T/A vs. vette
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Charlotte, N.C.
T/A vs. vette NO, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT RACING!!!!
This question is directed from former Trans Am drivers that upgraded to Vettes. Can you articulate the difference? I have an 01' T/A. Lately, I've been obsessed with getting an 02' Z06. Is the difference completely night and day? I'm about to buy a house; therefore, I can't afford to make the purchase right now. Within the next year, I'm about to go back to school for an MBA. My motivatating factor is upon graduating and getting a job, I'm buying a Vette (in 2.5 years, I wonder what's going to be on the market).
This question is directed from former Trans Am drivers that upgraded to Vettes. Can you articulate the difference? I have an 01' T/A. Lately, I've been obsessed with getting an 02' Z06. Is the difference completely night and day? I'm about to buy a house; therefore, I can't afford to make the purchase right now. Within the next year, I'm about to go back to school for an MBA. My motivatating factor is upon graduating and getting a job, I'm buying a Vette (in 2.5 years, I wonder what's going to be on the market).
I went from a vette to a trans am. Needed to buy a house but wanted ls1 power.
I want to kill myself.
Don't get me wrong. Its a great car and it is what it is. Its heavy sluggish and not as nimble and responsive as the vette. It is very very much night and day between the two. I regret everyday selling my vette. I will buy a new one in the very very very near future. Within the next year. The vette is an amazing car. The only other issue is this.
Yes, you can afford the payments and yes you can afford the insurance, but can you afford the car?
I want to kill myself.
Don't get me wrong. Its a great car and it is what it is. Its heavy sluggish and not as nimble and responsive as the vette. It is very very much night and day between the two. I regret everyday selling my vette. I will buy a new one in the very very very near future. Within the next year. The vette is an amazing car. The only other issue is this.
Yes, you can afford the payments and yes you can afford the insurance, but can you afford the car?
what... crypt.. you sold the vette.... your crazy....
I went from a 98z28 and the ONLY reason not to get a vette is if you NEED a back seat.... if not... the vette is 10x better in just about every aspect than an f-body... go test drive one and you'll be in debt... the seats are soo much more comfortable its not even funny, say goodbye to cut up arms when changeing spark plugs, I could make this post 5 pages long but in 2.5 years I'm sure you'll be asking the same questions..... just remember to get the vette!!!
I went from a 98z28 and the ONLY reason not to get a vette is if you NEED a back seat.... if not... the vette is 10x better in just about every aspect than an f-body... go test drive one and you'll be in debt... the seats are soo much more comfortable its not even funny, say goodbye to cut up arms when changeing spark plugs, I could make this post 5 pages long but in 2.5 years I'm sure you'll be asking the same questions..... just remember to get the vette!!!
Even the coupe feels tighter then the F Bodies. Whole different animal. Also they turn heads mroe too 
Funny though I had a nice 00 Z28 was mean cammed hard and everything, no one would even see it coming. Yet I get a stock silver vette with the Silver wagon wheels still on it and stock adn everyone turns to see. lol Anyway, I think you need to go on a test drive. Oh and my insurance actually dropped $60 a month when I went from a F Body to the Vette, that was with USAA Good Luck
Damon
Funny though I had a nice 00 Z28 was mean cammed hard and everything, no one would even see it coming. Yet I get a stock silver vette with the Silver wagon wheels still on it and stock adn everyone turns to see. lol Anyway, I think you need to go on a test drive. Oh and my insurance actually dropped $60 a month when I went from a F Body to the Vette, that was with USAA Good LuckDamon
TECH Regular
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 402
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From: STL
I went from LS1 SS to Z06. Like stated, the differences are like day and night. I love my SS but I have not one regrets about getting Z06. The overall package of refinement, ride, fitment, and sleek look are head and shoulders above F-Body. The back seat is no issue, didn't use much on my SS so it works for me.
The only negative thing I could think of is, the Vette parts are not as cheap as F-Body parts, as some say we have to pay Vette price.
The only negative thing I could think of is, the Vette parts are not as cheap as F-Body parts, as some say we have to pay Vette price.
Originally Posted by BadMonkey
Even the coupe feels tighter then the F Bodies. Whole different animal. Also they turn heads mroe too Funny though I had a nice 00 Z28 was mean cammed hard and everything, no one would even see it coming. Yet I get a stock silver vette with the Silver wagon wheels still on it and stock adn everyone turns to see. lol Anyway, I think you need to go on a test drive. Oh and my insurance actually dropped $60 a month when I went from a F Body to the Vette, that was with USAA Good Luck
Damon
Funny though I had a nice 00 Z28 was mean cammed hard and everything, no one would even see it coming. Yet I get a stock silver vette with the Silver wagon wheels still on it and stock adn everyone turns to see. lol Anyway, I think you need to go on a test drive. Oh and my insurance actually dropped $60 a month when I went from a F Body to the Vette, that was with USAA Good LuckDamon
Could not have said it better myself. My insurance went up $25 a month for the F body with USAA! I like the Trans am. It is a car with power and looks. Id kill myself in a ford pos mustang.Yes Assassin. My baby is gone. I sold it to a older man in Texas. He was so happy when he came and saw it. Couldnt have emptied his pockets any faster.
Like I said. A house is more important. I am only 22 well 23 next week so I have time. It was a good year with the car. I will be back. I want a c6, it has to be brand new though. I wont settle for anything less.
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: NE PA
I went from a 1999 Camaro SS to a 2000 Corvette. Yes, the difference is like night and day. I always thought my SS was pretty nimble till I got the 'Vette. As it turns out, the Camaro was like steering a battleship in comparison.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Oceanside, CA
I went from a 400 rwhp 2002 TA WS6 to a Z and the difference is like night and day. I still love Fbodies and sometimes wish I had another one to play around with but after driving a vette it is hard to compare the two. Totally different driving experience. Go to a dealer and take one for a drive. That's the only way to understand what everybody is talking about.
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TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Cypress, TX
I went from driving my 1999 Trans Am (heavily modified on the suspension and chassis, even) for 5 years to a used 2003 Z06. Night and day difference. The Vette is much tighter, much easier to drive (steering and accelerator are fly-by-wire), feels much lighter, is definitely more sure-footed, especially at triple-digit speeds, is more technologically advanced (Active Handling is a very cool feature and so is the heads-up display), and is by far much more fun to drive than the Trans Am ever was. And my Z06 is 100% stock except for a K&N filter. If the back-end on the Trans Am got loose, it took some fast reflexes and creative driving to keep it from spinning around (which happened a few times). The first time the Active Handling on the Vette kicked in was exhilarating because it straightened it right out and I never missed a beat - just slid sideways around the corner and kept right on going with little need for corrective steering. I could never go back to an F-body. In fact, I drove my Trans Am for the first time 2 months after I bought the Vette, and I hated everything about it, strangely enough, after loving on it for 5 years. If that isn't telling enough, then I can't imagine what else you would need to hear to make the switch. 
Went from this:
To this:
And haven't looked back.
Went from this:
To this:
And haven't looked back.
Last edited by CySevans; May 8, 2005 at 10:09 PM.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64
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From: Dallas, TX
I have both. A 02 CETA and a 04 Z06 Z16. The Z06 always puts a smile on my face when I drive it. I love everything about it. The power is just right. Car handles like it is on rails. It will power slide with the best of them. The hud is good for keeping your speed in check on the street. I could live without it. The ride is ruff. The 04 has revised shocks.
The T/A of course has T-Tops.
Great for cruising around in the evening. Every one and their mother wants to race it. If it's a sunny day and the tops are off, some one will try to race me. It also has a lot better audio system. The insurance is $50 a year more. You can feel the extra weight and heavy rear end(loose). The brakes fade fast and arn't half as good as the Z06.
The difference in the cars on the performace side is night and day. The Z06 has the race track in mind. The T/A has the drag strip in mind. I have tracked the Z06 and it ROCKS!!
The T/A of course has T-Tops.
Great for cruising around in the evening. Every one and their mother wants to race it. If it's a sunny day and the tops are off, some one will try to race me. It also has a lot better audio system. The insurance is $50 a year more. You can feel the extra weight and heavy rear end(loose). The brakes fade fast and arn't half as good as the Z06. The difference in the cars on the performace side is night and day. The Z06 has the race track in mind. The T/A has the drag strip in mind. I have tracked the Z06 and it ROCKS!!
I just sold my Z/28 and bought an 02 Z06. The Z06 is not as fast as my Camaro, but it handles and stops a bunch better. The Z06 is sneaky fast, where the Z/28 had more explosive acceleration. I really like the Z06, and will like it more after a few mods.
Bruce
Bruce
I've owned several good examples of f-bodies. The C6 I bought handles very well, and I really like how 'small' it feels. Its very responsive to steering and braking. Getting back into the f-bodies, they feel pretty heavy and harder to steer.
As for 'fun factor', though, I think the f-bodies are just as fun to haul around in. Its not like they are considered slow by any means, even when stock.
Tony
As for 'fun factor', though, I think the f-bodies are just as fun to haul around in. Its not like they are considered slow by any means, even when stock.
Tony
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i test drove a few fbodies before I got my vette, i felt to cramped in the fbodies not alot of leg and foot room, I have tons in my vette, possibly because of tranny placement, they are great cars, but not what I was looking for.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Cypress, TX
Originally Posted by Bklynstanger
Here's the next question: What's it like driving the Vette in the winter? I live in Charlotte, N.C. We have mild winters but once in a while, it gets icy.
). However, traction control and Active Handling will help you there, too. Your tire choices will also determine how well it handles in ice and snow. I put Toyo Proxes T1-S tires on mine to get better wet weather handling. I sacrificed some dry traction, but now I don't have to worry about getting caught in a freak thunderstorm. 
TECH Regular
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: STL
I don't get this concept of "well, there are too many around". Who cares if there are millions of Vettes in one town or state, that has no bearing on one's enjoyment of a car. Vettes aren't exclusive cars, they are mass produced like majority of other cars. :shrug:
Originally Posted by AOC
I don't get this concept of "well, there are too many around". Who cares if there are millions of Vettes in one town or state, that has no bearing on one's enjoyment of a car. Vettes aren't exclusive cars, they are mass produced like majority of other cars. :shrug: