C5 Base FRC or Z06?

I am at a point where I can pick up a C5... but I have certain things I'd like to ask you guys first.

Would you guys rather have a clean FRC or a clean-but-not-as-clean Z06? It would probably be much easier for me to afford a base FRC that is in better condition, whereas a Z06 might not be as clean.

C5's are pretty darn reliable... so I'm assuming that one that needs some work won't end up screwing me in the long run, right? Knowing this, picking up a "cheaper" Z06 over a cleaner FRC might be worth it... or it might not.

What do you guys think? Also, how much more expensive is insurance with a Z06 over a base FRC?

I'd be going with the Z06, but this is really a win-win. Don't really have much else to say on it though.

Are you thinking of autocrossing or tracking the car? They might wind up being in different classes.

Funny, I know two guys who had this very conversation yesterday evening.

One sided with the Z06 since, well, it's a Z06.

The other still preferred the FRC since it's classed a bit better for autocross.

Either way, still a win-win.

A Z06 will hold its value better, but not if you buy a ratty one. The insurance on my Z06 is a little less than it was on my RX-8, and is a whole lot less than the Z28 I had during college.

The Z06 will hold its value better in the short run, but what do you guys think of the long run? The FRC was a pretty limited edition wasn't it? It might be worth more, long term. I'm just conjecturing though.

The FRC will be tougher to find, but they're out there if you're patient. There really is no wrong answer. The Z06 will command about $5k more in equal condition, but you'll get that back on resale provided you keep the shiny side shiny.

If I had it to do all over again I might do it differently and go Z06. If you want to go autocrossing, though, the FRC has much more favorable classing (near ringer status, actually).

jg

I will be daily driving and tracking the car... I also plan on modifying it quite a bit. If that is the case, would a FRC be a bit better?

I'd get the Z06. Just a better car to start with...

IMO, it's cheaper to buy a Z06 than it is to bring an FRC up to the ALL-AROUND package the Z06 is.

Alright guys! Thanks for the opinions. I think I'll good ahead and look at Z06's instead.

Strange, I moved from an RX-8 to the Z06, lol. Out of curiosity, how much are you wanting to pay?

Go Z06. It will hold it's value much better than an FRC. All the little differences between the two really add up to the price difference. Titanium exhaust, better steering ratio, lower weight, blah blah.. even the Z06 gauges! Worth it.

My father had a C5 FRC. What makes the FRC so special?

Taiden wrote: My father had a C5 FRC. What makes the FRC so special?

It's lighter than the standard C5 targa/glass hatch version.

I always just assumed the C5 came as a vert / FRC. Learn something new every day!

Taiden wrote: My father had a C5 FRC. What makes the FRC so special?

Also, all FRCs had the Z51 performance handling package, and most also had the Z07 "gymkhana" package which featured larger bars and something I forget.

jg

In reply to rotard:

Haha, I think I'm about to be just like you! I had an RX8 before as well.

I currently own a TT that's a retired show car. I picked it up for a ridiculously low price, thinking that it would make a decent daily driver. I quickly realized it was way too much "glam" and not enough "bam". For the price that I sell the TT, I should be able to afford a decent Z06. Whatever I get from the TT is whatever I'll spend.

FRC, because I'd be changing most of the Z06-specific things anyway.

I've seen a few FRCs dolled up to look like Z06s, too.

isn't the FRC 1or 2 years only? After that they were all Z06's right?

Wait, you thought your RX8 had more "bam" than the TT? Is your TT chipped? Is it the 180 or 225 version? If it's the 180, drop in the K04 turbo from the 225 with fueling and it'll "BAM" the crap out of your old RX8.

Z06 will still have more tho...

docwyte wrote: Wait, you thought your RX8 had more "bam" than the TT? Is your TT chipped? Is it the 180 or 225 version? If it's the 180, drop in the K04 turbo from the 225 with fueling and it'll "BAM" the crap out of your old RX8. Z06 will still have more tho...

No, the RX8 was definitely slower than the TT. The TT actually has a GT28R already on there but it still needs bigger injectors and a tune. It's not slow by any means, but because it's a retired show car, a lot of the mods actually work against trying to drive the car fast. It's as nimble as a brick right now. Sound systems and oversized rims don't help.

I realized though, that this would be a good car for people who like to show up to parking lots and park. But for a driving enthusiast? Not so much. I went and picked it up in the first place because it was offered to me at a very low price.

I figured when I bought the car that I would "de-mod" to make it more functional but it's just way too much work right now. I'd rather just have something along the lines of a C5 and just be done with it.

Yeah, most of the "show" stuff is contrary to actual performance. It might be as difficult to de-content as you're thinking and I'm sure you could get some good $ for the stuff too.

You should do it period before you sell the car, you'll get way more for it that way and have more in your budget for the Z06.

docwyte wrote: Yeah, most of the "show" stuff is contrary to actual performance. It might be as difficult to de-content as you're thinking and I'm sure you could get some good $ for the stuff too. You should do it period before you sell the car, you'll get way more for it that way and have more in your budget for the Z06.

I would like to part the car out but the problem is, I don't have stock parts to put back in. Best case scenario is a straight trade... but I'd have a hard time finding a Z06 owner who would be interested in a show car TT.

I think I'm gonna go ahead and post the car up for sale very soon. I'll report back here once I get a Z06 (or a GTO/Evo/STi as an alternative if I can't find a Z06).

You shouldn't have any problem finding someone with a TT that will happily give you money for your parts AND their stock parts as replacements. Go on quattrworld, audiworld and audizine.