Unpopular Opinion: I'd Take A C6 ZR1 Over A C7 Z06 

"MichaelGauby" (michaelgauby) 01/10/2018 at 10:00 • Filed to: Chevrolet, Corvette, ZR1, Z06, Used Car Values

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Corvettes seem a dime-a-dozen these days. The C7 Z06 was released last year, the new ZR1 was recently announced, and a mid-engine car is in the works. It’s for these reasons that now seems as good as any to invest in an old ZR1.

The ZR1 is much faster than the C7 Z06 in a straight line. I’m all for track performance but at the same time think it’s really cool to have a car that can reach 200mph.

The ZR1 is also much, much rarer. More Z06's were made last year than Zr1's were produced over the course of the C6's lifetime.

Stick a couple of plastic bits onto a Stingray and all of a sudden you can’t tell the difference between it and a Z. The C6 at least has a cool engine cover.

The C6 is a beautiful car, even today. Just look at it.

And it’s more reliable than it’s modern counterpart

Seems reason enough to me. Now I just need to save up.

RutRut > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:02

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I actually agree, I think the C6 is significantly better looking than the C7.

random001 > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:07

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I’d take a C6Z06, though. Dat 427!

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:10

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You make a convincing argument. My only counterpoint is that I want a car that I can flog without concern for it’s collectible status, so a more rare car is actually a negative for me.

Which leads me to currently looking at regular old C5s at around $11k. I might be tempted by a C5 Z06 around $18k (although I’m really just window shopping for the next year or more unless a stupid good deal presents itself). Maybe a C6 ZR1 many years in the future if it depreciates a lot despite the rarity.

Arrivederci > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:12

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Right now I’m lusting after the C7 GS.

Milky > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:16

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Unpopular opinion: I’d take one of these instead.

Future next gen S2000 owner > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 01/10/2018 at 10:20

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A C5 Z is on my short list. I think prices are bottoming out for them. I don’t see them going much lower.

diplodicus > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:20

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There’s a guy in my town that had one, probably still has but I only seem to see him in his Raptor now. But I’ve seen him driving it in below freezing temps so he’s certified insane.

Spanfeller is a twat > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:26

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That is an unpopular opinion...

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:27

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id take a C5 ZO6 over either, or a C4 ZR-1

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Future next gen S2000 owner 01/10/2018 at 10:29

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You are probably right about them bottoming out on the depreciation curve right now.

After much consideration about what I want in a second car (if anything), I’m thinking of this as a dedicated autocross car and weekend toy, so a C5 Z06 may actually make competition more challenging than I’d prefer depending on how it is classed. Having said that, there are some great drivers running regular C5s so that may be too competitive, too!

EL_ULY > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 10:33

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agreed.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Milky 01/10/2018 at 10:41

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if money was no question id absolutely have a viper over a corvette

OPPOsaurus WRX > Milky 01/10/2018 at 11:00

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i’m with you.

BeaterGT > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 11:21

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Not to mention the C6 ZR1 came only in a 6 speed (albeit with no-lift shift). I read yesterday that 80% of 2018 Z06s are auto...gross.

BeaterGT > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 01/10/2018 at 11:22

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Hopefully both of you are right about the prices bottoming out :) Might be able to get a profit out of mine.

RT > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 12:50

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If money were no object, I’d go for the C7 over the C6.

If you forced me to pay for one, it’d be the C6 ZR1.

If it were my choice, it would be a Porsche.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > BeaterGT 01/10/2018 at 12:59

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EarlZ, I can’t seem to find a post from you sharing about your purchase experience and what led you to chose your Vette, just asking people to check VINs for you, and an engine sound video. I think you need to tell us (or at least me) more about it.

BeaterGT > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 01/10/2018 at 13:25

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Yes, sir! Sorry about that, I’m pretty terrible at composing Oppo posts. Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know that I don’t cover but overall my want was pretty similar to yours, a second car that is track worthy.

I searched for the better part of a year all over the country for a clean title C5 Z06 and it turned out an older gent 5 miles from my house was getting rid of his higher-mileage example. This was particularly awesome because it meant I wouldn’t have to fly anywhere and I could go and check the car out on my lunch. Also, I’m not rich and didn’t want to ruin/beat on a low mile car so I ended up picking it up for $14k with just over 100k on the clock (just getting broken in!). All of the common mechanical issues were already taken care of too which was a huge bonus. This includes things like the steering lock problem and the weak OEM valve springs.

We are now at 7 months from initial purchase and the car is currently sitting under a cover to shield it from the elements. So far I’ve replaced the gas cap, changed the oil, sealed up some water leaks from aging weatherstripping, put an additional ~3k miles on it, and ran a 12.5 in the 1/4 my first time out in the car. I’ve also cleaned the car up quite a bit from when I first received it, especially the interior. As soon as it gets warmer out, I’ll be changing fluids and throwing on new pads to get it ready for NJMP this season.

MichaelGauby > Milky 01/10/2018 at 13:49

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Ok that ACR is something else...

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > BeaterGT 01/10/2018 at 13:55

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Very cool. There’s your post, that’s a post.

I’m just curious to hear more about what led you to chose a Corvette (probably exactly the same as me, but I don’t want to make assumptions), and then why the Z06 instead of a Z51 or regular flavor?

And maybe more details on equipment, and pros and cons. Looks like stock wheels? What kind of tires did you use at the drag strip and what do you plan to use on the track?

RPM esq. > MichaelGauby 01/10/2018 at 14:16

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My unpopular opinion is that I’d never ever in a million years by a Corvette, but if a traumatic brain injury changed me into a person with wholly different automotive tastes, I would totally share your unpopular opinion and buy a C6 ZR1 over a C7 ZZTOP or whatever.

BeaterGT > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 01/10/2018 at 14:29

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I’m a sucker for Chevrolet sports/muscle cars and you’d be hard pressed to find more performance value for the dollar than in a C5 Z06. I guess you could say it was a mix between an emotional and logical purchase, right where I like it. To be honest, I didn’t really consider the other models because I like the look/setup of the stock Z. Also, the Z06 comes with titanium exhaust which weighs very little as you may know and sounds awesome in my opinion. The nice unintended bonuses were that it’s great to commute with since it gets slightly better gas mileage than my Subaru and also is cheaper to insure.

As far as equipment goes, the PO installed a short shifter in it (big upgrade over stock) and a Vararam air intake. The stock seats suck so I’ll probably put something else in the driver’s side.

Yep, stock wheels and whatever road tires the PO had on in OEM sizes which is what I used at the track. You might notice I do a light burnout and launch it pretty soft in the drag clip above. Haven’t selected a track tire yet but hear good things about the NT05s and RE760s. Would rather not use what’s currently on the car. No plans for any big modifications, I like to enjoy cars in stock to near stock form. Especially with something as stout as the C5z but I have a feeling the bug will bite after the first day on a circuit.