Having owned both a 2014 Z51 Stingray (M7) and a 2016 Z06 with Z07 (M7), I'd say without hesitation to go with the Z06.

I actually find the Z06 to be much better on the street because the gearing is so much better. The ride is a little bit stiffer on the Z06 (mainly because of Z07), but that simply means I ride in Tour mode in the Z06, whereas in the Stingray I rode around all the time in Sport.

Someone says the Z06 has too much power for the street? That's ludicrous. Whoever says that has already gotten a Stingray, and they're justifying it. You can ride a Z06 as lame as you like. Or as nasty as you like. You get more options.

 

Lots of good answers here. My decision (Z06 COUPE) was because I wanted to track the car (which eliminated the convertible for me), and the Z06 is a track monster (overheating notwithstanding). By all reports it is a fine street car...the extra horsepower is not at idle, so driveability is not compromised. There are few (like....zero) legal opportunities for you to floor a Z51 OR a Z06, or go anywhere near their limits, unless you are on the track.


A coupe lets you track the car and the removable top gives you the convertible experience, with more storage room as long as your top is in place.


If I were going to get a convertible I would get a Z51 or maybe just a plain stingray, since it will likely never be able to see the track. A heck of a car for the money. But since I will track it (and since I did not want to regret it and since I could afford the extra $$), I ordered the Z06 coupe.


There is no wrong answer. (But for me....it was go big or go home :-))

 

My C6 Z06 is a wonderful car for doing road trips, etc. When you have "too much" horsepower, just don't use it when you don't need/want it. When you have too "little horsepower", where are you going to get the additional horsepower when you do need/want it?

The C7 Z06 doesn't wear those crappy Goodyears like the C6 Z06, so the tire life is much better(I have 33,500 miles on my C6 Z06's Bridgestone run flats with 50% tread left, so tire cost is low) with the new Michelin Super Sports on the C7 Z06. The Z06 tires cost $350 a set more than the Z51's so that's about $10 a month(based on 18,000 mile tire life over a three year period).

There is around a 5 MPG(17-18%) gas penalty with the C7, but at 6,000 miles annually, that's only around $15-$17 a month additional cost. Insurance is going to cost another $5-$10 a month, and property tax is going to be a little higher, but in the case of my C6Z06, the slightly additional cost is well worth the price of admission.

 

I like your analogy, but that philosophy doesn't work for me.

I would say power is like money. You don't have to use it but its nice to have. And rarely is there ever enough, if its handled wisely.

 

We just bought (wife and I) a 2015 Z06 vert. We actually built it together online one evening. Saw it built later at BG. We got it primarily because of styling.

Just like the looks of the Z much better. Chose some special options like painted vents that make a huge difference for us.

Will put about 6000 miles this year on a trip out west, the I have averaged about 4500/yr in the past. Mileage so far has been impressive. with 29.4 the best to date. (1500mi currently).

The mag ride suspension is an even better treat. The settings allow a 'Buick' type ride to a full hard track ride. We have local track I go to that does allow convertibles, but I do not compete. But I do drive the track under somewhat controlled situations. Still a blast and it beats the street.

Only problem is the urge to release all 650 at once.
I also have a sixt7L79 as seen in my avatar.
Bottom line you will be happy with either, guaranteed...

 

Interesting analogy, given that the prized horse in question is prone to heatstroke before it even completes the race.

The fact that Chevrolet made convertible Z06 and with the option of Z07 shows that it's perfectly fine being a street only car. Even the addition of an auto-trans shows they're OK with it being a street only car. Besides, the vast majority of Zs sold will never even see rain (while real race cars do), so let's not get in to what does/doesn't make sense.

 

I had two standard coups, both C6. Then I stepped up to a C6 Z06.
Man was that great decision.
I never have tracked any car and won't track the 2016 Z06 that I have ordered.
I seldom use the Z06 power, buts it's available if I want it. And I really like the bulged out fenders and look of the the Z06.
Actually if I had to go back to a standard coupe, I'd probably pass and just drive my pick up. Once you have had the Z06, the rest are not near as much fun.

 

In my opinion and don't take this the wrong way.. If you're the type of guy who would even consider buying a stingray.. Then don't get the Z06! You prob will never use it for what it's made for and you're just wasting money! The guys who buy Z06's knew the moment they saw one that they had to have it!!!!! It's for the the guys who have the need for speed!!! Get the stingray and enjoy it.. Good luck.

 

For whatever it is worth. I never owned a corvette in my life until now. My prior car was a Cadillac XLR. When I heard about the Z06 in early 2014 I put a deposit down on one. I took delivery in April of 2015 and I have not regretted my decision even once. My view was if you can afford the Z06 then get it, otherwise I was concerned that I would always look back and wonder if I made the right choice. I got the coupe with the 3lz package and the A8 and not the Z07. I use it as my daily driver and have over 3000 miles on it. The insurance if it was higher it was negligible and the tires barely show any wear at the moment. I might even track it some day but I want to take the Spring Mountain course first. As for driving it on the street it is incredibly comfortable and the performance, well there is nothing I could even try to say to describe it, but I could not find even a single negative regarding the drivability of the car, except that other drivers tend to creep up on you for a look and/or to give you a thumbs up.

 

You are so right! Once I saw the Z I had to have it. First time in years that a hot rod excited me so much

 

I owned a 2015 Z51 coupe that I traded on a 2015 Z06. Both manuals. And a 2012 GS before that that was, while nice, much inferior to both.

If they are equpped equivalently, the only really significant difference is the power difference, plus a more appealing first gear in the Z. In terms of going to the store or cruising off to the beach or mountains for the weekend, the ride's the same it's just that the Z draws a lot more stares and comments. In terms of torque the difference is substantial. My vote is to get the Z if you have the extra money to spend, or get the Z51 if you have an alternative use for the money. Either car is a terrific price-performer, and it's tough to justify the Z06 for casual cruising unless you can comfortably afford it.

 

Well I had a 2012 grand sport and now I have a 2015 zo6 with the zo7 pack. I drive the zo6 a lot more then I drove the grand sport. c7 zo6 has a lot better road manners then the c6 GS I find(my personal experience), but way more power when you want it of course.

I have also driven a c7 a lot and I find it boring to drive now as it doesn't have enough power, BUT for the money you can't beat the C7.

The C7 also makes a lot better road car, you can get tires easier and better mileage by 5 to 10 MPG then the c7 zo6.

It really comes down to what you want to use the car for and how much you want to spend.

 

Guys thank you very much for the comments. They have been very helpful and insightful. I know I would regret not getting the Z after a few months of owning the Z51, and I just can't quit looking at the Z's online. The body difference is so compelling. So I will buy the Z. I now just have to decide if the removable top is going to give me enough open air vs the convertible. I do want to track the car so need to find out if the road course in Kershaw SC will allow convertibles, or if the new track at Charlotte Motor Speedway will allow it. I won't compete....I don't think...just fun spirited driving.

Again many thanks

 

Perhaps! Maybe it doesn't make any sense, but it's my $$$$$$ and my life. You supposedly only go around once, so I'm enjoying it. I have no regrets for getting the best with all of the goodies. Pride, bragging rights, pure fun. I don't drive it like an old lady. My Z06 convertible has the Z07 track package. While I may never track this one, I am looking for a roll bar and racing harnesses that will fit like in my '05 Lingenfelter supercharged convertible. To date, the roll bars I have seen made for the C7 are barely higher than the top of the seat back, rendering them useless. I'll keep looking.

Unlike my '05 that is a beast with raw power just itching to be set free, the '15 Z06 is very refined and tame to drive on the street, but with power just waiting to be called upon.

In between those two is my '13 427 convertible with a "mere" 505 HP.

 

:-*
:-*
What are the gear ratios of the Z51 and Z06 transmissions, anyone have them handy? I'm in the same quandary myself, Z51/Z06 decision. Sold my C6 ZR1 last year, and that car had a tall 1st gear.

Ahh, just found them in another thread:

This is from the GM powertrain website where they list the code as MEK for the Z06 version of the manual:

Type: Rear wheel drive, seven-speed manual overdrive transmission
Transmission Torque Capacity 650 lb-ft (881Nm)
Gear ratios: MEK
First: 2.290
Second: 1.610
Third: 1.210
Fourth: 1.000
Fifth: 0.820
Sixth: 0.680
Seventh: 0.450
Reverse: 2.700
Final Drive Ratio: Used with 3.42
Case material: Aluminum
Center distance: 85 mm
Fluid type: Havoline Auto Trans Fluid MD3
Transmission weight: Wet: 64.85 kg (173.7 lb )

And this is for the LT1 setup: (MEL)

Type: Rear wheel drive, seven-speed manual overdrive transmission
Engine Range LT1 455hp
Maximum engine torque: 440 lb-ft ( 600 Nm )
Maximum gearbox torque: 440 lb-ft ( 600 Nm )
Gear ratios: MEL
First: 2.970
Second: 2.070
Third: 1.430
Fourth: 1.000
Fifth: 0.710
Sixth: 0.570
Seventh: 0.480
Reverse: 3.270
Final Drive Ratio: Used with 3.420
Maximum validated gross vehicle weight: 4255 lb ( 1930 kg )
Case material: Aluminum
Center distance: 85 mm
Fluid type: Texaco ATF Type III 1863
Transmission weight: Wet: 68.8 kg (150.1 lb )