Learn me C5 Z06

Prices are sitting between $20k and $25k at the moment and there are plenty for sale all around the internets. Most weren't daily driven and have around 50k miles, thereabouts. Cost of feeding doesn't seem to be too bad (except for tires), gas mileage isn't terrible in the grand scheme of things, and insurance is surprisingly cheap. I might be in the market for something sporty and less than $30k within the next year or so and I'm trying to find a reason not to get a head start on my midlife crisis.

Any opinions?

Yes, when you get one, please change your name to "blueC5Z06"

Do eet

And modify the oiling system so it won't starve in corners.

As long as you can afford all the tires/brakes you'll go through, I say go for it! They are awesome cars.

tuna55 wrote: Yes, when you get one, please change your name to "blueC5Z06"

Unless you get some other color than blue.

jstein77 wrote:

tuna55 wrote: Yes, when you get one, please change your name to "blueC5Z06"

Unless you get some other color than blue.

Or scooby refers to his hootus.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

jstein77 wrote:

tuna55 wrote: Yes, when you get one, please change your name to "blueC5Z06"

Unless you get some other color than blue.

Or scooby refers to his hootus.

And how do you know it's blue?

If your hootus is blue, you've done something very wrong and should seek medical attention at once.

If I didn't need 4 seats, it would've been at the top of my list. I think it's one of the best values out there right now. Replace the goofy seats & go...or just go. What else are you going to buy in that price range that rips a high 11sec 1/4 from the factory?

tuna55 wrote: If your hootus is blue, you've done something very wrong and should seek medical attention at once.

Or you're a troubled superhero

Yeah, tires can be pricey but they're pretty robust cars.

Sustained high-g left hand cornering is bad, m'kay? so a baffled pan or oil accumulator is in order for track days, especially on sticky tires. Haven't seen the problem manifest at auto-x becuase of the frequent changes in direction. The '01s had a funny tendency to pull all their oil into the top end at high rpms. Saw a couple produce huge plumes of smoke and show no oil on the dipstick when their drivers ran tight courses in 1st gear, only to be fine after sitting long enough to drain back. A MAF cleaining was in order afterward. GM must have corrected the PCV or something in '02.

If you run a spare set of wheels/tires w/o TPMS, you can freak out the stability control system but its harmless. The stock seats are pretty lame but aren't a must-change unless they drive you crazy. Clutch replacement isn't particularly easy, but doable with a lift. They're pretty easy to live with for the most part and a perfromance bargain.

I've seen good ones for around $17-18k. Several of them hit the track with me, none of them have any issues with oiling and as far as I know have the stock oil pan.

You guys are my favorite group of enablers!

changes screenname to bluehootus

Now that the stock autocross classes have gone 'street' and everyone is on 200tw tires, is a Z06 going to be much faster than a regular six speed coupe? Real track stuff, sure, but what if you only autocross?

Assuming stock wheel and tire combo, Z06 is faster through the cones than C5 Z51. It has an inch wider front wheel and proportionately wider cross section to its tire. Unfortunately, the base car could really use more front wheel & tire and does not match the Z06 even on a tight and slow course.

If you get a pair of rear wheels and put them on the front that gives you a square setup. That will also raise the front of the car about half an inch though.

GameboyRMH wrote: If you get a pair of rear wheels and put them on the front that gives you a square setup. That will also raise the front of the car about half an inch though.

Double-check the rules before doing that. I can't seem to find it, but I seem to remember going to a square wheel set-up is not allowed in Stock (now Street).

The SCCA is thinking about keeping the Super Stock class in place because of the performance of those cars may necessitate slicks (not so sure about that). In the Tire Rack Solo National Championships, the Z06 Corvettes are much faster than the standard Corvettes. I believe that the new street class allows a small wheel size change.

I need a good paying job so I can buy a C5 Z06.

A lot of car for the dough...

Seriously. I may have to look closer at these. Never dreamed they would be down this far this fast. There's too damn many cars in this price range that I love! I can't own them all! AAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

It will get better gas mileage than your WRX. And be cheaper to insure. Also heads up display FTW!

That's what floored me was that I could get cheaper insurance on a Z06 than on my WRX...

It's true. My s2000 is more expensive to insure than a C5Z. Probably because most vettes serve as hair plug transporters or sit in a garage getting wiped down every other hour.

In reply to bluescooby:

Premiums tend to be set on historical data. Vettes are historically owned by older fellows who tend to drive conservatively.

Yep, and WRXs are historically crashed into things by flat-brim cap-wearing teenagers...

Edit: Just checked, a Z06 would cost me precisely $3 more per month to insure than my my wife's Scion xD...

Alright, this thread got me curious. I just quoted an 04 z06, and it came out less per month than our '11 Mazda 3(non speed)......wth?....

What is headroom. Like in these? I'm 6'4", with a longer torso. I'm sure the "required" aftermarket seats would improve it some.... Also, I've heard they can knock back decent mpg on the highway, what is realistic out of one of these?

I have an 02 and although I hear about people getting 30 mpg on the highway the best I got was 26 on an extended trip at 60 to 65 mph. Around town I see anywhere from 18 to 21 in a small town setting. Plenty of legroom but you might have an issue with headroom at 6'4". It has been dead nuts reliable and lots of fun to drive.