355 or new Z06?

i have to disagree with you on this one. the Z06 is overengineered in many ways to cope with hard use... think about it.... they sure didn't put the money in the interior or paintjob! was your buddy's car modified-- engine wise? the stock LS6 is a very stout piece and will reliably support 500+ hp... however, the same can't be said for heavily sprayed or boosted engines which usually require a forged bottom end.

if you spend any time on the corvette forums you'll see that breakages are the exception rather than the rule. here's one quote from a guy who just got back from the bondurant driving school:

from this thread

best
k

 

Well, I'm lucky, also, to own one of each of these wonderful cars. The 360 Modena is a long, long time dream of mine come true. And I think it's the greatest car I've ever owned. No exceptions!

However, I would also say, as several others have in this thread, the Vette is unquestionably the best "bang for the buck" out there.

I drive my Modena, and say to myself: "Wow, what a car!!"

And then the next day, I drive my C5, (which certainly is no C6 Z05), and I say to myself: "Wow, what a car!!"

I think to myself, WOW, these are both fantastic cars!!!!!

In my opinion, both VERY nice cars!!!!

Can't go wrong either way.

 

"Having said that, living with the car has given pause to a more practical train of thought regarding ownership, that is cost of ownership. I was prepared to handle the engine out services and have been setting aside funds to cover that when the time comes, but it seems that something else is always happening to eat away at the disposable income. Two years ago it was $4500 for a new power steering rack, last year it was $2500 to recover tha dash and assorted parts due to shrinkage. 355 will be brought in this week for a problem that may be just as expensive. This is all un planned repair work. I don't know about most of the F owners here, but I am not a slave to Ferrari fasion, I recognize appreciate and honor what Ferrari was and is. If the pleasure of owning a Ferrari is paying a four figure repair bill once or twice a year plus another mandatory 5 figure bill every 5 years on top of that, well that's the price of ownership. Now my car is paid for in full with no lease or monthly payment to add to my accounts payable so the ride hasn't been too painful for the pleasure thus far recieved, but boy a 70,000 mile 7 year warranty does sound like a very easy way to enjoy high performance motoring. "

This is really the answer to the question...

The cost of ownership on the beautiful Artwork of an automobile....The Ferrari is quite high if you use the car as a car...

With the new C6 Z06? You just drive the car..fill it with gas...change the oil every 6 K miles miles and enjoy the hell out of it.

I would probably go for the extended GMPP warranty too...Its a like a dollar a day for an extra three year warranty...(at least it was for my C5 Z06)

Great car...Awesome performance...and if I thought the interior material needed to be better? I could have it done up by Bette Essentials for chump change..

Truth is? When you drive the Corvette Z06 hard and your laughing your @ss off? You won't care what material the dash panel is made of...Trust me...

Its that much fun..

All that said..if you want a piece of automotive scupture...The 355 is a great choice..

You want an ultra high performance super car for very little money.

 

Excellent UNBIASED Opinion !!!
I have an Old "Z" & am considering a 355, Maser Spyder or a C6Z.

Decisions, Decisions. I change my mind Weekly !!!

 

Interesting experience Jeff. I have been talking to another 355 owner, in hopes of getting into one, and out of the P car. However, he had said set aside about 2500$ a year for maintenance (not 30K service stuff). I don't think 2500/year is bad for driving it.

But after reading your post, albeit its one car and one owners story, I think the Zo6 might be the way to go.

Good luck JD.

 

If you are going to be racing people, get the Z06. If you want to enjoy the driving experience and feel that you have a 'special' car, get the 355. I am sure you would enjoy the driving of a 355 even if it is slower than the Z06. People still love driving really slow (by todays standards) dino 246's, 308's, 328's, 348's (of which I am one of).... Anyway, get the Ferrari only if you really want the whole experience (looks, maintenance, occasional minor repairs...). If you don't enjoy taking care of the car, go with the crowd and enjoy the fast driving Z06.
BT

 

The speed of the corvette is not as intoxicating as the 355. It's kind of an antiseptic kind of an experience. A 355 has soul and is fast but probably not as fast as the corvette. I had a c5 covertible and it just didn't do it for me. The 355 was always special to me. You get to be one with the car. Maintenance is more on the F car I'm sure and you can drive a new vette for years and be covered by the warranty.

 

I agree, nothing beat a yellow 355!!

 

Except, of course, a Red 355....

 

I was planning on selling my 355 gts for the new Z06...can't do it. I'm the first on the waiting list at my local Chevy dealer and I'm keeping the 355. The Chevy will be the new daily driver and the 355 will be used for special drives in the mountains.

The manifolds going made me sick, but after putting the QV replacements in and seeing the steel colored valve guides I thought that I may be able to get a lot more enjoyment from this car.

ken

 

Jeff, this is so well written it is the same experience I had with my 355. After 6 years and a new baby, I thought I don't need it any longer. As soon as I sold it, I was looking for a 360. I ended up getting a 360 Spider through the help of one my friends who is on this board and I love it. It doesn't have the hand built feel (or fear) that the 355 had. I had a C5 Corvette prior to my 355 and I only had it for 2 months as I missed that feeling only a Mid Engine Car can give you. However, the C6 Z06 looks really interesting. Unlike others I appreciate not only F-Cars, but P-Cars, as well as Corvettes.

Just my 2 cents.

 

when i get my 360 it will be my daily driver. I would never go domestic. The reason for that is 95% of american made cars these days are crap. I mean the viper, the corvette are made to do 1 thing, go fast in a straight line. I have yet to see one of the big 3 produce anything that portrays a overall balance,that could compete with Ferrari. You get for what you pay for, and if all you care about is going fast in a straight line then go for the Z06.

Just my 2 cents

 

GHOSTWHISPER has obviously never driven a z06 with a ridiculous statement like that. Only in a straight line, ha.

Real Car enthusiast are not blindly biased either and just write a car off because of the name plate. As far as none (i.e. Corvette Racing) competing with Ferrari, what the &%**^? Not even going to continue.

 

What's Italian for idiot?

I have had the chance to hang out with a few fchat owners in the past with my Z06. While there is no doubt that a Corvette is NOT an exotic, but don't dismiss it quite so quickly as being an ineffective head turner. Not to mention that WoodEar himself will tell you that he has been embarrased a few times by a particular Z06

Sure, the Z06 is a mass produced car built on an assembly line, but I don't view the fit and the finish of the modern fcars as all that better then the Chevy. The Z06 comes with heated seats, navigation, a heads up display, power seats and a host of other creature comforts that are not found on a 360 or 430 (let alone a 355). In many ways the Chevy team has built an amazing racecar that has more creature comforts and drivability factor then cars 2-3 times it's price, all while giving equaling or besting their performance.

In short -- if you are looking for a "drivers" car, where one can hop in and go -- the Z06 is the way to go. Sure the 355 is a Ferrari, but it shure is dated both in design and technology. Not to mention that for a car whose reliability was questionable off the showroom floor you are taking a huge risk now that it is older and out of warranty.

At the end of the day, comparing a C6 Z06 to a 355 is an odd comparison. While they may be close in price, the Z beats it in almost every category (save for cost per mile). The 355 is a Ferrari, yes, but it's design with it's flip up lighs, straight lines, really dates it. While I don't like the look of the new Z, nobody will ever confuse it for an "old" car...while the 355 really does look like an 80s/90s design.

-N

 

I already mentioned earlier how much I like both of these cars, and feel lucky to owe one of each.

But I'd like to comment about the Vette being a "straight line" car mentioned earlier in this thread. The Corvette, with the engine up front and the tranny and read end located in the rear, has a 49/51 front to rear weight ratio. That, IMO, is great technology, which results in a very well balanced car with road course capabilities approaching most any production sports car, yes, including the Fcar.

Road and Track & Car and Driver test reports support this comment quite strongly.

But like I said before, you can’t go wrong with either one. We’ all be anxious to find out which way you go when you decide. Good luck!

 

the corvette may be superior to the 355 in most areas except design. The 355's design is still fresh, timeless elegant and beautiful where the C5 laready looks a lil chunky and plasticky.

if theres one are the 355 is untouchable it would be looks and sound of course.

 

why...you're a snob.

 

If you wan't a car for the weekend go for the Ferrari!!! If you want a fast car you can use every day... ...z06.
The hardest argument for the z06 i think is that fact it is a new car. the ferrari is about 10 years old.

 

yea any car that runs sub-8second Nurburgring times is definitely a straight line car

 

i have owned c3,c4 and c5 vette conv. and a 355 and 360 spider at various times...i have driven the c5z06 extensively...BUT,i have not driven the c6 z06, nor has anyone else except for the chevy test team..therefore, i can not comment on a comparison between the 355 and the c6z06...the c6 z will be a completely different car than the c5 z....perhaps this question should be asked in a year or so when people have had a chance to drive the c6 z for themselves....i do not like to judge cars until i have had a chance to drive them myself.....

 

oops! how about sub-8minute lap times

 

You my friend win an award for the STUPIDEST paragraph ever written. The z06 can outhandle a 360 and out accelerate and out brake it.

 

I agree the GHOST is clueless. I have a 355 and have driven the 360, Viper, C5 Z06 and the 355 and 360 have no prayer against either one on a road course.

If you disagree, bring your 360 to MSR some time and I'll pay all your travel expenses if you can lap faster than I can in a Z06 or Viper. If you lose, you shave your head and tattoo a bowtie on it.

 

GHOSTWHISPER