Does the Z06 "feel" more like it has a fixed roof than the removable roof coupes? I had long thought the coupe was the same as a 'vert, but I really got to looking at one today and the removable roof-panel looks pretty darn well anchored in, plus the sail area is present, and not on the 'vert. Does the Z06 feel any more "solid" or have less cowl shake than the coupe with removable top? I have heard that a properly adjusted removable roof won't sqeak at all. My main interest in the Z06 is because I abhore floppy cars. If the 'coupe is as rigid (or at least in perception), it could save me a few $$ as 70whp is just a cam away if I REALLY need it.

 

Not quite the same, theres a lot more to a Z then 70hp. Best you do a test drive.

The Z has the fixed roof due to the aluminum frame so stiffness is the same as coupe.

 

a fixed roof is surely going to feel and be more ridgid...no denying that fact

 

The coupe is fairly rigid (I remember my c4's being terrible). But, there is a noticeable difference with the Z06 being VERY rigid. My 08' roof started to squeak after a few months of ownership (and it had never been removed), but I fixed those squeaks with some RL shock proof gear oil on the pins (I had it laying around).

 

what decided it for me was.. you can upgrade brakes, suspension and HP on a coupe to stomp a hole in a z0...

but if you chop the roof on a z0 it will turn into a POS.

my coupe is rock solid with the roof off, and well i love being able to take my roof off or cruise with the glass top with the roof on.
Was not a hard decision for me.

 

After owning both, it was an easy decision for me.

 

You won't find any C5 or C6 that has a floppy chassis. Even the Vert has a stiff chassis. The coupe is better due to the rear hoop. Haven't compared the Z to a coupe so can't really comment on the stiffness but I suspect it is the same or even a little better. My 08Z is very stiff as was my 03Z.

You would have to do a lot more mods than a cam to get a GS or base C6 to perform at the level of a Z06. Its more than a 70 HP difference. Performance is based on a lot more than horsepower. Besides when you throw in a cam you also throw away a large part of the powertrain warranty. For the few thousand extra for a Z06 you get a total engineered package not a hack job.

Gave a few rides to students at a BMW Club Driving School this weekend. They were totally awed by the flat cornering, feels like it's on rails performance and stupendous pull coming out of corners when riding in my Z which is totally stock except for some aftermarket wheels and Nitto NT05s that I use on the track so I don't trash the EMTs. These were all non GM performance oriented people who just shook their head and said "Wow, GM really got this car right". Even when running in the very aggressive instructor group one guy who had never ridden in an American Performance car before couldn't believe the closing rates on the BMW's and Porsche's that were on the track with us. Third gear was used in the slower portions of the track where speeds vary from 55 to 123 while 4th was used in the higher speed sections where speeds vary from 90 to 160. The car makes you feel like a god out there. A base car or a GS will still make you feel great but not quite god like.

Bill

 

4 posts before it starts turning into I can stomp a Z0 with some brakes, suspension, .....

 

I figured the GS would "feel" like a slightly weaker Z06. Apparently I was wrong. I am one of those types who wouldn't like my car anymore and try to find a way to trade out for an older Z06, if I rode in a Z06 and it felt that much different. I will continue to save the $5-7K difference. It will save me much more $$ in the long run. Thankyou all!

 

Just be careful someone doesn't offer you a ride in a ZR1.

 

The Z06 isnt a coupe with a fixed roof adding to its rigidity. Its an aluminum frame car that would be too weak to delete the roof so it needs the fixed roof to get its lost rigitity back.

The real benefit to the 2008+ z06 its its strong driveline. That TR6060 tranmission is really strong. The diff can now be regeared and the LS7 with forged pistons is a great motor. the Ls7 heads are about as good as it gets. If youre planning a really high HP car its worth the jump. doing those mods to a coupe would never recoup the lost $$$. I cant live with a fixed roof so its a loss for me.

 

Nah, I know my limits. A new Z06 has my means about tapped. I draw the line at that, lol.

 

Keeping it stock as a rock. Just hate creaks and rattles is all. The Z06 is 15% stiffer than the coupe according to GM. I wondered if it really showed. I rode in a C6 'vert and it felt like crap. Creaks, rattles, horrible cowl-shake. Real turn-off. I have never been in a car that floppy except for a 'vert 2003 mustang.

Hence why I discounted the coupe. However, I looked at one today and the sales rep took the roof panel off and it LOOKS well tied in, plus it has that "hoop". Thus my question.

 

I would love to have the money for a ZO6, unfortunately I haven't.

Another things is that I'm fairly long, and our (Netherlands) traffic lights are on the side of the intersection where you are, so they are high up, and you have to bend yourself like a contortionist to see them.

I drive around with the clear top all the time, just for that alone, and it makes the cabin feel more open somehow.

I know you can't make a C6 behave and go like a ZO6 but I'm sure you can come close. I can't use all the power a C6 has as standard on the track anyway, so I'm a long way from needing more power, wanting is another question

See here http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...n-belgium.html

Fred

 

Must not have ridden in a lot of cars. There are plenty that have more cowl shake than a C5/C6 Vert. Even though the 97 was only a coupe the chassis design was based on a Vert to begin with. If you read the book "All Corvettes are Red" you can get an idea how GM came up with one of the stiffest chassis designs in the industry.

Bill

 

You're joking right? I did this comparison when I bought my Z51 in 08. The money difference is not a few thousand it's more like $15-18K. A base coupe or GS will never be a Z06. However, if i were buying a new 2011, I'd do a GS and put a cam, LT's and CAI in it just like I did w/my Z51. The LS3 is an incredible bang for your buck motor (I think most everyone agrees with this) and responds well to simple bolt-ons and a cam to make it very close to the performance of the Z06 in a straight line.

 

What's the point in buying "new" to throw the warranty you just paid for out the window, diminish the resale instantly, and alter driveability? Added up, the new Z06 becomes a wash in price vs a modded new coupe.......

Each car has it's strengths and don't forget a Z06 can be modded up with a cam just as easily.

To the OP, yes there is a difference in how the car feels. Going from my 07 coupe to 06 Z06 it did feel more "solid." At the time I made the switch I talked about it in posts but felt like it was the combination of lighter weight/fixed roof

 

The OP did NOT say he was buying new I did. You obviously have never modded an LS3 corvette. It's nowhere near the extra cost of a Z06. I LOVE the Z06 but the LS3 modded new or used can be as fast or faster with zero drivability issues. I couldn't give a flip about the warranty. IF you don't mod cars that's your own prerogative...maybe you should have bought an Avalon or a Camry. I hear their warranty's are longer.

 

Right, that's why I directed my comments to your post about buying a new 2011 and throwing a cam/headers etc at it.

Oh I modded my 07 coupe enough to realize it wasn't for me and quickly reversed track before dumping even more money into the car knowing all along it wasn't ever going to be a Z06 and the Z06 is what i really wanted to own one day.....

Zero driveability issues is big claim....can you lug around at 1k rpms nice and smooth? Any problems in 6th gear? Most cammed cars don't like low rpm thus it's lost driveability in my book.......that's why even a stock Z06 is such a great package, I can let it loose when there's a chance or just drive it nice and leisurely in 5th/6th gear @ 1k rpms getting 25-30mpg

Anyways I'm glad your enjoying your vette, I'm enjoying my Z06 and that's all that really matters

 

comparing ANY base vette....vert, Z51 or GS....to the Z06 is laughable. There is no comparison. Guess what, I do a cam/longtubes/intake/tune to the new 2011 Mustang GT to get it to go fast in the 1/4, guess we should compare it to the Z06 too