decision?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 237
Likes: 12
From: Webster NY
decision?
I'm looking at two identical 2005s with the same color and options except one has the Z51 suspension plus a few thousand miles more! Price is about $300 more for the Z51 equipped car!
I'm new to the C6 and would like to know from fellow members your thoughts on the Z51 option? I will probably put about 4000 miles on it a year and do not intend to race it! Is it worth the investment over the hard ride?
Bob
I'm new to the C6 and would like to know from fellow members your thoughts on the Z51 option? I will probably put about 4000 miles on it a year and do not intend to race it! Is it worth the investment over the hard ride?
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
I don't understand your question, "...is it worth the investment over the hard ride".
The Z51 is by far the most popular suspension. If you don't care about having if for the performance the only other reason to want it would be ease of resale, if that matters to you.
Is the other car a base or F55? If you give more details about the cars folks here will be able to provide better opinions.
The Z51 is by far the most popular suspension. If you don't care about having if for the performance the only other reason to want it would be ease of resale, if that matters to you.
Is the other car a base or F55? If you give more details about the cars folks here will be able to provide better opinions.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Here are links to the last 2 threads discussing the subject.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...55-vs-z51.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ion-on-it.html
There were actually 12 more threads on the subject besides those.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...55-vs-z51.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ion-on-it.html
There were actually 12 more threads on the subject besides those.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
"Don't pay no 'tention to Kangaroos!" 
I've not owned a C6 with the Z51 option package, but I have had both the base suspension and the F55 suspension. If you're not going to track your C6, either the base or the Z51 will be okay.
The base suspension is a very good ride unless you're driving on really crappy roads. Even then, it's not too bad at all. I would expect the Z51 option to give a slightly stiffer ride on any type of roads.
I've not owned a C6 with the Z51 option package, but I have had both the base suspension and the F55 suspension. If you're not going to track your C6, either the base or the Z51 will be okay.
The base suspension is a very good ride unless you're driving on really crappy roads. Even then, it's not too bad at all. I would expect the Z51 option to give a slightly stiffer ride on any type of roads.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
There's other differences besides suspension, like gearing... but it sounds like either would be fine for you. When you say price is +/- 300 though, until you make a deal you dont know the final price, so make some low offers... it may turn out one "price" is much less than the other...
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Malaysia Air Flight 370
For someone who isn't planning on tracking the car, I'd say the Z51 suspension is a harsh compromise. Base suspension car, plus a good set of shocks, and you've got not only a much smoother ride, but handling prowess that would rival the much harsher Z51-optioned car.
However, beyond all that, my personal advice would be to forget either one, and forego the 2005 model year alltogether. 2006 and up is the only one worth considering, in my opinion- which is one of someone who's been burdened with every '05 plague known to man.
However, beyond all that, my personal advice would be to forget either one, and forego the 2005 model year alltogether. 2006 and up is the only one worth considering, in my opinion- which is one of someone who's been burdened with every '05 plague known to man.