jvp

It's amazing how short-lived the forum's memory is. Let's rewind to the tail end of 2008 and beginning of 2009. That's right: almost 10 years ago. The C6ZR1 gets introduced and the vast majority (literally, the majority) of C6Z06 owners instantly shunned it. They hated it because:

• it was supercharged
• it was expensive
• the silly hood window
• etc, etc, etc

Lots of keyboard commandos came out of the wood work to tell us that it was a big POS, or that it wasn't worth the extra money over the Z06, etc. Then Mike (Short-Throw) bought one . Then I got one. Then a few others got one early and started beating on them on the road course. Annnnd slapping the Z06 around like the red-headed step-child that it was.

As OnPoint has said: the car may not be your cup of tea, and that's fine. Stop ****-talking it, because it's going to take yours and my (unmodified) cars right to the cleaners. In every possible way.

That's called: progress. And it's a good thing.

3 Z06ZR1

It's the tail lights too!

Satanspawn

You mean the same chief engineer who was content with releasing a vehicle that had issues overheating on track? The chief engineer who proceeded to market said vehicle as being the most track-capable Corvette ever at the time?

Satanspawn

I haven't bashed the ZR1, I personally think it's a fantastic machine, but my question is this: Why get all butthurt that people are bashing a trim level in the first place? You purchase what you want, what does it matter what everyone else thinks?

The ZR1 is an incredible car, but nobody should be upset with folks feeling it isn't worth the extra ~$40k, unless they're afraid of hearing that they're potentially wasting money. Minus the exterior styling, which is totally subjective, and the extra 105hp, it's basically the same as a Z06. Interior is identical, brakes are identical, and the aero/styling doesn't seem to be any more effective than the Z06/Z07 judging by comparing cornering speeds in the VIR videos.

That means any financially-conscious person could buy a Z06/Z07 and put $5-10k into it and it'll be every bit as capable in performance... Congratulations, you saved yourself $30-35k! The only thing you're missing is a couple of badges. Big whoop.


P.S. I would buy a ZR1 if I had oodles of disposable income.

DebRedZR1

Well done IGNORANT comment It's not 42,000. Take a loaded 3LZ stage 3 ZO7 Z06 at about 15ish, and a 3ZR with TKZ around mid 130ish you are talking 20,000=more carbon fiber, better cooling, LT5 and of course the BIG AZZ wing.........

True ENTHUSIASTS KNOW all the differences. We go through this with each improved model

Had a C6ZR, own a CZ7 and looking forward to owning a C7ZR. Everyone who has driven the C7ZR says you can tell the difference. As more hit the roads we will hear from those who have ACTUALLY DRIVEN ALL THREE ......

64drvr

Well-said Deb! Hopefully Corvette designers don't actually read these threads. It would be depressing to hear the constant moaning.

3 Z06ZR1

The price delta can be a lot more than 42k. Depending what you paid for your Z06.
Lots of discounts on Z06 models back to even 2016 around. No one pays MSRP on a Z06 every pays it on the ZR1 for now. Making the price gap even wider. Then the ZR1 offers these features on the car for track use.

Which if you don't track it just takes away from the use of the car. The big wing stops normal use of the hatch. Track guys can go nuts us non track guys not so much.
The difference of the two cars as drivers on the street amounts Zilch except the Z06 stage 1 is more at home. Little worry about the Z06 front bill scraping on drives and dips.


Great for track guys though.

ticat928

I think the ZR1 looks great in black (see start of vid above)
Pricing is good for a limited production car.
Exposed CF adds value in my book.
The new CCM rotors (Carbon Ceramic Matrix) are much more durable on track and do add to cost.
The changes made to cope with added power give me more confidence than simply going with after market modifications on a c7 Zo6.
A smaller rear wing is available. I image the front splitter may be removable and thus possibly a less radical version could be employed via after-market given time.

Well Done GM!

Previously I had jumped to a e60 M5 BMW due to iconic F1 influenced S85 v10 motor versus the car I actually wanted: c6 Z06; however the LS7 issues and lack of transparency at the time made me loose confidence.

However a new CEO and new attitude toward customers is changing my outlook.
(Love the ask Tadge thread)

https://work.qz.com/1245094/the-thre...ob-interviews/

Integrity of vendors and manufacturers I do business with matters a lot to me

3 Z06ZR1

Yep looking more ahead this time. I should have waited on the 2014 Stingray the next year since the Z06. So more planning this time.

Like the spot I'm in this time as far as the C7. Really like the Z06's for now! Waiting for the ME and the bigger engine.

davepl

Even on the track, really. The ZR1 has the same torque across most of the curve where you actually drive, so it's not making and more power until you're up at the top of the rev range.

Whether the extra little bit of horsepower on the top end only of mostly novice drivers actually makes a difference is the question. You'd imagine it would on the straight so on.

Quarter mile it should be a little quicker, and in the hands of someone like Pobst, I imagine the ZR is worth 1.5 seconds over the Z as a guess at Willow.

thebishman

Have you not seen the videos that Poor-sha posted of the same driver on the same track pulling an additional 12-15 mph at the end of the straights in the ZR1? That’s huge, and means that a Z06 will not be turning the same times as a ZR1 on most tracks. Short tracks with minimal straights; it’ll be close. Until the Z06 starts to get hot.

Bish

davepl

No, I hadn't seen that... 15 mph is huge, especially with that wing, I'm very surprised. But yes, if true, that's a big difference for 100hp!

BladeZ06

Agreed

Low speed cornering the Z06 and ZR1 are going to be close as that is mechanical grip. Suspension, weight and tires are almost identical so both should be almost identical.

Long courses and high speed turns the ZR1 should crush the Z06. The lower drag aero and more HP will equal higher MPH. The increased downforce on the high wing should equal better high speed cornering.

My guess is tracks like COTA, Daytona, Sebring, etc will be a blood bath stock for stock.

My Z06 is a street car so for me the extra $$ of buying a car at or above MSRP verse my way below MSRP purchased car does not make sense. Maybe once the hype wear off and they become eligible for discounts I will upgrade. Or just wait for the C8.

BTW I owned a 2013 ZL1 before. I did the math on upgrading the car to equal a stock Z06 in performance and the numbers made the Z06 the cheaper choice. Looking at a modded Z06 verse a stock ZR1 it is a harder choice. I don't care for all the exposed CF crap and it adds no value to me. Also I wish GM had done a 2LZ version of the car. I want the nice features but care less about the fancy leather of 3LZ. Especially as I would have the comp seats that come with the cheaper leather.

End of day enjoy what you have.

Zo62018A8

There is a thread going on right now at the Mustang forum where some guy bought a base gt, did some mods and has more power, 0-60 and quarter mile time than a stock z06 at a lot less money spent overall and he is laughing at us Corvette guys.

There is always going to be someone out with a faster/better car than you. Get over it. Do you like your z06 and are you happy with it? Would you feel better if you spent the extra more and upgraded to a zr1 instead?

Right now there are guys who bought base stingray 1lts and have MORE power and performance than someone who gets a z06 just by mods and they still spent way less than we did on our z06s.

I personally opted for the Z because it has more power than I will ever need and I got a 10 year/100k miles bumper 2 bumper warranty for $2950 and I know I wont ever do any mods to the car. The zr1 guy is getting a 755 hp factory race car without cooling issues that can be driven daily and he can buy an extended warranty on it for many years.

23/C8Z

All true. Except for a couple things. A mustang is not a corvette nor is any camaro. No matter how fast. It starts as a 25k rental car. Both do. And that's modded vs stock. Not to sound like a vette snob but it's true. You'd have an argument if a vette starred at 30k.

secondly, the ZR1 should be faster in a straight line stop quicker and go around any track faster it's the $$$$ vs value being discussed here.

maybe when the Z06 was selling at and above msrp it was a close call. But not at msrp ZR1 and 15% off Z06. That 1.5 seconds discussed around a road course is not worth it to 99.9% of the owners here outside of a poor sha or a bill Dearborn owner.

also, the mph in those pics doesn't mean a thing unless multiple laps showed the same thing. Speed varies in areas as much as what? 5 7 10mph on any given straight at any given point. I could jist as easily skewed the ZR1 pics to show it going the same speed as the Z06 off I took my time. Big deal.

when poor sha gets his we will see real world results since he knows these cars and has racedhis Z06 on the same track a million times. My guess is he extracts similar 2 seconds out of the ZR1 over his Z06. Worth it to him for that price but not to any of us if we're being honest.

Zo62018A8

In all honesty even though I dont track if I could afford an orange zr1 with the big wing I would get it in a heartbeat over my 2018 2lz z06. Yes I know I will NEVER be able to extract or use any of that power but I just love the looks of it. Most 2009 to 2013 Zr1s that I see for sale today have barely any miles and looked like they never even saw rain. A lot of these zr1s will be seeing the same fate in 8-9 years from now. I seriously doubt a lot of owners will be taking their zr1 to a track or drag strip anyway.

3 Z06ZR1

Actually! The ZR1 tq band will be up higher all the way through the curve. The big blower assures that. Not just at the top on the rev range. Not just a little bit at the end! I added the 2300 to my Z06 and I can feel a big difference in the TQ just driving around. Tadge was right the stock Z06 feels sluggish compared. I don't need to drive a ZR1 to know that.

spinkick

When did sports car purchases ever become logical affairs? You buy what stirs you.

JerriVette

I would suggest some people have to have the absolute best factory optioned vehicle.

I'm not one of those guys but congrats to those that got to have zr1..

Hell congrats to those that have a z06...

Pretty cool choice of cars...

For those that have a z06 now...if they are leasing so ponying up to a zr1 makes sense...

For those that own a z06? That's quite an expensive depreciation hit to trade in and get a zr1..

For those with boatloads of extra cash..can't wait to hear your driving impressions on the differences between the two..

Front facia is cool...that crazy hot wheels wing out back...in my opinion a little less so...

But it sure says or screams....ready for the track days..

Not exactly sure why convertibles need this wing since they really aren't track day cars..but logic has little to do with what marketing and sales departments say they need to move the product ...(especially with the rear mid engine c8 looming)

4GS7

You know what I love about 0-60 times? They're a great way for me to figure out who doesn't know anything about cars or racing.