What Permutation of Rational Thought...
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From: Orange Park
Elanderholm,
I couldn't agree more that Z06 is the best bang for your buck performance car on the planet. For me, performance in a car always ranks near the top of my list for requirements and the Z06 definitely fits that bill. However, it falls short in a lot of other areas, mostly the lack of quality that seems to be present in most GM cars. The NSX has always been praised because it is an all around awesome car. Fairly comfortable as a daily driver, very reliable and just fun to drive. With some suspension work and forced induction, you can have Z06 performance (or better) in a car that will turn more heads, hold more value and last a lot longer.
PS
My neighbor just bought a 97 NSX-T at the auction in Orlando for $38K (and change).
I couldn't agree more that Z06 is the best bang for your buck performance car on the planet. For me, performance in a car always ranks near the top of my list for requirements and the Z06 definitely fits that bill. However, it falls short in a lot of other areas, mostly the lack of quality that seems to be present in most GM cars. The NSX has always been praised because it is an all around awesome car. Fairly comfortable as a daily driver, very reliable and just fun to drive. With some suspension work and forced induction, you can have Z06 performance (or better) in a car that will turn more heads, hold more value and last a lot longer.
PS
My neighbor just bought a 97 NSX-T at the auction in Orlando for $38K (and change).
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From: beaverton
derryck:38k for a 1997 is not normal. Maybe he got a good car..maybe he didn't. FI is not a NA engine. I will take a flexible NA engine over FI any day. The LS6 is probably one of the greatest engines being made in a production car right now. I would take it over the NSX engine any day. The interior of the NSX looks nicer, but not that great. I have ridden and drive two different NSX's...nothing special. They are reliable, easy to drive, and fairly easy to live with....so is the Z06. I don't buy cars for the name. I could care less if people thinks the NSX is "cooler" then the Z06. Also, I agree the Z06 doesn't hold its value that well...which is great!! You can pick up a 2001 Z06 for as low as 39k now!! 
The 2002's will be a great deal soon.
shizon: The only complaint that was fairly rampant with the 2001's was the burning of oil, but it was mostly because GM didn't see peope driving the Z06 in the 4k rpm range 80% of the time. The 2002's have this fixed. I would say the issues with the S2000's diff and clutch and gear box are worse then the Z06's issues. The only issues i took with "quality" of the Z06 was the way the interior looked...that's it. I have talked to many people who say the interior is very functional and easy to live with...it also holds up very well to abuse. I just didn't like the look of it...that is all I said. As far as engineering goes the Z06/C5 is one of the best available right now for any price. Overall, great cars. If had lots of money...I would have a S2k for open air driving and Z06 for serious driving.
The 2002's will be a great deal soon.shizon: The only complaint that was fairly rampant with the 2001's was the burning of oil, but it was mostly because GM didn't see peope driving the Z06 in the 4k rpm range 80% of the time. The 2002's have this fixed. I would say the issues with the S2000's diff and clutch and gear box are worse then the Z06's issues. The only issues i took with "quality" of the Z06 was the way the interior looked...that's it. I have talked to many people who say the interior is very functional and easy to live with...it also holds up very well to abuse. I just didn't like the look of it...that is all I said. As far as engineering goes the Z06/C5 is one of the best available right now for any price. Overall, great cars. If had lots of money...I would have a S2k for open air driving and Z06 for serious driving.
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From: Orange Park
Shizon'00,
I have owned 98 C5 and driven several including a 2002 Z06. I'm not saying that they (Z06's) are problematic, they haven't been out that long so I would hope that not too many problems have surfaced. The Z06 (MY 2002) had just as poor an interior as did my 98 C5. It doesn't 'feel' like a $50K car on the inside. In addition to which, I'm not 'comparing' it to the NSX. In my eyes there is no comparison between the two, totally different cars. To each his own. Your car is beautiful and I'm sure you're very happy with it, it just isn't for me. Surely you're not going to try to tell me that the Corvette (C5's and newer) are in the same quality genre as the NSX, are you?
Elanderholm,
That $38K was at the dealer auction in Orlando, the car is in showroom condition and had 21K miles on it. I understand some don't care for FI but you have showed a pretty fair amount of interest in my turbo set up so I'm guessing that you're not one of those people. What's the difference... power is power regardless. I don't care much about name recognition either, but take the NSX for what it is in stock form. A NA 6 cylinder that is pretty good all around performer and like I said... with some suspension work and FI, it's an awesome all around performer. As far as the Corvette's interior holding up well... maybe alot has changed from the 98's but my dash was falling apart on my car within 6 months of the purchase. Hardly what I would consider, well made.
I have owned 98 C5 and driven several including a 2002 Z06. I'm not saying that they (Z06's) are problematic, they haven't been out that long so I would hope that not too many problems have surfaced. The Z06 (MY 2002) had just as poor an interior as did my 98 C5. It doesn't 'feel' like a $50K car on the inside. In addition to which, I'm not 'comparing' it to the NSX. In my eyes there is no comparison between the two, totally different cars. To each his own. Your car is beautiful and I'm sure you're very happy with it, it just isn't for me. Surely you're not going to try to tell me that the Corvette (C5's and newer) are in the same quality genre as the NSX, are you?
Elanderholm,
That $38K was at the dealer auction in Orlando, the car is in showroom condition and had 21K miles on it. I understand some don't care for FI but you have showed a pretty fair amount of interest in my turbo set up so I'm guessing that you're not one of those people. What's the difference... power is power regardless. I don't care much about name recognition either, but take the NSX for what it is in stock form. A NA 6 cylinder that is pretty good all around performer and like I said... with some suspension work and FI, it's an awesome all around performer. As far as the Corvette's interior holding up well... maybe alot has changed from the 98's but my dash was falling apart on my car within 6 months of the purchase. Hardly what I would consider, well made.
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From: Fishers
Originally posted by always_laughing
There have been numerous reports of transmissions that run very hot when they are tracked.
There have been numerous reports of transmissions that run very hot when they are tracked.
As for oil consumption, the 2002's have new piston rings and any C5 experiencing oil consumption can have the piston rings done for free if they want them.
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From: beaverton
Originally posted by always_laughing
There have been numerous reports of transmissions that run very hot when they are tracked.
There have been numerous reports of transmissions that run very hot when they are tracked.
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From: West Henrietta UPSTATE NY
That's it!
I knew joining this forum would help me to understand the S2000 before I placed the order on a 2002. Now I see the error in my thinking. I'll just scrap the plan to buy a beautiful convertible and I'll keep my 10-year old CRX-Si. There will be no used car price because I already own it, I can add an over the top amount of $7,000 to the already $4,000 I have in it now and I will be able to eat S2000s for lunch. No!
The S2000 is not only a performance bargain, it is an ultra-dependable HONDA, and a show case for technology that other manufactures will still be trying to copy 10 years from now. Let's not forget the amazing rigid aluminum frame the highest horsepower per litre engine is bolted into, and did I mention it is a convertible?
I knew joining this forum would help me to understand the S2000 before I placed the order on a 2002. Now I see the error in my thinking. I'll just scrap the plan to buy a beautiful convertible and I'll keep my 10-year old CRX-Si. There will be no used car price because I already own it, I can add an over the top amount of $7,000 to the already $4,000 I have in it now and I will be able to eat S2000s for lunch. No!
The S2000 is not only a performance bargain, it is an ultra-dependable HONDA, and a show case for technology that other manufactures will still be trying to copy 10 years from now. Let's not forget the amazing rigid aluminum frame the highest horsepower per litre engine is bolted into, and did I mention it is a convertible?