Another one bites the dust
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From: NOVA/SI NY
The Z06 has to be the best bang for the buck car out there. It rules in Solo2 SS, rules at track days (driver dependent - no stories of raping Z06's at <place track here>, you raped the driver not the car), and screams on the road. It's NOT, however, more nimble than an S2000, gotta look at things like an Mr2 spyder for that. Different strokes for different folks, the longer I keep my S the less I think I'll let it go - unless it's for an upgraded S. This car fits me perfectly and gives this F1 wannabe a feeling like I'm at Spa in a Williams, McLaren or Ferrari F1 car.
I have considered a Z06, but it just won't give me the thrill and feedback that I get from the S. I did however overhear an excellent 3rd gen RX7 autocrosser say that the only car that reminded him of his car was a Z06. Strong praise indeed, and he's driven S2000s.
I have considered a Z06, but it just won't give me the thrill and feedback that I get from the S. I did however overhear an excellent 3rd gen RX7 autocrosser say that the only car that reminded him of his car was a Z06. Strong praise indeed, and he's driven S2000s.
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From: Johnston
Gee, I'm glad I could churn things up a little before leaving ... 
Now, to some answers.
First, why get rid of the S2000? My answer is, "Why not?" I've owned about three dozen cars in my life, and it was time for a change. At more than two years, I kept the S2000 longer than I owned most of the other ones, which ranged from a Fiat X19
to three Miatas to a Z/28 to an M3 to ... you get the idea. (And yes, the rumors about my owning two Buicks are true--but they were for business).
Second, why a Z06? Answer: The best bang for the buck, torque, high Corvette resale, torque, the pure fun of driving a sledge hammer, torque, lower insurance rates than the S2000, torque, the Corvette mystique, torque, 0-60 in under 4 seconds, torque and the knowledge that it would be more fun (for me) than an S2000 at track days. (A guy could get tired of watching higher-horsepower cars blast by all day long.) In addition, I think there are a lot more variables to explore with a Corvette. I always had the feeling that once you figured out how to drive an S2000 fast, that was it--there wasn't much more to do. And with the Corvette, there's just more stuff to play with; I'm really intrigued by things like being able to hold down the Active Handling button for five seconds to change to the Competitive Driving mode.
Third, the circumstances and the price were right, on both sides of the deal. Most of you wouldn't argue with full book value on your S2000 after a couple of years. In addition, there are a lot of new S2000s sitting on dealer lots now--at prices we never would have imagined two years ago. I could buy a new one for about what my '01 sold for--in my choice of colors!
Fourth, when I get right down to it, the quality on my S2000 wasn't all that great. The paint was so thin you could see the primer underneath. Just looking at the interior plastics would scratch them. The transmission was junk. There were too many recalls and advisories. To be fair, the Corvette probably won't be much better. The interior styling is a little bit low-end. The shifter gate from first to neutral is longer than the S2000's shifter gate from first to second. The weather-stripping on the top looked like it was installed by a blind person. I could go on endlessly about both of them, but the bottom line is cars are never perfect and once in awhile it's just time for a change.
Most of my cars have been small, high-revvers--my daily driver still is--and I love to toss around small, lightweight cars. But to me there's also magic in huge gobs of horsepower. And did I mention the torque? If you're one of those folks who just can't understand why I'd move from an S2000 to a Corvette, who cares? It's what I wanted to do, and it makes me happy. That's all that matters. It was simply a matter of I'd had my fun with the S2000, during the winter I got to wishing I didn't own it anymore and it was time to do something different.
Fifth, I'm not going to compare the two. I don't think you can, just as I don't think anyone can tell me I made a bad decision. Why would you do that--and why would you think I'd care? I learned a long time ago that it's appropriate (IMHO) to offer car-buying advice when someone asks before the purchase, but it does nothing but cause hard feelings if someone asks you how you like the new car he or she just bought and you just blast it. Life's too short.
Sixth, what's a Corvette cost? I have seen reports from other people who paid as little as $500 over invoice, just as I've seen reports from people who were thrilled to pay sticker price. With a $2,000 rebate and zero percent financing, I think it will be awhile before there's a better time to buy a Corvette. BTW, if you work the numbers, it's almost always financially preferable to take the rebate over the zero-interest financing (except, maybe, for a 60-month loan). I found regular bank loans as low as 4.19 percent for 36 to 60 months. Just FYI, the monthly payment for $1,000 at zero percent for 60 months is $16.67; at 4.9 percent, it's $18.83. That's a difference of only $43.20 per month on a $20,000, 60-month loan.
Seventh, what color is it? Electron Blue Metallic, with an all-black interior. I'm especially pleased to report that five days after I got the car, Chevrolet announced the color was discontinued for 2004. History shows that will help my resale when I want to sell it to buy a turbocharged Acura S3000 coupe in a couple of years.
And no, there are no pictures yet.
So here's my final statement: Go have fun with whatever you drive. Clip an apex in your neighborhood. Hit a perfect 3-2 downshift on the next freeway exit ramp you hit. Give yourself chills when you hit 9,000 and the dash starts flashing and begging you to stop.
Just don't be in the left lane when you see me coming!
I used to be ...
Spa2K
Now, to some answers.
First, why get rid of the S2000? My answer is, "Why not?" I've owned about three dozen cars in my life, and it was time for a change. At more than two years, I kept the S2000 longer than I owned most of the other ones, which ranged from a Fiat X19
to three Miatas to a Z/28 to an M3 to ... you get the idea. (And yes, the rumors about my owning two Buicks are true--but they were for business).Second, why a Z06? Answer: The best bang for the buck, torque, high Corvette resale, torque, the pure fun of driving a sledge hammer, torque, lower insurance rates than the S2000, torque, the Corvette mystique, torque, 0-60 in under 4 seconds, torque and the knowledge that it would be more fun (for me) than an S2000 at track days. (A guy could get tired of watching higher-horsepower cars blast by all day long.) In addition, I think there are a lot more variables to explore with a Corvette. I always had the feeling that once you figured out how to drive an S2000 fast, that was it--there wasn't much more to do. And with the Corvette, there's just more stuff to play with; I'm really intrigued by things like being able to hold down the Active Handling button for five seconds to change to the Competitive Driving mode.
Third, the circumstances and the price were right, on both sides of the deal. Most of you wouldn't argue with full book value on your S2000 after a couple of years. In addition, there are a lot of new S2000s sitting on dealer lots now--at prices we never would have imagined two years ago. I could buy a new one for about what my '01 sold for--in my choice of colors!
Fourth, when I get right down to it, the quality on my S2000 wasn't all that great. The paint was so thin you could see the primer underneath. Just looking at the interior plastics would scratch them. The transmission was junk. There were too many recalls and advisories. To be fair, the Corvette probably won't be much better. The interior styling is a little bit low-end. The shifter gate from first to neutral is longer than the S2000's shifter gate from first to second. The weather-stripping on the top looked like it was installed by a blind person. I could go on endlessly about both of them, but the bottom line is cars are never perfect and once in awhile it's just time for a change.
Most of my cars have been small, high-revvers--my daily driver still is--and I love to toss around small, lightweight cars. But to me there's also magic in huge gobs of horsepower. And did I mention the torque? If you're one of those folks who just can't understand why I'd move from an S2000 to a Corvette, who cares? It's what I wanted to do, and it makes me happy. That's all that matters. It was simply a matter of I'd had my fun with the S2000, during the winter I got to wishing I didn't own it anymore and it was time to do something different.
Fifth, I'm not going to compare the two. I don't think you can, just as I don't think anyone can tell me I made a bad decision. Why would you do that--and why would you think I'd care? I learned a long time ago that it's appropriate (IMHO) to offer car-buying advice when someone asks before the purchase, but it does nothing but cause hard feelings if someone asks you how you like the new car he or she just bought and you just blast it. Life's too short.
Sixth, what's a Corvette cost? I have seen reports from other people who paid as little as $500 over invoice, just as I've seen reports from people who were thrilled to pay sticker price. With a $2,000 rebate and zero percent financing, I think it will be awhile before there's a better time to buy a Corvette. BTW, if you work the numbers, it's almost always financially preferable to take the rebate over the zero-interest financing (except, maybe, for a 60-month loan). I found regular bank loans as low as 4.19 percent for 36 to 60 months. Just FYI, the monthly payment for $1,000 at zero percent for 60 months is $16.67; at 4.9 percent, it's $18.83. That's a difference of only $43.20 per month on a $20,000, 60-month loan.
Seventh, what color is it? Electron Blue Metallic, with an all-black interior. I'm especially pleased to report that five days after I got the car, Chevrolet announced the color was discontinued for 2004. History shows that will help my resale when I want to sell it to buy a turbocharged Acura S3000 coupe in a couple of years.
And no, there are no pictures yet.So here's my final statement: Go have fun with whatever you drive. Clip an apex in your neighborhood. Hit a perfect 3-2 downshift on the next freeway exit ramp you hit. Give yourself chills when you hit 9,000 and the dash starts flashing and begging you to stop.
Just don't be in the left lane when you see me coming!
I used to be ...
Spa2K
Enjoy your new car!!! And be safe! 
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From: houston
Spa2K,
AWESOME and I mean awesome write up. The Electron Blue is the color I would go with as well although I might consider the Quicksilver. I like how the EB alters its shade depending on the light conditions. At night the EB looks simply menacing. Congrats again on the purchase and like you said...enjoy the car to its fullest. I'll try and stay out of the left lane.
AWESOME and I mean awesome write up. The Electron Blue is the color I would go with as well although I might consider the Quicksilver. I like how the EB alters its shade depending on the light conditions. At night the EB looks simply menacing. Congrats again on the purchase and like you said...enjoy the car to its fullest. I'll try and stay out of the left lane.
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From: Land of the landeaus
[QUOTE]Originally posted by nastinupe1
[B]The Z06 is more nimble than the S2000, it's faster than the S2000, it's quicker than the S2000, it has bigger tires than the S2000, and an engine than can be easily modded.
[B]The Z06 is more nimble than the S2000, it's faster than the S2000, it's quicker than the S2000, it has bigger tires than the S2000, and an engine than can be easily modded.
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From: Des Moines
Spa 2k
I live in the area. Just wondered where you bought the corvette/traded in the s2k. I see bob brown has a yellow 01 on the lot, but it only has 1500 miles on it. I trust you drove yours a little bit more than that. Thanks
I live in the area. Just wondered where you bought the corvette/traded in the s2k. I see bob brown has a yellow 01 on the lot, but it only has 1500 miles on it. I trust you drove yours a little bit more than that. Thanks
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From: McGregor
I like both cars, but I must admit, a Z06 will smoke the S on the straights and the turns. It's just to damn fast. I still love my S more though, it is more fun and you see so few of them around.
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From: Timonium
These are two very different cars, built with different engineering goals and a whole different philosophy. They shouldn't even be compared.
What do a scapel and a meat cleaver have in common? Nothing.
What do a scapel and a meat cleaver have in common? Nothing.