C7Z51 vs C6Z...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 348
From: My interests are mobile
I think the C7 is just too much car to consider the C6Z for 10g's less...hell, some guys still want 50k+. I expect to see C6Z values drop for this very reason. Under 30k, a C6Z becomes a real temptation to me, but over 30k, it doesn't even enter my mind.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: orange grove TX
Used low mile ZR1's are getting down into the 70-80k range too if you want to price shop. The new platform sells the C7, functional vents all over, 1.08 g skid pad, more efficient, 10x better seats and interior....C7, C7, C7, C7......
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 21
From: Arlington VA
C6Z has been around for 8 years with the exact same exterior, interior and drivetrain. ('06,07,08,09,10,11,12,13).
There is no way I'd buy car based on technology that old, when there is something newer available thats been updated in just about every way possible.
There is no way I'd buy car based on technology that old, when there is something newer available thats been updated in just about every way possible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 489
Likes: 272
And for the same car (or any car of the same weight), the contact patch area will also be the same size, for a given tire pressure.
What changes with wider vs narrower tires is the shape of the contact patch. With weight and PSI constant, a wider tire will have a wider by shorter (front to rear) contact patch.
That is why you lower air pressure for drag racing, because you want to optimize the length of the contact patch.
A big reason to increase tire width in the past has been to maintain tire shape during turning - prevent deformation, etc - maintaining the contact patch. The other reason is heat dissipation, but that is a more technical discussion.
Modern tires, like PSS and PS Cup 2, do such a great job maintaining contract patch shape and dissipating heat, that we don't need steam rollers anymore. That is why you see a clustering in the 265mm-305mm for the rear tires in sports cars today and 235mm-265mm at the front. The C6Z and C6ZR1 (and new Z28) are huge outliers in tire size. That has a lot to do with to do with the lack of refinement in the C6Z feel/ride.
I agree with you that a narrower tire is the best all around combination for the C7, balancing grip, cost, weight, etc. I still think that the Z51 should have gone +1 in diameter and width to 255R19/295R20. Or better yet, have 19"wheels all around. There are no track tires in 20" size on the market yet. Though the Cup 2s will come in 20"s soon. But they are pricey.
Last edited by baron95; Sep 4, 2013 at 08:09 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 489
Likes: 272
I'm the same boat as you, being constantly tempted to pick up a used Z06 on the cheap. But I know that, as soon as I'm driving it, I'll immediately be wanting to upgrade to a C7, and won't be happy till I do.
My dilemma is that I so dislike ordering cars. I like to see the pick walk in drive out. C6Zs and C6 GS are available in many locations in the colors and equipment I want. I think it will be at least 1 year till the same is true with the C7.
So yes, for those like me, who don't want to order, it will be a long wait.
I have toyed with the idea of getting a C6 and then trade in for a C7, but don't think I can do that.
If a C7 were available on the lot of any dealer within 250 miles, I'd be driving one now already. Would buy it on the spot.
My dilemma is that I so dislike ordering cars. I like to see the pick walk in drive out. C6Zs and C6 GS are available in many locations in the colors and equipment I want. I think it will be at least 1 year till the same is true with the C7.
So yes, for those like me, who don't want to order, it will be a long wait.
I have toyed with the idea of getting a C6 and then trade in for a C7, but don't think I can do that.
If a C7 were available on the lot of any dealer within 250 miles, I'd be driving one now already. Would buy it on the spot.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,109
Likes: 334
From: Chicago IL
I finally speced out a C7 which I will possibly buy next year. I have also been shopping for C5Z & C6Zs and have been close to a deal on a couple but both sold before I could complete the deal although I hustled.
Just now when I speced out a C7 Z51 the price only came to $59K MSRP with everything exactly the way I like it. (2LT, Z51, CF roof, black wheels, red calipers) I also can buy at employee pricing and I guess the discount is about $4K or so but I have not verified that and in fact it might not be available for a year or two at those prices.
But what I'm seeing is I can purchase a new C7 Z51 at about $55K compared to a nice used C6Z at around $43K.
Now the C7 offers the following advantages over a C6Z to me: Much better interior w/ vented seats, 7 speed trans with rev-matching, much better MPG, better aesthetics, removable top (in visible CF as speced) which is HUGE to me, full warranty, new tires/ oils/ batteries/ paint/ 0 miles/ etc, better reliability hopefully given the head problems of the C6Z, better usability daily and at my occasional track days, much better seats, skinnier tires (which sadly, I prefer after having huge tires on a track car in the past), the colors interior and exterior that I prefer, not having to travel to pick it up, and a few other reasons that are escaping me at the moment.
The few advantages to the C6Z are likely that: soon a lot of the depreciation will be stable, many more mods available, ultimately it's a bit faster car but not in ways that I particularly care about.
When I look over this list I feel that the C6Zs are just way overpriced in comparison to the new C7s and for somewhere around $12K more for me to purchase a C7, well the C7 is just a better deal all around, I feel
I'll be the first to admit that at this moment this is purely academic as my wife would close her legs for 6 months if I went and spent $60K on a 'spare' car.
But what is you guys perspective on this comparison?
Just now when I speced out a C7 Z51 the price only came to $59K MSRP with everything exactly the way I like it. (2LT, Z51, CF roof, black wheels, red calipers) I also can buy at employee pricing and I guess the discount is about $4K or so but I have not verified that and in fact it might not be available for a year or two at those prices.
But what I'm seeing is I can purchase a new C7 Z51 at about $55K compared to a nice used C6Z at around $43K.
Now the C7 offers the following advantages over a C6Z to me: Much better interior w/ vented seats, 7 speed trans with rev-matching, much better MPG, better aesthetics, removable top (in visible CF as speced) which is HUGE to me, full warranty, new tires/ oils/ batteries/ paint/ 0 miles/ etc, better reliability hopefully given the head problems of the C6Z, better usability daily and at my occasional track days, much better seats, skinnier tires (which sadly, I prefer after having huge tires on a track car in the past), the colors interior and exterior that I prefer, not having to travel to pick it up, and a few other reasons that are escaping me at the moment.
The few advantages to the C6Z are likely that: soon a lot of the depreciation will be stable, many more mods available, ultimately it's a bit faster car but not in ways that I particularly care about.
When I look over this list I feel that the C6Zs are just way overpriced in comparison to the new C7s and for somewhere around $12K more for me to purchase a C7, well the C7 is just a better deal all around, I feel
I'll be the first to admit that at this moment this is purely academic as my wife would close her legs for 6 months if I went and spent $60K on a 'spare' car.
But what is you guys perspective on this comparison?
Defiantly wait for the performance model, I have a feeling we are going to see the L88, I never bought another base after the 01 Z was introduced.
Last edited by NytmereZ; Sep 4, 2013 at 08:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 45
From: Atlanta, GA.
I personally think its a hands down decision to buy a NEW c7 over a used z6 for the year 2014. The c7 is making the z look ancient already. As far as performance its really not far off at all in a straight line and on a track,handling, braking etc ??? Its a no brainer for me.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
Why do peopel keep saying it's not far off in a stright line? The c7 runs mid teens and the c6z run mid to high 120's. It gets smcked like a bitch it's not "close" at all. It gets walked like a dog..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I wouldn't want to daily drive a C6Z. Brake pads are more expensive, the front lip is low and a pain to get over even some speed bumps, and the ride is far more rough.
It's an awesome car, but the C7 Z51 is a better car in so many ways, but most importantly it's a better daily driver.
It's an awesome car, but the C7 Z51 is a better car in so many ways, but most importantly it's a better daily driver.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
must be all the miles you put on your c7 to come to that conclusion. Man it's getting deep up in here
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
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As a current C6 Z06 owner I am in no hurry to jump to a C7. It's heavier and slower. For the record, I love the C7. Great design and a beautiful interior. If I did not currently own a C6Z, I would consider it. I am holding out to see what the Z variant is. The Z has been the most reliable Corvette I have ever owned. The C6 Z51 2005 I bought in 2004 was a bad car. I'm waiting patiently this time around.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: orange grove TX
I own a 2008 Z and agree that it is well built and so far very reliable. The 427 sound is well ..you know. The looks are still great, not dated. It still checks all my boxes of what a super sports car is. The C7 does not change that.
If you buy a C6 Z you should already be aware of it's limitations of having low front lip, being generally louder, hearing clunks and whines in the manual trans, rougher ride etc.
There are tradeoffs, limited tire selection for one which translates into a car that spins tires a lot in low gears. My old subie STI would launch a lot harder.
The C7 Z51 is not designed to be a Z. But it's evolution has made it a better handling and driving car then the pre 09 C6 Z's. So logically the C7 Z will probably blow away the C6 Z as both an all around DD and a track car.
If you buy a C6 Z you should already be aware of it's limitations of having low front lip, being generally louder, hearing clunks and whines in the manual trans, rougher ride etc.
There are tradeoffs, limited tire selection for one which translates into a car that spins tires a lot in low gears. My old subie STI would launch a lot harder.
The C7 Z51 is not designed to be a Z. But it's evolution has made it a better handling and driving car then the pre 09 C6 Z's. So logically the C7 Z will probably blow away the C6 Z as both an all around DD and a track car.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: orange grove TX
I own a 2008 Z and agree that it is well built and so far very reliable. The 427 sound is well ..you know. The looks are still great, not dated. It still checks all my boxes of what a super sports car is. The C7 does not change that.
If you buy a C6 Z you should already be aware of it's limitations of having low front lip, being generally louder, hearing clunks and whines in the manual trans, rougher ride etc.
There are tradeoffs, limited tire selection for one which translates into a car that spins tires a lot in low gears. My old subie STI would launch a lot harder.
The C7 Z51 is not designed to be a Z. But it's evolution has made it a better handling and driving car then the pre 09 C6 Z's. So logically the C7 Z will probably blow away the C6 Z as both an all around DD and a track car.
If you buy a C6 Z you should already be aware of it's limitations of having low front lip, being generally louder, hearing clunks and whines in the manual trans, rougher ride etc.
There are tradeoffs, limited tire selection for one which translates into a car that spins tires a lot in low gears. My old subie STI would launch a lot harder.
The C7 Z51 is not designed to be a Z. But it's evolution has made it a better handling and driving car then the pre 09 C6 Z's. So logically the C7 Z will probably blow away the C6 Z as both an all around DD and a track car.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 524
Likes: 13
In a straight line it will most likely be tenths of a second difference. As far as handling, looks, braking, technology and being a completely "NEW" car the c7 is again a no brainer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
