370Z or used LS3 C6???
 

Hello. I have narrowed it down & will own one of these 2 cars within the next few months. The LS3 cuts a 12.5 .25 mile in stock form, performs well in every area, looks mean! The Z performs good (braking, skid pad, & decent .25 mile). This car has really caught my eye by its stance & sleek body. I will admit, I am kinda steering away from the vette due to GM's currently instability. I would hate to be 30k deep in & they go bankrupt (goodbye warranty). I have a few questions about the Z........

Is the differential that comes with the base model (no sport package) limited slip? Will I have one wheel peels if I dont get the sport pack? I am under the impression that a LSD only comes with the sport package, PLEASE TELL ME IM WRONG!

The price increase for the touring trim seems a little high. The only 2 things that appeal are the heated leather seats & slightly upgraded sound system. Is there something I'm missing? Fill me in please.

Hello, welcome to the forums. :hello: Both cars listed are good sports car. Z in my opinion, will be a fun little car and you can get a brand new one instead used like the LS3.

You're 100% correct on the 1st statement. Base 370Z does not come with LSD.

here's what Touring comes with

Both are awesome cars with great potential when it comes aftermarket goodie time. But my thoughts are the Vette will do one thing awesome and that's going in a straightline with some decent handling and overall performance. Where as I see the Z as an all the way around decent performer with the capability of being a track monster given the right mods. Either way in this situation you can't make a wrong decision. Get what will cater to you the most and what you will have the most fun with. good luck:tup:

I think both are worth their weight in a heaping pile of cash. :D
It would come down to whether you are comfortable buying a used sports car. I would heavily recommend against this, as you don't know its record. You don't want a car that has been beaten to hell; even if it has a "warranty". Speaking from experience, used car warranties are not as reliable and forgiving as new car warranties. And as someone who previously dealt with a used sports car that was billed as "certified pre-owned" and came with what I thought was a helluva warranty, it was a mistake. The car had more issues than it should have; due to the previous owner modifying things and the dealer not knowing or caring enough to put things back to stock order.
After all I went through with a used sports car, I can't suggest you get the used C6. The brand new Z is a better investment in this scenario.

The C6 was one of the cars I was looking at as well. After driving one (used with 10k on it), I was very impressed with the hp/tq but was definately concerned about how 'rickety' it was. Made various squeeks etc on the inside. I also had the concern of buying a used sports car, because you know it has been abused - you don't buy them and toodle around. For me the new car (warranty) mystique made me go with the Z. As for handling, the C6 handles very well as well. So to me, I agree as above, it all comes down to your confidence in buying a used sports car. Good luck in your decision. (I also drove a 911, s2k, and 335i in making my decision).

You know, performance wise, the C6 is world-class. And that is in all areas, handling included. What I would do is test drive the used LS3 C6 (amazing that you found one already, btw :tup:) and see if you can take it for a long run to see if there are any real problems like some of these people have mentioned. After that, hop in a 370Z and compare and contrast.

Like the others, buying a used sports car can be risky because you don't know what the previous owner did with it. Maybe you can pull some info on the previous owner? The reason why is maybe the previous owner was an older man or female that bought it to feel young and look cool? Who knows? At least that would give you a better perspective on how the car was possibly treated.

On the other hand, buying a new car has many benefits. You are in control of the proper break-in process, you have a fresh warranty, and heck, you have a damn hot 370Z!

Anyway, just giving my .02. Hope it helps. Good luck!

I have an LS3 C6 now and i love it!...Great car for the buck like the Z...the power bone stock is unbeatable....but I feel like I can't drive it everyday....To me the Z just seems more of a practical sports car that I can drive everyday if that makes sense....The vette to me just seems like a toy for highway driving on the weekends but the Z is a car I see myself driving everyday...Just my opinion though coming from a vette owner

So what rear comes with the base model? Is it the one wheel peel deal? The sport package sounds like an awesome deal! I really want leather & a decent stereo but I wont consider the touring since its a $4000 increase. I have no problem buying a used LS3. I can do a carfax, GMVIS report, & visual inspection. Also, they come with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I called a local dealer about test driving a black Z they have. They said they only let test drives after agreement on a monthly payment? I got the impression that I would have to buy the car before driving it. He did say I could drive it around the parking lot though lol. I will admit, the thought of a new car vs a used one is much more inviting. Here's what Ive come up with so far.....

.25 mile- Vette FTW by .8 seconds (very significant)
Braking- Z FTW by 2 ft (60-0 MPH)
Handling- Z FTW by .02 (skid pad)
Exterior- Its a tie!
Longevity- Hard to say at this point. Both motors are new.
Exclusivity- Z FTW since the C6 has been out for 4 years now

Used C6 vs brand new Z is a tough call. I like em both. Performance pick would be hands down the C6. Not even close. Everything else is subjective.

Close to 40k for a fully loaded 370Z vs around the same for a C6 used. Hmmmm for about 10k more a used C6 Z06 can be had:ughdance:

I wouldn't buy a 2005+ GM because the build quality is less then lacking. It's just not there at all. I'm shocked most of the cars make it off the lot.

I know that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I've owned so many GMs that I think I'm an authority on their build quality. If you don't mind your car being in the shop more than you drive it, get a Vette.

There are getting to be so many "z versus x car" threads I'm starting to think we need a section just for that. But to answer the question, my comments mimic crash's.

Purely subjective sir lol! I understand what you are saying about the quality though. I mainly like domestics because of the RWD V8 platform, thats about it! I test drove a 07 LS2 Vette & noticed the interior was not up to par. Thats the only bad thing I could say. To be honest, im a little scared of the C6 but this is a good thing. That was the fastest car ive driven. A 3200 pound monster lol. On the other hand, the Z could be my 1st import. Its just a beautiful car & performs. Im gonna take my time & be all over the forums. Just tryin to think this through.

actually, if you head over to corvette forums and go into their inventory section, they are listing 09 C6 'vettes starting from 40K. I was VERY surprised to see a red c6 Z51 package for around 41K brand new. I was like :ugh: ... but, base to base, there is atleast 10K difference. So, go test drive both, and buy the one that gives you best performance vs $$ money. Always buy what YOU think is best for you.

The C6 is made in it's own factory in Bowling Green along with the Cadillac XLR roadster and supercharged XLR-V. I don't think the rest of Chevy's quality problems effect these to any great degree.

^^^ Bowling Green plant is in danger of closing, although I doubt that GM is going to shed a tear since they want their manufacturing done out of country anyway.

I not only owned a LOT of GM cars and trucks, but I've also owned a Corvette. Made here or made anywhere else doesn't mean crap about the build quality in all honesty. The fact is that their quality control is horrible. Our hood-release sticker was upside down! No kidding!

GM cuts corners. Weld points are sloppy, components are made with cheap plastic when they should be made with metals, interior components are built like snap-together toys to make configuration changes a "snap" although after a few miles over rough road, those parts become looser than a 80 year old hooker. That's why everything rattles at every little bump. They blame their cheapness on American standards policies, health care, OSHA, etc, but the fact is that hardly ANYTHING is built in the US, and even more so, there's almost nobody in any GM plant. My high school had more people in it than a GM plant! :D

Subjective, yes. But correct, yes. Their build quality isn't an opinion, but it is a problem.

I agree, Corvette's interiors lack big time. The C5's interior felt less cheap, actually. The C6 uses a LOT more plastic on everything. For a 50K car (when loaded with the features you WANT), you're not getting much. GM's trying to make their money back for the retardedly stupid amount of money they spent developing the Vette.

Reliability ratings
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Reliability - MSN Autos

2005 Cadillac XLR Reliability - MSN Autos

I drove an new 08 C6 in December. I really liked it, but couldn't justify the huge one year depreciation on them. While it is a fantastic driving car, I couldn't get over the super mega crap interior for a $50k car. People then say, well you don't buy it for the interior. Well for me it's not the only thing, but IMO a $50k car shouldn't look like a POS Neon inside!

vettes are badass whips, the 370 is still a step above when it comes to refinement and curb appeal

Wow....brand new c6 WITH the z51 package for 41k. That means 07-08 loaded may be had for less than 40k or there about...Gotta love this economys effect on some of the cars we want unfortunately alot of us are feeling the effects of said economy so we cant take advantage of the cheaper prices. Its a cruel joke lol....tough decision for the op...Cant go wrong with either car imho but the C6 is deffinately the performance champ between the two by a good margin.

370 imo

The C6's (and the C5's as well) best feature is the incredibly lightweight body. Reducing weight is the best thing you can do for every aspect of a sports car. It's why the Lotus Elise and Exige operate at such high levels with minimal HP and torque. The C6 is a 1/2 step between the two. The cost is......the cost. :D

Um... Sorry, I don't believe that at all. Those ratings (I believe) are bought and paid for. No way that GM has EVER had good reliability since the late 80s.

I didn't have reliability problems, such as engine and drivetrain (as listed in on these articles). I had more quality related issues. Heavy squeaks, rattles and so on. My interior quality was so low (even in my c6 vette) that I felt embarrassed having people ride in it.

I love both cars. The 370Z is more of my type of car (unless you were speaking of the C6 Z06, which would be a no brainer :D).

The LS3 equipped 'Vette with the Z51 package should far outperform the 370Z in almost every performance category possible.

Yeah... I've owned 7 GM vehicles in the last 9 years and the ONLY time I ever hand engine/trans issues was once. And that was with a brand-new 1500 Silverado. The transmission died the first week we owned the truck. Turns out metal shavings fell into the trans-case and they swapped out the transmission over night. So I will admit that their trans/engines are pretty good and reliable.

However, that truck had under 14,000 miles on it when we sold it 2 years later, and the problems we had with it were so annoying in that time. We had panel-warping problems, gauges went out twice, horn stopped working 3 times, and the list just goes on. GM quality lacks everything except the obvious feel of cheapness.

i would prefer to buy new...
i had this same dilemna...

Look where Cadillac falls on this list. The Corvette won't show up as it's averaged in with all other Chevy's. Bowling Green is a totally different world than the rest of Chevrolet.
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...s/2008115a.gif

Interestingly enough, Chevy is below average. That I believe, but my friends Cadillac has been in the shop 36 times for completely unrelated problems in 3 years. That's 1 visit per month! :D My sisters finances BRAND NEW CTS was in the shop for failed power steering and poor paint quality.

I don't care what J.D. says, experience speaks louder than words.

A friend of mine has had his RX8 in 12 times. That doesn't mean all RX8's are bad, it means the guys that built this particular one probably drank too much saki at lunch that day. :D Also, the CTS isn't built at Bowling Green.

Surprising list, it doesn't seem to agree with what I have experienced.

Remember, it's only for the newest cars not a historical record of past stuff.

^ true. Theres no trending, just a years worth of info.

Everyone I know with a GM and I must be getting lemons then, huh? Just a thought. Look, I have some American pride left, so I'm not saying Bowling Green is or isn't producing garbage. I'm saying that GM's in general have been the worst cars I've ever owned.

^ +1 They just happened to also be the fastest ones I have ever owned.

Personally, I won't buy any chevy product that wasn't made there. :D The C6 has as much in common with a lotus as any other chevy product.

Yeah. My Trans AM was the fastest car I ever owned. Although, stock for stock, the 370z IS faster than my Trans Am. I don't know if the Z will be as fast as my T/A was when it was stolen, but it will certainly be faster within the first couple of months. ;)

My c6 was not only the fastest 0-60, but fastest on the top end as well. Got it to 175 before i ran out of balls.

I think you hit the limiter, actually. I'm pretty positive that the C6 will get up to about 185MPH before it runs out of energy. Unless you were in 6th. The top speed is achieved in 5th on the C5 and C6.

I didn't hit the limiter yet, but sh-- that was really far away was coming up damn fast so I backed off. Would have been a good story to say I hit the limiter in a c6 though.