I'm considering both of these models as a HPDE/ cruiser car; not a daily driver or a show car. Figure 4-6 DE's a year.
Assuming a 30-50K mileage C5 Z can be had for roughly $25K (or less) and an early CC6 Z51 in the $30K range ( or less), which or these cars makes better sense for the intended use?
Both would seem to have the necessary HP, suspension and brakes to work at a track without a lot of mods. The idea of a newer car with potentially a warranty still in effect makes sense, but I like the idea of a closed car (rather than t-top) at the track
Maybe a better way of putting it would be--putting the purchase price differential aside--which of these cars would fit better with what I'm looking for in a car? Major differences between the two?
Thanks for any help; BTW, I'll post this on the C6 section for the sake of comparison.
The Z06 was purpose built to be an out of the box track ready vehicle.. they ride great as a weekend cruiser or daily driver. The cornering is awesome, the power is strong. The car is very predictable and forgiving. You'll spend less money for a more purpose built car, imo...
The C5Z gives the driver a better "feel" about what the car is doing around the track. You have a better overall sense of at the limit control in C5Z. The C6 can be hustled nearly as quickly around the track once you get used to it but it feels a little numb and disconnected. For your purposes as a weekend warrior/track car the C5Z would probably be better.
^^
One way to evaluate the two cars is to see how they do on the track. Here is a link to how they did on the "Ring", which is one of the most challenging courses. BTW, the C5 Z06 did better.
Care to elaborate a bit more on this? Major differences?
I tracked my 2006 z51 for 2 years 30+ track days. It wasn't until I attended Spring Mountain last year did I get to drive a c5 z06 and c6 back to back on the track. I loved the feel and experience the c5 z06 provided. You get a feeling of being part of the car instead of just along for the ride like I felt in the c6. I loved my c6 on the street. It was shape looking and comfortable with good power and handling. I also liked it on the track until I drove the c5 z06. I know this may sound nuts but I liked it more than the c6z06 on the track. The c5 z06 is a bit quicker a round the track but I think the c6 z51 slowly makes up some ground up above 130 due to better areodynamics. I switched from the c6 z51 to a 2002 c5 z06 and never regretted it for a minute. I love the c5 z06 on the track. My corvette is driven 99% on the track so this reveiw is based mainly on track performance. Get a c5 z06 for cheap, bolt on a set of hoosiers, change the brake lines, fluid and pads to race grade and go have a blast. These cars are a steal considering they will run with a well driven gt3 costing 4 times as much! Remember, a great driver in a good car will beat a good driver in a great car everytime. Seat time is the key!!!!
c5 z06
Pros - better handling, lighter weight, car provides decent feedback, cheaper parts, doesn't need tire pressure sensors, LS6 is a nasty motor, cheaper to buy, fixed roof, ridgid chassis, tire availability for stock rims, easier to heel toe throttle blips(maybe because it uses cable and not drive by wire), exhaust sound.
Cons - needs oil and tranny coolers installed for heavy track duty, seats suck and shouldn't be used on the track.
c6 z51
Pros - LS2 pulls well, better head room with the transparent top, has oil and tranny coolers, better seats, great headlights.
Cons - tire pressure sensors(lost track time because of faulty tire sensors), very numb chassis/steering, suspension was not as crisp, tire availability for stock rims, too many electronic controls to fail, lack of exhaust sound, I don't run with traction or active handling anymore but the system in the c5 is better for track work comp mode was less intrusive on c5, the car is more expensive if you have an unfortunate mishap on the track, the car has an oil cooler but I still saw temps well over 300 when I drove the snot out of it in the summer.
Last edited by 02impactblue; 01-01-2009 at 10:38 PM.
Pros - better handling, lighter weight, car provides decent feedback, cheaper parts, doesn't need tire pressure sensors, LS6 is a nasty motor, cheaper to buy, fixed roof, ridgid chassis, tire availability for stock rims, easier to heel toe throttle blips(maybe because it uses cable and not drive by wire), exhaust sound.
Guess I need to go out and buy one of those since my car doesn't seem to have one.
Guess I need to go out and buy one of those since my car doesn't seem to have one.
Yeah, I caught that too! Definitely is no cable on my Z06.
__________________ Don Moody -- 02 QuickSilver Z06
2011 SCCA South East Division ASP Champion
2009 SCCA South East Division ASP Champion
2008 SCCA South East Division ASP Champion
2008 SCCA South Carolina Region SS Champion
2007 SCCA South Carolina Region SS Champion
well I have a said this before and so have countless others, the C5Z06 is a car, the Z51 is an option. If you like the look of the C5 Z06 then thats the answer, if you really like the look of the C6 then there ya go. The C5 Z06 in my view is a friggin' modern day muscle car implant from the muscle car era, the C6 is a great car but not the same feel, the ones I drove I really liked but they felt nothing like my 01 Z06. My 01 appeared to have more response overall. Regarding the C6 cars, I drove a pair of 08's ( not at the same time) and I couldn't tell the difference between the base 430 HP 6 speed car and the Z51 car other than the price. If I was going to buy a new C6 it would be the base 430 HP/6 speed, I don't plan on driving 150 mph anytime soon so I don't see the need to be able to go around corners at the speed either !
To me the answer is in the "LOOK" of the car and of course justifying the price.
Exactly the type of info I was looking for.
BTW, I posted this question on the C6 and road racing sections of the forum and the consensus was the C5 ZO6 also.
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C6 Z51 vs. C5 ZO6 comparison question
