Upgrade to C5 Z06 or keep Trans Am WS6?

[96Firebird]

I was pondering this late summer last year, but haven't really thought about it until my roommate showed me a Craigslist ad for an '02 6-speed Z06 for $19k with 60k miles. Right now I have an '02 6-speed Trans Am WS6 with a little over 100k on it. Still drives fine, has a few problems which can be sorted out. I bought it for $11k two years ago in WV, and can probably get ~$13k for it up here. It has some pricey mods (shifter, suspension, full exhaust, lid), and I absolutely love the sound of it. It is also a more rare/desirable color, but the paint is far from perfect.

So all in all it is a great car, but I've been wanting a Corvette. A C5 Z06, to be exact. I don't need the backseat in the Trans Am, since it is useless anyways. My dad has a '99 FRC, and although I haven't driven it, it seems to ride much smoother than my Trans Am. While that is expected, I think it is also due the lowering springs and stock shocks in my car giving it a rough ride. It is nice not having a car payment to save up for a down payment on a house, but I want a Corvette damnit!

Please talk me out of it.

 

[ballmode]

Do eet

 

[RockinZ28]

Do it. Get the house first though.

Just sold my '01 ws6 and '98 z28 in October and moved across the country. Would like to get into a ~07-09 z06 after I buy a house. Drove 4th gen F-bodies for 10 years, time for something more refined.

Although I'm enjoying not having to pay insurance, gas, maintenance etc. on a car at all. 2013 company SUV is nice.

 

[HitAnyKey]

Dump the Trans Am and get a Corvette? Hell yes!

 

[lavaheadache]

get a 911! whoops, c5 z06's are pretty sweet though

 

[eng2d2]

They are both beautiful cars.

 

[96Firebird]

You guys really aren't helping here, I thought I told you to talk me out of it...

There are pros and cons that I need to go over. I like the fact that the WS6 is not a car you see every day, while Corvettes are a pretty common sight on the streets. Plus it is nice having a car that is paid off and insurance isn't too bad, not sure how much different it would be for a Z06. Also, the T-tops on the WS6 are nice.

Here is a crappy pic of my WS6 and my dad's FRC, and honestly I think my car looks better here...

 

[yottabit]

You might want to consider a C6 vette for that kind of money. Depends on your preference but I'm guessing you could find a decent C6 close to that price range. The C5 Z06 would be only slightly faster than a Z51 package C6. With the C6 you could keep the T-Tops!

Or if you want more of a bargain, a regular C5 is nothing to slouch at either with some upgrades.

I'm not too familiar with the motor in the C5 Z06 ... I'm guessing aftermarket and even replacement parts would be more expensive than an a plain jane LS1 or LS2 though.

 

[DominionSeraph]

How old are you? The WS6 does have more style, but its style is rice. It really says, "Early 20's." At some point the "Look at me," value dissipates and you start judging on other criteria, and the Firebird doesn't stack up.

- For a commuter car there are more economical or luxurious options.
- For a family car, a sports sedan is more practical
- For a toy, the Corvette is an upgrade. It's a better car.

Now, the Firebird has back seats and its rubber is probably cheaper, so if you need something that can do double or triple duty that's something the Corvette's specialization just can't give you. But having 100k on an '02, I'm guessing this isn't your primary POV. If it's just a toy, why not go for the more upscale and mechanically superior car?

 

[Fenixgoon]

C6 z06? :d

 

[HitAnyKey]

You guys really aren't helping here, I thought I told you to talk me out of it...

There are pros and cons that I need to go over. I like the fact that the WS6 is not a car you see every day, while Corvettes are a pretty common sight on the streets. Plus it is nice having a car that is paid off and insurance isn't too bad, not sure how much different it would be for a Z06. Also, the T-tops on the WS6 are nice.

Here is a crappy pic of my WS6 and my dad's FRC, and honestly I think my car looks better here...

Sorry OP, I was wrong. Instead trade cars with your Dad and tell him its the right thing to do

On a serious note, the two cars are worlds apart. I can see why you want a Vette with your Dad's Red Corvette staring at you, giving you that look. It's really not helping.

Tough choice. When I was younger I would've bought the Vette in a flash, screw the cash. You only live once. Thats my take.

 

[leper84]

I wouldn't do it. c5's don't age all that well, at least from what I've seen.

You'd pay 20k for an interior thats about to fall apart and the start of electric problems. Again, at least what I've seen. Edit- Nevermind whats happened to that clutch the last 20k miles. Ever done a clutch on a transaxle vette?

I second going for a ls3 c6. Or, just do another mod to your ws6 to keep you happy till you get a house. Done gears or a cam yet? Edit- Also, why not just replace the stock shocks? It would be a pretty unreal improvement.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

ls6 ftw

 

[Sluggo]

Would it be your daily driver?

I have a C5 convertible, love the car but would not want to drive it daily.

 

[Tweak155]

Sorry but the Trans Am just reminds me of a teenagers car, not a serious car.

I'm not a fan of the C5 either though lol. If I had to pick, get the C5, but as others suggested, a C6 would be better if even a lesser package.

 

[Zargon]

I'm not too familiar with the motor in the C5 Z06 ... I'm guessing aftermarket and even replacement parts would be more expensive than an a plain jane LS1 or LS2 though.

nope its all the same. any upgrade to a LS1 is an upgrade to an LS6, unless you are looking at the LS6 parts of course

the best cheapest upgrades to an LS1 vette are LS6 takeoffs

 

[JulesMaximus]

I was pondering this late summer last year, but haven't really thought about it until my roommate showed me a Craigslist ad for an '02 6-speed Z06 for $19k with 60k miles. Right now I have an '02 6-speed Trans Am WS6 with a little over 100k on it. Still drives fine, has a few problems which can be sorted out. I bought it for $11k two years ago in WV, and can probably get ~$13k for it up here. It has some pricey mods (shifter, suspension, full exhaust, lid), and I absolutely love the sound of it. It is also a more rare/desirable color, but the paint is far from perfect.

So all in all it is a great car, but I've been wanting a Corvette. A C5 Z06, to be exact. I don't need the backseat in the Trans Am, since it is useless anyways. My dad has a '99 FRC, and although I haven't driven it, it seems to ride much smoother than my Trans Am. While that is expected, I think it is also due the lowering springs and stock shocks in my car giving it a rough ride. It is nice not having a car payment to save up for a down payment on a house, but I want a Corvette damnit!

Please talk me out of it.

What are you going to drive during the winter?

 

[exar333]

What are you going to drive during the winter?

LOL

 

[Chapbass]

Oh man I wanted a trans am in that color sooooo bad back in the day. If I had the extra cash for a "fun" car I'd totally buy that off of you. Say what you want about how the Trans Am looks, but that used to be my dream car. I bought a 97 TA back in 00 and it was absolutely awesome. I'm sure I'll buy another one some day, even just to say I have it (not for bragging rights, just for my own peace of mind )

 

[Vdubchaos]

Stick with what you have.

Unless you have a specific goal in mind (performance, track racing, autox etc)......I think the differences between the 2 are minimal (at best).

Sure C5 Z06 is a better car and all but so is 10k in your bank account and car that's close enough!

 

[96Firebird]

I do have a daily driver/dog hauler/winter car, a 2003 Buick Park Ave. However, during the upstate NY driving season, I try to get as much fun car seat time as I can. So I pretty much daily the fun car in the summer. It's times like these when I miss it most...

I got an insurance quote for replacing the WS6 with a Z06, increased my premium $70/6 months. Not bad, doable.

Ugh, that doesn't help. I'm not really interested in the C6... I know it is quite an upgrade compared to the C5, but I like the look of the C5 more.

The WS6 was my dream car for a while too, ever since I got my '96 Firebird in high school. I'm just thinking it might be time to leave the F-bodys behind and give something else a try.

As for what is next if I keep the Trans Am, I'm not sure. The only mod to do before major engine components is a ported throttle body, already have the stock LS6 intake, lid, smooth bellow, and full exhaust. Also had a dyno-tune.

 

[JulesMaximus]

LOL

What's funny about that? If I owned a car like that there is no way I'd drive it in the snow and salt. That just destroys cars. I grew up in upstate NY and I knew plenty of people with nice cars who put them up for the winter.

Not to mention the fact that a Corvette isn't exactly the best choice for driving in the snow.

 

[Tweak155]

What's funny about that? If I owned a car like that there is no way I'd drive it in the snow and salt. That just destroys cars. I grew up in upstate NY and I knew plenty of people with nice cars who put them up for the winter.

Not to mention the fact that a Corvette isn't exactly the best choice for driving in the snow.

Pretty sure that was his point?

Although I don't keep cars long enough for salt to be a concern.

 

[eng2d2]

Fiberglass should be resilient to salt.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Fiberglass should be resilient to salt.

Paint and aluminum are not though. Neither are brake parts, carpets, or rubber. And fiberglass is not very resilient to sliding into curbs or other vehicles either.

Plus, the C5 chassis was steel if I'm not mistaken... even the Z06.