driver9

I have been going through this dilemma, too.

I took the Ron Fellows Spring Mountain course twice. Level 1 we drove the C6 Z06, towards the end of the C6 era. Level 2 was right after the first deliveries of the C7 and I think but am not sure that it was the base C7. (Definitely not a C7 Z06, it wasn't out yet, but I'm not sure if the cars we drove were Z51-equipped.) The C7 handled nicely, but from minute 1 it was obvious that the power-to-weight was nowhere near as good as the C6 Z06. In that regard the C7 was disappointing.

Having never driven either car on the street, I have no idea if I would prefer the C6 Z06 vs the C7 as an ownership experience. But the memory of the sprightliness of the C6 Z06 and relative sluggishness of the base C7 remains.

I kind of wish the C7 lineup was more like the C6 lineup, with the Z06 being a normally-aspirated 427 and with a lighter body, then a supercharged ZR-1 version for those who prefer it.

Since that isn't how it came to pass, I have no idea whether to buy a C6 Z06 or a C7 base.

The biggest factors, thus far are:
1) C6 valve issue
2) C6 Z06 prices are ridiculously high. I mean, seriously, the 2013s are as expensive as a new C7 1LT base considering dealer discounts.
3) Hard to find the C6 Z06 car of my dreams re colors. (been looking for a while and I do admit to being overly picky)
4) Being a Nevada resident, I'd sure prefer to buy used from a private party (no sales tas) but I haven't found a private-party C7 that I particularly like the colors/configuration of either. (And for the record, I think there are lots of great-looking ones, but not that I want to live with. Strongly prefer white paint and can't live with black, for instance. Including a black interior. But I like looking at just about all the color combinations. I just don't want to live with most of them.)
5) I prefer the look of the C7 to the C6.
6) Haven't found a new C7 already on a dealer lot that I like the configuration of.
7) This is leading me to maybe just custom-order a C7 base and live with the lower power. (Don't want a C7 Z06. It just seems too over the top.)

capevettes

Bill, Normally I agree with almost everything you say, but here I respectfully disagree. I drove a Z51 equipped C7 and felt it was comparable up to 4,000 RPM's (as you said) but the difference was substantial in favor of the Z06 after that. The C7 did not feel anywhere near as agile cornering, probably due to the extra weight, compared to my 06Z.

Not sure it would be a driver's race on a road course either, especially after reading your post the other day where you weren't sure whether your C7 Z06 was faster than your old C6 Z06 around the track. You also stated the old Z06 was faster on the straights than the new one. How then could the C7 Z51 be faster? If my reading comprehension is poor you can correct me

driver9

That's odd. The C6 ZR-1's would destroy the C6 Z06's on the big straightaway on the Ron Fellows Spring Mountain track. I have been under the impression the C7 Z06 could be thought of as the power of the C6 ZR-1 with the weight distribution of the C6 Z06.

Rock36

That's more or less how I see things now too.

fueledpassion

This is why I initially mentioned that the buyer needs to decide if this car will be stock or modded at some point.

Stock C6 Z vs. Stock C7 in terms of speed, acceleration, handling, braking etc.. It seems to be in the eye of the beholder. One of these days I'm going to find out first hand when I can find a C7 owner brave enough in my area.

A H/C C6Z with upgrades brakes, tires, suspension, etc etc vs stock C7....

-------------------

I consider what the car could/will be when I own it. Not what it is off the show room floor. That LS7 is sand-baggin' from the factory. 505hp was a joke for that engine. You can put headers, intake and tune on the car and pick up 40-50wtq across the entire RPM range almost.

It's worth mentioning because you can buy a heavily modded early year model Z for LESS than a completely stock 2012-2013 model Z.

Never-Enough

15 lengths in whos favor?

Never-Enough

What color C6Z do you want? If I found an AO modded already, you can find your color. You just might have to travel for it. Got mine from NM. Do you have to find a 2012-13 Z? Just get an older one for a lot less $. You can always swap in the 2012 seats if you want.

capevettes

The Aero on the new Z06 does not lend well to high speeds. The drag factor actually slows it down. It's very well planted and handles the corners better than the C6 Z.

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

I have driven/owned both. I guess it depends on what you want to with/to it. For those wanting a quick/light/easy to work on car...the C6Z is a darn good way to go. If you are going to do HPDE events I would still suggest the C6Z

If it is a daily driver back and forth to work...the C7 does have a much better interior and electronics package. They are quick...but not like a C6Z stock for stock.

No car is 100% perfect and both will require parts to dial it in as you want it.

REDZED2

I answered your question I believe its obvious which vette I meant. The only real Z car.

driver9

White/light grey would be fantastic, thanks for asking!

Been looking for quite a while. Covering the entire US with AutoTrader, Cars.com and Ebay, plus some Craigslist, but CL is such a mess it's hard to be methodical.

I'll go anywhere for the right car, but I've been burned before buying cars at a distance. There are a lot of pressures when you do it. Like you travel to see it and you've already got an investment so you (meaning me I guess) tend to feel pressure to close the deal. It's the same buying airplanes, which almost always involve travel to find what you want.

driver9

Thanks for clarifying that. But this applies only to the C7 Z06? Meaning the C7 seems to have issues regarding not enough downforce at high speed? As in, be extra careful in a C7 base at triple-digit speeds?

Never-Enough

If both are H/C/I/E & tune cars, I don't see it being that bad of a beating on eitehr side unless someone cannot drive. Do you have videos of these runs?

REDZED2

Hey, I have seen many H/C c6Z's race 1/4 or roll with a H/C C7 LT1. I don't know the specs of either... never seen a C6Z lose yet... Our 427 ci engines just can't be underestimated since they seem to do do things with more radical H/C cars that you would think. MPH and car lengths with boosted cars with 200 hp more... its all out there if you look. I will never want or need to have a Z that fast....
I love my driveability and no one races hardcore here. Fast cars here.. lots of them (name it its here just about except $500,000++).. posers... except the 5.0 guys always wanna **** on the gas pedal with their obnoxious sounding catbacks... that hasn't changed since the 90's.

Never-Enough

All I was finding on youtube was modded vs stock or vs C7Z or nonsense like that which is why I posted.

JG853

Agree

UnOvertime

I was in your situation a little bit ago and I chose the c6z. The c7 was fun to drive, but didn't have the fun factor that the c6z had. However the c7 interior is miles and miles ahead of the c6.

I daily drive my c6z and nothing really beats how much joy it brings me on a daily basis. I plan on driving it for a year or two before I think about moving up to a c7, but after only a few months I can't see me doing that, the c6z is just so much fun.

You can't go wrong with either choice, both are amazing cars. I just wanted a Z06 more than a base model.

Old Boot

Was 2552 c6 427 verts (mines 2010)of those 691 had the 60th Heritage Package ,1088 had the 60th ann pkg, 897 had the 60 Ann Graphics.
So not a lot of them and really few of the 60TH Ann package with the roof stripes.

Too-Fast

Good comparisons, however I am really concerned with the C7 Z06. I have been going back and forth because of the cooling issues and the high speed reduction due to the downforce.

3 Z06ZR1

GONE! C7 quickly disappearing in the mirror! I had not drove mine stock since I added the blower kit. I removed the blower kit and left the coated headers with a K&N drop in type filter then a dyno tune.

501 rwhp 479 rwtq rev to 7k. 3100 pounds