You can find 2005-2006 C6's for around the same price as a C5 Z06. The Z06 is cool, buuuuttt....any input would be appreciated. The nearest Z4m I've found is $25k and has a lemon title. I did find a Solstice GXP that is relatively cheap. The car isn't in the same league as the others, but it certainly has charisma. Back on topic: opinions on the C6 vs C5 Z06, please.
The C6 looks a million times smaller/better and performs similarly to the C5 Z-06 at least in terms of power. If you can determine the handling is also on-par it is a no-brainer.
The Z06 is lighter and has wider rolling stock. My understanding is that it's as fast or faster than an LS2 C6 in every way except top speed. Top speed doesn't matter though.
I think the C6 is a damn sight better looking and my guess is that it would make a better DD, but the two seem so close on paper it seems like it really just comes down to which on is in better shape/which one you like more after you drive them.
I've heard the C5 coupes have an issue with the roof skin peeling off at speeds over something like 150.
And personally I prefer the aesthetics of the C5, but it's not a huge preference, I'd be perfectly happy to look out and see either in my driveway 
I'm biased as I can't stand the way the C5 Z06 looks with the fixed roof. I much prefer the more "hatchback" look the C6. Performance between the two is close enough to not matter, so I'd choose the one you like more.
In reply to ReverendDexter:
Didn't happen to my plain C5 targa when I got it up to 177.
I've not sat in a C6 - is the interior any better than the C5? I'm a small guy, and I hate the ergonomics and hunkered-down driving position of the C5.
An early C6 will feel like a dog next to a C5 Z06 because of the stock tune. GM used a lot of torque management in the C6, which you can get rid of if you're motivated. Stock v. stock, the C5 Z06 will step out better. Something to think about for autox.
427 all alum dry sumped small block that revs to the moon?
Why would you even look a C5? It makes no sense at all a C6 owns in every single way!
Hell with boltons its a 10 sec car already even though ranger his 10s bone stock.
In reply to conesare2seconds:
They use torque management in all there cars! Even fbodys feel like dogs with TQ mag.
A tune is one of the best mods on a LS to ride the car of that crap gm put into the tune.
joeya wrote: 427 all alum dry sumped small block that revs to the moon? Why would you even look a C5? It makes no sense at all a C6 owns in every single way! Hell with boltons its a 10 sec car already even though ranger his 10s bone stock.
I think he means non-Z06 C6 vs C5 Z06.
The 05-07 C6's only had 6 liter engines. This car will be a daily driver, btw. I can enjoy fun and raw, though.
The C5 is ugly. The C6 is not.
I have never driven a C5, but I have driven a stock '08 C6. Wow what a car. 430 HP (unfortunately autotragic). Don't know why everyone crybabies over the interior, it was comfortable and it didn't look or feel low rent to me. It stuck to the road like glue, very responsive. Good brakes.
As much as I liked the C5 Z06, I would rather a C6 for a DD. The suspension is tight enough to have fun with on a daily basis, but not so tight to rattle my kidneys out my hind end every time I go over an expansion joint.
The Z06 will still be special when the C7, C8, etc. exists, because it's a Z06.
Would you rather have an E36 M3 or a E46 330i?
Honestly the C5 Z06 is not a raw car to drive. It's pretty quiet in the cockpit. It would be hard for me to choose between the two. For a DD I think I would prefer the C6 as the hatch is a lot more useful than the tiny trunk opening of the C5 Z06. Also in terms of interior the C6 is a step up from the C5. I've not had an opportunity to drive a C6, but I really enjoy the quick response and turn in of the C5 Z06 due to the faster steering ratio. That's all I can say for now without reading up on the C6 and driving one on the track/street.
Winston wrote: The Z06 will still be special when the C7, C8, etc. exists, because it's a Z06. Would you rather have an E36 M3 or a E46 330i?
I'll be driving this every day, so the car will never be a low mileage garage queen that will increase in value.
Edmunds.com had a C5 Z06 as a long termer recently. Might be worth digging up their blog posts.
I drive C5Z everyday there isn't prodigious amounts of snow. There are no problems other than a couple niggly things. 1) No external door lock on passenger side 2) access to trunk (though fairly roomy) isn't really easy 3) no spare or run-flats doesn't exactly give piece of mind when on longer trips and lastly...4) on a nice spring day a former GF kept asking me why I wouldn't pop the top. 
Everything I've seen seems to say that the C5Z is better than the 05-07 C6.
Honestly I would take either, but on looks alone the C6 is better. The only issue I have with the C5 is that the interiors don't seem to hold up very well. I've looked at a few recently as I'm in the market for something else, and everyone I've looked it looks kinda dumpy inside. Other than my sampling, not sure how that holds up across the board, but....
I did some custom stripes on a C5 yesterday. The front stripes didn't look right and no amount of measuring would work. Turns out the emblem was on crooked. In the back window some of the gasketing looked like a design after thought.
Not that helpful in a comparison but does say something about a C5 build quality.
rotard wrote:Winston wrote: The Z06 will still be special when the C7, C8, etc. exists, because it's a Z06. Would you rather have an E36 M3 or a E46 330i?I'll be driving this every day, so the car will never be a low mileage garage queen that will increase in value.
I never said anything about value. I'm just talking about "cool factor." A Z06 will always be cool. When the C7 comes out, the base C6's will be yawn to most people but the C5 Z06 will still be cool because it's a Z06. Just look back into the annals of car history. Special performance models are always the ones people desire above all others even when their performance has been eclipsed by the latest-greatest. Even if collector/resale value never enters the picture, that feeling of owning the pinnacle of a given model has to mean something to you. I guess if it doesn't then buy whichever one you want. I know which one I would buy.
i think yall are all on crack, the c5 FRC/Z06 looks way better than the neverending glass hatch on the standard c5/c6.
edit: not to mention the glorious noise the z06 makes compared to the blat of the non-z06 models.
I used to own a C5 Z06 which I traded in for a C6 Z06 earlier this year. I've had a little seat time in a normal C6 though so I figure I can add my two cents.
If it's down to a C5Z vs a base LS2 C6.... I'd go with the C5Z every time. It's a little tougher to live with day to day, but I used mine as a DD for a year and did just fine.
C5Z: More fun to drive
Marginally faster and better handling
Rarer, more special
Feels more Raw
Subjective, but I think a C5Z looks better than a plain C6
Interior isn't all that great
C6:
The C6 has a much, much nicer interior
Quieter, easier to live with day to day
Bigger, more usable trunk with the big hatch
It's still just about as fast as a C5Z. An LS3 C6 should be a bit quicker.
You can't go wrong with either car though. Both are a total riot to drive and are practical enough to use as a DD as long as you are okay with a 2 seater. Forget driving them in the snow though.
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