Bondojohn

​​​​​​​That sound is memorizing

Bondojohn

I agree. The Z06 is basically a track car.

3LZR21U

I swear these kinds of threads pop up every week.

You'd have to convince yourself that the LT6 engine is worth giving up 45k in amenities (or pocketing the difference). It's even worse if you don't expect to use the Z06 on a tack much if at all. You can get a nicely option 3LT HTC for only 25k above base; which is a far better "all around" car. You really need to keep the Z06 above 4k rpms to really get the most out of it--and that isn't desirable (or plausible) for many. Whereas the LT4 acted like "boost bonus" on top of a great engine--the LT6 requires wringing it out so that it doesn't feel lackluster in the lower RPM bands.

I have said it before and I will say it again--despite so many who disagree with me. The E-Ray has a much more compelling case to make for upgrade over the SR--vs the Z06 upgrade from SR. That does NOT mean that the ER is the right choice for everyone; just that the ER (in pure laymen's terms) has 3 big upgrades going for it (widebody, power+AWD, Brakes) where the Z06 only has 2 (widebody, power+FPC). And those 3 upgrades come with a 8k price discount vs the Z06.

YMMV, but for this question, SR all the way.

XXXX

How many people here have actually driven a Z06 and concluded "Meh, I like the Stingray better"? lmao...

mnm4ever

Fair point to be sure! I don't think the question is of preferring the Stingray over the Z06. I doubt there is a Corvette owner on the planet who would not "prefer" the Z06. The question is more of value... do you value the performance and looks of the Z06 enough to skip all the options on a SR and stretch a little into the Z06. Obviously GM has enough buyers interested already, they literally cannot build enough of them. But I think there are two camps... some people look at the specs of the Z06 and proclaim it to be the best value in performance cars ever. Others look at the price difference and performance improvement and disagree. I lean more towards the latter... I think the base SR is the best value in performance cars available today. The Z06 improves on that, but at a price that's basically 50% higher. If you have the means, most definitely, it's an amazing vehicle. But if you don't, then it's hard to beat a base SR. A lightly modified SR will hold its own against a Z06 pretty much anywhere outside of a race track. The Z06 has a visceral appeal... the sound, the harder edge, things like that are hard to quantify. A lot of buyers feel that's the most important things to consider. But a lot more buyers want a car that's easier to live with day to day, and still delivers 95% of the performance... while also being significantly less expensive.

I of course haven't driven one, and someday I will. Until I do, I reserve judgement on whether I love it or like it or am just impressed by it. I know financially I don't see myself spending the extra $30-40k on one no matter how amazing it may be. I also don't want to judge the sound until I have gotten to hear one in person in various situations. So far, in videos, I am not super impressed. But videos are not a great representation.

But if they sold them for the same price? For sure... Z06. But for the theoretical $15k proposed in the original question? I would rather keep my spec 3LT SR HTC than a base Z06 coupe.

3LZR21U

Seems most of the Corvette Forum guys around here wouldn't even justify the upcharge for the E-Ray...as evidenced by how many just want a GS (give it up, it's never happening). And as I stated above, the ER is cheaper and has 3 "upgrades" over the SR; vs the Z06's 2 upgrades. I mention this--because it should put perspective on all the die-hards who insist that the Z06 is "always 100% absolutely in-no-uncertain-terms certifiably the better choice".

I probably would like the LT6 better. I wouldn't want to live with the Z06 as a daily; I could do it--but I wouldn't want to. I know the LT2 has better character for daily use. Maybe if the LT6 was offered with hybrid drive--that would give me more down low where I would want it for daily use; but that would logically take the price from a SR+ 45k to about 2x SR's.

OP, it feels like you're wanting people to just sanction your idiom of buying a 1LZ Z06. If that's what you want--go for it. I'm not going to let anyone talk me out of a 3LZ HTC ER either.

DMack1102

I COULD have purchased a Z06, but I just couldn’t justify the difference in pricing. If money was no issue, of course the Z is the route I would have taken, but I was able to get a pretty decked out 2LT HTC and save a heck of a lot of money in the process.

Mine is going to be used for trips and excursions, and it will never see the track. I would love a Z, but just not justifiable in my financial situation.

Wife said I could

I'd look in the middle.
E-Ray 2LZ at $112K.

655 HP and a few extras.... the wide stance body...... HUD, performance data recorder, memory seat positions.....

Rapid Z

This was exactly my intention. My Z06 is specked out at just a hair over $116K. I have owned pleanty of 3LT Stingrays dipped and dipity dos and all that extra crap means nothing to me. All I want or need is the base Z06.

23/C8Z

If you're looking for thrills? The Z06 is far more thrilling to drive in stock form.

Nothing wrong with any corvette but the C8 Z06 turns it up a notch much more than prior gens. Its a completely different experience than the C5 C6 C7zs.

Hard to explain without driving them both. I loved the C8 SR but once I drove the C8Z I was floored. Changes the whole personality of it vs corvettes of the past just being more powerful and better handling when you opt for the Z06 this time.

Is it worth the money? Only someone on a tight budget would care. If the 30 or 40k real world isn't a problem for you? You only have one shot at this life. Never know when time is up. Enjoy and live it to the fullest. For a car fan the C8Z is worth every penny.

oregonsharkman

I'm in that exact scenario, although I am not restricted to a 1LT Zo6.

I've owned my 21 2LT Z51 HTC MSRC Front Lift for over 2 years. It's been a great car overall, although there have been a few instances of buggy SW. I am trying to decide what I want to do next. I just can't seem to justify the extra $ for the same basic platform, same basic looks.

My HTC was $115K by the time I added aftermarket wheels, carbon aero, etc. To get a similarly equipped Z06 I would be looking at well over $150k, and honestly I would rather try something different - GT3, McLaren, etc than to buy another C8 platform for $50k more. Maybe I'll just wait for the C9.....

mnm4ever

Thats fair, and as I have said, I would never knock someone for wanting a Z06, its incredible. But if all those dippity dos and extra crap means nothing to you, then you could get a 1LT SR for ~$40-45k less than a base Z06. It's not just a $15k upcharge, that's a 50% increase in price.

NAVY_LDO

I think an E-Ray is probably the best fit for me. now just need to find a msrp allocation.

1 STING

There is no right or wrong. The correct choice is the one preferred.


George

XXXX

While I already concluded to spend $115k for the Z06 over a $100k Stingray, I have come to a another conclusion - I would not buy a new Stingray.

Last month people scoffed when I suggested getting $5k off sticker for new, and now we're seeing $20k off sticker for pre-owned/CPO Stingrays.

My choice is now between pre-owned 3LT Stingray at $70k or new Z06 for $115k...

3LZR21U

So why buy a new Z. Can just wait a few years and get that same spec Z for maybe 98k instead of 115k.

As I see it, there is actually little merit in buying new. You're almost always better going CPO or thereabouts--from a financial perspective. HOWEVER--and this is a big proviso--if you intend to keep something for a long time, and the odds of the trim/options you want being prevalent on the used market are slim to none...then there is a legitimate case to buy new.

So if you want a black on black Z or something like that...then you may well find it CPO. But if you had wanted Caffeine....well....good luck.

XXXX

^Stingray prices keep dropping and there are thousands for sale. Z06 prices are also dropping but they are not in great supply, in-stock units are above MSRP, which I would never pay.

While tough to time the bottom of the market, the CEO in me says wait until prices have stabilized.

mnm4ever

Idk, I’m not seeing any vehicles at all that are “thousands” off MSRP, for both new or used. Currently shopping for a car for my daughter and 1-3yo Subarus are still at original sticker price or even higher. I’m seeing a lot of used Stingrays for sale, yes, but the asking prices are pretty much what those cost new. Don’t forget in 21 and 22 they were $7-10k cheaper than current prices. I also saw a few new and used Z06 for sale and the prices were around MSRP too which was surprising. Of course that may change at the dealer with some unadvertised markup. One used 1LZ had price history listed, it started a few months ago at $189k and has just been being reduced and reduced until it’s now at straight MSRP.

I think all these reports of massive discounts on the C8 are very narrow and specific situations that are not yet playing out in the larger market. Not saying waiting a few years isn’t the better play, but it’s still a ways out to see what the market does.

XXXX

Bondojohn

You hit the nail on the head when you said “But a lot more buyers want a car that's easier to live with day to day, and still delivers 95% of the performance... while also being significantly less expensive. I wouldn’t want a Z06 for above reasonings.