First impressions of C7 Z06 versus my C6 Z06
10-21-2018, 12:57 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
First impressions of C7 Z06 versus my C6 Z06
Last week I took delivery of a white Z06 7-speed, black wheels, moderately-optioned. Sticker was $88,500. I traded my perfect 2008 black Z06 with 42k miles, and the dealer sold it immediately for *around* $35,000. With only 200 miles on my new mule, here are my initial thoughts on the differences between the two cars.
I liked the simplicity and purpose-driven performance of the C6 Z06. The fanatical dedication to reducing weight paid off but also precluded some of the luxury features of the new Z06. The new one weighs 400 lbs. more, as all of you know, but it feels no heftier. I prefer the steering feel of the '19. I love the different driving modes, even though the single mode on the C6 was nearly perfect; both firm and supple. I do notice that after a while in Sport mode, the exhaust baffles close and the car becomes as quiet as an Oldsmobuick. I'm not sure if that's a glitch or a feature, but I don't like it. Switching to Track mode keeps the exhaust open, but on Southern Utah roads, the ride is bone-shattering. This will be the first new car in 25 years where I haven't changed the exhaust, though.
I'm still figuring out all the modes in the DIC and infotainment system, and things seem to be intuitive, but 10 times more complex than my last car. In 10+ years, I never could figure out the maddeningly counter-intuitive nav system in my '08. I like having wi-fi, and I like the audio features. As a veteran of the audio industry, I'm not enthralled with the Bose system, but it's decent. Like my last two Corvettes, spectral balance is good; there's enough bass (maybe too much), but bass extension isn't good (no low bass at all.) This is done intentionally to limit excursion in the 10" subs in the doors. I get it. High treble doesn't exist, either. I'll wager there's no response above 8 kHz. I would pop in a CD to test it, but, hey...no CD player.
The performance seats are far superior to the standard seats in the old car. I'm 5'11" and 172 lbs., and they fit me perfectly. I don't see how anyone over 200 lbs. would fit, but maybe I'm mistaken.
I am well aware of the 8-speed auto being slightly quicker out of the hole, but the 7-speed manual is superb. The Tremec TR-6070 is smoother, more precise, and has shorter throws than the older TR-6060. The rev-matching feature is wonderful, even though I forget and still blip the gas on downshifts. Give me another week. Another bonus of the manual trans is the $3,700 savings between the cost of the trans and avoiding the gas guzzler tax. Winner-winner, chicken dinner.
We drove 100 miles yesterday with the roof panel out, and the buffeting wasn't as bad as in my '00. '05, or '08. This panel seems to weigh about 2/3 of the roof panel in my '05 Z51 Coupe. It stows nicely under the hatch. I'm glad this chassis has enough stiffness to allow for a removable roof panel, unlike my '08.
I was, and am, a huge fan of the old LS7. While the LT4 seems noticeably quicker and it sounds menacing, it doesn't have the awesome, screaming sound of the LS7 through a Corsa exhaust. The LS7 simply sounds better, and it has nothing to do with loudness. The LT4 sounds great. The LS7 was magic.
That's it so far. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, yeah, I love the new car.
I liked the simplicity and purpose-driven performance of the C6 Z06. The fanatical dedication to reducing weight paid off but also precluded some of the luxury features of the new Z06. The new one weighs 400 lbs. more, as all of you know, but it feels no heftier. I prefer the steering feel of the '19. I love the different driving modes, even though the single mode on the C6 was nearly perfect; both firm and supple. I do notice that after a while in Sport mode, the exhaust baffles close and the car becomes as quiet as an Oldsmobuick. I'm not sure if that's a glitch or a feature, but I don't like it. Switching to Track mode keeps the exhaust open, but on Southern Utah roads, the ride is bone-shattering. This will be the first new car in 25 years where I haven't changed the exhaust, though.
I'm still figuring out all the modes in the DIC and infotainment system, and things seem to be intuitive, but 10 times more complex than my last car. In 10+ years, I never could figure out the maddeningly counter-intuitive nav system in my '08. I like having wi-fi, and I like the audio features. As a veteran of the audio industry, I'm not enthralled with the Bose system, but it's decent. Like my last two Corvettes, spectral balance is good; there's enough bass (maybe too much), but bass extension isn't good (no low bass at all.) This is done intentionally to limit excursion in the 10" subs in the doors. I get it. High treble doesn't exist, either. I'll wager there's no response above 8 kHz. I would pop in a CD to test it, but, hey...no CD player.
The performance seats are far superior to the standard seats in the old car. I'm 5'11" and 172 lbs., and they fit me perfectly. I don't see how anyone over 200 lbs. would fit, but maybe I'm mistaken.
I am well aware of the 8-speed auto being slightly quicker out of the hole, but the 7-speed manual is superb. The Tremec TR-6070 is smoother, more precise, and has shorter throws than the older TR-6060. The rev-matching feature is wonderful, even though I forget and still blip the gas on downshifts. Give me another week. Another bonus of the manual trans is the $3,700 savings between the cost of the trans and avoiding the gas guzzler tax. Winner-winner, chicken dinner.
We drove 100 miles yesterday with the roof panel out, and the buffeting wasn't as bad as in my '00. '05, or '08. This panel seems to weigh about 2/3 of the roof panel in my '05 Z51 Coupe. It stows nicely under the hatch. I'm glad this chassis has enough stiffness to allow for a removable roof panel, unlike my '08.
I was, and am, a huge fan of the old LS7. While the LT4 seems noticeably quicker and it sounds menacing, it doesn't have the awesome, screaming sound of the LS7 through a Corsa exhaust. The LS7 simply sounds better, and it has nothing to do with loudness. The LT4 sounds great. The LS7 was magic.
That's it so far. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, yeah, I love the new car.
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BlueDevlZ06 (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 01:09 PM
#2
Congratulations on the new Z. It’s an excellent car. You can go in the menu and change the exhaust to track mode at all times if you prefer it. Then you can enjoy whichever suspension mode you like anytime.
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Paul Scarpelli (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 01:09 PM
#3
You can change the exhaust to track in the info screen and leave the ride mode in tour or sport. Best of both worlds.
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Paul Scarpelli (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 01:10 PM
#4
I got tree'd on the reply. 
10-21-2018, 01:17 PM
#5
Congrats on the new car. Good choice on the manual.
now get yourself a catless xpipe and you'll see how much better it sounds. Its louder and sounds more raw. And with rev matching, the auto blips on downshifting is addicting and you'll soon forget about your c6z.
now get yourself a catless xpipe and you'll see how much better it sounds. Its louder and sounds more raw. And with rev matching, the auto blips on downshifting is addicting and you'll soon forget about your c6z.
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Paul Scarpelli (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 01:30 PM
#6
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The C7 is the first car that I have owned in over 50 years that required memorizing certain sections of the Owner's Manual. Make sure you take GM up on their discount price to attend the Corvette New Owner School at Spring Mountain. They go through all of the settings and let you see how they work by getting in their car and taking it around a track and through several exercises set up to show you how the systems work. It is worth every penny you spend to go.
I to had an 08 Z06 with the LS7 and traded it for a 15 Z06. The LS7 had that great pull in third and fourth gears right up to 7K rpm. However, when you finally get somewhere where you can let the LT4 rip I think you will be surprised. At wide open throttle and high rpms they are loud. Running in third and fourth gear at wide open throttle up to red line lets you really hear the engine and when the supercharger is in boost mode all you can hear is the engine. Not wind noise coming through open windows, not other cars, not a radio at max volume, nothing but the engine.
Bill
I to had an 08 Z06 with the LS7 and traded it for a 15 Z06. The LS7 had that great pull in third and fourth gears right up to 7K rpm. However, when you finally get somewhere where you can let the LT4 rip I think you will be surprised. At wide open throttle and high rpms they are loud. Running in third and fourth gear at wide open throttle up to red line lets you really hear the engine and when the supercharger is in boost mode all you can hear is the engine. Not wind noise coming through open windows, not other cars, not a radio at max volume, nothing but the engine.
Bill
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Perf n Restore (10-25-2018)
10-21-2018, 02:56 PM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestion on keeping the exhaust in Track mode. And even though someone could have told me "RTFM," no one did. Missed opportunity!)
Last edited by Paul Scarpelli; 10-21-2018 at 02:56 PM.
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Paul Scarpelli (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 04:39 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
It switches to quiet in sport mode when you are cruising it’s actually really nice! I love loud exhaust but cruising down the freeway it’s nice when those baffles close in 5th gear on up it seems once you settle down into cruising. All you have to do is accelerate hard and they open right back up!
all you need is a borla X pipe to really make the c7 scream nicely.
all you need is a borla X pipe to really make the c7 scream nicely.
Last edited by Pacembellum; 10-21-2018 at 04:40 PM.
10-21-2018, 04:48 PM
#10
I actually prefer the mild to wild switch over just pulling the fuse. That way I can close the valves when I feel the need like early morning or late evenings coming in to my neighborhood. This is very helpful with an off-road Xpipe 👍🏻
10-21-2018, 05:06 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Last week I took delivery of a white Z06 7-speed, black wheels, moderately-optioned. Sticker was $88,500. I traded my perfect 2008 black Z06 with 42k miles, and the dealer sold it immediately for *around* $35,000. With only 200 miles on my new mule, here are my initial thoughts on the differences between the two cars.
I liked the simplicity and purpose-driven performance of the C6 Z06. The fanatical dedication to reducing weight paid off but also precluded some of the luxury features of the new Z06. The new one weighs 400 lbs. more, as all of you know, but it feels no heftier. I prefer the steering feel of the '19. I love the different driving modes, even though the single mode on the C6 was nearly perfect; both firm and supple. I do notice that after a while in Sport mode, the exhaust baffles close and the car becomes as quiet as an Oldsmobuick. I'm not sure if that's a glitch or a feature, but I don't like it. Switching to Track mode keeps the exhaust open, but on Southern Utah roads, the ride is bone-shattering. This will be the first new car in 25 years where I haven't changed the exhaust, though.
I'm still figuring out all the modes in the DIC and infotainment system, and things seem to be intuitive, but 10 times more complex than my last car. In 10+ years, I never could figure out the maddeningly counter-intuitive nav system in my '08. I like having wi-fi, and I like the audio features. As a veteran of the audio industry, I'm not enthralled with the Bose system, but it's decent. Like my last two Corvettes, spectral balance is good; there's enough bass (maybe too much), but bass extension isn't good (no low bass at all.) This is done intentionally to limit excursion in the 10" subs in the doors. I get it. High treble doesn't exist, either. I'll wager there's no response above 8 kHz. I would pop in a CD to test it, but, hey...no CD player.
The performance seats are far superior to the standard seats in the old car. I'm 5'11" and 172 lbs., and they fit me perfectly. I don't see how anyone over 200 lbs. would fit, but maybe I'm mistaken.
I am well aware of the 8-speed auto being slightly quicker out of the hole, but the 7-speed manual is superb. The Tremec TR-6070 is smoother, more precise, and has shorter throws than the older TR-6060. The rev-matching feature is wonderful, even though I forget and still blip the gas on downshifts. Give me another week. Another bonus of the manual trans is the $3,700 savings between the cost of the trans and avoiding the gas guzzler tax. Winner-winner, chicken dinner.
We drove 100 miles yesterday with the roof panel out, and the buffeting wasn't as bad as in my '00. '05, or '08. This panel seems to weigh about 2/3 of the roof panel in my '05 Z51 Coupe. It stows nicely under the hatch. I'm glad this chassis has enough stiffness to allow for a removable roof panel, unlike my '08.
I was, and am, a huge fan of the old LS7. While the LT4 seems noticeably quicker and it sounds menacing, it doesn't have the awesome, screaming sound of the LS7 through a Corsa exhaust. The LS7 simply sounds better, and it has nothing to do with loudness. The LT4 sounds great. The LS7 was magic.
That's it so far. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, yeah, I love the new car.
I liked the simplicity and purpose-driven performance of the C6 Z06. The fanatical dedication to reducing weight paid off but also precluded some of the luxury features of the new Z06. The new one weighs 400 lbs. more, as all of you know, but it feels no heftier. I prefer the steering feel of the '19. I love the different driving modes, even though the single mode on the C6 was nearly perfect; both firm and supple. I do notice that after a while in Sport mode, the exhaust baffles close and the car becomes as quiet as an Oldsmobuick. I'm not sure if that's a glitch or a feature, but I don't like it. Switching to Track mode keeps the exhaust open, but on Southern Utah roads, the ride is bone-shattering. This will be the first new car in 25 years where I haven't changed the exhaust, though.
I'm still figuring out all the modes in the DIC and infotainment system, and things seem to be intuitive, but 10 times more complex than my last car. In 10+ years, I never could figure out the maddeningly counter-intuitive nav system in my '08. I like having wi-fi, and I like the audio features. As a veteran of the audio industry, I'm not enthralled with the Bose system, but it's decent. Like my last two Corvettes, spectral balance is good; there's enough bass (maybe too much), but bass extension isn't good (no low bass at all.) This is done intentionally to limit excursion in the 10" subs in the doors. I get it. High treble doesn't exist, either. I'll wager there's no response above 8 kHz. I would pop in a CD to test it, but, hey...no CD player.
The performance seats are far superior to the standard seats in the old car. I'm 5'11" and 172 lbs., and they fit me perfectly. I don't see how anyone over 200 lbs. would fit, but maybe I'm mistaken.
I am well aware of the 8-speed auto being slightly quicker out of the hole, but the 7-speed manual is superb. The Tremec TR-6070 is smoother, more precise, and has shorter throws than the older TR-6060. The rev-matching feature is wonderful, even though I forget and still blip the gas on downshifts. Give me another week. Another bonus of the manual trans is the $3,700 savings between the cost of the trans and avoiding the gas guzzler tax. Winner-winner, chicken dinner.
We drove 100 miles yesterday with the roof panel out, and the buffeting wasn't as bad as in my '00. '05, or '08. This panel seems to weigh about 2/3 of the roof panel in my '05 Z51 Coupe. It stows nicely under the hatch. I'm glad this chassis has enough stiffness to allow for a removable roof panel, unlike my '08.
I was, and am, a huge fan of the old LS7. While the LT4 seems noticeably quicker and it sounds menacing, it doesn't have the awesome, screaming sound of the LS7 through a Corsa exhaust. The LS7 simply sounds better, and it has nothing to do with loudness. The LT4 sounds great. The LS7 was magic.
That's it so far. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, yeah, I love the new car.
Thw c6z is more of a sports car. The c7z is a 2door Cadillac luxury car. I think the c6z feels faster up top. Others vehemently disagree. Once you get yours broken in and really hammer on it let us know.
Hindsight being 20/20. The c6z is a long term keeper once you get the heads fixed the c7z is not. Not as huge a fan of the c7z as I was of the c6z.
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Paul Scarpelli (10-21-2018)
10-21-2018, 07:58 PM
#12
Drifting
i went from a 2009 z06 to a new 2017 2lz m7 z06. I miss the high rpm rush of the ls7.
Thw c6z is more of a sports car. The c7z is a 2door Cadillac luxury car. I think the c6z feels faster up top. Others vehemently disagree. Once you get yours broken in and really hammer on it let us know.
Hindsight being 20/20. The c6z is a long term keeper once you get the heads fixed the c7z is not. Not as huge a fan of the c7z as I was of the c6z.
I was side by side with a black one on the I280 today. We waved but I was admiring it from the outside. I’ve never had one and am waiting till the C6Z prices hit rock bottom on depreciation. I’m also concerned that I will not like the interior.
10-21-2018, 08:09 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
while the exterior of the c6z ages well the interior does not...
I upgraded the seats on mine with a set of caravaggio buckets and added the updated OEM steering wheel and a bunch of other suede parts. The interior and potential valve issues are enough that I have not missed my c6z at all.
I upgraded the seats on mine with a set of caravaggio buckets and added the updated OEM steering wheel and a bunch of other suede parts. The interior and potential valve issues are enough that I have not missed my c6z at all.
10-21-2018, 08:22 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
while the exterior of the c6z ages well the interior does not...
I upgraded the seats on mine with a set of caravaggio buckets and added the updated OEM steering wheel and a bunch of other suede parts. The interior and potential valve issues are enough that I have not missed my c6z at all.
I upgraded the seats on mine with a set of caravaggio buckets and added the updated OEM steering wheel and a bunch of other suede parts. The interior and potential valve issues are enough that I have not missed my c6z at all.
10-21-2018, 08:26 PM
#15
I cant stand the looks of the c6 now lol. It aged badly. Idk what you guys see. They do not look good at all anymore especially since the c7 has been out a couple of years now.
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dvilin (10-22-2018)
10-21-2018, 09:10 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
I’ve had both, for a street car I much prefer the C7. The interior and tech alone are worth it, but I also prefer the C7Z looks. LS7 will be one of the better production motors of all time though!
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Paul Scarpelli (10-22-2018)
10-21-2018, 09:37 PM
#17
Racer
I've owned a c5z, c6z, c6zr1 and now a c7z06. For me the c7z is the king by leaps and bounds. My c6z was one of many that had the heads blow up...20k in damage. Hard to like a car after that happens. My C6zr1 was great, but pretty pointless on the street, considering how hard it was for that car to get any grip. The c7z in A8 form is easily the most practical and driver friendly sports car I have owned. My daily driver is an APR tuned Audi RS7 that runs mid 10's and I have to admit that the interior in the C7Z is awfully close to audi quality.
10-22-2018, 09:26 AM
#18
Team Owner
Good review if you want the valves to stay open on the exhaust 100% of the time pull fuse #87. As for the C6 I had one and to me it does not compare favorably in any way to the C7. Now when you see one it really looks dated.
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Paul Scarpelli (10-22-2018)
10-22-2018, 11:33 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
Glad you're enjoying it! I've had two C5Z's, a C6Z and now my C7Z/Z07...best car I've had by far.
10-22-2018, 11:42 AM
#20
Drifting
I've owned a c5z, c6z, c6zr1 and now a c7z06. For me the c7z is the king by leaps and bounds. My c6z was one of many that had the heads blow up...20k in damage. Hard to like a car after that happens. My C6zr1 was great, but pretty pointless on the street, considering how hard it was for that car to get any grip. The c7z in A8 form is easily the most practical and driver friendly sports car I have owned. My daily driver is an APR tuned Audi RS7 that runs mid 10's and I have to admit that the interior in the C7Z is awfully close to audi quality.