C5 Z06 - Infromation

[Philb1]

Thanks again, here is what I have been seeing out there online.

C5 Z06 low miles 20--30K some even lower. 24 --30K. are these not the best deal for preformance in a Corvette out there right now? I have looked at C6 cars and the are 35+, and 45+ for Z06.

[naschmitz]

now do you think A Michael Schumacher type driver could be faster then you in a bone stock C5 ? and make up a 2 second gap ? do you think a driver like him could turn a faster lap time in the same car your driving ?
if so why would or do you think that ? maybe one reason is he has 1000's of hours more seat time than you ?

The C6 with soft springs was bouncing off the bump stops in T6 and T10 and unloading loaded tires. I also was easily 2 sec/lap faster once I put the stiffer springs in my car. All this Michael Schumacher is faster than you talk is for what, just to hurt Bob's feelings or impress us?

[Philb1]

Thanks again, here is what I have been seeing out there online.

C5 Z06 low miles 20--30K some even lower. 24 --30K. are these not the best deal for preformance in a Corvette out there right now? I have looked at C6 cars and the are 35+, and 45+ for Z06.

[paultg]

If you can deal with the lack luster interior of the C5 vs C6, I'd go C5 Z06 as best bang for buck track option, plus it will cost less (and you are risking it on track).
If you are just going to do a few track days a year and it is more a daily driver, then like kfoote said, pick the best car you can find condition wise and enjoy it. - Paul G.

[TroyV]

Indeed. Drive what makes you happy. None of us are getting paid to do this. We do it for fun, and to learn a thing or two, not only about driving, but about new people.

Pick something within your budget that pleases you.

I vote C5Z.

[naschmitz]

If you can deal with the lack luster interior of the C5 vs C6

I would say "lackluster interior of the C5 AND C6." C6 seats suck a little less than C5 seats, but they both suck. At least you can swap in a race seat rather easily to either generation.

My vote in spending YOUR money is C6Z, but if we are talking about MY money I'd vote C5Z. That fact that I have a C6 is due to poor planning and naïveté.

[Bobc]

the prices i got are from my body shop estimating guide to see if cars are totals are not when your writing estimates . they should be close to what average cost are or what they say they are ?

the 1st C5 i owned i picked up for just over 12K . i put another 1300 into it needing complete brake job before int parts started to brake . a full detail the PO treated the car like crap drove it for a summer and sold it for just over 20k .

now do you think A Michael Schumacher type driver could be faster then you in a bone stock C5 ? and make up a 2 second gap ? do you think a driver like him could turn a faster lap time in the same car your driving ?
if so why would or do you think that ? maybe one reason is he has 1000's of hours more seat time than you ?

I don't know what your issue is nor do I care but...

I just looked at your post and you did not have C5Z or should I say C5 Z06 broken out.. I don't know your backround or who you are, but I knew the #s were not what the market is getting for these cars having just bought 2 last fall.

We have 5 C5's, 3Z's, 1 rag, 1 coupe. and owned Corvettes since 2001. Not one has any interior issues nothing doesn't work nothing is broken and we run them HARD, I have heard some things about console lids but if you dont open it with the E-brake up they seem ok "yea that is a design flaw" I have been in Cars that the previous owner just killed but I don't buy them...... Also these cars are at best 8 years old......

YOU ASKED A QUESTION I ANSWERED Using my times as I have driven both cars for a bunch of laps...... WT_

I don't think I can drive? Hell No!!! I Know I can't, Hell, My GF can and does beat me do I care NO, is my manhood hurt NO ... I beat this thing like a red headed step child and it is TOO MUCH FUN What i thought it was all about!!!!!
Oh and by the way My GF has only ever driven a C5Z with COM even when she ran 1:32 around NHMS and still had fun.

The OP wants a C5Z he has stated it 3 times, so what is wrong with that? isn't COM = Corvettes of Massachusetts I thought i could help him out !!!!!!!

[Bobc]

Yes as Bert said the seats do suck. We both have Kerkeys now HUGE improvement...

[Chrispy]

Anyone can jump in a car and drive it faster, whether it be a good instructor, the Stig, or the ghost of Fangio, doesn't really matter. There's always going to be a better driver, and all we can try and do is learn from them. In the beginning it is just information overload, and we're just trying to get around the track keeping the car on the pavement and staying out of the way of the other drivers. Once you start to learn and educate yourself, then you can start to pick up on the finer details and have a few eureka moments.

Regarding track ready Corvettes, there really only is one that most people are willing to really drive - the C5Z. C6Z is nice but it's pretty rare to see these on track with race tires getting pushed hard, and yes it's probably mostly a money thing. Plenty of people do track them though.

[SEISAN]

We'll I wanted to jump in for my 2 cents so now is the time. I agree with all the information from our members about the Corvette ZO6. I have had 5 corvettes and by far the C5 ZO6 has the most bang for the buck with its underrated 405 HP and 400 Tq. I have been tracking it for the past 3 plus years and in that time I do not think I have pushed it to its limit for 3 reasons. I also occassionaly use it for street use and I want to keep is somewhat in good shape.( which is not quick happening with all tre track time - probably have to repaint). It is a lot of car, probably more than my skills can I handle and I have not been known to be stupid. Just realistic. and 3, safety, I realize the speed it can generate and until I either get another ZO6 or have a cage put in there is a limit for me.

That said and reading your information and somewhat limited experience I would suggest getting another vehicle that matches your experience, work on your skills and then come back to the ZO6 in a few years. There is a wealth of information from many of our members in all classes and type of cars and guess what... its free. It will probaly be cheaper in the long run and you will enjoy COM as most of us do...... having fun and building friendships.

Bob
( Shake N Bake )
04 Corvette ZO6

[Chrispy]

I think Bob the Corvette meister just recommended a Miata! What is the world coming to!

[chaos4NH]

Hey Bobc, are you serious about those Oil temps? 300-310 deg? I shouldn't worry about 260 in my Speed 3? Just curious.

[brucesallen]

Hey Bobc, are you serious about those Oil temps? 300-310 deg? I shouldn't worry about 260 in my Speed 3? Just curious.

you should worry. Get an oil cooler or ducting to get closer to 200.

[DanDarcy]

Sam---when I used a Corvette C5 Z06 the oil temps would run 260 to 290. You did not want to go over 300 --ever !
I had a C4 for a short time and the oil temp would go over 300 too easily , one time at WGI I had to back way off and it still went to 315, which is way to high. I think your 260 is about normal for most cars. Bruce's 200 maybe good for his formula car but a little low for most "street" cars.

[chaos4NH]

Sam---when I used a Corvette C5 Z06 the oil temps would run 260 to 290. You did not want to go over 300 --ever !
I had a C4 for a short time and the oil temp would go over 300 too easily , one time at WGI I had to back way off and it still went to 315, which is way to high. I think your 260 is about normal for most cars. Bruce's 200 maybe good for his formula car but a little low for most "street" cars.

Thanks for the input Dan. I had no base line on the Speed 3, so went a little panicky at Mosport when 260-270 showed up on my new gage. The slug, the Nissan, runs a bit over 200 deg at full song (well, that that goes to show you, HP = heat!).