Saw one the other day, Sun. 10/23, joined our little group for a cruise. It kind of made up for me missing the speed show road test. I was out playing with the Z that night!
My impression of runn'in with the Z06 on the road is that it is a leap forward in power & well the newer platform is better than the C4's. The power it has is very evident and well 500 hp is 500 hp. You know even the motor compartment looks a little better than a C5 or a std. C6 and the guy drew a crowd and was very proud of his car & the people gathered to look at the motor. I kept my hood closed until another C4 owner asked to see an LT5, then I had a small crowd. Even some C5/Z06 owners pointing and gesturing at the LT5.
It's a different & better car than the ZR-1 for less money, comparatively. You know if you adjust for 1990 dollars vs. 05 dollars. Chevy was allowed to do the right thing, IMHO. The most obvious difference is on the highway and there is no substitute for power. If I could afford one, I'd buy one. I can't so I respect it for it's leap forward using the info from the C5R program. It's a different car with a different technology.
I envey the car but I am still in love with my ZR-1. I can still keep up fairly well with the C5's & C6's. The sound of the two motors is different. The 427 sounds a little like NASCAR/ American iron but the LT5 sounds more like watching F1 on speed. I'm glad I'm fortunate enough to own any vette, let alone a ZR-1! The LT5 still makes me
Tom
btw,
to all the new Z06 owners, they have the new big stick from the factory!