[Z06] Thoughts while driving your zo6
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Washington D.C.
I'm just a handful of months into my '03 Z06 and could not be happier...and echo many of the comments in the thread. Did my research and - thanks to a ton of information on this forum + some advice from a longtime GM mechanic and 'Vette enthusiast - got a one-owner, low mileage car for a fair deal...and never looked back. The only question I've asked myself is "why the h3ll didn't I do it sooner?".
For those reading these posts like I was - do your homework and pull the trigger - you'll love it.
For those reading these posts like I was - do your homework and pull the trigger - you'll love it.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: Boise Idaho
2001 z06
The C5 Z06 is an amazing car for the money.
Sold my 2008 STi Stage 2 after sixs years and went looking for my next automotive adventure. The C5 Z06 wasn't really on the list until I drove one. Really thought I was looking for a low mile Porsche or a 2016 Miata. Had no idea I was a "Corvette Guy", my SSCA friends think I have gone over to the dark side.
Very happy with the C5 Z06. It is truly a gas and go factory hotrod. Looking forward to my first track day.
Sold my 2008 STi Stage 2 after sixs years and went looking for my next automotive adventure. The C5 Z06 wasn't really on the list until I drove one. Really thought I was looking for a low mile Porsche or a 2016 Miata. Had no idea I was a "Corvette Guy", my SSCA friends think I have gone over to the dark side.
Very happy with the C5 Z06. It is truly a gas and go factory hotrod. Looking forward to my first track day.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
My Z16 is my longest-owned vehicle out of nearly fifty(!) others I've had. I almost went C6Z last Spring, but just couldn't do it...
The change to Michelin PSS has been made a great driving experience even better!
The change to Michelin PSS has been made a great driving experience even better!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
One of the things I frequently think about is wishing I could take it to a track one day. Time and money prevent me from doing so.
I heard of a track not too far from me but it's around $1000 to play. Not gonna happen.
P.S. Oh, and Kate Beckinsale hitchhiking on the side of the road, I also think of that...
I heard of a track not too far from me but it's around $1000 to play. Not gonna happen.
P.S. Oh, and Kate Beckinsale hitchhiking on the side of the road, I also think of that...
Last edited by grantv; Sep 28, 2015 at 11:09 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Pflugerville Texas
Getting ready to take my 03 Z on a 2500 mile trip to Gatlinburg on Tuesday. I will be enjoying every minute don't have any plans to sell it. Just a lot of fun to get pushed back in the seat and listen to the exhaust roar.
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 6
From: Del Rio TX
This is the most enjoyable to drive car I have ever owned. It's been reliable, I can do the oil changes and change the brake pads on it myself without taking it to dealer and it gives good mileage on the highway. It has some of the most comfortable seats of any sports car I've ever been in. I think someday the C5 Z06 will go down as a classic Corvette benchmark. Also, the last of the flip up headlight Corvettes. I find myself making excuses to drive it somewhere.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 32
From: Ocala FL
I have had my '02 C5Z for about 7 months now and still when I look out in my parking spot and still think...man, I have the keys to that. Then there's being out on the road and some clown comes along that either thinks he has more than he does or does not realize what I have!!! See ya!!! Great feeling!!!
Still get compliments on it and am amazed on how many people outside the Corvette world have no clue about Corvette's. I still get asked if it's the new model. lol
Nope, it's 12 years old!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 42
Make sure you do the tail of the dragon while you're there. 318 curves 11 miles. Just did it in my 03z last week
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 371
Likes: 9
From: Manteca CA
St. Jude Donor '09
I always think, well...actually I even say it with a giggle, "stoopid car"
As in stupidly blase' in everything it does or can do.
Even when it was stock it was "giggles-r-us". Incredibly capable and balanced. Add FI and some cam, now motor dominant, but FUN. My wife even laughs when we pull up to light, it's sitting there loping, supercharger whining, just being it's stoopid self.
Even with it's quirks, (need to replace fuel level sending units), this thing isn't leaving my possesion. It's exactly.....well close anyway, what I want.
As in stupidly blase' in everything it does or can do.
Even when it was stock it was "giggles-r-us". Incredibly capable and balanced. Add FI and some cam, now motor dominant, but FUN. My wife even laughs when we pull up to light, it's sitting there loping, supercharger whining, just being it's stoopid self.
Even with it's quirks, (need to replace fuel level sending units), this thing isn't leaving my possesion. It's exactly.....well close anyway, what I want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
My answer to this thread is that I can take the car on a 500 mile drive and when the drive is over, I am actually thinking.... I'm here already!
Driving this car is heaven. My only complaint is I wish the seats were better.
Driving this car is heaven. My only complaint is I wish the seats were better.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,244
Likes: 4,739
From: SE WI
Same here. The only bad part of driving this car is having to park it and turn the awesome sounding engine off.