* Z06 Corvette...the reviews are out...not so hot?

[Tyson Schmidt]

Originally posted by RallyJon
No curb-jumping. You should come east sometime and enjoy the excellent twisty country roads we have in rural Pennsylvania. Bring your suspension travel, and don't worry too much about loose gravel and your paint job.

I'm not talking about running forest roads, just brisk weekend drives on wonderful paved and tar-and-cinder back roads. It requires a car that actually handles and by that I mean handles whatever the road throws up at it. My RS replica does fine, as long as I'm careful of the front spoiler, and not to drag the rear sway bar on highly crowned roads.

There are cars that turn decent times at the Nurburgring, but that don't require you to tippy-toe whenever the road gets a little choppy.

A serious west coast/sunbelt bias comes through loud and clear. Nice that you spend every weekend on a racetrack or a well-maintained road that never sees frost. I guess a ground scraping carbon fiber car would work well for you then.

I see your point. But to truly test a car, you have to push it to it's limit. That can't be done safely/sanely on any public road. IMO, the Nordschleiffe is the ultimate test of a cars absolute limits. It's got every type of turn, and every combination, with elevation changes, and long straights thrown in.

If you've mastered the 'Ring, you could go to any track in the world and recognize any type of corner.

[Craig 930 RS]

Dan -

and up yours, twice as far with a chocolate bar.

Sorry ol chum, Motor Trend SUCKS.

[PatrickB]

Originally posted by DG624
All that style and pushrods...l saw this car at Mid-Ohio and couldn't get any information on the standard features or modifications from last year. I seemed to know more than the sales people.

Is that really a surprise from a car salesman?

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

If pushrods work--which they obviously do--why diss them? It's like being condescending about a 911 engine because it only has sohc.

Stephan

[Craig 930 RS]

There is no doubt that it is a great or nearly-great car.
It seems that expectations were a bit higher than what was delivered, however.

Even with inflated markups, it still delivers a lot for the old dollar.
I'd love to drive one at the track.

[ianc]

If pushrods work--which they obviously do--why diss them?

Other solutions work better. Not saying they don't work, just that a flagship sports car is a funny place to find them...

iancc

[no substitute]

Sounds like GM has done good at a reasonable price. Take satisfaction that the USA's only sports car deports itself so well. This is a very significant achievement. My choice would still be the Porsche whatever, but that isn't to dis the Corvette. Similarly, admiring the Corvette's (GM's) achievement and the American workers, engineers, and designers who built it doesn't diminish Porsche's worth either. Credit where credit is due.

[PatrickB]

Originally posted by 89911
Words are words. Time is another thing and being that it has the 2nd fastest time behind the Carrera GT at Nurburing means plenty more to me then opinions.

Well said!
If I were a CGT owner (fantasyland), I would be more than a little "tweaked" to find out that an "American made" car costing 1/6th of the CGT's price, was just a few second's slower on that track!

The CGT is an AWESOME car, but for the ridiculous price, I would expect it to outperform the ZO6 by a MUCH higher margin..... How long will it take aftermarket guru's to come up with a supercharger kit for less than $10k, that will then leave the CGT in the dust??

I laugh when the critics say they thought the handling might have been a little "off." When exactly does "purchase price" come into play? The fact that one could purchase a NEW ZO6 car for <$70k that can out perform 99% of all new Porsches, Ferrari's, Lambo's, & Mercedes, has certainly caught my attention.... However, I don't know if I could get over the "mo-ped" thing.... You know... Where it's fun to ride one, but you'd never want your friends to see you! I'm not so sure I could buy one... I'd have to lose 6" of height, gain a pot belly, and wait for a receding hairline to appear before I'd look right behind the wheel of one.... Isn't that a pre-purchase requirement??

I will always be a Porsche fan, but have made my purchases based on purchase price, AND performance. Not purely for just a vehicle name plate. That's why I believe the early 70's Porsche's up to the late 80's will always be the best performance value for the dollar... While the newer Porsches offer terrific performance, they are GROSSLY over priced!!!!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Some would argue that having a single camshaft down low operating 16 big valves through a mechanism capable of 7,000 rpm is "better."

Stephan

[ianc]

Some would argue that having a single camshaft down low operating 16 big valves

So this is not a 4 valve engine then?

ianc

[PatrickB]

Originally posted by ianc
So this is not a 4 valve engine then?

ianc

Are Cool Collars available for the new Vette yet?

[island911]

Originally posted by RickM

Now you know why they say your '72 911 is a glorified Volkswagen.

touché

I am seeing that with a few exceptions "World class" isn't what it used to be. Some American cars have continued to improve . .. while others stagnate, relying on their name association.

[island911]

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
.. . I assume that the quasi-Lotus kit car with the Honda engine, which indeed did beat the CGT time, is not considered to be a true production car.

Stephan
Stephan

kit car?

Are you saying that tongue in cheek or sarcastic? (I cant tell)

. . .is a Ferrari a kit car too?

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

No, it's not a four-valve engine. It's just a big Briggs & Stratton. Works, though.

Stephan

[ianc]

No, it's not a four-valve engine. It's just a big Briggs & Stratton. Works, though.

Wow. Image how it'll work when they master OHC's and 32 valves.

ianc

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I'll be happy to tell you how to contact Dave Hill (Corvette chief engineer). Doubtless he could use your expertise.

Stephan

[ianc]

I'll be happy to tell you how to contact Dave Hill (Corvette chief engineer). Doubtless he could use your expertise.

Much as I appreciate your offer, you're probably better off referring him to one of your (no doubt) numerous contacts at Porsche. I'm sure they could help him more.

ianc

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

This thread has become tiresome and personally insulting. This will be my last post on Pelican.

Stephan

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by ianc
Ummm.... Yeah... I think they are getting their CORvettes and their CHEvettes mixed up when reckoning their fool economy...

ianc

I was hitting High 20's consistently in my 1990 z51 6speed car. It's entirely possible.

OBTW never, ever underestimate what can be done with a SBC - it's quite possibly the worlds most hotrodded engine. Nevermind the BS OHC technocrap flash in the pan whatever, these things RUN.

I'd buy a z06 given the chance.
rjp

[YTNUKLR]

Randy P, what's an SBC? I'm corvette challenged.