Vette Advice Please
Discussion
Ok, those that know me will know Ive been a TVR Diehard for the last 9 years, during which I have enjoyed the 100,000 or so miles worth of motoring in my 400SE.
Im startign to get ichie feet here, and look for something a little different. something a little less "TVR"ish if that can be used to describe build quality / reliability. What I dont want to loose is the performance offered by a "Balls in the air" light weight V8 powered sports car.
I was looking at Le Mans, and quite fancy the look and sound of a C5 corvette, I believe it was a Z06 model .. it was Yellow and looked awsome in the rain
Can anyone give me a few pointers on these cars ? to they come in manual form ? what sort of power do they have ? are they available as a drop head or Targa or just fixed head ?
Thanks
Jason
Im startign to get ichie feet here, and look for something a little different. something a little less "TVR"ish if that can be used to describe build quality / reliability. What I dont want to loose is the performance offered by a "Balls in the air" light weight V8 powered sports car.
I was looking at Le Mans, and quite fancy the look and sound of a C5 corvette, I believe it was a Z06 model .. it was Yellow and looked awsome in the rain
Can anyone give me a few pointers on these cars ? to they come in manual form ? what sort of power do they have ? are they available as a drop head or Targa or just fixed head ?
Thanks
Jason
Yes, only hardtop with a 6 speed manual box.
2001 cars have 385 bhp but had one or two issues with using oil.
2002-2004 cars have 405 bhp with the oil issue fixed.
You'll have a hard job finding what you want in the UK as they're very very rare, don't even think I've seen a yellow one for sale during 2007.
I'm also looking for one and will more than likely have to import one from the States.
Check out this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDEuNQiQD2s
2001 cars have 385 bhp but had one or two issues with using oil.
2002-2004 cars have 405 bhp with the oil issue fixed.
You'll have a hard job finding what you want in the UK as they're very very rare, don't even think I've seen a yellow one for sale during 2007.
I'm also looking for one and will more than likely have to import one from the States.
Check out this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDEuNQiQD2s
Edited by eldudereno on Saturday 23 June 17:25
[/URL]
[/URL]The Z06 was only made in the fixed head coupe form. Prior to this in 99/00, Chevy made that shape as a sort of "sport" version with manual box but when they introduced the Z06, it took the rights to that shape. As has been said, the 2001 had 385hp and initially had an oil consumption problem but they were mostly fixed under warranty by replacing the rings. The better car is the 405hp 2002 but the 2002 had an issue with an aluminium selector fork in the gearbox that was changed to steel on the 2003. The 2004 Z16 was the best of the bunch as it had better rear dampers, a carbon fibre bonnet although it appears to more sensitive to intake mods.
Remember that the American model year starts in Sep/Oct the year before so their cars are often referred to as MY or "model year". So a 2002 MY Z06 could in fact be a 2001 car which is important for registration purposes(not that DVLA will cut you any favours there). It's easy to spot a 2001 as it simply has "Z06" on the side badges whereas 2002-on have "405hp" on the badge too. Head-up display was stock on the 2002-on Z06 but wasnt offered on the 2001 (although it can be retro-fitted).
The 6 speed manual box is a bit of a long throw grunter and the best modification is to junk the shifter in favour of one of the aftermarket jobbies or the later C6 shifter.
Having owned one, if you bought one, you'd never look back to TVR ownership. The Z06 was a track-focused car with it's own suspension set-up and very quick. if it has a weakness, it's that the gearbox is not something you relish stirring. Fortunately with 400lb/ft of torque, you rarely need to.
I replaced mine to get 4 seats and had to supercharge a Mustang to replicate the experience but even now I look at the elctron blue unfeasibly low bonnet and sigh a whisper of regret just for the drop dead gorgeous looks which the C6 so successfully threw away.
Remember that the American model year starts in Sep/Oct the year before so their cars are often referred to as MY or "model year". So a 2002 MY Z06 could in fact be a 2001 car which is important for registration purposes(not that DVLA will cut you any favours there). It's easy to spot a 2001 as it simply has "Z06" on the side badges whereas 2002-on have "405hp" on the badge too. Head-up display was stock on the 2002-on Z06 but wasnt offered on the 2001 (although it can be retro-fitted).
The 6 speed manual box is a bit of a long throw grunter and the best modification is to junk the shifter in favour of one of the aftermarket jobbies or the later C6 shifter.
Having owned one, if you bought one, you'd never look back to TVR ownership. The Z06 was a track-focused car with it's own suspension set-up and very quick. if it has a weakness, it's that the gearbox is not something you relish stirring. Fortunately with 400lb/ft of torque, you rarely need to.
I replaced mine to get 4 seats and had to supercharge a Mustang to replicate the experience but even now I look at the elctron blue unfeasibly low bonnet and sigh a whisper of regret just for the drop dead gorgeous looks which the C6 so successfully threw away.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
I have owned 2 C5 Z06's and loved each one, but I also hated the pop-up lights.
I currently have C6's and think that the chassis is much more developed, and the manual one is almost up to my earlier Z06 performance, but much more civilized.
I also think the profile is OK.
I have owned 2 C5 Z06's and loved each one, but I also hated the pop-up lights.
I currently have C6's and think that the chassis is much more developed, and the manual one is almost up to my earlier Z06 performance, but much more civilized.
I also think the profile is OK.
I have no quarrel with the C6 content, just the point of sale packaging. I'm pretty sure a C6 Z06 would seduce me if driven but there's the rub. R&T found the C5 Z06 faster round the track than the Z51 C6 but so it should be as the C6 has a targa and 5hp less and more weight but as you say, rawness isn't necessarily what everyone wants.
You're right about individual taste but as that great philosopher, Meat Loaf, once sang "There ain't no coupe de ville hiding at the bottom of a crackerjack box". LOL. But as a semi-exotic, should the profile not be more than just "OK?"
But wait, let's not go there - great cars both subject to what you find desirable. I'm in enough trouble for not liking BMWs....he he.
You're right about individual taste but as that great philosopher, Meat Loaf, once sang "There ain't no coupe de ville hiding at the bottom of a crackerjack box". LOL. But as a semi-exotic, should the profile not be more than just "OK?"
But wait, let's not go there - great cars both subject to what you find desirable. I'm in enough trouble for not liking BMWs....he he.
jvaughan said:
Cheers for the advice LuS1fer. Love the Mustang .. thats on my list too, but the Vette has me by the Nads at present.
Right, now to fond a 2004 Z06 C5 in yellow
You'll have to get over to the States unless you're prepared to wait a long long time for one to become available in the UK.Right, now to fond a 2004 Z06 C5 in yellow
I've had a yellow one (now woof's), and I've had a blue one (both C5 Z06) what shall i get next!!!!
There is one good point, the blue one has stay'ed in Cardiff.
Joking aside, I much preferr the C6, whether it be a coupe or convertible, but they just dont have the quality of my SL55 AMG, only give me considerably more "fun"
There is one good point, the blue one has stay'ed in Cardiff.
Joking aside, I much preferr the C6, whether it be a coupe or convertible, but they just dont have the quality of my SL55 AMG, only give me considerably more "fun"
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