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[Z06] 04 z06 vs. base C6

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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:24 AM
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Default 04 z06 vs. base C6

I have been considering a 04 z06 for awhile, but as the 05 C6 prices have dropped, should the C6 also be a consideration? HP appears about the same, but what about other performance? As a longtime vette lover and owner of 13, I am not sure that I have fully warmed up to the new vette, it takes longer for some of us. Any replies would be appreciated.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:30 AM
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No longer

the C5Z HP is 405 while the C6 LS3 is 435HP .

The new C6s with LS3s now out perform the C5Z, hands down.

Now if you can find used C5Z for under $25k then that should be considered.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:32 AM
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For me it came down to price and availability. I happened to find my 03Z locally with the right miles for the right price, and im very happy with it. Though if the right C6 came along i might have been tempted to pick one of those up instead. Ultimately i liked the looks of the hardtop C5 over the C6, and the sportier feel of the Z06. I dont think you'll be dissapointed with either car honestly.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
No longer

the C5Z HP is 405 while the C6 LS3 is 435HP .

The new C6s with LS3s now out perform the C5Z, hands down.

Now if you can find used C5Z for under $25k then that should be considered.
Sounds like he was looking into the 05 C6 (ls2 powered)

BTW "AU N EGL" is that supposed to be "Golden Eagle"? Pretty clever
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:42 AM
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C5Z over an 05 C6 all day every day... for me too it also came down to price and availability. I happened to run across an 03 with less than 10k and was already modded how I wanted it... no brainer for me and havent regretted it since. Plus the fact that you see 2978478 C6's each day mostly with women or older man drivers.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 10:50 AM
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[QUOTE=iLLuZionZ;1570737041]C5Z over an 05 C6 all day every day... /QUOTE]


Even though the 02-04 z06 has only 5 more HP than the 05-07 C6's, it's still a noticeably faster car. Equal drivers, an 02-04 z06 will beat an 05 C6 down the drag strip every time!! Hell, an 02=04 z06 with equal drivers will hang right there with an 08+ C6 at the drag strip. I had an 08 C6 and sold it. I picked up an 03 z06 and like it much better! It's more fun to drive, and I feel more in tune with it. I get a lot more compliments in the C5 z06, too.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
No longer

the C5Z HP is 405 while the C6 LS3 is 435HP .

The new C6s with LS3s now out perform the C5Z, hands down.

Now if you can find used C5Z for under $25k then that should be considered.
That is simply not true. A LS3 ONLY has a higher top speed. The 02-04 Z06 is on par in EVERY performance category with the LS3 C6 EXCEPT top speed! The C5 Z06 is a drivers car, the LS3 C6 is not. I have owned a LS2 C6, and there was simply no comparing it to my C5 Z06.
Search the forum threads and you will see that a LS3 C6 and C5 Z06 were almost IDENTICAL in the quarter mile. Some forum members raced and the C5 Z06 won by a very slim margin.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by 1rino56
I have been considering a 04 z06 for awhile, but as the 05 C6 prices have dropped, should the C6 also be a consideration? HP appears about the same, but what about other performance? As a longtime vette lover and owner of 13, I am not sure that I have fully warmed up to the new vette, it takes longer for some of us. Any replies would be appreciated.
I'd stay away from the early year C6s there are a few problems they fixed later on. The LS3 motor ones would be the clear choice if you can afford paying $15k over a c5z.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 11:55 AM
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I started looking at C6's, but from a price stand point the C5Z is just too much of a bargain right now. Under 10k miles for 25K. You just can't go wrong.
It really all depends what your money tree looks like. Here's a pic of mine.

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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ExTurbo

BTW "AU N EGL" is that supposed to be "Golden Eagle"? Pretty clever
and my plate number





I have driven more c5s and C6s then I can rember. What ever feels best to drive, that is the one to get. if the OP wants to HEAVELY MOD his vette, then the C5Z is the choice for ease of modifications.

stilll the LS2 C6 is great corvette

Last edited by AU N EGL; Jul 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:24 PM
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My 2001 Z06 knocks'em all off every time. Never came up against a 505hp but all the others 02,03,05 whatever I just shake my head and say.....C-Ya!! Probably just my driving skills.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:27 PM
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You really can't go wrong. It really depends on how you fell. You can be "Top of the class" with an older model, or "entry level" with a newer model.

Personally, I drove a couple C6's and they were very nice "cars". Some of the raw ruggedness (word?) that makes a corvette, a corvette was gone. The auto C6 I drove was like driving my wife's Lexus. Sporty but not much "fun factor" in it.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 01:11 PM
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The C6's are "nicer". If you want a good daily driver with a sports car feel, then it's a great car. If you don't want "nice", if you want to race or mod and FEEL like you're in a race car, the the C5Z is the way to go.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by espz06
The C6's are "nicer". If you want a good daily driver with a sports car feel, then it's a great car. If you don't want "nice", if you want to race or mod and FEEL like you're in a race car, the the C5Z is the way to go.
I think that's a good analysis.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 03:33 PM
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I've posted my personal experiences between both C5Z and C6 plenty of times on here if you want to search. Condensed version: C6- nice, fast, smooth daily-driver C5Z- raw, bare-knuckle, streetable track-car
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 04:14 PM
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I was never a fan of the base C6 body style. Go for the C5Z06. I love the fixed roof line.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
No longer

the C5Z HP is 405 while the C6 LS3 is 435HP .

The new C6s with LS3s now out perform the C5Z, hands down.

Now if you can find used C5Z for under $25k then that should be considered.
Sorry to say that I absolutely disagree with this statement, even for an ls3 powered C6. I've got an '03 Z and use to run it against my roomates '08 C6. Not once was I beat to 90 mph. Granted, when you start getting into the 105+ range, hell yea, that ls3 is gonna start makin a hell of a lot of difference, but until then, the combo of sport gearing and weight is gonna be on your side.

We were both bone stock, mind you. If you start talking vararam, tuning chips, etc. the C6 will pull away pretty damn quick. Having driven the ls3, however, the Z06 is a much better sports car.

This is all besides the point... the bottomline is don't even consider the ls2, not worth your money.
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