Supercar or Super Collection? Start Your Corvette Collection for the Price of One C8 Z06

If you have the money to spend on a C8 Z06 but you can’t get an allocation, consider buying this Corvette collection instead.

The bee’s knees. The cat’s pajamas. Choose whatever idiom you like, but the Corvette C8 Z06 is one hell of sportscar. The performance figures are beyond impressive. The car can whup up on many cars costing far more money. It is a game changer for the Corvette brand. And with the days of naturally aspirated V8 engines numbered, we don’t know how long this wonderful machine will be around. The C8 Z06 is in extremely high demand because of this. Waiting lists are years long, and prices on the secondary market are downright nutty. So even if you have the cash saved up to buy one of these marvels at MSRP, the chances are slim that you will actually be able to anytime soon. But there is another option. You can buy an impressive Corvette collection for the price of a single new Z06.

None of these cars can individually match the performance of the C8 Z06. But if you are a Corvette fan with $150K burning a hole in your pocket this four Corvette collection is an intriguing option. Even if it is just to hold you over while you wait for your new Z06. You may be number 850 in line at the dealership for the Z06, but all the cars on this list are readily available. Not only that they offer a little bit of everything from a weekend cruiser, a track weapon, a street and track performer, and a collectible. They may not be the latest and greatest Corvette, but these cars should be enough to keep any enthusiast happy. So, assuming you would spend $150K on the C8 Z06, these are the cars that you might consider instead.

C7 Z06 – $70,000

If you are looking at a C8 Z06 then you are obviously a fan of big performance. Well, with 650 horsepower, a 0 to 60 time of 3 seconds flat, and a top speed within a hair of 200 mph the C7 Corvette Z06 has plenty of performance. Is the C8 version quicker around a track? Yes. Is the C7 Z06 fast enough that 99 percent of all owners could never reach its full potential? Also yes. You can pick up a nice example of a C7 Z06 for about 70 grand right now. For that sum you can get either the coupe or the convertible. You can even get one with a manual transmission if you want. And you will still have $80,000 left to spend on the rest of your Corvette collection.

C5 Project/Track Car – $10,000

If you are looking at a C8 Z06 you are likely a track junkie. And what track junkie would not love a dedicated track car? The new Z06 is amazing at the track. But the consumables are very expensive. Not to mention you are risking a six-figure car on the track. Instead, you might want to consider a somewhat rough C5 project car that you can build into a dedicated track monster. About 10 grand or so will get you the car. Then you can build it into a track rat as your funds and time allows. Then you can go beat on it on the track without fear.

C6 Convertible – $30,000

You got the performance and track stuff covered with the first two cars in the list. Now it is time to just get yourself a nice weekend cruiser. For $30,000 you can land yourself in a lovely example of a C6 Convertible. When the sun is shining and you have no particular place to go, just drop the top and cruise. These cars offer great value and plenty of performance for the money. And you still have $40,000 to spend on another Corvette before you hit the $150K budget cap.

You have the street performer, the dedicated track car, and your weekend cruiser. Now you can add a collectible Corvette to your collection. For that we look to the C4 ZR1. Prices of these are rising but $40K can still get you a nice 1990 – 1992 version of this iconic car. Drive it on occasion. Take it to shows. And just admire it. All while it likely appreciates in value. These are special cars and would be welcome in any enthusiasts Corvette collection.

The C8 Z06 is an amazing car. But this quartet of Corvettes would make for one hell of a consolation prize if you are not able to get into a new Z06. What do you think of the list? What Corvettes would you buy with your C8 Z06 budget? Let us know in the Corvette Forum forums.

Images: Chevrolet

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