Thoughts on a base C6

dalparadise

Understanding the natural leanings of a 370Z discussion group, may I pose this to you?

I have, through a relationship I have with a Chevy dealer, an opportunity to purchase a new 2009 Corvette BASE 6MT model (no frills -- 1LT version, which is comparable to a Sport/Touring level trim Z) for $39,700. MSRP is $49,600, so the savings are substantial.

Given that a Sport/Touring 370Z can be had at invoice for around $35,500 these days, does it really just boil down to personal preference?

I love the Z and had my heart set on it, but as soon as my friend started talking about working that 430hp Vette into my price range, I got very interested. Plus, the Vette gets the same or better gas mileage, better acceleration, cornering and top speed, better warranty (3/36 B2B and 5/100 powertrain). So, some of my admittedly ill-informed quality concerns seem alleviated, too.

Looking for some perspective... What do you think?

edeeZee

Honestly speaking, the Vette is a better bet overall, for the prices you mentioned. It's got about 100 HP more, more torque, straight-line acceleration etc. But I don't know about the handling part...and don't really care.

Here's the downside of the Vette, in my honest opinion: styling looks generic relative to 370, it's too simplistic and retains the fundamental silhouette of early 80's Vette-->bland styling: long nose, hatchback. It's not voluptuous as a 370. I'm sorry, but the C6 looks "cheapy" for a $50K+ car. It may be a good value, but ironically the poor "fit & finish" defeats that.

The Vette is a step up from the Z-car. But it's not a fair comparison because Vettes are $50K+ cars, and Z's are $30K+ cars--a $20K disparity.

I speak from experience, I used to work at Penske Chevrolet/Cadillac as a salesman and drove Vettes around on test drives. Very torquey b/c of the LS-1/6 motors.

But if you can get a C6 Vette at that price, I reluctantly say it's the obvious choice.

frost

First, let me just say that the nissan 370 general discussion area is probably not the right place for this. I just want to say it nicely so that the next guy skips bashing you about it.

I've had 3 vettes. 2 c5 z06s and a c6. Obviously much faster than the Z, although I think their handling is on par.
I got rid of the vette because its interior was an embarrassment. Cheap plastic parts, and huge stereo that they put in every POS vehicle they make, horrible quality leather, so on and so on. A couple people who rode in it made polite comments about the low quality.
So, that's my .02, I would rather have a comfortable interior for my daily driver.

MightyBobo

Best bang for the buck out there, really, but to be honest? I'd recommend getting a used one with the Z51 package. Strongly. Chevy's depreciate very well, and Corvettes are far from immune...

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azn370z

The c6 is the only car I would get if I didn't get the z. I thought of getting the c6 with grand sport package because it makes it look so much better. I'm not too fond of the base c6. I took a look at the dealer and thought the fit and finish on the outside was acceptable, not great though. But one of the things that prevents me from buying it is the reliability of a gm car. I also thought the c6 looks a bit too lean and long for my taste. Obviously the c6 performs better than a 370z and only cost a bit more. It's a great buy if you aren't concerned about reliability, and the plastic/fiberglass exterior.

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dalparadise

Thanks for not crucifying me for asking those questions here. I appreciate the responses. I really do like the looks of the base C6. The Grand Sport, to me, is just a pretender package to make it look like the version that costs nearly twice as much -- kinda like getting an M appearance package on a 328. So, not that big of a deal to me.

You guys are validating many of my reservations. I haven't owned an American car since the '85 Pontiac Fiero GT I drove in high school. In 24 years since then, I've had only German and Japanese cars (about 9 of them).

I hear a lot about how much better GM is these days. I think the interior is a bit better on the 2009 C6. The price seems to be really right. And yet, I still pause on a Z board to talk about it. Maybe that's telling me something...

frost

I was a complete american muscle guy till my 370 (my distinguished list includes the aforementioned vettes, an ls1 ws6, ls1 camaro SS, and an 06 gto)
The quality of the drivetrain is there; but they still lack in the interior. I finally just gave up. It would be pretty hard to pull me back to american now.

MightyBobo

Not quite - the Grand Sport package now replaces the Z51 suspension package, and for the money you get some nice stuff. So far as Ive seen, its gotten solid reviews (the package itself) as far as being a good deal. As far as looks...thats in the eye of the beholder I suppose. But the performance stuff is there...

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Mergnthwirker

One great thing about the 'Vette. You can get it fixed in any town in the USA. As for the Z? Not. So. Much.

I drive every day on little winding back-country roads in Connecticut, with stone walls on either side. The '09 Vette I test-drove felt incredibly wide going around blind corners on these narrow roads... like driving a very-good-handling tank. I scared myself a few times, and decided I needed a more compact footprint. The Z has been fantastic on those same roads. Case closed, for me. YMMV

JoeD

Go for the Corvette. It's simplt a better sports-car overall and in a completely different league performance-wise. Don't let anyone brain-wash you into thinking the interior is crap. That's just nonsense...the updated interior on the '08+ Corvette is on par with the 370Z in terms of feel and quality.

You really can't beat it for under $40K.

frost

They did improve it for 08, but to call it comparable to a 370 is just inaccurate.

theDreamer

Holy buttons batman, they really need to re-design that cockpit. Materials I could live with, but it its an upgraded gauge display and interface.

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DropTopGal

Perhaps I can chime in on this one in that I currently drive a 2008 C6, Vert, 3LT, NPP, Nav and a bunch of other goodies. MSRP was about $65k.

Pros for the Vette: (so far) always starts, (IMHO) looks sharp, great power, very good (not great, 4 out of 5) handling when at speed, NPP is very nice when you step on it, passing power is outstanding, spacious for a 2 seater, fairly comfortable seats, cool heads up display, very good upgraded factory stereo.

Cons for the Vette: cheap interior, penny pinching noticable on small things (ie. glove box is very flimsy), about the worst nav display I have seen in a modern car, after 21,000 miles - it feels like it is already aging even with scheduled routine maintenance, wide turn radius - handles like a boat at low speeds, fit and finish NOT on par with cars that cost less. IMHO, the quality, particularly for the price, just isn't there for the Vette. Great power only gets me so far.

Keep in mind, that there are hidden costs for Vette ownership. Vette tires are not exactly cheap, oil changes do not qualify for GM discounts / coupons, overall, most items for the Vette are double / triple the cost (ie. brakes, even wiper blades!). LOL

Vette ownership has been fun for both my hubby and I, and we have no regrets. However, we are looking forward to moving on come March. Don't get me wrong, the temptation to get into a 2010 Convertible Grand Sport Vette is there, but frankly, it will be readily overcome.

Oh, I should add that the 1LT package is so zzzzzzzz (boring). There is no way I would get a Vette without the 3LT or 4LT. To me, a fully loaded 370Z is much more rewarding than a Vette, especially a base Vette.

Modshack

If you need to get it out of your system then do it. I ordered a new '08 and kept it for 1.8 years and 13K miles. It was the 56th car I've owned and was on the Bucket list of cars I needed to own before I die. Did some mods (475 hp and suspension stuff), had some fun but the general day to day satisfation and fun factor was just not there. It's a heavy feeling car around town. My first American car in a very long time after lots of German stuff. It was bad for my image....:-) I like driver's cars and the Vette just didn't do it for me. The limits were so high you just couldn't have fun on the street. Sold it last April for $40K, bought car #57, the Z for $31.5 and threw the rest in the bank. Couldn't be happier with the decision....YMMV

Out with the old, in with the new...

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racerxj17

i fought hard between the two. coming from a truck (sport truck, x runner, handled great!) with 350rwhp/rwtq, i found myself ready to move on. the 370 and c6 fit the bill of what i wanted. sporty, two seater that could move in a straight line, and dive into the canyons with confidence.

i ended up with the 370. while i acknowledge the vette is faster, and easier to make faster than the Z, i wanted not only an upgrade in horsepower, but looks, and interior. i felt the vette interior/exterior was not as pleasant as the Z, or my old truck. not to mention i see about a dozen vette;s every time i drive my car.

coupled with being 24, and not wanting to be the "young" guy in a vette, and the nasty depriciation the vette's have over a few years, i was settled. every time i think i could have had XXX hp, i get in my Z, and it makes me smile before i even start it.

edit- FWIW, i paid 37.5 for my Z, which would buy me a base c6, so cost wasnt too much of a deciding factor for me.

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