For under $25,000 you could have a mint Honda S2000 or an equally mint Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51. But which is the better sports car - the Japanese lightweight or the American bruiser?
@@peytonponder8488 sheer torque. Goes like hell compared to the Honda. Easy and inexpensive to work on. C5's look far more exotic than the S2000 (imo), even as a domestic. Its all personal preference at the end of the day. Once you become accustomed to V8's, especially an LS1, its tough to go to anything else.
John Connor base c6 not extremely good looking but so much potential to make it look amazing. C7 looks awesome with so much visible functional aero parts from front to rear. Another cool part of vettes is great mpg.
It's nice to see an Asian car aficionado who can also appreciate American muscle cars. I think with the steering wheel, what you get might depend on which trim level your car is. I owned a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo with 3LT trim level (the highest non-SS trim) and mine had a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls on the wheel.
Solid review! I've always had a sweet spot for the Vette. Never owned one, but perhaps one day I will. The LS is a fantastic motor. No wonder they get swapped into everything.
Every LS motor was awesome really, I read about a guy who had a 2004 GTO, it was modded before he had it, it was faster than stock, except at tear down they found it was only a 4.8 motor not the 5.7 of the 2004 GTO the LS1, I doubt most people would ever be able to tell the diference riding in a LS1 or LS2 GTO, they are fractions of a second close in times.
The 2004 to 2006 GTO's were excellent cars, what a sleeper they were! The drive train is what dreams were made of back in the day, we would poop our pants to see a 6 bolt cross drilled mains aluminum small block (mouse) that had aluminum heads up to 427 ci ! like fantasy talk when drinking beers in your buddy's garage,(I miss those days'), The GTO has the Corvettes driveline, 6 speed manual, independent rear end! And the Corvette tune the first time any car got that! The comfort is way beyond any vettes and quality of build and materials used is beyond American GM cars! I loved my GTO it was a 2004 in Yellow with black leather, they had the LS1 in 04 and got the LS2 in 05 with 50 more HP. The 2005 and 2006 GTO's got racier looking so naturally everyone wants the LS2 car so the 2004 cars are not as expensive and with 3 to 5 grand saved you could buy a cadillac LSA supercharger on Ebay for $2k or less for everything!
Yeah the S2k's are awesome turbo platforms if you want 500 horsepower pretty reliably, but a Corvette for the same price will make 750 just as reliably.
@@enthused7591 He's talking about putting it through corners in a serious manner, not ripping it in a straight line. No doubt your foxbody was fast. However, any mid tier/low-mid tier driving can manage high horsepower in a straight line if the car is setup correctly.
This is a very good review. The torque ban of LS engines are crazy. I think GM smallblock LS engines are some of the best v8 engines ever. When you factor in performance for the dollar also physical size.
@@Wowezzersdozzers I drive a C6. The transition is easier for me because I used to fly an RV-4 experimental airplane. The controls are much more sensitive than a normal GA airplane.
Chevrolet actually announced when the Cobalt's and the Cobalt SS's came out that it was their entry level sports car made specifically to imitate the Corvette so you could step up to a Corvette once you were ready(skill-wise and financially).
I think it's just that it's a fairly generic steering wheel that draws complaints. On the other hand, people brag that you can get parts for it or get it worked on at any GM dealership and it shares a lot of parts with other GM products, keeping maintenance costs reasonable.
Nice review. I’m lucky to own an original NSX, and when the new one came out, I drove it...and bought a new Corvette Grand Sport with a manual transmission. 465 lbs of torque lets me pass anyone on an enjoyable back road, no need to wait.
I had both and beleive me S2000 has no grunt, no torque in every rev. The C6 6.2 was the best car i ever had. S2000 is a bicycle against the C6. And i'm living in Europe, top speed is 304 km/h on german Autobahn measured by navigation System, S 2000 made just 240 km/h Now i'm looking for the C6 ZR1. Its a lot faster than C7 Z06 especialy from 200 km/h to 300 km/h
Coming from someone that went from an 00 s2k to an 03 z06 to a 11 zr1 the main takeaway is the vettes lack a little soul from the s2k but more than make up for it in performance. If you drive even a base model c6 at the limit it's going to force you to improve your driving skills tremendously over the s2k at the limit, that's just my takeaway
Great review. An actual personal perspective given by someone who can organize their thoughts logically. Thorough and interesting. I think I'm ready to get one.
S2000 isn't anywhere near the 'vette in terms of sportiness. The only time they'll compete comparably is an autocross. Drag, road, and street, the 'vette competes with supercars. S2000s are for hipsters that are 'too good' for an MX-5.
Funny - the problem with the car is that it's too fast! I just bought an 07 Z51 a few months ago and LOVE it! I don't care about being the fastest guy on the road, but it certainly does outclass over 99% of the cars on the road. You should feel the upper end power on mine with the MSD intake manifold and 1 3/4" long tubes with the full 3" system.
Thank you for the great review, and your thoughts. I was having trouble deciding between a C5 Z06 and a Z51 C6. My minds made up now! C6 please as a daily driver, I don't plan on visiting the track.
In the UK...i have always gone to Classic and American car shows..i was told by a classic C3 iwner that the best thing about Corvettes..obviously the looks and style is fantastic but the low end torque is amazing..yeah the high end speed is great but you can't do those high speeds most of the time. So low end torque..infact torque throughout is brilliant. Good review great looking car..V8 engine is amazing.
My 2007 Z51 has tremendous grip, I have hit curvy, swerve type of transitions at 80-90 mph and had it slide and grab , it would throw you out of the car without belts and a roof! It happens now!, I admit I had the traction control off, not a great idea cornering at 80 mph, maybe 30 or 40 but you beter be lightning fast and 100% correct or lucky as I was!
Have a 06 C6, Z51 convertible 6 speed with all options and 13,000 miles. I was a hugh fan of S2000, was going to buy one until I drove the C6. I added the carbon fiber- like center stack and 2013 steering wheel to update the look Corsa extreme exhaust, cold air intake and tune. Spins the tires at 40mph in second gear with traction control on. Treat yourself you'll love it. There is no better sports car value, 25-28k will get you a ultra low mileage beauty.
I saw a white haired retired couple cruisin' along under the speed limit in Florida last week; put a smile on my face and I thought: perfect! You meet the nicest people in a Honda...Hahahaha.
Hey, great review of the C6. The good, the bad and ?? LOL I just bought a 2009 Vette, LS 6.2 V8 with the Z51 performance package. It's a convertible and is a Red Metallic Tint exterior. Has 45K miles on it. We noticed a "squeek" when doing a hard turn, so the dealership found a defective flex plate (I think), and it's on order. They will deliver it to us next week, no charge. I noticed this vid is from 5 years ago and makes me feel good based on your overall review. Stay safe! Cheers, Bob {btw, it has a sewn leather steering wheel over)
I own both a grand sport C6 and a 2013 Camaro SS 1LE with mgw shifter, big cam and bolt ons. It's a monster of a car It's at over 500rwhp at the moment. I'm a Corvette guy but that damn 1LE is more fun to drive on track days as well as daily driving. It feels glued to the road. I'm perplexed because on paper, the Grand sport is supposed to be better due to it's center of mass being so low and it's lower weight. I've had the Grand sport ever since it was new and it only has 34k miles. I bought the 1LE new and it has 76k miles. I've taken both cars to Tail of the dragon and even in the tight curves, it feels better. I drove a buddy's lightly modded Grand sport C6 there and it still wasn't there for me. It kills me that my dream car isn't as fun to drive than my Camaro. I think part of the reason that 1LE more fun is because of it's sheer predictability at it's limits. The C5 and C6 never inspired that same level of confidence for me when you're in the sweeping and undulating turns. It just feels like the car is trying to hard to remain stabile. Call me a crazy but my Camaro is the better car for me. I'll be selling the Corvette in spring but I won't forget some fond memories I've had with it. I may try out a C8Z ad my next new vehicle within the next few years
It's a good thing that they didn't jazz up the steering wheel, it allows you to be less distracted and concentrate on not killing yourself. You are forced to enjoy the car's capabilities performance-wise rather than messing with electronics.
Thanks for the honest review 👍 As an S2K owner, it's kinda slow, and by the time you get into its power range in any gear you're well over the speed limit already, this is frustrating in public roads, it's gotta be driven at the track to enjoy it.
Very interesting on the comparisons. In the later years, various aspects of the car was improved. And when the C6Z/LS7 came out, it was a real game changer. The shifter improved dramatically when the TR6060 was introduced, then further improved. The shift quality blows away any cable based shifter. After a quick warmup, one can flick the lever gear to gear with 2 fingers. The C6Z is like a bargain basement AMG SL. It's got nearly as many German/Swiss parts in it..lol...After over 5 years and 56Kmi, the car is still very tight, buzz, squeak (except on very rough roads) and rattle free. Having a fixed roof helps a lot, here.
@@JohnSmith-yr6je Since I've never driven the GS, I can't say. All I know is mine, now with over 100K miles on it, still shifts and feels like a well oiled rifle bolt...
My wife and I own a 2003 S-200 with 70,000 miles on it. We just bought a 2010 Corvette LT-1 base with 6 speed manual and it has just under 7,000 original miles. Both are stock unmolested cars. The best part of the S-2000 is exclusivity. Ours has the optional hard top with stand and hard top cover. I prefer the look of it with the hard top. The rag top is new O.E.M. It was a daily driven and garaged every night and the headlights are looking a little faded. Not bad enough to replace them YET. Its a semi retired garage queen now and driven maybe once a month. It still looks new. What I am coming to understand about the Corvette C-6 base is that the ride is very smooth and the interior is large and very comfortable. They are both wonderful vehicles. But if it were a choice for purchase and not daily driven I choose the S-2000 because it's unique. Want a comfortable daily driver? Get the Vette.
A fair review, bro. Although I don't own one yet, I do love how the vette is so versatile as a daily driver and the LS engine delivers the power so well. Another great Japanese car that runs well against your Honda is the Subaru BRZ.
Got my c5 z06 at 80k miles for $16.2k and it's always been my dream to own one. I also have a honda grom which is a street legal mini bike, and if there's anything I learned from owning the bike, it's that it is more fun to drive a slow vehicle fast than it is to drive a fast vehicle slow. This is one reason why the miatas are so successful.
i experienced this with motorcycles. i rode 1000cc sport bikes for a long time, then took a break for years until a buddy twisted my arm to buy another bike. i said ok but just got something small under 500cc. i had a flippin blast pushing that thing to its limits. unfortunately someone ran it over in a parking lot when i wasn't around. instead of buying another one i picked up another 1000cc sport bike. turns out the bike was just too much for the roads. i could barely tap a fraction of what it could do and found myself longing for the little bike again. enjoyment has a lot to do with the roads that are available to you. have to pick the right tool for the job
i just found one that's 2007 with 13k miles on it. It looks brand new inside and out. They're asking 29k for it. Probably could get it for less. And it has a manual. perfect.
I have a 2005 C6 z51 and a 2004 S2000. S2k is more fun and more enjoyable car to drive but the corvette is faster in all aspects and more comfortable. Most people would rather have the C6, but it doesn't have the soul or passion of the S2k.
Soul or passion? You must be daft. Corvette has had a solid following almost cult like since the 50s.... The honda or even s2k cant claim that. Dont be dumb.... S2k is a great car but nowhere comparable to a vette.
Great review! I have a 2005 Z51 convertible with Corsa exhaust and Vararam intake with a manual trans and this car is ridiculous. You are absolutely correct about the acceleration and not having to downshift for power. I've had a 2012 and then a 2013 Camaro RS convertible and traded it in for the Vette. I actually like the 05 because of the steering wheel. I bought a 2007 Solstice GXP when it came out and I loved it, but I was surprised to see the same steering wheel in the 06 and up Vette's.
Just got an 09 z51 package car for 20k. I own a coyote mustang that I mountain drive as well. The c6 was my favorite car since the moment I saw it when I was 15 back back in 05, I can say I’m pretty well satisfied. It’s once hell of a car. My only complaints are the factory non tuned throttle response which is pretty much every drive by wire car, and there are more buttons than I’d like in the interior (I’m a simple man). I intend to do exhaust and a small cam to try and get the power closer to 460-470rwhp. Probably will do a turbo kit down the road to push her further but I’d like a nice boost controller so she can be dialed way back for the mountain cruising. The car is stiff as can be, previous owner lowered the car down probably all the way on the stock lowering bolts. It’s a mean car that was made for one thing, driving hard.
3yrs too late but for anyone else interested, you can fix this with a vitesse throttle controller. I put it on my C7 and it was fantastic. My C6Z doesn't seem to need it as much.
The “too much power” problem you mention is a very real problem with this car and many modern sports cars. You simply can’t ever use this power on the street - ever. Especially not if you’re into backroad driving. I have a 370z - it is not as good a sports car as a corvette but I find it to be more fun since i can wind out the v6.
I actually had sold my s2000 for a c5 corvette. I soonly sold my corvette months after I bought it just because of things like the steering feel and the fact that even that was too much power for back road fun. I still love the look of them and I get why people love them so much, but I still think the s2000 provides much more feedback and fun in terms of just a driving experience. I miss my s2000 everyday.
DarkBeam finally some adults on TH-cam. There is definitely such a thing as too much power. Especially for a backroad weekend sports car. That said - as a pure performance machine there is no better bargain than the corvette. Even better values are the newer vettes for closer to $40k. They have supercar performance at 3 series pricing. They are also quite nice on the interior now. Again though - maybe too much power
I agree, this is why I bought a c-5. It's a great car. I had it for 5 years and 40k miles without a problem. Any corvette, starting with the C5 is a great car. Of course, I would be happy to put up with a big block, 66.
@@toddinthemiddle Update: I still drive my c5 and have not had to spend much money on it. The drivers seat has worn out, but everything else works like new. Over 100,000k on it now.
Love my C6 ! I recently paid $30-k for a 2007 Convertible Z51 , 6 spd manual transmission. The car only has 24-k actual miles on it, the tires looked brand new, but we’re 8 years old. I put on a set of Continental DWS 06+. I can break them lose in 3rd gear. I may have paid a little too much, but this Black Beauty 3LT rag top looks & drives like a brand new car. It even came with Corsa exhaust!
This was a very fair review, I think. I have owned a 2008 C6 Z51 for the last three years and have enjoyed it very much. My previous car was an Acura Integra that I drove from new in 1996 for nearly 20 years. The Acura was great fun but it was also pretty noisy; the Corvette (with some additional sound-deadening material in the back) is super comfortable on long trips but when you get off the Interstate and onto the twisties it handles very well. I would not characterize it as a nimble car but smoothly powerful through the corners. The car has been exceptionally reliable but I have done some interior improvements--all C6 owners need a padded console cover in their cars! I also switched to a beautiful flat-bottomed steering wheel with matching leather stitching for US$600, so that complaint is easily solved. Incidentally, the 2008 C6 not only brought in the LS3 but also a better manual transmission and improved steering.
Great feedback, Leslie! It's always eye opening to compare cars from different manufacturers from different countries. I'm sure the Integra was a ton of fun in its own way, but the C6 just exudes effortless performance.
Of course, before the Acura I owned a Nissan 280ZX Turbo and felt like a conquering hero whenever I drove it. Now I look back and think: "How was I satisfied with 180 hp in a sports car?" And the Corvette gets much better fuel economy with 436! I do not know what long trips you have done with your S2000 or (be still my heart) NSX but I have no trouble putting in 11 hour stints behind the wheel of the Corvette.
Yes the C6 is a very comfortable car if you stick with OEM seats and stock suspension. Z51 suspension is a little bit harsh on bumpier roads but otherwise fine. I've done a couple of 6 hour road trips in the NSX and it was a breeze. Super comfortable seats/suspension, climate control, low wind noise. The S2000 is the polar opposite. After 3 hours I feel my lower back is about to snap.
Corvettes are everywhere around here in NC, I would rather have an S2000 because it's better looking and a roadster with 9,000 RPM'S . A quality sports car not a suped up cobalt.
Last car was an S2000, loved the way it handled. But it was lacking in low end grunt as everyone says... Never had an American (or German) car because I've always seen them as unreliable junk.. But I'm craving power! And powerful Japanese cars like Supra, or GTR, are crazy pricey. SO, I am really considering getting a C6 vette. They say LS's are pretty reliable, I hope so.
I really see what you mean about the power being too much. I have a c6 base as my personal car, which is rated at 400hp, but I drive a late model Honda fit for work. The Honda fit, with its 120hp and cvt transmission is so much more satisfying because I can keep the throttle planted for a good 15 seconds before I even have to worry about speeding, all the while listening to the engine's steady drone at a constant 5k rpms. The corvette, on the other hand is just so irritating the way it goes as fast as I tell it to go using modulation of my right foot. I honestly don't know how I deal with it from day to day.
So are you saying Japanese cars have better quality interiors? lol....I've owned many Japanese cars in my old age and believe me the difference in quality with current automobiles isn't much.....and if you're saying, "Oh my God...way too fast!" well....lol....look - - we all love cars and have different tastes. I love Japanese cars - - I've had 240 Zs, 280 Z, 280 ZX, 300 ZX Turbo, 370 Z and I've love everything about them and still do, but i've also had Mustangs - - - 1987 5.0 GT, 1990 LX 5.0, 1995 GT, and now a 2013 5.0 GT and there's something about a 5.0 32v V8.....or an American V8 like the Vette as well - - - basically I just love Fn' cars...LOL. When you're sitting in a V8 car and you feel that raw crazy power its epic!! that same power in a Japanese car is great too but it's in my opinion just a bit more subtle....and not as raw. The Corvette is an ICON, the "Z" is an ICON ....the S2000....not so much.
Yep, you're a bonified car guy. I like the sound of my inline six 330cic, and my z3 2.8 inline six and my Supra Turbo inline six before it, and my Triumph i6 that was my first car! Well, you get the idea, perfect primary and secondary balance all the way to screaming red-line!
Gen 1 viper (like mine) you can get for 25kish. Also has better numbers than this car slightly (400hp 465tq). It has the same skip shift too....but the refinement and features are much less than the vett. Great review!
Another solid review. What about the "fun factor" of the C6 compared to the AP1 S2K? Despite your Honda bias, is one more smiles per mile than the other, in terms of daily driven long-term ownership?
Both cars are loads of fun but in very different ways, so it's hard to compare. C6 makes me giggle every time I get on the throttle and swing the back end out (which is not very often) while S2000 feels like a precision tool around corners. As a track car, I like the S2000 more. The C6 is a nice daily that you can dick around in at stop lights.
Zygrene I can totally see that. S2000 track, Vette forward stop lights. I actually got walked on by an hyundia SUV trying over take it at light where the lanes were merging, it was like a stab to the 💓
Interesting take on these, I've always heard they don't handle as well as they could. Including an uncle who has one and a some engined Cadillac cts-v wagon which he says handles much better. Never liked the looks myself but that price is hard to argue
Agree, for the statement... if it was my money... I too would have both and add to my stable. Thanks, this is espc relevant as I am suffering the" Buy A Corvette" fever this year. I knows this is a year later but, have you been tempted to buy one?
I think idea is not simply that the vette shared a steering with a low end car but that it was a low end steering wheel. With the Insight Honda built those at a loss as they were trying build up their new hybrid. More like the Insight shared a somewhat high end part.
The Z51 has a close-ratio transmission, which is probably why yours seems so fast. Base vettes ran the T56 transmission, and they can really drag out 1st gear. I'm not sure what the Z51 uses, but it's definitely not the same. 1st gear on a Base vette will go well over 60mph.
In my life time I have owned over 35 Corvettes, and loved every one of them.
frank dracmann how old are you?
@@popsncracks9108 15
Wow...
None, hotel rooms, I'm too big and car is too small.
Having driven an S2000 and owning a Corvette, I can honestly say....well, I own the corvette. I think that says it all.
“Nice1”.
A tip : watch movies on Flixzone. Been using them for watching lots of of movies these days.
@Jayce Jadiel Definitely, I have been using flixzone} for since november myself :)
I’m currently deciding weather or not to sell my vette to get a supercharged s2k. Is there any reason u chose the vette?
@@peytonponder8488 sheer torque. Goes like hell compared to the Honda. Easy and inexpensive to work on. C5's look far more exotic than the S2000 (imo), even as a domestic. Its all personal preference at the end of the day. Once you become accustomed to V8's, especially an LS1, its tough to go to anything else.
The C6 is still attractive.
Lord Amadeus the c5 is still attractive.
In fact the c7 looks like crap
John Connor ur on ur own there buddy
John Connor i agree...im a vette guy but i admit it c7 looks ugly
All corvettes are attractive ... they cannot be otherwise
John Connor base c6 not extremely good looking but so much potential to make it look amazing. C7 looks awesome with so much visible functional aero parts from front to rear. Another cool part of vettes is great mpg.
I own a C6 and my girl has a S2000. That’s how it should be.
Which ones more fun to drive?
@@Bearnos I am guessing, straight line: Corvette road with turns: S2000
@@Bearnos c6 is way more fun
Absolutely.
@@MidwestDIY Corvette will turn better in the curves too.
you went from rice to steak.
😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
😂😂😂😂😂
Lmaooo
From beehives to bald eagles
It's nice to see an Asian car aficionado who can also appreciate American muscle cars. I think with the steering wheel, what you get might depend on which trim level your car is. I owned a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo with 3LT trim level (the highest non-SS trim) and mine had a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls on the wheel.
Solid review! I've always had a sweet spot for the Vette. Never owned one, but perhaps one day I will. The LS is a fantastic motor. No wonder they get swapped into everything.
Every LS motor was awesome really, I read about a guy who had a 2004 GTO, it was modded before he had it, it was faster than stock, except at tear down they found it was only a 4.8 motor not the 5.7 of the 2004 GTO the LS1, I doubt most people would ever be able to tell the diference riding in a LS1 or LS2 GTO, they are fractions of a second close in times.
LS swap solves everything. It even fixed my marriage when i swapped my wife for an LS
LS swap solves everything. It even fixed my marriage when i swapped my wife for an LS
The 2004 to 2006 GTO's were excellent cars, what a sleeper they were! The drive train is what dreams were made of back in the day, we would poop our pants to see a 6 bolt cross drilled mains aluminum small block (mouse) that had aluminum heads up to 427 ci ! like fantasy talk when drinking beers in your buddy's garage,(I miss those days'), The GTO has the Corvettes driveline, 6 speed manual, independent rear end! And the Corvette tune the first time any car got that! The comfort is way beyond any vettes and quality of build and materials used is beyond American GM cars! I loved my GTO it was a 2004 in Yellow with black leather, they had the LS1 in 04 and got the LS2 in 05 with 50 more HP.
The 2005 and 2006 GTO's got racier looking so naturally everyone wants the LS2 car so the 2004 cars are not as expensive and with 3 to 5 grand saved you could buy a cadillac LSA supercharger on Ebay for $2k or less for everything!
Get long tube headers, tune, sticky tires, sway bars.....completely changes the feel into a track monster .
"There's too much power, I don't know what to do with it..." Welcome to the real, non-sewing machine performance world. And that's only 400hp...
Haha real shit
LOL... Can you imagine this guy driving a ZR1 or a Dodge Challenger Hellcat?
242HP yes I can see the police report of being scared cuz his pee pee was touched before he wrapped it around the pole
You cant even began to open the limits on the street. The C6 is a fast as fuck. 186MPH Mines paid off, and keeping it!!
Maybe I'm crazy but 400 hp is basically the minimum I need to have any real fun in an average sized road car lol
The Vette is always going to be the fastest bang for your buck! 🇺🇸👌🏼
Corvettes are streetable race cars, s2ks are sport cars you can race.. slowly.
Yeah the S2k's are awesome turbo platforms if you want 500 horsepower pretty reliably, but a Corvette for the same price will make 750 just as reliably.
@@enthused7591 rookie you would kill yourself in a 500hp s2000. S2000 is a difficult car to drive at the limit stock power
@@lollol-xp4mc I had a 650 horsepower terminator swapped 1980 foxbody. Talk about a hard car to drive. I'd be fine in a 500 horse S2000.
@@enthused7591 He's talking about putting it through corners in a serious manner, not ripping it in a straight line. No doubt your foxbody was fast. However, any mid tier/low-mid tier driving can manage high horsepower in a straight line if the car is setup correctly.
Exactly
What a deal! Loved your presentation, honest and fun. I'm envious, loved the Borla sound. Lots of luck with it. And with your family!
This is a very good review. The torque ban of LS engines are crazy. I think GM smallblock LS engines are some of the best v8 engines ever. When you factor in performance for the dollar also physical size.
In a long enough time line everything gets a LS swap.
@@Wowezzersdozzers I drive a C6. The transition is easier for me because I used to fly an RV-4 experimental airplane. The controls are much more sensitive than a normal GA airplane.
Thanks for the review been looking for more info on this model
Thumb nail said “better than S2000?”
Wow!! It’s not even debatable.
Everyone says the s2000 is a much better drivers car is that really true?
Good honest, unbiased review. Respect.
The C6 is just beautiful. So clean and pure.
Great S2000 review!
a better question is why did they put a corvette steering wheel in a cobalt?
Chevrolet actually announced when the Cobalt's and the Cobalt SS's came out that it was their entry level sports car made specifically to imitate the Corvette so you could step up to a Corvette once you were ready(skill-wise and financially).
There is nothing wrong with steering wheel. That is just a copy paste complaint of reviewers.
@@DaudJamshaid oh wow, interesting. I have a 2009 cobalt SS and stepping up to a C6 soon.
I think it's just that it's a fairly generic steering wheel that draws complaints. On the other hand, people brag that you can get parts for it or get it worked on at any GM dealership and it shares a lot of parts with other GM products, keeping maintenance costs reasonable.
I am so tired of these idiots complaining about the steering wheel and the interior. I have a 2008 C6 with Z51 package. I love it.
Nice review. I’m lucky to own an original NSX, and when the new one came out, I drove it...and bought a new Corvette Grand Sport with a manual transmission. 465 lbs of torque lets me pass anyone on an enjoyable back road, no need to wait.
Great Job , I am thinking of getting a 2008 or newer 6 Spd . soon . Thanks for posting. Excellent Video .
I had both and beleive me S2000 has no grunt, no torque in every rev. The C6 6.2 was the best car i ever had. S2000 is a bicycle against the C6.
And i'm living in Europe, top speed is 304 km/h on german Autobahn measured by navigation System, S 2000 made just 240 km/h
Now i'm looking for the C6 ZR1. Its a lot faster than C7 Z06 especialy from 200 km/h to 300 km/h
This was a good review I enjoyed it. I agree with you that an S2000 + the Corvette would make a great combination in the garage.
Hey Man, I like your review.. lots of good points and helping me make a decision
Coming from someone that went from an 00 s2k to an 03 z06 to a 11 zr1 the main takeaway is the vettes lack a little soul from the s2k but more than make up for it in performance. If you drive even a base model c6 at the limit it's going to force you to improve your driving skills tremendously over the s2k at the limit, that's just my takeaway
Great review feller
Great review..C6 Corvette is such a cool car.
I just bought mine! It’s an amazing car!
Great review. An actual personal perspective given by someone who can organize their thoughts logically. Thorough and interesting. I think I'm ready to get one.
S2000 isn't anywhere near the 'vette in terms of sportiness. The only time they'll compete comparably is an autocross. Drag, road, and street, the 'vette competes with supercars.
S2000s are for hipsters that are 'too good' for an MX-5.
redslate32 or if you put a ls in the s2000
S2Ks are NCmiatas until you hit 6g rpm... then it becomes a cammed NCmiata.
Very fair and detailed review here.👍
Z-51 is a package that makes the vette track ready.
Funny - the problem with the car is that it's too fast! I just bought an 07 Z51 a few months ago and LOVE it! I don't care about being the fastest guy on the road, but it certainly does outclass over 99% of the cars on the road. You should feel the upper end power on mine with the MSD intake manifold and 1 3/4" long tubes with the full 3" system.
Thank you for the great review, and your thoughts. I was having trouble deciding between a C5 Z06 and a Z51 C6. My minds made up now! C6 please as a daily driver, I don't plan on visiting the track.
In the UK...i have always gone to Classic and American car shows..i was told by a classic C3 iwner that the best thing about Corvettes..obviously the looks and style is fantastic but the low end torque is amazing..yeah the high end speed is great but you can't do those high speeds most of the time. So low end torque..infact torque throughout is brilliant. Good review great looking car..V8 engine is amazing.
My 2007 Z51 has tremendous grip, I have hit curvy, swerve type of transitions at 80-90 mph and had it slide and grab , it would throw you out of the car without belts and a roof! It happens now!, I admit I had the traction control off, not a great idea cornering at 80 mph, maybe 30 or 40 but you beter be lightning fast and 100% correct or lucky as I was!
I've had everything from Evos turbo CRX RSX , 240 SX and liked them all. The C6 is a very special car and more.
Great vid. I'm a Japanese car lover also, I know the feeling. That will for sure be my next car
It would be a lot faster if you took the emergency brake off. lolol
I thought the brake looked like it was pulled up! Maybe he was trying to get it to be as slow as his NSX. :-)
Have a 06 C6, Z51 convertible 6 speed with all options and 13,000 miles. I was a hugh fan of S2000, was going to buy one until I drove the C6. I added the carbon fiber- like center stack and 2013 steering wheel to update the look Corsa extreme exhaust, cold air intake and tune. Spins the tires at 40mph in second gear with traction control on. Treat yourself you'll love it. There is no better sports car value, 25-28k will get you a ultra low mileage beauty.
That's why you see so many LS swaps with folks ditching the JDMs. lol
Why is there so much performance? Too much power? Que?
I will take my 2012 Grand Sport ANYDAY over any Honda
Amen to that!
I saw a white haired retired couple cruisin' along under the speed limit in Florida last week; put a smile on my face and I thought: perfect! You meet the nicest people in a Honda...Hahahaha.
How are you going to mow your lawn than ?
Your reviews are the best man! Always look forward to hearing your perspective as a fellow JDM enthusiast.
How about a 300ZX (Z32 obviously)?
Toby Corbin Still haven't found a Z32. I've driven a janky NA example but need to review a proper twin turbo.
Hey, great review of the C6. The good, the bad and ?? LOL I just bought a 2009 Vette, LS 6.2 V8 with the Z51 performance package. It's a convertible and is a Red Metallic Tint exterior. Has 45K miles on it. We noticed a "squeek" when doing a hard turn, so the dealership found a defective flex plate (I think), and it's on order. They will deliver it to us next week, no charge. I noticed this vid is from 5 years ago and makes me feel good based on your overall review. Stay safe! Cheers, Bob {btw, it has a sewn leather steering wheel over)
I own both a grand sport C6 and a 2013 Camaro SS 1LE with mgw shifter, big cam and bolt ons. It's a monster of a car It's at over 500rwhp at the moment. I'm a Corvette guy but that damn 1LE is more fun to drive on track days as well as daily driving. It feels glued to the road. I'm perplexed because on paper, the Grand sport is supposed to be better due to it's center of mass being so low and it's lower weight. I've had the Grand sport ever since it was new and it only has 34k miles. I bought the 1LE new and it has 76k miles. I've taken both cars to Tail of the dragon and even in the tight curves, it feels better. I drove a buddy's lightly modded Grand sport C6 there and it still wasn't there for me.
It kills me that my dream car isn't as fun to drive than my Camaro.
I think part of the reason that 1LE more fun is because of it's sheer predictability at it's limits. The C5 and C6 never inspired that same level of confidence for me when you're in the sweeping and undulating turns. It just feels like the car is trying to hard to remain stabile. Call me a crazy but my Camaro is the better car for me. I'll be selling the Corvette in spring but I won't forget some fond memories I've had with it. I may try out a C8Z ad my next new vehicle within the next few years
It's a good thing that they didn't jazz up the steering wheel, it allows you to be less distracted and concentrate on not killing yourself. You are forced to enjoy the car's capabilities performance-wise rather than messing with electronics.
im buying mine 2007 white z51 tomorrow. wish me luck
40,783 for 20,500$
Nice. I'll be getting a HCI z51 with 90k miles for $18k soon.
Thanks for the honest review 👍 As an S2K owner, it's kinda slow, and by the time you get into its power range in any gear you're well over the speed limit already, this is frustrating in public roads, it's gotta be driven at the track to enjoy it.
Great video..thanks for sharing
Damn. I recognize those roads you were on. Great driving roads.
Excellent review. I don't understand why the hateful comments. Sign of the times, I guess. Thanks.
Very interesting on the comparisons. In the later years, various aspects of the car was improved. And when the C6Z/LS7 came out, it was a real game changer. The shifter improved dramatically when the TR6060 was introduced, then further improved. The shift quality blows away any cable based shifter. After a quick warmup, one can flick the lever gear to gear with 2 fingers. The C6Z is like a bargain basement AMG SL. It's got nearly as many German/Swiss parts in it..lol...After over 5 years and 56Kmi, the car is still very tight, buzz, squeak (except on very rough roads) and rattle free. Having a fixed roof helps a lot, here.
Did the GS have the nice transmission too or just zo6
@@JohnSmith-yr6je Since I've never driven the GS, I can't say. All I know is mine, now with over 100K miles on it, still shifts and feels like a well oiled rifle bolt...
Great video of Pescadero, 84, and a few other SC mountain thoroughfares.
@Zygrene have you reviewed the BRZ or 370Z? Curious on which one you would pick? Love the review!
My wife and I own a 2003 S-200 with 70,000 miles on it. We just bought a 2010 Corvette LT-1 base with 6 speed manual and it has just under 7,000 original miles.
Both are stock unmolested cars.
The best part of the S-2000 is exclusivity. Ours has the optional hard top with stand and hard top cover. I prefer the look of it with the hard top. The rag top is new O.E.M. It was a daily driven and garaged every night and the headlights are looking a little faded. Not bad enough to replace them YET. Its a semi retired garage queen now and driven maybe once a month. It still looks new.
What I am coming to understand about the Corvette C-6 base is that the ride is very smooth and the interior is large and very comfortable.
They are both wonderful vehicles. But if it were a choice for purchase and not daily driven I choose the S-2000 because it's unique.
Want a comfortable daily driver? Get the Vette.
A fair review, bro. Although I don't own one yet, I do love how the vette is so versatile as a daily driver and the LS engine delivers the power so well. Another great Japanese car that runs well against your Honda is the Subaru BRZ.
Even my 96 LT4 has the skip shift. These cars are incredible values.
Got my c5 z06 at 80k miles for $16.2k and it's always been my dream to own one. I also have a honda grom which is a street legal mini bike, and if there's anything I learned from owning the bike, it's that it is more fun to drive a slow vehicle fast than it is to drive a fast vehicle slow. This is one reason why the miatas are so successful.
Such a good review
i experienced this with motorcycles. i rode 1000cc sport bikes for a long time, then took a break for years until a buddy twisted my arm to buy another bike. i said ok but just got something small under 500cc. i had a flippin blast pushing that thing to its limits. unfortunately someone ran it over in a parking lot when i wasn't around. instead of buying another one i picked up another 1000cc sport bike. turns out the bike was just too much for the roads. i could barely tap a fraction of what it could do and found myself longing for the little bike again. enjoyment has a lot to do with the roads that are available to you. have to pick the right tool for the job
100 % I agree with you...for the price of this vette, you get everything you need .👍👍👍👍👍
i just found one that's 2007 with 13k miles on it. It looks brand new inside and out. They're asking 29k for it. Probably could get it for less. And it has a manual. perfect.
C6 rules! Opt for 2008 and up for awesome power!
I have a 2005 C6 z51 and a 2004 S2000. S2k is more fun and more enjoyable car to drive but the corvette is faster in all aspects and more comfortable. Most people would rather have the C6, but it doesn't have the soul or passion of the S2k.
JJohnson707 how does a car have passion lmfao
Soul or passion? You must be daft. Corvette has had a solid following almost cult like since the 50s.... The honda or even s2k cant claim that. Dont be dumb.... S2k is a great car but nowhere comparable to a vette.
Soul or passion..thats a Corvette in a nutshell.
Great review! I have a 2005 Z51 convertible with Corsa exhaust and Vararam intake with a manual trans and this car is ridiculous. You are absolutely correct about the acceleration and not having to downshift for power. I've had a 2012 and then a 2013 Camaro RS convertible and traded it in for the Vette. I actually like the 05 because of the steering wheel. I bought a 2007 Solstice GXP when it came out and I loved it, but I was surprised to see the same steering wheel in the 06 and up Vette's.
Everything is about taste..i would always take vette over any other car
Just got an 09 z51 package car for 20k. I own a coyote mustang that I mountain drive as well. The c6 was my favorite car since the moment I saw it when I was 15 back back in 05, I can say I’m pretty well satisfied. It’s once hell of a car. My only complaints are the factory non tuned throttle response which is pretty much every drive by wire car, and there are more buttons than I’d like in the interior (I’m a simple man). I intend to do exhaust and a small cam to try and get the power closer to 460-470rwhp. Probably will do a turbo kit down the road to push her further but I’d like a nice boost controller so she can be dialed way back for the mountain cruising. The car is stiff as can be, previous owner lowered the car down probably all the way on the stock lowering bolts. It’s a mean car that was made for one thing, driving hard.
3yrs too late but for anyone else interested, you can fix this with a vitesse throttle controller. I put it on my C7 and it was fantastic. My C6Z doesn't seem to need it as much.
I know this is an old video but I LOVED my 2008. And I KNEW what to do with it!
Great commentary my friend. Thanks
I agree about the steering wheel. I'm about to put a leather cover on mine.
I just got an 05 c6. Black on black. Thing rips.
The “too much power” problem you mention is a very real problem with this car and many modern sports cars. You simply can’t ever use this power on the street - ever. Especially not if you’re into backroad driving. I have a 370z - it is not as good a sports car as a corvette but I find it to be more fun since i can wind out the v6.
I actually had sold my s2000 for a c5 corvette. I soonly sold my corvette months after I bought it just because of things like the steering feel and the fact that even that was too much power for back road fun. I still love the look of them and I get why people love them so much, but I still think the s2000 provides much more feedback and fun in terms of just a driving experience. I miss my s2000 everyday.
DarkBeam finally some adults on TH-cam. There is definitely such a thing as too much power. Especially for a backroad weekend sports car. That said - as a pure performance machine there is no better bargain than the corvette. Even better values are the newer vettes for closer to $40k. They have supercar performance at 3 series pricing. They are also quite nice on the interior now. Again though - maybe too much power
Strunz0 Cars was it a stock c5? Because 280hp to the wheels is definitely not enough😂 especially for a vette. You're probably used to 190-200hp
C5's were 350hp.
Matthew Knigge exactly
C6 with the z51 package is in a whole other league then a c5
Hah! Renting a C6 now and the 1-4 lockout had me thinking "I could never do that in my FR-S"
Also, excellent closing thoughts.
good vid thanks!
I agree, this is why I bought a c-5. It's a great car. I had it for 5 years and 40k miles without a problem. Any corvette, starting with the C5 is a great car. Of course, I would be happy to put up with a big block, 66.
i had a c5, and like this guy said about this one, it was too fast for the streets.
had no problem with that.
@@toddinthemiddle Update: I still drive my c5 and have not had to spend much money on it. The drivers seat has worn out, but everything else works like new. Over 100,000k on it now.
Best video ever!
nice review johny tran ! :)
I got over a hundred grand under the hood of my Honda two thousand
@@Zygrene 👍😂😂
"That's the problem when you put your foot down, you cant be a coward"
good review. keep it up💯
Love my C6 ! I recently paid $30-k for a 2007 Convertible Z51 , 6 spd manual transmission. The car only has 24-k actual miles on it, the tires looked brand new, but we’re 8 years old. I put on a set of Continental DWS 06+. I can break them lose in 3rd gear. I may have paid a little too much, but this Black Beauty 3LT rag top looks & drives like a brand new car. It even came with Corsa exhaust!
I’m sorry man but why would you get a convertible. Shoulda just got the coupe
YOU ~ ROCK ! !
This was a very fair review, I think. I have owned a 2008 C6 Z51 for the last three years and have enjoyed it very much. My previous car was an Acura Integra that I drove from new in 1996 for nearly 20 years. The Acura was great fun but it was also pretty noisy; the Corvette (with some additional sound-deadening material in the back) is super comfortable on long trips but when you get off the Interstate and onto the twisties it handles very well. I would not characterize it as a nimble car but smoothly powerful through the corners. The car has been exceptionally reliable but I have done some interior improvements--all C6 owners need a padded console cover in their cars! I also switched to a beautiful flat-bottomed steering wheel with matching leather stitching for US$600, so that complaint is easily solved. Incidentally, the 2008 C6 not only brought in the LS3 but also a better manual transmission and improved steering.
Great feedback, Leslie! It's always eye opening to compare cars from different manufacturers from different countries. I'm sure the Integra was a ton of fun in its own way, but the C6 just exudes effortless performance.
Of course, before the Acura I owned a Nissan 280ZX Turbo and felt like a conquering hero whenever I drove it. Now I look back and think: "How was I satisfied with 180 hp in a sports car?" And the Corvette gets much better fuel economy with 436! I do not know what long trips you have done with your S2000 or (be still my heart) NSX but I have no trouble putting in 11 hour stints behind the wheel of the Corvette.
Yes the C6 is a very comfortable car if you stick with OEM seats and stock suspension. Z51 suspension is a little bit harsh on bumpier roads but otherwise fine. I've done a couple of 6 hour road trips in the NSX and it was a breeze. Super comfortable seats/suspension, climate control, low wind noise. The S2000 is the polar opposite. After 3 hours I feel my lower back is about to snap.
Corvettes are everywhere around here in NC, I would rather have an S2000 because it's better looking and a roadster with 9,000 RPM'S . A quality sports car not a suped up cobalt.
Doesn't have as much top end as a honda s2000 or a coyote motor? So they go 180mph?
I got a C5 Corvette I was a Honda guy but after modding my Vette I never looked back .
Last car was an S2000, loved the way it handled. But it was lacking in low end grunt as everyone says... Never had an American (or German) car because I've always seen them as unreliable junk.. But I'm craving power! And powerful Japanese cars like Supra, or GTR, are crazy pricey. SO, I am really considering getting a C6 vette. They say LS's are pretty reliable, I hope so.
You need more subs.
The corvette king approves.
Absolutely love my modded 2007 c6, choose it over a Porsche 911 Turbo and have never looked back.
cool, what does the 911 turbo do 0-60 compared to ur modded vette?
I really see what you mean about the power being too much. I have a c6 base as my personal car, which is rated at 400hp, but I drive a late model Honda fit for work. The Honda fit, with its 120hp and cvt transmission is so much more satisfying because I can keep the throttle planted for a good 15 seconds before I even have to worry about speeding, all the while listening to the engine's steady drone at a constant 5k rpms. The corvette, on the other hand is just so irritating the way it goes as fast as I tell it to go using modulation of my right foot. I honestly don't know how I deal with it from day to day.
hahaha
@John Doe have you experienced sarcasm before? I said a Honda fit was more satisfying to drive than a corvette. I would hope that would tip you off.
So are you saying Japanese cars have better quality interiors? lol....I've owned many Japanese cars in my old age and believe me the difference in quality with current automobiles isn't much.....and if you're saying, "Oh my God...way too fast!" well....lol....look - - we all love cars and have different tastes. I love Japanese cars - - I've had 240 Zs, 280 Z, 280 ZX, 300 ZX Turbo, 370 Z and I've love everything about them and still do, but i've also had Mustangs - - - 1987 5.0 GT, 1990 LX 5.0, 1995 GT, and now a 2013 5.0 GT and there's something about a 5.0 32v V8.....or an American V8 like the Vette as well - - - basically I just love Fn' cars...LOL. When you're sitting in a V8 car and you feel that raw crazy power its epic!! that same power in a Japanese car is great too but it's in my opinion just a bit more subtle....and not as raw. The Corvette is an ICON, the "Z" is an ICON ....the S2000....not so much.
Yep, you're a bonified car guy. I like the sound of my inline six 330cic, and my z3 2.8 inline six and my Supra Turbo inline six before it, and my Triumph i6 that was my first car! Well, you get the idea, perfect primary and secondary balance all the way to screaming red-line!
Gen 1 viper (like mine) you can get for 25kish. Also has better numbers than this car slightly (400hp 465tq). It has the same skip shift too....but the refinement and features are much less than the vett. Great review!
Great point. Hoping to review a Viper of any generation soon!
Another solid review. What about the "fun factor" of the C6 compared to the AP1 S2K? Despite your Honda bias, is one more smiles per mile than the other, in terms of daily driven long-term ownership?
Both cars are loads of fun but in very different ways, so it's hard to compare. C6 makes me giggle every time I get on the throttle and swing the back end out (which is not very often) while S2000 feels like a precision tool around corners. As a track car, I like the S2000 more. The C6 is a nice daily that you can dick around in at stop lights.
Zygrene I can totally see that. S2000 track, Vette forward stop lights. I actually got walked on by an hyundia SUV trying over take it at light where the lanes were merging, it was like a stab to the 💓
Interesting take on these, I've always heard they don't handle as well as they could. Including an uncle who has one and a some engined Cadillac cts-v wagon which he says handles much better. Never liked the looks myself but that price is hard to argue
I own c5. Test drove c6. All i can say for the c6 is Wow
Damn that thing is savage. Maybe only an E55 AMG is close in terms of bang-for-buck performance.
What would you do if your friend had a Z06 from the same year.
Agree, for the statement... if it was my money... I too would have both and add to my stable. Thanks, this is espc relevant as I am suffering the" Buy A Corvette" fever this year. I knows this is a year later but, have you been tempted to buy one?
Still tempted, honestly. The performance/laptime per dollar value is off the charts! I'd go for a C6 Z51 or Grandsport if I could find one.
@@Zygrene Understand completely. I have a couple I'm hoping to acquire. It will happen when it happens. Be safe and happy holidays.
Wait, didn't the insight and s2000 have the same steering wheel?
palillo2006 Good point! But the Insight wheel feels much tighter and sportier than the Cobalt wheel. Matches the S2000 perfectly.
palillo2006 yes, it does I have an insight and it's the same steering wheel as ap1
I think idea is not simply that the vette shared a steering with a low end car but that it was a low end steering wheel. With the Insight Honda built those at a loss as they were trying build up their new hybrid. More like the Insight shared a somewhat high end part.
Also the insights steering wheel wasn’t leather wrapped. Or at least neither one of mine were.
They are actually not the same steering wheel as the corvette wheel is a smaller diameter wheel.
The Z51 has a close-ratio transmission, which is probably why yours seems so fast. Base vettes ran the T56 transmission, and they can really drag out 1st gear. I'm not sure what the Z51 uses, but it's definitely not the same. 1st gear on a Base vette will go well over 60mph.