don't mind a stick, try and find a nice Z06 with the 405 hp - plenty of performance right out of the box and it will make a good DD.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Florida
JD, I'm still on the fence about the Z06. Don't get me wrong...awesome combo and I have driven an '02 so I know what they are all about. But I get that same rush (no, better!) with the 427/SC Shelby and I'm also thinking about a car that my wife would be comfortable in driving occasionally. After all, it's SHE that is pushing me to sell the GTP and get another 'Vette!
The stock LS1 yields 350HP. My '93 ZF6 LT-1 pulled 300 stock and that was a FUN car to drive. A Corsa cat-back, air intake and PCM tune should net me another 15-20, so I'm not too far away from the stock Z06' 405 without breaking out the serious bolt-ons (MAF, TB, intake, long tubes, etc.), which I won't do to the daily driver I'm seeking. I leave the serious mod money to the Cobra...that's the real toy here.
I just want something to drive after a long day that allows me to forget the day. The Corvette did that for me and I want to recapture it. And they are affordable to boot.
What a country!
-Dean
The stock LS1 yields 350HP. My '93 ZF6 LT-1 pulled 300 stock and that was a FUN car to drive. A Corsa cat-back, air intake and PCM tune should net me another 15-20, so I'm not too far away from the stock Z06' 405 without breaking out the serious bolt-ons (MAF, TB, intake, long tubes, etc.), which I won't do to the daily driver I'm seeking. I leave the serious mod money to the Cobra...that's the real toy here.
I just want something to drive after a long day that allows me to forget the day. The Corvette did that for me and I want to recapture it. And they are affordable to boot.
What a country!
-Dean
