Jamie Lennartson

Hello guys im looking to buy The C5 ZO6 or the 2006+ C6 z51.
Was wondering which was the better performing car?!
Asking in C6 section because im sure there are alot of C6 guys here who moved up from a C5 ZO6! Looking for suggestions on buying thanks a bunch!

C6USA

haha well everyone in this section will tell you to get a C6.

C6
No ugly pop ups
Much improved interior / More available luxury options
If you get a 2008+ you get the LS3 which = 430rwhp+ with just bolt-ons
Newer styling

C5Z
Lighter
Hardtop = more rigid
Cheaper
Quicker and faster than the LS2 C6s

JTS97Z28

I have owned both a 03 C5 Z06 then sold that and bought a 2005 C6 6spd Z51. I liked the C6 soooooo much more and performance wise they seemed about dead even. I personally recommend getting the C6 hands down.

James

LTC Z06

Please do a search, this is a common topic, and I've posted in almost every C5Z06 vs. C6 Z51 thread.

Kurac

What are you looking for? Are you looking for all out performance? If that is the case, I think it takes an LS3 Z51 to out perform a C5Z, so you may be better off with a C5Z, and from what I have seen with equal miles, the C5Zs are cheaper than the C6's.
I personally do not like the looks of the C5, so for me, it's an easy choice, the C6.
I went from a C4 to a C6.

fasthwks

You should drive both cars back to back if you have the chance. They both have a different feel, the c5 will give you the race car feeling where the c6 is much more refined inside and out. I came from a c5z to c6z and love both cars for different reasons. The c6 is such a nicer car inside and engine but I love the look of a c5z fixed roof and the car is a great bargain right now. Go drive both and make your choice, you can't go wrong with either car.

Jamie Lennartson

I want something i can take to the track and kick some butt.
The ls3 C6 is out of my $$$ range that being 27k tops.

YLOFEVR

Unless you plan on running neck and neck with C5Z's regularly, you won't be disappointed with the Z51. The car you choose shouldn't be predicated on quarter mile zip unless you plan on tracking it. With some minor bolt-ons, the Z51 will smoke a C5Z. Ask me how I know.

longdaddy

warning, unsolicited advice follows.

I assume you are talking about the roadcourse track, not drag racing.

unless you have plenty of track experience already - in which case stop reading now and go buy a beat up C5z with strong motor/trans and save money for the tires - I would suggest dialing back your expectations. a lot. "kicking butt" attitude of yours is going to lead you to an unpleasant reality check if you show up for your first track day in a 'vette, cause people WILL embarrass you in cars with half the power. C5 or C6 will not make any difference. hell, you can show up in an Enzo and have an experienced driver run circles around you in a miata on your first day. you may think I am exaggerating. I've seen it. Maybe not quite Enzo vs Miata but definitely in the ballpark.

If you are serious about getting into tracking the car for the long term (the only way you will ever approach being really good at it, as with anything else in life), price of the car itself is only a beginning, so budget accordingly. Nothing annoys me more than hearing people at the track bitch endlessly about how much their tires and brakes cost. As if someone forced them to come to the f#@%ing track and use up their cars at a gunpoint. If I add up the price I paid for my C5 (used) and all track-related expenses from the last few years, I could go and pay cash for a brand new ZR1 and have some left.. Which is fine. I am getting back every penny's worth.

Don't be fooled into thinking that all it takes is a hot car, some sticky tires and 1 day perf driving school. Going fast costs time and money. If you have 27k to spend, find a C5 for 15-17k, budget the rest into track time, consumables and replacing stuff when it cannot keep up with your speeds anymore (and that will happen), you will be well on your way to "kicking butt" and passing cars worth 5 times more than yours.

Gering

Good post!

redzone

I've had ~35 cars over the years & the ONLY one I've ever missed was my 02 Z06. I'm sure that won't be the concensus here however.....

LFZ

C5Z all the way for your needs...it's a faster drivers car, better track car than a base C6, and looks better too.

peter pan

Drive them both, I have both models and setup my C5 for the track and I like the classic look of the older model and the fresh look of the C6. I you want to track your Vette get the C5Z for a bargin you will be happy

iridelow

My last 05 Z51 MN6 had a Vararam, Borla's and a Chuck Cow tune w/160 stat. If was faster than a stock C5 Z06 and you could take the top off!! I sold it and ended up with a C6 vert. Love the vert, but the Z51 with a few mods was much faster! One more thing. the LS3 cars have 30-36 more HP, but for those that understand speed, 30 HP makes very little difference over all. Gears, and a good tune like Chuck COW does, will yield better results than 30HP on any track!

LTC Z06

Only take to the track what you can afford to put in the wall.

JerriVette

I really like the C6 Z51 M6 2008 I own and its a better car to drive daily than the C5 Z06 I had before....

With that said....I really like the c6 I own now...but the C5 Z06 I loved...

If I could go back in time...? I'd have kept my c5 Z06.....so my advice is...GO for the C5 Z06..

I miss that car ....

Not as good a daily driver....but hot dam it was a lot of fun ..

Good luck deciding.

cmonkey713

Go with the C-6 Z51 or if you feel real adventuresome the C-6 Z-06.

C6~Missle

If your main purpose is performance at the track, then the C5 Z06 would be the better car to have. It provides more feedback to the driver, more visceral in every way.

For all around driving with some track time.. The C6 Z51 is plenty capable and is more livable for everyday use.
and yes.. I have owned them both..

like MAJ Z06 said.. do a search.. lots of info on the subject

C4RACER

Interesting thread and comment. I've had more than 35 cars (cough), and the ones I miss most (in order): E36 M3 sedan, 04 Z06, E39 M5...

I am now shopping for a fair weather driver / thrills car that will also double as a track car. I went all the way in with a C4 race car and finally got smart and went spec racing in a CMC Camaro with NASA for a few years. Nothing like a crude 3150lb car with 220hp to the wheels to make you learn how to drive fast!! That experience taught me a ton.

So I am in the same boat as the OP now in some respects - looking for my next vette which will double as a fun street toy and give me something to go enjoy at the track a few times a year since I have now given up organized racing (for now). I have been looking at 06-08 Z51 6MT cars, but still keeping my eye open for a nice C5Z. I just found a low miles C5Z in black - single owner - for the right price that I may not be able to turn down. What I am struggling with is the C5Z is aprox $20K and the C6's I am looking at are about 50% more $$ with similar mileage. I don't see the value there. Yes - the C6 is more refined and a nicer overall car, but for my use and expectations I am not feeling the 50% price adder. I have much nicer and more refined cars to drive than a C6 when I want to anyway - Infiniti G37 and BMW X5 4.6is.

Bat Man

C5 Z06 is a cool car, but it's aged, especially the interior. You spend most of your time in the **** pit so interior is a big deal.

With that said, I think the Z51 LS3 is a faster car.