For $20K - $24K...what would you go with a 2001 Z06 or a 2006/2007 350Z? Why?

I thought my car searching ended when I started looking at 2006/2007 350Z's but just did some reading about the 2001 Z06 and I'm blown away by the performance for the money. If anyone has driven an 01' Z06 please let me know what you thought about the overall driving experience of the car. From a pure fun to drive factor what car would you rather drive...?

 

07, HR nuff said.

 

^ agree with him 07 HR Z

Spending 20 G's for a 9 year old car makes no sense to me

 

Definitely a Corvette because I also want to be blown away for the money.

 

Thanks for the comments so far. Anyone familiar with reliability/maintenance issues for an 01 Z06?

 

yes

 

Have you seen the interior of the C5 Z06 Corvettes??? It's very cheap and looks very dated. Not too mention you're getting the wrong year. The 2001 C5 Z06s had 385bhp, but Chevy bumped it up to 405bhp for the 2002 year models and beyond. So if you want the Z06, at least find an 02+ year model. The Z06 will grossly outperform the Z, HR or no HR. So it really comes down to which would you rather have. A much faster, but much older car now, or a much slower but much newer car now. It just comes down to which do you prefer.

Think of it like this though. For the amount of money you'd have to spend to go F/I in your Z, you could easily spend that on making the interior of a C5 Z06 much nicer. My vote goes towards the Z06. Get that and then save up for a while and eventually make the interior nice.

 

yes you're familiar? Please share if so

 

I have never seen the interior in person...I am not so much concerned with the car's interior my primary concern is how much fun it is to drive. That's why right now I'm leaning towards the Z06 but I change my mind every 2 seconds

 

I've never seen the interior in person, only via photo. Minues the dash and the seats, the interior looks identical to my 1999 Chevy Blazer. So if it doesn't bother you having a really cheap looking interior as long as the car is quick, then go for the Z06. It'll also probably be much easier to get power out of a Chevy V8 than a Nissan V6. In all honestly though OP, you need to get out there and test drive both vehicles. Buying a car is a very personalized thing and the only way you'll know which one is the best fit for you is by driving them both. Talking to people on an internet forum isn't going to be of much help.

 

are you paying this cash or financing it. Thee Z06 is a great car. The engine is great, and +1 on 2002 and up. Big difference. Your interior will rattle and sound like change clinging around in your dash. But then again my Z has wierd noises all the time. I would say the Z interior is any nice than the vette. The only thing you "should" have to fix down the road is more cosmetic becasue of the use of cheap plastics IMO.

 

Oh ya I completely understand and agree with what you're saying. I have already driven an 06Z and absolutely loved it. I have never driven in any Vette (Sad to say.)...I was asking more if you're familiar with the reliability/maintenance issues with an 01/02 Z06.

 

Are mileage similiar?

 

Financing

 

def get the z then... The z06 is pretty old already. But it is ultimatley your choice.

 

I actually say that the 350Z interior is much nicer than the interior of the C5 Corvettes. Both cars use pretty cheap plastic material thoughout the cabin, but the Z's interior is original and fun whereas the C5 Vette's interior just looks like garbage.

 

my friends has had a 03 z06 for about a year, i've raced it before (auto X) and ridin in it many of times. the car is simply a beast. stupid fast\ great handling stock. i like the Z community MUCH more than the corvette community but the z06 is simply a better sports car. make sure you get a 405hp one though i think they are 03-05. with exhaust, intake and a tune you'll be at around 400-420rwhp hope this helps.

 

Hmmm, if you're gonna finance then you should probably take the safe route and get a car that isn't a year or two shy of being a decade old. The last thing you want is to have to drop loads of money for maintenance and repairs on a car that you're still making monthly payments on. The Z06 could wind up being a total money pit.

 

since when is the LS series engine unreliable? i wouldn't expect more maintenance than any other car...

 

if the bank even lets you finance for the same term. Im sure a bank wouldnt even finance the vette for more than 2-3 years. Maybe 5 for the Z. Either way if you can afford it, I guess it doesnt matter.