Hey guys, in the next year or so I will be looking to buy either a Viper or a Z06 (years as listed).

I just wanted some info - specifically which one will cost more to own year to year etc. It will be a weekend/summer car. I will probably only get to drive it around 7-10k miles max in a year. I know tires will be very expensive around $1500 or so for a set. But other than that, how expensive is each car? How much should I expect to spend on either on a 60K mile service. Also, how reliable are they/ what are some common problems. I have researched so I know some info but want more.

It would be awesome if someone who has or had both can give me a detailed response on the costs.

Also, why would you buy one or the other, what do you guys like about the Z06 vs. the Viper or vice versa.

Thanks!!

 

have you driven either yet? I can't speak for maitence on a viper but both are american cars and it's nothing remotely close to the cost of servicing a german car. I am 6'4 and felt cramped in the viper but fit perfectly in the Z06 and have plenty of room. The viper doesn't have all the drivers aids (traction control, etc) unlike the Z does. So i think you can be an average driver and the Z06 isnt going going to bite you in the *** if you make a mistake like the viper would.


Gas mileage is crazy good on the Z06 viper probably about half that but it's a weekend car so I am sure that doesn't matter.

Looks wise you will get more way more attention wanted and unwanted in the viper. I think the Z even though I love it is way more common so it won't get the looks and thumbs up as much.

Best bet is to sit in one and drive it of course. Good luck with your decision.

things to look out for on Z06

roof delamination, check to see if that has been done or an issue.
oil starvation if you road race the heck out of the car
tires for any rear wheel drive car will be pricey, but Z06 has was more options now than viper does

 

Nope I will for sure be test driving both but am starting the research now and will test drive in summer. Porsche turbo was going to be the third consideration until I found out how ridiculous maintenance costs are on those... think I will stay away from expensive German cars for now.

 

Insurance will be MUCH higher on the Viper- insurance when I had my 03 Z06 was a downright bargain. My agent explained ot me its the cost of parts- replacement body panels on the Viper are 5-10X the cost of parts fo rth eVette, since a good number of panels interchange with the standard cars.

Power will be similar- I bet the Viper feels more torquey. The Vette should outhandle it marginally.

You will also be surprised how comfy the Z06s are to drive. The newer seats are sportier/firmer but still comfy. My biggest gripe on the 03 was the lounge-chair-like seating. Not so good for sports, but if I had to drive a 2 seater to Vegas and back every other week, I can't think of a more comfortable ride.

-Dave

 

Vette is much more utilitarian (space) and has a far larger set of creature comforts (heads up, nav, AC (that works), stability/traction control (you want these if this is your first car over 500hp), etc..

Vipers are more attention grabbing, and you can buy a soft top version without reducing its performance. You get the V10 which is cool and unique. Better seats in a Viper.

A '04 Viper will not outperform a C6 Z06 in any contest of speed or handling. Further, the Z06 is one of the best sounding cars you can buy under $150K. The Viper is one of the worst sounding (big HP cars) - sorry Viper guys.

Things to watch out for in the Vette - that haven't been mentioned: rocker arm troubles. All dealt with likely via warranty. If you don't try to blow 10psi through the LS7 or keep it in a continuous 1.1G turn at 7,000 rpms, you'll be just fine mechanically.

When you come over for a ride in the GT, I'll give you a ride in my Z06.

Here - good reading, though a FGT should not be compared to either a Viper or a Z06 - completely different (read race car for the street).
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...r/viewall.html

 

Ive researched this heavily and currently own my third viper. Oned a vette but never z06 but my neibor has one.


Exterior.

Both look good. Viper appears slightly wider from the front and is slightly lower. I believe the viper is 47 inches tall while the z06 is 48 inches. IncompRison the low slung fgt is 44 inches. The lower than the wider and more exotic looking. Viper wins this one as it also has the vented hood and rear difusser blades.

Z06=7
Viper=8

Interior.

Both use generic materials while the z06 has more heads up display but the viper has some of the best seats in a sports car


Z06 =5
Viper=5


Engine.

V10 sounds much better off the lips than v8 but to the ears the exhaust note of the z06 is twice as good as the vipers. But visually the vipers red painted valve covers and fuel rails looks much more expensive and unique than the plastic red ls7 covers of the z06 hideing a not so nice looking engine desighn. Both produce 450 rwhp on the dyno while the viper makes 490 tq compared to the z06s 430

Z06 =7. 5
Viper=8


Acelleration

No contest. A z06 with an average driver will run 11.7 at 125 mph in the quarter. The viper will run 12.1 at 121 mph with an average driver.

Z06 =9
Viper=8


Handling

This is a big misconception. The 03 viper and 06 z06 are a dead heat on the road course. Some have the z06 a second faster. Some have the viper a second faster. Most are within a few tenths of eachother. While the z06 is faster in the straights the 2006 z06s steering did not inspire the confidance of the viper. However in 2008 the steering was changed on the z06 and it is faster than the viper. But since you specifically requested a 06 z06 comparison it is dead even handling wise

Z06 =8
Viper=8


Exoticness

Both are far from being a true exotic to rival italans but the viper was americas first exotic 20 years ago and it still shows. People take pictures and ask questions and assume the car cost well over 100k when its only 83k. The z06 despite a base price of 67k back in 06 is a mixed bag. Its not a one off specialty vehicle like the viper but an enhanced version of a corvette. There are defiently many who know its special and not cheap at near 70k. But unlike the viper were many assume its 100k plus many not in the know assume the 67k z06 is no differant than the 49k base c6 their aunt bought last year.

Z06 =5
Viper=7. 5


Rarity


At 7k produced a year since 2006 there are over 40,000 z06s in the world. In comparison only 9,900 srt10 vipers were made from 03-10

Z06 =6
Viper=8. 5


Resale

Currently both a 03 viper and 06 z06 sell fot 37-43k depending on miles and location. The z06 has continued to depreciate as in 2010 a 06 z06 was worth 44-49k. The 03 viper in 2010 was still worth the same 37-43k and has seemed to reach its bottom matket it will likely not depreciate more while you can expect to see 06 z06s at 28-33k by the fall of 2013.

Z06 =6
Viper=8


Reliability

Vipers are bullet proof. Its 8.3 liter engine lazily pumps out 510 hp while the factory hotrodded 7.0 ls7 is pushing and revving high with a high compression as well to make its 505 hp. The z06 has evolved into a very reliable car but the 06s did suffer from flying roofs and a clutch that can very easily glaze and brakes that were known to literally fall apart at the track.

Z06 =7. 5
Viper=9




This is as honest as a review as I can make. They are both extremely good cars

 

I've had my 06 z06 for 2 years now and the only maintenance costs i've spent are $75 oil changes every 3500 miles, 1 new set of nitto invo tires for 1300, and new plugs and plug covers for 200$. I've driven the car 28k miles the last 2 years.

 

Does the C6 Z run special oil? I always did my own on my 03 Z, and just ran Mobil-1.
If I was able to grab th eoil on special, it would be about a $40-50 oil change

The C5 was one of the easier cars to do the oil on- easy filter access, easy drain access once you jack it up.

I ran Nitto 555R2 tires- but one bad side effect was they kicked up a lot more rocks than stock- my rear inlets looked like they got sandblasted after only 3000 miles.

-Dave

 

thanks guys! I appreciate any other opinions as well, especially when it comes to maintenance/reliability etc. Just so I know.

I appreciate it HIRISC, didn't know you had a Z06 as well!

 

We'll do the Z06 first. Once you go FGT, you don't go back

 

I own both, Viper since '06 and the Z06 since '08. Both are excellent cars, but also completely different cars.

Maintenance-wise, they are equal. They even use the same amount of Mobil-1 oil. The Viper is built more bulletproof and most would say it is overbuilt - which is why it weighs a little more too. Get both on a lift next to each other, and you'll see the Corvette suspension and underside looks a bit fragile compared to the beefy Viper suspension and huge axles it has.

Neither car requires any special maintenance or weird adjustments. Leave that to the Euro cars. Just your regular oil changes, alignments, wearable items (brake pads, clutch, tires, etc..).

As for my own comparison, here is the best way to describe them.

Viper is a racecar that pretends to be a streetcar.
Z06 is a streetcar that pretends to be a racecar.

Z06 would make a perfect daily driven hotrod. Viper is a perfect weekend toy. On the highway, both get over 20 mpg. Z06 would pull down 27, Viper would do 24. No big difference there.

 

I had both... Vette z06 is my fav ...I love everything about it over my viper. Viper had that wow factor that it was so rare . I had an 06 convt i think they made 7xx that year.

z06 will out handle the viper...

maintenance was about the same.... viper takes alot more oil than the vette so its more expensive obviously but thats about it .

 

good info! thanks for your guy's opinions and I'm sure I'll love the FGT but not even close to being able to afford one haha