ZO6 v ZR1
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Joined: Oct 2024
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ZO6 v ZR1
Disclaimer: This is not a hate on any car. I’m coming at this from a perspective ZR1 buyer who owns a ZO6.
So this weekend I attended a pretty big cars and coffee in my local area. I drove my ZO6 and grabbed a cup of coffee and began to see all the rides. A pleasant surprise was a Yellow ZR1 Coupe non ZTK with Aero. Pretty much my exact spec (I want ZTK). I have seen ZR1’s previously when they arrived at Ron Fellows while I was attending the school. I never heard the car start up and saw my spec in person. This gentleman showed up with not just a C8 ZR1 but also a C7 ZR1 AND a C8 ZO6.
It was great looking at all the cars side by side. But what really stuck with me was when they were leaving together ( I was standing right behind all 3 cars) was how much the ZR1 exhaust was muffled compared to the ZO6. You could still hear the Flat Plane Crank in the LT7 but the turbos seemed to mute out that initial roar on start up.
So this weekend I attended a pretty big cars and coffee in my local area. I drove my ZO6 and grabbed a cup of coffee and began to see all the rides. A pleasant surprise was a Yellow ZR1 Coupe non ZTK with Aero. Pretty much my exact spec (I want ZTK). I have seen ZR1’s previously when they arrived at Ron Fellows while I was attending the school. I never heard the car start up and saw my spec in person. This gentleman showed up with not just a C8 ZR1 but also a C7 ZR1 AND a C8 ZO6.
It was great looking at all the cars side by side. But what really stuck with me was when they were leaving together ( I was standing right behind all 3 cars) was how much the ZR1 exhaust was muffled compared to the ZO6. You could still hear the Flat Plane Crank in the LT7 but the turbos seemed to mute out that initial roar on start up.
Last edited by Retired2024!; Today at 02:29 PM.
Popular Reply
Jun 1, 2026, 11:56 AM
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,608
Likes: 182
From: Toronto, Canada
The aura of the z06 is the glorious sounds it makes. You don’t have to be going warp speed to enjoy the driving experience. The zr1 is a beast and who wouldn’t want more power at times, but come on how many times will you be at full throttle to really harness all that horsepower?
zo6 is so well rounded it does everything well…amazing value.
C8 platform offers multiple choices for everyone👍
zo6 is so well rounded it does everything well…amazing value.
C8 platform offers multiple choices for everyone👍
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,608
Likes: 182
From: Toronto, Canada
The aura of the z06 is the glorious sounds it makes. You don’t have to be going warp speed to enjoy the driving experience. The zr1 is a beast and who wouldn’t want more power at times, but come on how many times will you be at full throttle to really harness all that horsepower?
zo6 is so well rounded it does everything well…amazing value.
C8 platform offers multiple choices for everyone👍
zo6 is so well rounded it does everything well…amazing value.
C8 platform offers multiple choices for everyone👍
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 22,997
Likes: 6,045
From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
As a current C8 Z06 owner, I actually like the idle tone of the ZR1 better than the Z06. I just like the deeper tone. Sounds good on revs. Probably doesn't have the scream at the top of the tach (haven't driven one, just been around one running, revving and driving).
Can't wait to get one.
Can't wait to get one.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 89
I find the ZR1 a fascinating product. The potential customers who can use it effectively could literally be counted in the hundreds. I don't understand the "buy an exotic track car to idle into Cars & Coffee, drive on the street for a couple hours, wash/wax, repeat next month" ownership experience at all. I'm guessing its similar to guys that buy GT2RS 911s...the number of people skilled enough to take advantage of the capability are impossibly small.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,220
Likes: 985
From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
I find the ZR1 a fascinating product. The potential customers who can use it effectively could literally be counted in the hundreds. I don't understand the "buy an exotic track car to idle into Cars & Coffee, drive on the street for a couple hours, wash/wax, repeat next month" ownership experience at all. I'm guessing its similar to guys that buy GT2RS 911s...the number of people skilled enough to take advantage of the capability are impossibly small.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 89
I would say that most people who go to the track a lot & make it into the Advanced HPDE group can get close to the limit of a stock Z06 or GT3RS's potential...lets say being able to leverage 80-90% of what the car would be capable of with a pro at the wheel. I think the number of non-professionals that could get to that level on a ZR1 or GT2RS is like 10% of the Z06/3RS. Maybe closer to 1%.
I know a guy who drives professionally in various circuits including IMSA Super Trofeo. He recently drove a ZR1 on track and essentially said "no thanks - driving this thing at the pace its capable of as a street car - no cage/etc. - is stupid".
I know a guy who drives professionally in various circuits including IMSA Super Trofeo. He recently drove a ZR1 on track and essentially said "no thanks - driving this thing at the pace its capable of as a street car - no cage/etc. - is stupid".
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 13
I would say that most people who go to the track a lot & make it into the Advanced HPDE group can get close to the limit of a stock Z06 or GT3RS's potential...lets say being able to leverage 80-90% of what the car would be capable of with a pro at the wheel. I think the number of non-professionals that could get to that level on a ZR1 or GT2RS is like 10% of the Z06/3RS. Maybe closer to 1%.
I know a guy who drives professionally in various circuits including IMSA Super Trofeo. He recently drove a ZR1 on track and essentially said "no thanks - driving this thing at the pace its capable of as a street car - no cage/etc. - is stupid".
I know a guy who drives professionally in various circuits including IMSA Super Trofeo. He recently drove a ZR1 on track and essentially said "no thanks - driving this thing at the pace its capable of as a street car - no cage/etc. - is stupid".
I have a 2025 Z06 which fits my budget for an amazing (dream) track car with running costs that are manageable for me... track insurance is one of the biggest costs after tires. Track insurance for a car at the ZR1 price point or above is prohibitive for me. And for those who can truly afford to purchase the ZR1 and cars like that without spending their kids college fund (not me) this is a big reason you you don't see many Ferraris. Lambos and other super expensive cars on track days. I do see them here in so cal, but not many.
The exception are 911 GTs and McLarens, those drivers track their cars a lot and are not afraid to push them to the edge often sending it into the deep dust and gravel and leaving shattered splitters, dive planes and other more substantial parts in their wake.
I'd love to have a ZR1, but I would not be able to track it in a manageable way like I can with my amazing C8 Z06.
Last edited by SFV 1LE; Jun 1, 2026 at 03:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,220
Likes: 985
From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
I would say that most people who go to the track a lot & make it into the Advanced HPDE group can get close to the limit of a stock Z06 or GT3RS's potential...lets say being able to leverage 80-90% of what the car would be capable of with a pro at the wheel. I think the number of non-professionals that could get to that level on a ZR1 or GT2RS is like 10% of the Z06/3RS. Maybe closer to 1%.
I know a guy who drives professionally in various circuits including IMSA Super Trofeo. He recently drove a ZR1 on track and essentially said "no thanks - driving this thing at the pace its capable of as a street car - no cage/etc. - is stupid".
I know a guy who drives professionally in various circuits including IMSA Super Trofeo. He recently drove a ZR1 on track and essentially said "no thanks - driving this thing at the pace its capable of as a street car - no cage/etc. - is stupid".
I think buyers do get satisfaction from owning and driving these cars, even at sub-90% levels.
I'd buy a ZR1 on specs alone...I had a 9 second car and the ZR1 would easily meet all my needs for a very fun majority-street car.
I can appreciate your friend's comments about the ZR1!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,220
Likes: 985
From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 327
Likes: 232
Love the ZR1 wing and front aero, otherwise it’s identical in looks. I doubt many get opportunities to exploit the extra power at tracks big enough to do so, ie anything faster than 1 sec a lap faster than z06 times. Plus, there is a decent weight and heat penalty going to forced induction, and the sound and emotional trade off from a NA motor is very real. It doesn’t have as good a start up sound either.
I would love to try one on a big track, but won’t be giving up my z07 anytime soon to move into a ZR1 just to get more power. I’ve been on track with 4 ZR1’s in advanced so far this year and none have yet to set a better lap time than I have in a Z06/Z07 with carbon wheels. Certainly the car is capable of it, but as mentioned, not many drivers can push it with enough corner exit speeds and manage putting down that much power in RWD (and hopefully with an unlimited cup2R tire budget for replacements every 2 days).
I would love to try one on a big track, but won’t be giving up my z07 anytime soon to move into a ZR1 just to get more power. I’ve been on track with 4 ZR1’s in advanced so far this year and none have yet to set a better lap time than I have in a Z06/Z07 with carbon wheels. Certainly the car is capable of it, but as mentioned, not many drivers can push it with enough corner exit speeds and manage putting down that much power in RWD (and hopefully with an unlimited cup2R tire budget for replacements every 2 days).
Last edited by MikeR397; Jun 1, 2026 at 05:34 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,736
Likes: 5,604
From: AZ
How do Forum members' track lap times compare to magazine times with a driver like Randy Pobst or the Chevy factory test drivers? At Willow Springs I got within 4 seconds of RPs time in a C8 Z06/Z07 with my non-Z07 but with CCBs and Cup2Rs and track alignment, but just a Z07 style front splitter and the high OEM Gurney flaps. Weather differences not known. (old guy, 1st track day was in 1971 after college).
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 13
How do Forum members' track lap times compare to magazine times with a driver like Randy Pobst or the Chevy factory test drivers? At Willow Springs I got within 4 seconds of RPs time in a C8 Z06/Z07 with my non-Z07 but with CCBs and Cup2Rs and track alignment, but just a Z07 style front splitter and the high OEM Gurney flaps. Weather differences not known. (old guy, 1st track day was in 1971 after college).
I'm hoping for a 1:25-1:26... but that will be on the resurfaced Big Willow track in the fall this year, so not apples to apples. When they resurface and take out the scary bumps in turn 8-9, that should make everything better and safer, like they did with Streets of Willow already.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,736
Likes: 5,604
From: AZ
I did low 1:28s at Big Willow. The big bump near the "apex" of T8 moves the car a lot. I didn't try running 5' off the inside to miss that dip. At ~130+ in that long turn (entered at 141) the Z07 big aero would help cut time off. At another short track (1.2 miles) I was faster on Cup2Rs than a ZL1 1LE running slicks. On the 3rd day of the Cup2Rs the tires were useless as turn-in speed into the WS corners was slower by 7-10 MPH, went home after the 1srt session (400 miles). I never ran Streets of Willow.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 13
I did low 1:28s at Big Willow. The big bump near the "apex" of T8 moves the car a lot. I didn't try running 5' off the inside to miss that dip. At ~130+ in that long turn (entered at 141) the Z07 big aero would help cut time off. At another short track (1.2 miles) I was faster on Cup2Rs than a ZL1 1LE running slicks. On the 3rd day of the Cup2Rs the tires were useless as turn-in speed into the WS corners was slower by 7-10 MPH, went home after the 1srt session (400 miles). I never ran Streets of Willow.
I installed Z07 underbody strakes kit myself, and I have the Verus front control arm mini-strakes, so that should help--that's a lot of strakes :-)
I'm very excited to run the Z06 on Streets, I was already pretty fast in the ZLE which is not the ideal car for that twisty track... Z06 should be amazing on the new Streets
Last edited by SFV 1LE; Jun 1, 2026 at 06:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 383
Likes: 339
From: Texas
Don't forget, Corvettes, Porsches, Ferraris, etc are STREET CARS. They can go around a track quickly, but at the end of the day it's still a street car. They are NOT race cars, as they would not be street legal then.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 89
Come on man, it's not THAT hard to figure out. It's about the looks, sound, and feel you get driving a car like that - even slowly. It's a reflection of their personality and gives the ability to rip on it from time to time for the fun and wow factor it gives. It's not like we're talking about pure REAL race cars here, like a C8.R/Z06 GT3.R, and trying to drive those on the street. Most of the time, I drive my C6 Z06 as if it were a Toyota Corolla, just completely normal and in the speed limit. Rarely do I rip on it (my area has a TON of cops all the time, so that's the main reason). But even driving completely normally like that, it's 100000% more fun and enjoyable than the Corolla would be.
Don't forget, Corvettes, Porsches, Ferraris, etc are STREET CARS. They can go around a track quickly, but at the end of the day it's still a street car. They are NOT race cars, as they would not be street legal then.
Don't forget, Corvettes, Porsches, Ferraris, etc are STREET CARS. They can go around a track quickly, but at the end of the day it's still a street car. They are NOT race cars, as they would not be street legal then.
Lifted jeeps that never see even a dirt parking lot are another example.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,736
Likes: 5,604
From: AZ
IN my opinion it is. I get buying a Stingray or 911 Carerra to drive like a Toyota Corolla most of the time with an occasional backroads rip. To pay extra for all the compromises (that make the car worse on the street) for a Z06/ZR1/GT3RS to use it like a Corolla is wild to me.