I had been very curious about the Z06 after reading alot of reviews in car magazines.

I remember reading in Car and Driver (if I remember correctly) about how a stock Z06 beat several highly-modified 4-bangers around a race track. It sounded very impressive.

I finally got to test drive one several months ago...

The power was decent. My brother owned a C5 and this particular Z06 didn't feel much faster. It was a little dissappointing but maybe this one wasn't in excellent running condition (it was a lease return).

One thing that stood out instantly though was how big and wide the car felt. It felt soooo much bigger than my TTZ and my EVO. It took alot of the fun out of driving for me.

MY test drive did not include any hard cornering or braking but the stats for those categories are phenomenal.

I had considered possibly buying one someday but, after the test drive, I had to remove it from my list.

 

The Z06 did feel like a big car, both my Vettes did. But it looked like a toy. I'm a small dude too. 5' 3"

 

no way. I think it looks nice but over all it an American car and American cars fall apart within one year. sorry but i had so many American cars they all fell apart, lack of enginering.

 

Depends what kind of american car, I've had 4 fbodies (camaro/firebird) before the EVO and they were solid cars with
no issues.

In comparison, my friend's M3 has electrical and mechanical problems like you wouldn't believe.

I personally think German cars are as bad to maintain as american cars... and they cost more too.

I'm sure the vette is a solid car, steve did you have any issues with yours?

Steve

 

Neither of my Mustangs fell apart. The Evo, however, is full of rattles, has horrible drive train noise, has a horrible clunk in the rear on fast shifts, has acquired more rock chips in 5K miles than the Mustang did in 50K, has rock chips due to a misaligned door (common problem), and has a clutch that engages right at the top of the pedal travel (probably on its way out). You can not claim superior Japanese build quality with the Evo because it's BS. I love the Evo and I love MY Evo but I don't think I would buy another one.

As for the Z06: If I didn't have a wife & child then I probably would have been looking at one instead of the Evo. Nah, that's a lie really; having been such a big fan of the Evo and the WRC for the past decade I probably still would have got the Evo . But, now I've owned the Evo, and I didn't have the wife & kid, it would definitely be on my list for a next vehicle. The 'Vettes respond real well to mods too and some of the MTI prepped Z06s here in Houston are awe inspiring to say the least.

 

i doubt that very much

 

Yes I do also think that the EVO has some poor quality issues, my gripes are the following:

-horrible paint quality (thin layer, no clearcoat protection), paint
chips and scrapes easily and develops water spots quickly
-stock brake pads fade easily (well i'm hoping its the pads) during
hard driving
-cheap interior/dash
-sticky clutch on cold start
-too much high speed compression dialed into the shocks (makes the car bouncy on bumps/holes

Besides that I love the car... and I drive the #$%@ out of it everyday...!

 

I had an older vette, I definitely would take the Evo over a Vette at this point.. The Z06 is quick, but my issues with my Vette at the time were the car was a huge letdown. Don't get me wrong, I'd probably get a Z06 but not as a daily driver, and I'd never get rid of the Evo.. And FWIW, I've had some good runs against 2 Z06's One win, one Loss, both VERY Close and that was with very little modification to the Evo.. I have to admit that the Evo ended up being a bit more practical and realistic a car for me..

 

Been there...done that.

Search for car:
Supra TT- Looking...find one!
Guy doesen't sell...quit the search.

Z06 Corvette- Like C5's, find them comfortable...
Decide Z06, like torque and easy drag racer!
42K+4K Insurance- Can't afford with college.

Evolution- Read review & STi...
Drive down road, test drive, drive car home!
Drives in snow, rain, etc. 4-Doors & Practical.

If I had the money I would have bought the Z06. But I would need to have another car. My uncle gets 30 miles to the Gallon, whereas I have a hard time getting 20. Modified Z06's are unreal. A guy by me has one with heads and cams and 150 shot, it sounds like its going to eat your car.

 

I had an 2002 Z06 and it was really fast/powerful. The insurance isn't any more for the Vette compared to the EVO. The EVO is just as quick on twisty roads and is way more practical. GM service is better and they actually warranty the thing.

If you're really serious go to corvetteforum.com and check prices. Many offers of $11k off for new Z06's. You can probably get a new one for $42-$44k. I'd say don't pay more than $35k for a 2002.

Bad thing about the Z06 is no open top. I found I really missed the sunshine.

 

Dale,

Why did you sell or trade the Z06? What made you go for the EVO instead?

Insurance for me is $260 more for 6months on the Z06 compared to the EVO, or in other words, an extra $520 a year.

Steve

 

My friend has an RX8 and his dad has a Z06. He swears up and down his car handles better than his dad's car does. I don't agree with him necessarily but I do believe the Z06 isn't very tossable. I'm sure excellent drivers would choose the Z06 for mountain roads but the average Joe would feel more comfortable in an EVO.
In my short driving career I've discovered a car's forgiveness is very important.

 

The main reason was I felt uncomfortable and paranoid driving around in a $50K vehicle. Second reason is that the Z06 is so rediculously powerful that you very seldom found a place to really use it. Last reason was I wanted an open top car. I might have felt differently if the car was cheaper to start with. They are cheaper right now because most Vette buyers are waiting on the C6 and C5's aren't selling. This is a good time to get a new C5.