Latest EVO Mag
Discussion
Also letter of the month pointed out that the ZR1 'ring lap time beat three of the so called "supercars" from last months feature and cost £100,000 compared with the £450k average for these "supercars". (The guy somewhat lost the plot though by saying that £100k was not unreasonable for the car when given the US list price it is plainly not the case unless the £ vs $ rate deteriorates a lot.)
vetteheadracer said:
Also letter of the month pointed out that the ZR1 'ring lap time beat three of the so called "supercars" from last months feature and cost £100,000 compared with the £450k average for these "supercars". (The guy somewhat lost the plot though by saying that £100k was not unreasonable for the car when given the US list price it is plainly not the case unless the £ vs $ rate deteriorates a lot.)
As a Corvette enthusiast, I'm keen to offer my support to Mr Dobie.Clearly, Corvettes should be cheaper here than all competitors.
We should be the only retailer to maintain parity with US prices.
In fact, ZR1 should be free given how well we looked after the US forces in the second world war.
No, I'm wrong. They should be free and come with a rebate as well to pay us back for the war of independence and the tea those naughty Yankees threw into Boston harbour.
Is it time for my medicine yet Nurse?
Edited by Le Man on Sunday 12th October 22:32
This is what I actually said. I probably had too much to say...
Being across the pond, we always receive the issues a bit late. The price we pay for the finest auto mag that I am aware of.
Having said that, there are a few areas that the most recent issue failed the test:
1) The Corvette ZR1 covers the ring in 7:26.4 which while mentioned in your article, "Lords of the Ring", would qualify for 4th place ahead of the Porsche and Koenigsegg. The article does not point out the fact that the 100,000 pound price figure for the Corvette is a relative pittance compared to the average cover charge of 461,000 (average price of the 5 supercars tested). All five Supercars are 5 star cars while the Corvette is 4.5 stars. All were LHD. I hoped for a greater acknowledgement of the ZR1's feat than you offered in your article.
2) To quote EVO, ".Part of the price (numerically almost the same as the US price in dollars, which suggests an attractive profit margin)..." , why does EVO begrudge the ZR1 being sold for a profit when the 5 Supercars are priced on average 4.6 times greater than the Corvette? Do you think there is a profit margin in these 5 Supercars? Is it wrong? Without a profit margin, do you think cars like this would ever be developed? Does Evo exist in the absence of a profit motive? As a subscriber, Evo costs 12 times Road and Track. I hope Evo is making a profit and I have no problem with that as long as Evo delivers content that is worth 12 times Road and Track.
3) To quote Evo, "We've arrived at Monticello, where a bunch of rich and sometimes famous have each sunk $125,000 into building of a fine race track". What image are you trying to conjure up? There certainly appears to be a very condescending attitude emanating from Evo regarding enthusiasts who want to drive their cars at the limit without fear of a police officer or camera to separate their money from their wallet. Who do you think would or should build a race track? The government funded by taxpayers? Toyota Camry drivers? How about enthusiasts! A rewrite of that first sentence could be, "We've arrived at Monticello where a bunch of Petrolheads sunk $125,000 each into the building of a fine race track." Certainly celebrates the "Thrill of Driving" doesn't it? If you want to celebrate Tata Cars and the thrill of driving in Delhi go for it--but I don't think that will inspire more subscriptions (or renewals).
4) Regarding the 3 star CTS V, to quote Evo, "I'd have expected more than 140 MPH at the end of the straight, though..." Road and Track drove the CTS V against the M5 at the same event. To quote R & T, "Turn 1 right hand kink is the fastest section on track. Both cars hit an even 150 MPH peak speed...Back straight peak speed: CTS V 126.8 MPH M5 124.7 MPH". To quote EVO, the CTS V drifts, "with easy but rather unfocussed predictability". How does that compare against the M5? Both the five star M5 and three star CTS V are grand tourers. Both weigh too much. They will never have the focus of my Dare/Ginetta G4. To quote EVO one last time, the switchgear in the CTS V is "cheapskate". If that is the only reason to not like the CTS V compared to a M5, I will happily pocket the $30,000 I just saved.
5) In the "Ask the Experts", Alistar Peel inquires about the merits of a Ferrari 355. To quote Roger Green, "Expect to pay 1600 pounds every 6000 miles rising to around 2k for the 18000 miler...the cambelt needs to be changed every 3 years or 36,000 miles so expect this service to cost 3500 pounds...Gearboxes are strong..you should get 20,000 miles from one if used correctly. In this era of modern manufacturing, how is it that this level of service and cost would even be considered acceptable--especially given that (like most performance cars) most of the cars are driven on the road at seven tenths at best? I am glad Roger was up front about the costs involved, but I truly do not understand how service intervals and costs such as this would be acceptable in this era of 100,000 mile service intervals for your average Duratec--even allowing for the fact that the car is 10 years old.
I hope that Evo celebrates, "The Thrill of Driving" and the fact that it is becoming more accessible to us working class Putz's with the ZR1's and CTS V's of the world. I would also hope that Evo would use its place at the top of the pedestal to criticize absurd running costs in this era of modern manufacturing.
Being across the pond, we always receive the issues a bit late. The price we pay for the finest auto mag that I am aware of.
Having said that, there are a few areas that the most recent issue failed the test:
1) The Corvette ZR1 covers the ring in 7:26.4 which while mentioned in your article, "Lords of the Ring", would qualify for 4th place ahead of the Porsche and Koenigsegg. The article does not point out the fact that the 100,000 pound price figure for the Corvette is a relative pittance compared to the average cover charge of 461,000 (average price of the 5 supercars tested). All five Supercars are 5 star cars while the Corvette is 4.5 stars. All were LHD. I hoped for a greater acknowledgement of the ZR1's feat than you offered in your article.
2) To quote EVO, ".Part of the price (numerically almost the same as the US price in dollars, which suggests an attractive profit margin)..." , why does EVO begrudge the ZR1 being sold for a profit when the 5 Supercars are priced on average 4.6 times greater than the Corvette? Do you think there is a profit margin in these 5 Supercars? Is it wrong? Without a profit margin, do you think cars like this would ever be developed? Does Evo exist in the absence of a profit motive? As a subscriber, Evo costs 12 times Road and Track. I hope Evo is making a profit and I have no problem with that as long as Evo delivers content that is worth 12 times Road and Track.
3) To quote Evo, "We've arrived at Monticello, where a bunch of rich and sometimes famous have each sunk $125,000 into building of a fine race track". What image are you trying to conjure up? There certainly appears to be a very condescending attitude emanating from Evo regarding enthusiasts who want to drive their cars at the limit without fear of a police officer or camera to separate their money from their wallet. Who do you think would or should build a race track? The government funded by taxpayers? Toyota Camry drivers? How about enthusiasts! A rewrite of that first sentence could be, "We've arrived at Monticello where a bunch of Petrolheads sunk $125,000 each into the building of a fine race track." Certainly celebrates the "Thrill of Driving" doesn't it? If you want to celebrate Tata Cars and the thrill of driving in Delhi go for it--but I don't think that will inspire more subscriptions (or renewals).
4) Regarding the 3 star CTS V, to quote Evo, "I'd have expected more than 140 MPH at the end of the straight, though..." Road and Track drove the CTS V against the M5 at the same event. To quote R & T, "Turn 1 right hand kink is the fastest section on track. Both cars hit an even 150 MPH peak speed...Back straight peak speed: CTS V 126.8 MPH M5 124.7 MPH". To quote EVO, the CTS V drifts, "with easy but rather unfocussed predictability". How does that compare against the M5? Both the five star M5 and three star CTS V are grand tourers. Both weigh too much. They will never have the focus of my Dare/Ginetta G4. To quote EVO one last time, the switchgear in the CTS V is "cheapskate". If that is the only reason to not like the CTS V compared to a M5, I will happily pocket the $30,000 I just saved.
5) In the "Ask the Experts", Alistar Peel inquires about the merits of a Ferrari 355. To quote Roger Green, "Expect to pay 1600 pounds every 6000 miles rising to around 2k for the 18000 miler...the cambelt needs to be changed every 3 years or 36,000 miles so expect this service to cost 3500 pounds...Gearboxes are strong..you should get 20,000 miles from one if used correctly. In this era of modern manufacturing, how is it that this level of service and cost would even be considered acceptable--especially given that (like most performance cars) most of the cars are driven on the road at seven tenths at best? I am glad Roger was up front about the costs involved, but I truly do not understand how service intervals and costs such as this would be acceptable in this era of 100,000 mile service intervals for your average Duratec--even allowing for the fact that the car is 10 years old.
I hope that Evo celebrates, "The Thrill of Driving" and the fact that it is becoming more accessible to us working class Putz's with the ZR1's and CTS V's of the world. I would also hope that Evo would use its place at the top of the pedestal to criticize absurd running costs in this era of modern manufacturing.
I wonder if GM Europe will keep their RRP for the ZR1 given that the sterling / dollar rate has plummeted 
Saw Euro spec ZR1 at Zolder at the weekend VIN #22.
Wonder if any US dealers have actually sold a ZR1 yet at their stupid prices?
Saw Euro spec ZR1 at Zolder at the weekend VIN #22.
Wonder if any US dealers have actually sold a ZR1 yet at their stupid prices?
Edited by vetteheadracer on Wednesday 22 October 15:08
vetteheadracer said:
I wonder if GM Europe will keep their RRP for the ZR1 given that the sterling / dollar rate has plummeted
Saw Euro spec ZR1 at Zolder at the weekend VIN #22.
Wonder if any US dealers have actually sold a ZR1 yet at their stupid prices?
I would have thought the volume of cars the will shift would be mean it wasn't worth their while, even if the price should go up!Saw Euro spec ZR1 at Zolder at the weekend VIN #22.
Wonder if any US dealers have actually sold a ZR1 yet at their stupid prices?
Edited by vetteheadracer on Wednesday 22 October 15:08
Incidentally I presume you would pay an equivalent value price in Euros to the Sterling rather than just numerically, i.e like the dollar value being a lot less?
John JPF, congratulations on a superb synopsis of the EVO article. It made great reading, thank you.
I don't think I have ever read so much (generally very acceptable) reporting in the UK magazines about the Vette since the C6 (and indeed ZO6/ZR1) were introduced. This model has probably put the Corvette brand on the map for car enthusiasts more than C3, 4 & 5 ever did.
The price difference will always be higher than that charged in the U.S. There are many reasons, one alone is the sheer volume of vehicles sold in your country. The fact that the ZR1 almost doubles by the time it gets over here is of course a real shame but considering what it has to offer in every aspect of a "real performance supercar" it is still astonishing value, and I for one would have one tomorrow if I wanted to consolidate some of my cars and exchange them into the ZR1. I haven't as I would rather the choice of cars I currently have, but I have given it some thought. Often!
I do however think that the quality of materials used in the dash, seating covers, carpets and switch gear are not commensurate with cars costing £100k GBP (even if you can optionally cover it in leather with the rather suspect woven Corvette name where the indentation in the plastic usually is). I am sure GM will address this in the C7, (if there will be a C7), then bar the LHD cries what would knockers of the Corvette do then?!
If you still want to read how UK Petrol Heads still view the Corvette, then check out the dreadful crap that’s spurted in another thread on another forum entitled "Corvette to Die" see: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&...
What a bunch! Thank God they didn't slide it over to this part of the Piston Heads
Gassing Station...
I don't think I have ever read so much (generally very acceptable) reporting in the UK magazines about the Vette since the C6 (and indeed ZO6/ZR1) were introduced. This model has probably put the Corvette brand on the map for car enthusiasts more than C3, 4 & 5 ever did.
The price difference will always be higher than that charged in the U.S. There are many reasons, one alone is the sheer volume of vehicles sold in your country. The fact that the ZR1 almost doubles by the time it gets over here is of course a real shame but considering what it has to offer in every aspect of a "real performance supercar" it is still astonishing value, and I for one would have one tomorrow if I wanted to consolidate some of my cars and exchange them into the ZR1. I haven't as I would rather the choice of cars I currently have, but I have given it some thought. Often!
I do however think that the quality of materials used in the dash, seating covers, carpets and switch gear are not commensurate with cars costing £100k GBP (even if you can optionally cover it in leather with the rather suspect woven Corvette name where the indentation in the plastic usually is). I am sure GM will address this in the C7, (if there will be a C7), then bar the LHD cries what would knockers of the Corvette do then?!
If you still want to read how UK Petrol Heads still view the Corvette, then check out the dreadful crap that’s spurted in another thread on another forum entitled "Corvette to Die" see: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&...
What a bunch! Thank God they didn't slide it over to this part of the Piston Heads
Gassing Station...
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff