2006 Z06 vs 2008 Z06
 

Ok so I had decided to purchase a Z06 after considering a Porsche Cayman and M3. I found the perfect Z06 (2006) with only 6k miles and I thought I had a deal. Long story short, deal fell through and now that I have spent some time looking through this forum I have concerns about the 2006 and 2007 models.

Can anyone explain the differences that 2008 brings? I know there is a transmisison change but not sure if thats good or bad and I would lose the options of GMPP.


What else changed in 08? Thanks in advance!

:cheers:

You can look at changes for all the years... http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...2008press.html

Nothing wrong with any of the years, including the older ones. There were year to year changes in just about every year, but nothing significant. In general, the newer ones have more stuff and the older ones are lighter. Pick your poison.

I'd go through the list of year to year changes and see if anything is important to you.

The most significant change is the transmission from a T56 to a T6060 in 2008. The T6060 is generally regarded as better, but based on what I read here, it is a little more finicky than the T56 is. Gear Ratios are the same, so there is no change in performance.

If you found a good deal on an 06 or 07, I wouldn't hesitate to get one.

If I were to buy one today I would do my best to get an 09+. The oil capacity of the dry sump was increased for 2009 to better lubricate the engine during spirited driving.

Yes, but less than 1% of Z owners take sweeping left handers with sufficient sustained Gs for this to be an issue.

No doubt. I just thought I would put it out there as it was the last real mechanical update to the Z aside from the Z07 option.

Easy enough to fix with the LPE tank.

From what I remember in my search:

2006 was the lightest year Z, but due to fewer options and less noise insulation.
early 2007 had the rocker arm needle bearing scare (still rare).
Both years had a recall for roof delamination.

2008 and above received the more desirable TR-6060 transmission: supposedly smoother shifts, slightly stronger but as others state this can be a mixed bag depending on the user and the vehicle. the 3LZ leather wrap option became available. I will say that my 2008 shifts noticeably better than my 2007 coupe (apples to oranges). Most 2008's will have a remaining powertrain warranty (that can be extended) if the engine and tune is OEM.

2009 and above has bluetooth functionality, increased oil capacity to 11qts (larger reserve tank similar to ZR1) and changes to the steering rack for more responsiveness. These cars are around 200 pounds heavier than a 2006 Z06. Virtually all 2009's will have a drivetrain warranty.

There are also year-to-year changes in interior accents, with 2008 and later trending towards the carbon-fiber look on consoles.

I believe it is 2011 that they reverted back to a radiator with internal oil cooler - all previous year Z06's have a stand-alone oil cooler and thus struggle to reach operating temperature in cold weather street driving.

Also, you can go aftermarket to update bluetooth into any vehicle with onstar if that's important to you - google "Bluestar."

How much $$ is the LPE tank?

2006's are the only years without the satillite uplink that can record and track you every movement on the car. It knows when you are on a race track and that information could be made public or to insurance companies.

The only people concerned with this are those who would defraud the insurance companies. In other words, who cares? I don't.

Thank you everyone for your input and feedback...Very much appreciated!

As far as the delamination of the roofs, if the recall work has been done should I feel safe its good or have there been further problems?

Also do you know how much the upgraded tank is?

Thanks again!

Go 08+ and skip the known issues. TR6060 does shift better. When I was searching I just skipped 06 and 07 rather than taking a chance on getting a bad one. Happy so far. At the end of the day all are good cars, 06-07 Z's just seem to be the ones with the majority of the problems.

No roof issues once the recall is done. They replace everything and your roof will be just like an 08+ once it is done.

Get whatever you can get a good deal on IMO. I think the 06-07s are the ones to buy because of the lower cost. With the $5-7k you save you can do a clutch, cam, heads, headers, etc and be having a lot more fun.

How about you keeping the facts as facts.

2006 Z06 curb weight is 3132 pounds
2009 Z06 curb weight is 3175 pounds.

That is a difference of 43 pounds, not 200 pounds.

06-07 are just showing more "issues" because they typically have more miles right now, so just wait another year or 2 it'll all even out.

Just get the lowest miles, in the best condition, newest Z you can afford they are all great

There have been changes made each year to the Z06. The transmission has been improved several times, the differential housing has beem strengthened. The axles have had a bunch of changes made to strengthen them along with stronger CV joints. When GM brought out the ZR1 in 2009, improvements made to handle the greater horsepower of the LS9 were incorporated in the Z06 as an example)

As the weak areas show up, improvements are made to correct them. Most of these changes are never proclaimed by GM in their brochures.

That's why it's always best to purchase the newest you can afford. Very seldom does a change make a problem worse then what it was before they tried to improve it(but there are exceptions, and then they try and fix the fix).

[quote=Random84;1579889517]

Most 2008's will have a remaining powertrain warranty (that can be extended) if the engine and tune is OEM. NOT

/quote]

Only the base 3/36 could be extended with a GMPP. Once the base warranty has expired the powertrain warranty cannot be extended.

Bill

IMO the transmission was worth getting in the '08. Either way you go you will have a blast!

:iagree:
this sums it up right here---u r not buying new, so any issue can be at hand...do ur homework on the car, buy the fcker and enjoy....
I got an 06 last year, roof recall was already done and its the most awesome car i ever owned no regrets...
Good luck