I've owned Z51 and Z06 (currently have the Z06) and drove F55 and base suspensions before I ordered my '05 Z51. There is a difference between the base/F55 and the Z51/Z06 that is noticeable, but the difference between Z51 and Z06 is minor at best.

Provided you live where the roads aren't terrible, the Z06 is quite liveable. I've certainly owned Vettes in the past that were much worse (my '84 coupe comes to mind).

 

Sorry, but I can't come up with any reason to get the Z06 off your mind!!

I had a 2005 coupe with F55 (put 35,000 miles on before I sold it to my brother-in-law), I have a 2006 Z06 (with almost 40,000 miles), and a 2009 ZR1 (with almost 14,000 miles).

I've driven them all on long road trips on all kinds of road surfaces.

I guess my butt doesn't have very discriminating SOTP sensations, because......I don't feel any significant difference between any of them!!!!

At least in ride!!

However, my SOTP can definitely tell the difference in giddyup between the cars, but as far as ride, don't be concerned about the ride you'll have in a Z06 at all.

My Z06 sees a lot of track time, but it was primarily a daily driver and GT road car for long trips. The one thing I didn't like was the seats.

It wasn't until 2010 that you could get a power passenger seat in the Z06, and until then the seats did not have the adjustable lumbar support and side bolsters.

I liked the seats in my 2005, so when I got the 2006 Z06 I found a pair of seats out of a wrecked base C6 and put them into my Z06 to get the power passenger seat and the lumbar and bolster adjustment on both sides.

So, the only thing I don't like in the earlier Z06 is the lack of features in the seat, but the ride quality in all the C6 models I've driven is great.

Bob

 

Well at least your not considering a Z06 without questioning it's relative merits. Many Corvette purchases are made on the basis of magazine articles which test cars on warm, dry and smooth roads, so they select "high performance" models like the Z06, or high performance looking models like the Grand Sport only to end up being disappointed in their ride and performance on everyday roads in everyday conditions. Their Summer tires loose traction, braking and cornering capabilities at temperatures below 50 degrees. Their extra wide, shallower depth tires with square shoulders hydroplane at lower than normal speeds. They skitter and dart going around bumpy curves and on washboard roads. They feel every imperfection in the road, the ride is noisy, and the car follows crowns and ruts with a mind of its own. It can become airborn negotiating sudden dips and heaves at speed. Suddenly they become aware that rather than experiencing high performance, except for minimal body lean in smooth curves, they are experiencing low performance on everyday roads. Extra wide grippy tires, higher horsepower, bigger brakes, and minimal body lean don't mean much if your tires aren't in contact with the road. So choose your car model wisely.

 

All 3 have a stiff ride IMO. They are ok for DD unless you are in the car all day like sales rep then I would say no. The stiff ride is very subjective so it might be fine with some but unacceptable with others.

 

I DD my 06 Z06 and I have no complaints about the ride. It feels more firm then a standard coupe but not objectionably more. I've never driven an F55 equipped car so no input there.

 

How much lighter is the aluminum framed Z06 than a steel framed Vette?

 

I had a Z51 and now have a Z06. I did not track either car and I can honestly say for street use anyway they feel the same to me.

 

I will just have to drive one. From the responses the ride quality is noticeable by most. It may come down to will the power and great looks of the Z06 override the ride quality. I'll find out.

 

2011 base Coupe ... Stiff rough ride compared to a Camry

2011 Grand Sport ... Stiffer ride than a base Coupe

2011 Z06 ... Even stiffer ride yet

2011 ZR1 ... Really stiff hard ride

2011 C6.R ... 'Lumber Truck' hard ride



EDIT: Run-Flat tires seem to contribute a little too to the quality of 'ride'. I think, overall, Run-Flats give a harder ride than conventional tires. Just my opinion

Combine that with the extreemly low profile tires on the majority of 'sports' cars sold today (25 or 30 series) ... the sidewall is so narrow, there is hardly an flex and the overall ride is compromised.

Had GM been able to install a spare tire in these cars, I doubt that they would even consider installing Run-Flats on any Corvette ... no spare ... they were forced into it


BTW ... There has been more than 1 class action lawsuit filled in regard to Run-Flat tires. One such lawsuit has just been awarded in favor of BMW owners vs BMW Motors and Bridgestone: http://www.gilardi.com/BMW-BridgestoneRFT/index.html

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