Thanks for everyone's thoughts - not what I expected, so I'm glad I asked! Hey Z, thanks for the pictures. It was a serious question I asked - I've always loved the 350. I'm not trying to portary myself as some arrogant *** with nothing more to worry about in life than if I should trade a Vette for a Z. Trust me, it took me a LONG time, and a lot of clunker POSs to even be able to buy a used Z or Vette. Everyone's opinion is appreciated.

 

I love my Z more than any car I've ever owned. I drive it like I stole it every time I get behind the wheel. BUT it's no vette by any means! Keep the vette or you'll regret it.

 

You're welcome. I feel very fortunate to have owned two of the hottest and most fun cars of all of my past cars. I'm not sure what you're saying though? I think your asking a legitimate question about 350Z's. I loved my 350Z, even comparing it to the '07's and on. And if you'd rather have it instead of your vette . . . I'm happy for you. Again, since they've just come out with the 370, maybe wait a little and see what you think of that one too.

 

I wish I had a C5.

 

I think it could be Z51 badges, but if they are Z06's badges he'll get the instant douchebag status real quick.....

 

If it's in your budget, I'd hold out for a 370Z. If not, a dealership desperate to clear out their 08s should be able to give you a sweet deal on the 350Z. I've ridden in a C5 Z06, that thing pulls harder at 2k rpm than the 350Z does at 4k!

I've had my 08 for 8 months and 10,500 miles.

What I like:
- Engine response
- The steering feel. It makes me feel like a Mongolian riding a gorilla over the steppes while waving a broadsword over my head even though I'm actually making a left turn through an intersection.
- Long cruising range, courtesy of a large gas tank.
- Relatively fuel efficient in the city, given the way I drive it (~17mpg)
- No nonsense, but solid interior
- No timing belt; low maintenance
- Extensive aftermarket

What don't I like:
- Truncated hatch space and little interior space [fixed in the 370Z to a great extent]
- Crappy stereo (lacks an aux-in, mp3 capability, sounds muddy, etc) [fixed in the 370Z]
- Road noise on stock tires
- Bad freeway mileage ~23 mpg freeway (Can be bumped up a few mpg with ECU reflash;I hear the 'vette gets 27 in 6th)
- Extensive aftermarket (It gets expensive)

 

I love the looks of the vettes but I don't know if I would like driving a bigger heavier car. It is just whatever you want. I love my drop top coming from the S2000. I had to get a Z roadster. I never regretted it. I just wonder how a convertible vette would be. Just test drive the 370 and see what you think. Good luck with your choice.

 

You've got a lot of good opinions in here so it seems redundant to add mine but I will

I currently own a 2006 350Z Touring Roadster with a manual tranny and I love it, I feel that the car is very well put together and I like that I can reach all the gauges. This is sometimes hard for me in vehicles because I am short. I like my navigation, I like how easy it is to put the top down and how it looks with the top down us just yummy. I like the leather seats and the extra goodies. I think that it has enough power to make it get up and get going but it is nothing like a vette. I do not like that I do not feel comfortable working on the vehicle. I think that the vehicle is suited well for daily driving except in heavy snow conditions, the traction control is very helpful. I think that the vehicle is hard to do burnouts in and behave inappropriately when you want it to I think that the clutch action is wierd to get used to. It seems to either be off or on and no easing into it? Heated seats are great. I don't really want to modify the vehicle, except to fix the offset on the rims.

Now onto the Vette, we owned a modified 2001 Z06. It was a monster, it was so much fun to drive, it handled so well and it was so easy to kick the *** out around the corners. Easy to work on, I felt like I knew what I was looking at when looking at the engine, I loved the style of the mod red interior. I do think that the interior gauges and ***** felt cheaper compared to the 350Z but that the exterior styling was well done. I like the raw feel that the Z06 had. It did have much more usable space than my 350Z. I loved the old school flip up headlights. My vette was not a vette to drive daily, the aftermarket spec clutch was too stiff but I think that a stock Z06 could be driven almost daily without a problem, they are squirrely in the rain and I would not get near snow however. 28 MPG on the highway, no kidding!

In conclusion I feel that my Z is more of a luxury sports car whereas the vette was a muscle car.

Here is a photo of me in the vette autocrossing, I competed in the Street Modified 2 Ladies class. We sold the car before I could get real stick um numbers even though I did buy a 2nd set of wheels and tires for autocrossing(priorities I guess!)

This is just my opinion with my two particular vehicles, I am sure that with equipping the 350Z differently etc. etc. you could make much different comparisions.

PS. it was super fun to smoke the guys at the lights, I don't get that kind of action in the 350Z, seems only the ricers try to start stuff blah

 

Umm, the vette is smaller and lighter than the 350Z.

 

DO IT RSX TYPE S vtak go mmmmmmmmmBAAAAAAAH

C5 is nice, but i like the 350z styling more, i was looking at a C5 before i settled on buying 2 350Z haha. C6 FTW though. but yeah the 350 is a great car, the 2003, even with its problems, 3rd gear, tire feathering, etc, are awesome cars, and im sure the newer ones like 06+ are spectacular with the newer interiors and better performing motor. Dont worry, most issues the Z had the first few years have been completely resolved, minus the 06s that had a new problem the oil consumption, which was resolved quickly. and its not a big deal, just change your oil every 3k miles
I think you'll like the newer Zs vs. your C5. they wont be as fast but its a different car so it has its positives and negatives against the C5. id definitely look into a 370Z before you make your decision, at least drive both

 

uugg would never trade my 350 for that. the stock 370z looks pretty good in person better than i thought they would look.

 

Again, thanks to all. I should list my likes and dislikes of my Vette (if I could figure out how to load a picture of it, I would).
Likes:
- incredible launch from low mph
- with an after-market exhaust (MAM) it just roars on acceleration
- great handling
- most parts are cheap; easy to work on (good point H82WRK)
- comforatble; doesn't beat the s_it out you
- high twenties mpg on highway is true!
- tons of aftermarket stuff - you name it, they make and sell it
- smoking the Mustangs!! (only ones that seem to mess with me)
Dislikes:
- cheap, plastic interior - looks like Camaro interior, bland
- expensive tires (if you keep runflats), can't rotate
- expensive to insure
- some maintenance can be expensive
- fit and finish
What I would expect from a 350:
- good quality (I own a Murano, which has been a great vehicle)
- reliability
- better fit and finish
- nicer interior
- good handling
- more of an everyday driver than the Vette
- faith in VQ engine (durability/long-life)

 

Trading a Vette for a Z. try to drive one for a bit, find a dealer or a friend that'll lat you spend a bit of time with the car. A drive around the block is not a good decision maker. I just added a 350 touring as a daily driver. i have a C4 383 car that I have built from a very nice 84 into a car that is all me. it is not as refined as the z and more raw. it is faster, handles better and is lighter. But that doesn't take away my enjoyment of the z. i've had extensive time in C5and 6 Vettes as i am a member of a club here in the houston area that is very much into driving and running our cars. i even drove mine to Richmond to race in the Corvette Nats in 07, made a magazine and the semis! that said, i find the z to be an absolute blast. Though I had read about the probs w/the 03's mine seem sorted and as a dd i couldn't ask for better.

 

Having owned both (previous 350Z and current C5Z); here's my thoughts...

Vette:

Pros:
Insane power on demand
Good mileage (22-24mpg overall)
Comfortable seats (good for long road trips)
Great handling
Great looks
Alot of trunk space
Insurance savings vs my 350Z

Cons:
Car sits low (have to be real careful where driving)
Sh*ttiest cupholder in the world
"Corvette Tax" on aftermarket parts
Seats lateral support lacks compared to the ones in the 350Z
See em everywhere

350Z:

Pros:
Good handling
Good power
Decent mileage (a little lower than what I get in my Vette)
Great looks
Good passenger compartment storage space
Seats that grab

Cons:
2nd sh*ttiest cupholder in the world
Sparce trunk space
See em everywhere
Seats not as comfortable on long road trips

 

nice observations, imo the newer vettes are sadly lacking in the seats, the older sport seats were much bette:

 

Of course I love corvettes. And you'll probably regret selling that thing years down the line. But my ex who I was with for 3 years had 8 corvettes. His main driving one was a C5 (1997). I did drive it a lot because it looked cool (and quite frankly the main reason I dated him for so long), and it of course hauled some ***. But I wouldn't ever trade his car for mine. I think the Z handles so much better and is considerably more "nimble." I believe the Z is a better all around everyday driving car. But the 'vette is of course a classic car that people will never lose interest in. As far as its reliability, probably not much better than a nissan. It is a GM, afterall. He had a lot of maintenance problems with his, but like another post said, it's all in how you drive the thing. So all in all, I would keep the 'vette. Then someday store it in a garage somewhere safe when you can have it AND another fun car.

 

Exactly! I kept my Vette, added the Z. Love 'em both for different reasons.

 

I kept my Z, added a Vette.

LS3 Pros:
Power
Respectability
Muscle
Push button start
Gas Mileage
Sports roof

LS3 Cons:
Small gas tank
Hard to get into
Not an everyday car
Too much power for relax driving
Interior
Rattling (fixed)


The Z is a better, every day car and its just perfect size. I love it that you don't have to drive fast, but if you do, you can punch and hear it. I might be the only one, but I like the Z more refined sound than the muscle sound of V8. In the end, if you haven't driven a Vette, you haven't driven a true sports car. Still the my '05 Z still would be my first choice.

 

Nice pic! It's cool to have such choices and debates . it'd be really boring if everyone liked the same car.

 

Here is the Vette in question.* If I didn't live in Ohio where I needed a winter vehicle, you bet, I'd have both in my garage!* Wish I could.* For those with convertible Zs, do you like them? Any complaints?* Is the trunk big enough for a set of golf clubs, for example.* Also, what is the oil issue with the '06 Z exactly, and should that stop me from buying that year?* Thanks.