Corvette Z06 - can anyone offer advise?

[Copenhagen GT]

Hi all

I´m considering buying a 2006-2007 Corvette Z06 to use as a daily driver. The reason for buying a car at least 3 years old is a simple tax issue as the car taxation here is rediculous and a older car can be handled a little more reasonable.

As we don´t have that many Corvettes here, my chance of trying and testing as almost zero. I did however have the chance to drive Hertz Corvette rental during Rally IV and that was a really nice car. I do believe that model had just over 400 hp, so the Z06 should be much stronger.

Anyone have real time experience with owning a Z06 from these years? Can you recommend it and are there options that are just "Must have"?

Would the smaller 6.0 be better suiter for daily driving when considering fuel cost and maintenance + the option of getting automatic transmission?

If you have a Atomic Orange, low mile Corvette you want to part with let me know.

Thanks
:cheers
Anders

 

[Spirit's Son]

i don't have a Z, but I just got an 05 6.0 Vette that I daily drive. Been great so far. if you get an 06-07 Z, the biggest option is the 2LZ package with adds heated seats, memory seats, Bose stereo, and side airbags. all Zs come with heads up display, If you go with the 6.0, you will need a 3LT option package to get the HUD. a good Z will run $10-15k over a comparable non-Z.

the car is very easy to drive and i like the non-Z cause I can take the top off. makes the drive home real nice after a stressful day at work.

 

[fjpikul]

Anders, according to the car mags, the ZO6 has a very stiff ride compared to the regular car and even the ZR1. Haven't seen a bronze one on the road yet, just at car shows.

 

[STORMCAT]

I got to play with a Z06 for about 30 minutes, They are the real deal, good bang for the buck. Not as smooth and refined as the GT but very entertaining to drive.The Corvette forum is a wealth of information..

 

[KJD]

I have an '08 1LT M6 that I use as a DD. Like all have said, good driver, inexpensive and fun. No HUD, NAV, etc. on my base model and that's OK for me -- Spirit's Son described other LT packages that add electronics, etc. for very little $ in the re-sale market. I can't do an auto trans unless forced to, e.g., paddles and would love to have the extra HP and handling that comes with the Z-06, albeit with the fixed top. But the base 430 HP is adequate and mods are cheap if you want more.

And like Stormcat said, http://www.corvetteforum.com/. Much more like the average auto board than here but also much good information.

 

[Nardo GT]

I have an '08 1LT M6 that I use as a DD. Like all have said, good driver, inexpensive and fun. No HUD, NAV, etc. on my base model and that's OK for me -- Spirit's Son described other LT packages that add electronics, etc. for very little $ in the re-sale market. I can't do an auto trans unless forced to, e.g., paddles and would love to have the extra HP and handling that comes with the Z-06, albeit with the fixed top. But the base 430 HP is adequate and mods are cheap if you want more.

And like Stormcat said, http://www.corvetteforum.com/. Much more like the average auto board than here but also much good information.

Exactly. When buying new I always buy the base car....they all have leather, CD, power windows & locks etc. You can't get back the adds on resale. On the other hand, buying used you don't have to pay much more to get all the "candy"....first owner takes the hit. Clayton is right too...about $10k to 15K difference in same year/miles regular and Z06. Absolutely hate the paddle shift, but leave in automatic mode for a good daily driver. Also the automatic costs more new and brings zero more used.
Black and red are the preferred resale colors.

Doctor V-8 will disagree here:wink, but I'll be darned if I conceal the "magnetic selective ride control" switch and ask anyone to tell me which mode it is in without looking. I can't. Worthless option to me and expensive to repair. The Z06 has a much harsher ride than regular coupe, but big difference in power and highly recommend it as I don't like modding cars...just get the bigger, better to start with...why mod? Mods have little or no resale and can actually bring less money that bone stock.

 

[S592R]

if you don't remind a repaired car. Andy has one exactly like you're asking about for 38K (buy it now). Likely you could buy it for around 32K I would believe.

 

[Cyclenirvana]

I would strongly consider buying the regular C6 vette with the Z51 package for those years. It is a great car, plenty of power, and, since it is essentially a targa top, you get a convertible when you want it. The ride is not as jarring as the ZO6. I owned a 2005 C6 and will tell you that for a 2-seater sports car it is hugely practical. I could easily fit a bicycle in the back and a lot of luggage for 2 people. As a side note, one of the neurosurgeons at our hospital drives a ZO6 as a daily driver, sun, rain, or snow...and he loves it!
Really cannot go wrong here.

 

[Copenhagen GT]

Thanks alot for the input.

I must say that choosing the regular C6 with Z51 package, the removable roof and automatic transmission seems to be the practical and sensible solution for a daily driver. On the other hand the Top Gear review of both cars does make it obvious that the Z06 is in a whole different league performancewise.

Around the interweb there seem to a lot of talk about some general clutch problem with a fairly high percentage of the Z06´s and having mechanical issues with a high performance car here is not quite a s easy as in the US.

 

[andymlow]

I had a C6 convertible and my brother had a ZO6 so I did get to compare them. I would get the Z in a hearbeat. The ride was not too harsh, the engine and exhaust note were much nicer and it is a ton of bang for the buck. A very good daily driver.

 

[fjpikul]

PS Anders, there was a recall on most of the ZO6's for roof panels that came off. Make sure the recall work has been performed.

 

[Nardo GT]

PS Anders, there was a recall on most of the ZO6's for roof panels that came off. Make sure the recall work has been performed.

Frank, I believe you are referring to C6 removeable roof cars....yes they had issues on the painted tops separating into two pieces,,,,glass see-thru tops not a problem.. Z06s have fixed roof.

 

[HHGT]

Hi Andres, I just went to the auction and there are a lot of Z06s that go through. If you can't find what you want, let me know and I'll pick one up for you. Here is a sample of the going prices at the auction:


03/31/10 DALLAS Regular $40,000 18,526 Avg RED 8G 6 Yes
03/26/10 SO CAL Regular $41,000 16,211 Avg GREY 8G M Yes
03/24/10 SWFL Lease $39,000 26,125 Avg RED 8G 6 Yes
03/24/10 DALLAS Regular $43,300 10,263 Above BLACK 8G 6 Yes
03/18/10 GTR PHNX Regular $34,400 53,219 Below YELLOW 8G 6 Yes
03/17/10 DALLAS Regular $43,000 9,861 Avg YELLOW 8G 6 Yes
03/12/10 NEVADA Lease $36,750 38,149 Avg SLV 8G 6 Yes

 

[fjpikul]

Nardo, grasshopper, no, it was the magnesium roof of the Z06. Dealers had a tendency to crack the windshield while performing the TSB.

 

[Spirit's Son]

Nardo, grasshopper, no, it was the magnesium roof of the Z06. Dealers had a tendency to crack the windshield while performing the TSB.

yup. lots of Z06s turned into targas unexpectedly at 70mph.even though the roof is "fixed", the exterior panel is a separate piece from the halo, unlike the C5Z06, which the roof was all one piece.

 

[BlackICE]

yup. lots of Z06s turned into targas unexpectedly at 70mph.even though the roof is "fixed", the exterior panel is a separate piece from the halo, unlike the C5Z06, which the roof was all one piece.

Scary thought if that happened during a mile run!

 

[junior]

My vote goes to the ZO6 and don't look back at any other C6 configuration. Things to watch out for, any C6-Z06 built before 10/13/2006 will have the roof panel delamination issue, roof panel separates form the roof assembly, fix by dealer by adding more foam/glue, but temp fix only. Anything built after October 13, 2006 does not need the roof panel fix, GM changed to a SMC design (Sheet Molded Compound), a little heavier panel but the panel will not seperate under any weather condition. Shifter rattle on 2006 and early 2007 model, new shifter part number is 25823571, GM bulletin is also out on 8/13/07, but don't have the doc number. If you're going to track the car, make sure to fill up oil 1/2 quart less than capacity (put 7.5 vs. 8), since the "pads" in the air intake might delaminate due to "oil burping" into the pad saturating it and rendering it loose. Most people simply removed it form the air intake. Some cars have the rear sway bar bolts loose from the factory, easy fix, chk/torque the bolts to 70ft/lbs and you're golden. Get the CAGS eliminator (Computer Aided Gear shift) a $25 part and a 2 minute install, it will eliminate the 1-4 gear computer forced shift when cold and shifting from 1st under 1900 RPM, shift light will still come on but you're free to shift from 1st into the gear of your choosing, GM did this to eliminate the gas guzzler tax. That's about it as far as issues. The car is fast, and you can fix it with a hammer. I propose you keep the electronic nannies on (controlled by a button near the shifter) until you have some seat time. Good luck :cheers

 

[Fast Freddy]

my Z06 is my daily driver......

 

[DWP]

I have an 08 Z06 as a daily driver and love it. No issues with harshness etc. just a great driving car. I had an '07 and traded it for the '08 with the upgraded interior package, it is much improved over the '07 interior but still would have to be rated as a poor interior. I would say go for it but you may want to wait until you can import the '08 model year with the 3LT package.

Dave

 

[Spirit's Son]

I have an 08 Z06 as a daily driver and love it. No issues with harshness etc. just a great driving car. I had an '07 and traded it for the '08 with the upgraded interior package, it is much improved over the '07 interior but still would have to be rated as a poor interior. I would say go for it but you may want to wait until you can import the '08 model year with the 3LT package.

Dave

i want to correct you for Anders' sake. I believe you meant the 3LZ package. The 3LT is on non-Z06s and does not include the leather wrap package.