I know i'm singing to the choir, but is a Z truely that much better than a regular C5.I have a 1997 c5 and have never even driven a Z . Will the clutch hurt my old knee, does it ride like a wagon.Tell me the truth!Like a lot of you folks , i've had many vettes,Do I need to buy a Z?

 

The clutch is really easy. It does not ride bad in any way shape or form.

I'm happy with my Z06. The only way to know if it's for you is to drive one... when you do get a chance to drive one, make sure you have your check book handy. I'm sure you'll need to use it.

 

Since youre a multiple Vette owner, youll know exactly what I mean by this.... Ya know when you get a Vette, do all the things you like to it, then drive it for a while, then wonder what the next one would be like? When I got my first Z06, I stopped wondering what the next one would be like. I actually sold it, then realized I couldnt do without one, so I bought another one.

Heres the one I have now:




Heres the one I sold:


Both 2002's

 

If you are into competetive driving/racing the Z is a better place to start, but for a commuter or cruizer I wouldn't call it better. You will notice a little stiffer ride, but the clutch is about the same stiffness as any manual C5. For a street car you won't notice the performance difference over a standard vette unless you flog it. You'll probably notice the shorter tranny gearing though.

 

the clutch on the Z is one of the smoothest clutches i have ever felt on a manual car, so your knee should not be a problem. As for "how much better is it over a Z?" i do not know, all i do know is that i love my 2002 Z06

 

I will echo in what others have said... you won't regret the upgrade, but you might not notice most of the 'extra' umph unless you start driving it hard.
The clutch isn't nearly as hard on the body as I thought it would be. Coming from a standard model, it shouldn't feel any different. I came from a different type of car, so it felt different to me.

The gearing is what you'll really notice. I know out of the few other 'regular' vettes I've driven it feels a bit more snappy on acceleration and more like the old musclecars with the surge you get from it.

If you really like what you have now, and just want some extra zip, it might be a wash, moeny-wise on modding the car, or getting a Z. You can get some really good deals out there on used Z06's as well and the car itself would be a bit newer than what you are driving, so it might feel tighter as well.

Follow your gut. You're in a good dilema

 

I'll throw in my opinion on this as well.

I started with a pristine (read as ultra low mileage, never seen bad weather, garage queen, blah, blah, blah) Z06 as a weekend toy. I loved the car so much that I quickly started wanting another Corvette to drive daily without worrying about mileage or clouds in the sky. I finally found the right six speed car at the right price and went for a test drive in it. The first words out of my mouth were, "Holy ____! This car is dog slow!" Then I thought to myself, "What the heck am I saying? This is a Corvette. How sad is that?!"

The point of my story is that despite what a few others have said, I feel that there is a HUGE difference in performance both because of the power increase and the gearing of the Z06. That said, I did buy the second Corvette as my daily driver. Not only does the coupe get me to and from work each day of the week, but it has also become our weekend cruiser because of the ability to remove the roof panel. There is simply no better way to relieve stress than to pop the top on a Corvette and go for a cruise.

On the other hand, there is simply no better way to put a huge grin on your face (or wood in your pants, for that matter) than to blast through the gears of a Z06.

It all depends on what you enjoy more when driving as to which Corvette is best for you. If you happen to be insane like me, get one of each!

LO PHAT

 

that yellow z is quite sexy

 

YES!!!!!!!!!!

 

I test drove a 04 coupe and then went and test drove a 03 Z back to back (15min apart ). My mind was made up real fast! I felt it was a very different feel between the two. The Z was faster, nice sound to the exhaust, handled better and had a little more cool factor.

 

This being my first vette I shopped, read, and researched pretty extensively before I made my choice. I chose the Z because that was what I thought a vette should be about. I have not regretted it a minute since and I will never have to ask myself "what if ?" if I had chosen a different model.

 

there is a big difference....all C5's do it very well...the Z does it hands down excellent for what it is. It is extreme and yet forgiving in all aspects. It looks great, is quick, handles well and makes you feel like you are a champ behind the wheel! If your coupe is great for what you are doing...then stick with that.....if you need more...then go test drive a Z.

 

 

YES!!!!!

 

My first C5 was a '98 coupe with an automatic. At the time I bought it there was a GM strike and the six-speed wasn't available for a while. I was very happy with the car anyway and put a lot of miles on it. When I decided it was time for a new one, I test drove a Z06. In less than the first mile I was in love. I liked it that much better. My '03 now has over 63k miles. I use it for work, long distance trips and everything in between.

 

I knew I would get straight advice here.I believe every post here. You all said the same thing in different ways.The power increase is not huge, but the grin factor is.I think I will take your advice and keep my old one.....................And start looking for a ZO6 today. The best of both worlds. Thanks.

 

The Z is really a different beast. Test drive one and you'll see for yourself.

 

Your avatar looks very serious. I think you would like the Z big time You'll feel like a teenager again

 

I have owned 4 regular C5's, and I can tell you with 100% confidence,
that the Z06 is 100 times better than a regular C5. There is simpy NO comparing the two cars. Apples to oranges. It is faster, handles better, brakes better, and is very reliable. Good luck.

 

The one and only reason, that I even considered buying a Corvette was when they introduced the Z in 01. It took untill 03 to convince my wife that I just had to have one. First and only Vette that I have owned or driven. The Vette experience, has not dissapointed me. Good luck.