You can see which I chose. Drive both and compare for yourself.

 

C6 and just swap the box stock LS3 heads/intake and add a cam/exhaust for your own 480rwhp LS2. I picked up my 06 C6 A6 for only $30,500 w/30K might I add. Too easy.

Just add a 150-200 shot for those looking for more, like me. If it blows, go bigger than an LS3.

 

This is a very good point. On the cheap, this is definitely the way to go. Get an 07 C6, do this at some point and you'll have an 96% of an LS3.

 

If it were between an 08 Z51 C6 or a C5Z, I would go with the C6. Otherwise I would go with the C5Z.

 

I would go with the C5 Z06 personally.

 

Wrong....

I went from a cammed out Firehawk with an Incon stage III Twin Turbo kit and I'd dump it for a stock '01 Zo6 again in a heartbeat.

 

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my C5Z over the 427 RWHP T/A I used to have but if the T/A had another 200RWHP I think the Z06 would feel like a civic in a straight line

 

How many times has this poll or question been asked?

 

+1. I prefer the styling of the C5 to the C6, but the LS3 does tip the scales. The LS3 is truely a bad azz engine.

Keith

 

Just Bought an 04 Com Ed Z06. And I love it. Its lightweight makes it very agile, and it drives smooth on almost any road unlike the firehawk.
Its also built more solid-ly. The car has 65k miles but has no rattles.
Either way your gonna be happy w/ a vette. And you'll probably miss the T/A too.
But I also have a Lightning and like that the best. Don't hate

 

I went with the C5Z. It wasn't even really a decision for me. The only way I'd go C6 is with a C6 Z06 - but those are pretty pricey still.

 

C5Z for this guy

I plan to buy one within a couple years but am not sure which will make for a better track car (road course/autoX). For those who have driven an 02-04 C5Z and a 05-07 C6, which feels better in corners, braking, accelerating out of turns, etc? It will more than likely come down to how they drive and hold up on a track for me. I know someone already mentioned the C5Z felt more "racey", but thats only 1 opinion.

Where are the other threads on this? I'd like to read the discussion.

 

If I didn't have a C5Z already and was buying a Vette, I'd consider the '08 C6 with a Z51, 6-speed, sport exhaust (~436HP). Of course, that's probably around $10K-12K difference, which is several nice mods on the C5Z.

I go back and forth on the C6 design - in general I like it, but it never seems like the stance looks correct (they look amazing with the Z fenders though). The C5Z is a unique design with the notchback that wasn't used again with the C6Z (which shares the coupes profile) - so you have something that really stands out from the 100's of K's of late model Vettes on the road.

The C5Z is a touch lighter and a little more rigid. It has less (as in none) sound deadening so it's a little more visceral. The F1 Supercars tires are fantastic. With the C6 Z51 package the gearing is the same so it loses that advantage. The C6 definitely has some non-performance improvements in the way of seating, A/V, lighting. The C5Z seats are just terrible (and so are C5 headlights - you'd be better off holding a Mag flashlight out the window...)

I really feel like a LS3 C6Z51 car with some nice aftermarket wheels gives you all the performance of a C5Z plus nav and a targa - though neither of those options may mean anything to you personally. I loved my targa cars when I had them, but at the same time don't really miss them.

In my case, my aftermarket seats are way better than anything OEM and I also run ACA HID's which are a complete [DOT certified] replacement lens. So two of the major perks of the C6 aren't applicable

I don't care about push button starters and I kind of don't like the idea of getting locked out of my car because of a dead battery. Some things I think are better left with mechanical options.

On track an LS2 Z51 doesn't feel like it turns in as hard and has a slower exit speed. The extra RPM range gives the Z a little more room up top to exit hard and fast. A C6Z51 car is still very balanced and very close though (the stock tires are a big deficit).

The last, sort of intangible in favor of the Z06 is the fact it's a Z06 There's sort of an extra "wow factor" with them. People seem to instantly recognize the Z as a no compromise performance car. Even as base model cars catchup and pass the Z's performance, it will always be a special vehicle.

 

Wow ... thanks for the response. That is exactly the type of input I was looking for. The #1 reason the C5Z is the 80% option for me is because, IT IS A Z06, and much more rare than the base C6 which I see 3-5 of every day. Not to mention base C5s. I love the wheels, fixed roof, and especially the Electron Blue, though a Sunset Orange targa C6 would be a close 2nd.

As far as performance goes, I would love to hear others opions who have the same experience as yourself, aside from me test driving both cars with no intent to buy at this time.

 

X10 C5's look way better

 

The C6 is a better car hands down, I've had both. Although I'm back to a C5 Z, I'd still rather have a C6. Drives nice, more comfortable, quieter, better technology, way better seats, etc..
GM makes advances with new models...
I can say though that before I had a C6, I would have said C5, but after owning a C6, its an easy decision...

 

What are your uses for the car though? Daily driver / weekend cruiser / track car / etc? I'm not interested in buying a vette for luxury and superior comfort, and from what I've heard, I think the C5Z is more of a track/weekend car as opposed to a daily driver on steroids like the C6.

 

I tell my friends i bought a vette and there like "thats cool" or "how much did that cost?". But when they see it, they say.. "You got a z06!" You Bastard!

 

I think I know this car.... You bought it from "buyavette" right?

I was there when you you came in to sign papers in the conference room. It was a little after hours... so not many people were there.

My '01 Zo6 is about to cross 60k miles in the next day or two. They make terrific driving machines, I drive mine everyday!

 

a modded c6 is a better car.