SCOOP: Clarkson goes senile....
Discussion
Clarkson "reviewed" the Callaway C6 in the Sunday Times. He seemed to like it, saying that if he lived in the US he'd buy one. He then goes on to say that he wouldn't have one in the UK because as a statement it "wouldn't sit comfortably in the Cotswolds" although admitting that it isn't as brash as a Lambo.
Call me pedantic, but doesn't Clarkson own a Gallardo? And live in the Cotswolds?!
Of course he is a journo at heart: "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story"
Call me pedantic, but doesn't Clarkson own a Gallardo? And live in the Cotswolds?!
Of course he is a journo at heart: "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story"
I think that was the point.
He likes the car, but couldn't carry off the image over here.
I'm the reverse, I would be hesitant to own a Vette over in the US where they are more common (and owners have a slightly dubious image), whereas over here they are rarer and more individual.
He is selling his Gallardo Spyder BTW.
He likes the car, but couldn't carry off the image over here.
I'm the reverse, I would be hesitant to own a Vette over in the US where they are more common (and owners have a slightly dubious image), whereas over here they are rarer and more individual.
He is selling his Gallardo Spyder BTW.
There's some good jokes in it.
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=6077
ps I've been lurking on the corvettechat board for a while, but only recently signed up to Piston Heads.
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=6077
ps I've been lurking on the corvettechat board for a while, but only recently signed up to Piston Heads.
Exactly, he did have an SL55 (so did I but the bloody thing kept breaking down unlike my C6 which, for less than 1/2 the price has never let me down once). He then bought the SLK55, sporting a nice big normally aspirated V8 under the bonnet so it can't be that bad...
Edited by G4HKS on Tuesday 22 April 15:11
I read that article, I think he was too lazy to bother writing a new article as it was the same s
g-off-yanks-article I've seen a million times before.
He can be quite funny sometimes, I especially like it when people bother to write in and complain. But that article was a miserable effort that bordered on racism.
I was amazed that he actually praised the ride quality after sgging off the Z06 (which is fine in reality)
g-off-yanks-article I've seen a million times before. He can be quite funny sometimes, I especially like it when people bother to write in and complain. But that article was a miserable effort that bordered on racism.
I was amazed that he actually praised the ride quality after s
gging off the Z06 (which is fine in reality)You either find Clarkson amusing or not, but if you don't (or even if you do) don't confuse his writing with an attempt at a summary of the facts.
He does say "it’s an even better car than Chevrolet’s own hot Corvette, the Z06" and there are some good jokes, I thought, e.g. about corners (although in fact they do have corners in America, I believe).
(Z06 is a great car, but it's suspension isn't up there with a 911. Drive it on the twisties and you'll see...)
He does say "it’s an even better car than Chevrolet’s own hot Corvette, the Z06" and there are some good jokes, I thought, e.g. about corners (although in fact they do have corners in America, I believe).
(Z06 is a great car, but it's suspension isn't up there with a 911. Drive it on the twisties and you'll see...)
Come and drive on the roads near me - the Z jumps sideways right in the middle of some of the country bends. Actually, it becomes predictable when you know the road, but blimey it was cold sweat to start with, and always tricky on unknown roads (funnily enough, slowing down does the trick, 'cos there is plenty of grip and the suspension is not bad). Never had that with the Porker - mind you I'm talking 4S, not a rear drive widow-maker ;o) Love the Z more!
car95 said:
Come and drive on the roads near me - the Z jumps sideways right in the middle of some of the country bends. Actually, it becomes predictable when you know the road, but blimey it was cold sweat to start with, and always tricky on unknown roads (funnily enough, slowing down does the trick, 'cos there is plenty of grip and the suspension is not bad). Never had that with the Porker - mind you I'm talking 4S, not a rear drive widow-maker ;o) Love the Z more!
Exactly. The "Corvette hop" is very unsettling and the main reason I went for coilovers.With my Penskes, I would say the Z06's handling is now way better than any 911, although the steering feel could be a lot better.
Godzilla said:
car95 said:
Come and drive on the roads near me - the Z jumps sideways right in the middle of some of the country bends. Actually, it becomes predictable when you know the road, but blimey it was cold sweat to start with, and always tricky on unknown roads (funnily enough, slowing down does the trick, 'cos there is plenty of grip and the suspension is not bad). Never had that with the Porker - mind you I'm talking 4S, not a rear drive widow-maker ;o) Love the Z more!
Exactly. The "Corvette hop" is very unsettling and the main reason I went for coilovers.With my Penskes, I would say the Z06's handling is now way better than any 911, although the steering feel could be a lot better.
Interesting, I have a C6 and a 997 and its the steering that I feel lets the C6 down. With the Porker I can feel exactly where the thing is going, the C6 is not really in the same league. The ZO6 however might well be different. When I get one I'll let you know!
Edited by G4HKS on Wednesday 23 April 14:12
When I drove a 996 at the Palmer Audi day I found the handling to be terrible and the steering way too light.
A Caterham has proper handling. Neither the Corvette or 911 in any guise get close to how a proper car should feel.
Callaway tell me that they can do the coil over conversion for around EUR 4000 (very rough guess). Should take a day or so.
How much roughly were he coil over conversions that you folks have had done, and who by?
A Caterham has proper handling. Neither the Corvette or 911 in any guise get close to how a proper car should feel.
Callaway tell me that they can do the coil over conversion for around EUR 4000 (very rough guess). Should take a day or so.
How much roughly were he coil over conversions that you folks have had done, and who by?
As I said, the handling on my Z06 is now better than a 911 IMO, although the steering feel is still lacking.
The new steering rack on the 08s allegedly improves the steering feel, but very few cars (Caterham included) communicate through the wheel better than a 997 GT3.
The Callaway/Eibach coil-over set up does not do away with the leaf springs, they augment them and replace the standard dampers.
I personally have seen and read enough evidence to believe that the leaf springs are at least mainly responsible for the bumpy mid-corner "Corvette Hop" so I went for full Penske coilovers that ditch the monoleaves altogether.
I honestly can't remember what I paid for them, but I got custom dual springs too and the result is a Jag-like ride on the road, and GT3-beating handling on the track.
The new steering rack on the 08s allegedly improves the steering feel, but very few cars (Caterham included) communicate through the wheel better than a 997 GT3.
The Callaway/Eibach coil-over set up does not do away with the leaf springs, they augment them and replace the standard dampers.
I personally have seen and read enough evidence to believe that the leaf springs are at least mainly responsible for the bumpy mid-corner "Corvette Hop" so I went for full Penske coilovers that ditch the monoleaves altogether.
I honestly can't remember what I paid for them, but I got custom dual springs too and the result is a Jag-like ride on the road, and GT3-beating handling on the track.
I went for the Pfadt Coliovers and anti roll bars on mine, it soaks the bumps up better now and feels a lot more planted in the corners, although as I've not had the car on a track with them yet thats just on the road.
I think I paid slightly less than $3,000 for them excluding fitting and setup.
As said above, steering feel is not the greatest but I felt that the 997 front end flet too light and didn't inspire as much confidence, I suppose its personal preference at the end of the day.
I think I paid slightly less than $3,000 for them excluding fitting and setup.
As said above, steering feel is not the greatest but I felt that the 997 front end flet too light and didn't inspire as much confidence, I suppose its personal preference at the end of the day.
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