I have to completely a totally disagree with these statements.

One: Name a year, any year, that the Z was a better performing car than the Corvette. There aren't any. Except maybe 1983 for reasons I'm sure you don't know.

Two: Why must we constantly rehash this tried and true import mentality of inferior technology? It seems the only thing I ever hear on import forums are technology accolades and hp/L arguements. It's pathetic. To believe that the pushrod engine is somehow "inferior" is absurd. It provides a low weight, compact, fuel efficient, high-powered powerplant. My C5 made 350 HP and gets over 30 MPG. Mine took 5.7l to do it. Yours takes 3.5L, two cams, four valves, variable valve timing, and is still down 30% on power AND can't match the fuel efficiency. You can't argue with the results.

Three: You compare a stock C6 to a "modified" z32TT and claim to make a point? OF COURSE you can take an older, cheaper car and make it faster. It's not frickin' rocket science.

Four: The Skyline. Yawn. Sure, it's a fast, AWD car. But it's certainly not the holy grail that you guys dream it is. And let's not forget one little detail- it's not available!

Five: The 350Z might be molesting several "high end" cars on the racetrack, but I promise those racetracks were not populated by well-driven C5's. A C5 will completely and utterly humilate a Z in every performance aspect you care to measure- including a racetrack. It's not hateing- it's the truth.

I like the 350Z. My brother has one and it's a great car. But don't confuse yourself about the performance difference between these two cars. They are not in the same league.

This reply was not intended to start a flame war, just to clarify some obvious errors with respect to the performance of the C5 and C6.

 

doh! Its an automatic!

 

[How about the early 80s vettes vs early 80s Zs? The 81' 280zt was running low 15s (some high 14s. Rare but happend a few times) stock on a 2.8l . 1981, 1982 are good examples Might not have been THAT Much faster than the vette that year, but it WAS faster.

Enter 1990. The Z32 emerged in the US and it OUTHANDLED and out accelerated the L98 of '90 and '91.
Hmm, does it sound like I used to own an L98 powered one? Maybe because I did. If you think the L98 was a match for the VG30DETT you are insane. That has to be one of the worst flowing 5.7liters ever. Yet the Z had no problem getting to 60 in 5 seconds flat in 1991. Hmmm, what was the vette doing?


Then why do you go on "import" forums?

AND LIKE I SAID PREVIOUSLY:
The 350z was never meant to compete with the C5. Why are you comparing? My post wasnt about 350z vs C5 in performance. Do I need to write that in crayon? What did the ZR1 use as a powerplant? Yes, a Lotus designed 32valve motor with incredible top end. It's ashame Chevrolet couldnt figure out how to do it on their own back then. Guess getting a GED wasnt good enough for their designers :-D


Since you made this comment, I guess it's time for me to mention Nissan was running 12.70s back in 1989 STOCK. If you really want to see a difference, compare the 1989 R32 to the '89 vette. The 89 R32 was running 12.70s back in '89! Coil per cylinder ignition.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Umrswimr
[B]
Three: You compare a stock C6 to a "modified" z32TT and claim to make a point? OF COURSE you can take an older, cheaper car and make it faster. It's not frickin' rocket science.

Yea, but this "older, cheaper car (which was $45k+ new back in the early 90s btw) can outperform a C6 with only minor mods. And you wont even be able to tell when it's not stock....until you see tail lights. I cannot explain it to anyone until they have done it. Being in a 14 year old car that looks stock. Next to a C5 at a light . The look on their face is priceless.

Umm..it's coming in 2007 to the US . Already been OFFICIALLY confirmed. You troll import forums, I thought you would of known that. Furthermore, R32s, R33s and R34s are available through motorex. Have been for a while. Holy grail? I'll disagree with that. It is the holy grail. Name any other car in the world that can run 12.70s on 2.8 liters (and this isnt even the AWD model)? There are probably only a handful if any at all. Furthermore, that motor can take almost 1000hp on stock internals! Been in the skyline since the late 80s. How many motors has chevy gone through?
Now you are making me laugh. So you are telling me all of the races the 350z has been winning (against 911s, M3s, C5s, MKIVs) is all because the other drivers (in your case C5 drivers) cannot drive???? Wow, that's an intelligent argument there. I'm going to start using that when the 350z starts losing these races.

Thanks for the laughs. I'll look for you on the street or strip (not in the 350z either, in something with less ci ). Make sure you point yourself out though. It will be hard to tell which one you are, so many vettes

 

Now with all that said, where are the pics?

 

You right these are the years the 280ZT was a bit better than the Vette and 90/91 ish very close to 300TT.

 

So...MC350Z...

which has the better interior?

I'm referring to the quality of the materials - not the toys. I totally dig the Z interior (esp the 04+) use of a more rubbery material. I've always like the stuff they used on the door sides.

 

Originally posted by Umrswimr: "Why must we constantly rehash this tried and true import mentality of inferior technology? It seems the only thing I ever hear on import forums are technology accolades and hp/L arguements.

The Skyline. Yawn. Sure, it's a fast, AWD car. But it's certainly not the holy grail that you guys dream it is. And let's not forget one little detail- it's not available!"

Okey, dokey. Here's another reason American technology is generally inferior: RELIABILITY, or the lack thereof. I'm surprised it hasn't been discussed in this thread, but every 'vette in history, solid-black-dot Consumer Reports reliability; Most if not all Zs have been above average, as have most Japanese sports cars. Even modded, I'll make no claim to outrun even a C5, but anyone who chose a 'vette for a daily driver to drive 25 to 40k mi/yr. would need to be committed. Granted, the 'vette, esp. the C6 from the reviews, is a great pure sports car but is just isn't reliable enough to be a daily driver for those of us who put a lot of miles on their cars. When I can afford a weekend toy, the 'vette is at the top of my list for "bang for the buck."

As for the Skyline, how can you be sure it won't be "the holy grail"? If they build it, I will buy it. My wife knew I was planning to do it when I bought the Z, b/c it will be a 'vette-like car I can hopefully get over 100k reliable miles on w/o any service except oil changes.

 

sweet man, enjoy the vette

 

The most I've heard is 450HP for the GT-R, and I'll bet it weighs at least 3300 LBS......no comp for the next Z06. Hell, the stock Vette (w/Z51) already does 4.2 0-60. The Z06 will be under 4.0. That's Ferrari and Porsche TT territory, and for a lot less money than those cars or what the GT-R will be.

To bad I'll only have 400HP in my 2900 lb. AM Vantage V8.....life's a *****.

 

Good point, forgot to address that

You're forgetting that the GTR may be TT. Which adds a whole 'nother variable into the picture

Nissan was running 12s with a tt 2.6l in the 1980s. Let's see what they can do now with a 3.5tt (assuming they use the vq 3.5)

Also, I dont recall Nissan ever advertising REAL hp figures for any of their GTRs in the past

 

That's because they were sold in Japan only.....something about a 280HP limit. When they sell the car here, I'm sure the HP nuimber will be accurate......and 450Hp is all Nissan has ever said.

Besides, I'll take 500 NA HP in a rock solid V8 over a smaller TT any day of the week.....can you say torque??? Stock for stock, the Vette is the killer. A modded Z06 vs. the Nissan.......fuggettaboutit. NIssan ain't got a chance.

Regardless of all this, I think it's great that we have so many amazing cars to chose from right now and in the near future. This is truly a golden age for performance cars.

 

stock vs stock yes the c5/c6 is quicker than the 350z.

Are you sure about? twinturbo.net may have something to say about that (i've seen the videos)

 

I'm not talking about the 350Z. I'm talking about the upcoming $70,000 GT-R, and the upcoming 500+ HP NA 2006 Z06. Nissan will never touch it, stock or modded. Period.

What's even funnier, is that the $83000 Viper only has 500HP. What will Chrysler do when the superior Z06 emerges at less than $60000?

 

2900 lb AMV8???

keep dreamin man.

I'm holding out for the AM also, but i find it hard to imagine that AM can deliver the V8 at a lower weight than porsche's new 911.
Especially when you consider that the DB9 which the V8 will supposedly share many chassis bits from tips the scales at 3900lb!

AM has said that their target weight is 3000lb. The 997 achieves its 4.5sec 0-60 with 355HP and 3100lb.

If the Vantage arrives with 50Hp more and weighs 200 lbs...then hey, sign me up (ooops, I already am).

MC350Z, thanks for your replies.
re: that steering wheel on the C6....what were they thinking? That'll be the 1st thing to go if i got one....but I'm not.

Thanks

 

I ain't dreamin'. The dealer here in Las Vegas showed me preliminary specs direct from AM. Projected weight was 2920......that's close enough to 2900 for me. Throw on a lighter set of forged wheels and you're there.

I know early figures are always optimistic, but hey, WTF.

 

I did it.....I drove my Z over to the Chevy store and took a test drive in a new Corvette. I had to convince them I was really interested before they handed over the keys. They looked so sad when I left.......no sale today.

Unfortunately, the car was an auto, but it did have the magnetic shock option.....very cool. My '93 Vette had a similar option and you couldn't even feel the change in damping. As far as I was conerned, it was an $1800 button. Not on the new one.....you can really feel the changes, and in the softest mode, the ride was very good......probably the best riding Corvette I've ever experienced. The car seemed rock solid, no rattles or squeaks. But so did my 2002....for a few months, anyway.

Great acceleration, excellent handling (from what I could tell on the brief drive), and a decent interior. I'm 6'3", 205 lbs, and I had plenty of room. All in all, a step up in quality from my 2002 Z06, but nothing earth-shaking.

What really turned me off was the styling. The rear looked like it was backed into a brick wall at 100 MPH. It seemed flat....chopped off and too short. The rear 3/4 view was very awkward....too many non-cohesive angles and curves. The car was designed by the guy who did the Aztek, and although there is certainly no comparison, there is definitely lack of a solid, aggressive base. The shape seems ungainly, as if it's several parts of different cars. The greenhouse seems too tall (due to the low beltline) and the front looks like a Viper (not necessarily a bad thing, but hardly a fresh design). Overall, I think the C5 was much better looking, although the dimensions were bigger.

These are only my opinions, and I'm not trying to flame anyone. I love Corvettes (hell, I've owned seven), and I'm sure this latest version is the best one yet. However, if I was not moving up to the AM Vantage V8, I think I would have the APS TT system installed in my Z rather than go for the new Vette. I find the Z's styling and feel much more appealing, and I've finally got the suspension, sound system, and wheels/tires dialed in where I want them. The only thing the Corvette has over the Z (again, just my opinion) is power.....and that could be remedied for much less than selling the Z and buying the Vette.

The 7.0 liter, 500 HP 2006 Z06 will be a true supercar, but unless the styling changes are dramatic, I would probably pass on it. There's no question, though, that the Vette is probably the best "bang for the buck" out there.

 

Amen! I was just reading a couple of year old car magaznine and they happen to drive a 1960's Cobra (real cobra, not mustang) with stock 289 CI motor. Bottom line, the 350Z is quicker (0-60 for Z high to mid 5's, cobra low 6's) and quater mile same. this is the golden age of high performance cars, maybe more expensive to mod but besides that, better performance, handling, braking, quality of product, mpg, you name it.

Jeff

 

Dave Hill has already stated, "Your mother would be able to tell the new Z06 apart from the normal C6." Or something that that effect. Check the article on autoweek.com about the Jim Dunne C6 Z06 spyshot (which is heavily camo'd). And let's not forget the "Blue Devil" C6 if/when it comes out. It's supposed to bring to C6 what ZR-1 was to the 1990 L98. Something like 600 HP!

As much as I love my Z, I'm still convinced that America can build a better car (or anything else for that matter) than any other nation on this Earth. Of course, compromises have to be made. In the case of the Corvette, it's always been (up until now) the interior and reliability. The interior has been fixed in the C6; let's see if the 2005 has as many bugs as the first year 350Z.

And for all the GT-R fanboys out there ... I've never seen a Skyline in ALMS or Le Mans. They're always in JGTC. And yeah, say what you will about twin turbo this, boost that, for the same amount of money you'd spend on a 2007 GT-R, I'm sure you could have a F/I C6 that would suck the doors off anything this side of $100K!