To Z or E?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 670
Likes: 849
From: DFW
I'm having this same discussion with myself. Love my SR, absolutely the best car I've ever owned. Done tracking cars but lucky enough to live 10 minutes from literally hundreds of miles of the most fantastic twisty roads so the Vette is my weekend toy. The practical side of me says no contest, the Eray would be the perfect weekend canyon carver and trip taker.......wide body, carbon ceramic brakes, as fast as anything in a straight line but smooth and comfortable like the SR (I really, really love that about the car).........but my heart strings tug at the thought of the Z06 (which I've driven)........it's all about that motor, no doubt one of the great engines ever developed by Chevy. I'm about a year out but it's literally a toss up at this point. There are no bad choices........
I thought long and hard about this same exact thing and I concluded that I was going to "listen to my heart" and went with the Z06. But, you're right, there are no bad choices.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,355
Likes: 3,850
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
The Z06 is an "event" car, as in it's an event every single time you drive it. But, it does encourage you to drive it like a hoonigan as the engine is very different from a traditional Corvette engine (or honestly most any American sports car engine). It lovees to rev and all the power is above 4000rpm, which leads to you driving around in manual cruising at 3000-4000rpm to be ready to go and so you can hear the glorious exhaust note. The exhaust is LOUD, even in Tour mode, the ride is stiff (again even in Tour), the steering is way more reactive and darty/twitchy. Overall, I absolutely love it, but it's an absolutely a "me" car. My wife tolerates it because I love it, and setting it to Tour makes it an acceptable street car/trip car, but she liked our 23 Stingray way more. EDIT: Oh yeah, and the fuel economy on the Z06 is abysmal if you drive it like you should. 
The Eray (or even a Stingray) is going to be a much better street car, and if his primary use of it will be for him and his wife, then the Eray/Stingray is probably a better choice. It will have a noticeably better ride and be significantly quieter in Tour (and all other modes as well unfortunately). Honestly, even a regular Stingray has incredible performance for most people for street use. There's such a big difference between the Z06 and the others, that once used prices come down, I'll seriously look at picking up a Stingray to use as an "us" car for when it's both the wife and I. Or maybe I'll sell my daily driver and buy an Eray as a daily...
The Eray (or even a Stingray) is going to be a much better street car, and if his primary use of it will be for him and his wife, then the Eray/Stingray is probably a better choice. It will have a noticeably better ride and be significantly quieter in Tour (and all other modes as well unfortunately). Honestly, even a regular Stingray has incredible performance for most people for street use. There's such a big difference between the Z06 and the others, that once used prices come down, I'll seriously look at picking up a Stingray to use as an "us" car for when it's both the wife and I. Or maybe I'll sell my daily driver and buy an Eray as a daily...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,340
Likes: 14,159
From: Central Illinois
The Z06 is an "event" car, as in it's an event every single time you drive it. But, it does encourage you to drive it like a hoonigan as the engine is very different from a traditional Corvette engine (or honestly most any American sports car engine). It lovees to rev and all the power is above 4000rpm, which leads to you driving around in manual cruising at 3000-4000rpm to be ready to go and so you can hear the glorious exhaust note. The exhaust is LOUD, even in Tour mode, the ride is stiff (again even in Tour), the steering is way more reactive and darty/twitchy. Overall, I absolutely love it, but it's an absolutely a "me" car. My wife tolerates it because I love it, and setting it to Tour makes it an acceptable street car/trip car, but she liked our 23 Stingray way more. EDIT: Oh yeah, and the fuel economy on the Z06 is abysmal if you drive it like you should.
The Eray (or even a Stingray) is going to be a much better street car, and if his primary use of it will be for him and his wife, then the Eray/Stingray is probably a better choice. It will have a noticeably better ride and be significantly quieter in Tour (and all other modes as well unfortunately). Honestly, even a regular Stingray has incredible performance for most people for street use. There's such a big difference between the Z06 and the others, that once used prices come down, I'll seriously look at picking up a Stingray to use as an "us" car for when it's both the wife and I. Or maybe I'll sell my daily driver and buy an Eray as a daily...
The Eray (or even a Stingray) is going to be a much better street car, and if his primary use of it will be for him and his wife, then the Eray/Stingray is probably a better choice. It will have a noticeably better ride and be significantly quieter in Tour (and all other modes as well unfortunately). Honestly, even a regular Stingray has incredible performance for most people for street use. There's such a big difference between the Z06 and the others, that once used prices come down, I'll seriously look at picking up a Stingray to use as an "us" car for when it's both the wife and I. Or maybe I'll sell my daily driver and buy an Eray as a daily...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
From: Merritt Island, FL
The Z06 is an "event" car, as in it's an event every single time you drive it. But, it does encourage you to drive it like a hoonigan as the engine is very different from a traditional Corvette engine (or honestly most any American sports car engine). It lovees to rev and all the power is above 4000rpm, which leads to you driving around in manual cruising at 3000-4000rpm to be ready to go and so you can hear the glorious exhaust note. The exhaust is LOUD, even in Tour mode, the ride is stiff (again even in Tour), the steering is way more reactive and darty/twitchy. Overall, I absolutely love it, but it's an absolutely a "me" car. My wife tolerates it because I love it, and setting it to Tour makes it an acceptable street car/trip car, but she liked our 23 Stingray way more. EDIT: Oh yeah, and the fuel economy on the Z06 is abysmal if you drive it like you should.
The Eray (or even a Stingray) is going to be a much better street car, and if his primary use of it will be for him and his wife, then the Eray/Stingray is probably a better choice. It will have a noticeably better ride and be significantly quieter in Tour (and all other modes as well unfortunately). Honestly, even a regular Stingray has incredible performance for most people for street use. There's such a big difference between the Z06 and the others, that once used prices come down, I'll seriously look at picking up a Stingray to use as an "us" car for when it's both the wife and I. Or maybe I'll sell my daily driver and buy an Eray as a daily...
The Eray (or even a Stingray) is going to be a much better street car, and if his primary use of it will be for him and his wife, then the Eray/Stingray is probably a better choice. It will have a noticeably better ride and be significantly quieter in Tour (and all other modes as well unfortunately). Honestly, even a regular Stingray has incredible performance for most people for street use. There's such a big difference between the Z06 and the others, that once used prices come down, I'll seriously look at picking up a Stingray to use as an "us" car for when it's both the wife and I. Or maybe I'll sell my daily driver and buy an Eray as a daily...
I totally understand everyone who recommended the Z, but I'm now convinced that my friend will be better served with the E-Ray. The other two cars he was considering were the 911, and the Lexus LC (I think it was the LC), so the E-Ray is more in line with those choices.
Thanks to everyone else who responded. Believe it or not, I really am asking for a friend. When it comes time for me to say goodbye to my current C6 Z, I will get a C8 Z.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,355
Likes: 3,850
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
From: Merritt Island, FL
That's what I thought from the start, but I didn't know how tame the Z could get. Based on all the posts (especially yours), I think he'd be a lot happier with the E-Ray.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 767
From: Pleasant Township, OH
agree with others that since the gentleman in question was looking at a 911 and a Lexus, no question he would prefer the E-Ray over the Z for sure....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,797
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
Based on what you described, and assuming he can get an E-Ray for MSRP and a Z06 no more than MSRP, I’d recommend an E-Ray. (I say this as a ‘24 Z06 Owner head over heels in love with my Z06).
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,402
From: Bethesda MD
This.
If he is not going to exercise the car, a stingray with mag ride will ride the best, get the best fuel economy, and exceed this driving envelope. A loaded 3LT can be acquired well below MSRP. It will be less than a low optioned Z06 or e-ray, and have all the creature comforts for GT use. Put the Z51 package on it if he wants to feel that he has the full capability and it still is a better, less expensive, choice.
If he is not going to exercise the car, a stingray with mag ride will ride the best, get the best fuel economy, and exceed this driving envelope. A loaded 3LT can be acquired well below MSRP. It will be less than a low optioned Z06 or e-ray, and have all the creature comforts for GT use. Put the Z51 package on it if he wants to feel that he has the full capability and it still is a better, less expensive, choice.
