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After driving my new to me Z06 I can say that it does feel a bit "larger" to me than the Stingray Z51. I got use to it rvery quickly and although I prefer a smaller car this car feels really good and I do not feel "cramped" at all inside of it even though it is also a convertible. I also really like how the Bose speakers are set up behind the seats. It might be my imagination but I feel as though the sound is better in this car because the cabin is smaller and the speakers are right behind you. The wide body is a little more difficult to get into my one car garage and I have to straighten the car out several times to get inside perfectly straight. This motivated me to clean out the garage. The hood is 1" higher and is a little more difficult to see over. I love looking at that cowl and adjusted the seat a bit. It's also louder. Wow. A lot louder when in Sport or Track.
The Z06 feels like a GT car whereas I always felt that the Z51 belongs on a racetrack. The Z06 ride is a bit softer. A bit more "Cadillac-like". I do have magnetic ride in this car. I adjusted my settings to sport steering and sometimes track to tighten things up a bit and sometimes I use track for steering on the street if the roads are paved.. The good thing is I am not picking up rocks with the stickier tires like the Z51 did and I have no brake dust whatsoever with the carbon ceramic brakes. Still, I installed the ACS XL stone guards that I had on my other car. I was able to swap out a lot of things from that car because many things are intercharngeable between the two cars and I did get lucky with the same color combination of Blade Silver over Adrenaline Red. The seats are much more comfortable even though both cars have the GT seats. For some reason, the Z51 GT seats were rock hard and very tight up against my legs. Perhaps they were just not "broken in".
Overall I am very comfortable in this car and it feels like "it's my car" 100%.. I really love the looks, power and overall "presence" of the car.. It does garner a lot more attention as well. The other night I was out at the mall trying to find a spot for some pics and a couple of younger adults were chasing me through the parking lot yelling things. I actually was alarmed until I realized they were complimenting the car! lol I have also had several people pull up at lights and kindly gesture and ask quesions. Children just love the car and scream things like "Nice Corvette!" as well.. I have had similar experiences with my modified C5 as well as with the Z51. However, the Z51 would not get "screamed" at by children and young adults. Maybe I just "hear" them more because the top is usually down! Just for comparison, I listed the size differences for anyone interested. These can be found online..
Z06 Length: 177.9"
Stingray Lenth: 176.9"
Z06 Width: 77.4"
Stingray Width: 73.9"
Z06 Height: 48.7"
Stingray Height: 48.8"
to me, the view from the rear is just so much better on a wide body....fat tires, fat fenders. Just looks meaner than a Stingray!
Congrats on the new ride...have fun!
FWIW, the car is the same width mirror-mirror, but the wheel base is definitely wider. I don't find this a problem getting into my garage, but anytime a curb is in play, I have to be very careful.
The Z06 feels like a GT car whereas I always felt that the Z51 belongs on a racetrack. The Z06 ride is a bit softer. A bit more "Cadillac-like". I do have magnetic ride in this car.
I would say the mag ride is what is making that difference. In Tour mode my Z51 is pretty soft. Changing to Sport or Track stiffens it up considerable.
Your experience is very interesting. I had a 2015 Z51 that I traded in after 4 years on a 2019 Z06 and don't recall it feeling so overall bigger.
Except when I stepped on the go pedal ... the acceleration felt way bigger 2015 Z51 2019 Z06
Shirl, throw some pics up of your new car. My car didn't feel like mine until I cosmetically changed it and of course slapped some Kooks longtube headers and catless X pipe on it. :P I'll start a thread some revealing the Jawdropper Stay tuned!
to me, the view from the rear is just so much better on a wide body....fat tires, fat fenders. Just looks meaner than a Stingray!
Congrats on the new ride...have fun!
Yeah the wide body is a lot cooler and aggressive. When I look at my stingray compared to a Z06 I always think of the stingray as a long and slim missile.
I loved the sleek look of my Z51. I get it that people add aero for protection and so on, but I only added the z06 top fender scoops and the Z06 grille. The rest was all narrow body beauty
I don't believe for a second your Z06 feels like a GT car compared to a Z51. Even with magride, a C7 in any trim is a competent cruiser but a Z06 is stiffer and rides worse then a Z51 anyday of the week.
I have a friend with a loaded Z51 and my Z06 is noticeably more stiff. Are you sure it isn't just a "new to me car so it feels better" kind of thing? I'm certain if you drive them back to back the Z06 won't come out ahead in ride comfort even if the Z51 doesn't have magride.
Great your enjoying the car though, I'm not trying to dismiss your opinion but spring rates and suspension say otherwise.
Z06 Feels Bigger
Stay tuned!
