C5 Z06 owner thinking about a C4 ZR-1

[tomtom72]

I would just add one thing about owning a C4 ZR-1. Oh, I have never even been in a C5 much less ever owned one....but back to the ZR-1. IMHO owning a ZR-1 is not so much a buying decision as it is a calling.

If I owned a C5 or a C6 I can think of at least five tuner shops I could use to keep the car in top shape, if I wanted to be that type of vette owner. I can't even find many shops that even want to work on a C4 where I live; let alone that I would trust working on an LT5. So add to the "calling" aspect the willingness to get your hands dirty. To me owning a C4 ZR-1 requires that the owner be willing to be hands on. Oh, and you also have to be willing to put up with all the quirks of a 4th generation car to boot!

This sounds like I'm trying to talk you out of buying a ZR-1, or that I am one disgruntled ZR-1 owner? Absolutely not! I want you to have your eyes wide open. As for me, well my car spoke to me before I even bought Her, and She continues to speak to me every time I get in Her. I would not trade Her to acquire any other corvette.


Tom

[BigJohn]

tomtom,
Do you want to race???

[tomtom72]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

tomtom,
Do you want to race???

Hi ya Big John! Ya know I just got me some new runnin' shoes by New Balance that I've been dying to test out.....


Tom

[Hib Halverson]

I've got one of each–95ZR1, 04Z06, 12Z06. Ok I actually have four Z's but the ZR2 is a truck and you certainly don't care about that.

Both the ZR1 and the C5Z are modified, ZR1 at 500-hp, C5 Z06 at 430-hp. They run about the same in the quarter because the C5 weighs less and hooks better. 12 Z06 is stock except for colder spark plugs and Red Line fluids.

The 12 Z06 is a tiny bit heavier than the 04 but weighs less than the 95. It beats both in acceleration because of the 427s 505-hp, it's better torque curve and that it has launch control.

The ZR1 rides nicer than the 04 Z06 because of the SRC, but the 12 Z06 has Magnaride so it rides nicest of all. Interestingly because of the 95 ZR1's soft control arm bushings, it has the least harshness. 04 and 12 Z's are about the same as far as harshness and I attribute that to their stiff control arm bushings.

12 Z06 has the best at limit handing..much better than the 95 ZR1 and somewhat better than the 04 Z06. The Michlin Cup tires have a lot to do with that. I have Goodyear F1 Supercars on the other two.

The 12Z has the best steering feel of the three. 04 Z is a close second. ZR1 is a distant third but is still not bad.

The 04Z06 has the most cargo room of the three.

The 12Z06 is the quietest on the highway because of the bypass exhaust system.

12Z06 has the best sounding audio system and it's not even the Bose system. Since I ordered the car 1LZ, I have the base sound system. It sounds better than the 95's and the 04's Delco-Bose systems.

Gas mileage on the highway is best with the 12 Z06.

My Wife, the Fairest Sandra the Red, Duchess of Goleta, likes the 12 best because it rides nice and is easiest for her to drive..the transmission and shifter mods along with the very low clutch effort are why she feels that way.

Hope that helps.

[jcruz]

Originally Posted by Hib Halverson

I've got one of each–95ZR1, 04Z06, 12Z06. Ok I actually have four Z's but the ZR2 is a truck and you certainly don't care about that.

Both the ZR1 and the C5Z are modified, ZR1 at 500-hp, C5 Z06 at 430-hp. They run about the same in the quarter because the C5 weighs less and hooks better. 12 Z06 is stock except for colder spark plugs and Red Line fluids.

The 12 Z06 is a tiny bit heavier than the 04 but weighs less than the 95. It beats both in acceleration because of the 427s 505-hp, it's better torque curve and that it has launch control.

The ZR1 rides nicer than the 04 Z06 because of the SRC, but the 12 Z06 has Magnaride so it rides nicest of all. Interestingly because of the 95 ZR1's soft control arm bushings, it has the least harshness. 04 and 12 Z's are about the same as far as harshness and I attribute that to their stiff control arm bushings.

12 Z06 has the best at limit handing..much better than the 95 ZR1 and somewhat better than the 04 Z06. The Michlin Cup tires have a lot to do with that. I have Goodyear F1 Supercars on the other two.

The 12Z has the best steering feel of the three. 04 Z is a close second. ZR1 is a distant third but is still not bad.

The 04Z06 has the most cargo room of the three.

The 12Z06 is the quietest on the highway because of the bypass exhaust system.

12Z06 has the best sounding audio system and it's not even the Bose system. Since I ordered the car 1LZ, I have the base sound system. It sounds better than the 95's and the 04's Delco-Bose systems.

Gas mileage on the highway is best with the 12 Z06.

My Wife, the Fairest Sandra the Red, Duchess of Goleta, likes the 12 best because it rides nice and is easiest for her to drive..the transmission and shifter mods along with the very low clutch effort are why she feels that way.

Hope that helps.

Great information! On a price-point basis it seems the ZR-1 comes out on top??? I may be biased there

John

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by tomtom72

Hi ya Big John! Ya know I just got me some new runnin' shoes by New Balance that I've been dying to test out.....


Tom

Ok!!!
Then I will let you win!!!

[RyanChappel]

TomTom's point about service is a very good one. Although I don't care for the pejorative sense of the term 'waxer', I must admit that, due to age and time constraints, I don't wrench, so must take my car into the marketplace for support. Soon after buying my car, I took it to a Penske dealership locally for a simple oil change and to convert the A/C to modern spec. The bastages underfilled the oil by three quarts, but I caught them right away, so no damage done. A good, reliable service shop is paramount to owning one of these cars if you are not a serviceable mechanic.

[tomtom72]

Originally Posted by RyanChappel

TomTom's point about service is a very good one. Although I don't care for the pejorative sense of the term 'waxer', I must admit that, due to age and time constraints, I don't wrench, so must take my car into the marketplace for support. Soon after buying my car, I took it to a Penske dealership locally for a simple oil change and to convert the A/C to modern spec. The bastages underfilled the oil by three quarts, but I caught them right away, so no damage done. A good, reliable service shop is paramount to owning one of these care if you are not a serviceable mechanic.

Ryan, please allow me to apologize. I actually was thinking of all my C5 & C6 buddies that avail themselves of the verity of services offered in my local. I was actually, in a way, just a wee bit envious of the laundry list of services they have to choose from. I am the token C4 in the small group I run with on a regular basis. They turn wrenches on their cars by choice; us ZR-1 owners turn wrenches by necessity, well most of us ZR-1 owners do anyway. JMHO I feel that every corvette owner is a waxer to one degree or another, como no?


Tom

[RyanChappel]

I am actually envious of the guys who can diagnose and twist on their own cars...some of the pictorials on the forum have been awesome..

regards...RC

[c4zr1]

wenerversleep,

I have a 92 ZR-1 Red with Black interior if you are still considering a ZR-1.
PM me and I will send you some pictures. It has 18,000 miles and is in showroom condition. I will make you a good deal. Stock except corsa exhaust.