C8 Z06

I have a hard time with the current styling. I just can't seem to get there. Sometimes performance ain't everything. I could probably come to like the Z06 looks if I owned it. But for the money, I can do other things that I have yet to experience. I have had 7 vettes and loved them all. Trying to keep me with this design isn't working. I did everything you can do with a vette from driving cross country, daily driving (just short of 300k mi over 20yrs), driving school and then HPDE events. It worked fabulously as I am sure this one does too. For over $150k I got to have special that includes looks.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login I now have both a 2024 Z51 and 2023 Z06 . Just bought the Z06 with 350 miles on it . A great 360 is there with them in another garage , tuned, CS TCM , exhaust, etc.
I bought the Corvettes knowing I’m only keeping one.I’m an NCRS member and brought a 1963 Corvette to a National Top flight . Have had two other Corvettes. Perspective . Been around sports cars for 60 years courtesy of my dad. Wrench on my own cars still . I’m 72 and in good health. Enough.
I’ve driven the Z 250+. miles on all variety of roads . IMO the Z06 80% a track car. It is a potent weapon and a great success . When I went over the 500 mile limit it really hauls and still has tons torque. Tuff to accomplish with a flat plane but they did it . Congratulations to GM!
The downside . Driving locals roads , as many have said, mag ride in Tour, is really rough , not enjoyable for me , but that’s exactly as largely track car should be !!!
All the above causes me to appreciate what the engineers did with the Z51.…perhaps even more so. Streetable in Tour and amazing in Track mode.
My “ take away” ….if you are thinking about a Z06 drive one first . Even if you had a C7 Z06. It’s a different animal . Know what your getting and go for it .

 

This is surprsing.

I had a chance to take a C8 Z06/07 from LA to San Diego, and found the ride as plush and comfortable as a 992 911 Turbo S. Maybe not as compliant as, say, a 720S, but far from anything close to "rough" or "not enjoyable" for me.

 

Agreed if you are speaking of highways . Locals roads IMO the potential owner should experience a drive. I have no experience with the Porches you’ve mentioned .
My observations as I state are my opinion and you have yours . It’s all good .
I think this makes the point perfectly , drive one and make your own decision .

 

local roads everywhere are rough as hell.

 

It definitely rides a good deal stiffer than the C8 Z51. We’ve got a lot of clay in the soil here and so in the city you do get bounced around when the road is choppy. But it’s not punishing. I keep tire pressure at 29 psi, which helps. For a car with its capabilities, the ride is actually pretty good, But the C8 Z51 had an unbelievably well sorted out ride, much smoother in touring mode. To me Z06 feels about like a C8Z51 in between sport and track mode.

 

I find my Z06 as comfortable as my C8 was. Track mode it’s more compliant. We all experience things differently.

 

I assume you have very very smooth roads where you live. Consensus in a thread on this topic at mid engine Corvette form was more or less in line with my opinion. Here in north TX cities, the roads are choppy as hell in places thanks to tons of clay in the soil, and it definitely bounces me around more than the Stingray did in the three years I had it, though as I said it is not stiff to the point of being unpleasant. I drove it two blocks away from the dealership at which I traded in the dealership at which I picked it up before I noticed it.

On smoother road surfaces it’s fantastic, but unfortunately we don’t have these here In the city. But in the country where I go for drives, it’s much better as there the roads run smoother. The springs are definitely firmer: they are 30% firmer than on the Stingray and the Z07 package is even more so. So if you have smooth roads in your city, consider yourself very lucky.

 

I live in Pittsburgh brotha the roads are horrendous

 

Reviews are coming in on the E Ray.
Basically comparable but different track performance with a much smoother ride.
Check the YouTubers .

 

Aint that the truth.

 

I also have owned a lot of corvettes every body style except C7 just never bought one .. I do have a 2024 Z06. It is a beast I love the sound of it , Now the ride in "my mode" is a little rough but in touring mode is not bad to me.... I would agree I am not 100% in love with the body style but really like the 3LZ interior . Nice to have comfortable ventilated seats .. and good AC. I drove it on country roads for over 120 miles this past Saturday it drove and sounded great..
So i guess i will keep it ....maybe not as a DD..

 

^ i think in my mode you can set the suspension to soft(tour).

 

Yes, I believe "My Mode" can be anything you like.

I love everything about the car besides the large wheel gap (like the 458 Speciale it was modeled after) and the seats.

I've lowered the car about an inch (with the Paragon kit) and still retained the front lift function. Car looks much more purposeful now.

Custom mounted carbon Recaro buckets being installed this week. The stock seats are just too high...feels like I'm perched on top of the car.

My Audi RS5 was like that and I hated the car for that reason...ended up giving it to my mother.

I'll post pics when I get the car back from the shop.

I don't understand why no one can get seating position right except for Ferrari race seats, McLaren race seats, and Porsche race seats.

 

As much as I wanted to love the Z06, and there’s certainly a ton to love (including hands down one of the best engine’s of all time), I just could never get comfortable. I know other big dudes have made it work, but this big dude couldn’t. Ultimately, I think I screwed up by getting the comp seats.

In any case, here’s the inbound replacement. I’m not sure it’s “more car”. It’s probably not, but at least I fit.

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It may not be more car, but it sure is a great car.

 

Congrats!

 

I'm a "bigger dude" and absolutely hate the seats in my ZO6 and also could never get comfortable.

I have chosen to remove the OEM seats and replaced them with carbon bucket Recaro's. A much cheaper solution than the option you chose but I was all-in on the new GT3 RS from my dealer until he wanted $100K over MSRP.

I definitely like you solution and would have made the same choice if prices on these things were even moderately sane.

Nice ride sir! Enjoy!

 

Interesting idea…any specs, pics, links, details on the seats you selected? I have not yet jettisoned the Z06 and I might be inclined to keep it were I to find a solution. I’m 6’6” 255lbs, and I am not sure even a seat swap would do the trick. It’s funny, I took my 812 GTS out last night for quick run, and I admired the cabin space on that vehicle even with the compromise in dimensions that come with the hardtop convertible set up.

 

They are the carbon Recaro Podium seats. You can get them in two different sizes. Both sizes come with the same bucket but the larger size has thinner padding for more room. I went with the larger size.

Install has been a bit challenging because my goal was to sit lower in the car (like in Porsche GT cars). Mounting these seats on the OEM mounting brackets resulted in the seat being the same height as the OEM seats.

I had my race shop digitally scan the floor of my car so they could make (3D print) custom mounting brackets to achieve my lowered seat height/position.

I'll post better pics and more details when I get the car back next week.
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Wow…I have to say that looks pretty trick. What are your dimensions? Do you think I would fit in those seats? How do those compare to Porsche LWB? Is the carbon weave on those buckets the same as the carbon weave on Z06?

 

Yes, I am very happy with seats. The carbon matches the rest of the interior carbon nicely. I wouldn't mind firmer seat padding...the pads are a little squishy (like sponges).

The seats seem to have a little more room than the carbon buckets in my 991.2 GT3 but aren't quite as supportive.

I'm about '6"4 and 220 pounds. You are considerably bigger than I am.

Best bet would be to try and find a local Recaro dealer so you could try the seats before you purchase them to make sure you fit.

 

I am not much of a 'wing guy' on cars...but WOW...that spec looks amazing! Congrats!

Difficult for me to tell with the lighting of the photos...Miami Blue...Oslo Blue...other?

Are you keeping your GT3 Touring?

 

Thanks! Aetna Blue. Historical Porsche color that got its start in 1960. https://www.rennbow.org/porsche-colors/AetnaBlue

And yes…I am keeping the Touring. It’s a manual with 18 way comfort seats so it’s a much different experience. I have found myself really enjoying Porsche’s largely because the cabin setup is perfect for my body type.

 

Awesome ! First Porsche ?

MDS