LS3 Vette or 5k more for 2006 ZO6
03-05-2011, 07:50 AM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LS3 Vette or 5k more for 2006 ZO6 Good morning all,
I have been pondering this for quite some time now, I recently stumbled upon a 2008 Corvette, black on black Z51 for 31k. I love the way it feels and accelerates, but there is also a 2006 Z for sale not too far away for 37k, should I just save and buy the Z? How big of a difference is there between the 2 cars? How are maintenance costs comparing the 2? Soooo many questions...
I have been pondering this for quite some time now, I recently stumbled upon a 2008 Corvette, black on black Z51 for 31k. I love the way it feels and accelerates, but there is also a 2006 Z for sale not too far away for 37k, should I just save and buy the Z? How big of a difference is there between the 2 cars? How are maintenance costs comparing the 2? Soooo many questions...
03-05-2011, 08:48 AM
#3
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only way I'd recommend the 08 is if you really want the removeable top. The Z06 is more than just a bigger and better motor. Better brakes, trans and diff coolers, bigger wheels and tires are just a few of the differences.
03-06-2011, 07:03 PM
#7
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Without knowing the mileage or condition of each it would be hard to recommend either.
If you plan to bracket race then an LS3 automatic with a few bolt ons and a loose converter is the better choice. It would sure out et a stock Z06 or even slighty modified. Z06s don't launch very good. If you want a great highway car you can't beat a C6 Z06.
I personnaly don't care for the Z06s front flaring.
If you plan to bracket race then an LS3 automatic with a few bolt ons and a loose converter is the better choice. It would sure out et a stock Z06 or even slighty modified. Z06s don't launch very good. If you want a great highway car you can't beat a C6 Z06.
I personnaly don't care for the Z06s front flaring.
Trending Topics
03-06-2011, 07:12 PM
#8
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mileage for the LS3 was 18k the Z06 was around 26k I believe. I have not personally seen the Z car but the LS3 was in perfect condition with a 6 spd and Z51 package with Head up display.
03-06-2011, 07:27 PM
#9
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I assume you mean manual tranny? The auto and manual are both 6 speeds. I've driven the 6 speed manual C6 and for me it's hard to make smooth normal acceleration without quite a lot of throttle. I would get tired of that fairly heavy clutch real quick too. But then again if you don't see a lot of start and stop driving then maybe the manual is fine. To much traffic here in tje Houston area where I live for a manual. The manual is sure fun on the highway. But then again my auto is too!
03-06-2011, 08:11 PM
#10
Z06 is just no comparison. If I wasn't going through ragtop withdrawl, I'd gone Z06. I need the open top. 
Took me a while to get my C6 shifts smooth. For me, about 2300 rpm seems to be the magic shift point, whereas my f-body could shift at 2000 if I was stuck in traffic. 2008 Clutch and shifter are pretty light to me, although I agree that any manual gets tiring in bumper to bumper traffic after 20 minutes.
Took me a while to get my C6 shifts smooth. For me, about 2300 rpm seems to be the magic shift point, whereas my f-body could shift at 2000 if I was stuck in traffic. 2008 Clutch and shifter are pretty light to me, although I agree that any manual gets tiring in bumper to bumper traffic after 20 minutes.
03-07-2011, 05:18 AM
#12
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Waffle Land
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You need to get that C6Z. The problem people talk about with the 06 C6Z is oil starvation. Its not as big as many think it is and that can be easily fixed with an upgraded oil cooler. You get more hp, better brakes, a more agressive looking car (as one person said here look at a C6 and a C6Z side by side and you will know) And a car that will do 10s in the 1/4 with drag radials and practice as well as a car that will do low 10s with just heads and a cam.
You can't beat that anywhere.
You can't beat that anywhere.
03-07-2011, 05:29 AM
#14
if you don't get the Z06, you'll probably develop a slight case of "buyer's remorse"......i used to have a regular Z28 LT1, and every SS LS1 i saw drive by i was like .....spend the $$$ so you won't have to kick yourself in the *** every time you see a Z06
.....spend the $$$ so you won't have to kick yourself in the *** every time you see a Z06
03-07-2011, 07:14 AM
#15
z06. The only real problem some of them have is the top being loose and its a factory recall so its not going to cost you anything to get it fixed. I guarantee you will have more issues buying an 08 ls3 car than you will with the 06 z...The z might be harder to launch, but it loves to go in a straight line unlike most non suspension cars...That car was built for the track and is a street destroyer
03-07-2011, 09:42 AM
#17
My neighbor has one of each (yes i hate him) and Ive been in both cars multiple times and the z06 is leaps and bounds over the ls3. It stops better and handles better the only thing is the z06 does have a stiffer ride but it actually feels good in turns. The z06 just pulls like a freight train through every gear not that the ls3 doesnt but the sound of the ls7 at 7k combined with it's badass torque curve is simply amazing. 5K isnt much considering the suspenison, brakes, and other little upgrades the z06 has on the ls3.
03-07-2011, 05:24 PM
#19
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I assume you mean manual tranny? The auto and manual are both 6 speeds. I've driven the 6 speed manual C6 and for me it's hard to make smooth normal acceleration without quite a lot of throttle. I would get tired of that fairly heavy clutch real quick too. But then again if you don't see a lot of start and stop driving then maybe the manual is fine. To much traffic here in tje Houston area where I live for a manual. The manual is sure fun on the highway. But then again my auto is too!
Sorry forgot they are both 6 speeds, yeah it was a manual.
03-07-2011, 05:32 PM
#20
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Jacksonville, NC
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, more $$$ a month over the LS3 is worth it huh? With the money I was gonna put down the payments for the Z was around 470, while the LS3 was about 340ish.
Still worth it? Or should I just wait a year and put something like 15k down and get an 07 Z without the oil starvation issue?
Still worth it? Or should I just wait a year and put something like 15k down and get an 07 Z without the oil starvation issue?