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C6 Z06 vs '06 GT500....

5746 Views 30 Replies 23 Participants Last post by  meadowz06
Thought this might make for some interesting conversation. What type of impact do you believe the new GT500 Mustang will have on the C6 Z06? I'm sure that most everyone here will agree that the new Z06 will be a better all-around performer than the GT500, but will it be worth the extra $25-30k (assuming the new Z06 rings in at $65-70k)???

I think it will be very interesting to track the customer base for the new GT500. I would expect to see quite a few C5 Z owners look at the grass on Ford's side of the fence after facing such a substantial price increase above the C5 Z and a relatively underwhelming appearance (quite subjective opinion here).

I also wonder if the GT500 will have much impact on the MSRP of the new Z06. I really can't believe that GM didn't begin the design of the C6 Z06 without having a base price in mind, but some speculate that the price hasn't been set yet. If the price hasn't been set internally (doubtful) do you think there will be any changes made?

As automotive enthusiasts, I think that we're all enjoying a truly phenomenal run of new cars hitting the market. The performance numbers are just outstanding, and the competition is only going to produce better and better vehicles from every manufacturer. God Bless America!!!
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The mustang will be a fun bang for buck car. It'll probably be about 3800 pounds. It is a great car for going in a straight line. Matter of fact, they are putting a solid axle back in the car instead of the IRS. With the supercharger on it, they'll be great stop light to stop light cars. With the owners doing some minor mods, they will definitely win their share of stop light races, even against the might Z06. Most people that buy Stangs really only care about that aspect of the car. Most Corvette owners are a bit more refined and feel better about having a "well balanced" car. Well, that is how I feel anyways.
Yep ol Shelby is back. And shure like a good Shelby vs Corvette stuff still happening.
The good news it doesn't weigh 2100 lbs vs the 3200 lb Corvette of 1963. And if the Zora Grand Sports were not black flaged by GM, the Cobra would be another interesting racing footnote.
As a Shelby fan shure nice to see the 2006 Shelby GT500 happen.
The new Shelby will not have a prayer against a 2006 Z, any contest despite how close the Shelby is to a Z will put the Shelby on the History Channel at the first turn. The magazines will demonstrate the new Shelby (aero brick) GT500 is so outclassed by the composite bodied '06 Z. However for shure a lot more less expensive neat American hot rod.
And Corvette has never had to use a blower for horse power, I guess they do it the old fashion way, ENGINE, hmmm.
And I was serious about getting a CSX4000 series Cobra, until the '06 Z became reality.
Hope Carroll is with us for a long time, as a winner of Le Mans and the awesome Cobra of the '60's shure made the automotive world take a look at what a kick neat cars are about.
And the most replicated car of all, yep the Cobra is the real deal, sure hope the new Z can mess whith a 289 FIA Cobra on the track, a 40 year old car with a 50 year old body design.
427 Cobra's sucked on the track, 289 Cobra's won the coveted manufactures championship in '65, and used the now mega dollar (daytona Coupes) for the aero advantage on certain tracks, Ferrari was not a happy camper.
I remember to much, still want my new Z and cd player, still like some Wagner Loud after some street racin.
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the new shelby gt-500 is to heavy to go road racing with and has a solid rear end which is for drag racing. the manual tranny is best for road racing and not drag racing so the car has some conflicting issues. if ford builds the new shelby GR-1 that is supposed to replace the GT in 2007/2008 i will buy that otherwise i will just wait for prices to come down on the GT and buy one used at msrp.
This is going to be the sae comaprison as it is now for for the Cobra and Z. Stock vs stock, the Cobra wont touch it. Add 1K and the Z06 is behind in a straight line. This is probably going to be the case for the upcoming Shelby vs the C6 Z06.

I think the new body mustangs are the ugliest cars to ever hit the streets..but that is jmo.
Nothing like a little Chevy vs Ford competition to get the manufactures competitive and development juices flowing. God bless the USA.
I'll take one of each please. :coo:
The C6 Z06 is in a Class of it's own. The only possible Competitor is the Wiper. :rofl:

.
Different Markets. Ponycar/musclecar vs sportscar. The Mustang is nice but I don't see it having much of an affect on the Z06 market. The C6 Z, even more so than the C5 Z is a softened up race car. There are a few people that will buy it just for the attention but I think that group is more likely to buy a C6 a/t convertible. The Z is more purpose built. The cabin noise and the ride will steer the less serious sportscar people away. The GT500, especially if it comes in a rag top will have a surge of flavour of the month buying, the nostalgia buyers who grew up lusting for the original, and basically Ford nuts who want the top of the blue oval food chain. With the pricing and the performance, even though it is not a sportscar, it will probably grab a chunk of the C6 market since so many of those people bought the car for looks at rather than to drive to the limits. I really like the look of the GT500 and if Z06s did not exist I would be looking hard at one. I hope they don't become too common.
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I'm with Wingnut. My bank account is trying (and failing!) to figure out how to have one of each. There's also the little problem of garage space...the Saleen is going nowhere, I don't especially want to get rid of my C5 either, as I bought it to keep.

IMHO, the Shelby is the absoltute hands down winner in the bang for the buck department (ignoring all the markups that the dealer scum will be applying to the sticker when they first come out). The aftermarket for the Corvette pales beside that for the Mustang, so if you are into performance modifications, the Mustang is again the winner. The Vette has superior handling, braking and big weight advantages, along with neat gadgets the stang doesn't have (HUD, Navigation, that sort of thing).

I'm buying one or the other in two years. It will be the toughest automotive purchase decision I've ever had to make.
Its a freeking Mustang guys, who really cares.... :crazy:
I've been impressed with what I've seen on the net about the new GT500 and I expected to really be impressed today when I went to the NY Autoshow today to see it...

and the funny thing as fast as this car is...I was disappointed...

Just didn't impress me..

Not a flame...just an opinion...

Meanwhile the C6 Z06 I studied quite a bit at the show..

Thats a car thats much more impressive in person than it is on the net or in the magazines..

so to answer this thread...

Z06 hands down...and if I needed back seats?

CTS V or 300C SRT8

I'd pass on the easily modified Mustang GT500..

but hey..thats just me...

Glad its coming to market...

Will be impressed as hell with those who own it and admire it with them...but would never buy one..
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The GT500 is a good looking car, but I think it's competion is more in the line of the new Charger SRT8. I know it will be faster than the Charger, but they are both in the same price price range. Does anyone know how mod friendly the 6.1 Hemi is? Just wondering how hard it would be to get it over the stock 425hp? A supercharger would make that car unreal since it is starting with 425 N/A.
tonto said:
Yep ol Shelby is back. And shure like a good Shelby vs Corvette stuff still happening.
The good news it doesn't weigh 2100 lbs vs the 3200 lb Corvette of 1963. And if the Zora Grand Sports were not black flaged by GM, the Cobra would be another interesting racing footnote.
As a Shelby fan shure nice to see the 2006 Shelby GT500 happen.
The new Shelby will not have a prayer against a 2006 Z, any contest despite how close the Shelby is to a Z will put the Shelby on the History Channel at the first turn. The magazines will demonstrate the new Shelby (aero brick) GT500 is so outclassed by the composite bodied '06 Z. However for shure a lot more less expensive neat American hot rod.
And Corvette has never had to use a blower for horse power, I guess they do it the old fashion way, ENGINE, hmmm.
And I was serious about getting a CSX4000 series Cobra, until the '06 Z became reality.
Hope Carroll is with us for a long time, as a winner of Le Mans and the awesome Cobra of the '60's shure made the automotive world take a look at what a kick neat cars are about.
And the most replicated car of all, yep the Cobra is the real deal, sure hope the new Z can mess whith a 289 FIA Cobra on the track, a 40 year old car with a 50 year old body design.
427 Cobra's sucked on the track, 289 Cobra's won the coveted manufactures championship in '65, and used the now mega dollar (daytona Coupes) for the aero advantage on certain tracks, Ferrari was not a happy camper.
I remember to much, still want my new Z and cd player, still like some Wagner Loud after some street racin.


Dear Tonto.....don't forget that shelby approache gm FIRST. Now, back to historical data....no duh that GM black flagged Zora's abomination...the backing by Ford was too stout and if you look at your historical data the Cobra Coupe/ 289 was beating the Z06's ass back in Nassau. Now, where were we?? How about LeMans? Try the run that Shelby had with Ford vs. GM and the vette at le Sarthe..not even close. As far as mega backing...you need to read some historical data regarding the wind testing with the Coupe..it was a shot in the dark and Brock was genius. Take a look at the new Superformance coupe and the new GR-1 and lets draw comparisons and modern analysis. I have to vehemently disagree with your short and seemingly incomplete statements...best to consult the record books first. The 289 was great in the corners but the lift was terrible, hence the lowered nose of the 427....yet it was too late and thus the Coupes. Chaparalll was the impetus for the Gt40 or Mark I/II etc with first the 289 ( yet again with lift problems on the mulsanne straight) and then with a revised body and 427....total domination Lets respect the past and give it's due. all the best , half drunk wahoo :guiness: :z:
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Yep, that ol fart still makes sense. No way will the Shelby GT500 stand up to the '06 Z. As there is no Z28 any more. thats the market, and will for sure do well.
As a Corvette fan would I buy one, hell yes, as the real Shelby neat ride, (lets forget about the Shelby 4 cyl stuff). Of which mercifully have found their way to the crusher.
One think missing from this is $, just a guess 40ish, well see.
Still wan't a CSX4000 series Cobra, but still the 2006 Z06 is the ace high royal flush of all the stuff out there for the $.
And yep I'm all in for the Z. And sure look forward to getting a '06 GT500 in my sights on the 91 fwy for another, unfortunatly no way to say it politicaly correct.
And our wonderful Pacific Coast Hwy where the Ferrai is a major player, oh yea, life is good.
wahoo said:
Dear Tonto.....don't forget that shelby approache gm FIRST. Now, back to historical data....no duh that GM black flagged Zora's abomination...the backing by Ford was too stout and if you look at your historical data the Cobra Coupe/ 289 was beating the Z06's ass back in Nassau. Now, where were we?? How about LeMans? Try the run that Shelby had with Ford vs. GM and the vette at le Sarthe..not even close. As far as mega backing...you need to read some historical data regarding the wind testing with the Coupe..it was a shot in the dark and Brock was genius. Take a look at the new Superformance coupe and the new GR-1 and lets draw comparisons and modern analysis. I have to vehemently disagree with your short and seemingly incomplete statements...best to consult the record books first. The 289 was great in the corners but the lift was terrible, hence the lowered nose of the 427....yet it was too late and thus the Coupes. Chaparalll was the impetus for the Gt40 or Mark I/II etc with first the 289 ( yet again with lift problems on the mulsanne straight) and then with a revised body and 427....total domination Lets respect the past and give it's Udue. all the best , half drunk wahoo :guiness: :z:
You seem to left out the part about how neat handling the 427 Cobra (7litre) was that a damn good driver called Ken Miles was killed in it while testing a prototype. And the record stands as it is Cobra won Manufactures Championship A prodution 5 litre in 1965 ONLY.
gtx76 said:
The GT500 is a good looking car, but I think it's competion is more in the line of the new Charger SRT8. I know it will be faster than the Charger, but they are both in the same price price range. Does anyone know how mod friendly the 6.1 Hemi is? Just wondering how hard it would be to get it over the stock 425hp? A supercharger would make that car unreal since it is starting with 425 N/A.
I think you are correct and comparisions will be made between the two. Though, IMHO, that Charger is butt ugly.
As in the Corvette biz, Carroll Shelby's stuff is still cool, and welcome his new neat car. So lighten up, after you win Le Manns in a open car, and kick Ferrari's butt with a antique car made by AC and a hmm heart transplant called 289. Carroll is a neat American legend. Sure hope most will respect the great effort Shelby American is about.
Chevy vs. Ford

IT L GO said:
The C6 Z06 is in a Class of it's own. The only possible Competitor is the Wiper. :rofl:

.
I've been into street drag racing all my life here on Long Island, N.Y. 1/4 runs at N.Y. National Speedway, and Hampton Raceway. Chevy, Pontiac,etc. always beat the Fords in the 1/4 mile. When I was racing there myself and friends never worried about the Fords it was those Hemi Cuda's and Roadrunners that gave us a run for our money! Steve
To answer your question directly, yes the new Z06 will be worth $25K to $30K more than the Mustang to me.
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