Z06 - finally!
Discussion
No, mine hasn't been delivered...
...but finally I got to drive a demonstrator on Saturday, which was the nicest day for a while.
Very impressed. Pretty well everything I've read turns out to be true.
The demonstrator's not got too many miles on it so I didn't rev it particularly highly, but nor was there any need to. What an accomplished car.
I'll only be telling some of you what you know far better than I but here goes:
Acceleration is excellent, from any speed and in (nearly) any gear. 6th really is a toothless overdrive but that's great for its cruising purpose.
The noise that accompanies that acceleration reminds one of a fighter jet launching. If most of the noise at low revs is from the tyres, above 3000 it is very, very different - a real beast.
Comfort levels are high and the seats are perfect for the purpose, at least for someone my shape. The Z06 is also very composed and high cruising speeds do not feel particularly fast - possibly a dangerous trait!
Tranny rattle a minor annoyance but I found the gearshift positive and clean; certainly not something I would take issue with as some have done.
The cargo space, to my utter delight, not only accommodates my rifles but also the large black rifle box that can house two of them when going on tour. The only other sports car I can think of that can do that comfortably is the TVR Tuscan that I am selling.
The car is an absolute beauty up close. Yellow is not normally to my taste but the VY demonstrator looked gorgeous in the sunshine outside my house and prompted queries from a neighbour within seconds.
A couple of bits of road (high up on the A3 and on a straight country road) provoked a bit of suspension bounce; but I drove the same stretches afterwards in the Tuscan and the experience was not dissimilar - it's just that you look for these things more critically in a new car. The Z06 also dealt with speed bumps with no more trouble than I'm used to.
Left hand drive was NO problem whatsoever. In town, the only time it was an issue was when trying to see round stopped buses in order to pass them. Otherwise, city driving was fine and kerb-crawling on the first sunny day for ages was made easier by LHD in a RHD country! On dual carriageways, again no problem at all; and, given the propensity for the majority of British drivers these days to hog the outside lane, being able to see more clearly underneath them (i.e. to their left) was no bad thing. The really pleasant surprise was that, after having blasted past a couple of cars on some real twisties, I realised that I hadn't even thought about being on the "wrong" side of the car while doing so. The process just hadn't been any different. And on long, straight, single lane roads, just hold back far enough that you can pull out safely to have a look, then go.
Now, those twisties... anyone who knows me will know I've been saving some good stuff until last. The test drive was planned to take us down to a couple of roads that I know very well, each with a series of quite tight bends that you can carry speed through. They are the roads on which I was mightily impressed with the TVR Sagaris few months ago. The Z06 performed beautifully. It felt very, very planted through the bends and the brakes felt magnificent. My Tuscan was waiting for me at Racing Green, so I was able to drive both cars on the same roads soon after each other. The Z06 had a bit more of a kick and felt, I think, slightly more planted than the Tuscan, and speeds through and out of bends were slightly higher. Were they as high as in the Sagaris a few months ago? I'm honestly not sure; that was the most confidence-inspiring car I had ever driven round those bends by far. But I'm pretty sure the acceleration from corner to corner and the brakes will have made up for any difference in speed through the bends, if indeed there was any.
That said, the ONE criticism I would make of the Z06, which was all the more obvious in that environment, regards the steering. It was not at all quick enough for such a high performance car. And feedback was nowhere near positive enough. I'd argue the wheel's a bit too large too. But one can cope.
I jumped back in the Tuscan afterwards and boy did it feel light by comparison. But it also felt a lot less torquey; and the kick you get close to 4000rpm was suddenly a lot more obvious, emphasising the Z's low end power delivery.
The Tuscan's still a great car, but am I looking forward even more to the Z06 arriving in June? You bet!
...but finally I got to drive a demonstrator on Saturday, which was the nicest day for a while.
Very impressed. Pretty well everything I've read turns out to be true.
The demonstrator's not got too many miles on it so I didn't rev it particularly highly, but nor was there any need to. What an accomplished car.
I'll only be telling some of you what you know far better than I but here goes:
Acceleration is excellent, from any speed and in (nearly) any gear. 6th really is a toothless overdrive but that's great for its cruising purpose.
The noise that accompanies that acceleration reminds one of a fighter jet launching. If most of the noise at low revs is from the tyres, above 3000 it is very, very different - a real beast.
Comfort levels are high and the seats are perfect for the purpose, at least for someone my shape. The Z06 is also very composed and high cruising speeds do not feel particularly fast - possibly a dangerous trait!
Tranny rattle a minor annoyance but I found the gearshift positive and clean; certainly not something I would take issue with as some have done.
The cargo space, to my utter delight, not only accommodates my rifles but also the large black rifle box that can house two of them when going on tour. The only other sports car I can think of that can do that comfortably is the TVR Tuscan that I am selling.
The car is an absolute beauty up close. Yellow is not normally to my taste but the VY demonstrator looked gorgeous in the sunshine outside my house and prompted queries from a neighbour within seconds.
A couple of bits of road (high up on the A3 and on a straight country road) provoked a bit of suspension bounce; but I drove the same stretches afterwards in the Tuscan and the experience was not dissimilar - it's just that you look for these things more critically in a new car. The Z06 also dealt with speed bumps with no more trouble than I'm used to.
Left hand drive was NO problem whatsoever. In town, the only time it was an issue was when trying to see round stopped buses in order to pass them. Otherwise, city driving was fine and kerb-crawling on the first sunny day for ages was made easier by LHD in a RHD country! On dual carriageways, again no problem at all; and, given the propensity for the majority of British drivers these days to hog the outside lane, being able to see more clearly underneath them (i.e. to their left) was no bad thing. The really pleasant surprise was that, after having blasted past a couple of cars on some real twisties, I realised that I hadn't even thought about being on the "wrong" side of the car while doing so. The process just hadn't been any different. And on long, straight, single lane roads, just hold back far enough that you can pull out safely to have a look, then go.
Now, those twisties... anyone who knows me will know I've been saving some good stuff until last. The test drive was planned to take us down to a couple of roads that I know very well, each with a series of quite tight bends that you can carry speed through. They are the roads on which I was mightily impressed with the TVR Sagaris few months ago. The Z06 performed beautifully. It felt very, very planted through the bends and the brakes felt magnificent. My Tuscan was waiting for me at Racing Green, so I was able to drive both cars on the same roads soon after each other. The Z06 had a bit more of a kick and felt, I think, slightly more planted than the Tuscan, and speeds through and out of bends were slightly higher. Were they as high as in the Sagaris a few months ago? I'm honestly not sure; that was the most confidence-inspiring car I had ever driven round those bends by far. But I'm pretty sure the acceleration from corner to corner and the brakes will have made up for any difference in speed through the bends, if indeed there was any.
That said, the ONE criticism I would make of the Z06, which was all the more obvious in that environment, regards the steering. It was not at all quick enough for such a high performance car. And feedback was nowhere near positive enough. I'd argue the wheel's a bit too large too. But one can cope.
I jumped back in the Tuscan afterwards and boy did it feel light by comparison. But it also felt a lot less torquey; and the kick you get close to 4000rpm was suddenly a lot more obvious, emphasising the Z's low end power delivery.
The Tuscan's still a great car, but am I looking forward even more to the Z06 arriving in June? You bet!
It's good to hear what you thought of it and it's fair to say, pretty much what we'd expect. The Vette carries a little more weight than some very specialist cars and the slightly lifeless steering/chassis are all part of the C5/C6 experience. One hell of a properly engineered car for the money though!
lnrd said:
Cheeky, my money is on you altering the "Acceleration is excellent" statement once you take ownership, run it in and see the rev counter in the 6,000 - 7,000rpm range.
I hope you don't mean it disappoints you at that level, which is all I can think of to stop me calling it excellent!
Hi Cheeky
Lee brought the car around to mine after you drove it and I had a bash. He was very impressed with your driving!
My thoughts:
Looks lovely, bit like my favorite, 288GTO. Yellow not for me! Good space and boot etc.
Slightly disappointed with the noise. Thought it would be louder. Loved the HUD, all cars should have that.
It was wet so left TC on, 1st and 2nd full bore fast but not mind blowing, higher gears very impressive. Brakes great, felt pretty small and agree that LHD was never really noticed.
All in all very excited about getting my red one in a couple of weeks.
Lee brought the car around to mine after you drove it and I had a bash. He was very impressed with your driving!
My thoughts:
Looks lovely, bit like my favorite, 288GTO. Yellow not for me! Good space and boot etc.
Slightly disappointed with the noise. Thought it would be louder. Loved the HUD, all cars should have that.
It was wet so left TC on, 1st and 2nd full bore fast but not mind blowing, higher gears very impressive. Brakes great, felt pretty small and agree that LHD was never really noticed.
All in all very excited about getting my red one in a couple of weeks.
jackg said:
Hi Cheeky
Lee brought the car around to mine after you drove it and I had a bash. He was very impressed with your driving!
My thoughts:
Looks lovely, bit like my favorite, 288GTO. Yellow not for me! Good space and boot etc.
Slightly disappointed with the noise. Thought it would be louder. Loved the HUD, all cars should have that.
It was wet so left TC on, 1st and 2nd full bore fast but not mind blowing, higher gears very impressive. Brakes great, felt pretty small and agree that LHD was never really noticed.
All in all very excited about getting my red one in a couple of weeks.
I didn't even consider taking TC off during a first drive!
When you say he was "impressed", do you mean impressed as in annoyed and a bit nauseous or genuinely impressed? I was aware that he had felt a bit white knuckle. Apologies if he was late getting to you.
jackg said:
Hi Cheeky
Lee brought the car around to mine after you drove it and I had a bash. He was very impressed with your driving!
My thoughts:
Looks lovely, bit like my favorite, 288GTO. Yellow not for me! Good space and boot etc.
Slightly disappointed with the noise. Thought it would be louder. Loved the HUD, all cars should have that.
It was wet so left TC on, 1st and 2nd full bore fast but not mind blowing, higher gears very impressive. Brakes great, felt pretty small and agree that LHD was never really noticed.
All in all very excited about getting my red one in a couple of weeks.
How did your colour change come about? Didn't you originally order LMB?
jackg said:
Cheeky, he felt it was a bit white knuckle!
Oredered mine in Dec and the first they could get was orginally Blue but I wanted a red one and one has come up for early delivery.
Jammy so-and-so. I ordered in Sept and will still be waiting in June!
Still, at least we won't get our cars mixed up at the Ship.
So Lee wasn't happy then? Oh dear. Could have gone a lot faster I think but couldn't bring myself to rag a car that wasn't run in.
Cheeky and I tested Tuscan v Z06 today.
The Tuscans shorter gearing helped it stay in touch at lower speeds, but the Z06 can go much further in 2nd gear and pulled away once the TVR ran out of revs. Neither car disgraced then, but Z06 is certainly a fair bit quicker.
>> Edited by JenkinsComp on Friday 31st March 14:11
The Tuscans shorter gearing helped it stay in touch at lower speeds, but the Z06 can go much further in 2nd gear and pulled away once the TVR ran out of revs. Neither car disgraced then, but Z06 is certainly a fair bit quicker.
>> Edited by JenkinsComp on Friday 31st March 14:11
[quote=JenkinsComp]Cheeky and I tested Tuscan v Z06 today.
The Tuscans shorter gearing helped it stay in touch at lower speeds, but the Z06 can go much further in 2nd gear and pulled away once the TVR ran out of revs. Neither car disgraced then, but Z06 is certainly a fair bit quicker.
quote]
Not having pushed the Tuscan hard for a long while, I was also surprised how well it kept up until the top of 2nd gear. After that, the Z06 was REALLY impressive. And the noise is stupendous. And the driver behind a Z06 had better not have his window wound down to listen to it or he'll get a mouth full of stones from those huge run-flat tyres!
I think Sagaris vs. Z06 on twisties would be VERY interesting if only it were legal. In a straight line, no contest from the point the TVR (any TVR) has to change up from 2nd to 3rd onwards. Possibly earlier than that if the Z06 driver uses 1st gear up to 60 (which I am sure Chris wouldn't).
Today makes me more impressed with the Tuscan and HUGELY more impressed with the Z06 than I was before.
(Edited to reflect Chris' edit!)
>> Edited by cheeky on Friday 31st March 14:17
>> Edited by cheeky on Friday 31st March 14:20
The Tuscans shorter gearing helped it stay in touch at lower speeds, but the Z06 can go much further in 2nd gear and pulled away once the TVR ran out of revs. Neither car disgraced then, but Z06 is certainly a fair bit quicker.
quote]
Not having pushed the Tuscan hard for a long while, I was also surprised how well it kept up until the top of 2nd gear. After that, the Z06 was REALLY impressive. And the noise is stupendous. And the driver behind a Z06 had better not have his window wound down to listen to it or he'll get a mouth full of stones from those huge run-flat tyres!
I think Sagaris vs. Z06 on twisties would be VERY interesting if only it were legal. In a straight line, no contest from the point the TVR (any TVR) has to change up from 2nd to 3rd onwards. Possibly earlier than that if the Z06 driver uses 1st gear up to 60 (which I am sure Chris wouldn't).
Today makes me more impressed with the Tuscan and HUGELY more impressed with the Z06 than I was before.
(Edited to reflect Chris' edit!)
>> Edited by cheeky on Friday 31st March 14:17
>> Edited by cheeky on Friday 31st March 14:20
It was interesting to see these cars together, there weren't any TVRs at the EVO test.
I'd been thinking how small the Z06 is, having been tooling around in a 4th Gen Camaro, but the Tuscan makes the Z06 feel big, it is about 6 inches or so wider for sure. Lovely pair of motahs really.
>> Edited by JenkinsComp on Friday 31st March 14:19
I'd been thinking how small the Z06 is, having been tooling around in a 4th Gen Camaro, but the Tuscan makes the Z06 feel big, it is about 6 inches or so wider for sure. Lovely pair of motahs really.
>> Edited by JenkinsComp on Friday 31st March 14:19
cheeky said:
And the noise is stupendous.
Other people keep telling me that. Thing is, inside the Z06 it is so quiet and refined, you don't get the blare from the exhaust that others keep telling me about. The Tuscan makes nice crackly noises like my Sylva/Vauxhall XE & Camaro does.
>> Edited by JenkinsComp on Friday 31st March 14:23
JenkinsComp said:
And the noise is stupendous.
Other people keep telling me that. Thing is, inside the Z06 it is so quiet and refined, you don't get the blare from the exhaust that others keep telling me about. The Tuscan makes nice crackly noises like my Sylva/Vauxhall XE & Camaro does.
>> Edited by JenkinsComp on Friday 31st March 14:23
I don't hear those either
Good reason to let someone else drive one's car from time to time!
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