I sold my 85 Corvette 406ci that had 428-rwhp & 458-rwtq and I don't want to take a big drop back to a 350ci engine, so the Z06 is close

I dont want to step on any toes here but are there any years or options to avoid?

 

not really. the 01 is considered the worst and it's not even all that bad

decide what you want to do with the car, based on what you owned before it sounds like a straight line car

if that's what you want again there are many already done cars at that hp level or more forsale

 

Avoid all of them cause there addicting!!!

 

Any in good condition for the right price honestly. The 01 is slightly slower in factory form but if you plan on modding it it makes almost no difference. The 02-04 did have a few nice options like HUD, a better steering rack ( tighter turning radius), etc

I bought an 01 in october 2012 and couldnt be happier.

 

I'm not sure when the "oil consumption" issue was completely resolved -- mid 02? 01 has a few less horsepower than 02. If all options are open and you can wait, I'd personally look for an 03 or 04.

 

04 is my 1st choice

 

If you ever miss swapping transmission on the '85 feel free to come over and help me finish mine! I picked up an '01 Z recently as well to tide me over. Most of the problems are things you can handle, Column lock issues that bothered all C5's leaking rear differential on the '01 and '02's (I think they fixed it by 03) Electrical gremlins caused by janky grounds (easy to fix) '02 and '03 I've heard of valve spring or retainer issues (I don't remember which). Not a big deal if you catch it before it drops a valve.

The oil consumption issues on the '01's seem overblown to me. My '85 leaks more oil out the rear main seal and the valve covers than these things burn. Like most used sports cars pay attention to how the transmission and clutch feel, who knows how they were abused before you.

I suggest you buy an '01 so that you can fix all the issues and I can just copy your how-to instructions!

 

Grab anyone you can and spend the most u can on the nicest one you can find.
I went from an 85 to an 02 and I just love mine. The 85 is sitting collecting dust with a 427bb waiting to get dropped in and Im not even wanting to do that.
Grab the nicest ZO6 you can and plan on a nice cam and headers with a CAI Anyways and maybe some boost later on

 

Believe all the 02+ Z06s had the updated piston rings.

 

late 01

i don't think any of the 02 model year cars had the old rings. the late 01 cars also were changed to the higher tension oil rings and scraper 2nd ring

if memory serves the last couple months of 01 production got the updated ringset

 

Thanks again guys, honestly I have not followed the C5 or C6 much.

I am a little torn right now, on the surface, it seems like an 05 C6 is nearly the same as a Z06 in terms of HP. I have not driven either so I guess i need to go drive a C5 & C6 soon

I need to study this quite a bit before I plunk down my dough.

 

First of all...you are on the right track w a C5Z....they are hands down the best value for performance for dollars spent out there. You will love it. They are light, quick and handle well. You will be surprised and happy when you drive one. Honestly....it doesn't matter what year C5Z you buy....find the cleanest nicest Z you can for the best price...regardless of year. I have 2 C5's and a C6...the C6 is very nice..no doubt.....but I usually am driving a C5. There is just something about them that does it for me.....great looks, performance and I am just very comfortable with the feel and feedback. Also...the C5 and C6 are nothing alike. If you drive a C6 ...you will feel like you are driving a cadillac.....very smoothe, comfortable..etc. C5Z....it will feel like a vettte.....firm ride, driving feedback, etc....the visceral feeling you would expect from a vettte. Don't confuse yourself w too many choices....stick w a nice C5Z for 18-24k and you will be very happy. plz come back and ask us questions as you look and shop for vettes.

 

I'm not sure what it is but the '05, even with a Z51 package doesn't feel as aggressive or as strong as the C5Z, again the '08+ LS3's are a different story, but I liked the C5Z over a LS2 C6.

That being said, drive both and decide for yourself!

 

There aren't many places I can truly contribute on this site as I'm not a long-term Corvette guy but this is one that I CAN contribute as in my brief Corvette ownership history, I've had both a C6 coupe and C5Z.

If you are thinking C6 coupe, you'll want no earlier than a 2008 as the HP bump to 430 (or 436 with NPP) is what it will tank to even consider running with a C5Z performance-wise. You will also want to have a Z51 configuration to stiffen it up a bit as the stock coupe is waaaaay too soft if you are to ever consider HPDE or similar. The bells and whistles are great on the C6. It's a more comfortable ride overall. It weighs a bit more than the C5Z, however, and isn't optimized for pure performance like the Z. Again, if you are going to consider C6 vs. C5Z, it really has to be a z51 2008 or newer or you really will be disappointed IMO.

The C5Z is a rocketship right out of the gate. If you can find a clean, low-mile one like I did with headers, intake, and tune already on it from a respected tuner/vendor, you will be blown away. 2nd gear is a glorious roller-coaster ride all the way to the redline. I do spirited driving... I come back from a 2-hour drive with dark colored wheels from severe brake dust. The fun factor in my Z on a scale of 1-10 is really pretty much a 9+ as there are few things to really do right out of the box. On my coupe, I'd say -- 7 tops. The C5Z is a generation older, so it doesn't look/feel as modern inside and that may turn off some. From a pure driving standpoint, though, that's not relevant.

So, after my rant, I'll end with this: started with a 2008 A6 Z51 coupe. Sold it. Bought a C5Z. Will drive this for a couple of years or until clean, low-mile C6Zs come under $30K. When they do, I'll make the jump up. I won't be driving a coupe again.

Good luck with your decision and make sure you take a long, good test drive in both before you make a decision.

 

A lightly modded C5Z will even take the 08 with the LS3. Our Z's have better gearing and are a bit lighter. Especially if you run across an auto LOL. The C5Z is the best bang for the buck hands down! A lot of these cars run in the 3100+ lb. range vs. the 3300 range of the 08.

 

Excellent perspective on the 05 vs 08, my 85 had some great TQ and if I could get another car in that same HP range, well, it was enough for me, I don't run around getting on it all the time but some spirited acceleration on occasion always made me smile and made my passengers stiff.

What impresses me teh most is the LS platform, it seems that the engine is much more capable of yielding more gains with mild mods, unlike the L98/406 ci I had, my car went all the way to radical and then it became too much like a hot rod.

Headers, cat back a tune and "maybe" an intake is as far as I'm going on a new car, of course that's my story and I'm sticking to it

 

Picked up an 03 w 29k miles. Its a freaking dream

 

suspension just doesn't seem to be optimized on the c6, at least the early c6 coupe. was watching top gear season 4 episode 10 where they test an 05 coupe

same problems i noticed, car liked to come around and oversteer extremely easy

 

moving up to a C6 that is 07 or newer crimps my cash flow.

I can swing an 04 Z and nearly pay cash @ $21k-$22k, which I like that better

 

mine too.

i hear there were a few changes in that year.

larry. i have driven both the C5 Z06 and the C6. my issue is that i think the FRC looks really good, but i do like that the LS2 has more cubes.