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I have a 2023 Stingray, my buddy has a 2023 Z06. He let me drive his. For street driving there's no way to take advantage of all the extra performance so it didn't really feel that much different driving at 5/10s (if you are driving much faster on the street you are driving dangerously in my opinion). The sound however was obviously way different and just amazing in the Z06. So from a practical matter you won't be much faster if you're just driving on the street. But that doesn't matter because I still want one........
Have had my 23 HTC around 6 months, 1500 miles. Love it but can't get Z06 off my mind, My dealer has a allocation and thinking about going for it with a coupe build 3LZ no mag ride to keep cost lower. Would like to hear from anyone that has upgraded with your thoughts. They estimate delivery June/ July and I assume the valve tick issue would be solved?
I read most of the responses. I have been alone in my criticism of the interior "drone" of a coupe with the response being those with a HTC lower their rear window to hear the sound they like. Lets put that aside.
I owned a 2020 C8 Z51 until selling it in July 2023 when my Z06 arrived, so have had time to compare. As many say these are two very different cars. If you do not track your car, at the end of this story, I am not sure it is worth it unless you have no money worry. As has been pointed out, the low torque in the Z06, makes it less fun taking off from a stop light. Compared to the C8 Stingray the Z06 does feel much more substantial like a super/exotic, The "speed" does not really matter when driving on the street unless you have a quarter mile to punch it. The Stingray feels lighter, again, less weighty than the Z06. The interiors are identical.
If I were you and you have a friend with a Z06, drive it and see what I am talking about. I would do it again because money is not an issue for me and I tire of cars after a year of so, but that is me.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by RBK
...If you do not track your car, at the end of this story, I am not sure it is worth it unless you have no money worry. As has been pointed out, the low torque in the Z06, makes it less fun taking off from a stop light. Compared to the C8 Stingray the Z06 does feel much more substantial like a super/exotic, The "speed" does not really matter when driving on the street unless you have a quarter mile to punch it. The Stingray feels lighter, again, less weighty than the Z06...
While I don't think the Z06 is for everyone, I don't agree on the torque and taking off from a light. Yes, the LT6 makes less torque under 3500rpm, but the steeper gearing makes up for that. I've found that the Z06 feels much quicker off the line than my Stingray did, and I find myself taking off quicker from stops much more frequently than I did in the Stingray. Granted I also think a lot of that is the sound and how the engine revs. Also (for me at least) the sound from the Z06 makes me want with the revs at 3500-4000, which is right at peak torque and where the engine really wakes up. It's definitely not good for MPG, but it is oh so much fun!
I made the trade up as well. Except, I went from a 22 HTC to a 23 HTC lol. No regrets! I always knew the Z06 was the end game and I just had the stingray to hold me over while waiting. I also wanted to try out the HTC and the color combo with the stingray to see if I liked it. I did, as you can see from the pics below lol
While I don't think the Z06 is for everyone, I don't agree on the torque and taking off from a light. Yes, the LT6 makes less torque under 3500rpm, but the steeper gearing makes up for that. I've found that the Z06 feels much quicker off the line than my Stingray did, and I find myself taking off quicker from stops much more frequently than I did in the Stingray. Granted I also think a lot of that is the sound and how the engine revs. Also (for me at least) the sound from the Z06 makes me want with the revs at 3500-4000, which is right at peak torque and where the engine really wakes up. It's definitely not good for MPG, but it is oh so much fun!
I am still in the break-in period and the C8 Z06 feels much more responsive and much quicker from a start, the feeling of effortless acceleration.
I had a 2020 HTC Z51 for 3 years and put 15,000 miles on it. I got my Z06 in December and have about 700 miles on it. The difference is mostly sound and performance. The interior feels very much the same. I don't notice the widebody difference much. The handling is better, though I haven't driven it on warm pavement yet. The power is noticeable if you nail it from 60. The sound. Ohhhhhhh that sound! The sound is everything. No regrets here. Not for a damn second. Gas mileage is 12 mpg instead of the 19 I was getting in the Z51.
While I don't think the Z06 is for everyone, I don't agree on the torque and taking off from a light. Yes, the LT6 makes less torque under 3500rpm, but the steeper gearing makes up for that. I've found that the Z06 feels much quicker off the line than my Stingray did, and I find myself taking off quicker from stops much more frequently than I did in the Stingray. Granted I also think a lot of that is the sound and how the engine revs. Also (for me at least) the sound from the Z06 makes me want with the revs at 3500-4000, which is right at peak torque and where the engine really wakes up. It's definitely not good for MPG, but it is oh so much fun!
For me with the coupe, there is little enjoyable sound with the windows up. I suspect the world around me is enjoying it though. As for taking of, I guess it is relative to other cars I have owned with more torque. I am hoping the ZR1 will do the job I seek. It is also true that a heavier car does not provide the "feel" of movement as a lighter car does. I have to look at the odometer to see how fast I am going. I remember once owning a Volkswagen bug decades ago. When going 60 it felt like 100, same thing driving go karts. I am clearly in the minority.
I made the trade up as well. Except, I went from a 22 HTC to a 23 HTC lol. No regrets! I always knew the Z06 was the end game and I just had the stingray to hold me over while waiting. I also wanted to try out the HTC and the color combo with the stingray to see if I liked it. I did, as you can see from the pics below lol
For me with the coupe, there is little enjoyable sound with the windows up. I suspect the world around me is enjoying it though. As for taking of, I guess it is relative to other cars I have owned with more torque. I am hoping the ZR1 will do the job I seek. It is also true that a heavier car does not provide the "feel" of movement as a lighter car does. I have to look at the odometer to see how fast I am going. I remember once owning a Volkswagen bug decades ago. When going 60 it felt like 100, same thing driving go karts. I am clearly in the minority.
Is the coupe really that quiet?
Do you have the exhaust set to the loudest setting in my-mode & Z-mode?
Either that or drive in Sport Mode.
If you are driving in Tour Mode or with the exhaust set to a lower setting in my-mode, that could be the problem?
In my C8Z HTC even with all the windows up the car is very audible inside. I always drive with the exhaust at the loudest setting
My C8 Z51 HTC with NPP was quiet inside all the time, windows and top up or down.
02-22-2024, 07:32 PM
