what vette to buy

[Soop Dogg]

All non-convertible C6's apart from the Z06 are targas.

You asked earelier about how the roof stows in the boot - it has 2 latches on the front an done on the back to remove it, then there are attachments in the boot for the roof to clip into to stop it rattling and sliding around.

[ian-163jt]

Soop Dogg said:

All non-convertible C6's apart from the Z06 are targas.

You asked earelier about how the roof stows in the boot - it has 2 latches on the front an done on the back to remove it, then there are attachments in the boot for the roof to clip into to stop it rattling and sliding around.

cheers , i had a nissan Zx300 years ago & same thing, so when in boot no room really ? are they quite a good system ? non leak ?

[Sinatra21]

If your talking about the light blue one in ebay there's something not quite right about it. From what I've read that colour never existed and the interior was a special edition on a later car. Plus the bonnet doesn't look right. My guess is its a write off from the states so I'd want some detailed look over it by a professional. It was up for 17.5k when I enquired and was told it had a deposit on it. Then a week later it's back up from the same seller.

[Sinatra21]

There's a nice burnt orange c6 for sale on eBay and pistonheads and a really low mileage c5 z06 of Car and classic. It's 26k but only has 1.5k miles from new.

[ian-163jt]

Sinatra21 said:

There's a nice burnt orange c6 for sale on eBay and pistonheads and a really low mileage c5 z06 of Car and classic. It's 26k but only has 1.5k miles from new.

thanks for that was a bit woried , it started off at £22k ! i thnk as it has body kit as well, like you say some damage , weird that somebody paints it a colour that dosnt exist ? perhaps the seller would tell you what the story but i never rang him ?

regarding orange one will have a look but bit out my price range , the other thing is everybody seems to love the Z06 i dont know if it is as nice drice as the standard , sometimes they make them to hard for british roads , have these got harder suspension? also no targa which i love , also is it true that the boot /trunk is smaller / less room ?

[Soop Dogg]

ian-163jt said:

thanks for that was a bit woried , it started off at £22k ! i thnk as it has body kit as well, like you say some damage , weird that somebody paints it a colour that dosnt exist ? perhaps the seller would tell you what the story but i never rang him ?

regarding orange one will have a look but bit out my price range , the other thing is everybody seems to love the Z06 i dont know if it is as nice drice as the standard , sometimes they make them to hard for british roads , have these got harder suspension? also no targa which i love , also is it true that the boot /trunk is smaller / less room ?

Re the Z06 boot - it's only smaller in that you lose one of the 'bins' as the battery is in the boot.

Re the size of the boot with the roof in it. The roof still has plenty of room under it for storage. You can pop out the rear clips and the roof kind of 'hinges' up at the back edge so that you can get to the space underneath it. I've know my wife and I to have the roof in the back when on holiday with a couple of weeks luggage in the boot too!

[z06tim]

C5Z06 doesn't have the battery in the boot. It's under the bonnet, same as the standard C5.

Boot space is same as a convertible, although it doesn't have the separate compartment lids, so the trunk space is effectively more open. A convertible or fixed-roof-hardtop/Z06 does not have such a practical hatch-back like the regular targa-roof coupe, but it is still a very large trunk space for this class of vehicle.

The Z06 has the stiffest suspension of the C5 models, but is still not that harsh of a drive. Certainly not like a lot of much more recent performance oriented models. In my opinion the better handling is worth the small compromise to the ride.

[ian-163jt]

Soop Dogg said:

Re the Z06 boot - it's only smaller in that you lose one of the 'bins' as the battery is in the boot.

Re the size of the boot with the roof in it. The roof still has plenty of room under it for storage. You can pop out the rear clips and the roof kind of 'hinges' up at the back edge so that you can get to the space underneath it. I've know my wife and I to have the roof in the back when on holiday with a couple of weeks luggage in the boot too!

thats fine , if you can get some luggage for weekend away ( i will take my van if need more room ha ha )
cheers

[ian-163jt]

z06tim said:

C5Z06 doesn't have the battery in the boot. It's under the bonnet, same as the standard C5.

Boot space is same as a convertible, although it doesn't have the separate compartment lids, so the trunk space is effectively more open. A convertible or fixed-roof-hardtop/Z06 does not have such a practical hatch-back like the regular targa-roof coupe, but it is still a very large trunk space for this class of vehicle.

The Z06 has the stiffest suspension of the C5 models, but is still not that harsh of a drive. Certainly not like a lot of much more recent performance oriented models. In my opinion the better handling is worth the small compromise to the ride.

that sounds ok , i dont like these cars that are set up for track,then everyday life is crappy ride ...
i see you have Z06 , did you try a c6 instead of c5 as i see simlar money would get you either car ?

[z06tim]

ian-163jt said:

that sounds ok , i dont like these cars that are set up for track,then everyday life is crappy ride ...
i see you have Z06 , did you try a c6 instead of c5 as i see simlar money would get you either car ?

I've had my 2001 Z06 for nearly 10 years. At the time a C6 was much more money.

It's interesting that a standard C6 will be pretty close to a C5Z in a drag race, so in that sense it could be a good argument to consider both, but for me the character of the C5Z and the improved handling and feedback from the lighter car is well worth it.

I have considered moving to a C6Z, beacause of the improved performance, but i know there will be too many things i will miss from the C5Z. For me the C5Z is quite a unique car.

Good luck with your search. Sounds like you need to try a few cars to know what you want.

[ian-163jt]

z06tim said:

I've had my 2001 Z06 for nearly 10 years. At the time a C6 was much more money.

It's interesting that a standard C6 will be pretty close to a C5Z in a drag race, so in that sense it could be a good argument to consider both, but for me the character of the C5Z and the improved handling and feedback from the lighter car is well worth it.

I have considered moving to a C6Z, beacause of the improved performance, but i know there will be too many things i will miss from the C5Z. For me the C5Z is quite a unique car.

Good luck with your search. Sounds like you need to try a few cars to know what you want.

yes i think price wise i can get both , why is c5oz lighter ? its hard trying cars as you feel a time waster.
i am impulse , see ,like , buy , regret ha ha

[Marc p]

Sinatra21 said:

If your talking about the light blue one in ebay there's something not quite right about it. From what I've read that colour never existed and the interior was a special edition on a later car. Plus the bonnet doesn't look right. My guess is its a write off from the states so I'd want some detailed look over it by a professional. It was up for 17.5k when I enquired and was told it had a deposit on it. Then a week later it's back up from the same seller.

I can confirm that the light blue one is on a salvage title in the states, so it was a total loss car, I assume the interior was replaced due to all the airbags being deployed as the Ron Fellows was a ltd edition Z06.

I personally would avoid it at all costs, I briefly looked at a salvage title C6 that I thought was going to go cheap(it didn't!), but after hours of research on the US Corvette forum, the general consensus was that once the chassis is bent on the c6, it will never be truly straight again and it really will never be the same car again.

I personally ended up with C6 Manual (UK car), got it a couple of months ago now, used it a few times and I have just fallen in love with it, imo(and one that may anger some PH's) it's better than the R8, I don't know what it is, but it's got an almost empowering feeling to it, one that makes you pretty much get in it and go 'fk Yeah!, but (and this is one that may anger a few 'vette owners) the manual makes the car, it would not be the same car without it and if you are right handed, you won't ever want to drive a RHD manual again, the gear shifting feels so much more natural being a LHD.

I did read that some people prefer LHD's and driving one for a little while, I brushed it off, but I'm starting to get it now, for a manual, I think I'd always prefer LHD from now on.

[MrNoisy]

imho normal human beings will not be able to separate a C5Z and a C6 (with Z51) on a track let alone on the road.

They will however be able to separate the extremely dated interior of the 5th generation. Don't get me wrong, I love both cars (owned both) but given a choice the 6 is the right way to go every day of the week.

Given you are talking quite a lot about practicalities then the 6 is an even more obvious choice. Smaller footprint (the 5 is big!), decent boot in the coupe and that oh so wonderful removable roof! It's a no brainer really.

Only way i'd go for a 5Z over a 6 is if it was gonna be an out and out track hack.

Mileage? Mine is mildly modded and on 108k with all the pull of the proverbial steam train...

[ian-163jt]

MrNoisy said:

imho normal human beings will not be able to separate a C5Z and a C6 (with Z51) on a track let alone on the road.

They will however be able to separate the extremely dated interior of the 5th generation. Don't get me wrong, I love both cars (owned both) but given a choice the 6 is the right way to go every day of the week.

Given you are talking quite a lot about practicalities then the 6 is an even more obvious choice. Smaller footprint (the 5 is big!), decent boot in the coupe and that oh so wonderful removable roof! It's a no brainer really.

Only way i'd go for a 5Z over a 6 is if it was gonna be an out and out track hack.

Mileage? Mine is mildly modded and on 108k with all the pull of the proverbial steam train...

thanks , normally the next model is always a bit better (not every time but more than not !) i think i will try to wait a bit & see if a nice c6 auto comes along , i dont want a track car ,is it a fair bit smaller than c5 ? is the hatchback same size as c5 ? are all c6 targas as standard , what are the MUST have extras to look for , need a uk car ? or is it a euro spec ?
cheers

[MrNoisy]

ian-163jt said:

thanks , normally the next model is always a bit better (not every time but more than not !) i think i will try to wait a bit & see if a nice c6 auto comes along , i dont want a track car ,is it a fair bit smaller than c5 ? is the hatchback same size as c5 ? are all c6 targas as standard , what are the MUST have extras to look for , need a uk car ? or is it a euro spec ?
cheers

The 5Z has a cult following and rightly so, I'd certainly have another one but standing back a few feet from the problem and thinking logically the 6 is a better car in almost all respects. Stripped out, caged and modded the 5Z will be better on track, that is all. Some people just prefer and as they say, each to their own. I suspect, some people just don't like change. Check out some of the rage against the C7 on the US Vette forum........(a car i've had the pleasure of experiencing and can tell you is a quantum leap above the 6!)

I don't think the measurements sound hugely different but my 6 felt substantially smaller and that was driving on US roads.

Nowt in the two hatches if you are talking coupe v coupe but the base 5 is way down on power. If you're comparing the 5z then that has more of a traditional boot arrangement over the hatch, also a fixed roof so no targa. (increases body stiffness hence better track behaviour.)

All C6 base model coupes are targa, as are the later Grand sports. The 6Z has a fixed roof as well.

The next bit is very subjective but personally i'd look for the best equipped car I can find when making such a purchase. All cars at this age are well out of Warranty but Chevy honour recalls etc over here anyway.

I have a US car so here comes my bit of bias My 05 has not a jot of corrosion on it as it has lived in the southern states all it's life, I cannot imagine a single euro spec car with any use or mileage can be as clean underneath. It is also only £235 a year to tax and for some utterly bizarre reason despite having no NCB to put against it the insurance is way cheaper than my V70 D5?

[ian-163jt]

MrNoisy said:

The 5Z has a cult following and rightly so, I'd certainly have another one but standing back a few feet from the problem and thinking logically the 6 is a better car in almost all respects. Stripped out, caged and modded the 5Z will be better on track, that is all. Some people just prefer and as they say, each to their own. I suspect, some people just don't like change. Check out some of the rage against the C7 on the US Vette forum........(a car i've had the pleasure of experiencing and can tell you is a quantum leap above the 6!)

I don't think the measurements sound hugely different but my 6 felt substantially smaller and that was driving on US roads.

Nowt in the two hatches if you are talking coupe v coupe but the base 5 is way down on power. If you're comparing the 5z then that has more of a traditional boot arrangement over the hatch, also a fixed roof so no targa. (increases body stiffness hence better track behaviour.)

All C6 base model coupes are targa, as are the later Grand sports. The 6Z has a fixed roof as well.

The next bit is very subjective but personally i'd look for the best equipped car I can find when making such a purchase. All cars at this age are well out of Warranty but Chevy honour recalls etc over here anyway.

I have a US car so here comes my bit of bias My 05 has not a jot of corrosion on it as it has lived in the southern states all it's life, I cannot imagine a single euro spec car with any use or mileage can be as clean underneath. It is also only £235 a year to tax and for some utterly bizarre reason despite having no NCB to put against it the insurance is way cheaper than my V70 D5?

thanks again for info ..... i have been warned not to have a jap import ? why is that , they have a dry state , strict 50mph speed limits ? did you import yours yourself ?

[MrNoisy]

Don't understand the jap import comment with ref to a Vette but generally there is a lot of guff spoken about imports. I know insurance used to be a faff but it isn't now.

I've been back in the UK for over a year now and had to source a couple of bits from the States. It really is a piece of doddle to purchase online and stuff arrives V quickly. There are so many vendors in the US that will ship to your door I reckon it's just as easy as getting bits for the Volvo - and a lot cheaper usually lol. I just had a set of EBC yellow stuff pads delivered for £42 to my door from ebay. These are super cheap cars to run.

If you are more inclined to let others do all the work in exchange for the hard earned then there are also a whole host of options in the UK as far as specialists go. They don't care whether it is an import or not....

It's a sliding scale as far as I can tell with one end being buying a UK supplied one owner car from a dealer that has low miles, full history and warranty and the other end being buying that yellow thing off ebay recently that had been salvage in the US and then Lithunian repaired & registered ffs! I wouldn't have been totally put off a salvage whilst in the US but I would not entertain buying a salvage that has been exported. I suspect it was known it would never have been allowed back on the road in the US.

If you end up looking at US cars be sure it has Z51 and ideally a 3LT(06 up) or 1SB(2005) spec. HUD was an optional extra on cars below this spec so not all US cars have it. Easy to retrofit but there are literally gazzillions of cars out there to start with. Another thing I would avoid would be magride, this in my experience is the thing that irks people in the US the most. You're looking at $1000 a corner when they start leaking - or so i'm told.

Now the 6 is over ten years old it is a joy to import as only needs MOT and not IVA. The exchange rate is prob your biggest challenge at the moment but that will work itself out i'm sure.

[ian-163jt]

MrNoisy said:

Don't understand the jap import comment with ref to a Vette but generally there is a lot of guff spoken about imports. I know insurance used to be a faff but it isn't now.

I've been back in the UK for over a year now and had to source a couple of bits from the States. It really is a piece of doddle to purchase online and stuff arrives V quickly. There are so many vendors in the US that will ship to your door I reckon it's just as easy as getting bits for the Volvo - and a lot cheaper usually lol. I just had a set of EBC yellow stuff pads delivered for £42 to my door from ebay. These are super cheap cars to run.

If you are more inclined to let others do all the work in exchange for the hard earned then there are also a whole host of options in the UK as far as specialists go. They don't care whether it is an import or not....

It's a sliding scale as far as I can tell with one end being buying a UK supplied one owner car from a dealer that has low miles, full history and warranty and the other end being buying that yellow thing off ebay recently that had been salvage in the US and then Lithunian repaired & registered ffs! I wouldn't have been totally put off a salvage whilst in the US but I would not entertain buying a salvage that has been exported. I suspect it was known it would never have been allowed back on the road in the US.

If you end up looking at US cars be sure it has Z51 and ideally a 3LT(06 up) or 1SB(2005) spec. HUD was an optional extra on cars below this spec so not all US cars have it. Easy to retrofit but there are literally gazzillions of cars out there to start with. Another thing I would avoid would be magride, this in my experience is the thing that irks people in the US the most. You're looking at $1000 a corner when they start leaking - or so i'm told.

Now the 6 is over ten years old it is a joy to import as only needs MOT and not IVA. The exchange rate is prob your biggest challenge at the moment but that will work itself out i'm sure.
I know what you mean about getting top uk spec 1 owner with warranty , i am not scared to save some money and take a chance ...
is mag ride an option then ?
what is z51 package? also what is 3lt ?
what is 1sb ?
do you think i shaoul import one ?

[Gixer]

Interesting thread. Couple of things though, you may want to try both as its down to personal taste. Corrosion wise you should be pretty much fine C4 upwards.
Imo, the vette has evolved from sports car to gt car over the years. A c5 Z06 will be a bit less gt than a C6. It will certainly be a bit more of a raw driving experience. Also lets not forget a C5 Z06 was top dog when new. A base C6 was never top dog even when new. Comments of the aged interior are true though. Althouh no vettes have anything to shout home about when it comes to interiors, even the C7.

I run both a C6 Z06 and C4 ZR1 (not stock). While the Z06 is very civilised, fast and practical- great for driving to the Alps or Monaco non stop or perhaps the odd track day, once in the Alps, its the ZR1 I yearn for. Far more a drivers car. Preferred by both my wife and myself and the car that will never be sold.

Im one of those that do not like the C7 very much. The looks just dont do it for me. In fact the only one I like is a friends white Z06 - imo the only colour that works. You say each model is an improvement but lets not forget the considerable weight the new car has put on and the fact GM have taken it to the ring twice, crashed it and never posted any times.....

Look up the C6 model changes year to year on google. Try to go post 2008 if you can if its the C6 you opt for. If a model thats been imported from the states then make sure you hpi check it and car fax it too. No point just having a UK check done on a car thats been in the states.

Oh, never buy blind from the states. Always view the car yourself or have someone you trust go and view it. Dont believe any photos the seller claims are of the car. With the bad exchange rate at the mo, im not sure you will get that good a deal. Bare in mind offical euro cars were a different spec to us cars.

Edited by Gixer on Tuesday 22 November 17:52

[LuS1fer]

I had a 1985 Corvette C4 Auto with a piddly 235hp, a computer chip, a very loud exhaust, lousy build quality and wipers that liked to lift at high speed.

I also had a Corvette C5 Z06 with 405hp, quick shifter, stock titaniuum exhaust, far better build quality and a competence the C4 could only dream of.

It was the C4 that wrenched my guts out when I sold it - sometimes a lesser ability, a crude rawness and the ability to make you grin isn't about outright speed and acceleration.