The Nissan Z and Toyota GR Supra are two vehicles that were highly anticipated. Both of them boast iconic nameplates and represent great bang for the buck. More importantly, like the Nissan Z, the Toyota Supra can also be had with a six-speed manual as this was the only thing the sports coupe was missing. While choosing one over the other is a difficult thing to do, there is a third alternative that boasts an iconic nameplate and rich history. The Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06 may not be brand new, but it is an appreciating, modern classic that has all the credentials of a proper sports car, and here’s why it may be a better way to spend your money on one.
V-8 Power
The latest trends in downsizing confirm that you don’t necessarily need to have a big V-8 to make big power. With that said, isn’t it better to have one regardless? While the Nissan Z has a twin-turbo V-6 and the GR Supra, a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-six, the C5 Corvette Z06 packs an LS6, 5.7-liter, pushrod, V-8.
All three make nearly identical horsepower figures. The Nissan Z packs 400 horsepower (299 kilowatts) and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm). Meanwhile, the Toyota GR Supra is rated at 382 horsepower (285 kilowatts) and 368 pound-feet (499 Nm) although dyno tests have revealed some hidden power. The Chevy Corvette C5 Z06 does not rely on forced induction, variable valve timing, or direct injection and yet it packs 405 horsepower (302 kilowatts) at 6,000 RPM and 400 pound-feet (543 Nm) at 4,800 RPM.
Still Fast Even by Modern Standards
We already know that the Nissan Z and Toyota GR Supra are not slow by any means. Both are capable of sprinting to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.8 to 4.3 seconds, depending on whether they are equipped with a manual or automatic transmission. The GR Supra is 0.2 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the Nissan Z – 3.8 versus 4.0 seconds – and both vehicles are 0.3 seconds slower to 60 mph than their respective versions equipped with the automatic transmission.
The Corvette C5 Z06 came out in 2001, but even today its 3.8-second time to 60 mph (97 km/h) is more than enough to keep up with new performance cars that are more than twice its current value. Moreover, both the Nissan Z and Toyota GR Supra have 155 mph (250 km/h) speed governors while the C5 Z06 can carry on until it reaches 171 mph (275 km/h). Moreover, while the standard C5 Corvette can be had with an automatic (why would you?), the Z06 version comes, exclusively, with a six-speed manual that sends power to the rear.
More Sophisticated Then It is Given Credit for
It is safe to say that the Chevrolet C5 Corvette Z06 is an epic punchline to the stereotype that American cars don’t know how to take a corner. While, nowadays, there are quite a few American-made vehicles capable of giving the European and Japanese offerings a run for their money, that wasn’t the case in the early 2000s.
The C5 Corvette Z06 is often referred to as a big Miata for the way it handles. This is obviously a compliment and a lot of the credit for that goes to the completely new chassis. There were a few ideas on the table, one of which was to make the Corvette a mid-engine model as was originally intended. The other option was to go the cheaper route and use a revised C4 platform. However, Corvette Chief Engineer, David Hill, managed to convince Jim Perkins, Chevy’s General Manager at the time, to construct a completely new chassis made out of hydroformed steel, which was an efficient way of shaping ductile metals and creating strong, lightweight structures. The result was a car that was five times the structural rigidity of a C4 Corvette.
The C5 Corvette featured a lot of firsts. In addition to being the first car to have a major structural component made out of hydroformed steel, it was also the first vehicle of the century to come with a driver heads-up display as well as the first car to feature a titanium exhaust system and the first Corvette to have a transaxle layout. It also had a double-wishbone suspension all around with the rear axle featuring a fiber-reinforced plastic leaf spring instead of a traditional coil, which freed up trunk space. With 13.25 cubic feet (375 liters), the C5 Corvette Z06 can pack as much luggage as a VW Golf and more than the Nissan Z and Toyota GR Supra. One place you shouldn't expect refinement and sophistication is the interior, which although nicely shaped and driver-centric, had the typical, for 2000s GM products, relatively cheap materials. In all honesty, it is a car you buy despite the interior, not because of it.
Better Value for the Money?
If you are among the people who prefer to look at your cars as an investment or simply not to lose money on them, then the Chevrolet C5 Corvette Z06 is definitely the route to go. The Nissan Z is certainly a great bang for the buck, with a starting MSRP of $40,000, while the 3.0-liter Toyota GR Supra starts at around $52,000. If you go on any car website now and search Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06, you will see great examples in the mid-$20,000 mark. If you can stomach the lack of an infotainment screen (you can always get a good aftermarket unit) and the fact you are not the first to sit behind the wheel, then you can get yourself an appreciating American icon with a stick shift and a tried and tested, American V-8 for a fraction of the price of a modern sports car with similar performance figures.