GT500 or Z06

[mullens]

Went to an outdoor cafe here and I parked next to a nice Red Z06. Chatted a little with the owner, a real nice guy. While I was eating 3 different people came up to me and said "nice car", how much hp does it have", etc. Some walked by and checked it out. Not one person stopped to look at the Vette or asked about it. I almost felt bad for the guy. Almost.

[ilmor]

I think its just because there are so many Vette's on the road its hard for the average person to differentiate among them. The GT500 really stands out.

[03reptile]

I think its just because there are so many Vette's on the road its hard for the average person to differentiate among them. The GT500 really stands out.

 

 

I agree, totally. I even have a tough time differentiating between the more recent Vettes. They all look very similar to the layman's eye and that is their Achilles heel. The Shelby, in direct contrast, is not seen that often and you sure can tell its different than the average Mustang, or GT. I experience the same attention with the 2011. Just another fun perk in driving this great car!

[briggsie]

I have owned some pretty nice muscle cars in the past. But, Last night driving home was th 3rd time a car has pulled up next to me and is taking a picture of my car at the stop light. Its kinda of a weird feeling. The car is by the far the most

attention getter that i have owned. People start acting all weird around the shelby when they see it. They are driving crazy through traffic just to get up close to me and they almost cause an accident.

[blueovalkid]

I have owned some pretty nice muscle cars in the past. But, Last night driving home was th 3rd time a car has pulled up next to me and is taking a picture of my car at the stop light. Its kinda of a weird feeling. The car is by the far the most

attention getter that i have owned. People start acting all weird around the shelby when they see it. They are driving crazy through traffic just to get up close to me and they almost cause an accident.

 

Fun isnt it? Some people dont like to admit it but....they enjoy all the attention these cars get.

[49Northsnake]

I agree, totally. I even have a tough time differentiating between the more recent Vettes. They all look very similar to the layman's eye and that is their Achilles heel. The Shelby, in direct contrast, is not seen that often and you sure can tell its different than the average Mustang, or GT. I experience the same attention with the 2011. Just another fun perk in driving this great car!

 

 

I will give you that the C6 does look the same to the layman, GM has only offered minor interior alterations, rims variations, colors of course as changes since 2005 (with a well responded to mid cycle engine/performance upgrade in 08) but I would argue that is a function of economics and a very successful platform until the C7 arrives. But you can go ahead and fool yourself if you think the design is the Achilles heel of the C6. As a person who owns both (and I am not the only one on this board who has current versions of both marques) I will stand behind this statement. No doubt the Shelby is different/unique from the other Mustang offerings (having the 5.0 back in the line up is also a plus) but with stripe delete the lines just got blurred further. The attention one receives driving a newer Shelby or C6 (notice I am not saying Z06 or ZR-1) is equally cool and a perk as you say. We all know the recent GT500 production numbers over the past few years but FYI and the layman out there, 2010 Z06 production was 518 & ZR-1 1577, leaving the remainder of MY2010 vette production @ about 10,000 across all other body styles. I actually think Ford hopes to crush those numbers with the new 5.0 & V6 alone!

At the moment our local SVT dealer has 10 Shelby's 2 MY-10's & 8 MY-11's the local Chevy dealer has 1 Z06 & 1 ZR-1 for stock, they honestly wouldn't order nor could they sell even close to these numbers that the Ford store has in Shelby inventory. The 2010 Shelby improvements were a BIG plus and the car is a brute of a "muscle car" but I would be careful in thinking that a C6 vette lack some soul because of apperance and that one is lurking at every street corner while a Shelby may thunder along only seldom if you are lucky.

[cbr1000]

In my opinion the current Vette body style is very dated. I gather from the original post, everyone else felt the same.

 

Can't wait for the new Vette body style, it's ready for a redesign.

[10random]

I sat on the fence when I bought my 2010. I tried to pick between the following:

 

Used M3

Used Z06

New Camaro 2SS

New C6 Grand Sport

 

In the end the 2010 GT500 still won me over. I spent the last ten years of my life dreaming of owning a Corvette one day, but that dreamed died after owning and driving the GT500s. This car has hit the sweet spot.

 

1) Blower

2) Overhead Cams

3) Four Valves

4) Forged Motor

5) Appearance

6) Back seats

 

My favorite part of this car is just sitting in the driver seat and feeling everything come together and center on the driver. Great seats, visibility, steering and handling feedback. I never even drove a new Camaro, because once I sat in the driver's seat it was game over. Worst car I have ever sat in next to a Viper. Visibility and ergonomics are poor. The Vette has a great driving experience, but it's appeal has waned.

[Torched10]

i also own a C6 and a 10 shelby.From driving both here in Atl, i get alot more attention on the raod and at car shows with the Shelby.Other than getting the corvette wave from other drivers,its not even close.As to put driving,theres no doubt the vtte is quicker stock,but its also a lot smaller for me (6-4)--

[skeet]

nil

 

 

[iamlightning03]

theres a reason they only have one in stock=price, lol.

[SVTpower]

Before I comment, remember I'm a GT500 owner........ok, now I'll comment. Who cares what people look at........I'm getting tired of all these people that walk thru shows........watch them next time, the husbands whipped by their wives not allowed to own a toy, the wives themselves and their kids..........they always go to the bright, flashy, greasy, ricey cars.........regardless of good or bad........they have no clue what they're looking at. Now, real car guys know the Z06 is the best performance value supercar out there.......with stock 11's in the quarter, 0-60 in 3.7, 190+ top speed, 3180 lbs vs ours at 3850+..........try to compete with that...........face it, the car just rocks............not to mention the countless of youtube race videos and it loses very few races..............opposite with the GT500.........some winning videos but tons of losing........and I do mean tons.

 

Yes, I will get a Zo6 one day, and it will be red..........so the little kids and clueless people as the show may actually look at it........and if they don't, big deal really.

[skeet]

nil

 

 

[trotline]

Big difference in the two cars...I just sold my 2011 GT 500 and kept the Z06. Neither will ever have the engineering / polish and in some cases the speed of the German cars I have owned. I know, then there is the $ difference which has to be taken into consideration.

[mullens]

My point was not which is the better or faster car, but public perception definitely goes to the Shelby. Maybe it's because there's nothing asthetically that sets the Z06 apart from a regular Vette. That little emblem on the side just doesn't do it. The ZR1 is a totally different story. That TVS under glass hood is pretty hard to miss.

[William Rodgers]

I guess that I am not a real car guy.

 

I bought the car because I liked the looks and it has all of the power that I need. I don’t plan to do any racing.

We spend a lot of time and money on making our cars look nice and that draws attention and comments.

.

 

Exactly, I would say the Majority of us do not race. At the end of the day the Vette is a lot of performance for the money, but the difference between the plain jane stripped model and the top of the line is just not enough as far as looks go. It was in the running when I bought my car, but I just could not do it, I prefer muscle cars. If I were getting a Sports car it would be another Porsche or M3. Just my 2 cents.

[darthracer777]

At the end of the day the Vette is a lot of performance for the money

 

 

 

Really? Doesn't a Z06 run about $70,000? I'd say the GT500 is more bang for the buck at 50K. As for 11s, Evan Smith achieved that with a '10 model---ran 11.59 with MT ET streets. With ET streets or slicks, I imagine I'll have no problems with getting mid 11s with my '11.

 

GT500 owners should have no 'envy' with respect to the Z06.

[mach1fever]

Really? Doesn't a Z06 run about $70,000? I'd say the GT500 is more bang for the buck at 50K. As for 11s, Evan Smith achieved that with a '10 model---ran 11.59 with MT ET streets. With ET streets or slicks, I imagine I'll have no problems with getting mid 11s with my '11.

 

GT500 owners should have no 'envy' with respect to the Z06.

 

 

 

Only thing I will add is that the z06 does have body differences although most non car people won't notice.

 

Roger

[randymarble]

I traded my 2008 Z06 in on the 2011 GT500 SVTPP.

 

Observations: I wouldn't have traded until Ford offered the SVTPP. Didn't want to spend aftermarket money to lower and make handle. The Z06 if faster (stock vs stock) than the GT500, but more skiterish due to the much lighter weight. The run-flats Chevy puts on those cars are horrible. Get 5k miles on them and they turn into tractor tires and are solid as a rock and provide no cushion whatsoever into the drivers compartment. I honestly believe that the 11 GT500 w/SVTPP is as fast around a race course as the Z06 with a comparable driver. I like the interior of the Mustang much better. I like the ease of getting in and out of the car better on the Mustange. The stereo is WAY better than the Chevy/Bose unit. The fact that my GT500's top goes down is a way-cool factor for me and that isn't available on the Chevy.

 

Not trying to bash the Z06, because it was a quality built car and I compare it to a thoroughbred horse..................built for nothing but speed. Starting at the high compression ratio on the Chevy, there isn't any good options for boost. If you want to go that direction, buy a Grand Sport with the LS3 and put the twin turbos on it from STS. That makes it zoom, zoom, zoom. Anyone can mod their car in many different ways and that takes the comparisons to different levels. I bought my '08 Z06 new and I bought the '11 GT500 new. Trying for some observations on stock vs stock.

[Ezareth]

Go for the GT500 and spend the extra 20K on upgrades that will make your Shelby faster than the Z06 in any comparison.

[rhlgt500]

I honestly believe that the 11 GT500 w/SVTPP is as fast around a race course as the Z06 with a comparable driver. I like the interior of the Mustang much better. I like the ease of getting in and out of the car better on the Mustange.

 

Some track times:

 

VIR lap times

 

'11 GT500 SVTPP slots in right in the between the Grand Sport and ZO6.

 

I looked at Corvette and Porshe when buying GT500. For a pure track/weekend toy I think the ZO6 would not be a bad choice. But I can't handle the Chevy interior for day to day use. I rented a standard vette on a business trip for a few days and the look/feel/ergonomics drove me insane. The Mustang GT500 came across as much more of a real car that I fit in (6'2 220lbs) better in than the 2 seat sports cars. That it was less expansive than the higher end Vetts and almost any Porsche was added bonus but not a hugh factor in my decision. My last three cars (all bought new) where 2 late model 911s and a M3. So far the GT500 looks like the winner.

[squaw001]

SPEAKING OF PICTURE TAKING. I WAS PRETTY EXCITED WHEN THE FEMALE PASSENGER IN THE 2010 CAMARO WAS TAKING A PICTURE OF MY 2010 GT500 ON THE FREEWAY. THE MALE DRIVER WASN'T SMILING. I LIKE THE ATTENTION. I'LL ADMIT IT.

[KomradAndre]

I got my shelby gt500 because it looked awesome on me.

[JWG223]

Really? Doesn't a Z06 run about $70,000? I'd say the GT500 is more bang for the buck at 50K. As for 11s, Evan Smith achieved that with a '10 model---ran 11.59 with MT ET streets. With ET streets or slicks, I imagine I'll have no problems with getting mid 11s with my '11.

 

GT500 owners should have no 'envy' with respect to the Z06.

 

 

On ET's a Z06 will run 10's.

 

The Z06 does cost more, but it completely annhialates the GT500. I think the Grand Sport is more on the GT500's level.

 

I have thought about it a lot, and have decided the Grand Sport is what I would rather have.

 

Why?

 

VIR track-times and the drag-strip show the cars to be nearly identical in performance.

In the real-world though, I know how bad a solid rear-axle sucks over expansion joints and pot-holes in turns. I have owned 3 SRA equipped performance cars, and they were a PAIN. Especially when you have a bridge with expansion joints on an incline (accelerating, the rear end CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! almost like wheel-hop).

 

The second factor was the "feel" of being in the car. The C6 wraps around you and you become a part of it. You sit IN IT. The GT500 has a more park-bench feel to it. I don't mean the seats--they are awesome. I mean that you seem like you sit ON the GT500 instead of IN the car, like with the 'vette. This is variable though, some people may not want to feel "wrapped up" in their car, but value a more open environment, for which the GT500 would be superior.

 

Third was the "balance" of the car. The GT500 rides rather high, has very narrow tires for its weight and power, and is limited to 155mph. The GS has tires to match its weight/power, has no speed limiter, and sits lower and looks like a sports car should. The GT500 is a muscle-car, and there is nothing wrong with that, but its playing at being something its not when you take it into the realm of the Corvette, etc.

 

In favor of the GT500 is that the interior is much nicer. It had a better fit/finish to it. The car comes loaded out, where the 'vette requires about 10K in options to really get what the car is about.

 

Further, the GT500 is made by a SUCCESSFUL car-company. Not one that took 'gubment money.

 

The GT500 is rarer, and the huge cobra on the side is sure to get more stares.

 

However, the "feel" of the C6 GS, the fact that you can easily get it for invoice, and the other things mentioned, have pushed me into the 'vette camp. I still think the GT500 is a hell of a car, its just a hell of a muscle car, and I would like a sports car. So, I plan on the GS early next year.

 

That's my take on things, FWIW.

[SVTpower]

On ET's a Z06 will run 10's.

 

The Z06 does cost more, but it completely annhialates the GT500. I think the Grand Sport is more on the GT500's level.

 

I have thought about it a lot, and have decided the Grand Sport is what I would rather have.

 

Why?

 

VIR track-times and the drag-strip show the cars to be nearly identical in performance.

In the real-world though, I know how bad a solid rear-axle sucks over expansion joints and pot-holes in turns. I have owned 3 SRA equipped performance cars, and they were a PAIN. Especially when you have a bridge with expansion joints on an incline (accelerating, the rear end CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! almost like wheel-hop).

 

The second factor was the "feel" of being in the car. The C6 wraps around you and you become a part of it. You sit IN IT. The GT500 has a more park-bench feel to it. I don't mean the seats--they are awesome. I mean that you seem like you sit ON the GT500 instead of IN the car, like with the 'vette. This is variable though, some people may not want to feel "wrapped up" in their car, but value a more open environment, for which the GT500 would be superior.

 

Third was the "balance" of the car. The GT500 rides rather high, has very narrow tires for its weight and power, and is limited to 155mph. The GS has tires to match its weight/power, has no speed limiter, and sits lower and looks like a sports car should. The GT500 is a muscle-car, and there is nothing wrong with that, but its playing at being something its not when you take it into the realm of the Corvette, etc.

 

In favor of the GT500 is that the interior is much nicer. It had a better fit/finish to it. The car comes loaded out, where the 'vette requires about 10K in options to really get what the car is about.

 

Further, the GT500 is made by a SUCCESSFUL car-company. Not one that took 'gubment money.

 

The GT500 is rarer, and the huge cobra on the side is sure to get more stares.

 

However, the "feel" of the C6 GS, the fact that you can easily get it for invoice, and the other things mentioned, have pushed me into the 'vette camp. I still think the GT500 is a hell of a car, its just a hell of a muscle car, and I would like a sports car. So, I plan on the GS early next year.

 

That's my take on things, FWIW.

 

 

Well said.........I didn't want to get into a pissing match with anyone here but you said it perfect. Bottom line, unless your packing 650 + rwhp, you will fear a stock Z06........and if you are winning, watch out, the Z is gaining and will pass you...........stock! Anyways, a Z is in my future

[SVT NAJA]

Some "find em on every corner" vettes may be faster, but none will ever have the pedigree of a Shelby... and you can take that to the bank in Vegas.

[darthracer777]

On ET's a Z06 will run 10's.

 

The Z06 does cost more, but it completely annhialates the GT500. I think the Grand Sport is more on the GT500's level.

 

I have thought about it a lot, and have decided the Grand Sport is what I would rather have.

 

Why?

 

VIR track-times and the drag-strip show the cars to be nearly identical in performance.

In the real-world though, I know how bad a solid rear-axle sucks over expansion joints and pot-holes in turns. I have owned 3 SRA equipped performance cars, and they were a PAIN. Especially when you have a bridge with expansion joints on an incline (accelerating, the rear end CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! almost like wheel-hop).

 

The second factor was the "feel" of being in the car. The C6 wraps around you and you become a part of it. You sit IN IT. The GT500 has a more park-bench feel to it. I don't mean the seats--they are awesome. I mean that you seem like you sit ON the GT500 instead of IN the car, like with the 'vette. This is variable though, some people may not want to feel "wrapped up" in their car, but value a more open environment, for which the GT500 would be superior.

 

Third was the "balance" of the car. The GT500 rides rather high, has very narrow tires for its weight and power, and is limited to 155mph. The GS has tires to match its weight/power, has no speed limiter, and sits lower and looks like a sports car should. The GT500 is a muscle-car, and there is nothing wrong with that, but its playing at being something its not when you take it into the realm of the Corvette, etc.

 

In favor of the GT500 is that the interior is much nicer. It had a better fit/finish to it. The car comes loaded out, where the 'vette requires about 10K in options to really get what the car is about.

 

Further, the GT500 is made by a SUCCESSFUL car-company. Not one that took 'gubment money.

 

The GT500 is rarer, and the huge cobra on the side is sure to get more stares.

 

However, the "feel" of the C6 GS, the fact that you can easily get it for invoice, and the other things mentioned, have pushed me into the 'vette camp. I still think the GT500 is a hell of a car, its just a hell of a muscle car, and I would like a sports car. So, I plan on the GS early next year.

 

That's my take on things, FWIW.

 

 

Then why are you on this forum? It seems you're more into 'vettes. Stock Z06 in the 10s? I haven't seen that at the 'strip, even when they use slicks. Can you provide a link to a legitimate drag test of a stock Z06? Maybe you're right, maybe you've been misinformed.

 

As someone else stated in this post, just spend another 20K on a GT500 and you blast the Z06 in every department. And, you've only reached the cost of a Z06.

 

I repeat that I will not be beat at the 'strip by the Z06 or Z28. Even if they do run '10s'. ;-)

[JWG223]

Then why are you on this forum? It seems you're more into 'vettes. Stock Z06 in the 10s? I haven't seen that at the 'strip, even when they use slicks. Can you provide a link to a legitimate drag test of a stock Z06? Maybe you're right, maybe you've been misinformed.

 

As someone else stated in this post, just spend another 20K on a GT500 and you blast the Z06 in every department. And, you've only reached the cost of a Z06.

 

I repeat that I will not be beat at the 'strip by the Z06 or Z28. Even if they do run '10s'. ;-)

 

 

I will provide you with a video link that is of good repute when I get home. I have a breakfast apppointment and just popped in to check the thread.

 

I am here because I can appreciate more than one make/model of car. The members here are polite and informative, and this forum is what helped me come to the conclusions I have, along with personal experience and hands-on with both cars.

[tktlwyr]

I will provide you with a video link that is of good repute when I get home. I have a breakfast apppointment and just popped in to check the thread.

 

 

I'd put my money on a Mid-Atlantic region track with mind shaft air. I'm guessing Cecil, MIR, Atco or Englishtown?

[GOTVENOMGT500]

The fastest runs I've seen of a stock ZO6 were at MIR, both Ranger and Jamie Furman in stock ZO6's and runs with drag radials. Saw Ranger running in person at Capital Raceway but it was way too hot for any record type runs but he still had some great runs and his launchs were very consistant and had great 60' times.

 

Bone stock 11.22 @ 127.16

 

Bone Stock w/ Drag Radials 10.74 @ 129.50

 

I think both are impressive cars, hope to have a black ZO6 in my garage someday next to a GT500. The hardest part will be waking up and deciding which one to drive that day.