Ended up getting a 2003 Corvette Z06!

[omeganorm]

Congrats on your purchase.

Its unfortunate that you were unable to test drive a NSX.

I was looking to buy a Porsche or a Vette but I always had a yearning for a NSX. At the time, I decided to buy a vette but wanted to learn how to drive it competently, so I enrolled to Spring Mountain Motorsports.

I drove a C5 Z06 for 2 days at Spring Mountain Mountain Motorsports had alot fun, learned alot. A month later , I saw a NSX for sale and I took it for a test drive. I agree that a Z06 will have better straight line performance but was the turns and handling that made fall in love with the NSX. Needless to say, I bought the NSX that day.

Keep in mind, I drive a Z06 for 2 days on a track, it only a test drive on a NSX for me to make a decision.

 

[Jamolah]

Congrats on your purchase. The C5 Z06 is a monster. I chose a C6 because I couldn't stand all the things you mentioned about the car. The interior is worse than a cavalier.

You can always get a NSX down the road. I would save up for the NA2 though because the 6-speed makes a big difference in that car.

You do owe it to yourself to drive one if you get the chance.

NetViper, from your signature it looks like you had 2 previous NSXs. Why did you end up going to a Corvette?

No, I don’t think I’ll save up for an NA2, I’ll just get a Lotus ExigeS in about 3 to 4 years.

Congrats on your purchase.

Its unfortunate that you were unable to test drive a NSX.

I was looking to buy a Porsche or a Vette but I always had a yearning for a NSX. At the time, I decided to buy a vette but wanted to learn how to drive it competently, so I enrolled to Spring Mountain Motorsports.

I drove a C5 Z06 for 2 days at Spring Mountain Mountain Motorsports had alot fun, learned alot. A month later , I saw a NSX for sale and I took it for a test drive. I agree that a Z06 will have better straight line performance but was the turns and handling that made fall in love with the NSX. Needless to say, I bought the NSX that day.

Keep in mind, I drive a Z06 for 2 days on a track, it only a test drive on a NSX for me to make a decision.

WOW, that speaks volumes for the NSX. Maybe I should have test drove one.

But honestly the prices in Canada, especially around my area are crazy. For example, right now there is a 1992 with 79,000km (about 50K miles) selling for $48,995 CDN. Needless to say it’s been on sale for a while. And most cars that have less than 60K miles on them sell in the $42K to $48K range. 1st, I can’t afford that kind of money, 2nd I wouldn’t want to pay that kind of money for a 17 year old car and 3rd for that money I’d rather have an Elise.

 

[DrVolkl]

2nd I wouldn’t want to pay that kind of money for a 17 year old car and 3rd for that money I’d rather have an Elise.

A 17yr old car that will have less rattles, squeaks and maint. issues than either the Vette or the Elise. It's also done depreciating.

Love the vette, but I think you should have saved your money.

BTW- Have you ever tried to get into and out of an Elise? Not fun...and not something I'd want to drive more than on the occ. track day.

 

[swerve2007]

i don't get this thread- what is its point? do you need reassurance that somehow you made the right choice?

 

[Jamolah]

BTW- Have you ever tried to get into and out of an Elise? Not fun...and not something I'd want to drive more than on the occ. track day.

Yes, I have. That’s just part of the fun, plus it weeds out the poseurs ;-)

i don't get this thread- what is its point? do you need reassurance that somehow you made the right choice?

No point what-so-ever. I just wanted to give thanks to anybody that helped me out while I was looking for an NSX and wanted to mention I decided to go a different route. That’s all!

 

[NSXkkk]

is Lotus Exige faster than NSX NA2????

 

[s14_tat]

in a straight line no, but they are like go karts in a tighter track. the short wheel base of the elise will make it less stable in higher speeds vs the nsx. the overall package i would give the nod to the exige as being the faster car in a race track.

 

[VegasSpeed]

fellas, the NSX isn't even in production anymore. It isn't impossible for cars to be faster on the track now than a NA1 NSX. Why give this guy any grief about his car? Good for him. That is a great car for the money. I say good job. You can't get more hp/$ with today's used cars. A C5 Z06 is a great deal these days. I have never driven a Z06 so I don't know that much about them. I have driven a NA1 and NA2 NSX and it is different car entirely. People on here get bent out of shape too much when they decide NOT to buy an NSX.

If I hear another person on here tell me how fast a NSX is in the 1/4 mile I will lose it again. They just aren't drag cars.

 

[SupratoNSX]

fellas, the NSX isn't even in production anymore. It isn't impossible for cars to be faster on the track now than a NA1 NSX. Why give this guy any grief about his car? Good for him. That is a great car for the money. I say good job. You can't get more hp/$ with today's used cars. A C5 Z06 is a great deal these days. I have never driven a Z06 so I don't know that much about them. I have driven a NA1 and NA2 NSX and it is different car entirely. People on here get bent out of shape too much when they decide NOT to buy an NSX.

If I hear another person on here tell me how fast a NSX is in the 1/4 mile I will lose it again. They just aren't drag cars.

This is a NSX forum so of course people are going to be biased towards the NSX. What do you expect? Yes the NSX is no longer in production and yes it is still one of the best handling cars in todays world. The NSX didnt cost $90k for no reason. It is by far the only car I believe that is still way ahead of its time as far as technology. Acutal NSX owners know how great their cars are because most have driven other cars and actually drive their NSXs rather then just test driving them. Its just an amazing car. Dont like it, dont come to an NSX forum

 

[NSXkkk]

i feel switching from c5 z06 to elise is going to be downgrade.

 

[NSXkkk]

fellas, the NSX isn't even in production anymore. It isn't impossible for cars to be faster on the track now than a NA1 NSX. Why give this guy any grief about his car? Good for him. That is a great car for the money. I say good job. You can't get more hp/$ with today's used cars. A C5 Z06 is a great deal these days. I have never driven a Z06 so I don't know that much about them. I have driven a NA1 and NA2 NSX and it is different car entirely. People on here get bent out of shape too much when they decide NOT to buy an NSX.

If I hear another person on here tell me how fast a NSX is in the 1/4 mile I will lose it again. They just aren't drag cars.

so far, has anyone make any bad crap about this C5 Z06 yet?
no one has bashed his decison.

 

[R77F1]

fellas, the NSX isn't even in production anymore. It isn't impossible for cars to be faster on the track now than a NA1 NSX. Why give this guy any grief about his car? Good for him. That is a great car for the money. I say good job. You can't get more hp/$ with today's used cars. A C5 Z06 is a great deal these days. I have never driven a Z06 so I don't know that much about them. I have driven a NA1 and NA2 NSX and it is different car entirely. People on here get bent out of shape too much when they decide NOT to buy an NSX.

If I hear another person on here tell me how fast a NSX is in the 1/4 mile I will lose it again. They just aren't drag cars.

Look at my Avatar, I was with the track and the 1/4 mile ready NSX-R conversion turbocharged with 714+ HP and some LoveFab turbo NSXs are having good # in 1/4 miles run against the big boys. I know, I know not the stock NSX

 

[LJSB]

Fast as a C5 Z06 is, it really isn't that much faster than a stock C6.

0-60 Times can vary depending where and who did the tests but the hp specs. illustrate how close they are.


A 2003 Z06, 405hp @6000 rpm

A 2006 C6, 400hp@ 6000rpm

The C6 was a good step up from the C5 performace wise.

 

[ENSSEX]

congrats on the Z.. I had one too a few years back until i saw 2 other ones even in red parked in my gym parking lot..I had it sold by the end of the summer

 

[Jamolah]

is Lotus Exige faster than NSX NA2????

The power-to-weight ratio of the ExigeS is better than a NA2 NSX. So it should be pretty close.
The light weight and non-assisted steering should make it an amazing handling car.

i feel switching from c5 z06 to elise is going to be downgrade.

That's what a lot of people tell me. I don't know, maybe, I'll have to testdrive it when the time comes.

so far, has anyone make any bad crap about this C5 Z06 yet?
no one has bashed his decison.

Yes a few people, but that's to be expected on an NSX forum.

congrats on the Z.. I had one too a few years back until i saw 2 other ones even in red parked in my gym parking lot..I had it sold by the end of the summer

Yah there are a lot of Corvettes around, can't deny that.
Since you've owned both, how do you compare the two, in-terms of handling, acceleration, braking, etc...

 

[LJSB]

Yah there are a lot of Corvettes around, can't deny that.
Since you've owned both, how do you compare the two, in-terms of handling, acceleration, braking, etc...

It's like kissing two different, great looking and desirable women.

Unless you can afford both, you go with the one that turns you on the most.

 

[s14_tat]

The power-to-weight ratio of the ExigeS is better than a NA2 NSX. So it should be pretty close.
The light weight and non-assisted steering should make it an amazing handling car.

its not always about power to weight. the exige S has no power. its top speed is not even 160mph. light weight has its advantages in responsiveness in the flickability of a vehicle, and in the braking department.

the exige S has more downforce compared to a elise which slows its top speed down and it does not have enough hp to over come aero dynamic drag.

you will start to see the difference in speed even thru the 1/4 mile. i'm going to pull some numbers on the base elise vs the base exige. they both make 190 hp and the exige weights 50 lbs less than the elise. the exige is slower to 100mph and slower in the 1/4 mile due to increased downforce and lack of power.

even though they are mid 13 second cars, the non supercharged versions can only top out at 143mph. it takes approximately 8x's the power to double the top speed.

so power weight has its advantage but somethings just need pure power to overcome. its like racing a sport bike on the highway, you will stand more chance against them in a roll on race vs from a dead stop. the higher the speed the race starts the better it is for us cars. becasue they make around 190hp depending on mods and displacement and they have horrible aero.


and by the way congrats on the purchase. i too was cross shopping between a nsx and a c5 z06 as well. the thing that steered me away from it was that it was too common and its interior was disgusting and absolutely unacceptable.

 

[NSXkkk]

in my area, i have seen a yellow C5 z06 a few times. very nice. i like its old design more than C6. but i dont like its flip up lights and interior.
its drag speed also eats 996 gt3 and 360 modena.

 

[macready]

Hey I heard that Corvette's are great cars. But you still are ever are still dissatisfied, the NSX might be able to quench your thrist. I haven't thought about another car since I bought it.

 

[Tytus]

The exige is a great handling car but there are other aspects to consider if it is goijng to be driven outside of a track. The car is loud inside the cabin. At a meet I saw that some guys have to wear ear plugs so as not to get a headache; this is for a stock car. Unless you already have a hearing loss issue I would proceed with caution, or ware ear plugs. The nsx has the same issue if you drive a long time with the top off, I need ear plugs for anything over an hour at 80 MPH or more.

Tytus

 

[Litespeeds]

Why would anyone get rid of a Z06 for an Exige is beyond me. What is so special about the Exige besides it is known as a great track car. The ergonomics of that car is terrible. You need to be a contortionist to get in and out of the car.

Speed is relative as there is always someone faster because they have more money to modify their car to go faster in the 1/4 mile. When it comes to being fast on a race track, it is all about the driver. Heck, I was driving in a NASA HPDE4 event at Infineon Raceway last year with my 1988 Porsche 944 and was right behind an Exige S for a couple of laps before he waved me by to pass. Of course my 944 has a totally stock motor but with a modified suspension on RA1 tires. Boy did I feel great passing the Exige in my 20 year old car. :biggrin:

I have driven a Z06 in an autocross environment and I must say it is an awesome car but that special feeling is not there when I drive it compared to my NSX. It's not always about going fast. I admit I have thoughts of selling my NSX to buy a Z06 but to this day, I haven't done so because I would regret it if I did. The grass always looks greener on the other side and once you own something, it is not as special as the first month of ownership. I have owned my NSX for about 9 years now and I still get that special feeling everytime I take her out. :wink:

 

[stuntman]

Congrats on your purchase, the Z06 is a REALLY fun and capable car. I agree, that price with 18K miles on it is a hell of a deal, plus a 6th gear cruising at 80mph at what, 2,000rpm? They get pretty good highway MPG...

Just replace those terrible seats and leaf-spring suspension with a set of KW V3s coilovers and the ride quality, handling, and feel will be right up there with anything. :biggrin:

 

[NetViper]

Hey I heard that Corvette's are great cars. But you still are ever are still dissatisfied, the NSX might be able to quench your thrist. I haven't thought about another car since I bought it.

That is the thing with the NSX. Once you get back in it after driving something else, it always feels so good. There are only a few cars I have driven that felt better... like a 360. There are many cars that feel faster -- mainly cause of TQ. The NSX always felt like home.

 

[carmar]

Congratulation on your purchase. Life is too short, just do what you think is right.

However, when you are bored with the Z06, it will never be too late to sell the Vette and get into the NSX :biggrin: .

 

[Jamolah]

Guys I was referring to the ExigeS, which has 220HP or you can get the ExigeS-240 (which has 240HP). So that is a better power-to-weight ratio than even an NA2 NSX. Couple that with the light weight and best steering feel in the world and those little Lotus cars are very capable car.

Why would anyone get rid of a Z06 for an Exige is beyond me. What is so special about the Exige besides it is known as a great track car. The ergonomics of that car is terrible. You need to be a contortionist to get in and out of the car.

Speed is relative as there is always someone faster because they have more money to modify their car to go faster in the 1/4 mile. When it comes to being fast on a race track, it is all about the driver. Heck, I was driving in a NASA HPDE4 event at Infineon Raceway last year with my 1988 Porsche 944 and was right behind an Exige S for a couple of laps before he waved me by to pass. Of course my 944 has a totally stock motor but with a modified suspension on RA1 tires. Boy did I feel great passing the Exige in my 20 year old car. :biggrin:

I have driven a Z06 in an autocross environment and I must say it is an awesome car but that special feeling is not there when I drive it compared to my NSX. It's not always about going fast. I admit I have thoughts of selling my NSX to buy a Z06 but to this day, I haven't done so because I would regret it if I did. The grass always looks greener on the other side and once you own something, it is not as special as the first month of ownership. I have owned my NSX for about 9 years now and I still get that special feeling everytime I take her out. :wink:

It's funny you mention that, I guy I autox with was at a lapping day and was telling me the 2 guys with Elises are getting rid of them to get a Z06s (I think a C6 version). Got me thinking, maybe I won't want the Elise/ExigeS. Who knows we'll see in a few years.

The ExigeS is a very capable car. It seems like you are a better driver than the Exige driver.

Congrats on your purchase, the Z06 is a REALLY fun and capable car. I agree, that price with 18K miles on it is a hell of a deal, plus a 6th gear cruising at 80mph at what, 2,000rpm? They get pretty good highway MPG...

Just replace those terrible seats and leaf-spring suspension with a set of KW V3s coilovers and the ride quality, handling, and feel will be right up there with anything. :biggrin:

Yup the seat has been changed. I put in a Corbeau FX1 Pro.

I don't know if I want to modify the car too much and put coilovers.

Congratulation on your purchase. Life is too short, just do what you think is right.

However, when you are bored with the Z06, it will never be too late to sell the Vette and get into the NSX :biggrin: .

hahahah... Thanks, I'm not discounting it. Everybody should try different types of cars. I had a Boxster a while back and I want an Elise/ExigeS for my next car. Life is too short to stick to the same car for 10+ years.