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.

[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.

[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...

[JonBoy]

Originally Posted by 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...

+1

Way more performance over a Z and they usually had at least a step up or two for interior options.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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...

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.

[kannibul]

Originally Posted by 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.

I've gotten the same way over the past 10 years. Granted, I'm speaking of non-sport vehicles first, but the 370z is a great tipping point for me as well.

Great power, great handling, great price and great looks...and great quality.


My next vehicle, if not a Nissan Frontier, may be a Toyota Tacoma...

[MightyBobo]

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[FricFrac]

Originally Posted by frost

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

LOL - reminds me of the late 80's early 90's Nissan interirors with the buttons around the instrument cluster - maybe they are going for the retro Japanese look :P

[Modshack]

Originally Posted by dalparadise

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).

..

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...

[DropTopGal]

Originally Posted by 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. 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...

LOL We're in the same boat. Our Vette was on the "bucket list" as well. 50+ cars later, we finally gave the Vette experience a go. Looking forward to moving on in March. BTW... the Vette was our first American car in 20 years as we've been buying Japanese and German as well. Oh, and now that GM is "Goverment Motors", that even adds more reason to look forward to "out with the old, in with the new".

You are right, the cost factor of the Z will also be a nice change. To us, spending about $43k for a 2010 370Z Roadster / touring / sport will be a bargain compared to what we generally spend on cars. The Z sure offers much for the money.