RE: Driven: Corvette ZR-1
Discussion
G4HKS said:
said:
Miguel When Jeremy Clarkson said that the Z06 is hard to live with and its shift quality was agricultural, or something along those lines, I thought he was on crack.
The Z06 does what that kind of car is supposed to do but also is great at the subjective stuff, which typically Yank cars aren't as good at. I even thought its shift quality was very good. Miguel
I agree on the shift quality. From 2008 model year they altered the linkage and my Z06 is superb, almost approaching BMW prescision. (Unlike my previous 2005 C6 where the shifter was sometimes a bloody nightmare). In addition the ride quality is far improved as no doubt Mr. VetteHead Racer will confirm, using his on a daily basis. The Z06 does what that kind of car is supposed to do but also is great at the subjective stuff, which typically Yank cars aren't as good at. I even thought its shift quality was very good. Miguel
The C6 Z06 I drove was a 2006, so it was before the 2008 improvement you mentioned. The 08's (all versions) are also said to have improved steering feel, BTW. At any rate, I thought that the shift quality was actually better than that of BMW's because BMW shift quality is certainly precise, but it feels a bit rubbery to me, not as snick snick as I like. The Vette has none of that. I also think, though it's been a while, that BMW throws are rather long for my taste. The Vette's is slick and precise and the throw is also pretty short.
For 2007+, the rear shocks of the Z06 have different specs and are totally retrofitable to the 2006. They provide a slightly softer ride with more predictable handling. I realize that I drove it on smooth roads, but I've also driven very mundane cars with a worse ride. Also, since this article is on the ZR1, its ride is even better due to its magnetic shocks, which are also used on some Ferraris. It's GM technology that Ferrari uses under license. All in all, any Vette is seriously fast and will make a great daily driver. I think it's a fantastic value in the US, though I think that the price of the ZR1 in the UK is a bit much. As always, a large chunk of the extra amount you pay on your side of the pond is thanks to the British government.
Miguel
Shattering performance, and I'm sure it does sound epic.
Don't think you can really get anything else that will perform aswell, for that sort of cash?
So yes, VFM it certainly is.
And, Corvettes to have something about them - sounds nice saying you "own a Corvette". Suppose it does hae a little exotica to it!
But for me, I'd rather have a 996 GT2, which has been fully-fettled, that won't be too far off this sort of performance, cheaper, and the build quality would be soo much better.
Interior does look s
te and very Jap-like. Infact, the GTR interior seems better.
But, this is just my opinion......
Don't think you can really get anything else that will perform aswell, for that sort of cash?
So yes, VFM it certainly is.
And, Corvettes to have something about them - sounds nice saying you "own a Corvette". Suppose it does hae a little exotica to it!
But for me, I'd rather have a 996 GT2, which has been fully-fettled, that won't be too far off this sort of performance, cheaper, and the build quality would be soo much better.
Interior does look s
te and very Jap-like. Infact, the GTR interior seems better.But, this is just my opinion......
He must do nothing else but post on PH.
Who in their right minds is going to buy a "butchered" right had drive converted supercar?
Just imagine braking hard at your first hairpin and nothing happens and you carry straight on!! Too late then to complain to anyone about your "wonderful after-market right hand drive conversion".
Who in their right minds is going to buy a "butchered" right had drive converted supercar?
Just imagine braking hard at your first hairpin and nothing happens and you carry straight on!! Too late then to complain to anyone about your "wonderful after-market right hand drive conversion".
I really couldn't care about the traction control button. Do people moan about having to shut an F40 door by pulling on a string? Thought not!
Anyway, the Corvette picture on the traction control button is a C5 not a C6. Oops.
Check out the oval lights and rounder botty.
Can someone with a C6 check if they have a C5 rear end on their TC too?
Anyway, the Corvette picture on the traction control button is a C5 not a C6. Oops.
Check out the oval lights and rounder botty.
Can someone with a C6 check if they have a C5 rear end on their TC too?
GT Driver said:
Erm Supercar... Leaf springs... am i missing something?
Yes you are. If you think the transverse composite spring is a problem what you are missing is an understanding of how the Corvette's front suspension works. The transverse spring spans between the front wheels and is very light. Interestingly, the Corvette also uses a transverse leaf in the rear. Most people don't realize it has a transverse leaf at both(!) ends.
Read up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_spring
(I think that was posted earlier in the thread so I don't know why this question would be asked again)
I love this car. I love the performance and looks. However, I live in Britain and I would never drive one here. This is because it is too wide and only available in left hand drive. If I lived in America or had a house there then I would not hesitate in buying one because I think that it's the perfect car for America.
Reading back through this comment I have thought of one other reason why I possibly wouldn't have one. It's called the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Reading back through this comment I have thought of one other reason why I possibly wouldn't have one. It's called the Porsche 911 Turbo.
ollysmith said:
I love this car. I love the performance and looks. However, I live in Britain and I would never drive one here. This is because it is too wide and only available in left hand drive. If I lived in America or had a house there then I would not hesitate in buying one because I think that it's the perfect car for America.
Reading back through this comment I have thought of one other reason why I possibly wouldn't have one. It's called the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Ah, an individual.Reading back through this comment I have thought of one other reason why I possibly wouldn't have one. It's called the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Have you noticed that whenever a muscle car or Corvette is tested, the tester will highlight all it's flaws and won't be able to stop smiling. That's what it's all about, not clinical ability with no character.
I think this thread about the ZR1 vs R8 V10 sums it all up:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f13/top-gear-ch...
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 7th July 21:42
I grew up with classics like the Nova, Mustang, Charger, I like an honest down to earth US muscle car. In the early 80's my uncle moved back from PA leaving my father with his Stingray for the winter months. I will scan some pictures of it actually as it was quite an amusing shade of yellow. Anyway I cant see why this revision cant sell well. It isn't huge, has an LS9 and the interior for once is under control (although it has never been its strongest point). I only hope that they have sorted the ride out for our shocking roads.
The only shame is that its kicking around at 100K USD and we wil be asked to pay out the equivalent in Sterling.
The only shame is that its kicking around at 100K USD and we wil be asked to pay out the equivalent in Sterling.
LuS1fer said:
Oh and sure the ZR-1 is 3" wider than the 911 Turbo but no wider than an XKR for example (whose width excludes mirrors where the Vette includes them IIRC)and I'm not sure if the 911 width includes or excludes the mirrors.
I'm not 100% sure about the wide-body C6 cars but I think they're similar to C5 which is wide at the back. Width across the rear fenders is pretty much the same as width from mirror-tip to mirror-tip.I still have a hankering for a Z06 or GrandSport, having rented a C6 on holiday.
I've been brought up on light, nimble cars ( Westfield, Caterham, Elise, Europa) and I'm currently talking myself out of having an Evora into a more 'sensible' 3 year old £30K Cayman S as a daily driver.
But everytime I see a Corvette, or even a Corvette thread, my holiday memories come back.
Is it like a holiday drink that you should never taste in the UK? I've had bad sangria experiences back home, and I fear the Corvette is best left as a holiday romance. Am I right or wrong?
I've been brought up on light, nimble cars ( Westfield, Caterham, Elise, Europa) and I'm currently talking myself out of having an Evora into a more 'sensible' 3 year old £30K Cayman S as a daily driver.
But everytime I see a Corvette, or even a Corvette thread, my holiday memories come back.
Is it like a holiday drink that you should never taste in the UK? I've had bad sangria experiences back home, and I fear the Corvette is best left as a holiday romance. Am I right or wrong?
Redlake27 said:
I still have a hankering for a Z06 or GrandSport, having rented a C6 on holiday.
I've been brought up on light, nimble cars ( Westfield, Caterham, Elise, Europa) and I'm currently talking myself out of having an Evora into a more 'sensible' 3 year old £30K Cayman S as a daily driver.
But everytime I see a Corvette, or even a Corvette thread, my holiday memories come back.
Is it like a holiday drink that you should never taste in the UK? I've had bad sangria experiences back home, and I fear the Corvette is best left as a holiday romance. Am I right or wrong?
Wrong. I've had two Corvettes and they're great and make every drive an event. The C5 Z06 is hardly heavy at 1414kg or about 200lbs lighter than a Mk 6 Golf RI've been brought up on light, nimble cars ( Westfield, Caterham, Elise, Europa) and I'm currently talking myself out of having an Evora into a more 'sensible' 3 year old £30K Cayman S as a daily driver.
But everytime I see a Corvette, or even a Corvette thread, my holiday memories come back.
Is it like a holiday drink that you should never taste in the UK? I've had bad sangria experiences back home, and I fear the Corvette is best left as a holiday romance. Am I right or wrong?
Redlake27 said:
I still have a hankering for a Z06 or GrandSport, having rented a C6 on holiday.
I've been brought up on light, nimble cars ( Westfield, Caterham, Elise, Europa) and I'm currently talking myself out of having an Evora into a more 'sensible' 3 year old £30K Cayman S as a daily driver.
But everytime I see a Corvette, or even a Corvette thread, my holiday memories come back.
Is it like a holiday drink that you should never taste in the UK? I've had bad sangria experiences back home, and I fear the Corvette is best left as a holiday romance. Am I right or wrong?
I think a Vette can work well in the UK, but you need to remember it won't be like driving a Boxster about, as in it'll attract attention everywhere you go, and you'll probably get fed up of people asking you "is it a Ferrari?"I've been brought up on light, nimble cars ( Westfield, Caterham, Elise, Europa) and I'm currently talking myself out of having an Evora into a more 'sensible' 3 year old £30K Cayman S as a daily driver.
But everytime I see a Corvette, or even a Corvette thread, my holiday memories come back.
Is it like a holiday drink that you should never taste in the UK? I've had bad sangria experiences back home, and I fear the Corvette is best left as a holiday romance. Am I right or wrong?
If you do get one, my advice would be to keep a small pot of money in hand to do a few mods also. A proper exhaust
will just make it even more fun, and a lot of extra power can be liberated from simple cheap to do mods.
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