I just came back from test driving a 2006 Z06 (1LZ) with 17K miles and priced at just under $52K. I've been thinking about moving up from my '02 EB Z06 to the C6 Z and just started looking around.
My first impression of driving it was that the stock clutch is very light, like driving a Honda; my clutch takes at least (what seems like) 5 times the effort to move it. The shifter also takes much less effort to move than the cumbersome Hurst shifter (which I can't stand) that the previous owner installed.
Another thing that became apparent as I drove it was that the overall handling is smoother than the C5 Z, bumps and irregularities are soaked up better than the skittish C5 Z, yet ride comfort is not nearly as bad as I expected from watching the Top/5th Gear reviews. I've held off on upgrading the stock suspension on the '02 because I'd rather save up for a high-end coilover setup than just upgrade to the '04 setup.
Sadly, the previous owner of the C6 Z must have really thrashed it because every time I pushed the clutch in and let it out (even when no gears were engaged), the tranny rattled a lot. Same thing when shifting at low/moderate speeds. The last thing I want to do is buy a C6 Z and have to take it to the dealer for drivetrain work right off the bat. I told the salesman I would keep looking for a better example at a similar price. What I really would like is to find a modded '06 from an individual (such as a member here).
Anyway, as I fired up the '02 and started to drive home, I realized that I prefer the rawness of the C5 Z; mine just needs a little refinement by upgrading the pieces I mentioned above. Interestingly, I found myself behind exactly the type of C6 Z I would like: silver with chrome wheels. We both wound up first in line to turn left at a light, which leads to a ramp merging onto a local highway. After sitting for a few seconds I opened up the cutouts and gave a couple of revs while moving forward a few feet.
I was in the inside lane, so I turned ahead of him at green and pulled ahead before the lanes merged into one, not hammering it or anything. As the merge lane straightened out, I had it in third and hammered it until about 80. No attempt from him to keep up. A few lights later, he pulled up alongside and I put my window down. "Holy $^#%, that's loud! What did you have done?" I then gave him the "A little cam, a little headwork, headers." reply and asked him what year his C6 Z was and how long he's had it. It was a 2008 that he had for about eight weeks and so I told him to do the mild2wild mod for starters and directed him to z06vette.com!
So, while I am envious of the updated technology and looks of the C6 Z, the better handling and the easier driveability, it just doesn't make much sense right now to get rid of what I already have. The 2008 C6 Z owner's response just drove that point home further. I just need to move ahead with my upgrades and wait until the C6 Zs come further down in price and more modded ones are readily available.
Thanks for providing an outstanding site.
Linear Mode
