A week with a C6 'vette
Discussion
blindswelledrat said:
Excellent write up.
IM always struck by how much better (lower and wider and more menacing) those cars look in the flesh than in the picture. I love them.
Whats the difference between the C6 and the Z06?
Thanks!IM always struck by how much better (lower and wider and more menacing) those cars look in the flesh than in the picture. I love them.
Whats the difference between the C6 and the Z06?
Z06 is the 7 litre lump rather than 5.7. Lighter, faster, harder etc
blindswelledrat said:
DOes the Z06 render the C6 slightly irrelevant or are they quite different in nature?
In other words is there any reason you would byuy the C6 as a preference other than price?
The Z06 can be a bit tiresome as an everyday car.Some will say they are perfectly fine.With the Z06 you get a fixed roof unlike a C6 where you can have the targa.In other words is there any reason you would byuy the C6 as a preference other than price?
I would have gone for a Z06.But budget at the time dictated a C6-Z51 which i am more than happy with.
The base Corvette is well priced and IMO represents the best value for money in the range. Available either as manual or a very good flappy-paddle auto.
Z06 is very, very quick and has a somewhat nicer chassis. Manual transmission only. The question becomes "just how quick do you want to drive on the road?"
The Corvette being marketed most strongly at the moment is the Grand Sport. It's a sort of cross between the base car and a Z06. It has the base engine (only 430 bhp!) and a steel chassis (as opposed to aluminium) with the slightly wider body and Z06 brakes. IIRC this is the only model of the Corvette for "official" sales in Europe during 2011. I think they are trying to use its higher price point to build a base level for the new C7 Corvette which is due in about 18 months time. That car will be a further update of the remarkably successful C5/C6 package and should be a good one!
Z06 is very, very quick and has a somewhat nicer chassis. Manual transmission only. The question becomes "just how quick do you want to drive on the road?"
The Corvette being marketed most strongly at the moment is the Grand Sport. It's a sort of cross between the base car and a Z06. It has the base engine (only 430 bhp!) and a steel chassis (as opposed to aluminium) with the slightly wider body and Z06 brakes. IIRC this is the only model of the Corvette for "official" sales in Europe during 2011. I think they are trying to use its higher price point to build a base level for the new C7 Corvette which is due in about 18 months time. That car will be a further update of the remarkably successful C5/C6 package and should be a good one!
I drove the C6 from Caesar to the Grand Canyon Skywalk and back. I had been told about the dusty 12 mile trail for the last part of the journey but my uncle assured me it would be fine even in a sports car. It was not 
The damn thing near shook itself to death but drifing pretty much constantly for 12 miles there and back with a V8 roar was sooooooo much fun. I cannot begin to imagine the damage it did to the car though - when I filled up I noticed a golf ball sized deformation in the rear tyre which is probably $300 to replace. The plastic wings had largely undressed themselves as well. Glad I paid the full insurance waiver thing.
Anyway, fantastic car and relentlessly fast. The Z06 must absolutely haul ass and the ZR1 must be near untouchable!! I fancy getting a VXR8, which has the same engine, however, I fear that 400kg and a brick-like nose will radically blunt the performance as I remember it.
The damn thing near shook itself to death but drifing pretty much constantly for 12 miles there and back with a V8 roar was sooooooo much fun. I cannot begin to imagine the damage it did to the car though - when I filled up I noticed a golf ball sized deformation in the rear tyre which is probably $300 to replace. The plastic wings had largely undressed themselves as well. Glad I paid the full insurance waiver thing.Anyway, fantastic car and relentlessly fast. The Z06 must absolutely haul ass and the ZR1 must be near untouchable!! I fancy getting a VXR8, which has the same engine, however, I fear that 400kg and a brick-like nose will radically blunt the performance as I remember it.
Splats said:
I fancy getting a VXR8, which has the same engine, however, I fear that 400kg and a brick-like nose will radically blunt the performance as I remember it.
Isn't a VXR8 a Pontiac G8 with a manual box? Even the auto G8 GT I drove would do a near 14 second quarter with a moron like me behind the wheel. That's not slow in anyone's book surely.The performance of the VXR is a total enigma to me.
An LS3 VXR8 has 1830kg to lug via the rear wheels (with a proper LSD) and 420bhp to propel it. That gives it a p/w/r of 233bhp/ton.
A BMW M3 (e46) has 221bhp/ton and that is assuming it makes it's full 343bhp, which often they fall short of. Despite this it is commonly accepted that an M3 will quarter in low 13's and sprint from 0-100mph in just under 12 seconds. However, the common consensus is that the VXR8 is a 14+ second car and that it takes almost 14 seconds to hit 100mph from standstill. IMHO, that is pretty damn slow if you consider that a classic 215bhp Impreza was 14.5 seconds and that many of the current breed of hot-hatches are faster. More confusing still is the fact that the e55 AMG is regarded as a 10-second car (0-100mph) and yet it is the same weight and a similar size to the VXR8, yet only has about 10-12% more power. Despite this it is somehow a full 3.5-4 seconds faster to 100mph?
When you ask this of any of the VXR8 owners they become all defensive but in my mind something doesn't add up. I even looked into gearing and it's not like the VXR8 is epically long (like some Monaro's were). It simply doesn't seem to perform like it should in theory and yet no explanation is given.
I really fancy one and still intend to drive one at some point. But I doubt it's "character" will be enough to satisfy me if it really does take 14s to the ton. The same engine and gearbox in the vette will see 100mph in 9.5 seconds.
.....that's my "why is the VXR8 not as fast as it should be" rant for the day
An LS3 VXR8 has 1830kg to lug via the rear wheels (with a proper LSD) and 420bhp to propel it. That gives it a p/w/r of 233bhp/ton.
A BMW M3 (e46) has 221bhp/ton and that is assuming it makes it's full 343bhp, which often they fall short of. Despite this it is commonly accepted that an M3 will quarter in low 13's and sprint from 0-100mph in just under 12 seconds. However, the common consensus is that the VXR8 is a 14+ second car and that it takes almost 14 seconds to hit 100mph from standstill. IMHO, that is pretty damn slow if you consider that a classic 215bhp Impreza was 14.5 seconds and that many of the current breed of hot-hatches are faster. More confusing still is the fact that the e55 AMG is regarded as a 10-second car (0-100mph) and yet it is the same weight and a similar size to the VXR8, yet only has about 10-12% more power. Despite this it is somehow a full 3.5-4 seconds faster to 100mph?
When you ask this of any of the VXR8 owners they become all defensive but in my mind something doesn't add up. I even looked into gearing and it's not like the VXR8 is epically long (like some Monaro's were). It simply doesn't seem to perform like it should in theory and yet no explanation is given.
I really fancy one and still intend to drive one at some point. But I doubt it's "character" will be enough to satisfy me if it really does take 14s to the ton. The same engine and gearbox in the vette will see 100mph in 9.5 seconds.
.....that's my "why is the VXR8 not as fast as it should be" rant for the day
Z24, Z28 and Z71 (PU) was taken from the prefix of the suspension package part number IIRC. As for the Z06, it's a Chevy part number prefix more than likely and could be associated with suspension as I'm sure it was upgraded along with the engine.
Evidently, I'm wrong. Z stands for Zora (Duntov) apparently and someinformation suggests 2=2 doors 8=V8. As for the Z71 nothing fits since Duntov would have had nothing to do with a truck but a performance engine may be the key. 06 has me baffled.
Evidently, I'm wrong. Z stands for Zora (Duntov) apparently and someinformation suggests 2=2 doors 8=V8. As for the Z71 nothing fits since Duntov would have had nothing to do with a truck but a performance engine may be the key. 06 has me baffled.
Edited by mikliska on Saturday 5th February 00:42
WTFWT said:
I had a ride in a C6 again today and I have to say, on UK roads it felt even more rapid than I remember. Also felt very tied down.
It’s still a great package for the money.
good thread chap, I'm nowhere near a C6 but I thinking now that a C5 might be a closer to my desire for a Mustang than I had thoughtIt’s still a great package for the money.
.We got a c6 z51 last year. Coming from a background of quick Porsches, tvr, lotus etc. Its been quite a surprise. Its a well engineered and nice car to own. The interior is genuinely not that bad. Not a million miles off 90s Porsche, light years ahead of tvr in terms of production feelingness as you would expect and substantially better than the Ferrari 348 I spent a fair bit of time in about 10 years ago.
Its relatively economical, very quick and handles fantastically.
It has its flaws, parts are dirt cheap till you put tax and delivery on from the USA then they are more in the Porsche range but nothings hard to get or eye watering expensive.
The import "specialists" can be cowboys and you need to know any conversion work is done right or be prepared to do some rectification work yourself.
They aren't as big as they appear, ours goes in a normal garage happily. Luggage space and practicality is good and they are very spacious inside. Getting rid of the factory head unit for a UK double din with reversing camera/Bluetooth/usb has made it even nicer inside.
The engine is fantastic, gearbox is nice (manual), brakes are brilliant, suspension compliant but no roll. Altogether I really like it. And they are a bargain to be honest. LHD isn't the issue some people worry about. To be honest I worry about the ability of anyone who feels they couldn't drive a LHD car. I'd imagine a LHD Punto would be a pain in this country but in a quick car overtaking is anything but an issue. Car parks are however. But I find it easier driving a LHD in the UK than a rhd in Europe, as we go to Europe a fair bit the corvette will be very pleasant.
I'm not looking forward to replacing the rear tyres. They don't look cheap.
Its relatively economical, very quick and handles fantastically.
It has its flaws, parts are dirt cheap till you put tax and delivery on from the USA then they are more in the Porsche range but nothings hard to get or eye watering expensive.
The import "specialists" can be cowboys and you need to know any conversion work is done right or be prepared to do some rectification work yourself.
They aren't as big as they appear, ours goes in a normal garage happily. Luggage space and practicality is good and they are very spacious inside. Getting rid of the factory head unit for a UK double din with reversing camera/Bluetooth/usb has made it even nicer inside.
The engine is fantastic, gearbox is nice (manual), brakes are brilliant, suspension compliant but no roll. Altogether I really like it. And they are a bargain to be honest. LHD isn't the issue some people worry about. To be honest I worry about the ability of anyone who feels they couldn't drive a LHD car. I'd imagine a LHD Punto would be a pain in this country but in a quick car overtaking is anything but an issue. Car parks are however. But I find it easier driving a LHD in the UK than a rhd in Europe, as we go to Europe a fair bit the corvette will be very pleasant.
I'm not looking forward to replacing the rear tyres. They don't look cheap.
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