Ghost Friend

Who has come from an import and how does the handling of the z06 compare?

My brief story, which should clarify the above question:

My first performance car was a 94 mustang gt, dumped a bunch of money into mods, drove a WRX STi and sold the mustang. I was hooked on the handling. Did some mods and some auto-x, had a blast, but never fell in love with the car - particularly the looks. I've since sold the STi with the intentions of finding a z06.

I've test driven one z06 thus far, but I didn't get to really experience any twisties, it was primarily a highway test drive. The handling on the highway felt a bit heavy compared to the STi. So I'd love to hear some similar experiences of those who have made the switch.

Quick 68

I have an 02 WRX that is mostly stock suspension wise other than the lowering springs. The Z handles better with much less body roll and has more grip. One thing I do like better about the WRX is the predictability. The Z grips like a mother and then will let go without a whole lot of warning. The WRX is easier to correct and is easier to drive at the limit.

Alaskanpilot

In a past life, I owned 4 Miatas and loved them. They didn't have a lot of power, but they sure handled well. My first one had some subtle mods to improve things further... Jackson Racing springs and sways, better struts, wider wheels and grippier tires, etc... and that car held the road FAR better than my Z06 does. Not even a contest. however, I decided I cared less for handling and more for brute, raw power that would squeeze my eyeballs into the back of my skull. And I didn't want to have to rice out a Miata to do it. My philosophy is that if I want a fast car, it needs to be fast from the factory. I trust such cars more than a slow car with aftermarket go-fast parts on it. So a C5Z was the obvious choice for me... and I never EVER looked back.

MattZ28

I had an '07 Si lowered on Tein Flex ($1900) coilovers and Nitto NeoGen tires...I could take corners about the same speed, maybe even a little faster in the Si than I can in my Z06. Stock, the Z06 beats it obviously.

Bigsalgt

I came from a Honda S2000, WRX STi, GT35R turbocharged E36 M3, all of which were heavily modified and I wouldn't trade my almost stock Z06 for anyone one of them back! If you woud like I can post pictures of all of them!

ptindall

My last three daily drivers were a Bertone X1/9 (Italy), an MR2(Japan), and a Porsche 944(Germany). Am I qualified to speak of "imports?" The C5 Z06 will outlap the STi stock to stock at the race track. And that includes the corners. The STi may be able to change directions quicker than the C5 Z06, but the Z06 has more grip, meaning more lateral Gs, meaning higher cornering speed.



(from Car&Driver)

Skidpad

2001 C5Z06= 1.0g
2005 STi= .92g


Slalom

2001 Z06= 67.1mph
2005 STi= 68.2mph





Hockenhiem short

C5Z05= 1:14.9
STi= 1:17.8



Nordschleife

C5Z06= 7:56
STi= 8:24

JerryX

Guilty. I came from the Import side.

91 Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo
93 Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo
95 BMW M3
93.5 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo
03 Honda S2000
93 Acura NSX

Ever since I drove a C5 Z06 I fell in love. Imports are great cars but the Z06 is the best bang for the buck. Although I do miss the interior of a Japanse Sports car.


Here's a few pictures.

Davinss

First of all steering feel does not equal handling at all.

Second think about the size, shape, and seating position of the STI versus the Z06. How much different do you think the steering feel would be if you drove the STI from the back seat?

Ragresen

I come from a 93 Probe GT. While it is a ford, it is the same car as the Mazda MX6. I love the car for the many years I have had it, but ever since I did some very radical work to it the came became unrealiable. It would out handle any Corvette I had been on Road Atlanta with, but the Suspension was very heavily modified to get the right grip and feel for me. I ended up with a Neutral handling car for my driving style. But since you asked for a comparision. I love my 03 Z06 so much more. She may not be as light as the probe was or able to have the lateral G's the Probe did, but then again I am faster and well stock still. I may do some minor suspension tweeks, but really it is hard to improve on what the Z06 does. Also recall FWD and AWD cars tend to handle a lot different than a RWD. Last thing is the steering on the car you drove may feel heavy to you because of the power assist the Z has just like other vettes. On the highways the steering gets stiffer in feel to me and that has a lot to do with the power assist that will add more resistance on the hwy so you do not just over flick the car and wipe out.

Bigsalgt

Here are a few pictures as well:

TakeAwayTheFear

my first new car was an 04 gto with vortech blower, fast, but didnt handle or brake all that well.

then i sold that and bought an 06 Evo 9 and that was a big improvement in the handling and braking department.

a few pics.









sold the Evo and got my Z06 that i have wanted for a few years, and was just tired of the whole ricer import scene.

the Z06 handles just as well, if not better. the Z06 doesnt have near the body roll of the evo.

i guess the z06 does kind of feel like a tank just cruising around, but once you open her up on the twisties she feels right at home!!!

bfrazelle

I've had several "imports" - '93 Mazda RX7, '96 993 cab, '94 Acura NSX, 2002 M3, '99 Ferrari 360: all dove great but quite different from a Z06. The steering is lighter in imports to me, but the Z06 comes into it's own as speed comes up. After getting used to the Z06's steering the other cars seem "twichy and darty at speed". I love the Z, but to each his own.

jpandes

I had a modded 1993 RX7 Twin Turbo for 10 years before the Z06. I loved that car and I thought I'd never sell it. After having the Z06 for a few months, I don't even miss it. It also really nice to have tons of low-end torque!

Speeed-Racer

My most recent was not an import; however, I have owned and driven the wheels off of my fair share.

It is difficult to compare the 'handling' of any FWD or AWD with RWD cars.

What you will find with the Z is very noticeable torque, which most find very exhilarating. It also handles great and very predictable once you get used to the car. But, until then, it feels very unpredictable and even twitchy. It grips and it grips and then when it lets go, it really lets go. Thanks to GM it has traction control. With just street driving, you might never get fully comfortable with it at 70% and up. You must take it to the track.

You can't simply plant the pedal, you have to learn to feather the throttle. You can't just dive into the corners and then slam on the gas without expecting some over steer.

It is really a very different beast that has its own requirements for taming.

Just get one and you will be grinning from ear-to-ear every time you get behind the wheel.

Speed

Speeed-Racer

Just scroll down from the top of post #10 and make up your own mind...not necessarily based on handling : thumbs:.

WB6HRO

I've got a 2002 Z06 and a had a 2002 WRX for a company car. While the Subaru did handle very well for a 4-door and was a freeway gorilla, it did have more body roll. I've since turned it back in and got an Audi A-4 with the 3.2L V-6 not enough power (company wouldn't go for the S-4 V-8) and also handles very well on twisty roads.

My experience running the Z06 on the track in NASA Time Trials at California Speedway in Fontana, is that it is pretty even with the STI's and Evo's on the road course. When we get the main straight into turn 1 I go by them like they are standing still, there is something to be said for the aerodynamics of the Corvette vs. a shoebox! This said all cars were on race tires.

PA Z06

This is a cool thread.
Jerry X your the winner you have owned some really cool stuff.

BOT, I had a heavily modded Acura GSR, handled like a rat with sneakers

Ghost Friend

Thanks for all the great responses and pics. There's certainly a variety of comparisons, which is exactly what I was looking for.

I wasn't thinking about the effect of the power assist on the steering as an explanation to the heavy feeling. I know that steering feel doesn't necessarily equate to handling, but I was afraid that the heavy feel was the norm.

It's good to know that everyone says there less body roll compared to the STi / Evo.

dbaker

My DD is an 03 S2k.It does handle better than my 02Z,but In stock form it should,for all the obvious reasons.

Lighter,Smaller,shorter Wheelbase and better front/rear weight dist.

It's low on torque & high on upper band power.The S2000 blushes at
9K.The Honda you steer with your hands,the Z you steer with your right foot.

It's tuff to compare 2 Very Diff Animals,that's why I have & enjoy both!
\db2
Carolina

ptindall

"Handling" is subjective. Objectively, the C5 Z06 out corners the S2000, stock to stock. From "Sibling Rivalry" Road&Track 2001:


Braking 60–0

S2000= 134 ft
Z06= 123 ft


Lap time

S2000= 2 minutes, 17.66 sec
Z06= 2 minutes, 8.39 sec


Slalom

S2000= 65.9 mph
Z06= 67.1 mph



Skidpad

S2000= 0.90g
Z06= 1.00g