ok guys, first time to post in this section. so heres the deal, im going to buy a vette later this year. i really love the Z06's, but i cant afford a c6 z06. so im trying to get the pros and cons of an 02-04 z06 and the 05 c6 vette. if both were stock how would they perform. im honestly leaning towards a red 04 z with under 30k miles. im just seeing how many people would think the c6 vette would be better. this probably wont be my dd. more of a weekend car. i dont want to mod it too much. for sure bolt ons though. thanks for the info. Dan
well folks, i did some more research and came across a post similar to mine. and i am for sure gonna go with the z06, handsdown. so no need to respond.
It's like this with vettes: ZR1>C6 Z06>'08+ C6 ~= '02-'04 Z06>'01 Z06>'05-'07 C6>C5
I agree except I would put the LS3 C6 ahead of the C5Z just because they're making crazy power with a simple tune and bolt-ons. You have to cam a C5Z to get to the bolt-on LS3 power levels.
__________________ '02 Corvette ZO6, AFR 205's milled to 62cc, Pat G cam, 42# SVO's, ported FAST 90/LS2 TB, FLP LT's, ORX, UD pulley, Halltech CAI http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3064178
'99 TA M6, cam and bolt-ons 427RWHP 380RWTQ...SOLD
yeah i heard the ls3 c6's are gonna be pretty mean. i appreciate the info guys. well im defineately getting a red 02-04 z06. i plan on spending right around 25k. ive been doing some research and i shouldnt have a problem buying one for that price and have under 45k miles on it. the more i look at the z06's the meaner they look. i cant wait to purchase one. i think im gonna keep my camaro though, just so i dont drive the z06 all the time. again folks, thanks for the input.
Just bought mine tonight. Guy was asking 24,500 for a 2003 Z06 100% stock with 44,000 miles on it. I got it for 23,500 and paid TTL and came out to 25K.
So the deals are out there...
This is the car btw...
__________________ 2003 Corvette Z06 Electron Blue
Silver 95 Z28/SS 355 cammed and sprayed (SOLD)
For me, I hate the big back window of the C6. I think Chevy screwed up when they made the C6 Z06 with the big back window. Performance wise, I still think the C5 Z06 was a little faster that the 05-07 C6. Good luck with the car.
If you want to know the truth about what people are getting at the track go to corvette forum and look at the C5Z section thread fast list and the C6 fast list. There isn't a single stock C6 LS2 that got near the C5Z times. The LS3 has gotten close with a little higher mph but not time wise. People also incorrectly think that the Z51 package is the same as the C5Z. Not true, they have the FE4 suspension which is slightly stiffer with bigger sway bars. As always, when modding the only thing that counts is how much you spend. Either way you will enjoy which ever car you ultimately get. Remember they are both vettes and in the same brotherhood.
They are both too slow stock, get which one you like better but drive both. They both need an extra 200rwhp. You can find great examples of both in the $26-28K range these days. You will be happy with either one though.
You should just wait another 6 months and get an 06 Z06 for $35-37K.
There is a MS C6Z w/18K miles in perfect shape locally at a Infinity dealer and they will sell that one for $39K now.
I agree except I would put the LS3 C6 ahead of the C5Z just because they're making crazy power with a simple tune and bolt-ons. You have to cam a C5Z to get to the bolt-on LS3 power levels.
I was referring to stock cars, although, if you have a stout Z, you can get 400rwhp with a good tune and bolt-ons. Plus they're lighter.
Check out this article on an '04 Z06 from GM High Tech Performance. Look at those times stock. Guy hadn't even had any practice in it. All it takes is knowing how to drive it:
shit man, yall r tryin to make me buy one now with all this talk. haha. its actually a litle annoying at how excited i am about getting an 04z. i literally cannot stop thinking about it. im hoping if everything goes right i can do it sooner than december of this year.
oh, i just checked out that gmhightech article and it was good. an 11.97 from a stock z06. gotta love those #'s. and from the 02-04 z06's, is on better than the other. from what ive read the 04 just has better suspension and a carbon fiber hood.
When an '08+ C6 pulls a high eleven bone stock (done by multiple people with a C5 Z including GMHTP) you can put it ahead of the Z. Until then, no
According to CF, there are 9 bone stock C5's in the 11s vs only 2 for the LS3. It looks like the C5 Z06 is a little quicker, but maybe better drivers buy C5 Z's. The LS3's look like they may MPH better.
Bolt-on list still favors the C5z too. Throw out the top two C6 guys with slushboxes and compare positions 3 - 10 with the same positions on the C5Z list.
The C5z, especially in Electron Blue is a great car. Interior was too similar to my camaro and no removable roof, so it was LS3 time for me.
__________________ 2008 Atomic Orange C6 Z51 M6 - LG Pros w/ cats, Vararam, 160 T-Stat, HPT
Gone but not forgotten: 2002 SS vert
RIP: Z28 vert 11.58 @ 117.0 1.63 3800 lbs. 99 Mods and Pictures
I was referring to stock cars, although, if you have a stout Z, you can get 400rwhp with a good tune and bolt-ons. Plus they're lighter.
When an '08+ C6 pulls a high eleven bone stock (done by multiple people with a C5 Z including GMHTP) you can put it ahead of the Z. Until then, no
I agree that stock for stock it's extremely close between the two. I would just prefer the LS3 if you plan to mod...and it's not easy to get a C5Z to 400RWHP with just bolt-ons - most are closer to 380RWHP tuned whereas a bolt-on LS3 is well over 400RWHP.
__________________ '02 Corvette ZO6, AFR 205's milled to 62cc, Pat G cam, 42# SVO's, ported FAST 90/LS2 TB, FLP LT's, ORX, UD pulley, Halltech CAI http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3064178
'99 TA M6, cam and bolt-ons 427RWHP 380RWTQ...SOLD
C5 Z06 vs C6 Vette 
'03 EB Z06 
