Long Beach
If there is anything that can redeem the Corvette name after yesterday’s misadventures it is the raw potential of a C5 Z06. Yet again, the GPS leads me off in another new direction, south west towards Long Beach, and the first privately listed Corvette in this series.
Now: some cars are friendly. They seem to say, “let’s go for a drive, it’ll be fun!” Other cars are simply comforting after a bad day and other cars might want to kill you or give you the ride of your life.
If this Z06 were a person, her name would be Tiffany. Now Tiffany is as scary as she is sexy. Try making a move on Tiffany and it can go two ways: she’ll either like it or she’ll cut you.
“Some say” that the C5 Z06 is the current pinnacle of bargain performance. This particular faded black on black Z06 comes equipped with a fixed roof coupe body, a honking great V8, a manual gearbox, rear wheel drive and not much else. The V8 makes 430 horsepower, that’s only 30 more horses over the standard 400 by way of head work, a big cam and an exhaust that is too ‘Merica for California emissions standards. This Vette has zero f**ks to give.
“Startup” is far too bland a term to describe the experience of waking this monster. The engine fires with a sudden, menacing roar from the exhaust which is accompanied by a steady car shaking throb. It’s so powerful that first gear isn’t even necessary (or functioning?) the car is pulling away from standstill in second gear with torquey ease.
The owner fitted this Z06 with drilled brake rotors that bite down hard. The steering was weighted yet fast, although the wheel seems less a helm and more a grab handle when hanging on.
Surprisingly, one of the most helpful aspects of the Corvette driving experience that arises here is in how the throttle has two modes: below half throttle the car accelerates in a smooth civilized manner like any normal car. Beyond half throttle, the car says, “oh we are doing this?” Then the Vette whips you with the kind of speed and ferocity that makes you want to yell “BORN IN THE U-S-A.”
Fun? It’s fantasy!
The adrenaline is addictive, but even though the Z06 has had several modifications the power is well enough harnessed.
It seems strange, but I kinda like Tiffany. I’ve never been so drawn to a car with peeling clear coat. I like the shifter that buzzes and shakes in my hand. I like the noise and the power that makes first gear unnecessary and I like the stiff “man’s man” clutch.
Unfortunately, it’s all a bit much. She’s too wild for me. Burnouts just standing in line at the In ‘n Out? I don’t think so. I have a feeling Tiffany may have a death wish. This Z06 is the most powerful and volatile car I have ever driven. And I decide here and now that I have a ton to learn before I can handle power like this. Back to Facebook Marketplace.
Hmmmmmmmmm I wonder how many owners that slightly rough example has had? Or if she would have passed California emissions…
Although I don’t mind modifying vehicles I’d be pretty hesitant about buying something someone else had modified.
I dunno, it kinda sounds like you could get used to Tiffany. Although the dermatology bill would be expensive from all that sun exposure.
You know, there is a Long Beach in Washington and I try to not get the two mixed up.
Tiffany looks like a fun and scary vehicle, I wonder if it had current registration? There is a certain charm to this car, I wonder if the owner bumped up the power or just put in a noisier exhaust?
I’m loving your series, and your female descriptions perfectly capture the soul of the car. Bravo!
Back in 2010-11 I was looking at importing a good C5 to Aus. A quick check with some industry contacts revealed that my 35G in-the-USA would be north of 60G in Aus soon put that idea to bed. I chatted to a C5 owner in Kingman AZ, who loved hers. Decent trunk space and as she said “we run the piss out of it”
Nice little article sir, I enjoyed the read. Going to give you a couple of corrections on your power ratings though:
The standard C5’s LS1 was rated at 345 hp / 350 ft/lbs from ’97-’00. It then got a mild bump for ’01 to ’04 at 350 hp / 360 ft/lbs.
The C5 Z’s LS6 debuted in ’01 and had 385 hp / ft/lbs to start.Then in ’02 it was bumped up to 405 hp / 400 ft/lbs.
I believe the numbers you are quoting in your article are for the base C6 engines. The base C6 had the LS2 from ’05 – ’07 and was rated at 400 hp / 400 ft/lbs. It then received the LS3 from ’08 – ’13 and was rated at 430 hp / 424 ft/lbs.
So I would say that if that car’s engine is mostly stock, you were getting all of that sensation from quite a bit less power than you at first thought!
People can’t see the peeling clearcoat when you’re passing them at their bus stop at 100mph so there’s that.
Tiffany’s good but I’m thinking more Charice. Yeah, everybody knows Charice is a baaad girl…
The first C5 ZO6 I saw was at a track day at Sears Point. The guy had gotten it a week earlier and it sounded great just completely stock thundering past our pit area on the straight next to the dragstrip.
It would be interesting to let us know how many miles are on these Corvettes you are test driving.
“Startup” is far too bland a term to describe the experience of waking this monster. The engine fires with a sudden, menacing roar from the exhaust which is accompanied by a steady car shaking throb.
This is a perfect description of my Chev SS Sport Sedan’s startup/idle sensations (LS3/6MT).
It’s so powerful that first gear isn’t even necessary (or functioning?) the car is pulling away from standstill in second gear with torquey ease.
“I had not taken my foot off the brake pedal, and it was killing people.”
C5 Z06 is the really the only C5 I like, it was like the Corvette version of a Mustang 5.0 LX notchback.
There are many modification that meet C.A.R.B. (Calif. Air Resources Board) standards. The seller should have the necessary documentation. The seller is also required to provide proof to the buyer that the car has passed the smog test. Now, the seller can agree to buy the car without the smog test and get one on their own, but why would anyone do that? I have bought a couple of cars that way, but the price was so good that I didn’t want to pass it up. General rule, don’t buy anything without proof of the passed smog test and any car that is not currently registered. The buyer can produce documentation for non-op status. If registration is expired the buyer will be liable for any past due registration plus penalties. If the car is “out of the system” a favorite Craig’s List sellers term, the DMV will charge the last three years registration fees, plus penalties of course! If the car is not registered in the sellers name, (incomplete transfer) the DMV will charge you for those fees, plus penalties also. Of course it goes without saying that you never buy a car without a clear title, preferably in the seller’s name. Obviously I’ve made a lot of private party car purchases, do your due diligence.
I think that Corvettes are often used as a driver’s primary car. A lot of those owners don’t have garages to park them in at home or at work, so the cars spend a lot of time in the sun. Therefore the paint suffers. I applaud anyone who drives their Vette everywhere, everyday. I might not buy it over a garage queen, but I still respect their use of the car.