I have the opportunity to get in line for a Z06 at MSRP (Wait time 2 years) and I am really wondering if I should go through the trouble because after much thought even though I really want one, I don't think I'll enjoy the car to its full potential. The Z06 is arguably the pinnacle of what the C8 will be in a non hybrid version. That will come a price to those who will never track the car, never push it to anywhere its limits. The ride will be harsher, the cost to maintain higher and comes at a steeper price. I know that I won't do the car justice and I don't want to get in line and then flip it, taking the spot from someone who would use it as it is meant to be used. That said I also don't want to miss an opportunity to own what could be a legend. What would you do if you were in my case? For those of you that can offer insight please do so, for those that won't be able to help themselves with something less so, please refrain. I really would like to hear from forum members that would put themselves in my shoes.

 

99.99999% of us don't put the regular C8 to its full potential/use. Heck I drive it to and from work all year round here in FL.
Who cares.

If you want it get it, the end.

 

If you have the $$$ and the inclination, get what makes you happy.

Don't get sucked into the "AMERICAN MALE" thing of having to have the biggest, fastest, most powerful, .. whatever though.

Very few Corvette owners drive the cars to their full potential, as that can only really take place on the track.

 

I think the z06 is a monster, I also think there is not big enough of a difference that I would utilize to justify getting it at this time. I also think the 0 to 100 numbers are going to be very comparable to the stingray as is. I know people disagree with me on that but I do not pay it any mind.

I am also not concerned with Gino the muscle in his tank top pulling up next to me in his Z06 saying "Pshh nice stingray, I wanted the track experience you know?" because Gino at some point is going to be very emasculated by other true track cars like the gt3rs.

 

I'm not going for a Z06. I'm honest with myself and the Stingray fits me needs the best.
My wife doesn't understand why anyone would buy a Corvette when you can get a quieter, more comfortable, 4 door car with a back seat for less money. But she indulges me.
A Z06 would be fun to have but it wouldn't get driven as much because of the increased NVH so we would wind driving her car more often when we go places together.

 

If it's a refundable deposit I don't see the point in over-thinking it. Get on the list and make a decision when that time comes. That's what I did, that's what I would do.

 

I tend to not purchase a “base model” anything, so for me a base model vehicle is never a consideration. I like to have things that I don’t see around the corner every 5 minutes. Not because of attention it garners or opinions of others, but because if I’m going to spend a lot of money on something, it should be special.

You won’t drive a Stingray anywhere near its potential, so it comes down to what are you going to enjoy walking out to your garage and looking at, getting behind the wheel of, and driving more?

 

In my old car clubs and being around Vette guys, it is really who has the biggest, swinging manhood. I currently have a C7 GS and there is plenty of HP to kill myself a couple of times. I have never been caught up in being the "top dog". I really dont care as my manhood is proper and I am securs in that. A few guys in our club have to always be "top dog". To me that is an endless pursuit as someone alwas has something bigger and better. Most of these guys, never track and couldnt handle the car if they did. At a recent show a guy who was somewhere between 70-80, had a C7 ZR1. He could barely climb in, much less track it. I never worry about out doing others, but buy what makes me feel good. I dont need Starbucks, Porsches or any other nameplate to make me feel I am cool. Buy what you want within your budget!

 

I am MORE than satisfied with my 2022 Stingray HTC, so no plans to buy a Z06. But to each his own. Buy what you really want...

 

I am going to beat the snot out of mine “ it’s going to be 100% track car. The interior will be on eBay within the first week of ownership
full cage / AMT seat rails and sparco qrt seats first week. First season. Will be. Watkins glen / Pitt race / summit point / VIR
cannot wait 🤪😜🤪😜.

 

Excellent point.

FWIW to the OP, I just ordered a 2022 Stingray. For me, it came down to cost and how I typically use my car. Just like the C5Z, C6Z, and C7Z before it, the C8Z is a bit too much car for how I drive it. I want a GT cruiser, not a beast like the Z06. I’m getting the Z51 package like I have in my current C7, but not getting the C8 Z51 leaves some features I want off the table if I don’t go for the Z51. I will just buy another set of wheels and put all-season tires on my C8 Stingray for the fall and winter months (I live in Maryland).

My point here is that you should get the car that fits YOU, not anyone else’s expectations. The Z06 is going to be an awesome car, but if you know it is “more car than you want”, then stick with the Stingray and don’t regret it.

 

Right now, if I did not already have a Stingray, I would assess the wait times. If the Z06 wait time will be much longer, I would go for a Stingray. If I could have either within the same time frame, I would go for the Z06. Even though I would not exercise its full potential, I think I would enjoy the sound and performance of the flat plane crank engine. But, I already have a Stingray, and don't (at this time) plan to order a Z06.

 

I made the same decision... I put a deposit on the Z06 list in May 2020, with the understanding that the cars would be available late 2021... given my needs, the extra $15K or so for the Z06 made sense since the car will also be worth more when I sell it... so I wasn't;t that much more expensive... but a couple months ago, my guy told me was looking at 2 years, and let me shift my place in line for a 2022 Stingray..

No brainer... My order is in now and I should have a car in a month or so.... but it costs nothing to put a refundable deposit down, and IMHO, you can sell a C8 in 18 months, and not get hurt.

 

Best advice: buy a stingray now (or plan to) and put your name on MacMulkin's list for a Z06. By the time your number comes up there, there should be enough feedback and real world reviews to give you an answer as to which one would suit you better.

 

Same boat as you. I'm on several waitlists for a C-8. Right now probably about 5 months out. I thought about getting on the Z06 list but came to the realization that the C8 will be plenty car for me. I won't drive it to it's full potential ever. The things I consider are after purchase costs. Dealer markups. Delivery fees. Taxes. Registration and tags. Insurance. Maintenance. The cost of these vehicles is one thing but when you add all the other costs to own one the numbers can get staggering. In my case I think owning a new C8 will outweigh the cost.

 

Don’t know your age, health or financial status but if you want to buy a Z go for it. Two year gives you an opportunity to weigh that decision.
When the call comes for a decision just do it. To pass and not place the order you will regret it later good luck!

 

I put in an order for one. Don’t know if I’ll actually buy it though. I’ve had flat plane crank v8s for the last 25 years, so that isn’t going to be any incentive. I’ve got a C8. It’s plenty fast. I’ve won two racing championships but those were in the 80s. I’m clearly a has been, but I enjoy the Stingray. It’s better to be a has been than a never was, I guess.

Art

 

A few thoughts:

I think the full potential of the Z06 is in putting a smile on your face, and that it will most certainly do. I owned two C7 Z06's (and now a Z51 HTC C8) and other than driving them at Spring Mountain, mine never saw the parking lot of a race track. It was stupid fun to drive and I do not regret getting one for a second. I'd put the "track" destination criteria out of your mind...I bet fewer than 5% see a track.

Stop there...you've nailed it right there and this represents one of the biggest reasons I want one.

Not necessarily...with magnetic ride (which has historically been standard on the Z06) it is both capable of being tighter / harder and smoother with MRC. It is an amazing system. I drove a C7 Z51 without Magnetic Ride over 5 hours to pick up my first Z06 WITH MRC...driving them back to back on a shitty Michigan road, the difference was startling. The non Z51 would have rattled my fillings out, and the Z06 was smooth, solid and stable.

Possibly and yes, certainly...but a year 2 Z06 should have any initial bugs worked out.

Sincerely, you aren't going to put it any more use than the next guy and Z06 production is not a zero sum game. You are not "taking" anything away from anyone who wants one...all you are asking is they wait for ONE more to be made ahead of them.

I am in your shoes, and I am #583 at a volume dealer for a Z06. I MIGHT see one in year two and with my '22 C8 to enjoy, I'm ok with that. My Z06 WILL be a HTC. Its going no where near a track. None of us are getting off this rock alive. If you can afford it, I say get it and drive it where and how you want to and don't worry about the next guy in line.

 

The main attraction of the Z06 on the street is revving to the redline and hearing the exhaust. If those two things make it worth $40K more than a Stingray for you, then go for it and 3 years from now when you get it, you will be pleased. The Z06 will be faster on the track if you are essentially a pro driver, but for the average driver the Stingray will be just as much fun.
Of course you will be taking a risk that the engine will be reliable and that is a big unknown. Given the history of previous Z06 engines, be prepared for trouble.

 

I would love to get one just not the first couple years. Lived through the 01 z06 saddled with the oil burner reputation then they bumped the HP the next year. Loved the car but got tired of all the oil burn questions or listening to people tell others steer clear of the 01.

Chevy can’t get column locks, harmonic balancers, wheels and in some cases valve trains right ( LS7 ) not sure how the FPC thing will work out with them.