Debating, Targa Top or Z06
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth TX
I wish I would have bought a Z but then again I fell in love with my coupe, plus I added a cam, lt headers, borla stingers <----- these puppies are wicked, and a ls6 intake manifold now my car is actually faster than a Z and I have the targa top to take off when it's a beautiful day. So either way you can not go wrong. If money is an issue I get into a coupe, you will still be driving a Vette no matter which way you go. Plus aftermarket parts for the Corvette are huge so you will have endless options.
And also yes the stock exhaust on a Corvette makes no noise at all IMO plus I think they look funny how small they actually are.
And also yes the stock exhaust on a Corvette makes no noise at all IMO plus I think they look funny how small they actually are.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Elgin IL
Would say the same aftermarket exhaust sound much different on a z06 compared to the coupe? If i get the Z06 i can't really mod it because it's at the top of my budget, and insurance will be more.
But say if i put a borla exhaust on a coupe and a z06, same exhaust, same year, would the noise be about the same? Or does the z06 have more of a rumble / muscle car sound.
But say if i put a borla exhaust on a coupe and a z06, same exhaust, same year, would the noise be about the same? Or does the z06 have more of a rumble / muscle car sound.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 6
From: St. Louis Missouri
Well, the Z06 has a more agressive cam so that will change the sound some.
I'd say you would have the most flexibility if you buy a coupe. Lower initial cost, lower insurance, the ability to remove the top when you want and money left over to replace the exhaust and do a few performance mods. Sounds like for you this is the best bet all around.
I'd say you would have the most flexibility if you buy a coupe. Lower initial cost, lower insurance, the ability to remove the top when you want and money left over to replace the exhaust and do a few performance mods. Sounds like for you this is the best bet all around.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Protecting the sheep in northern MN
Going through some of the same issues you are, so I appreciate the thread. I'm selling my '69 Camaro and upgrading to a C5. Unfortunatly my Camaro is not numbers matching or stock car, so its not gonna bring the money that I can just pick whatever I want. I think it will be a Coupe for me and maybe step up to a C6 Z later down the road when they depreciate. I like the fact that the Coupe will allow me to mod it for the price of the Z...and oh yea...the top comes off. 
Threadkiller
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,306
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09
I bought a Z06 and love it. I wanted the extra [stock] performance and chassis rigidity over a removable top.
Insurance shouldn't kill you. I bought my Z06 at 23 and my insurance is $1600/year for full coverage. It should be less for you since you're in IL and I live in SE NY (Long Island).
Insurance shouldn't kill you. I bought my Z06 at 23 and my insurance is $1600/year for full coverage. It should be less for you since you're in IL and I live in SE NY (Long Island).
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: San Diego/Imperial Beach Ca
If you are going to use the car for cruising, I'd go for the targa. If you are going to push it on the twist's in the highway, the Z. Just got my Z a few weeks ago and if I remember, the Z has a better suspension than the Z51 cars. Having a twin turbo Stealth and going to the Z was night and day.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm starting to get excited now. Really. I wish i had the money atm, the one i saw is an amazing deal for the condition in it's in.
And for the love of me i cannot find a corvette around my area at a dealer that is OUTSIDE. Closest i've found is about 30 miles away... I really wanna test drive one of them.
And for the love of me i cannot find a corvette around my area at a dealer that is OUTSIDE. Closest i've found is about 30 miles away... I really wanna test drive one of them.
There are good deals coming up all the time. If you think you have seen the best deal there is just wait a better one will pop up.
Here is a link that will give you a little more info about the various vette models and options. Suggest you study them hard.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/
Good luck. I really hope you find a gem.
BTW, be careful of de-modded vettes. They make look stock now but more likely than not were driven hard.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
Would say the same aftermarket exhaust sound much different on a z06 compared to the coupe? If i get the Z06 i can't really mod it because it's at the top of my budget, and insurance will be more.
But say if i put a borla exhaust on a coupe and a z06, same exhaust, same year, would the noise be about the same? Or does the z06 have more of a rumble / muscle car sound.
But say if i put a borla exhaust on a coupe and a z06, same exhaust, same year, would the noise be about the same? Or does the z06 have more of a rumble / muscle car sound.
Ive had my coupe for about 2 years.. Let me tell you I ws EXACTLY the same way you were.
Well I chose the coupe for the removable top. I got the one with the z51 package which was a 6sped manual and one step below a z06 suspension.
I wound up With the money I saved Putting z06 heads, Long tube headers,z06 exhaust, Fast intake manifold,a big *** cam and Im makeing somewhere at 435hp on the motor alone AT the rear wheels. Im about to add a 200shot with a fuel system and dead on tuning Which is pushing it to the max However But im hopeing to hit 600RWHP on the spray.
a stock z06 couldnt dare keep up, the 02+z06 makes 405engine power and 350hp at the wheels.
I then Desided to upgrade the suspension of the car to z06 standard. So I have z06 shocks, sway bars and springs.
You will NEVER track the car hard enough to take advantage of the completely solid roof the z06 has. Speaking of roofs, The coupe has better aerodynanics do to the slanted hatch glass... than the z06.
But anyway I just wanted to tell you that to me the best choice is the coupe and do do mods to make it above and beyond the z06. I have about 3 grand in mods, i found everything here on the forums and Have done very well..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Elgin IL
Some great info guys, thanks.
I'll be doing much more cruising around, which is why the targa will come in handy. I doubt I'll go to the track much. But hey, you have to make sure you can beat an unexpected ricer out of any corner. They are a plague of them around here.
What mods on the coupe are a must? I of course right away want to do exhaust, headers and a cam.
I'll be doing much more cruising around, which is why the targa will come in handy. I doubt I'll go to the track much. But hey, you have to make sure you can beat an unexpected ricer out of any corner. They are a plague of them around here.
What mods on the coupe are a must? I of course right away want to do exhaust, headers and a cam.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Some great info guys, thanks.
I'll be doing much more cruising around, which is why the targa will come in handy. I doubt I'll go to the track much. But hey, you have to make sure you can beat an unexpected ricer out of any corner. They are a plague of them around here.
What mods on the coupe are a must? I of course right away want to do exhaust, headers and a cam.
I'll be doing much more cruising around, which is why the targa will come in handy. I doubt I'll go to the track much. But hey, you have to make sure you can beat an unexpected ricer out of any corner. They are a plague of them around here.
What mods on the coupe are a must? I of course right away want to do exhaust, headers and a cam.
If you want more power best bet is bigger cam, heads, cold air induction, headers, and exhaust. Don't forget the tune. You will need a new clutch to handle the newfound power. Better rims and tires too. You can swap over some C5Z06/C6 suspension parts to improve handling.
Of course the better option is to find someone who has modded their car along the lines you like and buy it. You will save a ton of money, time, and headaches.
I see lots of nice modded coupes for sale. Just do your homework.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Elgin IL
I can't find many coupes. Went to another dealer tonight and looked at this 02 with over 100,000 miles. I was about to ask him for a test drive but when i went to go start it, it didn't start, so I was like screw it.
I REALLY wish i had the 21k right now.
If anyone out in Chicago is looking for a corvette, hop on this. Hopefully it doesn't sell soon to some random. I was offered 21k for it. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
I REALLY wish i had the 21k right now.
If anyone out in Chicago is looking for a corvette, hop on this. Hopefully it doesn't sell soon to some random. I was offered 21k for it. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Protecting the sheep in northern MN
I can't find many coupes. Went to another dealer tonight and looked at this 02 with over 100,000 miles. I was about to ask him for a test drive but when i went to go start it, it didn't start, so I was like screw it.
I REALLY wish i had the 21k right now.
If anyone out in Chicago is looking for a corvette, hop on this. Hopefully it doesn't sell soon to some random. I was offered 21k for it. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
I REALLY wish i had the 21k right now.
If anyone out in Chicago is looking for a corvette, hop on this. Hopefully it doesn't sell soon to some random. I was offered 21k for it. http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Going through some of the same issues you are, so I appreciate the thread. I'm selling my '69 Camaro and upgrading to a C5. Unfortunatly my Camaro is not numbers matching or stock car, so its not gonna bring the money that I can just pick whatever I want. I think it will be a Coupe for me and maybe step up to a C6 Z later down the road when they depreciate. I like the fact that the Coupe will allow me to mod it for the price of the Z...and oh yea...the top comes off.
pm info, pic and price on Camaro please.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 4
From: MI
I had to make the same choice not to long ago....went with the Targa and have not looked back. I have it out every chance I can get durring the driving months and love it. I would like to have a Z06 but the slight increase in perfromace is no match for topless driving on a nice day.
If i was considering a C6 or a C6 Z06, when the time comes it will be not question Z06 for ovious reasons!
If i was considering a C6 or a C6 Z06, when the time comes it will be not question Z06 for ovious reasons!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Elgin IL
Can you share some pics of the trunk for your guys with the targa tops?
And i'm still contemplating on this one: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
Such a good deal for $21,000..
And i'm still contemplating on this one: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
Such a good deal for $21,000..