I have owned 8 Vetts thru the years and my current car is a 2005 C6 with the Z51 package.. My question to all of you Z06 owners is.. Your Z06 as good or better? I'm not trying to be a jerk but is resale better, demand better, But most of all a car that you would never wish to part with... I've read all the performance comparisons and that really say's little... For the first time in my life I want a vette that really turns me on and 1 I never want to loose it.. I'm looking at a 2004 Z06 with 24000 miles and a GM warranty and $2000 out of my pocket ! I tend to feel the extended warranty is worth my $2000 up front money but can't get an honest opinion from the C6 forum.
Thx Rich

 

C5Z is more fun to drive (IMO) C6 is a nice daily driver. If I had to pick one its the C5Z hands down.

 

In my opinion, the Z06 has a more raw, in your face feeling. I have had my 2004 Z06 five years next month and have no plans of ever selling it. The C6 is a fine car, but I really am sold on the lines of the FRC design.

 

I must admit I am a first time vette owner. I have had lots of fast cars mostly street rods I built. Bang for the buck a C5 ZO6 is unbeatable! If a WOT run through the gears does not put a smile on your face and make your passenger pray to god, go to the doctor cause your dead!
Obviously I am infatuated with my Z at least that is what my wife says.

 

I agree 100%.

Unless it is a Z06 I do not want a C6. I think resale on the C5Z is much better than the C6 also.

 

I just bought a Z16, 2004 Z06 LeMans Blue etc..

IMHO.. If I had more to spend, I would have gone newer. The new Vettes are easier to drive to work and back, and the warrantee will be free. Just a bit safer way to get to 400 horses with more modern amenities, (not turning the key to start, XM radio, etc..).

It's purely a cost/benefit thing. I paid 27K for a like new car that will break traction in 1st thru 3rd at almost any speed. I had to pay 1800 extra for the warrantee. To get all the loaded features in a newer one, it would have been way too much $$$$. Just to get a heads-up display is a ton of money added to the sticker.

HTH

 

I was in between the 2 cars, and went with the c5Z after testing many of each. As stated, the Z has slightly more of a drivers feel. However, some of minor refinements in the c6 are very nice. I would say keep what you have, however, owning 8 vettes already, I doubt you will. Good luck. !

 

I wanted the Z over the coupe hoping the extra power would fend off the mod bug, so far it has. At this point I could afford a new C6 or a used C6Z but I am very satisfied with my 02 C5 Z06, best of luck with yours...

 

the biggest difference imho is the the zo6 gives you that seat of your pants thrill in a street legal race car much more old school muscle car feeling good luck

 

You need to decide if you want a "stripped" down car if you can consider the Z that or a luxury sports car. The Z does not have the amenities that some complain about because it was meant to be that way to shed weight. Power to weight is the game and the C5Z is the best at it. But it also has leather, ac, cd, HUD and power drivers seat. What more do you want? I don't need NAV so there is nothing else I need.

As for warranty, the new ones have just as many issues as the C5's did. However the C5 should be sorted out by now so be sure to verify that all recall issues have been performed. You can do that by giving the vin number to the service dept for them to run.

 

Several of my Corvette club members have traded for 2009 Z06s lately due to the deals being "too good to pass up", but I am still more than satisfied with my 2004 Z06. I have driven the new ones, and most people will not be able to tell much difference in the extra 100 hp, so it is hard to make the jump to an $80,000 car just for that.

Even with super deals, like $14,000 off list and $25,000 trade in, they still owe more than I paid for my '04 new. If you recall, some dealers were also giving $10,000 off on C5s since it was the last of that model and they were trying to make room for the 05's.

I am also still a fan of the hardtop, which is no longer available.

I will be keeping my Z06 for a looooong time.

 

I have to be honest, I have never driven a c6 but going from a 1968 vert to a 2004 Z06 is one of the best moves I ever made. The Z is a blast to drive and it still drives like the old school muscle cars. The power is as quick as you can drop your right foot and shift the gears. With the nicer amenities and smoother suspension you can't go wrong.

 

I've driven my son-in-law's '08 Z51 coupe, and it's a great car. The C6 body style has grown on me, too, and the seats are much better. I still would not get one unless it was a C6Z. My modded '02 is lots more fun to drive, and has the illusion of rawness because of the loud exhaust, and cam. Of course, he's since added headers/full exhaust, and a cam, so the margin continues to close. Since you already have a C6, why don't you mod it, and have it all?

 

After some thought why would you want a C5Z? Other than the frc body lines and your in the same minority as me of liking the C5 dash more than the C6. C5 headlights are poor at best($700.00 for ACA's) You have factory HID's. You have a power antenna the C5Z has a stationary mast($200.00 to convert). You have road lights we have none.The LS2 has more potential than the LS6. Stock C5Z suspension is brutal ( just my opinion) koni fsd's are $650.00 and my kidneys love them. Will I sell my Z anytime soon---Heck NO. Also I like the C6 ragtops just not 20to40K worth.

 

I've had an '00 SS, then '02 Z06, then '05 Z51, now '04 Z06.

Only reason I came back is because of price. The C6 was lightyears ahead on comfort and a couple of mods (exhaust, intake, cam) and it would have been lightyears faster. I also think it looks a hell of a lot better.

But don't get me wrong, I LOVE my C5Zs...just...on comfort, technology, the C6 stomps it.

Also, stock for stock performance-wise....no comparison. The C5Z smacks dat a$$ lol


Just a note, I'm young (I refuse to post my age on the forum now because of the jealousy and the flaming that always ensues from the old farts) so I'm not some codger that follows the whole "if it's too loud you're too old" motto.
The C6 is just a BETTER car. The C5Z is a FUNNER (hey, it went with the flow of the last sentence ) car

 

I agree.... I drove a 08 Z51 vert a few weeks after I bought my 02 Z06 and while the power is up and it may be a bit quicker down the road, the car feels a bit more subdued and with less drama than my Z. The car plants you back, but is smooth about it, the Z throws you back and puts you in place.. kinda like Jack Lambert hitting a offensive lineman.

BUT... the car is nice and quiet, refined and comfy. Like others have said... if you're looking for a nice comfy touring car over a high-strung one, the C6 might be a better bet.

If you're looking for FUN and that "HOLY S^&%! that was a ride" kinda feeling... the C5Z06 is the way to go. I bought a set of wheels for mine off a guy that traded his 04 Z in for an 07 Z06 and he missed his C5 version and almost bought it back. While he loved the power and handling, he missed that 'old school' feel of the C5Z.

You really can't go wrong though... we all should have such dilemas

 

Another vote for the C5Z - but then you can't be surprised as this is the C5 Z forum .

A few months back I took a spirited ride in a friends C6 Z51 (mild tune, exhaust, lowered) and then we jumped into my Z (100% stock) and drove the same course. The C6 rode like a fast Caddy with a bad exhaust. What I instantly noted was the missing "tick-tick-tick" sewing machine sound coming through the firewall of the LS6. No doubt the car was quick and would put your butt in the seat just like my Z. When we got in my Z I noted how dated (dare I say cheap..) the interior was compared to the C6. I also noted how "raw" the Z felt going over the same course we had just driven in the C6. The C6 was louder due to the aftermarket exhaust but when I put my foot in the Z the sound was...better

Once we parked I noted the lines of the two cars....hands down, the FRC body style still does it for me. And now, dollar for dollar, the C5Z is sooooooo much more bang for the buck! As the Caddy comercial says -"When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?" Hell yes

As I've said before - the C5Z is the Mid-Year of our time; you regret buying one!

 

I actually owned 1 of each at the same time until 2 weeks ago. Above description is dead-on.

Though I will tell you my '06 C6 Z51 could run with the 5Z out of the hole at a stop light all the way through 2 tenths/mile...then the 5Z started to eek ahead...

The c6 definitely did not give the seat of your pants driving feel that the C5's do..Z or Coupe.

The "raw" description someone used is a good one...you can really get on the 5Z and feel and hear all. The 6, including the 6Z, steps it up a notch or two...I think the fact you can hear alot more in the 5Z invites you to get on it...well, it does to me at least!

FWIW the 6's interior BLOWS AWAY the 5s...including rattles, creeks, feel...but I did notice the 6 is actually a little tighter/smaller in the seating dept, if that matters to you.

6's NAV s*cks, and pre-07s Bose su*ks....the center speaker ruins the sound, stock 5s radio is better...if you care.

Just MHO

I kept/ and will keep the 5Z, sold the 6 to my brother....but i will get a used 6Z too this summer if they hit high 30s...

 

If you want a muscle car, the C5Z wins hands down. If you want a cruiser, get the C6. I wouldn't take a C6 straight across in a trade, Z06 or Z-51. I've driven C6Zs and to me they feel heavy and the clutch feels like a Toyota. I can't believe that people like the interior better, that hard pebbled plastic makes me want to.
I also think the C5Z will be more collectable in the future. It has a unique body style that instantly identifies it as a Z06 whereas the C6Z doesn't really stand out from a coupe. Thinner glass, different tranny, better gears etc. They only made the C5Z for four years while the C6Z is already at four years and counting. I don't see a C7 coming for many years yet, so who knows what the production run and numbers will end up at for the C6Z. I was so relieved when the C6 came out and I didn't like it, I was worried that it might make my C5Z obsolete. In fact, it was just the opposite, it made me love my Z even more.

 

I don't think there is a significant level of difference in regards to performance between the C5Z06 and a C6-M6.

I like both, but at the time I bought my C5Z06 (over 3 years ago) I would have needed thousands more for something that is quite similar. Plus the insurance would have been more. At that time I paid $28000 with 21000 on the meter. Most were going for at least $32000 with more miles.

As for resale value between the two, it's anyone's guess. But I would think the C5Z06 will hold value a little better than a standard C6.

I love my C5Z06. Fairly easy to work on, fast without any mods, great on gas (unless I'm having fun) and easy to drive fast at the track.