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[SubframeBushings]

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[quiksi]

the c6 interior was deal breaker for me, period... it's that bad; the c7 interior is light years better and well worth the extra cost if you're going corvette

[blue flowers]

I had a C5 Z06, then an E92 335, followed by an E90 M3, and now a gen 5 Z/28.

I haven't personally owned a C6 Z, but have driven and been in them fairly regularly.

The C5 Z had probably one of the cheapest interiors I've ever seen in a car, but I personally did not mind it. Fit and finish was mediocre at best, but on the plus side, it was durable, and parts were cheap and easy to replace. A worthwhile trade-off on a daily driven car IMO.

The C6 Z is WAY better than the C5 Z - fit and finish is a lot better, and the quality of materials used also improved. Some of the later C6 Z even had suede/alcantara steering wheels and dash inserts. In terms of functionality, you have everything you need - GPS, decent stereo, and decently bolstered seats. Road noise isn't bad - mostly depends on tires. I didn't really notice any more road noise than in my E90 M3.

The E9x will obviously have a nicer interior overall, and is definitely the more comfortable place to spend time. In my E92, that little seatbelt extender arm was broken more often than it worked, and the nav display screen had a few dead cells which always bothered me. In my E90 I chose to go without navigation, and was very happy with the interior - probably one of my favorite interiors overall.

It ultimately comes down to what you personally value in a car. I made the switch from an E90 M3 to a Gen 5 Z/28 (which is fairly similar in terms of interior quality to a C6 Z), and haven't looked back. The drivetrain is more than enough to make up for any difference in interior quality, which I personally don't think is all that significant.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by SubframeBushings

I've read a lot where people make the switch from a C6 Z06 to the E9x series for comfort and overall package but for those who have owned it, how is it, I've read the torque is amazing and handles great but the interior is really cheap and has lots of road noise.

If you had one what's your experience like and would you jump over?

Have you considered a used C7 Stingray? It's barely slower than the C6 Z06 but is leaps-and-bounds ahead as far as interior quality, comfort, ride, etc.

A gently used one can be had pretty cheap. Many of them were just weekend cruisers and should still be in really good shape. Find a 2LT with the Z51 Performance Package and manual trans -- it's a LOT of car for the money.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by SubframeBushings

Thanks folks. I was looking to spend up to mid $30's hence the Z06. The Stingray is a lot nicer looking no doubt but were mainly over $40k which I can't justify for a 2 seater weekend car. Decisions... or I can get a base C6 and mod it but back of my mind I'll still know it's not a Z.

The C6 Z06 is a big step up over the standard C6 Corvette. If you can spring the extra cash, and just want something "ready to go" rather than one you have to mod, the Z06 is probably the better choice.

[m3power13]

I was down to a C6Z or my current E92 M3. The C6Z is a monster, so much fun but at the end of the day I wasn't able to look past the interior build quality (squeaks/rattles) etc.

Go with the Z, aside from the LS7, wide body, and suspension, you will get a car with much better resale value. The C6Z you can basically buy and drive for a couple years and sell for the same price. So while your investment (hah) may be more upfront you will make out better in the long run because of the higher residual when selling.

[Ab28]

Originally Posted by m3power13

I was down to a C6Z or my current E92 M3. The C6Z is a monster, so much fun but at the end of the day I wasn't able to look past the interior build quality (squeaks/rattles) etc.

Go with the Z, aside from the LS7, wide body, and suspension, you will get a car with much better resale value. The C6Z you can basically buy and drive for a couple years and sell for the same price. So while your investment (hah) may be more upfront you will make out better in the long run because of the higher residual when selling.

+1, agree with the above.

If you buy a base C6 and mod it you'll be in Z06 $ territory before you know it.

[rymerc]

The C6z is a ton of car for mid $30s and likely an excellent long-term buy. The interior is absolutely awful, like chevy-cobalt awful, the steering wheel is huge, and on track it will eat you alive in tires.

Make sure you research the cylinder head issues, and they got an upgraded steering rack in like 2009? and the seats got considerably improved later on, maybe 2011? You're creeping on base C7 money by that point. For the base C6, avoid the LS2 and you'll find good driver LS3s in the $20s, the grand sports between there and low $30s. If you're afraid of the engine issues in the LS7 or the power intimidates you, the grand sport is excellent for the money and will hold resale much better than a base C6.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by rymerc

The C6z is a ton of car for mid $30s and likely an excellent long-term buy. The interior is absolutely awful, like chevy-cobalt awful, the steering wheel is huge, and on track it will eat you alive in tires.

Make sure you research the cylinder head issues, and they got an upgraded steering rack in like 2009? and the seats got considerably improved later on, maybe 2011? You're creeping on base C7 money by that point. For the base C6, avoid the LS2 and you'll find good driver LS3s in the $20s, the grand sports between there and low $30s. If you're afraid of the engine issues in the LS7 or the power intimidates you, the grand sport is excellent for the money and will hold resale much better than a base C6.

The Grand Sport is the sweet-spot: it's basically the Z06 minus the Z06 engine....so you get the Z06 brakes, suspension, aero, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevro...6)#Grand_Sport


The 2010 Grand Sport was unveiled at the 12th annual C5/C6 Corvette Birthday Bash, held at the National Corvette Museum. The Grand Sport replaces the previous Z51 option. The GS or Grand Sport was equipped with the following enhancements:

Specific manual transmission with different gear ratios
Larger/stiffer anti-sway bars
Stiffer springs
Revised shocks
Larger Z06 rear spoiler
Transmission cooler
Functional front and rear brake ducts for added brake system cooling
Unique lightweight forged aluminum 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels (painted finish standard and chromed finish optional)
Z06 brakes, including cross-drilled 355 mm (14.0 in) front rotors and 340 mm (13 in) rear rotors
Specific rear axle ratio on automatic transmission equipped models
Can be ordered with 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim packages.
Wider front and rear fenders with integrated Grand Sport badges
Wider 275/35ZR18 tires in the front
Wider 325/30ZR19 tires in the rear
6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers
Dry-sump oil system (Coupes equipped with manual transmissions only)
Hand-built LS3 6.2L V8 (Coupes equipped with manual transmissions only)
Manual models also include launch control

[DieGrüneHölle]

Neither. Wouldn't consider anything older than the C7. C6 interior is just awful.

[gzim335]

I come from a modded c6 z06,first off all LOL at base stingray being barely slower than a c6z,it's much much slower,like everyone said interior is the only downfall other than that it's handles awesome brakes r good for stock etc,I hated the fact how hot it got by the shifter area in the summer sitting in traffic hays when I had enough n traded it for a w204 C63 coupe which is still own along with my m3

[BrewRifle]

Wouldn't you rather have an E9X M3 over a base c6 corvette? I know I would hands down.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by SubframeBushings

Yeah it looks like the Z06 is the way to go C6 but then for a few thousand more (40k) I can get into a base C7. Which would you guys do at this point? c6 Z06 or C7.

The head valve retainer/guide issue does not bother me, I would pay the $3,500 or $4k for a head swap and gain more power while at it.

The C7 Z51, for sure. It's miles ahead of the C6 in pretty much every way. For the huge improvements in drivability and quality, you'll make do with a hair less performance versus a Z06.

Full disclosure: I just bought a 2017.

[TMack2233]

Not to thread jack, but have you thought about getting a Viper?

[assuck]

Originally Posted by SubframeBushings

Went to test drive a 2007 C6 Z06 today and it is insanely fast. I can't get over spending $38k for it then another $3.5k into the the heads to address the valve drop issues. By then I'm well over $40k for a 10 year old Chevy.

What's the thoughts on the base model C6's. They run from low to mid $20k's?

38K is too much for an 07. If you are willing to shell out around 40K, go with the ZR1

edit: My bad, I guess they're in the 50's now. There is a group on facebook for z06 owners though where you will find some pretty awesome deals on these cars if you are interested.

[JDM3]

E92 DCT with ESS 650 will run circles around everything discussed in this thread...

[BrewRifle]

Originally Posted by 1SICKM

E92 DCT with ESS 650 will run circles around everything discussed in this thread...

I couldn't agree more. Plus you'd not be driving a dime a dozen Corvette. Supercharged M3's are not too common around most parts.

[JDM3]

I ran a C7 Z06 last fall from 40-170 and I had him by 3 cars at least. Not sure of his mods but it wasn't stock by the sound of his exhaust. It was a manual