Going from C6 Z06 to C7 auto base model
10-21-2018, 01:46 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Going from C6 Z06 to C7 auto base model
Looking at trading my 2006 Z06 488 hp RWP on a 2019 2LT auto. Anyone here make a similar move?I like the looks of the C6 better, but the C7 the wife could drive if necessary. Interested on opinions between the two cars.
10-21-2018, 06:58 AM
#2
I've never owned a C6 Z06, but I've driven one. They are a little more speedy than the base C7, but not so much that you'll feel like you're driving a "slower" car.
Make sure to look at the axle ratio and buy the one with 3.42 gears. There is one with a higher ratio rear that is geared more towards fuel economy and cruising. That one might feel a little slower.
If you want to retain the tightness of the C6 Z06, you might want to see if you can find a Z51, or even a GS if you can swing it. We are starting to get into "deal" season, so keep your eyes open.
I'll be honest and say that the LED displays on the C7 really dazzled me and put me over the edge in terms of the C6 vs C7 debate. The technology and smart phone integration in these cars really is pretty incredible. There is a bit of a learning curve in figuring out how to work the drivers information center, but once you get a feel for the menus, you will zip right through them and make it do what you want.
If you're buying the C7 as a compromise "for your wife" I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've driven my dad's A8 C7, and its a pretty responsive transmission....unlike the 4 speed slush boxes of yore. Its actually faster with the auto than with the manual.
As another alternative.....how about a C6 GS with an auto? If you really prefer the C6, there seem to be plenty of automatic GS's out there. In my opinion, you're not giving very much up between the LT1 and LS3.
Good luck!
Make sure to look at the axle ratio and buy the one with 3.42 gears. There is one with a higher ratio rear that is geared more towards fuel economy and cruising. That one might feel a little slower.
If you want to retain the tightness of the C6 Z06, you might want to see if you can find a Z51, or even a GS if you can swing it. We are starting to get into "deal" season, so keep your eyes open.
I'll be honest and say that the LED displays on the C7 really dazzled me and put me over the edge in terms of the C6 vs C7 debate. The technology and smart phone integration in these cars really is pretty incredible. There is a bit of a learning curve in figuring out how to work the drivers information center, but once you get a feel for the menus, you will zip right through them and make it do what you want.
If you're buying the C7 as a compromise "for your wife" I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've driven my dad's A8 C7, and its a pretty responsive transmission....unlike the 4 speed slush boxes of yore. Its actually faster with the auto than with the manual.
As another alternative.....how about a C6 GS with an auto? If you really prefer the C6, there seem to be plenty of automatic GS's out there. In my opinion, you're not giving very much up between the LT1 and LS3.
Good luck!
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TnRZ06 (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 10:23 AM
#3
Moderator
I'd get a z51 with mag ride, or a Grand Sport which has mag ride. The grand sport is a wide body like your c6 z. You can tune the ride for the wife and make it nice and smooth in touring. Then you can change it to sport for some road fun. Both the z51 and grand sport will have more stiff track suspension setups that your c6 z had. But mag ride in touring mode will be nice and plush like a base c7. The engine hp will be pretty close but the lt1 should have a little better torque delivery meaning flatter curve.
Last edited by Zjoe6; 10-21-2018 at 10:33 AM.
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TnRZ06 (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 11:06 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Currently driving a 2017, A8, Z-51.
Last edited by VNAMVET; 10-21-2018 at 12:37 PM.
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repo czar (10-29-2018)
10-21-2018, 11:15 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
He's right! The C7 will surprise you and the the base with an A8 turns still in the high 11's and is way easier to control than a C6 ZO6. It handles better too. One thing though is the seats, are better, but tighter, but with my own experience, you'll be happy with your decision. 
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TnRZ06 (10-24-2018)
10-21-2018, 11:24 AM
#6
Team Owner
I've never owned a C6 Z06, but I've driven one. They are a little more speedy than the base C7, but not so much that you'll feel like you're driving a "slower" car.
Make sure to look at the axle ratio and buy the one with 3.42 gears. There is one with a higher ratio rear that is geared more towards fuel economy and cruising. That one might feel a little slower.
Make sure to look at the axle ratio and buy the one with 3.42 gears. There is one with a higher ratio rear that is geared more towards fuel economy and cruising. That one might feel a little slower.
Good luck, have fun.
10-21-2018, 01:29 PM
#7
Team Owner
I think you will be satisfied with a move to the C7 but not sure about the move to an A8.
10-21-2018, 01:42 PM
#8
Tech Contributor
It’ll feel and be slower. A stock automatic base 2LT C7 is not going to plant you back like a 300+ lb lighter C6 Z that has ~70 more RWHP.
I highly recommend you drive a C7 auto before making the jump. How you drive and how you use the car will directly impact your view of the A8. At a minimum I’d also want Mag Ride and the Performance Exhaust (similar to the standard bi-modal exhaust on the Z).
Having jumped from a 2013 2LT GS to a 2019 2LT GS, the technology improvement is substantial and tangible. The interior is much better quality and the seats more supportive and firm (think BMW firm). I’m still not a fan of the backend, but after having it for awhile, I can see the subtleties of the C7 design really tie nicely to earlier generations, especially the C6 and C3.
Good luck with your decision!
I highly recommend you drive a C7 auto before making the jump. How you drive and how you use the car will directly impact your view of the A8. At a minimum I’d also want Mag Ride and the Performance Exhaust (similar to the standard bi-modal exhaust on the Z).
Having jumped from a 2013 2LT GS to a 2019 2LT GS, the technology improvement is substantial and tangible. The interior is much better quality and the seats more supportive and firm (think BMW firm). I’m still not a fan of the backend, but after having it for awhile, I can see the subtleties of the C7 design really tie nicely to earlier generations, especially the C6 and C3.
Good luck with your decision!
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UsernameProtected (10-25-2018)
10-21-2018, 02:33 PM
#9
http://www.kerbeckatlanticcity.com/f...YD2D73K5105625
Its got the 3.42. Is there something I’m missing??
10-21-2018, 04:07 PM
#11
my c6 z06 were flawless performers, had two, but something was missing.....the vert part. not even a pop top, although some z06 magnesium roofs did lift off all by themselves. but having the sword of Damocles (the engine grenading possibility of the Class Action Suit) was not a fun thing to think about, even though i bought the GMEPP extended warranty till 2016 (9 years, not one claim) i think a properly sorted C6 Z06 will outlast a C7 since it has port injection, not direct injection like a C7. the tranny issue in the C7 is asking the engine to be a high revving performance motor, and then act like a farm tractor at luggable speeds while running in an imbalanced condition as a V4 to save gas; so i believe the A8 is sorted out with the Range AFM eliminator, a $189 lifesaver. GM thinks so too, because the AFM was ELIMINATED on the 6.2 liter ZR1 motor (and PORT injection was also added to the Direct injection of the ZR1!), but both improvments to the ZR1 motor only. people (journalists) made fun of the C6 interior, ok, if you left it sit awhile the black rubberized covering turned into the white cliffs of Dover, but i find the C6 interior more spacious (comfortable) than a c7 interior. hated the c6 nav, hate trying to figure out the c7 center touch console. The seats had a "rocking sensation" in the c6 during acceleration, but i found them more comfortable than the 1lt C7 seats, and i had the 2lz Z06 packages, and a 1lt c6 vert and a 1lt c6GS vert.
YMMV, but for me 10k on a 05 C6 A6 vert, 3k on a 07 Z06 sold in 2010 and 2.3k on a 07 RF Z06, kept ten years! 11k on a '10 c6 GS vert A6 kept 6 years, and already 4.5k on a 17 C7 z51 vert that was purchased new with only 3 miles in march '18. The vet verts both C6 and C7 with autos were/are far more fun for me to drive than the C6 Z06's i had.
YMMV, but for me 10k on a 05 C6 A6 vert, 3k on a 07 Z06 sold in 2010 and 2.3k on a 07 RF Z06, kept ten years! 11k on a '10 c6 GS vert A6 kept 6 years, and already 4.5k on a 17 C7 z51 vert that was purchased new with only 3 miles in march '18. The vet verts both C6 and C7 with autos were/are far more fun for me to drive than the C6 Z06's i had.
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TnRZ06 (10-24-2018)
10-21-2018, 04:54 PM
#12
Race Director
I went from a base C6 to base C7. Like you I personally prefer the looks of the C6. Mine is a 2LT z51 m7. My old C6 was a 1LT m6.
To me the cars drive much the same. You can’t really use the max power or handling of these cars legally on the street anyway so to me it’s a wash. I am not a big fan of the cockpit of the C7. The drivers area is as narrow as my NA Miata. The console is wide. The instrumentation can be customized which is pretty cool. Where I am left wanting is the seats on the C7. Reading others on here they love them. As for me I despise them. Very uncomfortable compared to the C6. They have far more lateral support but for day to day use they are not comfortable. Again it’s a personal thing and you may like them. Just drive one a distance first.
All in all it’s a very competent car. I hate to say it though but I liked my C6 better and if I don’t bond with this one over the winter I may sell it and go back to a C6
To me the cars drive much the same. You can’t really use the max power or handling of these cars legally on the street anyway so to me it’s a wash. I am not a big fan of the cockpit of the C7. The drivers area is as narrow as my NA Miata. The console is wide. The instrumentation can be customized which is pretty cool. Where I am left wanting is the seats on the C7. Reading others on here they love them. As for me I despise them. Very uncomfortable compared to the C6. They have far more lateral support but for day to day use they are not comfortable. Again it’s a personal thing and you may like them. Just drive one a distance first.
All in all it’s a very competent car. I hate to say it though but I liked my C6 better and if I don’t bond with this one over the winter I may sell it and go back to a C6
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TnRZ06 (10-24-2018)
10-21-2018, 06:36 PM
#14
Tech Contributor
I don’t think this is true. Here is a window sticker from an A8 2LT base model from Kerbeck:
http://www.kerbeckatlanticcity.com/f...YD2D73K5105625
Its got the 3.42. Is there something I’m missing??
Nothing shorter than ~3.08 rear gear has been available with an automatic transmission since the C4 days.
Last edited by 96GS#007; 10-21-2018 at 06:37 PM.
10-21-2018, 07:31 PM
#16
I went from a C6 Z06 to a '14 Z51 A6.
I don't regret it one bit. Do I miss the Z06? Sure, but not enough to consider going back (if it meant getting rid of the Stingray). I put 70,000 trouble-free miles on the Z06, and now 100,000 miles on the Stingray.
I don't regret it one bit. Do I miss the Z06? Sure, but not enough to consider going back (if it meant getting rid of the Stingray). I put 70,000 trouble-free miles on the Z06, and now 100,000 miles on the Stingray.
10-21-2018, 08:22 PM
#17
Safety Car
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owc6 (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 08:30 PM
#19
