The handling between the Z06 and C5 stock is pretty noticable. I would get the Z any day over the regular C5 unless you just where looking to do roll races in the C5.

 

I was in a very similar situation as you man..I had my heart set on either a C5 Z06 or a 04 Cobra,Both of those would have been monsters if i bought them...I test drove a few Z's and they are really nice cars...I even found one for $24000 with 12k miles on it!! I almost bought it!! Was super close to pulling the trigger.I'm glad i waited and got a evo tho!

For me the the decision became clear very easily..I wanted a turbo car again and was tired of being N/A....And idk about you,But my insurance was going to go up another $50 a month on a already healthy payment (Had a gto)...The Z with full bolt ons is fast for sure,But it takes a lot of $$ to get it there RIGHT...It will cost about $5000 for cam/Lt's/Exhaust tune etc..With the same 5k you can start making the evo a monster OR find one like i did fully built...And forget about forced induction unless you got a **** load of money..That will cost 10k++ to do it right with support mods and tune..And even tho i LOVE me some LSX motors,most(not all) of them burn quarts of oil on the regular.

Good luck with the decision...Either car is a good move -

 

yea my decision is hard because I know the kind of car I need but that's not necessarily the car i want. would have been cool to try something new but i just don't think i'll get my moneys worth out of a car that's a garage queen, especially at this point in my life where i just bought a new house and don't have money like that to burn on fun things anymore. i'm probably going to get an evo but a z06 would have been really fun!

 

I put 3000 into my Z with cam, LT, and exhaust. Granted I do my own work but for 3k my Z made 433 rwhp and was only 2900 lbs. I have 9k into my EVO so far for 425 AWHP. So I disagree with your argument. The 5 grand into the evo puts it around the stock levels of the Z06 assuming you upgrade your clutch on the EVO which is a must. Now granted I could have got to my 425 wp mark with less money but my overall goal is 650 AWHP so I spent more on a T3 kit. Once I build my engine I will turn up the boost and make serious numbers. Also a SC kit for the Z06 runs around 6k installed. So for 6k you have a Z06 that will put down 550 RWHP on pump. To make those numbers in an EVO will cost you a lot more. Dont get me wrong the EVO is an amazing platform that does everything well. But it takes a lot of work to make the 2L complete with large displacment engines. EVO's are just not a cheap platform to mod past 400 WHP.

On a side note my 03 Cobra was just cheap to make fast. Intake, pulley, exhaust and tune made 480 RWHP for less that 2K.

I dont think you will be dissapointed with an EVO if you go that route. It's the first time I love to drive my car in the rain. Just so much fun to slide. Speaking of insurance. Mine went up. My Z06 was $30 a month cheaper than my EVO. Go figure.

 

which car did you like the most RB?

ps, i bought an evo...

 

I was just in a similar situation. Selling my IX and unsure what to buy. The things I considered were:

-Evo X GSR (used or new)
-S2000 (used) + beater
-C5 Z06 (used) + beater
-C6 (used)

I decided on a new X and couldn't be happier. This was my first brand new car purchase and I am really glad I did it.

 

the Z06 is more of a car that you buy once your settled down in your new house and have everything squared away and want a weekend car to take out to the track or cruise around...the evo is much more suited for everyday life all year around plus with decent mods can be made into a track beast...my advice would be to jus wait a few years and then go for the C6 Z06's...they make the C5 Z's feel like childs play

 

Congrats on the Evo. My favorite car was by far the GTS Viper.

 

i'd go for a IX rather than an X, and then use the money you saved on the purchase to mod your IX to make it a bit more enjoyable.