So I have decided that my next car will be a c6 corvette, this car will be a daily driver that will rarly get any track time so Im not looking to do any major modding. Since the c6 z06 is beyond my budget I have been looking at the base c6 and z51.

Whats the difference between a base c6 and z51? I know the z51 has better brakes and suspension, but is it really worth the extra money for a daily driver? The only thing I will get for the vette is some nice wheels,CAI and a catback.

 

get the suspension and brake upgrades. So z51 is my choice. Nice benefits for not too much more.

Are you buying used? I assume you are, because you're saying z06 is out of price range.

But if buying new, then get a used z06 that will fit your budget.

 

1) The Z51 feels tighter even on the street. The base has too much roll in it for me. The ride difference is only noticable on really bad roads.

2) The z51 has better gearing (i.e. higher numerically in 1 - 3 and 6th). Having more gear is a definite improvement.

You can mod the car to be far superior to the Z51 package, but if you are leaving it alone, the Z51 is a good package for the buck.

 

Im new to corvettes but I have seen that they can be lowered on stock bolts, and it only takes a few minutes with basic tools......is this true? how do you do this?

 

I've had both Z51 and the base. Base does ride somewhat better but certainly the Z51 is acceptable. The base has softer shocks and springs. If you get the base you can always add a Z51 rear anti-sway bar. The front bars I believe are the same. You don't say automatic or manual but both come with different gearing. The manual has different transmission gearing while the auto Z51 comes with the 2.73 performance axle. I personally like the looks of the drilled rotors much better than the base. Also with the manual tranny you get the oil cooler. Believe me during high rpm driving the oil gets hot.

My vote is with the Z51!

 

Thanks Larry of course Im going to for 6 speed

Ill be down at the dealer this sunday........Ill report back to see if I find a nice black on black vette

 

http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_07...ing/index.html

 

Sorry. I voted Z51 because I thought you were talking about a C5 Z51 Vs. a base C6.

I'm not qualified to answer this having never been in a C6 Z51, so just drop that vote. The C6 ZO6 I was in just drove around town a little. Couldn't really tell much difference between it and a base C6 or any other car, really.

 

I voted Z51 because for me it was a lot of fun to drive when spirited. But the big thing to bear in mind with a Z51 as a daily driver is tire wear. You'll be lucky to get 10-12K miles on the Z51 tires. My 2006 had just under 12K miles, and it needed tires when I traded it for the Z. The C6Z is worse. Mine has just over 5K miles and the rear tires are almost done. I'll probably get another 1K miles out of them at most.

 

GMmexican you have a pm sir.

 

That's just GM's way of telling you the car needs better tires than runcraps.

 

A skilled driver behind the wheel of a base Vette will run circles around a Z51 equipped car with an everyday driver.
My point is that the car is built so well that either is more then you will ever need to use on the street.
Drive both and buy the one you like better.

 

I drove both before my purchase. I'm 45 and thought I'd NOT like the Z51 ride. The base is a more tame ride...you said DD some I would say the base for you as Z06-Dave said, they're not that far apart. You can which one I went with though. Can you say Z51?

 

Nobody has mentioned the other choice for the C6 and that is the F55 suspension. This will give you the bigger brakes of the Z51 (in 07,08 models) and the magnetic shocks developed on the 03 Anniversary cars. I recently test drove a 08 convertible with this package and was very impressed with it. You do not get the GY supercar F1 tires which are softer and offer more grip but the tire wear should be better with the standard GY tires on the F55 package. The shock design is used on a lot of high end supercars and a version is also used on the new ZR1. Must be good if they used it on that beast. Consider the F55 I plan to.

 

I have an A6 Z51 and it rides perfect. Grab a Z51 for sure if you want an M6 since the gear ratios are closer but if its a DD, go for the A6, honestly. I was thinking of selling mine if youre interested. Shoot me a PM if you want more details. Fully modded.

 

You also do not get the gearing advantage of the Z51 (M6 tranny, A6 axle) although for an A6, the 2.73s are a cheap upgrade. I drove the F55 and liked it, but those shocks are mucho dinero if they break.

The F55 guaranteed that I would have to put 3.90s or 4.10s plus it was another few hundred on top of the Z51 price. Of course, I decided that I still need more gear, so 3.73s or 3.90s will probably go in during the spring.