C7ZO6

Hello folks,
i fell in love with corvette cars for the first time when I drove c5 z06 in 2001( it was amazing machine )
but i was 20 back then and I couldn’t afford a z06 or any c5
but life slowly changed, now I am successful businessman and would like to have the c5 in my garage.

Last year I ordered for me c7 z06 convertible ( absolutely love the car) now I wanna own c5 as well,
i am definitely not a fast driver but I am a good carful driver, my work commute is 40 miles of canyon driving,
i cant drive anything with body roll, it makes me dizzy.

i am looking to get a C5, manual transmission.
should I get a z06 or regular?
price difference is not a concern, how does parts and service compared to those two? Reliability is the same ?

do I need a z06? ( it will be cool to have z06) but my intention is to have a solid sports car with little body roll, not particularly about the badge, maybe I will try a race track few times a year.

My driving skills are right about 350 to 450 hp range.
i am looking to buy c5 for long term and keep the vehicle.



I much appreciate your input.

Eric

mstromquist

You could go either way really. The C5 Z06 has a little stiffer suspension on it and smidge more HP, but the coupe can be upgraded with the suspension components to be better then it comes stock. I personally like the coupe lines better myself and you can take the top off also where the Z06 you can't. If you like the convertible version, that can also be made to your liking as well. For ease of getting some of the parts you'd be best suited for the 2001-2004 versions . Some of the parts aren't available for the earlier versions. Good luck with your search.

The Rabbi

It's your money, get what you want. What others like has nothing to do with it. You can get all the opinions you want, won't make a difference

dbgoodwin

If you plan on keeping it mostly stock, get the car you really want.

You already have a top down car that’s way faster than either, so it’s not like you’re going to be blown away by the 350 or 405 horsepower c5.

I prefer the c5z, but I also don’t really care about a removable top.

Forcedvert

A Z06, I guess?..... it’s gonna feel slow though.

I love the C7 widebody Vert. I would never drive the
C5 if I had both.

Good luck

C7ZO6

The only 2 items I will change would be the exhaust system and the intake, everything else will stay stock.

even though C7 is a lot more powerful (mine is 700 + Hp) it also requires a lot more skills to use all that power,
i would like to enjoy occasionall race truck use but my convertible vette won’t be allowed there.

how Is Z51 compared to z06 and regular c5?
I narrowed down my search to
3 cars,

1999 Red z51 with 64.000 miles excellent condition.
$ 13.000

red 1999 hard top 78.000 miles with lots of preventive $11.000 maintenance records

2001 black z06 44.000 miles $19.000

thank you folks, I appreciate your help.

Eric

knewblewkorvette

First off, to help you out, I'll trade you one of my C5's for that hideous (AKA gorgeous) C7 you have.
Seriously, If I was in your shoes and money wasn't an object, I would only get a 2002, 2003, or a 2004. Also, I would get a Z06 (even though I love the coupes better) because you stated you might do track time and she has 405 HP, right in the sweet spot of your requested 350-450 HP.

C7ZO6

i am curious why you guys recommend 2002 and up ?
is there a lot of difference between 1999 and 2002 up?

thank you

lewislgZ06

Sounds to me like the Z06 is what best fits your intended use for the car. It was built for track use, and would be great for those canyon roads.

The primary reason I think you’d want a 2001-2004 is parts availability. As to the Z06 specifically, the 2001 has 385hp whereas the 2002-2004 has 405hp.

chasboy

I had an ‘02 Z, and now have a targa coupe. Love them both, and I’d still have the Z but for some foolish reasoning on my part. I don’t miss it for one reason, is that it was black. My current car is pewter and much easier to live with. I like the targa top and hatch, but I don’t care much for open air driving, and the Z’s trunk is great. So bottom line? I’d love to have a pewter Z06.
I believe that when looking for a used car, one buys the best one they can find. When I bought this one, the Z06’s I saw during my search were either over priced for my budget and/or higher mileage than I wanted to deal with.
Bottom line? If I were you I’d get an ‘02-04 Z.
pre-2001 cars had a different EBCM that is no longer made. There are some other problem parts as well.

~Josh

You already know what you want. Get that, down to the exact color.

02torchred

The 2002s had: updated engine block with revised cylinder liners, no more plastic sway bar links, better flowing intake manifold, easier parts availability, heads up display was standard, the Z51 cars had stiffer sways, the Z06 cars had +20hp than the previous year but had spring failures.

The only negative thing I can think of is they lost -5hp from the extra 2 pup cats but this doesn't apply to the 02 Z06.

Spaggs

Personally, I went with an early model year 03' Z. The later year 03's and 04's had the fuel filter placed inside the gas tank and is a PIA to replace. In early 03 you still have the beefed up torque tube components along with the extra power and handling goodies. Oh yea, I almost forgot the brake upgrade to the Z. GM decided to apply a special red paint job to the calipers.

Good luck with your pic.

Spaggs

Not4spd

Not fully correct. My 03Z is a late production August vehicle and the fuel filter is under the car. When it comes to Corvettes buy the newest you can afford. With that being said I'd go 2004 Z16 that comes factory with a painted carbon fiber hood. The last of the C5Z and the best engineered out of all of them hands down. If you are only planning on doing a few mods here and there then I wouldn't waste my money on a coupe and go Z06.

Spaggs

Not4spd,
Is your Z a late model 03' model?
So is it just the 04' model that has the in-tank fuel filter?

Spaggs

Phanni

I have both a vert and a coupe. (C-5 vert-C-7 coupe) I've taken the top off my C-7 once. Get the car (C-5) you like best, and then make a less than $500 modification, by putting C-6 Z06 sway bars and shocks under it. You will get the handling you desire.

smitty2919

03-04 Z06 with bigger swaybars and Koni Shocks for sure.

Coupe vs Z06 with an open budget comes down to whether you like an actual trunk (Z06) or a rear hatch (Coupe) in terms of design/style/functionality.

C7ZO6

Guys I know you recommend 2001 and up, but I found this almost brand new condition 1999 z51 it’s so beautiful, red color.

Has SLP exhaust and intake already on it, 64.000 miles
Second owner car, 12.900.
Should I keep looking or pull the trigger?

Phanni

The early C-5s (97-00) have gotten a bad rap because certain electronic items are not available and non fixable. They are for the most part, reliable cars, with slightly less HP. If you buy one, make sure you know how to read the codes (using the DIC) and that no traction control problems exist!!! The EBCM (electronic brake control module) would be a major problem, and it would cause a loss of traction control, anti lock braking etc, if it fails. The only source for replacement of these EBCMs is from a salvager.

Josephu

Sounds like a nice 99. And no,, theres nothing wrong with a 99. If your the type that will worry about bad computers,, you should just get an 01 -04. Me,, not so much... I love my 98 convertible. 88K and so far, no problems....