I drove a C6 Z06

[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.

[Perfectlap]

That's a no brainer, the Ford GT. Sir Jackie Stewart had a hand in developing that car and it was 're-designed" by the up and coming Cam Pardo.
Form follows function but looks count for something and the z06 parked next to a Ferrari or Ford GT or a Lambo etc. simply looks out of place. Very unispiring, cheap looking wheels and the z06 doesn't look any different than the lesser Corvettes. An exotic performer with dated early 90's looks and the rattles of poor assembly line practice.


that comment about the warranty is spot on. I was at the NY auto show when the Ford GT was first making its rounds and someone from the crowd asked the talking manequin how much a warranty one got for six figures worth of car and she said smugly "same as all the other Fords".

p.s.
is there such a thing as a Japanese exotic? The USA may only two or three but you'd be hard pressed to get most people to spend near-six figures on a Honda or Toyota.

[denverpete]

I guess I'd have to go with the Vette. The GT is sure to be a classic but I just can't see it as a daily driver. Maybe that's true for the Z06 as well - but it seems more likely...

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

p.s.
is there such a thing as a Japanese exotic? The USA may only two or three but you'd be hard pressed to get most people to spend near-six figures on a Honda or Toyota.

True. But you've got the new Nissan GTR coming out which should be quite the rocket. I also thought they were redesigning the Acura NSX.

What I'm interested in is the possible redesign of the Esprit and the introduction of the Audi R8....

[Brucelee]

Its notable that the GR 40 is being sunsetted and the Z06 is tough to find at a good price.

The market speaks volumes.

[controller]

Between the two, Vette. Just because it _is_ the American sports car.

But just to add more fuel to the domestic fire, what about a Viper?