Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I don't own a Z or a 'vette, but my former roommate owned a 2004 C5.

It had a few quirks. It was quick--about like the WS6 I used to own--which was a total pile.

I rode in his 'vette on occasion. It was decent. Had a sqeak here and there.

I traded my 2001 WS6 for a 2002 G20. I used to be completely in the domestic camp, having owned mustangs and F-bodies and the like. Well I got this little 2002 Infiniti G20, and it had a few issues. MOtor-mounts, etc. With 100K miles I expected it.

It had one electrical issue--ignition component, $50 and 20 minutes of my time to replace.

It had maintenance issues--valve-cover gasket (likes to go out on those cars), cabin filtration system (IT HAS ONE! WOW!), etc. etc. Just tiny things.

One thing I noticed though was how solid it is. How well designed it is. Those metal lines under the hood are coated with something to prevent rust. Etc. etc. It's not so much how it was put togather, it is that it is designed with the thought that it should look and feel and run well AFTER it leaves the lot, not just for 1-3 months sitting up and a test-drive.

A perfect example is the 370 'vert I rode in tonight. WE took it over hella rough roads. BAD stuff. I cringed. It didn't even waver. No creak AT ALL. No cowl shake. Nothing. Performed about like my Trans Am did in the acceleration department. The refinement was amazing. Car had about 10K miles on it alread, and the owner dogged the hell out of it regularly he said.

No, it's not all-out as fast as some of the cars I have been in and played with, but it was definitely peppy, the interior was VERY VERY NICE, and it felt IDENTICAL to the one I drove with 5-10 miles or whatever at a dealer a while back.

It is a different car than the 'vette. I am torn between which to buy, myself--a car no faster than what I used to drive, but inifitely nicer, or a car that is about the same, but hella fast. Decisions--they suck. Different cars, though. I would much rather take a girl out in the Z than in a 'Vette, though, as far as comfort and having a good time (regardless of image, etc. I think the girl would ask "What was that creaking?" A lot less).