C6 Corvette??

[cvstar9M3]

Not sure why but recently I have been wanting a corvette. I posted re C3 corvettes (late 60s to 70s) but a lot members felt they were not worth because of the old driving dynamics (http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...rvette)...Last couple weeks it has been the C6 vette (2005-13). I like them because of the headlights are not hidden and the back is still classic vet (unlike the new vettes)... Fast forward to today and I actually got to test drive one. It was a 2006 convertible base black vette with 6 speed (400HP - definitely plenty of power). This particular one is virtually new w only 15k miles, has a corsa exhaust and k&n intake. Now I absolutely loved driving it and can see myself owning one (as a second car of course). But it did not feel like a sports car; the stirring wheel felt a little loose and the car felt heavy too (definitely not slow though); cornering isn't its strength certainly; may be it needed tighter suspension. It felt muscular though and the exhaust note was just wow! I left thinking this is what American muscle feels like!

After driving it and I got back into in my e90M zcp and the M felt noticably tighter and nimbler... it feels more of a sports car than the vette even though the vette is 2-seater and M is sedan... The question is then is the quintessential American muscle car a sports car?

I am probably a couple years from actually buying one, but I think I'll test drive a coupe and a z06 as well, but ultimately the convertible seems more like a better fit... that top down feel and exhaust note is a lifestyle thing lol... I also think the 08+ models might be better since they got the newer LS3 motor that puts out 430 HP.

Last thoughts: I have only had my e90M since Dec 2016, but it's gonna be really hard to ever let go of this car. As a daily driver, I can't imagine any car providing all the perks it offers: performance, practicality, fun, versatility, and more. It's probably not the best car out there for any of these things, but it might just be the best car that does all these things.

Does anyone have any experience with the C6 vette care to comment?

[Oreo Cat]

Never driven one, hear lots of good things about the zo6 though. I can't imagine the full on convertible would handle as good as the standard removable hardtop ones. Maybe some coil-overs + stickier tires and possibly aftermarket sway bars would make up for the poor stock handling.
If it comes down to corvette or m3 I'd keep the m3.. Unless it's a ZR1

[cvstar9M3]

Originally Posted by Oreo Cat

Never driven one, hear lots of good things about the zo6 though. I can't imagine the full on convertible would handle as good as the standard removable hardtop ones. Maybe some coil-overs + stickier tires and possibly aftermarket sway bars would make up for the poor stock handling.
If it comes down to corvette or m3 I'd keep the m3.. Unless it's a ZR1

Thanks. I am definitely keeping the M. I have a 2 year old daughter.

[dparm]

Get a Z06. It's a totally different car than the base C6 (literally). If you can't swing the Z06, at least try for a Grand Sport which takes the best parts of the Z06 but pairs it with the more mild base engine.

I think you will find that it's a pretty crude car, and far lower quality than the M3, but that's the sacrifice you will make for the performance.

[cvstar9M3]

Originally Posted by dparm

Get a Z06. It's a totally different car than the base C6 (literally). If you can't swing the Z06, at least try for a Grand Sport which takes the best parts of the Z06 but pairs it with the more mild base engine.

I think you will find that it's a pretty crude car, and far lower quality than the M3, but that's the sacrifice you will make for the performance.

Thanks. Since it's gonna be a second car, I don't want to spend more than 20k and the z06 won't be in that range soon if ever lol. We'll c though. The wife would much prefer the convertible lol. We had an e46 m3 vert and boxster s before. She loves the convertibles lol. But I'll definitely test drive both. And yeah the GS would be a happy medium but again price point might be a little higher as I thinking these were in the 2012-13 models. Thanks again

[swanson]

Nothing wrong with the base vettes. You can slowly start to mod it however you'd like.

[Sephiroth]

I had a C6 GS. The engine is phenomenal! The rest of the car is meh. You already have a V8 and the better built all-purpose car already so why look at a vette?

You want something cheap, vert, fun, and a nice complement to your M3 and you are ok with 2 seats, get an s2000.

[pgviper]

When searching for C6 corvettes, you want 2008 and newer. 2005-2007 had the LS2 along with common complaints mirroring your original post. Starting 2008, there were changes that resolved many of those problems.

If you are looking for a C6 (not z06 or zr1) then I would recommend a grand sport or base with z51 but only on 2008 and above therefore you have the C6 updates along with the LS3.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I had a C6 GS. The engine is phenomenal! The rest of the car is meh. You already have a V8 and the better built all-purpose car already so why look at a vette?

You want something cheap, vert, fun, and a nice complement to your M3 and you are ok with 2 seats, get an s2000.

Yeah, I'm with you. An S2000, Miata, etc. would be far more engaging.

[macdude357]

Originally Posted by dparm

Yeah, I'm with you. An S2000, Miata, etc. would be far more engaging.

Don't forget second gen Boxsters. I'm seriously considering a 987 Boxster as a DD. You can get a 987.1 Boxster base for < $20k.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by macdude357

Don't forget second gen Boxsters. I'm seriously considering a 987 Boxster as a DD. You can get a 987.1 Boxster base for < $20k.

Maintenance is cumbersome and expensive. Miatas and S2000s are pretty simple and cheap to care for.

[macdude357]

Originally Posted by dparm

Maintenance is cumbersome and expensive. Miatas and S2000s are pretty simple and cheap to care for.

True, however, we don't drive M3's because they are cheap to maintain. We drive them because they stir our souls. I had a Miata prior to my M3. Did it stir my soul? No way. Could an S2000? Maybe. But a 6 cylinder , mid-engine Boxster definitely could.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by macdude357

True, however, we don't drive M3's because they are cheap to maintain. We drive them because they stir our souls. I had a Miata prior to my M3. Did it stir my soul? No way. Could an S2000? Maybe. But a 6 cylinder , mid-engine Boxster definitely could.

I had an '02 stock S2000 for 3.5 years and my mom has had a base 987.1 Cayman manual since 2011. Cayman may be a slightly better/nicer car overall, but which is more fun is hard to say and to me, it never seemed worth about twice the purchase price (at least at the time) and 3-4x the maintenance cost. S2k is simple, dead nuts reliable, fun, basically track ready out of the box, challenging, and appreciating. Hard to go wrong.

[BOOF-M3]

Hey OP, I can only speak of the 2006 model. Having read comments from other forum members it appears that like any other vehicle over time the C6 was tweaked and later years may be a better vehicle than the 2006 model. Having owned a 2006 C6 new from the dealer and now owning a 2011 E93 and 2011 E92 M3 I can tell you that the two vehicles are equally fun. They have near identical 1/4 mile and 0 to 60 times. As far as handling the C6 corvette can do anything the E92 can do. Before I decided on the M series I was actually looking to get into a C6 again but having a 10 year old it just made more sense to get a four seater. And what a world I have walked in to. I didn't think the E92/E93 would/could give me the same feeling I had with the C6 but how wrong I was. There's no question the dashboard of the M cars is more enticing to look at than the C6. The passenger area of the C6 dashboard is just a large piece of non stylistic sea of leather. But overall the C6 cockpit is pretty cool. But again my particular C6 was made in 2006 and I understand that some changes were made and later years are probably more appealing. The 2006 C6 power and handling capabilities are similar to a 2011 M3. I think it's possible that the car you drove may have had some mechanical issues as it is an 11 year old vehicle. It is not uncommon for mechanical "stirring" parts to loosen and rattle etc... Possibly drive another and see how that one feels. Also, there is a major difference in power for the C6 between automatic and 6MT. The car is very sluggish in automatic. The only way to own that car is manual. Also you will want to buy one with the Nav screen. It's a touch screen and the stereo is operated through it. It's a very good system and the stereo cranks right from the factory. You can get the C6 in convertible and you will not be ridiculed like people do when buying an M3 convertible. With the top down and the plastic cover over the top, the humps make it look like the batmobile. The C6 "stirring" wheel feels awesome between your hands. You will not be disappointed. And it is definitely a more people friendly vehicle. Everyone you encounter will want to check it out as opposed to the M3 where most people don't have a clue what it is. In my experience anyway.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

The C6 "stirring" wheel feels awesome between your hands. You will not be disappointed.

Yeah, I rented a Cobalt once so I know how it feels. sorry, I had to!

But yes, OP tell us more about this stirring contraption you have in your vehicle.

[KCLARK]

BOOF, you funny "stirring"

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by KCLARK

BOOF, you funny "stirring"

Thank you Superman, er I mean Mr Clark. Hey OP, what ever happened with the Vette shopping? Still looking?

[C Dome]

cvstar9M3

Coming from experience of driving both I'll share my insight.

Before purchasing my E92 coupe I owned the E46M. While shopping I narrowed my search down to the E92 or the C6 GS or C6Z. From my research, you want to go with 2010+ if possible because of the exhaust valve issue, along with some other common quirks/fixes they implemented.

I test drove a base C6 coupe 6spd and a convertible GS paddles, both 2010 years with less than 20k miles. The C6Z06 I was going to potentially buy was sold that morning.

The base model was wildly underwhelming and sloppy feeling. The steering, shifting, etc. was just very...American feeling. The car made a hell of a noise though.

The Grandsport was certainly an improvement suspension/steering wise as it borrows everything from the Z06. The floppy paddles are atrocious and the view from the seat makes the car look/feel like a boat. The car was certainly quick, sounded great, and the top-down was a nice touch for a weekend car.

In a nutshell, like any car comparison, you have to go and drive them for yourself. I think you'll find the Corvette to be a major step down 'quality' wise compared to the M. The cheap feeling interior littered with the cheap plastics just really reinforces that you're buying the car the for motor/image. If you actually enjoy a 'drivers' car, you'd prefer the M. The GS will feel faster from the Torque difference and it's certainly a fun car but it'll also feel like a boat comparatively in size.

Hope this helps. Best of luck on your search.
-Chris

[WAKman]

I've owned both. The Corvette was a Z51 2007 coupe, and it was grossly under braked, poorly built, had poor-to-scary handling at the limit on track, and tried several times to kill me, nearly succeeding on the last attempt. Needless to say, I loved it!

But it was to the M3 as a poly-skilled hooker is to the girl of your dreams. A man should always experience both.

Terry

[cmo_93]

I ended up in a similar position about a month or so ago.

Always wanted a Vette (since childhood) and prefer the classic look of the C6 to the newer C7. Did some research and decided I wanted to get a C6 GS and build it out; so, I went to find one...

Found it, got all excited to drive it...even took off the targa top to make sure I fully enjoyed it... Only thing I liked was the sounds of the engine. It felt noticeably more sloppy than the M3. The interior quality was better than I expected but still a far cry from the M3. I just wasn't impressed enough to even bother driving a Z06... It was probably faster, I don't know and I don't care honestly.

I left with one thought... "Never meet your heroes."

Ironically, I drove a C7 shortly after that and felt the same way...I guess I'm just not a Corvette guy...

[StealYourFace]

My dad has an 09 Z51. No real mods - just ls7 exhaust manifolds, along with the 3" cats and pipes that go with them, and a tune. Power from idle to redline (was raised to 6800).

08 and up Z51 got several upgrades, better steering, shifter, and of course another "30 hp" (more like 50, the ls3 is a monster).

It only has 28,000 mile on it now, but the damn thing is tight as a drum, not a leak, not any mechanical issue.... except the driver seat broke - neither one of us are over 185 pounds.

I've auto crossed the snot out of it, put up ftd a couple times in street tire classes.... but I haven't tracked it. The car has smaller brakes than an e90 335i. Until the car has real brakes, I have no desire to take a car that fast out on the track until the brake issue is resolved. Even with the Z51 pack, the rear brakes, 13" mind you, look like motorcycle brakes because the swept area is so small.

The grand sport is a better car for the simple fact that it has the wide body and you can fit a lot more rubber under it, the suspension is the same. The Z51 and Z06 spring rates are similar, the Z06 has a bigger rear bar... I guess to go along with the bigger rear tires, but they are tail happy none the less.

Great cruiser.... all that power is addicting, and with an aggressive alignment the turn in is awesome. When I put tires on it I went from a 245 factory size to 265 on the front. Wasn't more than a half inch wider but a nominal increase in grip. Just make sure the wheel is straight before you plant the go pedal.

[WAKman]

Absolutely agree on the brakes--they are ludicrously small. After several exciting experiences on track, I replaced mine with Brembos.

Terry