Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

gresch · 03-13-2006, 06:37 PM

I'm having a 'discussion' with another car "enthusiast" on a BMW board about the build quality of a C6Z vs. a new Viper. He has copy/pasted some comments from the Viper boards that say that the C6Z is basically crap and the Viper blows it away. So I offered to post the question on here to get the "other half of the story"...

So C6Z owners, what say you? Is the viper built better than the C6Z?

(I'm expecting a few jokes and barbs in here, but if anyone has any real world/first hand opinions I would appreciate it)

constren · 03-13-2006, 07:19 PM

Quite Frankly, I would never probably own a Dodge or Chrysler product. They were odd balls 30 years ago and in my opinion still are. People I have read that own the Vipers say they are not that great for everyday driving. But I would state here that I would own a Dodge before I bought a rice or sauer kraut ride.

ZO6 AL-X · 03-13-2006, 07:21 PM

This should be good. Maybe the crowd here will be a little biased.

Alex

gresch · 03-13-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZO6 AL-X

This should be good. Maybe the crowd here will be a little biased.

Alex

Maybe, but I've read some good comparisons on here that were on the up and up....

**Tom Fuscaldo** · 03-13-2006, 07:51 PM

How would the people on the Viper board know????

gresch · 03-13-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Fuscaldo

How would the people on the Viper board know????

I can only assume that some Viper owners either own both, or have some seat time in both.

JCEng · 03-13-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Fuscaldo

How would the people on the Viper board know????

BULLSEYE

Orangesnake · 03-13-2006, 08:09 PM

I'll take that one on,since I have one of each.Exterior fit and panel .alignment is pretty good on both my C6Z and my Viper-I'd say close to equal there.Paint quality-advantage Viper,a little orange peel on the Vette,most noticeable on the rear fascia.Engine compartment appearance-advantage Viper(though this is partly a function of fuel rail cover design on the Vette,which is easily dressed up).Squeaks and rattles,even-nothing significant on either car.Interior fit and finish-advantage Viper(mostly a function of materials,though some of the workmanship is a little better).The interior quality on the C6Z is a bit better than that on my C5Z.Both cars checked out perfect on PDI,per techs and my own visual inspection.Overall advantage-Viper.All of this is build quality,fit and finish only,without regard to other advantages/disadvantages of either car,and I think pretty much what one would expect,given the differences in production-the Viper is a bit more hand built,which also may mean more variation in build quality of individual cars.It seems entirely possible to me that one particular Vette could be superior in overall build quality to one particular Viper-it just isn't the case with my two cars. Sorry,guys,but I call 'em as I see 'em.

Mike97SS · 03-13-2006, 08:47 PM

I have neither car, so I am not biased...All I can say though is that I am friends with a guy who has an 00 or 01 Viper and it is a rattle trap. Many squeaks and rattles from the interior. His is the only one I have ever been in, so I cant say they are all like that or not, but his sure is. I have never been in a C6Z, cant comment, but have been in a C5Z, and that car has zero squeaks and rattles...Mike

ocnatv · 03-13-2006, 09:26 PM

I just got the C6Z and although I have never driven a Viper my Z is perfect. Ive only owned "sauer kraut" sport cars before my Z and it's just as good in build quality.

ZO6 AL-X · 03-13-2006, 09:54 PM

I've been told that the Viper has better fit/finish. Isn't the Viper entirely assembled by hand? The last gen was, at least. That's why they were only putting out seven a day, or something like that.

I've spent very little time in Vipers, so I wouldn't be good at grading either against one another. But, hey, I'd take either one ANY day! Okay... maybe I like the C6 Z a little more.

Alex

Raced Guy · 03-13-2006, 10:17 PM

I personally know someone who had an 04 viper and got rid of it for the new z06. He said it got very warm when driving it inside the cab, and it was not very comfortable for more than maybe an 45min drive at best. He said yes the viper was fast but the vette is faster. Also he said as for the interior the vette was much better and comfortable as compared to his viper.

Mitch.Shea · 03-13-2006, 10:29 PM

personally i dont care both are two badass domestic cars and would be happy with either one but would always wonder if the grass is greener you know. i think the 3rd gen coupes look good and the new z06 looks good too. i think the viper would be the car to use if your one of those 1100hp+ power crazy guys anything else and i would take the z06.

DreamZ · 03-13-2006, 10:45 PM

I drive my 2002 Z06 every day, no garage queen for me, but it would be nice to be able to afford to do that. And on the same note there is quite a differential between the price of the two. With that in mind if you are looking for the best bang for the buck the Z06 still cannot be beat, not by a Viper or any other Domestic or Import. I looked seriously for almost a year with cash in hand and could not find a better deal. JMHO

Lankhoss · 03-14-2006, 01:06 AM

I'm sure people will call me crazy, but here is my impression of the new Z.

My first Vette was an '85 Z-51 4+3 manual. I like pretty much EVERYTHING better about the interior of the '85 Corvette. The new Z is far more comfortable, but doesn't have the "rugged" feel that the older Vette had....which I liked a lot.

I have gone off topic a bit, but I felt the interior of the C4 was built much better than the new Z. The C4 did rattle a lot more than the new one does, but it just has a "cheap" feel to it.......whereas the C4 had a very extravagant feel, in my opinion. I have also noticed when I'm washing my car, that the exterior feels more cheap as well. While I'm sure it's the lighter weight materials that are to blame, it just feels like a squishy plastic bubble. The luvers in the air vents on the side of the engine bay, and at the rear brakes seem loose inside the slot, and everytime I'm sponging over those areas I feel like it's just gonna snap right off if I push in too hard. Those areas squeak and give under the slightest amount of pressure, and I didn't ever have that issue with my C4. Also, the gas cap cover seems very cheap...I usually have to click the thing 2 or 3 times to get it to open (although it's working perfectly now in the warm weather), and it's just a flimsy little cover over the gas tank. The C4 had a much better built "door" that you pulled up from the rear. I used to actually enjoy filling that car up. heh

As far as the mechanical build of the car goes..........UNREAL. It is 10 times better than the C4, if not more than that. It is honestly the most solid, smooth, and well built drivetrain/suspension I've ever even ridden in. It is pretty much perfect, mechanically (in my opinion).

So, in summary.......I feel as though GM had to "shift" some quality around with the new Z. Some of the small, and less important details like the interior and body vents seem pretty cheap, but all of that is more than made up for in the overall ride and feel in the mechanical workings.