Please help. I need some advice

[Johnny S]

I am considering buying a C5 Z06. Currently I have a Roush mustang S3 and have decided to sell it because it is beating me up pretty good. I use the car for work (appraise real estate) and am up the hills here in L.A. much of the time (the roads there are not so good). Even driving my car in the city now is really getting on my nerves.

I went and test drove a 03 Z06 and really like the car. The suspension takes bumps and pothole better than the mustang, but I am apprehensive because the Z06 sits pretty low. I really have to be careful with the mustang going in and out of driveways. Is the Z06 going to be a problem in this regard (front and sides). I have seen a few people on this site lowering their cars, but can I raise the Z just a little bit? Any comments will be much appreciated.

John

[Y2K2Z06]

I would not raise the car. Lowering, yes (but I've yet to do that myself). The only part of my 02' that scrapes is the front air damn. It is spring loaded to move when approaching a steep driveway.

Raising the car would defeat all the handling characteristics that makes the car what it is. Lowering it will at least benefit from a lower center of gravity.

Just my .02 cents.

Ps. you're going to love this car. Good luck!

[Johnny S]

Thanks very much.

[FirstGear]

why don't you take a tape measure and see what the difference in height is? my guess is that if you were hitting before in the mustang you will hit for sure with the Vette....

[BRC]

Buy A 4x4.

[DennyM]

If I was in your business and used my Z for work, I would park at the curb and walk. JMO

[Subdriver]

Johnny,
I think you'll like the Z06. I used mine as a daily driver for about two years before turning it into a racecar and found it very easy to live with.

The car does sit relatively low compared to most other cars on the road, but I concur that I wouldn't raise it. Before I lowered my car, I only rarely scrapped on driveways. What actually hits the ground is the plastic air deflector under the nose. This is a three piece unit, one each side and one center one that deflects air up into the radiator. The center one is hinged so if it hits something it will just rotate. The side ones are pretty flexible. They are also inexpensive (all three total less than $100) and easily replaced with about six small bolts hold the side ones on and I think two holding the center one on. I never once hit the actual nose on anything, though it is low enough that you could run it into a curb parking in some spots if you aren't careful.