Z06 as a daily driver?
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
Joined
·
582 Posts
Yep!
Joined
·
2,936 Posts
There is a big difference between whether you can do it, versus whether you should do it. And it also depends on what that daily drive is like. And where you can park it.
Joined
·
1,205 Posts
It'll make the drive to work a heck of a lot faster.
Joined
·
4,656 Posts
Absolutely, a Z06 is no less practical than any other C7. Now the Z07 would be a different animal but a simple tire swap would solve that.
Joined
·
718 Posts
Keep in mind that the Z07 springs are stiffer as well as different tuning of the MSRC. It is a racing package after all.
Joined
·
32 Posts
What is the use of the z07 package on the road? Articles keeps saying something about the z07 is stiffer and will perform very nice on the track. So what about the streets as a daily driver?
Joined
·
18,694 Posts
Depends on how stiff a suspension you are comfortable with, and as no one outside of Corvette staff have driven any Z06's, i.e. we just do not know now a definitive answer. We know that the Z07 spring rates will be higher, that the swaybar bushings may be firmer, that probably in track and sport modes the magnetic shocks will be firmer, and finally that the Cup 2s are firmer, yet, beyond that, we have no way to quantify how much further stiff/firmly sprung these four things will be at this time.
Chief Z06 designer Kirk Benion said, "I would not want to take an eight hour ride in a Z07," that the cars are made for the "track enthusiast." Please understand that Kirk is himself, very comfortable with track driving, as he is a certified high performance driving school instructor, that he knows what he is talking about. I will ask Kirk to amplify on his comments during the August 28-30 NCM "20th Anniversary Celebration," and of course share exactly what he says here.
Of course a major component of, and answer to the daily driver usage question is the "smoothness versus roughness" of the roads one drives on when using the car as a daily driver.
Chief Z06 designer Kirk Benion said, "I would not want to take an eight hour ride in a Z07," that the cars are made for the "track enthusiast." Please understand that Kirk is himself, very comfortable with track driving, as he is a certified high performance driving school instructor, that he knows what he is talking about. I will ask Kirk to amplify on his comments during the August 28-30 NCM "20th Anniversary Celebration," and of course share exactly what he says here.
Of course a major component of, and answer to the daily driver usage question is the "smoothness versus roughness" of the roads one drives on when using the car as a daily driver.
Joined
·
392 Posts
I say use it as a daily driver.
Spend close to $100k on a car, you might as well get the most use out of it.
Spend close to $100k on a car, you might as well get the most use out of it.
Joined
·
18,694 Posts
Z07 as a daily driver? Not so fast!
Had the privilege of meeting one to one with Alex MacDonald, Z06 Chassis Controls Performance Engineer. Alex noted that the final specifications for the Z06 components of suspension components are not finalized as of this time, that testing and chassis/suspension development continues.
He mentioned that the spring rates are much firmer for the Z07 then the other two stages, and that because the spring rates are significantly firmer, that the MSRC shocks must similarly be firmer to compensate. He added that the shocks are firmer in not just sport and track modes, as we heard previously, but also in the touring mode, i.e., even in the touring mode, you need stiffer shocks to modulate and control the stronger forces brought about by having stiffer Z07 Springs. He also confirmed that Jim Mero, Chief Z06 performance driver, continues to test/refine the car, including testing whether the Z07 will also have stiffer/larger sway bars -- which is actively being considered for that version at this time. As of today that decision is still under full consideration, neither adopted, nor rejected. Once Jim finalizes the sway bar decision, he will then determine whether or not the bushings for the sway bars will also be stiffer. Alex stated that there are at least six different sway bar bushings (with different degrees of firmness) that will be considered. Lastly, the MSRC will be calibrated on the Z07 version. (Of course, parallel development continues on the stage 1/2 version.)
Alex volunteered his personal experience driving a Z07 around Detroit, first emphasizing, as we all know, that the streets around the Detroit area are a challenge, sometimes pothole ridden. He and his wife went for a 20 mile Z07, "local ride" that ride changed their subsequent weekend plans, for they had planned to take the Z07 a couple of days later on a 120 mile weekend trip, but after the local 20 mile local trip, he exchanged it for a stage 1 Z06 for the 120 mile weekend ride.
Alex said that the Z07 is a phenomenal rack car! He used the exact phrase we previously heard from Chief C7 Designer, Kirk Bennion, that it is a "track enthusiasts" car.
Testing and development and refinement of the Z06 (all versions) continues, and further changes could occur, but none, in Alex's opinion, are going to change the essential nature of the Z07 version as one both designed for the track AND one he personally would not want to drive as a daily driver.
Had the privilege of meeting one to one with Alex MacDonald, Z06 Chassis Controls Performance Engineer. Alex noted that the final specifications for the Z06 components of suspension components are not finalized as of this time, that testing and chassis/suspension development continues.
He mentioned that the spring rates are much firmer for the Z07 then the other two stages, and that because the spring rates are significantly firmer, that the MSRC shocks must similarly be firmer to compensate. He added that the shocks are firmer in not just sport and track modes, as we heard previously, but also in the touring mode, i.e., even in the touring mode, you need stiffer shocks to modulate and control the stronger forces brought about by having stiffer Z07 Springs. He also confirmed that Jim Mero, Chief Z06 performance driver, continues to test/refine the car, including testing whether the Z07 will also have stiffer/larger sway bars -- which is actively being considered for that version at this time. As of today that decision is still under full consideration, neither adopted, nor rejected. Once Jim finalizes the sway bar decision, he will then determine whether or not the bushings for the sway bars will also be stiffer. Alex stated that there are at least six different sway bar bushings (with different degrees of firmness) that will be considered. Lastly, the MSRC will be calibrated on the Z07 version. (Of course, parallel development continues on the stage 1/2 version.)
Alex volunteered his personal experience driving a Z07 around Detroit, first emphasizing, as we all know, that the streets around the Detroit area are a challenge, sometimes pothole ridden. He and his wife went for a 20 mile Z07, "local ride" that ride changed their subsequent weekend plans, for they had planned to take the Z07 a couple of days later on a 120 mile weekend trip, but after the local 20 mile local trip, he exchanged it for a stage 1 Z06 for the 120 mile weekend ride.
Alex said that the Z07 is a phenomenal rack car! He used the exact phrase we previously heard from Chief C7 Designer, Kirk Bennion, that it is a "track enthusiasts" car.
Testing and development and refinement of the Z06 (all versions) continues, and further changes could occur, but none, in Alex's opinion, are going to change the essential nature of the Z07 version as one both designed for the track AND one he personally would not want to drive as a daily driver.
I say no. It can be done but definitely not practical. I can't think of too many cars more impractical as a daily driver: 2 seater, no trunk, 335 25 20 tires. Not to mention that you may not want to put unnecessary miles on the car like driving someone to the airport etc.. I say just buy a 10 year old Jeep or other small SUV for $5k-$10k, problem solved.
Sounds like you'll have a similar problem to many of us with the bad roads, pot holes, etc. The 335 25 20 tires may cause you headaches if the Z is your daily driver; flat tires, bent rims, etc.. At least you can see the roads during the day but it's not so easy at night. I have low profile run flats on my 650gc and blew out 4 tires in 2 1/2 months this past winter. My tires are 245 40 19 so the 335 25 20s will be a nightmare if your roads are horrid in So Cal. Something to think about.
Joined
·
18,694 Posts
Thanks to "Ultimate Z06," we have learned a very important/measurable fact by which to judge the difference between a C6 Z06 ride and a C7 Z06 with Z07 ride, as per the quote below. This information was also based on a direct conversation with Alex MacDonald.
"MacDonald was very forthright and told me that the spring rates on the C7 Z07 would be 40% greater than my C6 Z07. They would have liked going with stiffer springs on the C6 car but it's lower level of structural rigidity would not support it. Now that the C7 car is so much stiffer structurally they were able to go with the stiffer spring rates to enhance track performance."
Thanks "Ultimate Z06."
"MacDonald was very forthright and told me that the spring rates on the C7 Z07 would be 40% greater than my C6 Z07. They would have liked going with stiffer springs on the C6 car but it's lower level of structural rigidity would not support it. Now that the C7 car is so much stiffer structurally they were able to go with the stiffer spring rates to enhance track performance."
Thanks "Ultimate Z06."
Joined
·
309 Posts
Just wanted to revive this thread b/c I have caught the Z06 bug and it looks like I'm finally going to make the leap into a Z06. A few questions for current Z06 owners...
(1) Not like gas mileage is really a high priority for me (I'm looking to buy a 650 HP supercar after all), but in the economy setting are you able to average anything higher than 16 MPG in city driving?
(2) Looks like there are currently some small (5K) discounts off of MSRP ... is this a recent trend with Z06s now that they've been on the market for over a year?
(3) I found a car with the 2LZ package at a good price... but this interior will have Mulan leather instead of the Napa leather & suede headliner of the 3LZ package... is there really a noticeable difference between the leather quality/interiors of these two trim levels?
(4) How has this beast been as a daily driver? My C7 has been flawless.
(1) Not like gas mileage is really a high priority for me (I'm looking to buy a 650 HP supercar after all), but in the economy setting are you able to average anything higher than 16 MPG in city driving?
(2) Looks like there are currently some small (5K) discounts off of MSRP ... is this a recent trend with Z06s now that they've been on the market for over a year?
(3) I found a car with the 2LZ package at a good price... but this interior will have Mulan leather instead of the Napa leather & suede headliner of the 3LZ package... is there really a noticeable difference between the leather quality/interiors of these two trim levels?
(4) How has this beast been as a daily driver? My C7 has been flawless.
Joined
·
1,197 Posts
In my experience:
1: 16 is realistic overall, if you allow yourself to enjoy the car.
2. I don't know. I paid full sticker 6 months ago and have no regrets. I ordered my car and got every option I wanted and none that I didn't. Not a single regret.
3. I had a 3LT StingRay; loved the interior. I have a 2LT Z06. Love the interior just as much. I like Mulan Leather--there it is; I said it.
4. I don't drive my car every day, but when I do, I have every confidence it will take me anywhere I want to go, and do so comfortably and in high style.
Best wishes on your choice.
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
