Just wondering, what do you guys think about a used Corvette Z06 2002 and above compared to a new crossfire limited or a very used srt6? All three run for about the same price mid 30s and I'm shopping for a car. So guys can you please list all your thoughts on each car? etc? Thanks.

 

you can get the crossfire cheaper, however, if you want performance no comparison get the vette. if you want a manual transmission you'll have to get the limited as the SRT only comes in an automatic.

the vette is sweet for sure. would i trade my xfire for one, probably not. vette will have more maintenance issues and overall cost, plus i see them everywhere.

just saw new car and driver with porsche caymen. that could be the next move.

 

the dealer had drilled through the front bumper before i got the car. poor baby --

i have an SRT-6 bumper on order; i havent decided what to do about the front plate yet...

 

The Z06 will certainly cost much more to insure... check into that aspect.

There are many Corvettes out there that get babied and thus are used less than 3000 miles per year. Is this one of those? The amount of mileage on the Z06 is a factor as was how heavily it was beaten on/up. Be aware that the Z06's early on had some minor oil consumption issues with some engines needing about 1 quart every 1000 miles. There is/was a dealer fix for that. Check the detailed service records for the car. Most vette owners keep a good record of everything and are "****" about their cars. Those are the kind of folks you want to buy a Vette from.

Also, alot of Z06 owners tend to mod them with short shifters, shift lock outs, axel back exhaust systems, etc. Check to see what was done to it and by whom. Usually, these kind of mods do not add any value and can reduce value in the used aftermarket.

Bend down and check under the frame, as the Z06 can get hung up on speed bumps, etc.

 

Definitely go with the Z06. Even a mildly modded srt-6 would not pull on a Z06. In a few rare cases they have gone 11.9's completely stock. Paying mid 30's for a used 02 Z06 seems high. Around here they go for low 30's. But every market is different. Also get an 02 or newer. I would trade both my Crossfire and my srt-4 for a Z06. It truly is the better car. Just watch out for driveways. LOL. But that constant scraping is more normal, that cover was built to do exactly that protect what is needed. The Z06 is worth every penny.

 

you can buy a new srt-6 for mid 30's right now, i say get that. a lightly modded srt-6, contrary to what bullseye says, could hang with a Z06. plus, its new. i don't like used cars.

 

p.s., before bullseye jumps all over me saying that, evosport sells a kit for 2900 that puts the srt at 400hp and 400ft lbs. http://www.evosport.com/product/prod...VO.PER.M03.S01.
Z06's are cool though too. with the money you have, i wouldn't bother with a new crossfire limited.

 

Would I do such a thing?

That "may" get the srt-6 to maybe around a 12.6@111 or so. Still a Z06 traps at about 115. The Z06 starts out faster and will always be faster mod for mod. Not to mention the Z06 handles better and has a manual. I am a fan of the slk32 and srt-6 but the z06 is in a different league.

 

The Crossfire Roadster I have is no comparison to the '04 Z06 we have. Mine is an automatic, but a stick doesn't make that much difference. I can't compare it to a Srt-6. How many horsepower does the srt-6 have. The Z06 having 405hp and a stick I think is prob. more for power, but the SRT-6 will definitely be more of a looker, only because there are so few of them. I think the Roadsters are really sharp. One thing, the Vette drivers are just as friendly towards each other as the XF's.
I don't think I would ever buy a used performance car. You never know how someone treated it, and when people know they aren't keeping it for a long time, they tend to abuse it. JMHO.
Good luck!

 

Yea I seen a lot of c5s but fewer z06s. Most people don't know the difference between a regular vette and a z06 but I think the minor (exterior) differences make a big difference. The wheels, brakes, and side air vents/intakes idk look so much nicer. The problem is still, a vette is a vette and they're just too common. I defintely have to agree though, a z06 in terms of performance is way out of the xfire's league. I went to look up the z06 info and regularly see it being compared (stock) to stock vipers and modified ones being compared to supercars. And I would def. have to agree with the abuse comment. Performance cars are likely to be abused, but let's face it, its getting kinda hard to find a decent performance car for around 35k. The only other thing I would even look at in that price range would be..a very very used NSX and those are like 10 years old. I've heard that the z06 can be used as a daily driver but how would it compare to an xfire for an everyday car? I can only afford one car for now, lol.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168

 

IIRC the ZO6 option first appeared on the C5 in 2001 w/385 hp and then, in 2002, they upped the hp to 405. If the ZO6 has been well maintained and doesn't show any signs of abuse, I'd get the Vette, but then again, the Corvette is my favorite car of all time (in particular, the "mid-years" 63-67) There is something to be said about insurance for the ZO6 and the Crossfires are very cheap, around here in SE MI they can be had for under $30K and dropping. I don't understand the drop, but for the money, its a great car that you can't go wrong with! One more thing, don't let the 215 hp rating scare you off, the car isn't a slug like some might suggest. Do yourself a favor and go and drive one, preferably a 6 spd and tell us what you think.

 

I know this is off topic, but we got a letter from GM wanting to take our 30th anniversary ragtop Vette for 10 days so they can do some emissions testing on it, and in exchange they would give us a "car" to drive plus $150. And to expect traveling to and from miles, plus 80 miles on a dyno.
Are they kidding, or what???? I can't imagine anyone giving them their Vette for anything!

 

People buy Z06's for one reason over a base Vette, to use it for how its been constructed. I'd buy a new anything over a used performance car.

 

Dollar for dollar, I'd go with a new SRT6 almost 7-8k soft off msrp, better looking! Or a used XKR cpe mid 30k's. Also better looking and a 400hp cruiser.

 

Buying a used performance car is not bad. Not everyone who buys one beats the **** out of it. Almost all my performance cars were bought new-used. Very little miles on them. Like someone else said, most vette owners are **** about there vettes and take great care of them, or they beat the **** out them. Those are easy to tell. I bought my 99 Vette used with 9k on it at the time, and didn't have one problem. Its smart to buy used, that way you won't be so upside down, if you ever want to get rid of it. Just My .02.

The Z06 owns. Used Z06 or save a few K and used 03-04 Cobra? That choice I still haven't made.

 

There is more that goes with owning a vette than just speed and performance. vette owners enjoy being part of a long history of american engineering and innovation. Built in America by Americans with American design. The Z06 is the best sports car period anywhere for the price. You wont see motortrend comparing the Crossfire to a Ferrari or Porches. I own both and regardless of how many vettes are on the road compared to crossfires, the vette is widely recognized for being at the top, maybe the crossfire can build a reputation of its own if it stays around for a few years. PS. I think if you find a well treated used vette it will last you for a long time, both of mine have.

Check page 14 of this: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1

 

I would have to disagree..got a '05 limited as a rental when my SRT was in for work and unless I keep the RPM's high...it was a slug...even to the point where I asked for a different rental...

went with something a little different the second time around...(Hemi AWD).

 

This is how I also feel about the crossfire's acceleration.

 

this is the new beast! ...

"Z06 Hits 60 in 3.7 Seconds, Chevy Says....

Chevrolet says the upcoming 2006 Z06 edition will be the fastest Corvette ever. The new 505-hp Z06 will run from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, Chevrolet promises. The Z06 gets its extra power from a 7.0-liter V-8 engine and is helped to its faster speeds by lightweight construction: the 3132-lb Z06 has a body built with aluminum, titanium, and magnesium. The Z06 goes on sale in the fall priced from $65,800, including destination charges".