[rpoz-29]

My Camaro has been a body shop for two weeks getting the top painted under warranty. It's a hardtop and this is the second time. I shouldn't have told them I was in no hurry. Anyway, I was griping about it during lunch at a "Street Survival" school I was helping with. Another club member overheard me and offered me a ride in his '02 Z06. WOW. I'm just kicking the idea around right now, but is there a year to stay away from? Any preferred years? Is a Z06 that much better than a standard Corvette? Just wondering!

[Sam Strano]

I have to agree. I can't think of a better car bang for the buck wise than a used C5 Z06. What's more from an autox standpoint there isn't much to setting them up (though it's not easy and many screw it up). I'm guessing you drove the Marx's car, right Bill? That's basically my setup, or at least is was.

I have done or had input on the quickest C5's in Super Stock the last few years @ Nationals. In fact this year, Chris Shay (who's a member on this site) was 4th in his rookie outing in his Z06, which was last we talked running my parts and recommeneded alignment. And he did a hell of job driving @ Nationals, especially his first time there!!!! And the fastest C5 on day one was Paul Kozlak in a car he never drove before (and he only had 3 runs in a Z06 before). He was sitting 2nd going into day 2, but that East Course killed him (but not Chris).

If you can find a Z06 that suits you, I'd say grab it. Junior loves his in ASP trim once we got the suspension sorted out. And aside from some quibbles about the cheap GM seat, and that the transaxles can leak a little they really are a great, great car.

An f-body is fun, and fast. And in ESP trim can run pretty close time to a SS Z06. It costs more to set it up, but then again the car is cheaper (as you already own it) and the end costs are a lot less because of that. I love a Camaro in ESP, and you can have a very competitive regional/divisional car that can still trophy in Kansas (er.... I guess I mean Nebraska) for less than what I have in mine. It's mostly about suspension and limited slips. Power and that stuff helps (and that's were most of the money went) when every tenth counts Nationally.