Just test driven a Z06..

[B15TT0]

And i'm now left with a difficult decision..

Currently have a Porsche 996 GT3 (having changed from a C5 6 speed last year). I think the GT3 is a fabulous car but i do love Corvettes and really like the sound of the Z06 so went to test drive one at BM in Manchester today.

First impressions on the Z06 compared to the GT3:

Exterior Looks - Scores very highly. Looks mean, lean (much more than C5)and different to other cars on the road. Doesn't have quiet the same race car stance that the GT3 does though.

Interior - Worse than the Porsche. Loads of gadgets and better than C5 but plasticky with some truly ugly bits like the starter button thing. Wheel feels a bit nasty too.

Low Speed Ride: Softer / More compliant than the GT3. Much easier to drive despite the LHD (which i'm used to anyway from previous vette)

High speed ride - didn't get to find out. Busy roads and raining

Sound: Too quiet for my tastes but I know how easy it is to make the vettes noisy. Didn't rip like I thought it would with the butterflies in the exhaust open. Perhaps it wasn't getting extended enough or something.

Performance - didn't get to throw it around any twisties but the few prods of the throttle I had reminded me that I love big capacity v8s for the effortless acceleration. Would love to ring one out and see what it can do.

So i don't really know what to do. I like it but it didn't blow me away like I thought it would. If they did a Z06 superleggera / clubsport with buckets and more noise i think it would be perfect.

Have I just not witnessed what the Z06 can do and with a few choice mods could make one more my scene, or am i better of sticking with the GT3 and ingnoring the lure of the V8...

[Godzilla]

Test driving a Z06 without being able to rev it through its full range is not going to reveal its true power. Although hardly lacking in low end torque, the LS7 only becomes mind-blowing when you can extend it to 7100rpm...

[LuS1fer]

EVO report that Porsche have just made the 100,000th Porsche 997. If you want something exclusive and fast, without breaking the bank, it has to be the Z06. It's hardly fair to compare the interiors when you're paying nothing for it by comparison and there are plenty of aftermarket leather pieces you can buy for the Vette to improve the interior.

I can't help thinking we are somewhat spoilt these days and wonder when a durable and functional interior became unacceptable...

[roscobbc]

Perhaps the japs have the right idea. Low rent trim for people who are buying the performance and not the interior of the vehicle.

[ParkLane]

Godzilla said:

Test driving a Z06 without being able to rev it through its full range is not going to reveal its true power. Although hardly lacking in low end torque, the LS7 only becomes mind-blowing when you can extend it to 7100rpm...

I agree. Once you get past 5000rpm you'll realise what you're missing and want to keep going back for more.

Just a reminder that there is an official dealer in Newcastle who I'm sure would be willing to take you on an extended test drive - I think the Ron Fellows demo is up North ast the moment (otherwise I've lost it!) Have a chat with Julian.

James

[Beemer-5]

Isn't peak power at 6,200 rpm?

[ERIKTHEVETKING]

Beemer-5 said:

Isn't peak power at 6,200 rpm?

Only if you're too scared to go past 6,200

Need more power? A simple cam, tune and headers then 600 horses are at your disposal.

You want more noise, easy... cut off the back boxes like I did and make it sound like an earthquake roaring down the road.

Racing looks, well, it's the meanest looking thing out there (especially in black). Maybe I'm biased but it looks a hell of a lot meaner that a Porker any day... Besides, I think I passed about 25 porkers today

I'm amazed at all this Wussy talk about interiors in sports cars these days. Jesus christ you'll all want make up compartments next so you've got somewhere to put your lip gloss and eye liner.

[vetteheadracer]

If it was me I would sell the GT3, bank the money in US$ at the very favourable rate, go to the Detroit Motor Show in January with your pile of US$ or atleast the deposit part of it.....wait for what GM will reveal and then put your deposit down with the first dealer that will offer you a good price and then wait until September 2008

Trust me you won't be disappointed!

[Godzilla]

vetteheadracer said:

If it was me I would sell the GT3, bank the money in US$ at the very favourable rate, go to the Detroit Motor Show in January with your pile of US$ or atleast the deposit part of it.....wait for what GM will reveal and then put your deposit down with the first dealer that will offer you a good price and then wait until September 2008

Trust me you won't be disappointed!

You talk as if the Z07/SS/Blue Devil is some sort of secret!

How much will it be in the UK, James? If it is approaching £100k, it may struggle, but it will be an amazing car nevertheless...

[B15TT0]

vetteheadracer said:

If it was me I would sell the GT3, bank the money in US$ at the very favourable rate, go to the Detroit Motor Show in January with your pile of US$ or atleast the deposit part of it.....wait for what GM will reveal and then put your deposit down with the first dealer that will offer you a good price and then wait until September 2008

Trust me you won't be disappointed!

Now now.. don't start me with crazy ideas like that or i'll end up over in Detroit with an itchy trigger finger and suddenly finding myself putting a deposit down on the `new GM city car` or something.

You need to be more specific for eejits like me - is this the `super vette` you speak of? How much do you think it will retail at over there? <oh, and how long is a piece of string?>

As for all the chat about interiors - i know it's all about the performance but the interior is still the bit you see most of the time! The bit you are sat in when in traffic etc.

However, you're right. I think this is all because i have missed the power/point of the beast - i need an extended test drive where I can't take my eyes off what is coming towards me!

I have a black with black wheels Z06 as my desktop background at the moment. Things are not looking good...

[vetteheadracer]

I promised Gary Claudio Head of Corvette Marketing I wouldn't spill the beans......hence the vague posting

I would guess at $100,000 which is about £48,000 at current exchange rates plus VAT, DUTY etc.
I also know approximately how many will be produced and for how long the car will be part of the Corvette range before all are replaced with the C7, but my lips are sealed.......

[B15TT0]

ParkLane said:

Godzilla said:

Test driving a Z06 without being able to rev it through its full range is not going to reveal its true power. Although hardly lacking in low end torque, the LS7 only becomes mind-blowing when you can extend it to 7100rpm...

I agree. Once you get past 5000rpm you'll realise what you're missing and want to keep going back for more.

Just a reminder that there is an official dealer in Newcastle who I'm sure would be willing to take you on an extended test drive - I think the Ron Fellows demo is up North ast the moment (otherwise I've lost it!) Have a chat with Julian.

James

Thanks for the suggestion but have tried ringing them to arrange a test drive etc but both numbers on the Stratstone website go through to a fax machine . Rang a central number, got given a different number for the Ncl garage and it just keeps ringing out!

No wonder there aren't many UK sales if you can't get in touch!!

[roscobbc]

I have been holding back on a ZO6 test drive (in case I find I really want one). Test drove a C6 manual last week and was quite impressed with the driveabilty and smoothness of the car especially in town. The manual gearbox is perhaps not as positive as I would have liked. The sub legal speed limit performance was OK and similar (if far less dramatic) than my L36 427 4 speed C3. What did come as a surprise was how smooth and uneventful the upper-end performance was. Pulled on to motorway, floored it in 3rd, took it up to just below red-line, looked at speedo display expecting to see 75/80ish and I was doing 125! Now I am going to presume the Z06 is going to be like this but with steriods-so I think I will have pass on the test drive as I will have great, great difficulty running that past 'er indoors'

[B15TT0]

going out in the Ron Fellows edition at 3pm - Should be fun!!

[ringram]

The new 08 model trans is apparently improved as is the suspension in the base model... Plus it has more power and displacement

[roscobbc]

ZO6 in white ----------pure car

[B15TT0]

Fast

[roscobbc]

Is that it----------just 'fast'! you must have something more to say than that!

[Cuban]

roscobbc said:

Is that it----------just 'fast'! you must have something more to say than that!

He must have bought it and is still out driving, but just managed to send the
word "Fast" while refuellling from an XDA II

[roscobbc]

Perhaps he is 'shell shocked' from the experience!