I'd get the Z06 put twin turbo on it 1600hp and its cheap to tune.

I owned a Z06 for 2 years, and man that was easily the most fun car you can ever buy. The torque and acceleration, and circling through those gears, was just amazing each day.

I can imagine the ZR1 is even more so.

Well. My eyes are tired after reading all that.

Anywho, here's my two cents:

I owned a 2011 Shelby GT500 (traded the C63 for it), ended up chopping the mufflers off, fitting some wide rubber on, and that was about it.

My thoughts: It was an impressively entertaining / powerful car. I'm sure the 2013's power bump will be damn near hazardous. There is nothing like moving through gears (only really 3 in town) with that epic power, but every time I hopped in / shut the door / popped the trunk, I was reminded that I was in a Ford product.

Here I do have to confess that I was raised in MBs and expect the vault-like doors & heft. There were no rattles / other really legitimate complaints as far as fit & finish. But I am now back in an AMG. So for me, the power was supplanted by the desire for outstanding fit & finish.

I think the most illuminating thing you could do in this situation is try like hell to drive each of them (significantly easier said than done).

And as a short PS - when I was looking at trading my CLS, my dealer said there were nearly 100 used CLS63s floating around (he didn't explicitly say 2012, but I'd assume a lot of them were). So maybe that's a path you could explore.

2010 ZR1 1500 miles. 94K. You can neg down to 90K im sure. Why would anyone buy a black series over this is beyond me.

I think a lot of people are bored with the same old vette styling/image and archaic interior. A similar statement can be made about Porsche from the body styling standpoint. It's classic alright but not very progressive and some people want something different for a change. If you live in a major metro area you will find porsche and vettes all over the place. A body style that hasn't changed all that much in many years. I see more of both of those than c63s. I have also driven a z06 and own a porsche so I'm not knocking them on the whole, esp. from the performance standpoint. The ZR1 does add some different body styling cues, esp. from the side, but it still looks similar to a regular vette. I would have trouble picking it out from a distance unless it was at the right angle. That's just one of the reasons why I recommend the GTR. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. Drive them all and decide for yourself. The c63 black series is without a doubt something special and very limited production. If I had to choose, I would without a doubt take it over a vette.

Have put 10K miles on a GTR in 12 months. It is great car, that is lots of fun to drive. Mine is bone stock and it will still out accelerate virtually any car you'll encounter.

Maintenance for me has been virutally nothing as related to cost of ownership. My dealer paid for the 1000 mile service and I paid for the 6000 mile service. It was only about $250. Next service in 2k miles

Don't hesitate to use it as a DD either. A tad stiff for the first few thousand miles, but it softens. I don't even use the "comfort" setting much anymore.

However, I have always liked Mustangs and 650 hp would keep you smiling.

Not a Corvette fan, but would support either the 'Stang or the GTR.

Completely agree with this post.

Just sold my c63 for a GTR 4 months ago. It isnt as bad of a daily driver as people make it out to be, especially on the comfort setting. The only thing i miss with the C63 is the exhaust note, but that can easily be fixed with an exhaust on the GTR. Other than that, the GTR is a amazing car.

I think the GTR is expensive to maintain. They don't have a spare tire, they use run flats, so for a DD, unless you are cool with getting towed rather than using a spare, you have to stick with run flats. GTR warranties are relatively short. Having said all of that, GTR's look awesome, they sound good, especially with aftermarket exhaust and they have so much performance potential. They do feel small when you are inside of them, though.

Z06's are beasts and they sound amazing. If you cam and header them they sound even better. You have to be a hardcore Vette guy to want to live with on as a DD, but everyone takes their straight line performance seriously.

The 2013 GT500 has a new, amazing engine. The car will be a beast in every respect. But, the straight axle is something that bothers some people. The next GT500 will come out probably in 2015, so a while from now. You can make the 13' GT500 an 700 whp car pretty easy and it will be a monster in the 1/4 mile. I'm sure the car will take plenty of abuse. But, you have to really like the styling of the car. I personally, don't really love the way it looks, but I love the thought of all of that power, with a warranty.

GTR looks the best and has a really stout engine and fast shifting trans. GT500 is all about the engine. Z06 is a Vette (I think you either love them or are just so-so on them).

I would pick GTR if you can afford the running costs. If you're smart and patient during car shopping, you can find a great example, but I think it would help to have a little extra cash to be able to hold out for pristine examples.

Gorgeous looking car!!!

Great post.

I would take the ZR1 over the BS but I like your thought process behind your answer.

Thanks. In the end they are both great cars that most car enthusiasts would be very happy to own....I'm sure most would own both if possible.

I hate to throw a wrench into your plans but at the $$ we are talking about have you considered a Viper as well?

Nothing turns heads of all the cars mentioned like a Viper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...#ht_500wt_1182

You beat me to it, I was thinking exactly the same thing reading my way through this thread. Coupe or C-vert available, 600hp starting point (last generation) and a nasty attitude that you just have to respect.

Absolutely will be my next addition but the C63 stays

Im thinking on buying the Viper in the link I posted and keeping my C63 as well now!!


You are messing up my plans _AMG_

I have never driven a Viper before but always heard not so great things about them. My friends out on the east coast who like to do a lot of track events refer to the Viper as the widow maker. With that said though, I'd probably still get one if circumstances allowed for it.

That is correct. The lack of traction control is a major factor. The 2013, which will have a 8.7-liter V-10, will have the federally mandated traction control. Not a very good daily driver and the interior is painful to look at....not far off from the vette. Not to mention the cabin is very noisy (not in a good way) the ride is extremely harsh. For a weekend or track car it would be fun, but you have to be an excellent driver to drive this car near it's limits....otherwise it can easily get away from you. The SRT10 ACR did put down an amazing Ring time with a professional driver.

If you're keeping the c63, I say go for it.

C63 is better street car than the GT-R, in my opinion. It's easier to live with and sounds amazing. The GT-R is rare (where I live) and I didn't enjoy being followed home or to the store by guys asking what is was or if they could have a ride! The GT-R didn't seem to attract much female attention (hmmm). I love cars and I appreciate the interest people have but after a couple of months being followed became annoying.

The GT-R is faster and quicker for sure but in reality the C63 is plenty fast enough, especially with a tune. If you use the GT-R for street use only the maintenance costs are low. If you track the GT-R it gets real expensive (tires, brakes, fluid changes,). If you abuse the car or tune it or mod it and lose the transmission it's big $$$. If you treat it well the trans should not be a problem. Being able to adjust the clutch capacities and touch points for the DCT transmission allows you (well, the dealer) to set it up as you want it and the shifts as very quick. The GT-R is easier to drive quickly due to its AWD and software. Launching it is simple and provides incredible 0-60 times. I think the C63 takes more skill to drive quickly.

Tire wear is worse on the C63. I found the tire wear quite good on my GT-R but I had the all season tire option which offer almost the same dry grip as the "summer tires" but better wet grip and much better wear.

Depreciation is much MUCH worse on the C63. The GT-R holds it's value well and is quick to sell second hand .

MB service and dealers (where I live) are far better than Nissan dealers. GT-R has to be serviced at a GT-R approved Nissan Dealership by a GT-R certified technician. Unless the tech sees many GT-R's he is only book trained with not much hands on experience. Not good. They also like to drive them - I took mine in one time and when I picked it up it had 47 more miles on it!

Paint work sucks on the GT-R's - very soft paint. It scratches if you look at it wrong. I had a black one (I know, I know) and it was a nightmare. Both of my C63's were/are black and the paint quality and hardness is in a different class all together.

GT-R is obviously a lot more expensive to buy than a C63. If you're looking at second hand then the price difference is even greater. However, total ownership cost is typically less with a GT-R due to it's higher retained value.

In the end it all depends what your goals are. You'd be happy with either. I enjoyed them both and I am very happy with my second C63.

Can't comment on Corvettes as I have no experience with them.

Hate to see your beast go since it is absolutely HOT!!!

BUT...

IF I had to choose...GT-R. Knowing your taste in mods, I am more than certain you will NOT disappoint with whatever you get!

OHHHH MAN that's sexy!!

Totally agree on all aspects, I love all 3 cars but would definitely need some extra cash for the GT-R just in case (maintenance, mods, etc). Seen a couple of low mileage 2010's in the 70K range.

Haha I see an ACR in your future Jim.
I know you will make it into a fire breathing monster!


Thanks for the detailed review, just what I was looking for from a GT-R owner.

Haha not letting go of the C63 just yet ma brotha.
I would love to mod up a GT-R though.

GT-R is my choice, then Test out the new CTSV or RS5 as well.. they bump up easy and are reliable at that power..

Great comments as I also had a GTR and now drive a C63. The tire wear is better on a GTR ? Damn I got 8000 miles on my tires and it was $1800. for replacement. My other comment is the paint. My diamond white C63 has so much orange peel ,I thought I bought a car painted in a chop shop. The GTR (gunmetal) paint was PERFECT. My biggest disappointment with the C63 is the paint.

3 pages of civil and mature conversation on a subject that almost always leads to trolls and fanboy posts. Congrats to all, there is still hope for MBW.