Don't be silly, who would do that?

 

i was thinking about selling my sti to buy the new z06.but i think im going to keep my sti and what til the new shelby cobra(gt500) comes out next summer.
z06 is still the ulitmate car for me. but the new shelby(last time i read)is going to be around 500 hp. couple bolt ons......

 

As far as cars of that caliber, yeah - I think a C5 is pretty damn sweet for the cash. I was teetering on the purchase of a 2000 FRC (I personally like the Fixed Roof Coupe WAAAAY better than the hatchback with it's removable roof panel) that was base, bone stock, black - the guy wanted $25k which is about what I had. I bought the WRX instead since it was a new car and I foolishly thought the warranty would provide peace of mind VS an out of warranty complicated GM car. If I had the time and the money without worries, I would have gone for the C5 no two ways about it. In my opinion, a great car as long as you are OK with the compromises.

The steering wheel in the face was corrected with a new key and fob. It remembered the seat, wheel and mirror settings of someone about 8" shorter than me, so it wasn't fun for me (but was entertaining for everyone else).

I think your friend meant the Z51 suspension package. I would like that, though a stock C5 is plenty adequate - moreso with a shock upgrade like Konis or Bilsteins. This would be highly recommended.

There is more to the Z06 than just the extra power though. It comes stock with the HUD (interesting and slightly useful on the track actually) and has all kinds of little tweaks as well as different transmission ratios. After spending time in a Z06, it's definitely tops but I believe a regular coupe would still be a really fun car, at a lot better price.

Also the new Cobra sounds neat, and I really like was SVT has done in the past, but I have to say there is no substitute for a really nicely sorted IRS setup like the Corvette has. I think this is most noticable when putting power down exiting corners.

Glad you wouldn't consider the C4. They make really good track cars when properly prepared, but IMHO aren't good street cars.

 

Thanks for the input!

I will keep my eyes open, yeah I want the ZR1 suspension package and I would prefer the one with the removable roof instead of the hardtop Z06, but I've heard that the Z06 is awsome, so I'd live with a non removable hardtop.

 

If you think the Z06 is the way you're gonna go, you could always try and find one from the first year they were offered (2001). They are usually quite a bit cheaper, even with really low miles, because they are less powerful (385hp vs. 405hp) and are marginally slower. They are still faster than the stock C5, handle as well as the later model z06s, look exactly the same, and like I said, are usually quite a bit cheaper. If you go with the standard C5 I think investing in one with the Z51 suspesnion package would def. be a good idea. Not only does the Z51 package firm everything up, but many corvette owners say that it makes the car less tail happy and more stable in slalom/mountain driving.

-Chris