TVR vs Corvette Z06
Discussion
Have done a few thousand road miles in S6 cars (not a Sag though...) and also in a C6 [Hertz rental car...dubbed ZHZ]. Not sure of the differences between a Z06 and a ZHZ, and ours had a fair few miles under its belt. But despite the miles and abuse the 'vette seemed pretty solid and well put together. Personally I look the like of the C6 corvette, but it doesn't have the visual impact of a sag, or even a tuscan. Lots of folks slate off the corvette interior and while it certainly has a mass-produced look with nothing like the sense of occasion of a TVR (but even with TVRs, nothing matches the Cerb IMHO), I found it perfectly fine.
Taking a TVR as the benchmark, the initial drive in the 'vette through town had me thinking it was pretty soft. My wife has an MX5 automatic and she could have driven the 'vette down to the shops without noticing much difference. She only drove a TVR once, and gave up hating it after 1/2 a mile! She's quite a discerning passenger though and loved the corvette.
On the open road - freeways first - the 'vette was smooth and relaxed in a way no TVR could ever be...and at this point I was still undecided if this was a good or a bad thing. More grunty low down, and more revvy top-end too which surprised me. Loads of stories abound about slow revving US lumps, but although the 'vette lacked the hair-trigger response of the TVR in neutral, under load the revs came up plenty fast and I doubt anyone could tell it was a pushrod motor by the way it loved to rev.
I didn't drive a TVR and a corvette back-to-back, but seat-of-the-pants feel was that the 'vette was quicker throughout the range, except than on an auto-box (even in manual) it lacked the instant punch in the back when flooring it. The 'vette didn't feel as sharp as a TVR, but this is an illusion I think, as in truth ot would take twisties in it's stride that I reckon would have a standard TVR getting out of shape. And folks will also slate off the [carbon] rear leaf spring on the 'vette, but I wouldn't have known was the suspension was just by driving it - just that it was well set up!
And this was the most astonishing thing of the car, how it tracked difficult roads at speed. We did a lot of desert roads with dips and crests, and uneven surfaces that would have anything I've ever driven tramlining all over the place, but the 'vette ran straigt and true. In fact I ran the 'vette faster on a real bumpy (but straight) road faster then I've ever been in a TVR...motorways, track days, whatever. Better too than the Masser, despite it's 'skyhook' and other trick suspension goodies.
You may have guessed by now I was mightily impressed by the Corvette; it was the most capable car over a wide range of conditions that I've ever driven...and ours was just an old rental hack! Put it this way, I was real serious about getting rid of the Maserati (nice days and touring), the Tuscan (track days) and the pick-up (daily hack) and just getting a Corvette as it would cover intercontinental miles better than the masser, wouldn't be too much off the Tuscan's pace on track with a little work, and would be happy toodling up to tescos or sitting in the airport car park unloved for weeks at a time. The only thing that put me off in the end was the LHD; I just didn't think I could live with it in the UK. If I was in LHD-land, then I'd have the corvette over the TVR in a flash...except actually, I probably would have the TVR just for the kudos. If they ever come as standard in RHD I'll be having one.
Chevrolet have made the car the TVR should have been; maybe just a bit soft, but then there's the ZR1
Taking a TVR as the benchmark, the initial drive in the 'vette through town had me thinking it was pretty soft. My wife has an MX5 automatic and she could have driven the 'vette down to the shops without noticing much difference. She only drove a TVR once, and gave up hating it after 1/2 a mile! She's quite a discerning passenger though and loved the corvette.
On the open road - freeways first - the 'vette was smooth and relaxed in a way no TVR could ever be...and at this point I was still undecided if this was a good or a bad thing. More grunty low down, and more revvy top-end too which surprised me. Loads of stories abound about slow revving US lumps, but although the 'vette lacked the hair-trigger response of the TVR in neutral, under load the revs came up plenty fast and I doubt anyone could tell it was a pushrod motor by the way it loved to rev.
I didn't drive a TVR and a corvette back-to-back, but seat-of-the-pants feel was that the 'vette was quicker throughout the range, except than on an auto-box (even in manual) it lacked the instant punch in the back when flooring it. The 'vette didn't feel as sharp as a TVR, but this is an illusion I think, as in truth ot would take twisties in it's stride that I reckon would have a standard TVR getting out of shape. And folks will also slate off the [carbon] rear leaf spring on the 'vette, but I wouldn't have known was the suspension was just by driving it - just that it was well set up!
And this was the most astonishing thing of the car, how it tracked difficult roads at speed. We did a lot of desert roads with dips and crests, and uneven surfaces that would have anything I've ever driven tramlining all over the place, but the 'vette ran straigt and true. In fact I ran the 'vette faster on a real bumpy (but straight) road faster then I've ever been in a TVR...motorways, track days, whatever. Better too than the Masser, despite it's 'skyhook' and other trick suspension goodies.
You may have guessed by now I was mightily impressed by the Corvette; it was the most capable car over a wide range of conditions that I've ever driven...and ours was just an old rental hack! Put it this way, I was real serious about getting rid of the Maserati (nice days and touring), the Tuscan (track days) and the pick-up (daily hack) and just getting a Corvette as it would cover intercontinental miles better than the masser, wouldn't be too much off the Tuscan's pace on track with a little work, and would be happy toodling up to tescos or sitting in the airport car park unloved for weeks at a time. The only thing that put me off in the end was the LHD; I just didn't think I could live with it in the UK. If I was in LHD-land, then I'd have the corvette over the TVR in a flash...except actually, I probably would have the TVR just for the kudos. If they ever come as standard in RHD I'll be having one.
Chevrolet have made the car the TVR should have been; maybe just a bit soft, but then there's the ZR1
There is a Top Gear drag race with a T350 and a Corvette C6, the TVR wins easily. I think the Z06 is the much more powerful model? Is it in the same price range? Lots of grunt, sounds good, handles OK.
Whatever the case, unless you find an Australian import the Corvette will be LHD and it has a rubbish interior.
Whatever the case, unless you find an Australian import the Corvette will be LHD and it has a rubbish interior.
Targarama said:
There is a Top Gear drag race with a T350 and a Corvette C6, the TVR wins easily. I think the Z06 is the much more powerful model?
Z06 would leave any TVR standing...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziH_Nrt1Ooc
505bhp, 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds at 122 mph.
Of course, it would be interesting to see what would happen if you put that engine in a TVR...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
RM75 said:
Targarama said:
There is a Top Gear drag race with a T350 and a Corvette C6, the TVR wins easily. I think the Z06 is the much more powerful model?
Z06 would leave any TVR standing...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziH_Nrt1Ooc
505bhp, 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds at 122 mph.
Of course, it would be interesting to see what would happen if you put that engine in a TVR...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
That's me in the video, against a friend and his Z06. For me, the Z06 is the only car I could sell my Cerb for. Either I'll buy one in a year or two, or I'll fit an LS7 into the Cerb for ultimate performance.
I do find it funny (and mildly irritating) how some people post the most uninformed comments on youtube. Apparently I can't drive and my 4.2 is down on power! Clearly, a 4.5 would have mullered the Z06 blah blah..... The truth is there was almost no chance of me beating that Z06. It is a very fast car indeed and was well driven on the day - beating a Lambo Gallardo Superleggera and the year before it pegged a SL65 AMG. In fact last time I spoke with the owner it was undergoing the full Katech Track package including a 620hp engine upgrade
I do find it funny (and mildly irritating) how some people post the most uninformed comments on youtube. Apparently I can't drive and my 4.2 is down on power! Clearly, a 4.5 would have mullered the Z06 blah blah..... The truth is there was almost no chance of me beating that Z06. It is a very fast car indeed and was well driven on the day - beating a Lambo Gallardo Superleggera and the year before it pegged a SL65 AMG. In fact last time I spoke with the owner it was undergoing the full Katech Track package including a 620hp engine upgrade
AdvocatusD said:
Hi all
Just wondering if there is any first hand experience here of owning/driving both a S6 TVR (Tamora, T350, Sagaris) and a Corvette Z06?
Look forward to hearing the replies.
Yes Dar.Just wondering if there is any first hand experience here of owning/driving both a S6 TVR (Tamora, T350, Sagaris) and a Corvette Z06?
Look forward to hearing the replies.
Did the direct comparison betwen the Z06 and my Sag over the same roads I drove you. Mail me for my ideas.
Jellison and myself had a test drive a few years ago in central London,mental car very fast,hit 130 on the elevated bit of the A40 in town in a matter of seconds,HUD was fantastic and the car felt very solid and planted.
Jellison turned off the TC and had it smoking sideways past the American embassy!.I think LS7 in a Sag is the way to go,I need to sell more bricks!
Jellison turned off the TC and had it smoking sideways past the American embassy!.I think LS7 in a Sag is the way to go,I need to sell more bricks!
RM75 said:
Targarama said:
There is a Top Gear drag race with a T350 and a Corvette C6, the TVR wins easily. I think the Z06 is the much more powerful model?
Z06 would leave any TVR standing...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziH_Nrt1Ooc
505bhp, 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds at 122 mph.
Of course, it would be interesting to see what would happen if you put that engine in a TVR...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Well, i should be able to try it this week.
LS7 Sag sounds awesome - that should be almost untouchable.
I like this vid - quite surprising how fast a tuned LS7 can be, the tuned Z06 clearly outdrags a ZR1 and sounds awesome......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3GaUKNaYkc
I like this vid - quite surprising how fast a tuned LS7 can be, the tuned Z06 clearly outdrags a ZR1 and sounds awesome......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3GaUKNaYkc
RM75 said:
Targarama said:
There is a Top Gear drag race with a T350 and a Corvette C6, the TVR wins easily. I think the Z06 is the much more powerful model?
Z06 would leave any TVR standing...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziH_Nrt1Ooc
505bhp, 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds at 122 mph.
Of course, it would be interesting to see what would happen if you put that engine in a TVR...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Excuse me.
11.6 @ 125 i thankyou
dbv8 said:
RM75 said:
Z06 would leave any TVR standing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziH_Nrt1Ooc
505bhp, 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds at 122 mph.
Of course, it would be interesting to see what would happen if you put that engine in a TVR...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Any TVR standing?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziH_Nrt1Ooc
505bhp, 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds at 122 mph.
Of course, it would be interesting to see what would happen if you put that engine in a TVR...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Excuse me.
11.6 @ 125 i thankyou
Griff 500 / Z06 / Lambo VT6 at Spa
only messing for the cameras but both lambo and Z06 were biblicly quick up the Kemmel straight!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMY_kjQ6eJ8
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tvrmonster#p/u...
Happy days!
only messing for the cameras but both lambo and Z06 were biblicly quick up the Kemmel straight!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMY_kjQ6eJ8
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=tvrmonster#p/u...
Happy days!
Edited by Guillotine on Wednesday 5th May 08:41
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