Z06, hands down. For the ~2 decades I wanted a C5, I was always set on a targa top coupe because I thought I had to have a removable roof

Then I got a 91 MR2, about 10yrs ago. Man I tell you, having a removable roof isn't all that

When I finally bought a C5, it happened to be a Z06. It was in my price range because it was blown up. I spent 6yrs rebuilding the absolute everything on it, and I gotta say there are some things that come with Z that, while they bolt on to the base, it just isn't the same

1) Ti mufflers have a very unique sound
2) Seeing a notch-back C5 you know its special- its either a Z51 FRC or a Z. Not a grandpa spec, tan interior automatic
3) The gearing. The 4th to 5th shift is addicting. The acceleration in every gear is immediate
4) From the factory, less insulation. The car is loud, there is little isolation. Its a constant reminder than you're driving something with one job- squirt from one corner to the next, as fast as reasonably possible
5) Z06 gauge cluster has aged much better than the base cluster. Higher revs on the tach, should you be wanting to build a high RPM motor, and the dash reminds you that you didn't buy a grandpa spec, tan interior automatic. Glares right in your face "Z06"
6) Steering response, road feedback, brake compound and sway bars are all tuned very well OE. Much tighter/more nimble than the base C5s I've driven
7) available trunk partition makes it feel more like a car inside, and doesn't block rear visibility. Can't do that in a hatch
8) removable roof is a pro or con, depending on the person. I find the fixed roof to be a pro, and I wish my MR2 was also a slick top. Removable roof just ain't it- loud when off, leaky, creaky, less structural, added weight and complexity, additional cost to reseal when rubbers are needed- I imagine the list can go on. FRC ftw

If I had to do it all again, I'd still buy a Z06

 

I have a coupe and love it, but it’s for an old man (no tan interior, lol) driving around his neighborhood. It has been enhanced for a bit of go-power, but not a track car by any means.

Your description pretty much speaks Z06. Haven’t heard Z owners on this forum. They seem quite content, especially the one who like to try their mettle on twisty tracks and/or twisty roads. There’s no end to car upgrades, but the Z06 is legendary right out of the box.

So has our input helped?

 

Thanks everyone - C5 Z06 is looking like the winner!

 

the Z06 is also the only Corvette that came with a thinner windshield than its stablemate

 

That is correct for when they were built, but the thinner glass isn't available anymore and if your car ever had a windshield replacement- it's very likely it's got a normal thickness C5 windshield now

But per the Z06 RPO, they are thinner out the box

 

when I buy my 03 last year I have 3 criteria and it wasn’t negotiable, it had to have the titanium exhaust, the factory wheels and the original windshield, I’ve disregarded all the car missing one of these part until I find the right car.

 

🤔 Why the windshield original? Do new windscreen leak and whistle?.. Worry worry...
A Corvette windscreen sits so low... next to that dirty nasty tarmac... Easily blasted with sand and undesirables.

 

The Z06 and Convertible came with a lighter windshield. Last I heard they are no longer available.

Some people like having the original glass. Nothing wrong with that.

 

I think it was just the z06 that had the lighter windshield, not the convertible. could be wrong on that. a lot of neat weight savings things like that went into the z06.

 

Not going to say you are wrong but some GM literature say the Z06 and Convertible shared the same light glass.

Maybe they intended to use it and made a running change.

If I recall it was only on the HUD cars.

 

It was simple for me, Convertible and six speed mandatory. So... no Z06.

 

The C5 Z06 had both a thinner windshield and supposedly thinner back glass (compared to the '99-00 FRC) that saved a total of 6 lbs and helped move the CG down a couple millimeters, at most.

As far as the transmissions are concerned, the MM6 in the C5 Z06 has lower gearing ratios in 1-3 and as well as in 5-6 compared to the M12 in the base C5 Corvette. The effective 1-3 and 5-6 gear ratios in the Z06 would be comparable to that in the base Corvette with about a 3.90 rear end. But the RPM drop off during the 3-4 upshift and the 5-4 downshift is much more noticeable in the Z06. Remember that the Z06 was designed for autocross type events. It works on smaller road courses like say Gingerman, but it's noticeably not optimal on longer tracks say like VIR.

Side notes - I have been told by several C5 Corvette racers that a M12 is "more better" a longer track. Then there was a special WC T56 with ratios very close to those also used in the C6 ZR1 MH3 code TR6060. Plus if you want a real "dual purpose" setup for both street and track in a full weight car, then the C7 Z06 MEK code TR6070 with say a 4.10 rear end is a hard combo to beat, but that is as they say yet another story... As always YMMV.

 

you’re right only the Z06 came with thinner glass.

 

that would be the day when the thickness of the windshield would be a factor ???? actually for everyday driving I would want a thick one !!!

 

No contest IMO. Z06 all the way. I've owned two and not a hint of problem with either of them. Tons of fun to drive and the lightest of the C5s at 3118 lbs.

 

At the time weight in general was a factor on this car in development. 6 pound was a lot of weight, most cars today have thinner glass with a sound barrier.

Damage wise they all chip.

 

Leaving it stock and a track day every once in a while - Z06.

Planning to get into track days you are most likely upgrading things like shocks/springs/brakes or brake pads...maybe adding HP at which point you might as well get a base C5 and then surpass the performance of a Z06. Think about it...even a 2004 Z06 is 20 years old so if you found one stock for $30K, I'd still be looking to change the shocks etc for age reasons alone before I go blasting around a road course.

@Kubs would be a good opinion to have on this one.

 

I agree with this. Nothing left on my car is Z06 except the thinner windshield and LS6. My car would be just as fast with a base coupe and 243 heads.

The base car has less drag with the hatch glass, and can fit more stuff in it for road trips.

If youre building for a specific class it will dictate what you can do. The Z06 fit perfectly into the SCCA class I was chasing at the time and worked well stock (still have a stock track record at Gingerman that is now 3 years old). Now even all of my mods were intended to stay in specific classes.