Missing In Action - The C6
Discussion
Interesting question. If C5 experience is anything to go by they were pretty scarce in UK during the early years with a very low level of "official" sales. In the final year around 2002 I think only about 30 Vettes were sold in UK - a tiny number. The numbers in UK rose later when the £/$ exchange rate made it good business to buy second-hand C5s in USA and import them for onward sale. With the exchange rate now around £1 = $1.85 we can look forward to some well priced C6 imports as depreciation takes its icy hold on the US market!
I've not followed C5 Z06s very closely but they don't seem to command much of a premium over base C5s in the UK compared with their original selling price differential. Whether that's because they were all US imports without warranty I don't know. You'd think it would become irrelevant after 3 years. It's also possible I guess that the "specialist maintenance" perception of ZR-1 has rubbed off onto Z06 even though they are very different approaches to increased performance.
I've not followed C5 Z06s very closely but they don't seem to command much of a premium over base C5s in the UK compared with their original selling price differential. Whether that's because they were all US imports without warranty I don't know. You'd think it would become irrelevant after 3 years. It's also possible I guess that the "specialist maintenance" perception of ZR-1 has rubbed off onto Z06 even though they are very different approaches to increased performance.
Well, I've a VY ragtop on order with a delivery date of January and there was another guy with a red metallic on order at the same dealer.
I've only ever actually seen a regular C6 once other than the demo car.. and that was in the pitlane at the Spa LMES round. Then again I've only seen two Z06s - one on the approach to Spa same weekend and one in the pits at Le mans this year
I've only ever actually seen a regular C6 once other than the demo car.. and that was in the pitlane at the Spa LMES round. Then again I've only seen two Z06s - one on the approach to Spa same weekend and one in the pits at Le mans this year
It is odd, as I mentioned previosuly while out doing Driving Adventures this summer,
the Vette was only second to the 911 in terms of most 'spotteds'
10-20 every trip was the norm and a real mix of 3/4/5/6 and ZO6, but here in the UK, where are
all the 6s hiding?
Even on the Beaulieu run this Sunday there only appears to be 3 out of 50+ Vettes?
Can't be that they are not a good car as they certainly are, but is the price perhaps
too close to the ZO6?
the Vette was only second to the 911 in terms of most 'spotteds'
10-20 every trip was the norm and a real mix of 3/4/5/6 and ZO6, but here in the UK, where are
all the 6s hiding?
Even on the Beaulieu run this Sunday there only appears to be 3 out of 50+ Vettes?
Can't be that they are not a good car as they certainly are, but is the price perhaps
too close to the ZO6?
Remember the car itself is much more & more spec Sat nav side air bags 6.0V8 with 400bhp now, improvements on almost everything & the price is more accross europe, I remember grey import dealers selling C5 vettes for around 40k new US imports & when the 50th annversary model came out that was 50K!!!
Yes they are more money than C5 were but it seems they have gone up!
Yes they are more money than C5 were but it seems they have gone up!
Well there seem to be a lot of people who won't entertain LHD. Clarkson didn't do it any favours despite a recent admission he'd quite like one. For me, I think the reason is that it's ugly. The C5 had a low slung supercar look to it and nothing that could really compete in the looks and price department. The stumpy, taller, narrower C6 doesn't. I've only seen one round here and I think that was a Stratstone car. Still think the C5 aces it in the drama department.
LuS1fer said:
For me, I think the reason is that it's ugly. The C5 had a low slung supercar look to it and nothing that could really compete in the looks and price department.
You're not alone in that opinion. There is a lot of disappointment with the C6 styling in the states. I've been around long enough to remember the introduction of the C3 (1968) the C4 (1984)and the C5 (1997). I witnessed more (noticeably more) negativity with the C6 introduction than with any of the other series.
I wonder if this had an impact on the quick retirement of Dave Hill (Corvette Chief Engineer).
But, the C6 does have some technical improvements; though "appearance" is the most important aspect of a new car purchase for many.
The Z06 C6 -though- with its extra width front & rear, goes a long way in making it look lower and meaner. I can tolerate the C6 Z06 - but not the standard C6.
Edited by Mike Mercury on Sunday 17th September 19:32
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