Z06 Versus C5 Vert

[Remo]

I have to say that I was torn between buying a Z06 or a C5 convertible. Interrestingly enough, the price between the two is about the same. I test drove both and there was no question that the Z06 had a wider performance envelope. I chose the convertible for two reasons.

1. The C5 convertible is also very fast. In reality, there are very few instances "on the street" where you could fully engage the performance capability of either vehicle.

2. When the weather is beautiful and you want to experience some top down driving - well that's not an option with a Z06.

Regards - Remo

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

You can`t go wrong either way.Actually my mom had her heart set on the Convert becuase of their sharp look.We went to the dealer and she was very close to buying one when the salesman ask her if she wanted to take a spin in a Millenium Yellow Z06.She did and she was hooked by the power of them.Plus when we were looking at the Convet. the salesman started down talking the real time damping supension system.
Two days later she bought the Z06.

 

[MsSchroder]

When the z06 came out, I was dismayed to find that they didn't make them in convertibles. I had that little internal battle too.... but the thirst for power won out. I guess when spring comes around I'll just have to drive with the windows down and make the best of it

 

[CorvettepartZ]

We are very happy with our 2002 Z06, it has been better than we could have ever expected. Down here in Miami, we see on average between 2-3 convertible's a day. Both are terrific vehicles. Enjoy your Vette!

 

[jonstr]

It doesn't have to be either/or.

I gave up a '98 vert for an '01 Z06. It was a great car, but felt pretty claustrophobic. As a result I decided not to decide between the two when I ordered my '02 Z06, and had it converted by Caravaggio.

 

[EHS]

jonstr:

If you could give some price guidlines (or simply how much time)?

I have a hard time deciding between the two myself; going from Z06 seems to be cleaner than trying to go the other way around, i.e. converible to Z06.

Thanks.

 

[jonstr]

jonstr:

If you could give some price guidlines (or simply how much time)?

I have a hard time deciding between the two myself; going from Z06 seems to be cleaner than trying to go the other way around, i.e. converible to Z06.

Thanks.

You can find pricing details on his website at http://www.caravaggiocorvettes.com. Actual pricing depends on the 'options' you choose (and there are a bunch - John will do just about any custom work you want). The base cost for the conversion was $12.5K, I added a Ripper shifter and the roll hoops behind the seats.

The conversion took about 4 weeks, plus transport time (I had the car trucked up and back). There are a few companies out there doing the conversions. I went with Caravaggio because at the time (Oct. 2001) he was the only one I could find with a proven track record on the conversions, plus he came highly recommended by other folks who have had work done by him.
The results and workmanship are great. I've got almost 20K miles on the car since the conversion and it's still rock solid, and you can't tell it from a stock vert (it's so close that the local dealer adjusted my convertible top under warranty for me).

I thought about the conversion both ways too - vert to Z06 or Z06 to vert. I figured that by the time I took a stock vert and upgraded the motor, suspension, interior (I wanted the mod red), and exhaust, I'd have more than the $12.5K in the car, and it still wouldn't be a Z06. But it's a matter of choice. Lots of people ask me how I could ruin such a great car. Others say they'd sink the money into the motor of the Z and make it even faster. Personally, I wasn't interested in racing the car, so the added stiffness of the FRC wasn't an issue (although more HP is always nice). I was more interested in having a unique car, and for my money, that's what I got.

 

[Roadster Fan]

Jonstr......how are those hoop rollbars?

I'm going the other route. I bought my 02 roadster new last May and will probably go with a H/C package next winter along with some suspension upgrades.
If I take it to a track after that, I'll need rollbars.
Your hoop style are what I had in mind. Do you lose a lot of legroom moving the seat up to acommodate them? Or is it a modified hatch allowing the seat to have the original track length?



Brett

 

[Remo]

Jonstr Z06-Vert

Jonstr,

Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing the converson pictures with us - the transition was terrific. There are a couple of aftermarket shops up here in the Northeast that do the same work. At this point my plan is purchase the Z06 version of the C6 when they become available. If GM hasn't figured out how to combine the Z06 with the convertible, then I will do the aftermarket conversion. As you said - there must be that moment when you question why you are sending a brand new $55,000 car to a chop shop.

Regards - Remo

 

[jonstr]

Re: Jonstr......how are those hoop rollbars?

I'm going the other route. I bought my 02 roadster new last May and will probably go with a H/C package next winter along with some suspension upgrades.
If I take it to a track after that, I'll need rollbars.
Your hoop style are what I had in mind. Do you lose a lot of legroom moving the seat up to acommodate them? Or is it a modified hatch allowing the seat to have the original track length?



Brett

The deck lid is a stock vert lid, unmodified. The roll hoops only interfere with seat travel if you lean the seat way back and then run it all the way back on the tracks. I'm 6'2" and can adjust the seat comfortably without hitting the hoops.

Remo - You're right. If you saw the conversion pics in my sig link, you probably also read my little narative on my web site where I talked about getting the pictures from Caravaggio via email. The first one I opened up was the one where it is completely torn down. At that point I was definitely questioning my sanity. But it was worth it. By the time they get to the Z06 in the C6 style, I may be ready for another one as well. We'll see.

 

[theblackvette]

Z06 Convertible-Georgian Style

Here is an option- you can take chainsaw to the Z06 and make it a convertible permanately! There are a lot of trees in Georgia. I am sure you are quite handy with the chainsaw! :L

No problem with rain either. Just drill a plug hole in the bottom of the floor board. Very easy and you will feel right at home! :L

When the z06 came out, I was dismayed to find that they didn't make them in convertibles. I had that little internal battle too.... but the thirst for power won out. I guess when spring comes around I'll just have to drive with the windows down and make the best of it

 

[Gorgon]

Here is an option- you can take chainsaw to the Z06 and make it a convertible permanately! There are a lot of trees in Georgia. I am sure you are quite handy with the chainsaw! :L

No problem with rain either. Just drill a plug hole in the bottom of the floor board. Very easy and you will feel right at home! :L

BV, why are you spamming a year and a half old thread?

 

[theblackvette]

Roadfrog-Thread is still of interest to me!

I like this thread and like to give a fellow Z06 owner some advice! :L

BV, why are you spamming a year and a half old thread?

 

[Roadfrog]

Whatever floats your boat. I like being able to roll mine and not get dirt in my hair.

I have to say that I was torn between buying a Z06 or a C5 convertible. Interrestingly enough, the price between the two is about the same. I test drove both and there was no question that the Z06 had a wider performance envelope. I chose the convertible for two reasons.

1. The C5 convertible is also very fast. In reality, there are very few instances "on the street" where you could fully engage the performance capability of either vehicle.

2. When the weather is beautiful and you want to experience some top down driving - well that's not an option with a Z06.

Regards - Remo

 

[Pac-man]

Blackvette, I'm going to throw up if I have to look at that degenerate Kerry or even worse Hillary. Put a Vette picture in there will you.

 

[Roadfrog]

Blackvette, I'm going to throw up if I have to look at that degenerate Kerry or even worse Hillary. Put a Vette picture in there will you.

Pac Man, you are obviously a man of taste, good judgement, and distinction. I think BV has it for Hillary. He's a Hillary kind of guy besides being a plain ole garden variety chicken. Just the facts man.

 

[Roadfrog]

Gotta love a lady that knows what REAL power is. You are now on my idol list.

When the z06 came out, I was dismayed to find that they didn't make them in convertibles. I had that little internal battle too.... but the thirst for power won out. I guess when spring comes around I'll just have to drive with the windows down and make the best of it

 

[atmmac]

Kerry is the senator of my state and he sucks Bigtime. Hes such a PIA.

 

[Patrick]

Before this thread gets moved to the Edge, I'll try and steer us back to the original subject.

When I had my '91 Coupe, taking the lid off was a chore: those 4 screws, and the time it took to ratchet them off was a PITA. Then there was the constant fear that I might lose one of the screws at some point. Putting it on was even more of a PITA. I was usually by myself, and that roof is heavy and bulky trying to gently maneouver it into place to be re-ratcheted down. So I don't miss the coupe.

When I go with my local Corvette club on "drive and dines," I do occasionally feel a bit of jealousy over the fact that the convertables look like real fun to go crusing around in. When this happens, I remind myself that my Z06 was designed and built to be a genuine racer. Those verts have many attributes, but the upgraded HP in the ZO6 is the trade off, and many of those vert owners have commented to me on their occasional bouts of jealousy over that.

Besides, as a fixed roof variety vette, I don't have to worry about some kid attacking a canvas roof over my vette with a knife.

My $0.02
-Patrick

 

[smook]

Remo,


I bought the 2003 Z06, enjoyed it and then decided to trade it in on a new 2004 Torch RED auto 'vert. BUT, 1 day after I thought about it, I picked up the phone and asked if my z06 was still at the dealership. I bought back my Z06! So, I own both.

Here's my run-down on why.

1. 'vert is so much fun, auto makes it an easy daily driver and just so easy to jump in and go...(more looks from everyone too!)
2. BUT, the Z06 is much more re-fined. I can say this because I can drive both and compare them. The z06 is much much faster. Stick is different. More control. Steering with the grippy tires. Nice balance in the car. Z06 makes alot more noise. Since my Z06 is black it looks more of a beast than my Torch Red 'vert.

TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS... Z06 vs. 'vert.

I have both for now.

Cheers!
Bill.