[Z06] Z06 As a Daily Driver Question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Z06 As a Daily Driver Question?
Hi all, my name is Charlie and I have an great opportunity to buy an '01 Z06 in mint condition. If I do buy it, the Z will be my daily driver because I need the $ from my trade ('07 Charger HEMI R/T) to buy it. My question goes out to anyone using the Z as thier daily driver. How is the Z as a daily driver? I know the ride is stiff and the clutch is heavy but what about overall reliability and wet weather driving? I live in NJ and I currently drive about 20 miles each way to work in moderate traffic with a few stretches of stop and go. I used to own an '86 coupe that was a garage queen that I drove to work on occassion but never anything close to daily driver status. I do own a GMC Yukon XL that I can use when it snows but I will be driving the Z in the rain. Please don't bash me for wanting to drive the Z every day but it is a car after all and cars are built to be driven. When I sold my '86 coupe, I regretted every minute I didn't drive it. When it was all said and done, I probably got an extra $1,000 more than I would have gotten if I drove the car. Thanks for any input or advice 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Providence Forge Virginia
Good all-weather tires, don't lower it, add a "bra" or clear 3M substitute and you are all set ! Be a little cautious of tall speed bumps and deep pot holes...otherwise. Drive mine twice per week to work @ 60mi. round in mixed conditions.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
As far as the tires go, I checked TireRack and they only listed summer tires so I thought all-weather tires are not available for the Z. Can you please let me know which all-weather tires you are running? Thanks Again
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 0
From: New Rochelle, NY New York
I drive my Z every single day I can. Rain or shine. I drive about the same as you (I think you got me by 3 miles) to work everyday. Just make sure you have good tires (I have vredestein's on her now and they are fantastic in the rain and hook really great on dry pavement too!). I really don't recommend driving in cold temps though (below 25 deg.) because the tire compounds for our cars are meant for summer weather and you lose a lot of traction. If you do, and I have had to on occasion, go easy on the throttle 
I never seen all weather tires for the Z 
This car is meant to be driven! I've been stuck in traffic and even that becomes a pleasure because people start talking to you- asking about the car.
I'm even going with a S/C this fall and still intend on driving her everyday!
Oh, and as you can see in my Sig, I am lowered (on stock bolts) and I also have a front splitter, and side skirts. I am able to go over all speed bumps. I just slow down, almost to a stop really, but no problems. I do need to be careful around driveways though I also have the 3m clear bra (headlight covers, nose, hood, mirrors & behind the front and rear wheel panels) which really help cut down on the painting expense. Well worth the cash to do! The front of these cars take a beating! 
I never seen all weather tires for the Z This car is meant to be driven!
I've been stuck in traffic and even that becomes a pleasure because people start talking to you- asking about the car.I'm even going with a S/C this fall and still intend on driving her everyday!
Oh, and as you can see in my Sig, I am lowered (on stock bolts) and I also have a front splitter, and side skirts. I am able to go over all speed bumps. I just slow down, almost to a stop really, but no problems. I do need to be careful around driveways though
I also have the 3m clear bra (headlight covers, nose, hood, mirrors & behind the front and rear wheel panels) which really help cut down on the painting expense. Well worth the cash to do! The front of these cars take a beating!
Last edited by dcd58; Sep 14, 2009 at 07:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Thanks for the input dcd and a big shout out from a former New Yorker I grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and my wife grew up in Jamaica Hills, Queens. So you know the exact weather I would be driving in give or take a few degrees. The closest cars to a Vette that I ever drove on a regular daily basis were my '84 and '86 Trans Ams. Talk about bad traction those cars were impossible to drive in cold wet conditions and forget about snow of any accumulation. I'm really leaning towards pulling the trigger and picking up the Z. I'm glad that there are Z owners that actually drive these incredible machines as often as possible no matter what. Thanks again for the words of encouragement
I grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and my wife grew up in Jamaica Hills, Queens. So you know the exact weather I would be driving in give or take a few degrees. The closest cars to a Vette that I ever drove on a regular daily basis were my '84 and '86 Trans Ams. Talk about bad traction those cars were impossible to drive in cold wet conditions and forget about snow of any accumulation. I'm really leaning towards pulling the trigger and picking up the Z. I'm glad that there are Z owners that actually drive these incredible machines as often as possible no matter what. Thanks again for the words of encouragement
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I haven't had my Z that long but, I don't think I would want to use it as a dd. I think some of that comes from the fact that I use an F250 diesel as my dd. The Z06 for me is a weekend cruiser. My truck works for me as a dd. To many times I need to throw things in the back of that bed...just too much wear and tear on the Z to use as a dd....jmho
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
get the Z! I use mine as a daily driver and it's been great! Good gas mileage and very reliable....plus fun!! I have driven it in rain and snow...and it's been fine. As you said...it is a little rough at times.....stiff suspension......but it's a vette! I would go for it! You will have a blast...and you have the yukon if you ever need it! 
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Temple TX
I drive mine everyday 100+ miles. I love it! I have a '95 truck that I could drive, but since I've started driving C5's a couple years ago, I may have put 5 or 6k miles on the truck. HAHA! Why drive the truck when I can get better milage in the Z? It rides better than many vehicles I've rode in IMHO. The clutch really isn't stiff at all compared to many clutches I've felt. Now, I would not have driven my C4's daily- but to me the C5 and C5Z are great cars and meant to be driven. Drive it hard, drive it easy, just drive that baby and drive it often. Good luck, and come here once you buy it for great people, good deals, and great advice.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
I daily drive mine as well... used to be rain or shine, but I have a beater Yukon that I drive on most rainy days now, mainly because when it rains, people here like to bounce cars off of each other. I have put 40,000+ miles on it in about 3 years (been deployed for 14 months of that) and have loved every single one.
The Z06 is a great car and I have never had a problem with regards to daily driving one.
The Z06 is a great car and I have never had a problem with regards to daily driving one.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 11
From: Maple Ontario
I drive my Z06 every single day, rain or shine. Wet handling is totally fine as long as you aren't running drag radials. I live in Toronto, Canada and drive the car from April - November. As long as the temperature is above 40 degrees, you're fine (cold tires are much worse handling-wise than wet road conditions!)
I get 28 mpg on the highway. I play ice hockey and carry my equipment.. I take long road trips up to the cottage in the summer time. The car is a joy to live with and drive every day, I'd never compromise.
I get 28 mpg on the highway. I play ice hockey and carry my equipment.. I take long road trips up to the cottage in the summer time. The car is a joy to live with and drive every day, I'd never compromise.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 0
From: New Rochelle, NY New York
Thanks for the input dcd and a big shout out from a former New Yorker I grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and my wife grew up in Jamaica Hills, Queens. So you know the exact weather I would be driving in give or take a few degrees. The closest cars to a Vette that I ever drove on a regular daily basis were my '84 and '86 Trans Ams. Talk about bad traction those cars were impossible to drive in cold wet conditions and forget about snow of any accumulation. I'm really leaning towards pulling the trigger and picking up the Z. I'm glad that there are Z owners that actually drive these incredible machines as often as possible no matter what. Thanks again for the words of encouragement
I grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and my wife grew up in Jamaica Hills, Queens. So you know the exact weather I would be driving in give or take a few degrees. The closest cars to a Vette that I ever drove on a regular daily basis were my '84 and '86 Trans Ams. Talk about bad traction those cars were impossible to drive in cold wet conditions and forget about snow of any accumulation. I'm really leaning towards pulling the trigger and picking up the Z. I'm glad that there are Z owners that actually drive these incredible machines as often as possible no matter what. Thanks again for the words of encouragement Hey, a "shout" back at ya from Queens
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,289
Likes: 86
From: Kennesaw Jawga
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I drive mine every day. Sometimes long distances for work. Only "issue" is how low it is. Mine is SLIGHTLY lowered and I still have a tough time with some entrances and speed bumps. That's about the only issue. Other than that its great!
Dadmod
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Hi all, my name is Charlie and I have an great opportunity to buy an '01 Z06 in mint condition. If I do buy it, the Z will be my daily driver because I need the $ from my trade ('07 Charger HEMI R/T) to buy it. My question goes out to anyone using the Z as thier daily driver. How is the Z as a daily driver? I know the ride is stiff and the clutch is heavy but what about overall reliability and wet weather driving? I live in NJ and I currently drive about 20 miles each way to work in moderate traffic with a few stretches of stop and go. I used to own an '86 coupe that was a garage queen that I drove to work on occassion but never anything close to daily driver status. I do own a GMC Yukon XL that I can use when it snows but I will be driving the Z in the rain. Please don't bash me for wanting to drive the Z every day but it is a car after all and cars are built to be driven. When I sold my '86 coupe, I regretted every minute I didn't drive it. When it was all said and done, I probably got an extra $1,000 more than I would have gotten if I drove the car. Thanks for any input or advice
MoparMike (aka: ChadMods Dad)
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
Daily driver
A stock Z06 would be a pussycat for driving to work daily. My car is far from stock, my commute is 26 mi. each way and I drive my car every day. I wouldn't want to drive anything else.
I figure, I gotta go to work so I might as well look forward to and enjoy the ride!
-Rick
I figure, I gotta go to work so I might as well look forward to and enjoy the ride!
-Rick
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 0
From: New Rochelle, NY New York
A stock Z06 would be a pussycat for driving to work daily. My car is far from stock, my commute is 26 mi. each way and I drive my car every day. I wouldn't want to drive anything else.
I figure, I gotta go to work so I might as well look forward to and enjoy the ride!
-Rick
I figure, I gotta go to work so I might as well look forward to and enjoy the ride!
-Rick
