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I ordered my 2014 Z51 with all the options boxes checked before the first Stingray rolled off the line...Love this car! I don't track it, but do some spirited driving, and have no complaints, goes around sharp curves like it's on rails at speeds that it is hard to believe....
So, I know this guy who has a 2017 Z06 and he is always going on about how much better his car is, mainly because it has 190 more HP, and has bigger tires, but he's a DB so I don't take anything he says seriously...
However, I was wondering if anyone who previously owned a Z51 and then traded it in for a Z06 has any first hand experience comments on the difference on the street, if any, and whether you miss your old Z51....
I traded in my 2014 Z51 TR VERT for a 2017 Z06 TR VERT and could not be happier even going as far to say that this will be my last Corvette after owning 11 before it. If you cruise it and don't get on it its the same as the Z51 but if you put your foot on that pedal with some force look out! No regrets and don't miss my Z51 which was a great car also!
When I was in C6 world I test drove all 3 (C6, GS, Z06) and bought the GS, one of best looking rear ends around both C6 and C7.....as cool as it was it was just too wide and too low (I know, I'm an old guy)....when my bride allowed me one last Vette (we are retiring) I chose the Z51. For me it drives "smaller" (I grew up driving such ditties as a CRX Si and Miata) which I missed with the GS's......and the Z51 package is one of the great bargains with all of the added performance features such as brakes, tranny, coolers, etc. It's well beyond just the dry sump (and I get free oil changes for as long as I own the car, that is a real money saver over the years I will have it and the 10 qts. of Mobil One per change)
No bad choices available...enjoy in any case
Last edited by dbirdhouse1; 08-31-2017 at 07:37 PM.
Yeah, either Vette is awesome, so there isn't a truly bad choice. Obviously the Z06 has more HP and will handle better on the street. If you punch it, the Z06 would leave a Z51 well behind in its rear view mirror. If you plan to track the Z06, you may want to consider the M7 over the A8, which reportedly still has heat soak issues on the track. Not on the street though.
Many people prefer the normal body width of the Z51, less expensive tires, a less aggressive spoiler and styling. That's not for everybody. And on the street, do you really need that much better handling than your Z51 has, and the extra 190HP? You said your buddy is a DB, so there's no need to start measuring, right? But if you wanted to, and we're strictly talking about which Vette is the best to have on the street or on the track, you should definitely wait for the new ZR1. It should blow the doors off a Z51 AND your DB buddy's Z06!
Speaking of which, I'm afraid this thread will devolve into a pi$$ing contest, as most threads that try to have an honest discussion of the differences in Corvettes tend to do.
Your best bet is do NOT drive a Z06. Then you can remain blissfully fat dumb and happy as regards the awesome EXPLOSIVE power of the Z06. As Always Red Dave said, just cruising around, the Z51 and Z06 are the same, but when you want to have a little fun, all you have to do is ease into about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle and you will be running around with a huge ear to ear Sh-- eating grin like you can't believe.
The Z51 is a great street car ( I have a 2014 Z51/mag ride Stingray) and it does have some plus's over the Z06 like a more compliant ride ( especially if you ditch the run flats for the Michelin Sport 4S non run flats) quieter cause the tires are smaller, better gas mileage if you care ( most vette owners don't) etc. Although the Z51 is a wonderful all around fast street car, it's no Z06 or even close in the power dept. I'll eventually move to a Z06 if they ever FINALLY resolve the A8 issues and if not, I'll get one with the M7.
I have no real experience with the C7 yet (...minus ~100 miles of driving a C7 'vert rental in Vegas a couple years ago ... which was great!), however, I went from having a base C6 to a Z06 a few years back. At the time, and still in retrospect, I felt that the base C6 was an amazing driver ... so smooth and compliant on the roads, with MORE than enough power to get into "legal" trouble, but not too much trouble.
When I went to the Z06, it was an entirely different animal. On the street, one look at the throttle, and the rear tires would light up and the car would go sideways ... I'm NOT exaggerating ... maybe it was the tune, the alignment, dunno, but it was STUPID.
.......that being said, I took both cars to the track, and there, there's no contest ..... the Z06 was dialled in and completely at home. The C6 could hold its own, but it was a far cry from the Z06 (..... I was a full ~5 seconds a lap faster at Mosport with the Z06 vs. C6).
HOWEVER, back to the point. For the STREET???? I'd take the C6 back in a heartbeat, and would NOT opt for the Z06.
BUT, since I've never driven a C7Z, I can't speak for its street manners and driveability. However, I suspect that it may be a similar difference (... less compliant ride, and more power than usable for the street).
In a perfect world? Have one of each!
Last edited by Cap'n Pete; 08-31-2017 at 09:59 PM.
You obviously did not understand the post, Woody....the point was not whether or not the Z06 is more powerful, but whether or not the extra power for someone who does not track the car or street race it is worth having, other than to brag about as you appear to be all about....
oh, and by the way, you are wrong about my DB acquaintance...he can't drive worth a damn, and I smoked his *** despite his HP advantage....
I had a C7 z51 M7 without magride. Loved the car; however, the ride was too rough for my wife and she didn't want to go anywhere in it. Previously we had a C7 base A8 which rode much smoother and she loved that car's ride quality. We traded for a C7 Z06 which has the magride standard, and she loves the vette again, especially when I drive in touring mode for her comfort. The added HP means nothing to me. Well, not to her anyway. When you do want the power....wow what a difference and a rush.
You obviously did not understand the post, Woody....the point was not whether or not the Z06 is more powerful, but whether or not the extra power for someone who does not track the car or street race it is worth having, other than to brag about as you appear to be all about....
oh, and by the way, you are wrong about my DB acquaintance...he can't drive worth a damn, and I smoked his *** despite his HP advantage....
How did you smoke his *** if you do not track or street race. In any case from reading your post and your driving habits save your money.
You'll save a few tenths of a second getting to highway speed.
The wider tires will definitely give you more grip in a corner, but if you're pressing the limits of your Z51 in corners while on the street I'd suggest slowing down LOL.
I ordered my 2014 Z51 with all the options boxes checked before the first Stingray rolled off the line...Love this car! I don't track it, but do some spirited driving, and have no complaints, goes around sharp curves like it's on rails at speeds that it is hard to believe....
So, I know this guy who has a 2017 Z06 and he is always going on about how much better his car is, mainly because it has 190 more HP, and has bigger tires, but he's a DB so I don't take anything he says seriously...
However, I was wondering if anyone who previously owned a Z51 and then traded it in for a Z06 has any first hand experience comments on the difference on the street, if any, and whether you miss your old Z51....
I also had a 2014 Z51, VIN 1500 and now have a 2017 Z06 bought on 5/1/17. I do not track the car but do some spirited driving with friends of mine in various Corvette clubs. Perhaps because I do not track the car I do not notice a difference in handling from the Z51. The added horsepower is very much noticed. It all depends what you want to do with the car. It might be good to get an opinion from someone who tracked a Z51 and Z06. I can say I do not miss the Z51, but it was a great car.
I am a big fan of and have a great deal of respect for the opinions of Jeremy Clarkson, formerly of top Gear, and now host of The Grand Tour.
He test drove the C7 Z06 and said that FOR THE STREET, no track, the car was absolutely horrible. He hated it. He also test drove a 2014 C7 Z51 when the car came out, and loved it so much that he gave it his 2014 car of the year award, which is quite a compliment coming from a Brit.
I have a '16 Z51 7 speed convertible and love it. (My 11th Vette). I did own a C5 & C6 Z06 and, since my cars are daily drivers, no track, would never consider a C7 Z06. What I would consider without question is a C7 Grand Sport.
08-31-2017, 07:15 PM
Former Z51 owners who bought Z06
Well, not to her anyway. When you do want the power....wow what a difference and a rush. 
