aworks

First let me say I have many toys most are older Corvettes. So this would not be just a toy. I would like one as a daily driver. Good weather of course. Is this a good idea or would a stock vette be a better idea? I'm' looking at 06 or 07"s.

Is there any problems they have or I should know about or look for when buying? How do they ride in the real world? I have not had a late model vette since 2002 so I am really out of touch with late models.

I love the Z06 but don't want to buy one and find out it's alittle to harsh for daily use.

Brian G.

AFVETTE

Get a CARFAX and GMVIS, then be prepared to buy stock in some tire company.

For some odd reason I need new rear tires at 10,600 miles.

My Z is a daily driver and can be as docil as any other car.

Tom

BobJ

How long is your commute? If a short one, no problem, get the Z.

If it's 20 miles + each way I would seriously consider a coupe. The Z is a race car, the ride is stiffer, the tires are expesnive, if it gets damaged it's going to be WAY more expensive to fix.

It's also VERY fun to drive!!

aworks

Good info. I never thought about the cost of tires. How much are they. What about brakes? I only drive a few miles a day. Sounds like the ride is kinda stiff. The roads here in CT suck. I have stiff riding Corvettes now. Keep the info coming.
I want to buy real soon.
Brian G.

VetteVinnie

Well, my 2006 Z51 coupe was more docile than my 2003 Z06 to be sure. It was an auto and felt like a Cadillac in comparison. My 2008 Z06 fell somewhere in between. The Nitto Invo tires helped a lot, but it will still jostle you on rough roads. The stock runflats on my C6Z were harsh and noisy relatively speaking. I couldn't even talk on my phone at 65MPH. Get a Jawbone bluetooth. It helps.

Different shocks are in my future.

JT Metal

Just how cool they are...............

Jet Stream Blue Z06

Brian,
Too bad my car wasn't put away for the winter, I would let you take it for a spin. The car is a blast to drive and it does ride a little harsh on bumpy streets, but the rush you get driving it outweighs everything else. I am in on the group buy for Bilstein shocks from DRM and I am wondering what they will do to the ride for normal street driving. I know they will greatly improve the cornering and the handling if and when I do take the car to the track. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Good Luck.

Phil

jlutherva

"The roads here in CT suck."

You will probably want to replace the shocks and tires to soften the ride.

I got mine on a rough section of interstate highway in NC and cussed for 150 miles straight.


Jim

LEJ ZO6

I have an '08 ZO6 that I use as a daily driver. I bought it new and it has 27,000 miles on it now. I have no complaints with it and would do it again.

You don't really need 500 HP in your DD and you could get almost as much fun with a 400 HP car with the manual transmission but with the ZO6 the power is there if and when you want it. It gets good gas mileage too.

HOWSER

z51vett

Watch your right foot it will get you into trouble I drove my 09 Z06 836 miles one way no problems. I've owned vetts all my adult life I'm 66 never owned a caddy so I don't know what soft ride is.
z51vett

Landru

Wow, that's an extremely subjective question.
I'd have to ask what is it you expect from a DD Corvette?
If it's brutal in yo' face performce?
Fine, the Z06 is for you.
IF it's just the enjoyment of driving a Corvette, ie comfort, convenience etc, perhaps the standard models would be a better fit.

I say that solely because, for example, I will not use my Z06 for anything where it'll be parked, out of my sight. And that primarily due to the increasing numbers of nutz running amoke these days.
Say the CF fenders are keyed?
It'd cost [me] thousands to make right, nevermind whether the JSB pain would be matched by even the most skilled shop.
No thanks.

While vanadalism can & does happen to any Corvette, there's something about the Z06 (*&* ZR-1, FTM) that seems to bring the absolute worst outa certain people.
Something for you to consider IF you plan on parking it while in the office, working.

Yes.
I've told every persona asking your question the same thing: Make damned sure the car's never been tuned and/or otherwise been opened for mods!

IF you're dealing with a dealer?
Have them check & certify [it] by putting it in writing.
IF it's a private seller?
Have any deal contingent on your having the car's tuning/mod status checked, first.

Tuning and/or certain mods, last I'd heard, completely negate whatever warranty you get with a preowned car.
Believe me unless you're T.Boon Pickens if the LS7 frags, for whatever reason(s), they cost a king's ransom to replace.

Again, very subjective.
However since I've owned a 2006 Z51 car, I personally can't tell the difference & in short I LOVE the ride. Wouldn't fiddle with the shocks etc, a'tall.

Tire wear's another matter; though, that's due to the GY product and not the car's chassis.

As all my other Corvettes coming equipted with GY F1s?
When they quickly wore out I replaced 'em with BF Goodrich, Michelen or any tire EXCEPT GY.
IF the ride smoothed out, and it usually did, fine & dandy.
It's GY's premature wear compared with my mild driving habits that really PO'd me as opposed to handling, ride etc.

Cost to replace 4 new skins for the Z51 with BF Goodrich EMTs was around $1,000 mounted & balanced.
For the Z06 I'll be acquiring Michelene PS2s, anticipate shelling out up to $1,500; BUT, they'll last much longer than the GY trash, also.

Test drive one, first.
Methinks once you put the spurs to the LS7 monster though, you'll be awfully surprised at what you're willing to tolerate.

Good luck with the decision.
Keep us posted IF you do go to the Z06.
These cars really are uber unique in ways only ownership reveals.

BobJ

Get the Z, thread can be locked!

z0sicks07

everything you hear on this forum about it being one big nonstop grin is 100% accurate my Lyla's(my z) 2nd bday will be on the 25th so long story short you're going to have a new love of your life so you should let the wife and kids know
and it's great for daily use i have 28k miles in under 2 years gets better every drive.

Dbl6gun

The only thing I can say is, if you don't want a permanent GRIN on your face from ear to ear 24/7... you might want to consider having a plastic surgeon on retainer!

I drove my 2007 Z to work for several weeks last fall, and it was very well mannered on the street and interstate…. It’s a kitten if you take it easy and a TIGER if you want to drive like a madman, peddle to the floor. Excellent car!

Beast5spdGTA

I'd definitely go for a test drive in a 2010 Grand Sport, almost the exact same looks and performance and I'm guessing/hoping a much better, quieter ride. After 1400 miles in the last 6 days (950 miles in two days) of owning an '07 Z06.

This is my opinion, the seat/ride/road noise is actually less comfortable than my supercharged '89 Trans am GTA (if you filled the dash and interior full of GreatStuff Foam). Lumbar support, there is none, lateral support if your a healthly size human (not fat), there is none of that either, it's a racing seat you can move all over the place, but you can't change the shape of it. The ride/noise on an older concrete highway is horrible, the radio almost can't be turned up loud enough. Highway and cell phone don't mix.

The engine is docile though, amazingly so. It idles at 600 rpm, in 6th gear at 1000 rpm, you can floor it and it won't hesitate or buck like you would expect from an engine with this much power. I don't know how they tuned it to be that smooth at lower RPMs and high load. 25-26 mpg on the highway at 75-80 mph. Never driven another C6 or corvette for that matter, the power is amazing, it keeps pulling forever from 4000 rpm or so on. Driving around town, it doesn't matter what gear you are in, just press the gas and it will start going, with no complaints.

I'm a 5'7" 145 lb 28 year old by the way. If I had a lot of toys and money and wanted a cool looking daily driver, I'd spend 50-60k for a new '10 Grand sport vs. 40-45k for a Z06.

Nick 02 Z06

I'd say you'd be better off back in that 89' GTA. I'm sure there's somebody on this site that will take that 07 Z06 off your hands so you can have your Grand Sport with, I can't figure out what you mean by, "Racing Seats" in the Z06. They are not racing seats.

Landru

Sounds like that to me, too.



Yea, I *think* someone would volunteer for the "punishement".
Might even throw a GTA in to sweeten the deal?
Ya just never know.

Prime Target

Anything you should know? Hmmmmm. Prepare to grim like a 10 yr old at an amusement park everytime you get in it. Prepare yourself that from the point of ownership on, no other car you've ever owned will compare to it. Prepare to be the envy of every person you know. Prepare to take pride in owning an elite vehicle that a few of us around here have the same privilige of.

winzerguy

My 06 Z06 is my seventh Corvette. It is by far the best 427 Corvette ever to be used as a DD. I have 88K nearly trouble free miles on mine since September 2006. Like any hp sports car, it has it's compromises. The run flats are harsh, but the last set ( I am on my 4th set of GYs) lasted almost 30K. It depends on how you drive and getting the proper "street" alignment that will extend the tire mileage at a minimal cornering reduction. The front splitter will drag many times on entering roadways and it can be damaged on those concrete parking barriers. However, unlike the ZR1, it is a very flexible plastic that seems to be the perfect design for a DD. I have not tracked or modified the car and would do it all again given the known performance and design of the car.
As I watch the midyear 427 Corvettes being sold at the Barratt-Jackson auctions for $80K+, I like my Z06 even more. The Z06 is still the best value in a high performance sports car that there is.