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Also they aren’t all that common, but if you could find a FRC that may be the perfect middle ground for you! Usually priced along the lines of a coupe but several benefits including the Fixed roof for added stiffness, little bit lighter weight, base seats and climate control and all were manuals with Z51 suspension. It’s really a great package and there is something really clean about an FRC without body side mouldings and especially cool with a set of oe magnesium wheels!
It's really up to you. I very much like the hard top / trunk of the FRC and Z06, so that is what I have. Either one, I suggest looking @ 02-04 as they seem to have fewer issues (especially electronics). Good luck with your search!
If you plan to do significant upgrades go with the money savings and put that towards those. If you plan to keep the car relatively stock absolutely go with the Z06. I’ve had a C5 vert, C6 LS2, and C5 Z06 -all manual 6spd….and can say from experience out of the box C5 Z06 is hands down the most fun to drive…. C6 base with minor suspension upgrades (C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars) was also fun but didn’t have that same raw feeling the C5 Z06 does. Plus no matter how much someone disagrees there will always be something about owning the Z06 that just feels different.
Well... I disagree... A C5 Corvette is NOT a beater type of car!... That kinda treatment, Y'all wanta tyotta sorta thing. 🤨
What???
I vote Z06 for a part-time track car. More HP, brake cooling, pwr steering cooler, bigger sway bars and 6-sp manual gearbox. Perform all periodic maintenance. Do a thorough safety inspection. Install some good brake pads, DOT 4 brake fluid and some decent tires THEN SEND IT!
If you plan to do significant upgrades go with the money savings and put that towards those. If you plan to keep the car relatively stock absolutely go with the Z06. I’ve had a C5 vert, C6 LS2, and C5 Z06 -all manual 6spd….and can say from experience out of the box C5 Z06 is hands down the most fun to drive…. C6 base with minor suspension upgrades (C6 Z06 shocks and C6 Z51 sway bars) was also fun but didn’t have that same raw feeling the C5 Z06 does. Plus no matter how much someone disagrees there will always be something about owning the Z06 that just feels different.
the c5 z06 in stock form really isn't that quick by today's standards, but is a significant improvement over the base. And while it's relatively easy to get z06 performance from the base, I'd just go with the z06 -- if you can afford it, and you're going with a hard top, I'd go z06 all day (also assuming you're going with a 2002 or newer/ 405 hp, not the '01 385 hp).
though.. another way of looking at it --- if you just want the power, the 02 and newer z06 is 405hp/400 #ft tq. that's 55 more horse power and 50 more #ft of torque than the base c5. c5. If the price difference is $10k --- you could easily put in an AA supercharger, and be at 500+ horsepower at the wheels.
the c5 z06 in stock form really isn't that quick by today's standards, but is a significant improvement over the base. And while it's relatively easy to get z06 performance from the base, I'd just go with the z06 -- if you can afford it, and you're going with a hard top, I'd go z06 all day (also assuming you're going with a 2002 or newer/ 405 hp, not the '01 385 hp).
though.. another way of looking at it --- if you just want the power, the 02 and newer z06 is 405hp/400 #ft tq. that's 55 more horse power and 50 more #ft of torque than the base c5. c5. If the price difference is $10k --- you could easily put in an AA supercharger, and be at 500+ horsepower at the wheels.
That said, I'd still go with the z06.
C5 Z06 even in stock form is far more car than almost any weekend driver or track in the US can get to its full potential….. does it have the same HP as some other more modern sports cars… No…. But do I believe it could outperform 90% of them on the track right out of the box? ABSOLUTELY
C5 Z06 even in stock form is far more car than almost any weekend driver or track in the US can get to its full potential….. does it have the same HP as some other more modern sports cars… No…. But do I believe it could outperform 90% of them on the track right out of the box? ABSOLUTELY
I don't agree with "90%" ... regardless, it's far more about the driver than the car. I know drivers in the Miata class that can take newb corvette drivers, z06 or not.
anyway, you're missing the point. z06 is a great car... but it's also over 20 years old, so of course some of the shine has worn off. Still worth the money imho.
Also they aren’t all that common, but if you could find a FRC that may be the perfect middle ground for you! Usually priced along the lines of a coupe but several benefits including the Fixed roof for added stiffness, little bit lighter weight, base seats and climate control and all were manuals with Z51 suspension. It’s really a great package and there is something really clean about an FRC without body side mouldings and especially cool with a set of oe magnesium wheels!
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Originally Posted by JMG2
the c5 z06 in stock form really isn't that quick by today's standards, but is a significant improvement over the base. And while it's relatively easy to get z06 performance from the base, I'd just go with the z06 -- if you can afford it, and you're going with a hard top, I'd go z06 all day (also assuming you're going with a 2002 or newer/ 405 hp, not the '01 385 hp).
though.. another way of looking at it --- if you just want the power, the 02 and newer z06 is 405hp/400 #ft tq. that's 55 more horse power and 50 more #ft of torque than the base c5. c5. If the price difference is $10k --- you could easily put in an AA supercharger, and be at 500+ horsepower at the wheels.
I have had my 01 Z06 for 3 year now. I respect JMG2s opinion but disagree with shying away from an 01. They can be had for less and are still great cars.
I was a member of this forum for 4 years before buying my car from another member. I READ EVERYTHING! There is a common opinion from a lot of owners of ALL generations that the C5Z is the car. I'm not going to agree with that because I have not driven every generation. Do your research.
I bought my 01Z with a cam, ported heads (no receipts on the heads), long tubes and GHL exhaust. I always read owners talking about how "RAW' the C5Z was. I didn't really comprehend what that meant until I drove this car!!!!!!!! YOU WILL UNDRSTAND WHAT RAW MEANS! If you decide to add more horsepower in the future it just gets better.
My car is now supercharged with a 3.90 rear. It's currently in the shop getting a 416 short block and more air and fuel. This is an addiction.
I'm not downing any C5, they're all great. THE C5Z IS IT!!!!!!
Last edited by Eshoremd; Oct 25, 2024 at 02:35 AM.
Your post suggests the Z06 will cost about 50% more in your area. While there are some advantages to the Z it is not worth an extra $8-10k in my opinion. For $8-10k you could easily modify a base car to outperform any stock Z06 (although I'm not a fan of mods). While in the market for a 20+ year old vehicle it's more important to study the condition, color and options available rather than limiting yourself to a Z06 which has far less availability. It has been my observation many C5 owners, especially Z06 owners believe their car is worth more than the actual cash value. Good Luck! Find a nice one and DRIVE IT!
If I were do it all over again. I'd get a base instead of the Z. Love the C5Rs as they were hatches and had the badass 427. Would spend my time trying to work toward making it like a C5R. Base looks better than a Z IMO.
If you have to have the Z06, then the sweet spot is early build date 2003 (before Nov 22nd, VIN 114930) based on all the late model C5 changes. I personally have a warmed over '99 FRC with a whole lot of later C5 updates / upgrades done by myself and the PO (who is a good friend of mine). It was perfect for me to purchase for many reasons - my only worry is the early EBCM.
In 2001 I bought a new Z51 C5 Coupe. I loaned it to another forum member and my best friend since 6th grade. He was immediately hooked and 6 months later we flew up to Les Stanford from Dallas and picked up his 01 Z06. The difference in performance and visceral thrill of the Z06 was night and day. The shorter gears of the MN6 is enough to offset the lack of the targa top. I sold the coupe shortly after. In 2015 I sent my buddy a check for the Z06 we picked up as kids in 2001 and it's in my garage to this day. There are many subtle upgrades on the Z06 - Shot Peened Diff, better springs, lightweight glass...Get a Z06...it's the absolute best value performance car you can buy for ~$20k. They are completely undervalued.
For a track car - not worth that price increase IMO. I've passed z06's twice in a 20 minute session several times with my '98 automatic. And a lot of the upgrades are bolt-ons anyway (not like the c8 z06 that is practically a whole different car)
For a collector or nice street car, go for it 👍
Really I suppose it comes down to whether you want coupe or hatchback.
C5 Base or Z06?
And a lot of the upgrades are bolt-ons anyway (not like the c8 z06 that is practically a whole different car)
