C4 (z07) VS solstice (z0K)

The search for a weekend/autox car continues...

The two remaining candidates are as follows:...................................................................................................................... - 1993 C4, Z07 pack, 40k miles, $9k .................................................................................................................................... - (several available) 2005/2007 solstice Z0K pack, around 10-15k miles, $10k

I'd rather get the solstice because of it's drastically younger age, but the C4 might have the edge in cheap parts. But, apparently parts for either car have the potential to be scarce.

Except for small routine maintenance items (oil/brakes etc), the car will be brought to a shop. I don't care how competitive either will be in their autox class.

What say you, GRM?...

Regular c5?

The C5 was my first choice, but all the C5's I've seen around $10-12k have 4-5+ owners and 90k+ miles; and if they don't, they sell within hours of the ads being posted.

Are you single? Get the vette, you wont regret! Its faster on the street, track and ax, depending on the course setup. Also more potential to go faster, stop faster. Honestly, isnt the answer always vette?

I seriously doubt that the C4 is going to be faster than the Solstice having spent a lot of time autocrossing said Pontiac. The numbers sway even farther with a exhaust/tune on the Solstice.

I posted, depending on the type AX course, some are set up for miatas and some for high hp cars. I guarantee an lt1 will smear that solstise on a road course, high hp AX course or stop light to stop light! Hey nothing personal, I like german cars, I got two porsches!

Thanks for the info guys!

What's the DL on replacement parts for the solstice?

There is a very strong aftermarket for the Vette, particularly restoration/trim/fiddly bits. I certainly am not fully up to speed yet on my '94 - may have a problem with the FX3 adjustable shock system - but it's smooth, has good power, handles nicely, rides nicely. Like all C4s, it tends to run hot (GM designed them that way) under load in low speed conditions (like autocross or short tracks), but there are aftermarket fixes (thermostat, fan triggers/switches) to take care of that. I'm not tremendously impressed with the brakes on mine, but I don't have the Z07 package. I went to Hawk HPS pads, which are fine for the street, but not impressed for autocross conditions, I'd recommend one step harder. Other than that, I really like the car, it gets an honest 30 mpg on the highway, and later ones (like the ones with LT1s) don't seem to have the rattle problems that are notorious on the early ones. Drive it first, see how you like it. I still kept my Mk. 1 MR2, though - two different cars, both mucho fun.

I vote C4. Never that in love with GM's attempt at a Miata.

DaveEstey wrote: I seriously doubt that the C4 is going to be faster than the Solstice having spent a lot of time autocrossing said Pontiac. The numbers sway even farther with a exhaust/tune on the Solstice.

This.

If being competitive isn't a priority, get whichever one you enjoy driving more when you're not racing it.

The Solstice is very tight on luggage space with the top down if you want to take a trip while the Vette has usable space.

If you are over 50 and have gold chains, go for the Vette.

paul wrote: The C5 was my first choice, but all the C5's I've seen around $10-12k have 4-5+ owners and 90k+ miles; and if they don't, they sell within hours of the ads being posted.

So what? If they don't look beat on, they probably weren't.

I'd do the slowstice.

This one in particular

http://www.ner.org/forums/index.php/topic,3433.0.html

pinchvalve wrote: If you are over 50 and have gold chains, go for the Vette.

I've owned 2 vettes and I'm under 40...

My interest in the vette has been growing recently. And I'm not one to really give a flying berkeley what anybody else thinks of me but I don't know if I can stomach being Harley guy and Corvette guy all at the same time

nicksta43 wrote: My interest in the vette has been growing recently. And I'm not one to really give a flying berkeley what anybody else thinks of me but I don't know if I can stomach being Harley guy and Corvette guy all at the same time

That wouldn't be a problem around here. This is a Vette friendly area. You would catch flack in real life for sure though.

OP - I vote a high mileage C5 as well. The chances of something dying on a driven C5 with 100k vs a garage queen C4 with 40k miles lean towards the C4 all day in my book. Think about all of the parts that have started to dry rot from disuse! If you are going to race it anyway, why take a beauty queen out there anyway. The first cone you crush and scuff up your bumper is going to make you cry. A few previous battle wounds will temper that pain.

I loved my C4. But I would stretch my budget to a C5 because the LS motor is far superior to the relatively unloved LT1 in a 92. There is nothing wrong with the Solstice except they are underpowered.

I would go with the Solstice if I were you because you favor it more. I would still test drive both to be sure.

I prefer (and own) a Solstice.

Can you use a GXP instead of an NA version? The NA engines don't gain much from a tune or other modest mods, while the turbo models do. We got an identical car to mine into the 12s in the 1/4.

The ZOK stuff for the NA cars is nothing more than the stock springs and sway bars for the turbo cars, and you can go further than that getting the turbo ZOK stuff as well as several frame stiffening bits if rules allow.