I drove a C6 Z06

[Jeph]

This past weekend I had the privilege to drive two very cool cars: a Bentley GT and the new Corvette Z06.

The Bentley is pimp, plush, fast, and heavy, but everybody knows all that good stuff. I could write plenty about that whip (as the youthful gangstas like to call it), but I assume most people here are more of the performance crowd. Besides, to me, the Vette left more of an impression…

To cut to the chase, the C6 Z06 is a monster. It even sounds like one. Technically, it’s a six speed, but it seems more like an automatic with 6 levels to choose from. That car can go fast in any gear! Though for any kind of fun driving on the streets, there is no reason to go beyond 3rd gear.

The sound is unreal, the pushback you experience on acceleration is hilariously entertaining, and I can understand why people say it’s a track only car. It belongs on the track! It’s not because the ride is rough –because quite frankly, it didn’t seem any worse than my Boxster (in fact, the seats were comfy), but with that much power on tap, it’s too tempting not to pour it on all the time. This car has the hardest working traction control on the planet! And that’s when it’s dry outside. I’d be frightened to see one driven in the rain. Like any monster, it's scary when it's out in public. It needs to be in its natural habitat, in this case, the track.

Obviously, this car left me with an outstanding impression. I'd still take an F430 over it, for American cars generally don't do it for me. But this is one American car to be proud of.

How about you guys...
What do you think the best American vehicle is?
And/Or, what would you rather have, a Z06 or a Ford GT*?

*Here's the part everyone will ignore: in this hypothetical question, you are unable to sell the Ford if you choose it. Consider their values equal. I don't want to hear that they'd take the Ford, sell it, and get a daily driver as well.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Boy are you reopening a can of worms!

But, I agree with you 100% as I have expressed before. The Z06 is the Real Deal - World Class.

I have driven them both - the Z06 on the Street and the Ford GT at the Track (well on a runway actually, at an area event), a fellow local Esprit owner just bought it this past spring. They are both awesome, but completely different.

My choice? The Ford GT, but not by too wide a margin. The Ford GT harkens back to the days when there was really such a thing as a Driver's car. Without all the electro-gizmos, it seems somehow more Honest and makes you aware of how little driving most modern 'Driver's cars' really require. The word refinement doesn't instantly spring to mind, you gotta work it.

IMHO, if the rear squirms out after an ill-advised jab on the WOW Pedal (and it will), that's how it should be, no TC to reel you back in. It's loud, a little cramped, low, all-around more visceral.

The Z06 is better behaved, but only just so (kinda like Eddie Haskell... ). Truth is, they both reach the same achievement, but by different means and that's a matter of choice.

The Z06 has a lot of people running for cover and probably an equal amount in denial. The best opposing arguements to date have been picky barbs at the Interior Vinyl, or minor rattles. But, like it or not, there's no doubt that Chevy has made a statement to the world...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[SD987]

What do you think the best American vehicle is?

Performance-wise, I think you've identified the only two viable candidates for that title. Pretty sad when you consider the amount of sheet-metal collectively rolled out by the big 2 1/2. I also think it's telling that the manufacturer's basic warranty on either car is substantially less than most 'performance' cars sold by European and Japanese companies.

And/Or, what would you rather have, a Z06 or a Ford GT?

Being asian, the purchase of an American car is forbidden by my culture. However, I suspect that owning a Ford GT would just be a big headache. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least fifteen imported cars I'd rather own than either one of them, most costing thousands less than the Ford. I'm not saying that the fifteen perform better than the vette or GT, but seriously, wtf am I going to do with a Ford GT? Helloooo. It has big ************************ stripes down the middle, I mean come on...

Hats off to the Vette, it's a great car, but anyone who has recently bought a new Porsche has given the Vette some consideration, so the idea of owning a Vette (including the Z06) isn't up on a pedestal for many forum members and was apparently rejected for one reason or another. Definitely not on performance though.

That being said, if someone held a gun to my head and said "You must purchase a vehicle from the round-eye imperialist Yankee dogs !!!" then I'd have to go with the GT, just because Vettes are as common as those damn Boxsters.

[Tool Pants]

Well, the way GM and Ford is going, maybe Honda or Toyota can pick them both up.

Before the box, I looked at what I guess was C5 back then. Could not do it. Fat rear and it was 1 foot longer than the box. Lots of tool stuff in my garage. When I measured I would have to move things around to fit in a Vette.

So, being my lazy self, I bought the box. Plus I was young back then and I thought you needed to be at least 50 and have gray hair to own a Vette. Well, now I am. Time to also start looking for a Harley? But I still hate moving things in the garage.

I took the 2.5 box on a Vette drive a few years ago. Fun being behind a car that has twice the hp and about the same weight. But I caught them in the turns.

Last year at ALMS in Laguna Seca the Porsche corral was next to the Vette. They had the Z06 that you could not really buy. The cut-away model was there and techs from GM. And about every Corvette ever made. That fat rear can grow on you. But GM needs to cut the top off the Z06 for me, and that will never happen.

The Panzo is interesting. I checked them out years ago, so I do not know what has changed. I think that would fit in my garage without having to move anything.

[pecivil]

the Z06 by a mile

better looking, and not built by ford

[Brucelee]

Dollar for Dollar, the Z06 is simply an awesome value.

I'd buy one tomorrow is I really need another car.