Z06 Practicality
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 162
Likes: 39
From: NC
Z06 Practicality
This may be an oxymoron but here goes. I want to buy either a Z06 Convertible or a Z51 Convertible. I realize there is a big price difference but for me the real differentiator is the usability of the car. I want to be able to take the car to the track for some fun, my wife and I drive to the mountains, and the coast somewhat comfortably with the top down and enjoy the ride. I want to drive the car to work on occasion. I expect to put around 5-7K miles per year on the car. Based on ya'll's ownership experience can you please give me comments on whether or not a Z06 can fit this requirement? Oh one more question. How many miles do you get out of a set of the standard Z06 tires?
Thanks
Lawrence
PS I have other garage queens that I don't drive for one reason or another and don't want another.
Thanks
Lawrence
PS I have other garage queens that I don't drive for one reason or another and don't want another.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 182
From: South Dennis MA
This may be an oxymoron but here goes. I want to buy either a Z06 Convertible or a Z51 Convertible. I realize there is a big price difference but for me the real differentiator is the usability of the car. I want to be able to take the car to the track for some fun, my wife and I drive to the mountains, and the coast somewhat comfortably with the top down and enjoy the ride. I want to drive the car to work on occasion. I expect to put around 5-7K miles per year on the car. Based on ya'll's ownership experience can you please give me comments on whether or not a Z06 can fit this requirement? Oh one more question. How many miles do you get out of a set of the standard Z06 tires?
Thanks
Lawrence
PS I have other garage queens that I don't drive for one reason or another and don't want another.
Thanks
Lawrence
PS I have other garage queens that I don't drive for one reason or another and don't want another.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
There are a few things that will cost more on a Z06 than a Stingray. (tires, insurance, etc). Also expect about 5 mpg less from a Z (+/-).
Having said that, my Z06 is as practical as any Vette I've owned (15 total). Is it overkill for the road? Sure, but what's wrong with too much capability?
My Z06 does not have the Z07, so the tires work well under all conditions but very cold temps.
I would say that if the added expense is not a problem. get the Z06.
Having said that, my Z06 is as practical as any Vette I've owned (15 total). Is it overkill for the road? Sure, but what's wrong with too much capability?
My Z06 does not have the Z07, so the tires work well under all conditions but very cold temps.
I would say that if the added expense is not a problem. get the Z06.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
Had a 14 Z51 and I have a 15 Z06. Gas mileage and insurance will cost you more. But smiles per mile is up in the Z06 by far. For the money difference I think its well worth it. If I had to do it all over id have skipped the 14. I have 3,500 miles on my Z06 and I had about 8,500 on my 14 when I traded it in. I used both on a daily basis basically and in all weathers including some snow in the Z51 although that was a sketchy as hell. I took a bath on the 14 trade in going to the Z06 so if your even remotely sure you'd move Z id just do it to start with. The difference is night as day between the two in power and handling is better as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,819
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
I don't own the C7 Z06, but did have a C6 Z06 and now a ZR1. Do you need all that HP? No. Is it over the top? Heck yes!! Is it a blast to drive every time I get in it? Yes! Are they the most awesome cars ever? Yes! Can you use all that power on the street? Hopefully you won't. Are they so docile that grandma could drive it? Yes. Just buy what you want so you'll have no regrets. I don't race or track, do I regret buying two high hp cars? No. Could you really wring out a lower hp car more often? Yes, so consider a Miata. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 1,247
From: NYC
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I too went from a 14 Z51 coupe, with mag ride, to a 15 Z06 coupe, had 10k miles on 14 and now have 5k on my Z. I was expecting the ride on the Z06 to be harsher than the Z51, to my surprise it was not. My 14 Z51 handled the rain much better than the Z06 does, The Z06 is not bad in the rain but in heavy downpours it will hydroplane slightly at 65mph where the Z51 didn't, probably because of the wider tires. Do I regret selling the Z51 for the Z06, not at all.
I use my Z in NYC streets and road trips to my 2nd home and have no issues in either case. I've been a on a few 600 mile road trips with my Z06 and I like it.
I use my Z in NYC streets and road trips to my 2nd home and have no issues in either case. I've been a on a few 600 mile road trips with my Z06 and I like it.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 278
From: key largo
zo6 praticality
Had a z51 now a z06 coupe m7 it has a large trunk and I take it on long trips if you get a convertible the trunk is tiny and you cant track it without a rollbar I drag race mine and drive it daily about 8000 miles about 20 mpg average all weather conditions in florida just watch standing water with wide tires and light car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 205
From: Kern County CA
This may be an oxymoron but here goes. I want to buy either a Z06 Convertible or a Z51 Convertible. I realize there is a big price difference but for me the real differentiator is the usability of the car. I want to be able to take the car to the track for some fun, my wife and I drive to the mountains, and the coast somewhat comfortably with the top down and enjoy the ride. I want to drive the car to work on occasion. I expect to put around 5-7K miles per year on the car. Based on ya'll's ownership experience can you please give me comments on whether or not a Z06 can fit this requirement? Oh one more question. How many miles do you get out of a set of the standard Z06 tires?
Thanks
Lawrence
PS I have other garage queens that I don't drive for one reason or another and don't want another.
Thanks
Lawrence
PS I have other garage queens that I don't drive for one reason or another and don't want another.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 233
Likes: 20
From: Johnston IA
Get the Z06 if the difference in cost is not a factor. Practical for daily driver as much as any other Corvette is. Insurance is not much more at all and the drive factor is that much more awesome!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
The Z06 is over the top if its main use will be as a street car. The tires are very expensive and hard to get. As much as you may want a Z06 I think your needs could be met very well with a Z51 convertible. You will not have as much power but nobody needs 650 HP for a street car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 858
How many miles do you get out of a set of the standard Z06 tires?
I have over 17.5K miles on my non Z07 tires.
I would estimate by looking they are at about 50% tread Depth.
So I suspect they should last to around 25kish maybe more.
I put 25k on my 2014 Z51 and had 4/32nds of the 9/32nds (new) left on the tread for both front and rear when I put new tires on it for the new owner.
So yes the tires are expensive but 25K aint bad for the state of the art grip they give you.
Just be careful when its below 40* or in the rain.
I have over 17.5K miles on my non Z07 tires.
I would estimate by looking they are at about 50% tread Depth.
So I suspect they should last to around 25kish maybe more.
I put 25k on my 2014 Z51 and had 4/32nds of the 9/32nds (new) left on the tread for both front and rear when I put new tires on it for the new owner.
So yes the tires are expensive but 25K aint bad for the state of the art grip they give you.
Just be careful when its below 40* or in the rain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 858
The Z06 is over the top if its main use will be as a street car. The tires are very expensive and hard to get. As much as you may want a Z06 I think your needs could be met very well with a Z51 convertible. You will not have as much power but nobody needs 650 HP for a street car.
I remember the same comments from friends when I was deciding between a NA 300zx or the turbo. They said 300hp is over the top for a street car. Now (25 years later) 300hp is common in mid level family sedans driven daily by soccer moms.
The bar for "enough power" is a moving target.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
I remember the same comments from friends when I was deciding between a NA 300zx or the turbo. They said 300hp is over the top for a street car. Now (25 years later) 300hp is common in mid level family sedans driven daily by soccer moms.
The bar for "enough power" is a moving target.
The bar for "enough power" is a moving target.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,819
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
