Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06--Test Drive Video Review with Chris Moran 2012

An up-close look and short test drive of a nearly brand-new 2003 Corvette Z06 from Midwest Auto Collection. Presented by Chris Moran.

The Corvette, Chevrolet's most famous and likely GM's most prominent model, has seen nearly 60 years of production. Throughout it's production run, the fundamental characteristics have remained largely unchanged: front engine, rear drive, two seats. After the Chevy small-block V8 engine was introduced, you could add V8 to that list. Since 1955, all Corvettes have had some variation of a V8 engine.

In late 1996, Chevrolet unveiled the all new fifth-generation Corvette (C5). The C5 was the most revolutionary Corvette to date. With a brand new space-frame design structure, to the creative use of balsa wood for its floorboards, it was a technological marvel of its time and one of the first American sports cars to receive a warm global reception.

With a greatly improved interior and daily drivability, the C5 was an immediate success. It's performance numbers were in line with the likes of Porsche and Ferrari, something the Corvette had never really achieved.

For the 2001 model year, Chevrolet introduced the Z06. The Z06 was based on the unpopular "hardtop" model which was produced from 1999-2000. The hardtop proved ideal for the new Z06, as its curb weight decreased and structural rigidity increased in this configuration. At the heart of the Z06 model was the 5.7 Liter LS6 V8 engine. Still a pushrod V8 after all these years, this new model produced 385 horsepower, with a 20 horsepower increase only a year away. Titanium mufflers and magnesium wheels were standard fare, and though this was a performance model, the well-equipped interior from the coupe was nearly unchanged. A Bose sound system, Heads-Up Display (HUD), and Automatic Climate Control were standard.

Unique to the Z06 were interior color options, as well as embroidered headrests indicating this is indeed a Z06. For the 2002 year, the LS6 was bumped to 405 horsepower, though all else stayed unchanged.

So here we stand. With only 10,000 miles on this 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, this car is almost brand new. It smells brand new inside, it looks like a factory new car. It's completely stock, no modifications that you see on so many other Z06s.

Turn the key, and you are greeted by a distinct V8 rumble, and a quick blip of the throttle brings amazing sounds to life. The clutches are light in these cars, something you wouldn't expect from such a torque monster. The low-rev pull in this car is amazing. It's so powerful that you feel you could drive it in 3rd gear all day, but run it to redline and you'll hear a sound reminiscent of wide open stock car racing. It's power so abundant that it feels somewhat limitless.

There is a "competitive driving" mode in the stability control system that allows for more play than the normal threshold allows. You can drift the car in this mode, but the ABS might give you a hand before you get completely nuts and hurt yourself. An electronic "safety net", in a way.

With the 6 speed transmission, the shifts are solid, yet a bit long for some tastes. This is the same shifter you would get in the standard 6 speed Corvette, which means it also retains the horrific "skip-shift" feature. With this feature, the computer forces a 1-4 shift if it detects that you are not accelerating briskly. Unbeknown to most, this feature has a cheap and easy bypass available.

Overall, I think the Z06 is one of the best cars for the dollar, period. You can drive it every day, you can beat it senseless at the track, and as long as you change the oil, brakes, and tires as needed, you'll have a loving companion for a long time to come. Search the marketplace and you will be shocked at how many Z06s have lots of miles on them. In my opinion, that says more about the car than any word on this page.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to take my Dad for a ride in a 2002 Z06. The car was almost brand new at the time. We strapped ourselves in, my Dad riding shotgun, and I remember telling him to hold on. I popped the shifter into first, idled onto the roadway and buried the pedal...I distinctly remember the expletives shielding the raw terror my Dad experienced for roughly 4 seconds. I hit second gear at redline and ripped the car sideways as we were still fiercely accelerating, only to welcome a dead silence and deep breaths once I lifted.

Today, I've had the old man in faster, newer, and much more expensive cars. He's not a car guy at all, but he knows if I'm excited about something, it must be remarkable.

Still today, no other car has made such a distinct impression on my father. Eight years later, he occasionally asks the question "Hey, remember when we drove that Corvette?"

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[gimpymw1]

The goodyears on the c5 z06 are not run flats.

[gimpymw1]

Not a 2003. The 2003's had the 50th anniversary emblem on the hood. This one has a standard corvette emblem.

[pumpkinthestrange]

justin bieber and dubstep in tags - facepalm

[adriank9]

is the car still available?

[imthatguy2579]

first