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As of recently, I've been playing with the idea of trading in my 2006.5 350Z for a C5 Corvette. Years ago, I was a hardcore 'tuner' enthusiast and laughed at the idea of driving anything that's not Japanese. However, as time has rolled by, I've become more savvy and I know a lot more about the cars available in today's market, foreign or domestic. Contrary to my belief back then, I now know that a Corvette is NOT just another muscle car. Its handling is world class and its body is lighter than even my 350Z, providing for a very quick and nimble sports car.

So, two days ago I was given the opportunity to drive a C5, and I gladly took it. It's a 2004 convertible, painted look-at-me-yellow. It was a customer's vehicle that we had to deliver after a couple of days worth of trying to find the source of a current draw. Here's what I thought.

Well, the first thing that came to mind was "Damn, this interior is dreadful." However, after I convinced myself that I wasn't driving a Monte Carlo, I was able to further analyze the feel of the car. To my surprise, it felt very sloppy. Mind you, this was the first time I've DRIVEN a Corvette, even though I've ridden in them. I've also driven a Pontiac GTO and more recently the Pontiac G8, and to tell you the truth they felt more light on their feet than this yellow 'Vette. It was so sloppy, in fact, that it made me utterly disappointed.

So, the third thought to hit my mind was "My Z would murder this thing in the slalom." It wasn't long after that I started to miss my Z, which happened to be the car I was following to our destination. (Which I enjoyed because I could stare at its lovely a** for a while and marvel at its newly installed, even wider rear tires.)

After that, we hit open road, and to say it plainly the car started to feel a bit more friendly. I was playing footsies with the throttle and drowning in ecstasy as I felt the car lurch forward, while I listened to the intimidating roar of the 350 HP LS1 V8. The fourth thought to enter my mind was "Man, this car's got some get-up-and-go." but I soon changed my mind and decided that "Man, this car's got some get-up-and-gone." It's deadly quick, and keep in mind that I was driving the convertible.

When we hit the highway, I soon discovered that the car could get from 60 to 120 in what felt like less than a second and it wasn't long until I decided that if there's one thing I'm certain I want, it's an LS1, even if I've got to slap it in a 350Z to get the handling I'm used to.

Next, we hit serious traffic. I sat back in the cushy leather seat that felt, to me, like the couch at my grandma's house, since I'm used to the Recaro-like seats in my Z. It was comfortable, though, sitting in my grandma's couch in traffic and looking up the skirt of my Fairlady from behind.

When we reached our destination, I bid farewell to the drop-top 'Vette and eagerly accepted the keys to my Z from my father, whom I had been following throughout the duration of the trip. Not long after, on the way back to our shop we almost had a head on collision with a Mercedes ML350, and my reflexes combined with the 350Z's lightning sharp handing allowed me to avoid the collision without any damage.

If I had been driving the Corvette, I'm certain that I would not have been able to get out of the way. This made me appreciate my 350Z even more.

So, will I trade her for a Corvette? I'm still not sure... I think that maybe the one I drove was a poor example of the breed. Common sense tells me that the coupe will handle a lot better, and this one wasn't very well taken care of so I'll have to get behind the wheel of a couple others before I make a final decision.

Perhaps even drive some of the older ones too just to get the feel of what a Vette should drive like. It might not be a bad idea to do a swap, but it also might not be a bad Idea to look at getting something more comfortable. Maybe even a older lexus?

Looks like it'd be better to wait it out m8. For what you can spend now, the Z sounds like the better all-round performer.

Have you checked into a Nissan v8 swap? TopSecret had a Twin Turbo Titan v8 stuffed into a 350Z. mrgreen

Yer. I'm hoping for the day someone enters a 'Vette into the Tsukuba time attack and pays with the big boys. Last I heard, they brought the CTR230 to the US, and the modern-day muscle cars, even highly tuned, proved ineffective against it. And it "only" makes 400kW+.

Actually, my Z is 100% stock in terms of suspension. In fact, the only things I've done to the car to increase performance are the K&N intake filter (just the filter, not the intake) and fully synthetic oil. Other than that, the car's just as it was from the factory. Hell, it's probably worse, because my audio equipment weighs at least 200 pounds. Interior wise, while I do enjoy the body-hugging seats of my Z, the rest of the interior looks like it was a joint effort between Fisher Price and Lego. But, it's still better than that of the C5.

The interior in the C6 looks less flea market, to me.



I think that's very nice. It's not so... Cavalierish. Man, I want a C6. Alas, I cannot afford one! So, I'm going to continue to test drive C5s and if the one I drove was similar to the rest, I'll stick with the Z.

Well as a american muscle car fan, I love 'vette's.

They are great handling cars, have a ton of power.

06 350z
Top speed : 155 mph(electronically limited)
0-60 mph : 5.4 sec.('03 manual)
0-¼ mile : 14.1 sec @ 101.0 mph('03 manual)
60-0 braking distance : 119 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.89 g

04 Vette
Top speed : 175 mph(coupe),
0-60 mph : 4.9 sec.(manual),
0-¼ mile : 13.6 sec @ 107.3 mph
60-0 braking distance : 125 ft
200 ft skidpad : 0.92 g

In actual performance terms, the Vette is the better car. The handling difference is just what you are used to.

Do you plan on selling the car?

In general I believe the 350z will devalue faster than the Corvette (due to Corvette's status symbol and not being replaced by a "better 370z".

If you could do an equal trade the Corvette is a better choice in my opinion.

Facts aside, you love your baby. It's not a matter of whats better really since your not a hardcore racer. Drive what you like better.

Okay, so here's the news.

As of late, I've really been wanting a Corvette. At first, I was looking at the C5 but, now that I've had more time to think about it, I've decided that I'm unwilling to give up my 350Z for a C5. They're too old looking and the interior is not up to my standards whatsoever. So, recently, I've turned my attention to the C6.

At first, when I started this guild and began to really explore my interest in cars, I was strictly an 'import guy.' While I never did like the ricer types like Civics and Accords complete with racing seat covers imprinted with 'NOS,' I found myself devoted to true Japanese sports cars. It wasn't long before I developed a fetish for the big names of the '90s, like the Toyota Supra, the Mazda RX-7, the Mitsubishi 3000GT and of course, my favorite, the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo.

After having a long, drawn out battle in my head between the 3000GT and the 300ZX, I finally decided that I had to own a 300ZX. Its striking appearance, more than impressive motor, classic rear wheel drive layout and true sports car heritage sucked me in like a moth to a zapper. However, when the time came that I could make my move, I was talked out of the 300ZX by my father. He told me that albeit a fantastic car, its age would make itself apparent and it would inevitably cost me too much money in repairs.

I took his advice, as it was packed with truth and wisdom. It took a lot of will to get over the Z32, but I'd soon forget. Naturally, I turned to its successor, the Z33. I knew, even then, that the 350Z was not quite as fast as the 300ZX in a straight line. I also knew that there were quicker cars in its price range, like the Subaru STi and the Mitsubishi Evo. But, I didn't want those. Just like before, I found the Z attractive because of its truly beautiful yet aggressive coupe styling and its actual racing heritage, carved in stone. After all, it takes more than performance to make a true sports car. It has to not only perform, but also be sexy and have a literal 'cool factor.'

Ever since I purchased my 350Z, I haven't been able to resist the urge to give it a moment's gaze after locking it up for the night. There's something special about owning a sports car... You have the opportunity to look at it from a distance and say "Wow, cool car." Somehow, I couldn't see myself doing that with an Evo or an STi. Of course, I'm not speaking out against anyone that does own one.

My 350Z has proven itself to be nothing less than a true sports car. It's eye-catching, it's quick and it's a real pleasure to drive both casually and on the edge. I've developed both physical and emotional bonds with it. My driving skills with it, if I do say so myself, are now dialed in. I understand its abilities, its limits and what it will do given the situation.

It seems, though, that I now find my inner driver wanting. The speed no longer impresses me; I'm used to it. No matter how fast I'm going, what the road conditions are or how many cars are surrounding me, I always have a genuinely perfect feeling of control. I suspect that this happens with all drivers and their cars, as I have seen it with my own two eyes. Eventually, the driver overcomes previous limitations and the car, being a car, unfortunately cannot do the same without modification.

I've considered modification, as I'd prefer not to part with my Z. However, the sad fact of the matter is that upgrades for the car are very expensive. It leads me to wonder whether or not they are worth it. Among the modifications I find necessary are:

1. Four piston brake kit with cross drilled or slotted rotors: In excess of $2,400 used.
2. Increase engine output; the only way I could get any real improvements is to go forced induction. Stillen roots supercharger kit: $6,295 + installation.

The car handles just fine; in fact I wouldn't change any suspension characteristics even after the aforementioned upgrades. But, even still. If I were to purchase a used big brake kit and a new supercharger (it'd have to be new, used is risky) I'd immediately hit $10,000 easily, and for what? I'd gain an additional 50 horsepower at the wheels, which is no doubt impressive, but not $10,000 impressive - in my opinion, anyway.

For less than that, I could sell the Z and purchase a C6 Corvette. By doing this, I'd gain not just 50 wheel horsepower, but 100 wheel horsepower. Not only that, but I'd chop off a couple hundred pounds of weight to boot. The handling will still be there, too. Oh, and I'd get that big brake kit for no additional cost, as it comes standard with the Z51 package.

The Corvette also has the looks to back it up; otherwise I wouldn't consider buying one. In fact, I only know of one bad viewing angle for the C6. Subsequently, I only know of one bad viewing angle for the 350Z, as well.

In no way am I hating on my own car. Contrary to that, I very much respect the 350Z. For the price of buying a 350Z, there's no better sports car on the market. Sure, there are faster cars, but they're not sports cars. I thank my 350Z for everything that it has taught me, and for being such an excellent example of what a traditional, no strings attatched sports car should be. By buying a Corvette, I'm simply taking it to the next level.

And, now for the details. As I explained somewhere in another thread, I'm going away to college with my fianceé. To my jubilee, my father has agreed to pay off the remaining debt on my 350Z so that I may concentrate fully on school without having to worry about making payments. I'll be paying him back after I'm done with my schooling. He's also agreed to cosign my student loan, which makes getting the proper finances a lot more bearable.

Given my current situation, buying the C6 now would be financially unsound. Also, the car would prove to be a distraction from my studies. I will, however, be able to continue driving the 350Z throughout my upcoming years of schooling. I will not, though, be implementing the use of any upgrades.

From this point on, the only upgrade I intend to make is buying the 'Vette. When the time is right, I will do it. Both cars will depreciate similarly in value, so it shouldn't be a problem a few years down the road. I might do it WHILE I'm in school, but I doubt it. It'll likely be the moment I get my master's degree.

And that's my enthusiast's standpoint right now. Actually, I'm sort of happy that my academic environment allows me some more time with the Z. If I weren't going away to school, I would've already bought the Corvette.