Advise on which year

[Neumonic2002]

Gents,

I am finally getting back into a Vette from a 4 year layoff, I still miss my 02
Z06 everyday so my wife insisted I get another Vette (ya she's a keeper)

I am looking at a C6 Z51 car as I am unable to afford a C6 Z06. Price wise I am looking at either an 06 or an 07 and was wondering if you guys could offer any feedback/advice.

Thanks in advance!

John in STL

[PerforminNorman]

Not much different between the 06 and 07. However, if you jump to the 08, you get the LS3 instead of the LS2. It is noticably stronger.

[Neumonic2002]

PerforminNorman I don't have the money for an 08' unfortunately...

I am seeing the 06' Z51 for around 8-9k cheaper and the 07' for a couple grand higher than the 06'.

With the way things are going I just don't want to commit to a payment like the one I would have with a 38000 + $$ car.

[PerforminNorman]

I had an 05 Z51 6M for about 11 months. I loved the car. The LS2 is strong on the bottom end and pulls so well. I don't think you can go wrong with the 06.

[Neumonic2002]

Thanks Neighbor (you KC me STL) LOL

I honestly just have to get my butt back in the drivers seat of a vette and want to try a C6 with already having a C5 and don't mind to sacrifice a few ponies over an 08 - I feel I can make some of the HP down the road with a couple "select" mods.

I guess I will just look for the best deal with either the 06 or 07

Thanks for your input!

John

[drivinfast]

Mine is an 06 like you describe you are thinking about.

If you shop around for used headers and CAI for about $1200 and DIY.

then put a cam like I used to have with 918 springs and hardened pushrods and underdrive pulley for less than $1700 including tune installed; you can get close to 430rwhp 401rwtq. very NICE
I got a dyno curve if you are interested.

If you want a little more then a ported 90mmFAST for maybe 25 more hp across the whole power band

[Neumonic2002]

drivinfast

Sounds good, what you touched on is right on with my thoughts except I will buy the stuff new and DIM for the headers and CAI but when it comes to the cam I have a friend in town that will install for me for a great price and we FINALLY have a good tuner in STL so the bases are covered for all you mentioned all I need is the $$ LOL. I would be very interested in seeing your cam specs and dyno curve!! I did all we mentioned to my 02 Z06 and then some but I haven't started my research yet for a cam involving the LS2.

Thanks
John

[black96ws6]

There is an alternative for you if you have the patience (which I admit I don't either lol)..but here goes...

Instead of the LS2 route listed above with the heads, cam, tuning mods, etc, why not just wait a little bit, save up for a bigger down payment, and then jump right into an '06 Z06 that puts down 450rwhp stock? They're about to break the $40k barrier used (if they haven't already, haven't looked in a bit).

By the time you add up the cost of those mods, plus your time, tuning, etc, and the potential sacrifices such as smog worries (if your state has that), driveability compromises, increased rwhp on a drivetrain not expecting that much (for example, now you'll need a new clutch soon), etc, it ends up evening out, if not costing more when factor in your time.

Just an alternative viewpoint for ya.

[Neumonic2002]

I have definitely thought about that just can't seem to make that happen, the only used Z06 I could try to pull that off with is a high mile-er and don't want to pay 42K for a car that has been beat on for 40-50 K miles. I want something still under factory warranty so I can put an extended on it. My mods will be light for the first year (headers, CAI & a tune) anyway with me maxing out with an under drive pulley and a mid size cam the following yr. My goal is just to get back in a Vette and not have to stare at a nasty monthly payment either. I am only going to borrow around 23K and will have 2K waiting for the mods I listed above (1rst round). My wife will get to drive the car fairly often and I don't want to worry anymore than I already will with her crazy a$$ behind the wheel. LOL

Thanks for your input, I have put some serious thought into what you said and just figure if thing end up getting better for my wife and I we could always move up in the future.

Thanks
John

[Neumonic2002]

Thanks again for everyones input!

I am picking up my 06 Z51 Silver coupe this Saturday, found one for the right price for me along with only having just under 27000 miles.

Let the good times begin!

Cheers

John in STL

[DennyM]

Congratulations on the MS '06, John!

[MSiska]

Congrats John!

[Neumonic2002]

She is home safely and in the garage!

Don't have time to wash with family coming over for Easter so I should be able to start a new post soon with Pic's.

Thanks everybody!

John in STL

[Neumonic2002]

Here are a couple pic's

[janoz06]

Congrats :mug: