Sorry for the newbie questions :bb but the search isn't working. Well I was in the market for a C5 three years ago, but I got stationed in Japan and bought a "GTO" ( Japanese name for 3000GT-VR4). Now that I will be moving back to the states I would definatly like to have another sports car!! and the Z06 is on my list! What is the best year Z06 to buy? I want the 405 HP one. Why do I always see you guys posting about the '04 Z so much? Is the 04 a better year Z because they made changes or because of the dealer prices?
What do the average Z06's run in the 1/4 (no, 1/4 times are NOT that big a deal to me, if they were I'd get an old stang for cheap, modd it and have a 9 sec box on wheels), what about traps?
I might eventally want to put a s/c or TT kit on it..maybe..but I like the idea of having an all motor beast. I'm comming from a twin turbo, AWD car so the n/a, RWD vette will be different (but fun! ) So, what should I expect and look out for if I decide to purchace a Z? Oh, I test drove a 2001 C5 M6 (manual 6 speed), how different is the Z06 from a "regular" C5?, I mean really ? sorry for all the questions, but I know you guys like talking about your cars so I'm listening
~Mon (future vette owner)

 

2 big things about the 04. One, there was some fine tuning done to the suspension, so they handle even better that the previous z's. Two, the price - forum dealers are offering as much as $12.5k off a new vette - can't go wrong that way.

The Z is the best sports car I've ever owned, including 2 other vettes and a ferrari. Incredible handling, great power - everything you could want. And of course you can upgrade the power easily.

Bottom line - go test drive one. You'll be amazed.

 

 

twice!

 

You are coming to the right place for your Z degree! I got a very accurate and thorough education on this forum on the Z. I bought mine three weeks ago and I am absolutely thrilled with this car. It is without a doubt the best all around US built performance car ever built. I've owned two Stangs...a GT and a 98Cobra, which I just sold in order to buy the Z06. I loved those cars and think quite highly of their capabilities...but after a few minutes driving the Z I knew I was in a completely different category of performance car.

I live in CA and purchased my car in NC due to the deal I was offered there. On the way home I stopped at the plant and museum in Bowling Green, KY. I was so glad I did because seeing how the Vette is built gave me even more appreciation for the kind of car it is and the quality that it represents. I have mentioned this in other posts and I don't want to wear the subject out, but it made a strong impression on me to see how the cars are built and inspected. There are several inspection stations and at these stations I observed the inspectors giving each car an incredible amount of attention and even wipe off smudges on the paint and use detailing spray on certain spots just so the car looked good coming off of the line. They then take each car into a real world dyno room and run it at normal driving speeds and at highway speeds, while the computer controlled dyno shifts the car around just like would happen on a regular road. Very impressive process on the whole.

To answer some of your questions with more specifics; I do recommend the 04Z because of the improvements in the suspension and engine. I was shopping for a used Z when I found the deal on the new one. I would get at least an 02 because that is the year the hp went from 385 to 405. The 04 also has newly revised shocks that many used Z owners are purchasing to put on their older models...that tells me that they are pretty good, otherwise they would be buying aftermarket brands. These guys are sharp cookies for the most part and they know what works and what doesn't.

I have not run the quarter mile in my car, but I have not had a production car slam my ample hind quarters into the seat like this car does! I believe that average drivers are getting runs of mid 12's and a few expert drivers getting into the low 12's and one dude I say claimed high 11's with a stock car...only exhaust and intake mods. Pretty amazing numbers.

As to the difference between the C5 coupe and the Z06, it is the suspension, the hp and the weight. Quite honestly, the coupe is more comfortable and quieter with a few more bells and whistles...it is the overall performance of this car that draws us to it.

Take care and good luck in your purchase!

 

Not much to add to that! If you have the chance, go for Museum Delivery - well worth the money. With the discounts on the '04s you can't go wrong.

 

Whatever year Z you get, you'll be pleased. Don't let the 20hp thing sway you, as its not a huge difference in performance. You can make up the difference with an intake and exhaust modification. Suspension wise, the '04s have revised shocks and a small change to the rear swaybar dampers. You can make these changes yourself to older Zs for less than $400.

What I'm saying is, all the Z model years are very good. Yes, a lot of the '01s had the oil burning issue, but most are still in warranty or have already had the motor work done. Just ask before you buy.

'04s can be had at really good discounts, but you should also be able to purchase a used Z06 at a very good discount as well. Personally I feel 2002 and early 2003s are the best bet..... especially if you want to add mods that require changes to the fuel system.

If you can afford a brand new 2004, of course go that way. One of the few thrills in life is buying a brand new car and smelling the new interior.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Great, I will definalty go test drive one. I've seen a few C5's around and one C5 (coupe) at a (the local Japanese GM dealership), but no Z06's (here in Japan) yet...so I'll have to wait till I get back to the states to drive one

Scott04Z: Sounds good man! Thank you.

whats this about the fuel system? you mean if I wanted to get Nitrous or a s/c? Sorry for my ignorance.. this is all new to me. I know about fuel systems mods on my old VR4 but wouldnt think you'd need to touch the fuel on a Z.

Oh, what are the average trap speeds you guys see in your Z's? I'm used to 108-110ish mph on my old (modded) VR4.
Thanks for the info...cant wait to cruise with some of you in my "new" Z one day

 

The '04 has a really cool version called a Z16. It looks great and, whether it's off the line, diving through the curves, or powering up to the top end, it is the kind of supercar that legends are made of.

I have an '01. Although it totally outperforms the coupes and ragtops in every category, most owners modify their Corvettes to significantly enhance performance. Don't be too surprised when a C5 convertible sporting 500+ rwhp blows the doors off your stock Z06.

dave

 

Speed costs: How fast do we want to go. A friend of mine is putting an Alison V-12 (1720 Cubic Inches ) in a Chevy Nova (stretched 30 inches to fit the motor in. It will be street legal. It may not corner quite as well as the Z06 !

 

Thanks guys..one thing that hassent been asnwered yet it the ease of working on them. Do you guys take your Z to the dealer or garage to get plugs, oils, ect changed..or do you do it yourself? I like working on my own car and it was a pain to do simple task like change the plugs on my old VR4. How easy or difficult is it to do routine maintanece and basic bolt on modifications like exhaust, intake, header/engine work, ect. Also what gains can be expected from i/h/ex/x-pipe mods?

 

Chevy Dealer.. ... try to stay away from these guys if possible. There are a lot of specialized tuners that you could trust with the performance add-ons. I'm lucky to have a very good one, MTI, just down the road from me, so for headers, cam, heads, blower, nitrous, etc, these guys will be getting my $$$$.

The plugs and fluids (oil, tranny, diff, brake) are fairly easy, if not simple. Clutch, coolant and power steering are more advanced, but still not impossible for a DIYer. Cat-back is easy, but you need the car up about 3 feet to get the OEM system off without cutting. Intake is simple. Headers are time intensive. You could gain 30rwhp +/- by doing intake, headers, exhaust, xpipe and a dyno-tune. On a Z, the catback is fairly free flowing, so the mod there is mostly for sound and rearend appearance. The dyno-tune is important, and should be done after headers.

You really don't have too much in the way of maintenance on the LS6, mostly just oil and filter. The plugs are good for 100K, although most of us have changed them out for NGKs.

 

It is a factory racecar so hang on! Best car chevy ever made.
Z06 baby yeah!