Buy the Vert or Z06?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: CA
Buy the Vert or Z06?
I'm looking around for my first vette and I'm having trouble deciding between the 2001 convertable and the 2001 Z06. 
They're essentially the same price and have unique merits, but I'd love to hear from current owners.
Which do you think is better?
They're essentially the same price and have unique merits, but I'd love to hear from current owners.Which do you think is better?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,398
Likes: 0
I had a Vert and it was a nice car but if you are going to wind up modifying the Vert to make it faster and handle better right away, get the zo6.
Basically, if you want to go fast, get the zo6, if you want to ride in ultimate style, get the Vert. You have to decide what is more important to you. JMHO
Basically, if you want to go fast, get the zo6, if you want to ride in ultimate style, get the Vert. You have to decide what is more important to you. JMHO
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,065
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by jacobus20
I'm looking around for my first vette and I'm having trouble deciding between the 2001 convertable and the 2001 Z06. They're essentially the same price and have unique merits, but I'd love to hear from current owners.
Which do you think is better?
They're essentially the same price and have unique merits, but I'd love to hear from current owners.Which do you think is better?
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
People that have verts will say buy verts. People that have Z06's will say buy a Z06. It depends on what you want.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,398
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Yello95
I got a Vert because even though the Z06 has a little more hp and maybe 1/2 sec. faster in a quarter of a mile...big deal...I would feel closed in because the Z06 doesn't even have a lift off roof panel...couldn't deal with that...
Actually, the zo6 is right around a 1 1/2 seconds faster in the quarter, that is ALOT.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,065
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by lvvette777
I had a Vert and it was a nice car but if you are going to wind up modifying the Vert to make it faster and handle better right away, get the zo6.
Basically, if you want to go fast, get the zo6, if you want to ride in ultimate style, get the Vert. You have to decide what is more important to you. JMHO
Basically, if you want to go fast, get the zo6, if you want to ride in ultimate style, get the Vert. You have to decide what is more important to you. JMHO
WTF...Excuse me but I have driven plenty ZO6's and wasn't that impressed when comparing mine with it... "if you want to go fast", ..you think the stock 350 hp Vette is that much slower than a ZO6?...really?...a half of a second in a quarter mile...thats like a few car lengths in a quarter mile...thats not much faster
my stock Vette is plenty peppy when I nail it... ... 
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: WA
Speaking from the perspective of someone who has both (relatively, in that I drive a 2000 FRC hardtop and an '88 IROC convertible) I can say there are pluses and minuses both ways.
I actually prefer the FRC. OVer time, weather-stripping starts to go, etc. . . and this is more of a problem on convertibles and targas. If you want something with no squeaks or rattles, leaks (over time), the Z06 is the way to go. . . and also a LOT more power
On the other hand, I wouldn't trade the 'vert for the world. . . it's nice to be able to put the top down and look at the stars. I just know I wouldn't buy another vert if I had the chance.
I actually prefer the FRC. OVer time, weather-stripping starts to go, etc. . . and this is more of a problem on convertibles and targas. If you want something with no squeaks or rattles, leaks (over time), the Z06 is the way to go. . . and also a LOT more power
On the other hand, I wouldn't trade the 'vert for the world. . . it's nice to be able to put the top down and look at the stars. I just know I wouldn't buy another vert if I had the chance.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,065
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by lvvette777
Actually, the zo6 is right around a 1 1/2 seconds faster in the quarter, that is ALOT.
bullsheet comment...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,398
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Originally Posted by Yello95
WTF...Excuse me but I have driven plenty ZO6's and wasn't that impressed when comparing mine with it... "if you want to go fast", ..you think the stock 350 hp Vette is that much slower than a ZO6?...really?...a half of a second in a quarter mile...thats like a few car lengths in a quarter mile...thats not much faster my stock Vette is plenty peppy when I nail it... ...
my stock Vette is plenty peppy when I nail it... ... You are excused because you are wrong, the zo6 has seen times in the very high 11's and very low 12's. A stock C5 is low to mid 13's all day long that isn't a half a second anyway you cut it.
You are forgetting the zo6 doesn't only have 55 more hp but the car is lighter too and the suspension is much better FOR GOING FAST than a C5.
You might be happy with your stock C5's power but most want more, hence what I said, if you want to go fast, get the zo6.
No question about it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 0
From: Stop staring at my azz!!!! IL.
Originally Posted by Yello95
even though the Z06 has a little more hp and maybe 1/2 sec. faster in a quarter of a mile...big deal...I would feel closed in because the Z06 doesn't even have a lift off roof panel...couldn't deal with that...
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5
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From: CA
Originally Posted by stevzc5
Vert. Should I say more? 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 527
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Il
Go with the vert, nothing is better than drop'en the top and just roll'en out. You can always buy an intake, headers, after cats, and get a quick tune for 2 grand and be as fast if not faster then a 2001 Z06, the hp diff is only 35 anyway. You would spend alot more to "open" the roof of the Z06. Good luck, you'll be HAPPY either way you go. Welcome to the corvette family. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,398
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Originally Posted by jacobus20
Please do. I'm looking for details here. Hitting a 12 second 0-60 isn't the most important thing to me, but I do like the idea of the exclusivity of the Z06. Maybe I should get the vert simply because I'm 6'6" (need the headroom).
Based on just this statement, I would recommend the Vert, you will be much happier. You are going to appreciate that unlimited head room with the Vert being 6'6".
Here is my old Vert, I loved this car:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,710
Likes: 4,626
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Had 2 Verts and loved them. But then I drove a Z06 
There ain't nothing like a Z06 The difference in performance and in what you get with the Z06 is tremendous, but you can't remove the top. It depends what you are looking for.
BTW, many completely stock Z06's are turning high 11's on stock tires. And with just LT's, exhaust and tuning....
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...es/0410htp_zo/
There ain't nothing like a Z06 The difference in performance and in what you get with the Z06 is tremendous, but you can't remove the top. It depends what you are looking for.BTW, many completely stock Z06's are turning high 11's on stock tires. And with just LT's, exhaust and tuning....
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...es/0410htp_zo/
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 527
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Il
Dont get lost, he's talking 2001 vert/350hp yes more weight, and 2001 Z06 385hp to me thats only 35 hp, in 2002 the Z06 was bumped up to 405hp. Maybe I'm wrong but lets give our man the facts. No I have never even been in a Z06, but both cars are awesome.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,398
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Originally Posted by Yello95
1 1/2 seconds faster?...I don't think so but I may have to look up the stats and be back here in a while with a "my bad" or
bullsheet comment...
bullsheet comment...
I am waiting on the "my bad" statement so while I was waiting I went ahead and did some research for you.
Here is a guy who ran 11.781 in a bone stock z06 with the time slip to back it up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...6+quarter+mile
You find me a stock Vert that can run a half a second faster than that, never mind, aint gonna happen. You will be looking at more like 13.2-13.7 depending on rear ratio and the like. Like I said, 1 1/2 seconds and that is A LOT.