I might pick up a C6Z when they drop below 30k for a decent one. The C5Z is a ton of performance for the dollar right now and is a blast to drive.

 

I'd buy one that had the head work done. I love my C5Z, but I'd have a C6Z over it if they were closer in price.

My friend has a h/c/e C6Z and i'm a little jealous. Not jealous of the $$ he has shelled out for it though.

 

I like both, But I love the C5Z body lines... Very unique one of a kind body style that is a eye catcher... The C5Z feels more race inspired...

 

Totally agree.

 

C6-Z06 with the LS7 is brutal!! Haven't driven one, but have been on a few joy rides in one and its almost frightening!! In a good way.

I just couldn't live with one if it didn't have the heads reworked with bronze guides and SS valves. Way too many coincidences of valve guide wear. Seems it just a matter of how much wiggle do you have on those valves.

The LS3 GS would be enough power for me, but the LS7 would be sweet.

 

I really wanted a C6 Z06 but I would have spent more than twice as much $$. I figure I will have just as much fun in my C5 Z06 as a C6 Z06. So I figured I would save my money and go the cheaper route. I won't look back.. well maybe when the C6 Z gets down in the low 20's I might pick one up.

 

I feel the same way!

 

, much bigger problem with the ls7s

 

I had a 2008 Z06 and got it with 11k miles on it for $50k out the door back in october of 2011. I absolutely loved the car. The LS7 is in a whole other universe when compared to the LS6. I mean the LS7 makes around 450rwhp stock, which is around what most heads/cam and bolt on C5Z's makes. I really wish I wouldn't have traded that C6Z for a 2005 E55 AMG Mercedes but I did since my gf has a kid.

That being said, he never rode in the AMG, so I got the itch for an LSx again and I found my pristine 03 C5Z with only 26k miles on it in March and got it for $26k out the door as well and couldn't be happier right now. I've always been partial towards the C5Z due to the bodylines and its looks.

06-07 C6Z's can be had in the mid to high 30's and low 40's all day long. 08's are in the mid to upper 40's with extremely low miles on them. 09's can be had in the upper 40's and lower 50's and so on with the newer years and options.

For the actual numbers of LS7's made to the number that have dropped valves isn's actually very much. way less than 1% of LS7's have had this issue. The only ones you hear about on this site are the ones that have had the issues and if its still under warranty like any 09+ still is then there is no big deal at all, just get a new motor from GM.

With all that being said, I love my 03 C5Z, but damn, my 08 C6Z was in a whole other universe when it came to brute force, amazing sound and performance.

If I had to do it all over again I would've just kept my 08 C6Z and been happier than ever. The LS7 is the greatest feeling motor I've ever used and the feedback from it and the exhaust sound is spectacular.

LS7 FTW.

 

ls7 c6 is my next car

 

C6Z is a much better car then the C5, but it is also much more expensive. I've owned both and the C6 is not comparable.. but I'd rather have a 20k vette that I could still enjoy over a 40k vette.

 

Yes, I love the C6 Z and despite the engine problems I'd rather have one. I originally was dead set on getting one too as a street / track car. However, as I researched more I began to realize as a more track car than street I saw the C6 Z was just going to be too expensive for me from repairs to the cost of the car itself. I picked up my '04 Z in Oct '11 with less than 17k on the clock for $25k. At the time, the lowest C6 Z's I could find were $38k with 30-40,000 miles on them. Then I knew I would have to dump money into it too. Suspension, seats, power, coolers, brakes, etc.

Even now I when I go to the track I wish I had a C6 Z. To me they look so much better. I feel like my car looks really dated next to one. But the actually driving experience I love my C5 Z at the track. It's cheap to run in comparison and with a few mods versus a stock one they are pretty close. Plus, it's fun chasing down and passing C6 Z's at the track with my "older" car. Granted some blow me away but those are making crazy power. And typically I find that even if they pull me down the straights I end up catching them and passing most anyway. They aren't THAT much faster, especially if you can catch the draft coming out of the corners. That makes all the difference.

I chased a stock Z at the last Sebring event. He's an instructor as am I and I was able to keep up with him under the following conditions. He had a female passenger weighing approx. 120 lbs and was shifting at 6k instead of 7 to be easy on the engine. By him doing that with my 392whp I was able to hang. He still pulled slightly out of some corners depending on where I was at in my gear but it was pretty much neck and neck. Now, had he ditched the passenger and went to 7 he would have pulled me a car or two I'm sure down the straights but it's not a HUGE difference.

The other thing I like about the C5 at the track is no tire sensors, wheel sensors, etc. You just swap the wheels and go. So much easier. And from everything I've read the LS6 is one of the best motors Chevy built. I have a lot less fear of it blowing up and it if it does it's a lot cheaper to fix.

Still, having said that if I could afford it I would get a C6 Z. Really afford it and I would get a ZR1.

 

I like the C6Z's
I could afford one if I wanted to.

I just like the look of my C5Z, and I have fully modified it.
555HP / 520 Tq NA LS6.
Too many other mods to list (~$20K in mods)
Its paid off... with only 27K miles on the ODO.

I prefer to put some extra money away for my son's college fund.
Its money better spent I think.

Maybe after he is out of the house I'll look into a C3 (68-72) to "Add" to my collection.
I'm not selling my 2004 C5Z though. Last of the FRC's !
I bought it new over 9 years ago. Every mile was put on by me !

Toque

 

i'm not in denial, if it was financially wise, i'll do it, it's a much more attractive car

 

You live in South Florida which I lived in a condo in the Epic for quite a few years in dowtown Miami. With all the Ferrari's and Lambo's running around even the C6 Z isn't going to be any more attractive to anyone but you. I think you have a nice Vette and for some reason if they make a C7 Z06 Vette in the future, the C5 will be the car to own due to it being the first Z06 Gen to be produced and it's body is so different.

They make that C7 Z06 I have a feeling it's going to be one of the best looking Z06's ever made to date. The interior in the C7 alone will make it just so nice since Vette's are notorious for crap interior like Mustangs. I think the C6 Z might be over looked over time.

 

Had the '04 and loved it. Gave great feedback from the road. Handled great. Fun car to drive.
The '08 is more plush in the way it drives as opposed to the rawness of the '04. On longer trips, I prefer the '08. I enjoy both platforms.
As for engine performance, there is no comparison. In general, it takes a lot of work for the LS6 to keep up with the stock LS7. Add a few Bolt-Ons to the LS7 and you are in another league.

 

For the money the c5z offers all the performance I could ask for and more. I like the fact that its depreciation had pretty much leveled off when I got it 2 years ago. I know it will still go down some but not anywhere as drastic as a new model would. Plus modding and repairs to this car are much more reasonable to me. Blow the LS6 I can get a low mile shortblock for $2-3 k or go with crate or used LS3. Blow an LS7 and the replacement engine could cost as much as a nice c5z. Im very happy with the c5z.

 

The C5Z is the best bang for the buck car out there right now.

Pretty fun with a blower and 600 rwhp as well =)

 

yeah...I guess I am just not used to having a car where there is a newer more attractive body style running around. I came from a MKIV supra and it was nice having a car that there wasnt a newer body off.

 

I feel just the opposite. To me, the C5 Z06 fixed roof is much more attractive and exotic-looking than the lazy greenhouse and halo/basket handle on the C6Z. I dunno, maybe it's because that "traditional" Corvette hatchback design has been around forever and I see it everywhere.