I LOVE the Z06, myself, just love it. But, for me, that'd be much like taking an elephant gun to a flea party. I barely ever get our 'Vette over 70mph on our highways here, so having a car that can easily run 200mph sideways all day long makes me less than desirable as a target audience.

But, I do love that car.

Interesting thread! I never tire of reading the words "supercar" and "Corvette" in the same sentence.

 

Yeah, I had a Spitfire, too. Not great, but they were affordable, and they were fast in tight twisties, particularly with a few aftermarket springs to keep the rear (swing axles) planted well. But you know, there was nothing you could do about that engine -- four tiny cylinders and a head that had a bad case of asthma.

And I am proud of the new 'vette. Just wish it were built to higher quality materials. I think the General's idea is that if I want that higher build quality I am supposed to move up to the Cadillac XLR with the SCd engine, at $100,000. I'd quibble with the price, but a 3700 lb car with OHCs, no matter that it has 460+ HP, is not what I want.

 

I think the quality in the C6 is pretty decent in most areas, clearly not in the same leauge as BMW and Mercedes and a few other but clearly a good step up from the general US (and Japaneese) standard.

I really liked the materials in the doors, very solid feeling almost BMW feel and look to them! Worst of all is the grey/silverish painted plastic on the transmission tunnel and around the center console, that both looks and feels really cheap... BUT i dont care as there are some really nice Carbon Fibre replacements out there which would take care of that problem and at the same time help me create a more unique look when the time comes But as a whole i think the quality of the materials where OK, id give it a 3½ out of 5, with the aftermarket Carbon fibre closer to a 4/5.

/Roger

 

Wow, ain't that cool! Yeh, I put on some wild (man, bro, this goes back almost 20 years now) hellical (sic?) spring for the backend problems you mentioned, and a Weber sidedraft and a total custom handbuilt exhaust from header back.... all to try to help it meet muster. Darned fast, and pretty well balanced if I recall, in the corners, but as you mention... completely stifled in terms of "huffability" for pull power. I did like the car, but it doesn't hold a candle to our C4 now.

Cadillac makes a wicked car. Just wicked. But, for me too, I just don't come near to fitting the profile of an interested party. Too much money, too much weight, and not enough sport.. for me.

We had a BMW earlier, a 325i, if I recall. Personally, I find the fit and finish in our 'Vette to be at least comparible, and in some cases better... now, mind you, that Bimmer was not a pristine example, so maybe that's where the comparison isn't fair.....

 

I was looking, and dreaming, at a Bentley Continental GT the other day. There is build quality. Or, actually less expensive and way more bueatiful, the V12 Aston Martin DB9, which looks better on the outside but can't quite match the interior.

But there is even better. Sometime when you have a few moments and your ego is in good condition, so that sheer "Why couldn't it have been me, Lord?" jealously won't consume you, drop by a local Porsche dealer and see if they have a high-end 911 Carrera with the optional premium interior upgrade. You have to realize this is a $9000+ option on a car already costing north of $90K and with a really nice standard leather interior standard, before the upgrade. The one I saw was custom ordered, red, GT3 engine (415 HP, normally aspirated, in a 3000 lb car), with a tan factory upgrade interior, every panel in leather so soft you could eat it, all double stitched to perfection, just -- gorgeous, and thick wool carpeting to match, with rolled and stitched beading on all the edges. It stickered at $112K, and I realize you can almost buy a basic car (Kia), new, for the cost of the interior, but you know -- it sort of looked like it was worth every penny.

I was not born rich, and I married for love, not money, but hopefully things continue to go well . . . I want the same interior but maybe in a navy blue exterior.

And if the General made a 'vette like that, he could have my $100K plus.

 

*mouth hits floor* $9,000 for an option for an upgraded interior? SHEEEEEESH! We've got mobile homes out here that cost less! LOL

That musta been one heckuva inside, though. I can almost smell and feel it from Lee's description.....

 

Just got my '07 ZO6 in Lemans blue the other day. For the money the car is a bargain. Very user friendly and unlimited power for the street. If we start comparing it to more expensive cars it does suffer in some areas. I drive a 06 Murcielago Roadster in Florida and there is no comparison to the fit and finish in the cars. However I paid $350,000 for that car and $75,000 for the ZO6. I happen to enjoy both cars and each car has its own strengths and weaknesses. I own and have owned many sports cars in my time and have watched the technology evolve over the years and the high performance products today are exceptional!!! I have a real 427 AC cobra and as fast as it is it is crap compared to todays cars as far power with user friendliness. I am sorry it took me so long to purchase the ZO6.I did not realize Americans can still build a great car!!!

 

When you read test reports from any of the usual places you must realize they are testing cars with street set suspension specs used by the manufacturer. That the vehicle gets twitchy at 1.0G on the street is irrelevant to how it will handle on the track. Those of you that are worried about the Z06's performance at the wall should read and talk to some of the guys running these cars on solo I and II tracks, where the suspension and (Tires) are changed for track use. At this level most of the good drivers tell us that the vehicle becomes irrelevant. The Z06 is the equal of any vehicle on the track, when set up properly, and it becomes who is the best driver. Track suspension spec's will make quick work of the street tires if the Z06 is driven on the street plus the performance will suffer. You can't have it both ways.

If you want the absolute best street performance we recommend you run some solo events and tune your suspension a little at a time until you are pleased with the results. Remember, this performance that you will never appreciate on the street, will cost you literally thousands of dollars in premature tire wear...........Walt