1.3L

So, what do you think of the latest model Corvette? I've been reading road tests on some popular automotive magazines and it is very impressive. It seems that GM has finally refined the Corvette into a world-class vehicle.

Have any of you taken one for a test drive? Impressions?

Buckshot

I think a seven speed manual is a little much, but if that's their way of recognizing it at the 7th gen 'vette then so be it. There are definitely worse ways to go about it.
I was a little bit underwhelmed after reading about the base car's power. 450 doesn't seem like enough in a car of this caliber when a Mustang GT can put out 412, and a car that I see the Corvette competing with directly, the new Viper, puts out over 600 in base trim. Obviously there will be more powerful ones, but it leaves me wondering why the 450hp car even exists.
Still, I think it's a damn good looking car and I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to take one out for a rip.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

World class is debatable, IMO this is what the C6 should have been. But compared to what else is on the market its still a couples years behind.

Its good to see it finally making progress, and the entry price is relatively cheap, I did see one at my local auto show and the fit and finish was subpar with a very distinctive rough paint edge on the roof where they blend the CF with the body color but did not clear over it.

Redhawkjrt

Still too big, still too heavy, clumsy tail end treatment. That said, overall it's a great looker, fantastic performer for the money, and as for comparison to the Viper's higher HP numbers, the Z06 will be much closer to that level in both power and price. The base Vette's power should be more than adequate for most. (and since it's virtually double my RX-8's ponies, I wouldn't kick it out of my garage.)

SVKRX8

iTrader: (1)

If you've ever driven it, you would know immediately that it is an amazing vehicle.

blackenedwings

The C7Z06 is the first Corvette since I was a kid that has made me lust after an American car.

blazenblue63

The corvette is still a cheaply made piece of junk for fat hillbillies with too much money. The new viper is ok. seen that panel gap in the trunk? Can fly a plane through that! The interior is terrible in the vette. cheap materials. The leather in an 03 porsche 911 4s felt amazing. The leather in a new vette felt like hard plastic. The styling is nice but that's where it ends.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

SVKRX8

iTrader: (1)

Have you actually driven one? Have you even sat in one? The interior is one of the best interiors Chevy has ever offered. The leather in these things is super soft. I don't know where you are getting your information, but it seems like you are just super biased against it.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Unfortunately comparing a Chevy to a Chevy is useless, have you sat in a porsche?

Just because its their best, does not mean its good. It not, not for what you expect in a car of that caliber. Yes its fast, but anything for that money is going to be. Look beyond that and you see for something similar if not fast you don't have to pay much more.

SVKRX8

iTrader: (1)

I have sat in and driven several Porches. That's not what we're talking about. Porches and Corvettes are not the same market. The Corvette is one of the nicest, fastest cars you can get for $54,000. If you can have the same speed for "a little more" why are all of the auto media outlets comparing it with Ferrari's and Porsches that are $150k+?

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

I can get a gt500 that will run circles around a vette, or save 20K and get a Camero with the same engine and faster acceleration

J8635621

iTrader: (10)

This is just plain ignorant

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

How so GT500 is faster, even with tiny tires and little traction. And the camero is slightly slower due to its weight.

Around a track the C7 will win but that's comparing to a car that is dated and won't last long once the 2015 ford comes out.

Either way I don't like either car. Just pointing out that in the sports car realm chevy has been trailing the pack for years and is slightly better the Chrysler/dodge which is nothing to be thrilled about

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Of note the C7 is virtually identical to the C6 GS around the track, at Hockenheim Track the C7 Stingray had a time of 1:11.5 with the C6 GS was 1:11.9.

On another note the Rx8 ran the same track at 1:19.6

blazenblue63

yes I have. If you think THAT'S super soft you need to go feel more leather elsewhere. for a flagship vehicle it's awful. it's 54 grand because it's cheap **** with a big engine. An 11 year old Porsche 911 4s for 44 grand (compared both as a toy for retirement for father in law) blew it out the water in every aspect. 11 years compared to a month old! Chevy should be embarrassed to sell something so crap.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

Mawnee

I upgraded specifically to make sure I can still hang with that car and the C6ZR1

I have seen them in person and the interior is a huge upgrade over what we have in the C5s. They are finally getting closer. Its far from European supercar territory but how close do you expect for a 50k entry point. I wouldn't kick one out of my garage.

TALAN7

I say take a brand new Stingray and a brand new 911 and see which one is in better shape in 10 years. My guess would be the vette. I like the vette alot, but I love Porsches. I didn't always, but the more I got into sports cars and the longer I lived with my RX8 I came to understand Porsches more. The 911 is the RX8 for rich folk (or at least the very well to do).

Which 1 is on my list to get? The vette. It looks great, has awesome performance, and it's relatively easy to obtain. My hope is to either lease one in 4-5 years or purchase a used one. Why? Because it's american and I know it won't be a pain to maintain. A used Porsche, why that's like buying a used RX8.

I think GM and America for that matter needs another proper sports car (not coupe). One that is light, not too expensive, and more about the driving experience than numbers. The Sky/Solstice were crap...more about style than driving. GM puts everything into Cadillac and the vette. The Camaro sucks. It has less room than the 8 but it's twice as big. GM needs a sports car slotted beneath the vette.

BTW, I'm having dreams about my 8 that I traded in in November. I miss her.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

They do, its called the SS. Thats just how GM works. They have 3 performance based cars covering the segment. Coupe, sedan, super sport. Their is no need for them to develop into a fourth model. Their is nothing wrong with the line they do have, I just hate to see people rave about how great they are when in the realm of the auto industry GM made great leaps in 2009-2010 model changes but now only very slight alteration is occurring within the brand. The vette has been unchanged primarily since the C5, and the C7 is only a style refresh and some chassis development but the LS3 needs to be switched up.

That being said everyone above saying the bargain of a 54K car and should not be compared to a porches or a viper etc... Do you thing the ZR1 besides drivetrain is going to have nicer material inside the cabin?

GM has always been behind other auto makers, for instance they recently announced that they will be following Ford and by 2018 will have aluminum framed trucks. Thats 4 model years later than what ford is working on now. Dodge is releasing a ecodiesel half ton this year. Chevy has keept the same 5.3l in its trucks for over a decade. How does it expect to compete in the market. GM has always been a follow, no market innovative technology has been produced by them in a long time, and they seem to be the last brand to change to a new advancement.

TALAN7

The SS is not a sports car. it's a huge sedan. I'm talking about small lightweight sports cars (or even coupe) that is more about the driving experience than about muscle. Which american manufacturer makes that?

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Goodluck getting anything lightweight out of an American automaker.

The SS is a sports sedan, perspectively it is in the sports car segment.

Jazzmeson

iTrader: (5)

Currently work at Chevy and we get a handful of Stingrays. I've driven three of them so far; very fast and nimble for how big the car is. Interior is definitely a huge leap over the C6. I've been in a handful of C6s and there's no question that the interior is junk compared to the new ones. For 54,000 grand, the car has a lot to offer; it's still not on par in terms of quality with its German competitors, but it's most definitely a huge improvement compared to the older ones.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

77mjd

None of them do and they won't because they have absolutely no clue how to do it. The American companies are still stuck on the "bigger is better" philosophy when it comes to cars. It's a shame too, because there is plenty of room for more cars like the RX-8 and BRZ in the marketplace.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

American cars try the "small car" thing periodically. It turns out badly, since a small car highlights even more how badly designed and made American cars are. Look at the Dodge Dart for a current example.

Even their lightweight sports car attempts turn out badly. The Solstice looks like a bug, has a terminally bored engine and a horrific transmission. The GXP variant adds more power, but that is just the "American solution". It still doesn't solve any of the other people, despite GM trying to make you believe it does. The Sky looked far better, but they hamstrung it even more with a horrible suspension. They have a great deal of trouble with suspensions in general, thinking that "soft is good" and "hard is sporty". No refinement, no balance, no feeling.

They think they know what "good" is, but they just really haven't experienced it to really know.

77mjd

The Dart is pretty much a piece of junk just like the Neon was. It hasn't been out that long and already dealerships can't even give them away. It's overpriced compared to it's competition and I haven't really seen any glowing reviews of it either.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Right. That is what happens to small American cars. At some point, Dodge might give it V6 or boost it, and unfortunately it will suddenly be "a good car" to many many people, just like the Cobalt SS is supposed to be.

Those of us here generally know better.