As a weekend/trackday car, what's the better buy?
A C5Z06 has been well reviewed here as a monster for the money out of the box, but are there things you're "paying for" in the price differential that are going to be upgraded or replaced anyways?
i.e. would you be better off starting with a regular C5 (say $10-$15K) and throwing $5K equivalent money at mods or just spend the extra money and buy a Z from the get go ($15-$20K)?
in part, I ask as I lack the pertinent info regarding what makes a "Z" a "Z" vs. what would normally be upgraded/replaced/worn out on a trackday car anyways.
A major advantage of the Z06 is the lighter fixed roof, as opposed to the heavy glass hatch on the regular Vette. The only way to duplicate that would be to start with an FRC (pretty rare) or to make a Lexan rear hatch (expensive).
But that roof is U.G.L.Y. (it ain't got no alibi)
Interested in this discussion, if I ever get 'vette I would go the standard coupe + mods, mostly due to the above mentioned roof on the Z06.
bgkast wrote: But that roof is U.G.L.Y. (it ain't got no alibi) Interested in this discussion, if I ever get 'vette I would go the standard coupe + mods, mostly due to the above mentioned roof on the Z06.
100% AGREE. Even though the C5Z is awesomely fast, it's got looks only it's mother could love.
Yeah i couldn't live with that roof. I'd start looking at a base C6 in place of the C5 Z06...
Blondes and brunettes. I personally prefer the looks of the FRC/Z over the standard coupe. However, I imagine the coupe is more practical. But I don't think practicality has a place in this conversation.
The differences between a regular C5 and a Z06 include the things you would expect, like stiffer suspension and a 50 hp stronger motor, but also things you wouldn't expect like a transmission with lower 1st and 2nd gears, thinner windshield, titanium exhaust, etc.
If the difference was only $5k I would get the Z. But what I see in the real world is that the difference is often lot more. Also, not all non-Z06's are the same - a coupe with Z51 suspension will be a lot closer to a Z than a convertible with base suspension.
For a daily I would save the money and get a Z51 targa or FRC. But if you are looking for a track toy, the differences in the Z06 are probably worth the premium.
mtn wrote: Blondes and brunettes. I personally prefer the looks of the FRC/Z over the standard coupe. However, I imagine the coupe is more practical. But I don't think practicality has a place in this conversation.
Oh, it does for me! I'd make that monster my daily. 
GameboyRMH wrote: Yeah i couldn't live with that roof. I'd start looking at a base C6 in place of the C5 Z06...
Actually I started looking a little further and saw that as well. Base C6 is very similar in price to C5Z's at least from my Craigslisting recently. The C6's sure are pretty, but I'd imagine the C5Z is the better performer.
I am SO GLAD that i am not the only person here who rules out the Z06 primarily because of the roof. The other stuff im just not willing to pay extra for, except the wheels. Its not stuff that would dramatically improve my experience considering the type of use it would actually see. I really like the lift-off roof of the base C5 and that's what i'd start with. What i would end with would depend on what i actually didnt like about the base car, not on a list of what chevy did to make the Z06.
xflowgolf wrote:GameboyRMH wrote: Yeah i couldn't live with that roof. I'd start looking at a base C6 in place of the C5 Z06...Actually I started looking a little further and saw that as well. Base C6 is very similar in price to C5Z's at least from my Craigslisting recently. The C6's sure are pretty, but I'd imagine the C5Z is the better performer.
They are actually pretty close in performance surprisingly.
50 extra horses when you are starting with what, 350? Not the same difference as adding 50hp to 100. I want to know if the cooling system has been upgraded, I've seen to many roll into my flag station with steam pouring out from underwood due to blowing coolant hose fittings :(
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