For less than a Carrera, you get more than a Turbo

[82SC]

BMW has them too...they can see if you've been to the track etc... how many lauches you've done with SMG...it can void your warranty

MJ

[89911]

Originally posted by dd74

What to replace it with? I don't know. I've spoken to some racers and seen in person the Lotus Elise. The new Mustang GT looks nice, particularly the Shelby, the S2000, the EVOs and WRXs, even the 2006 GTI and the new RX-8 looks interesting, both of which are much more versatile than a 911.

Most of the cars you've quoted can flat out beat a 911, let alone the Z06. And I'm not talking track tuned 911's with the price of their car matched with suspension and engine components. I don't think thats ever been the case with me, since I kind of appreciated their 30 year old suspensions and underpowered engines. The 911, at least older ones, were never developed to be power mad cars. Fun to drive, with great feedback and reward for driving skills. That said, it is very hard to continue to rely on skills to compete with twice the horsepower and modern suspension. It's time for me to compete in vintage racing

[MAS]

I don't care what the so-called EPA ratings say, but a 7 liter engine is gonna be a gas pig (not that anyone would buy one for the fuel economy).

-MAS

[JeremyD]

How does the saying go, "I would rather drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow" Well, here we are...

[sammyg2]

Have you sat in one? I have. Well not really sat, more like scrunched.
I didn't fit, and hit my head on the roof line both getting into the car and out. Even in a more prone position in the seat than was intended my head still rubbed on the roof. No way could I drive that car with a helmet.
I suppose for someone more vertically challenged that might not be a problem.
I also felt as if i was sitting in a hard plastic box. Nope, not one for me, thanks.
And me driving a mustang? not if they were giving them away free. Ever.
My daughter asked if she could have a mustang when she gets her license, I told her the only way she will ever get a mustang is if she moves out and buys it herself. Aint gonna have one of those POS parked in my driveway.
Did I mention that I hate ford with a passion?

[silverc4s]

You really gotta stop hiding your true feelings, Sammy!!

[sammyg2]

Yeah I know, Mr. subtle

[911teo]

I think the most fun comes from driving a car close to its limits.

Today's cars either feel numb or have limits so high that can only be approached on a race track.

This Corvette seems great on paper... but it does not represent MY idea of a FUN car.

[ozz]

Matteo makes a good point which I have wrestled with every few years when it comes to thinking about new vehicles. And that is, when and how often will you really get use even 80% of the vehicles capability for which you will pay so handsomely? Certainly not on the street which is where most of us spend the vast majority of time with our vehicles. SO, if I spend a ton of cash (Porsche, Chevy Z06, Ford Cobra, Viper, you decide) and get significant performance capabilities that I'll never tap, what do I really have except a huge payment and the knowledge that I have all of that lurking under my right foot. Until track day of course - assuming I'm willing to take my 60K-70K car on the track (where it will be most at home) and drive it to my fullest capability. As Tom on Dream Car Garage puts it - " Do you really need all that power and performance - no - but do you want it - hell yes."

Further to Matteo's point re: your idea of a fun car.... A friend of mine spent several years rebuilding a 1969 Chevy Z28 that he first purchased way back in high school. He has built a fuel injected big-block with full engine management system, updated the suspension and kept the stock appearance and repainted with original factory color. Very neat car for sure. Last spring he got what I am told was a great deal on a new 50th anniversary Z06 which he bought. The Z28 has been to the track, the Z06 hasn't, most weekends when he takes a car out, its the Z28. The Z06 sits on the lift with 800 miles on it since spring of 04. Nice to have that choice but I guess it really coems down to what your idea of a fun car is.

All this being said, if I'd hit the lottery and have copious disposable cash available, you can bet an 06 Z06 would be in the garage - probably next to the GT3.

[masraum]

If I hit the lottery there are lots and lots and lots of cars that I'd have before I even remembered the Z06, and I think it's a pretty cool vette.

[TurboRuf]

Originally posted by kqw
Big flash in the pan as always. After 3 or so years and several thousands of miles, I wonder how reliable the car is going to be.

$65K as a starting point... You want: A/C, Leather, CD player, Power seats, Premium wheels, Side Air bags, etc., etc. And the car is now well over $80K..only to be worth $40K in 2 years and $30K two years after that.

Buy into the GM "genre" if you like, but eventually you'll get burned.

kqw,

You hit the nail on the head. It may sound good on paper but the reality of owning a Vette is much different.

[911nut]

Originally posted by kqw
Big flash in the pan as always. After 3 or so years and several thousands of miles, I wonder how reliable the car is going to be.

$65K as a starting point... You want: A/C, Leather, CD player, Power seats, Premium wheels, Side Air bags, etc., etc. And the car is now well over $80K..only to be worth $40K in 2 years and $30K two years after that.

Buy into the GM "genre" if you like, but eventually you'll get burned.

Fox, buddy, your living in the past. GM and Ford have quality equal to Toyota and better than Honda on many of the products they build, FYI.

[Wrecked944]

I think GM has thrown down the gauntlet. But I suspect Stuttgart will decline the challenge. We are living in an era of HP wars where speed is again in fashion. Will Porsche respond?

Frankly, I think a twin turbo Cayman S would decimate sales of the new 'Vette. But I doubt the boys in Stuttgart would build it.

[RarlyL8]

A twin turbo Cayman would cost TWICE as much as a Z06.

[kqw]

Originally posted by 911nut
Fox, buddy, your living in the past. GM and Ford have quality equal to Toyota and better than Honda on many of the products they build, FYI.

You may be correct..but living that past is where experience and knowledge eminates....I'm not trying to bash GM..Lord knows that Folks/we need those jobs here in the U.S.

Look what's happened to Mercedes Benz since Chrysler got it's hands on them...

But..come on, you've been around, you know what GM is....their philosophy, so called quality and service. GM has been saying/spewing propaganda regarding quality since the mid 1980's.

Folks that have experienced GM, Ford and Chysler know what these cars are. They fit a niche and that's fine. I just don't want to buy a new GM car every 3 years because it's falling apart or has safety issues.

GM etc. keep trying to get into a niche where they cannot effectively compete both quality or image wise. The Allante was to compete with the Mercedes SL's, The Pontiac Bonneville was to compete with the 5 series BMW, The "New" Thunderbird was to compete witht 3 series BMW and SL's. The Buick was touted as the "Style" of America....re: Harley Earle....Please...

Our Domestic car manufactures should ID a niche, dominate it and continue to improve on product and stop trying to encroach upon a market niche where they are clearly inferior.

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by MAS
I don't care what the so-called EPA ratings say, but a 7 liter engine is gonna be a gas pig (not that anyone would buy one for the fuel economy).

-MAS

GM dictated a few years ago that no GM product could be subject to the gas guzzler tax. (That's why Cameros and Corvettes with the 6-speed trannys have the 1-4 skip shift that many disable.)

The current Vette will get 30 mpg on the highway. Most ways to get more performance out of an engine make it more efficient, so it improves economy when you keep your right foot off the carpet.

I have driven the C-6, and it's a very impressive car. The Z06 is another 100 hp, and 100 lbs lighter. I don't buy anything new, but I wouldn't rule out buying a used Z06 someday.

[kqw]

Originally posted by Dantilla
The current Vette will get 30 mpg on the highway.

And you REALLY believe that? A Vette won't get that kind of millage coasting down hill....

[Craig 930 RS]

"GM and Ford have quality equal to Toyota and better than Honda on many of the products they build, FYI."

You have got to be joking......esp GM.

[Dantilla]

A friend has a C-5 roadster, and gets 30 mpg when crusing on the freeway. Says he gets over 20 around town. Averages about 25.

[tsuter]

Who wants a car whose demographic is balding white males in their 50s on their second or third wife who make in the measely high fives or maybe low low hundreds like $130K or less.

I feel sorry for GM. Young kids used to want Corvettes.

What went wrong????