Depends on what you're going to do with it. If you're going to show off and
drive a little get the Z. If you're going to show off and drive allot
economically in comfort get the C5.

====================
For a driver the 2004 without a doubt..
.
The ZR1 is special (the engine alone was a $35,000 option) and finding
repair parts at reasonable prices for the engine may be difficult)..

For weekend use in the summer etc...I would most likely go for the
Zr-1 But it would see much more time in the garage then on the road..

Bob G
64 72 & 98 ragtops
76 & 70 coupes

Charles:

If you want something special, get the ZR1.
The LT5 engine is essentially bulletproof.
It was designed that way, it remains that way today.
Parts aren't cheap (what Corvette parts are?), but you'll never need
anything other than the usual wear and tear items.
There are ZR1s out there with 150k miles plus still going strong with no
major engine repairs.
The LT5 engine is not too difficult to work on if you're handy with
tools and can read a Helms manual.
If you can't change your own oil or spark plugs maybe this isn't the
best car for you.  Finding a *good* mechanic that can service your LT5
without screwing something up can be an expensive challenge.
Even though the engine is bulletproof, the rest of the car is a C4
Corvette with all the usual Corvette problems.

There were only 6939 ZR1s made over 6 years of production.
It's special.
It's still faster than most cars today, 17 years later.

The C5 is a good car, it's easier to get into than a C4, and maybe a
little more comfortable on the road.
Big deal.
There's Thousands and Thousands and Thousands of them.
Little old Ladies drive them to Bingo games. Old men drive them to get
their nose hairs cut at the barber shop. They have HUGE butts.
How special is that?

Your car, your decision.

You'll have to pry the keys for my ZR1 out of my cold stiff fingers.

TomC
'90ZR1 #792