Living with a C5?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Another Evo forum refugee here. I'm really after peoples experience of running a C5 on a regular basis, even as a daily driver. Currently I'm interested in a 99-00 C5 manual Coupe (I know- hen's teeth and all that!) and have tested and absolutely adored an auto version.
Having investigated insurance (shockingly cheap compare to my Civic Type R), and servicing (our nearest GM garage was a NAV dealer and still services a few local C5s), I was wondering how people find the reliability, other running costs and general day to day driving. I'm happy with LHD (my wife once ran a LHD Nissan Sunny) and know that costs will be higher generally, but by how much?
Still undecided as to whether to buy a little hatch for daily use, or just use the 'Vette every day. I need some practicality (I'm a small animal vet- no pun intended!) but the wife owns a CR-V for most of the family tasks.
Many thanks for anyone that replies
Another Evo forum refugee here. I'm really after peoples experience of running a C5 on a regular basis, even as a daily driver. Currently I'm interested in a 99-00 C5 manual Coupe (I know- hen's teeth and all that!) and have tested and absolutely adored an auto version.
Having investigated insurance (shockingly cheap compare to my Civic Type R), and servicing (our nearest GM garage was a NAV dealer and still services a few local C5s), I was wondering how people find the reliability, other running costs and general day to day driving. I'm happy with LHD (my wife once ran a LHD Nissan Sunny) and know that costs will be higher generally, but by how much?
Still undecided as to whether to buy a little hatch for daily use, or just use the 'Vette every day. I need some practicality (I'm a small animal vet- no pun intended!) but the wife owns a CR-V for most of the family tasks.
Many thanks for anyone that replies
Thank God you've seen the light and binned that Honda!
I can only give you a positive thumbs-up. I haven't owned a C5 (not enough seats)but owned a 1985 C4 which I used as a daily driver for 3 years and I now drive an LS1 powered Camaro Z28 as a daily driver which I've been doing for two years. Problems? what problems! These have to be amongst the most reliable cars on the planet.
The Corvette is an amazingly practical car (as is the Z28/Trans Am with two extra seats). It's perfectly suitable for daily use and they tend to be trouble-free. Servicing is dead easy and a child could manage it. Some of the Vauxhall dealers are rubbish, however and charge way too much.
Trouble areas that I've experienced have been limited to replacing the EGR valve (£150 and two bolts), a duff ac pump (taps like a woodpecker)and the battery expired (£140 to replace it). Other than that, fantastic power, excellent handling, unparalleled road presence. You can get any service parts next day delivery from various UK suppliers and you can import go-faster goodies from the US until the cows come home. Plus you get all the shows to attend.
As you have found, insurance is dirt cheap and around £500 fully comp isn't to be sneezed at. Economy is pretty good. I've never measured it but my old carb-fed Z28 did 18mpg in traffic and up to 30 on a run and I'd say my current car is better than that but bank on 20 in traffic and over 25 on a run. Like any car, cane it and it will punish you. Let's just say it's a lot cheaper than an Impreza.
The only thing I would say is to buy as late a model as you can as they upgraded every year and I think you can only get the HUD (head-up display) on the later models and the same goes for active supension. Buy low mileage and try to keep it down because when it comes to resale, most Vettes are low mileage and buyers will go for the low miles every time.
Autos tend to be a bit more robust than manuals which will obviously require a new clutch that an auto won't at some stage. Early C5's also had erratic clutch hydraulics which meant 2nd to 3rd changes were thwarted but there are mods to cure that. One or two problems with the steering lock too but again, there's a fix for that.
Bear in mind that the C6 is being launched next year so that may affect residuals depending on how ugly it is. If you need more room, you can also get a Camaro Z28 using the same engine for half the price - although the upgrades to suspension etc you'll probably want will add about 3k to that price.
Having deserted the Evo forum, you can also talk to grown-ups (LOL).
Anyway, stop reading this and get out there and buy one. Red, no, black ... well, just not pewter!
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 12th November 12:50
I can only give you a positive thumbs-up. I haven't owned a C5 (not enough seats)but owned a 1985 C4 which I used as a daily driver for 3 years and I now drive an LS1 powered Camaro Z28 as a daily driver which I've been doing for two years. Problems? what problems! These have to be amongst the most reliable cars on the planet.
The Corvette is an amazingly practical car (as is the Z28/Trans Am with two extra seats). It's perfectly suitable for daily use and they tend to be trouble-free. Servicing is dead easy and a child could manage it. Some of the Vauxhall dealers are rubbish, however and charge way too much.
Trouble areas that I've experienced have been limited to replacing the EGR valve (£150 and two bolts), a duff ac pump (taps like a woodpecker)and the battery expired (£140 to replace it). Other than that, fantastic power, excellent handling, unparalleled road presence. You can get any service parts next day delivery from various UK suppliers and you can import go-faster goodies from the US until the cows come home. Plus you get all the shows to attend.
As you have found, insurance is dirt cheap and around £500 fully comp isn't to be sneezed at. Economy is pretty good. I've never measured it but my old carb-fed Z28 did 18mpg in traffic and up to 30 on a run and I'd say my current car is better than that but bank on 20 in traffic and over 25 on a run. Like any car, cane it and it will punish you. Let's just say it's a lot cheaper than an Impreza.
The only thing I would say is to buy as late a model as you can as they upgraded every year and I think you can only get the HUD (head-up display) on the later models and the same goes for active supension. Buy low mileage and try to keep it down because when it comes to resale, most Vettes are low mileage and buyers will go for the low miles every time.
Autos tend to be a bit more robust than manuals which will obviously require a new clutch that an auto won't at some stage. Early C5's also had erratic clutch hydraulics which meant 2nd to 3rd changes were thwarted but there are mods to cure that. One or two problems with the steering lock too but again, there's a fix for that.
Bear in mind that the C6 is being launched next year so that may affect residuals depending on how ugly it is. If you need more room, you can also get a Camaro Z28 using the same engine for half the price - although the upgrades to suspension etc you'll probably want will add about 3k to that price.
Having deserted the Evo forum, you can also talk to grown-ups (LOL).
Anyway, stop reading this and get out there and buy one. Red, no, black ... well, just not pewter!
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 12th November 12:50
Thanks Lu51fer.
Kind of what I'd researched but good to know from a real owners viewpoint.
You couldn't be truer about Evo BTW. Things are terrible over there!!!
Anyway, much as I'd like to go buy one now, I still have the wife's anf my Hondas to pay off first. Might even keep the CTR as a daily driver as values aren't exactly that highto release any equity towards a 'Vette anyway.
As for colours, well, I really like the light blue metallic on the C5 and black does look very mean. Though 2 years with a black CTR has taught me how bad a colour choice that can be on a daily basis!!!:wink:
How many Z06s are in the country then? And how much more would I end up paying for an early 2001 (385bhp) model? Is the difference in handling all that noticable away from the track. Can't help thinking the ultimate C5 would have the Coupe body (prettier in my humble opinion) with Z06 running gear (who would say no to more power after all):smile:
Kind of what I'd researched but good to know from a real owners viewpoint.
You couldn't be truer about Evo BTW. Things are terrible over there!!!
Anyway, much as I'd like to go buy one now, I still have the wife's anf my Hondas to pay off first. Might even keep the CTR as a daily driver as values aren't exactly that highto release any equity towards a 'Vette anyway.
As for colours, well, I really like the light blue metallic on the C5 and black does look very mean. Though 2 years with a black CTR has taught me how bad a colour choice that can be on a daily basis!!!:wink:
How many Z06s are in the country then? And how much more would I end up paying for an early 2001 (385bhp) model? Is the difference in handling all that noticable away from the track. Can't help thinking the ultimate C5 would have the Coupe body (prettier in my humble opinion) with Z06 running gear (who would say no to more power after all):smile:
Yes, my Z28 is black and I always promised myself a red Corvette C5 but no getting away from the fact that a clean black car is the best thing ever.
I do like the electron blue cars myself. Not sure how many Z06's are in the country but I've seen two. I've only seen a new one for over 40k and a low miler at American Dreams for 39k. I think the guy from American Dreams buys his cars in from Germany. Mine originally came from there and still has lhd headlamps!
There is a huge difference in handling between the Z06 and the stock C5 from the tests I've read. Even journalists who are lukewarm about the C5 seem to rave about the Z06 which has better brakes and this active handling system. I have a CAR test vs the Impreza, M3 and Clio V6 and they were very favourably impressed by the Z06. I've also seen a test against a Tuscan S and it was the TVR they were moaning about on the errant handling front. Similarly, Motor Trend tested the Z06 against the 350Z and others and the Z06 beat them hollow.
I agree about the Coupe being better looking but the Z06 is all about light weight. The hardtop is the base Corvette in the US. the Z06 has very light wheels and even the glass in the cockpit is thinner. There is no targa to compromise the rigidity either. Making a Z06 coupe would simply be reintroducing all the factors they've sought to eliminate from the Z06. At the end of the day, the Z06 runs 12 second quarters and the C5 runs 13 second quarters. That's a big difference.
Guess I'd better keep saving for the Z06.
I abandoned the EVO forum as it seemed to be being monopolised by a bunch of abusive (and odd judging by their Christmas photographs)Max Power types. I also seemed to get loads of unwanted porn e-mails as a result of using the forum!
I do like the electron blue cars myself. Not sure how many Z06's are in the country but I've seen two. I've only seen a new one for over 40k and a low miler at American Dreams for 39k. I think the guy from American Dreams buys his cars in from Germany. Mine originally came from there and still has lhd headlamps!
There is a huge difference in handling between the Z06 and the stock C5 from the tests I've read. Even journalists who are lukewarm about the C5 seem to rave about the Z06 which has better brakes and this active handling system. I have a CAR test vs the Impreza, M3 and Clio V6 and they were very favourably impressed by the Z06. I've also seen a test against a Tuscan S and it was the TVR they were moaning about on the errant handling front. Similarly, Motor Trend tested the Z06 against the 350Z and others and the Z06 beat them hollow.
I agree about the Coupe being better looking but the Z06 is all about light weight. The hardtop is the base Corvette in the US. the Z06 has very light wheels and even the glass in the cockpit is thinner. There is no targa to compromise the rigidity either. Making a Z06 coupe would simply be reintroducing all the factors they've sought to eliminate from the Z06. At the end of the day, the Z06 runs 12 second quarters and the C5 runs 13 second quarters. That's a big difference.
Guess I'd better keep saving for the Z06.
I abandoned the EVO forum as it seemed to be being monopolised by a bunch of abusive (and odd judging by their Christmas photographs)Max Power types. I also seemed to get loads of unwanted porn e-mails as a result of using the forum!
Ah I love the Corvette and Viper forums here (well all of the forums here). And I'm not being sarcastic, either.
Lu5ifer has pretty much given all the advice you need (all of which was/is good). No doubt other owners such as te5icle who owns an EB Z06 and vetteheadracer (another Z owner) will chime in. So not much for me to comment on:
There are one or two shops who convert the Z06's roof (roofline) into that of a coupe. One or two members over at z06vette.com have had this done. But then what lu5ifer said ("Making a Z06 coupe would simply be reintroducing all the factors they've sought to eliminate from the Z06").makes it wise not to go down this route (it also costs deep in the thousands).
As for Z06s in this country, well they are very rare. I've only seen two (I live in West London) - a red one, and a silver one locally. The red one is for sale - how do I know? It was posted here (by an Evo owner/board member, as it was his friend's car. There are a handful in the whole country, so in one area (W London), there'd be one, and this red one was in the same area as I live in). I saw this while at school, which obviously isn't far from my house, and the description of the car stated that it was in a Town not far from me/my school.
And one thing to not listen to is the Vette haters (which there are loads of on the Evo forum - close minded people). Corvettes are awesome in every area, and it has been proved to be so (I made a thread of this elsewhere - I proved all the stereotypes wrong). The image/perception/stereotype of American cars not being able to handle is still existent, as they die hard, but it is an image/perception/stereotype - not a fact. The facts prove that this car CAN handle. Lots of good owner comments prove that this car is great fun.
You might also want to invest in security, as these cars are very distinctive, and lesser cars such as Imprezas suffer from a lot of car crime (don't want to put you off, I'd actually like to see more Vette owners, but I'm saying so because all performance cars are attracting bad attention, and I am saying so for your own protection).
As for the Evo forum comments, I couldn't agree more. Half the time, the members are going against the rules set, and there is a lot of mindless talk about topics I would refrain from posting here as they are rude, but are easily spotted over there. It's like imagination, and its what kids do. Hell, they even had to break up the non-lancer section - chit chat for the mindless talk, and non-lancer chat for serious non-lancer conversations. People even post things like "I'm now going to bed", or "I ate this for dinner". As for the email with pornographic materials, well I have never recieved that, but I'm not surprised, either.
And I don't own a Vette, or a Z06, or any car. I'm 17, in college, yet to take my driving test (school coming first in my list of priorities). Thought that would be necessary to say after my comments, and that the people in this post are relatively new.
On a finishing note, these cars are very reliable, and practical (you can't expect complete practicality because this is a high performance car, not an economy/family car). They are also EXTREMELY tuneable and durable (strong powertrain, etc).
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 15:52
Lu5ifer has pretty much given all the advice you need (all of which was/is good). No doubt other owners such as te5icle who owns an EB Z06 and vetteheadracer (another Z owner) will chime in. So not much for me to comment on:
There are one or two shops who convert the Z06's roof (roofline) into that of a coupe. One or two members over at z06vette.com have had this done. But then what lu5ifer said ("Making a Z06 coupe would simply be reintroducing all the factors they've sought to eliminate from the Z06").makes it wise not to go down this route (it also costs deep in the thousands).
As for Z06s in this country, well they are very rare. I've only seen two (I live in West London) - a red one, and a silver one locally. The red one is for sale - how do I know? It was posted here (by an Evo owner/board member, as it was his friend's car. There are a handful in the whole country, so in one area (W London), there'd be one, and this red one was in the same area as I live in). I saw this while at school, which obviously isn't far from my house, and the description of the car stated that it was in a Town not far from me/my school.
And one thing to not listen to is the Vette haters (which there are loads of on the Evo forum - close minded people). Corvettes are awesome in every area, and it has been proved to be so (I made a thread of this elsewhere - I proved all the stereotypes wrong). The image/perception/stereotype of American cars not being able to handle is still existent, as they die hard, but it is an image/perception/stereotype - not a fact. The facts prove that this car CAN handle. Lots of good owner comments prove that this car is great fun.
You might also want to invest in security, as these cars are very distinctive, and lesser cars such as Imprezas suffer from a lot of car crime (don't want to put you off, I'd actually like to see more Vette owners, but I'm saying so because all performance cars are attracting bad attention, and I am saying so for your own protection).
As for the Evo forum comments, I couldn't agree more. Half the time, the members are going against the rules set, and there is a lot of mindless talk about topics I would refrain from posting here as they are rude, but are easily spotted over there. It's like imagination, and its what kids do. Hell, they even had to break up the non-lancer section - chit chat for the mindless talk, and non-lancer chat for serious non-lancer conversations. People even post things like "I'm now going to bed", or "I ate this for dinner". As for the email with pornographic materials, well I have never recieved that, but I'm not surprised, either.
And I don't own a Vette, or a Z06, or any car. I'm 17, in college, yet to take my driving test (school coming first in my list of priorities). Thought that would be necessary to say after my comments, and that the people in this post are relatively new.
On a finishing note, these cars are very reliable, and practical (you can't expect complete practicality because this is a high performance car, not an economy/family car). They are also EXTREMELY tuneable and durable (strong powertrain, etc).
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 15:52
Well said. I would simply say that Yanks generally don't get pinched BECAUSE they're lhd. Neither do they suffer that "Max Pants" icon mentality. Most will think a red Vette is a Ferrari in the same way that they think every American car with racing stripes is a Viper!!!
You sometimes get envy damage like keys scraped along them or non-electric aerials bent and stereos are at risk in any car but the big Yank units are useless to anyone else so that's a bonus too.
You sometimes get envy damage like keys scraped along them or non-electric aerials bent and stereos are at risk in any car but the big Yank units are useless to anyone else so that's a bonus too.
True. The security thing is an incentive to have an LHD car (although it takes a while to get used to driving on the other side). But if the person stealing the car is looking to sell it, not keep it, then the LHD won't bother him.
Another thing is that a lot Max Power boys respect and bow to these cars, and don't diss it (a small minority respects them). Funny, when people consider the MP crew to be unintelligent, which is true for some of them, not for the others (and I'm not going to go into detail about why they drive the cars they drive, which is obvious, or why they start races, etc), yet as unintelligent as they are, they have more intelligence than the adults (alledgedly) of the Evo board, because they car with nothing to back them up, whereas the younger people respect the car for all the right reasons.
America also gets its version of MP cars - called "rice", and mostly Honda Civics (not even the Type R, if they get that), and similar cars. All show, no go. Whereas Vettes are both lol (overall performance is awesome, handling, acceleration and top end, car belongs on the track, looks great).
I also forgot to say that these cars also manage to get awesome mileage. Like 19-30mpg. It is beyond me how this is achieved in such a high performance/performing car.
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 16:44
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 16:49
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 17:05
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 17:06
Another thing is that a lot Max Power boys respect and bow to these cars, and don't diss it (a small minority respects them). Funny, when people consider the MP crew to be unintelligent, which is true for some of them, not for the others (and I'm not going to go into detail about why they drive the cars they drive, which is obvious, or why they start races, etc), yet as unintelligent as they are, they have more intelligence than the adults (alledgedly) of the Evo board, because they car with nothing to back them up, whereas the younger people respect the car for all the right reasons.
America also gets its version of MP cars - called "rice", and mostly Honda Civics (not even the Type R, if they get that), and similar cars. All show, no go. Whereas Vettes are both lol (overall performance is awesome, handling, acceleration and top end, car belongs on the track, looks great).
I also forgot to say that these cars also manage to get awesome mileage. Like 19-30mpg. It is beyond me how this is achieved in such a high performance/performing car.
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 16:44
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 16:49
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 17:05
>> Edited by z064life on Wednesday 12th November 17:06
I bought my 2002 manual C5 Coupe (not a Z06) because it was a practical, reliable, spacious 3-door hatchback. I'm sure it is by mere coincidence that it happens to have a 360bhp 5.7-litre V8 in it capable of propelling the car from 0-60 in 4.65 seconds, 0-110 in 13.03 seconds and on to 175mph !! It looks great too ! 
It is my only car and I've been living with it quite happily for 2 years. About 75% of my driving is on motorways and 25% in town which rewards me with 26 MPG as an average, about the same as I got from my Subaru. The car is docile around town and fun on the open road. It is surprisingly easy to gauge the size and place on the road which means it hasn't been a problem driving through London. It's not that big, no bigger than some Volvos and smaller than most 4WDs, it just has presence !
Luggage capacity is good and quite practical as long as you aren't lifting very big or heavy items over the high and wide boot sill. Normal suitcases are fine and I regularly do the shopping, take garden waste to the dump, carrying studio flash equipment etc. If you don't have a passenger you can even carry a 2-metre stepladder in there without taking off the roof. The Z06/Hardtop and Convertible have a much smaller bootlid which makes carrying larger items a problem.
The GM dealers are variable, I wasn't happy with the supplying dealer, but I've been happy with Crownhill in Milton Keynes. Spares prices are reasonable from the little I've needed which were entirely due to road debris and self-inflicted injuries. Insurance isn't too bad and if the value of the car is <30,000 the premiums drop considerably. Even more if you're over 40 which is something I can look forward to next year !
It is my only car and I've been living with it quite happily for 2 years. About 75% of my driving is on motorways and 25% in town which rewards me with 26 MPG as an average, about the same as I got from my Subaru. The car is docile around town and fun on the open road. It is surprisingly easy to gauge the size and place on the road which means it hasn't been a problem driving through London. It's not that big, no bigger than some Volvos and smaller than most 4WDs, it just has presence !
Luggage capacity is good and quite practical as long as you aren't lifting very big or heavy items over the high and wide boot sill. Normal suitcases are fine and I regularly do the shopping, take garden waste to the dump, carrying studio flash equipment etc. If you don't have a passenger you can even carry a 2-metre stepladder in there without taking off the roof. The Z06/Hardtop and Convertible have a much smaller bootlid which makes carrying larger items a problem.
The GM dealers are variable, I wasn't happy with the supplying dealer, but I've been happy with Crownhill in Milton Keynes. Spares prices are reasonable from the little I've needed which were entirely due to road debris and self-inflicted injuries. Insurance isn't too bad and if the value of the car is <30,000 the premiums drop considerably. Even more if you're over 40 which is something I can look forward to next year !
Thanks everyone. That's a lot to digest but very encouraging. I'd agree with everything said about the car, even on a brief test a couple of months ago (I still keep boring friends with every minute detail). As for presence, God it does, doesn't it?!! The first time I saw the C5 locally (Edinburgh and West Lothian) I just knew immediately that I wanted one. Always loved "vettes and good American muscle cars since I was a kid. Too many episodes of Dukes, Knight Rider and Starsky and Jutch I suppose- not to mention the white C4 in the A-Team. Showing my age a bit
Actually went online to Admiral and managed a quote of £500 fully comp without any mileage restriction. I'm over the moon on that. The fuel figures you quote area no worse than my CTR anyway, and I would suspect the likelyhood of it being pinched would be far less than that car either! THey're becoming a bit TOO popular amongst the criminal classes
As for the image the car has, doesn't bother me in the slightest. I've never really cared, which is why, as a 33 year old professional and father, I drive a car that looks like Darth Vader's codpiece
I just buy what I like!
LuS1fer, I'd be fascinated to know what Car article that was. The Z06 article mentioned was in Evo in 2002 I believe, entitled Gran Turismo 5. I know Car also did a C5 article with the Viper and NSX in the States around launch. Must look out my old copies from the garage!
Anyway, enough waffle. Though can any of you recommend any good Corvette books to at least get me in the mood? I've already bought the Pocket Book of Corvettes as an impulse buy, but what are considered to be the best?
Many thanks to you all once again. Nice to actually find a friendly forum
). As for presence, God it does, doesn't it?!! The first time I saw the C5 locally (Edinburgh and West Lothian) I just knew immediately that I wanted one. Always loved "vettes and good American muscle cars since I was a kid. Too many episodes of Dukes, Knight Rider and Starsky and Jutch I suppose- not to mention the white C4 in the A-Team. Showing my age a bit Actually went online to Admiral and managed a quote of £500 fully comp without any mileage restriction. I'm over the moon on that. The fuel figures you quote area no worse than my CTR anyway, and I would suspect the likelyhood of it being pinched would be far less than that car either! THey're becoming a bit TOO popular amongst the criminal classes
As for the image the car has, doesn't bother me in the slightest. I've never really cared, which is why, as a 33 year old professional and father, I drive a car that looks like Darth Vader's codpiece
I just buy what I like! LuS1fer, I'd be fascinated to know what Car article that was. The Z06 article mentioned was in Evo in 2002 I believe, entitled Gran Turismo 5. I know Car also did a C5 article with the Viper and NSX in the States around launch. Must look out my old copies from the garage!
Anyway, enough waffle. Though can any of you recommend any good Corvette books to at least get me in the mood? I've already bought the Pocket Book of Corvettes as an impulse buy, but what are considered to be the best?
Many thanks to you all once again. Nice to actually find a friendly forum
Blimey, I've got so many tests on the Z06, they're coming out of my ears. The CAR Z06 article was January 2001 and the other tests I have are American tests featuring the 2000 Mustang Cobra, Viper etc plus shootouts from two separate years. The Z06 was the choice in every test I've read. I love the shootouts as they pitch wildcards like the Pontiac Firehawk as well as the C5 against exotica like the 911 and Ferrari Modena.
Road & Track test vs M3, 350Z and 911 Targa was March 2003. It was the fastest to 60 at 4.5, pulled the highest g at 0.98, was the fastest 1/4 at 12.8 @ 113, 2nd fastest through the slalom at 67.6mph (M3 was 68.8), fastest lap time at 1:36:50, 4 seconds faster than any of the others which were all 1:40's and it stopped 4 feet shorter than the next best Porsche. Nothing came close to this incredible supercar which was also second cheapest at $51450. I know, makes you want to cry, doesn't it?
They've had better figures from the Z06 but these are same conditions, same day figures so comparable.
Can't recommend any specific Corvette books. I find the best ones are the road test collections although the C5 collection must be huge by now.
Sadly, the one thing you won't like about American cars is that once you've owned one, all other cars seem so terribly boring. I used to read auto mags faster than it took the ink to dry. Now i find them generally tedious and tend to buy anything with a Corvette in it. You keep seeing all these new cars being launched and think ho-hum whereas before you might have thought "Wow".
Road & Track test vs M3, 350Z and 911 Targa was March 2003. It was the fastest to 60 at 4.5, pulled the highest g at 0.98, was the fastest 1/4 at 12.8 @ 113, 2nd fastest through the slalom at 67.6mph (M3 was 68.8), fastest lap time at 1:36:50, 4 seconds faster than any of the others which were all 1:40's and it stopped 4 feet shorter than the next best Porsche. Nothing came close to this incredible supercar which was also second cheapest at $51450. I know, makes you want to cry, doesn't it?
They've had better figures from the Z06 but these are same conditions, same day figures so comparable.
Can't recommend any specific Corvette books. I find the best ones are the road test collections although the C5 collection must be huge by now.
Sadly, the one thing you won't like about American cars is that once you've owned one, all other cars seem so terribly boring. I used to read auto mags faster than it took the ink to dry. Now i find them generally tedious and tend to buy anything with a Corvette in it. You keep seeing all these new cars being launched and think ho-hum whereas before you might have thought "Wow".
:insertsmuggiticonhere:Is it me or are all the dweebs from the EVO Forum playing in the General Gassing Section talking about neon lighting and "bling" whatever the hell that is!
Glad there are separate sections for grown-ups.
Those are good figures for Santa Pod which is slightly uphill. Maybe I won't have to save for the Z06 after all.
Glad there are separate sections for grown-ups.
Those are good figures for Santa Pod which is slightly uphill. Maybe I won't have to save for the Z06 after all.
I have a 2003 Z06 which I bought in Maryland brand new in March of this year. It arrived in the UK in May and it has been my daily driver since then. It has nearly 16,000 miles on it so far and has cost me the princely sum of $6 for an oil filter and about £70 for Mobil 1 at 10,000 miles (I did the oil change myself) as I wouldn't trust any dealer to do it right.
The car in my hands has done 4.3 secs 0-60, 12.66 secs 1/4 mile and reached a top speed of 169.4 MPH in 1.25 miles from a standing start.....
...and you can get 2 sets of golf clubs and 2 trolleys in the boot, or in your case some small furry creatures.....
I LOVE IT!!
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Thursday 13th November 10:44
The car in my hands has done 4.3 secs 0-60, 12.66 secs 1/4 mile and reached a top speed of 169.4 MPH in 1.25 miles from a standing start.....
...and you can get 2 sets of golf clubs and 2 trolleys in the boot, or in your case some small furry creatures.....
I LOVE IT!!
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Thursday 13th November 10:44
C5 pace car driven daily by Keith, has active handling, added Baer Eradispeed discs (great improvement), best of 12.67 @ 112, averages 24 mpg with a very heavy right foot, 30 mpg on recent touring holiday. Where does everyone get cheap insurance, we pay around £800 fully comp, two drivers (both getting on in years) no mileage restriction, clean license as well!
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