Well I'm not sure why I ever bought this 04 WRX but it's not working for me, nice car but it's not sporty enough for me, need rear wheel drive and MORE power.....

So today I set out to look at a few different cars, RX8 was Ok, excellent quality interior for the price but was just not talking to me, slow and I just view those rear seats as extra weight.

Next up was a 350Z Silverstone Track 6spd. I really really loved this car, liked the shifting, pedal placement perfect for heal/toe downshifting (makes it enjoyable) really tight handling and has that Japanese racer feel to it, power was not a problem but not a highlight either. Brembo's were superb and even though the interior has some cheapness to it, it's still sporty and generaly very comfortable. I can see myself becoming very comfortable with driving fast in this car at the track and Greddy TT can help in the power dept.

Finally I took ut a Z06, which my local dealer still has some new 03's in stock for $65k (Canadian) I think MSRP was $78 or so, with 04's in stock already and the new C6 around the corner these cars are going cheap! So I sit in this thing and it difinitely feels more lower/sporty, interior would be Ok if the material quality was like 1000 times better, pretty plasticy and cheap, plus a truck shifter. Well I had the best sales guy ever, tells me to start it up and let er rip! Any problems with the interior are immediately dispelled once you stomp on that throttle!!!!! I've driven a C5 previously when I was trading in my old NSX and was very unimpressed, but this Z06 is night and day difference, I couldn't believe it. Sure can believe Chevy's claim of 3.9 0-60 times.... The car just spins those rears sooo easily in the first three gears but not uncontrollably as it still accelerates like it's shot out of a cannon. If you have never driven this car do yourself a favor and do so, you should have seen the saleman, he was laughing soo hard and every light was screaming to do it again, do it again. Cars might be too fast for the street but I for one love it, had the biggest grin ever on my face.

When all is said and done I still have the Z on my mind, it's 20 k cheaper, newer and will have a lot of potential but I guess to make it as fast as a Z06 that will eat up most of the 20 k savings.

Anyone here have extensive experience in owning both cars, if so let me know what your thoughts are. Primarily I'm track oriented so it's the cars dynamics that interest me the most and the ability to get around it as fast as possible. Unfortunately the test drive had nothing but traffic light to traffic light stop and go's.... come to think about it that was not such a bad experience.
Any input would be appreciated....

 

Sorry for the off-topic but what was wrong with your NSX that you didn't like.

 

Nothing really..... I still think that there is no other car out there that is a better "drivers" car than a NSX (maybe the Elise might be?). It was modified with a good combination of parts that made it much better than stock and to this day it's the best car I've owned (had a lot). Being an auto enthusiast I just like to change up often and the NSX was becomming dated, plus I wanted something new, traded it in for a X5 4.6is beamer. When the new one comes out I'll be first in line though....

 

How about waiting for C6? I read it on Road & Track saying that the Z51 package will have really close performance with the C5 Z06.

Between Z06 and Track Z, if you have the cash lying around, go for the Z06!!!That car flies! Otherwise, just get the Z. I can't really afford the Z06(full time student here still), so I bought the Z, and I'm loving it sooooo much!

 

Buy the Z unless you think you cannot live without the Z06 performance. You might end up spending 10K or more trying to upgrade your Z motor to match the Z06 and if that happens, you have not saved much money.

 

The Z06 is not only much more powerful than the Z, but it handles better as well. As far as on-track performance goes, I've never driven the Z06, but a friend of mine just got one, and on his first day AutoXing it (with street tires) he beat my time (and my Z had race tires). He does have much more experience than I do, but still, it was his first time really pushing the vette. As far as big tracks go, the Z06 is a clear winner in terms of overall performance. The only drawback to the C5 is the feel of the interior, but once you get moving you probably won't notice it too much.

However, if you plan on changing cars again soon, it might make more sense to go for the Z now, keep it close to stock, and then get a C6 Z06 or new NSX in 3-5 years (not sure if the NSX will be available then, but the C6 Z06 should be out). That 20K saved should make it easier to get the next car in a few years. If money isn't huge issue, then get the C5 Z06 now, and then check out the C6 VS NSX when the new NSX does finally appear.

-D'oh!

 

Z06 hands-down!

 

We have a 99 C5 with a few minor mods as well as the Z... IMO go with the Z06 if you can afford it. The Z is fun to drive... but the vette is like viagra on wheels!!!

 

I like this particular analogy.... well thanks for the input guys, I have some thinking to do with the new Z06 coming. GM has said the new Z06 will be a much bigger difference in appearance and performance than the current C5's. If that is the case it should be a killer..... Also I'm told the base C6 will be 98k in Canada!!!! Wow that's 30k more than the current Z06 I can get, don't know if that is MSRP but the dealer insist they will not sell it for less, so the new Z06 would be even more. Ouch 98k base!

Think if I get the Z06 now with the C6 being so much more the depreciation shouldn't be too bad, especially considering I'm getting 12k off MSRP, seen used C5 going for the same price. But then again having a Z for a few years and then a C6 would be cool to, that way I get to experience both cars....have my cake and eat it too, think that is what I might do, Nissan dealer has a slightly used Track for 8k off of list (40k). Dam wish I lived in the states, you guys got it lucky, cars are so much cheaper, I know there is an exchange difference but dollar for dollar wages are the same and you get taxed less.....land of "automotive" opportunity.

 

you felt and noted it. the Z06 is the faster car, anyone that disagrees is delusional.

the question is, which is faster for the money... the answer may still be the Z06. I did not even bother to test drive it, as it was clearly far far out of my price range, without getting into haggling it was 20k more. I think I could make the Z much faster for 20k, but reliability would be a potential problem.

anyway, the question you have to ask yourself, how much can you spend, how much do you want to put into it for mods(if any). then weigh the price of each.

 

For $65k, why not get a Porsche Carrera?

 

I guess I`m in the minority here when I prefer the Z over the Z06.
I`ve never been a big fan of any American made cars. Vette, Viper, whatever.

Sure they`re faster, but to me, that`s not what its all about.
If you just want to go fast, you could buy a mid 80`s five litre Mustang, and put a modest amount of money into it. I`ve seen them at the street legal drags here doing 9 second quarters and less.
The Z represents the best bang for the buck out there.
There are Corvettes all over the place were I live. I think I`ve seen one Z in the last month.
Hope this does`nt start some kind of flame war :-)

R.J.

 

$65k canadian

 

I'd go with the Z and put a Greddy TT or Vortech Supercharger on it. You'll be hittin 12's with 10k left in your pocket.

 

i have read that the z06 is the best bang for the buck over the Z and porsche, but whatever you want to do. for the price imho the Z is a steal, but per dollar, the z06 is suppose to better in all sports aspects (speed, handling)

 

Which is why mostly 55 year old balding men drive them


someone buy this man a beer

 

I knew there was a comparison between the Z06, M3, and 350Z, from Car and Driver, but they dont seem to have it online. But i did manage to find this. I didnt get a chance to read it but it seems pretty thorough. Check it out.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=7638

 

Why not buy a used Viper? It wll beat both the 350Z, the ZO6 and that WIMPY NSX you had.

 

Wierd how most people say to go with the Vette, even though we are mostly Z owners.

I agree about the American car thing, kind of crappy. But it is a Vette and most of us want one.

Since it doesn't sound like money is a critical factor, it's the Z06 hands down. Especially since a lot of the initial depreciation has already been taken out by the dealer.

Then when the C6 comes out you can trade the Z06 in on one. That's what I'd do....first thing tomorrow.

Either way, let us know.

 

dissolved... thanks for the smart a$$ comment.. they guy asked and since i am fortunate to own both cars he asked about, that is how i feel. I have owned a few nice cars and IMO (which is what he asked) the vette is a total trip to drive.. the kind of car that when you get out of it you just say WOW. I said the Z is a fun car too.. but it is a 30,000 car.. not really in the class of a vette. Like the guy asked, that is my opinion and I own both. I'm still trying to figur out what help you can give in reference to his original question.