Greetings all! I'm getting real close, like within a week or less, of ordering my first Corvette, a C6 Vert! Information from this forum has already put me on a path to get GMID pricing which is better than what I've been able to negotiate/beat out of local dealers while haggling.

Here's my list, Blue or Black; 3LT, CM7, U3U, QG7, MXO, UE1, then the stumper F55 or Z51?

I would like to get your opinions on the positives and negatives of going with the F55 and Z51 packages, 'cause I'm wandering back and forth on that question. The 'Vette will be a weekend/fair weather driver. (My daily driver is a '05 300C I'm very pleased with) I'm sure I'll put less than 10K miles a year on the Corvette. I'll take her to the track once stock, and maybe later after CAI/Catback mods, just to have a slip to show off, but mostly the car will be driven (albeit 'spiritedly!) for pleasure around town , on the freeway, and backroads. You get the idea I think.

From the position of having never owned one, I just dunno. Your feedback would be appreciated!

Can't wait to join the club!

 

the way you are going to drive z51

 

i have f55 and really like it . you get good handling when you want it, and great ride when your on the old rough concrete freeways. its your car your decision, good luck,

 

Definitely 6 speed manual Z51 from your description of how you plan to use the car.

Occasional track use, you are not planning any aggressive type modifications so you are going to want all the stock performance you can get in your new C6, and you plan to run "spiritedly" where traffic and conditions permit.

Definitely Z51.

 

There have been so many threads on this is would make your head hurt to wade through them. Most of what you read is not objective. IMO, the following thread has two posts that summarize it all concisely and objectively. Go to page three of the thread and see my post # 52 which identifies the two posts in the thread that you should read.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&page=1&pp=20

 

Yes, lot's of threads covering this. I've had both. It depends on what you want from the car. The Z51 is the performance choice - no question about that. The F55 is an incredible balance for someone who can live with 98% of the performance of a Z51, but want a more civilized riding car for normal, day-to-day driving.

 

I think this where all the Z51 owners rave about the virtues of having a Z51 and likewise for the F55 owners. Which one is better, nobody knows.

 

Not true, the Z51 is faster, has more resale value and is better. I've read it many times. Dealers have stated that they wil not accept non Z51's on trades. I'm convinced.
Darn, I wish I had gotten one. I still challenge a Z51 owner to a heads up race at the strip so they can prove their performance advantage, I wanna see it in action...

 

black and flip a coin

2 cents

 

The Z51 performance advantage is designed for road course use, not the drag strip. The whole package is designed to provide a better handling, quicker accelerating, cooler running, and harder braking SPORTS car for sustained high speed (higher than public road speed limits) road courses/tracks. If GM had wanted the Corvette to be a dragster vice a sports car, they would not have made Zora Arkus-Duntov (a sports car enthusiast) the chief engineer, and would have left the straight axle in the car instead of the IRS that was introduced in 1963 (C3). Since 1963, the design of the production Corvette (regardless of suspension options) has always been for sports car (i.e. road course) performance, and not drag racing. That doesn't mean you can't drag race, just that the car is not designed with that in mind, and there are better cars out there for that type of competition.

Frankly, I think the difference in a 1/4 mile drag race between base/F55/Z51 with comparable drive train ratio cars would come down to the driver. On a public highway, at legal speeds, the road conditions and driver preferences would dictate which is the preferable car IMO.

 

Anyone that will race will rip everything out anyway.

 

Z51

 

Thanks for your input people! Very much! I decided on the Z51. I had to go with the A6 as I have some minor but aggravating issues with my left foot and leg. Working even a soft clutch is not something I can do for long without discomfort. And all of my 25 whole miles of experience (I feel like a school kid bragging about his first kiss to a stadium full of **** stars! ) tells me the A6 is quite talented piece of equipment. I'm sure I'll like it!

Here's my welcome home thread: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...74&forum_id=74

This forum Rocks!

 

100%. Most people here, myself included like to talk drag racing. Its as American as apple pie. Its quick, requires the least amount of overall driving skill, and perhaps the least demand on the car.

But the Vette is not built to be a drag racer. And the C6 Vette, perhaps moreso than any Vette preceding it, was built to compete on the road course with cars costing thousands more.

And thats where the Z51 best shows it's performance advantage. Not necessarily the drag strip, although it enjoys a performance advantage there as well, by any numbers you care to compare. Official GM or real world.

But the road course, racing which involves turning and braking, thats what the Z51 was was built for and where it performs head and shoulders above the base and base with F55 models.

 

Z51 love it... for what you get for the price go for it ...
and drive it like you stole it..LOL

 

As you have probably figured out these people on this forum are GREAT folks. The patient advice this forum gives has increased my enjoyment a million fold and I'd gladly buy a beer or two or 20 for that matter for anyone in this area.

The advice that was given to me is either way you go, the typical Corvette road driver will never use enough of the car to make a major difference. A few times to the track for "goofing" around doesn't really matter. If you are going to the track for SERIOUS competition I'd say Z51.

While I am no expert in reality I cannot imagine using 100 or even 80% of this cars capability with either configuration during the "normal course of business" (driving on public roads) 150+ miles per hour on a public road? No thanks and while I will be taking this car and a couple of Ferraris with some FBI agents to a course they use to practice tactical driving I doubt I'll really use 100% of the car. Just don't tell the Director I have to admit though I am reluctant I had a very serious accident once and almost died and have never fully popped the top on any car since then.

I went with the F55 because my Corvette is my daily driver and I put over 114 miles per day on it for commute if I just go door to door which I rarely do. Well the second reason is the dealer didn't have any Z51s and I am not a patient man when I want something.

Frankly and it may just be me... I feel ZERO difference between the selective ride sport or touring. I have tried it MANY times over various types of road conditions. In my Dinan packaged BMW 750IL I can really tell the difference. Having said that I drove my BMW for the first time in 3 weeks when wife picked me up at the airport (her daily driver) and even in "sport" mode it felt like I was driving a box spring mattress in comparison.

Z51 or F55, Z06 you will not go wrong either are incredible versions of the Corvette. To me in MY preferences and all around experience with some very nice cars I cannot think of a better car. Frankly I'd rather have a beat up Corvette than anything.

If I find the F55 lacking I have already gotten myself convinced that I'll just need to get a Z06 for those moments of glory

I know you will enjoy your car and I hope you and everyone else here have many many more years of safe is not fast driving experiences

 

I got F-55 because I have neck and back problems. It is a very comfortable ride especially for a Corvette.

 

 

Went with the F55 because it is the best performance suspension you can get, even Ferrari put it on their new 599 GTB.