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I'm pulling this out of another thread to start a new one here because I think it's worth a discussion and celebration of what the Corvette team has accomplished with the Z06, and I don't want anyone else to have to go through my hissy-fit rant thread of me discovering that I forgot to check the box for E60 leading to my new Z06 not having a lift on it. After nearly 100 miles today around town, I'm pretty darn sure this car doesn't need one, and I was used to cars like this that did. Either way. The following are some of my first impressions of my new 3LZ HTC in comparison to some of my exotics. The following is about how good the Z06 is, if you are about to get offended by someone's automobile accomplishments, be warned and please see yourself out.
p.s. You'll notice my son's head in the below pic, he was born early, with Cerebral Palsy, and is a non-verbal quadriplegic. His fav thing in the world is to change out his wheelchair for a seat in a sports car, and that is how our little hobby began.
1) The Z06 HTC didn't seem to eliminate any space on the inside when designing the hard top storage. Where as my Huracan Spyder was MUCH smaller on the inside than my Huracan coupe was. In general, the HTC has maybe an inch more headroom in it, and that inch means a lot to this 6.2 person. Modern McLaren and Ferrari's are good with this too. Lambo isn't.
Here was our Huracan Spyder, may she rest in peace.
Here is the new Z06, ALL HAIL THE WAIL
It is hard to tell from these pics just how much more space, especially leg room, is in the Z06 vs the Huracan Spyder, but it's a lot. The Huracan Coupe fits in-between.
2) Z06 is louder on track setting than the Huracan was at lower RPM's. I won't get to try out high RPM's until I make it to 500 miles, the Huracan really shined up there. The Z06 stealth setting is unnervingly quiet. It's crazy. The Huracan had no counterpart for that. Even with my limit still at 6,000 RPM or so, it's incredible how loud this car is when its in full loud mode. Another plug for the HTC is being able to lower that rear window down, makes a big difference when listening to the engine.
3) Seating position is more adaptable, and the seats are actually more fitted and forming on the Z06 than the Huracan without competition seats. I was surprised at this. The Z06 really has fantastic seats in it, but they may be a bit too tight for some if not many people. They are perfect for my son, pretty snug on me. They are clearly intended to be functional during track use. Much more so than normal 911 seats are.
4) Heated and cooled seats, heads up display, cup holders, even cruise control. These are all things the traditional exotic cars don't generally have. (My Aventador S actually has Apple Car play, believe it or not). Above all of these, the Z06's upgraded sound system is by far the best I've heard in a sports car, certainly better than the more expensive systems found in all of the other cars that I have mentioned.
5) Ride quality. The Z06 mag ride is unreal. I've got something similar in my Aventador S below, but it isn't as good as the Z06. I've got a terrible road near me just as you enter a highway and it's a bit bouncy in most cars. The Z06 handles this smoothly in the way I'd say a non-GT 992 (911) would. Steering is also "supercar" fantastic.
6) Cockpit and driving experience: In general, you have to drive the Z06 in exactly the same way you drive a supercar/exotic car. It's low and very wide (only .5 inch narrower than the Aventador S.) Z06 is wider than the Huracan. It's power can surprise you. I'm also tickled with how similar the cockpits seem to be. It used to be that getting into a Lamborghini and just looking out the front was something like an X-Wing fighter and nothing else came close. The C8 really does provide a similar experience. The Aventador just takes that and squeezes and stretches it in awesome but uncomfortable ways.
Z06 Aventador S
7) Quality of interior (3LZ). This is sort of an elephant in the room with this car and everyone assumes it lacks in this area. I'd say that the top end Z06 provides and extremely nice and exciting interior. Probably the best interior that most people have ever been in. Yes, my Porsche Taycan GTS (which is more expensive than my Z), has a more "perfect" interior, but it's also more plain. I'd say that the 3LZ fits in-between a Huracan and the Aventador, with the Aventador being tops. I like it better, and it's a nicer place to be. I don't spend any time staring at stitching closely, the more prestigious brands will win in that specific area. The Aventador is hand assembled and hand stitched, I can't tell any imperfections, but I'm sure I could find one somewhere if I tried. Quality of materials, the 3LZ is up there with my old R8. There just isn't any really plastic bits, the entire car feels covered in something quality, and the soft/Alcantara roof lining and A-pillar lining is extremely nice.
I don't want to compare too much to my Aventador because these cars don't compete with each other (150k vs 500k) But damn. The Z06 doesn't really lose any ground to anything else I have had, outside of that I don't think it will make random people scream out loud or cry, but it certainly is going to bring a lot of happiness with it. And that's what supercars are all about; spreading joy.
As for the Z06, Chevy hit this out of the park and they are really bringing the supercar experience to Vette owners. The wow factor is nearly all there, and everything else is made up for with the tech and comforts provided which you don't get anywhere else yet. It used to be that you always had to say "for the money", clearly not anymore. It's just that impressive and it belongs in the supercar category, IMO.
Finally, it’s just fun. It’s fun in the way that exotic supercars are and that sports cars aren’t. That’s what separates this thing and why it belongs in the loftier club. I’d put it above an AMG GT, above a 992 (non-GT) 911, above even the R8. To me it sits alongside the Huracan in all but the circus factor, and comes with way more goodies.
p.s. highly recommend MacMulkin. never had a smoother transaction.
p.p.s. Before today I hadn’t even sat in a C8. So clearly a bit of what I’m saying must apply to the Stingray as well.
First of all, I want to thank you for the detailed and honest review including the photos. Beautiful and impressive set of cars in your stable, you should be proud. There are a few people in this section that unfortunately and in some cases pathetically take shots at the Z06 without ever even sitting in one so it is refreshing to see someone who has their pick of some of the nicest cars made give such a positive review.
Please give us an update once you are past the break in period as several of us would love to get your impression of the car once you can really push it. Thanks,
Although I enjoy cars, they aren’t that important to me. Nevertheless, I really respect and appreciate why they are so meaningful to you. Thanks for the post.
Although I enjoy cars, they aren’t that important to me. Nevertheless, I really respect and appreciate why they are so meaningful to you. Thanks for the post.
Also, where we live we don’t have water for boats, mountains for hiking, or amusement parks, etc.. we have nice people, good schools, football, cookouts and cars!
I had two C7 Stingrays and really enjoyed them, especially as they were sticks. Also, the only sports car I've ever been able to fit my son's foldable wheelchair in because of the huge hatch back. That is something that unfortunately can't be matched by the C8 or any other supercar.
When people would get in the C7 they were all excited because it was a Corvette. Sort of all of that reputation and nostalgia went along with the car, plus it was baddass, of course. The new C8 sort of changes that in my experience. People are less excited because it is a Corvette and more excited about what it has become.
It is hard to overstate how wide the C8 Z06 is. It's 2.3 inches wider than the C7 ZR1. This car has a road presence which is squarely in supercar territory. When someone gets in it, they see a supercar wrapped around them, when you turn it on, they hear a supercar, they feel it when its driven, it's a car that really has vaulted Corvette into this new territory.
More pics, but you guys love pics. The fenders that stick out, especially in the front of the car, are hard to catch in pictures but really stand out in person. I tried to find pictures that capture how wide this thing really is. The C8 Z06 is literally less than an inch narrower than the C8.R IMSA Racecar, let that sink in. It's only beat by the Aventador S because the Aventador has 355mm rear tires instead of 345mm. It's that close. The pictures really show it. The Z06 clearly belongs in this room with the others, is MUCH wider than the Lotus GT and the Testarossa, and does look a bit bigger than the Aventador, but the Aventador is actually over 5 inches longer to account for that menacing Naturally Aspirated 6.5L V12. and that's with no room for a trunk out back. What a motor, and yet, another commonality between the cars. (NA motors in the face of the rest of the industry)
The big problem for all of us who like to travel to events with our car in a trailer, is that the Z06 isn't going to fit well. I have the largest width trailer you can get. Here is a pic of it with my Murcielago LP640 mounted up. Took us a long time to squeeze it in there safely, and I had less than .25 inches on either side of the car. Had to squeeze in microfiber towels in-between to try and protect it during the trip. I vowed to never again ship a V12 Lambo in my own trailer. The big trucks that come and get them store the cars above the wheels, and that's the only really good way to do it. Problem is, the Z06 will still end up with less than .5 inches on either side here. That will be way better than the Murci, but you get my point, its tight. Going to feel much different than the experience of shipping a C7Z. But again, that's just some of the troubles which come along with supercar class cars.
Since they are reliable Corvette's with all of that trunk space, I'm sure most of you will just drive them wherever you want to go. But I thought I'd point this out for those who like to trailer.
Thank you for an objective, articulate and beautifully illustrated comparison of your new Z06 with your other exotics.
i am anticipating the arrival of my Z even more.and am now inspired to do a comparison between it and my ZR1.
Thank you for an objective, articulate and beautifully illustrated comparison of your new Z06 with your other exotics.
i am anticipating the arrival of my Z even more.and am now inspired to do a comparison between it and my ZR1.
Keeping the ZR1? I really love that car. I've thought about picking one up in a stick as that is the last of its kind.
Obviously, your cars couldn't be more different on the outside or the inside, a comparison would be great! The interior of the C8Z is going to be a place you enjoy spending time in, for sure. I can't get over how great I think it is, and certainly I've been around some decent interiors. 2019 R8 was the overall best I've ever seen. My wife misses that car. A car which is nearly 3.5 inches narrower than the C8Z. This was the first mid-engined car I ever sat in/purchased. Got me hooked on that experience, sort of went nuts after that for a while. Driving the C8Z feels a lot like driving this, but the Z is faster and louder as well (and more expensive when fully equipped).
Thanks for the post and the interesting comparisons! Great spec and hope that thing brings lots of great memories with your son!
I myself am on the fence about ordering the lift, my C6 ZR1 taught me how to drive without scraping, and although I have the lift on my gt3 I barely ever use it. As of now I’m leaning towards not ordering it, just doesn’t quite seem to be a must have on this car as it seems to have decent ground clearance as it is. Not sure it’s going to end up a deal breaker for resale either as it is on many other supercars.
Thanks for the post and the interesting comparisons! Great spec and hope that thing brings lots of great memories with your son!
I myself am on the fence about ordering the lift, my C6 ZR1 taught me how to drive without scraping, and although I have the lift on my gt3 I barely ever use it. As of now I’m leaning towards not ordering it, just doesn’t quite seem to be a must have on this car as it seems to have decent ground clearance as it is. Not sure it’s going to end up a deal breaker for resale either as it is on many other supercars.
Well, in my other thread here bemoaning my mistake, it became pretty clear that a lot of people wouldn't want it. All I have really discovered is that I have been using a lift on my other cars unnecessarily. And goodness, if you don't need it on a GT3... your good for sure. When Porsche guys go to buy a used car, they are as **** as anyone. I've seen people get out blacklights to look for hairline scratches in paint on a 20-year-old Boxter. I think we have less to worry about here with resale. People want this motor, only one way to have it.
Did the C8 Stingray have the same enforced 500 mile break in period? The C8Z, you get stuck at 6,500 redline until you cross 500 miles, then it raises to 8,600 redline (The Aventador's V12 is 8,400).
I put 90 miles on it today, I'm going to have to just drive to another town or two and back to try and get this puppy over 500 miles sooner than later. Didn't know if that was something the Stingray's dealt with as well. I like the caution, for sure. I'm about to give up the car to a group who will PPF the whole thing and tint, etc.. nice to know they can't joyride if they wanted.
Very nice. I really like your spec on the Z although i will do more red.
Your car looks amazing! Love the stripes as well.
my daily driver…. I’m with you. Just didn’t want to mimic it too much. we didn’t have any orange accented cars. My Z has the carbon ceramic in orange calipers. And my next arriving car is bright green.. so this had to be different.
02-21-2023, 06:07 PM
Z06 impressions from an exotic car enthusiast
