Corvette drivers are meat eaters, but I don't think he ordered this T-Bone.
08-05-2013, 02:08 PM
#17
Corvettes have been: great motors + bottom barrel suspension geometry = numb, uncommunicative driving experience happening fast.
Enough room in the back to carry a Barrett 82A1 in it's Pelican case, though. I know, I've done it.
It's just a shame about the suspension.
Enough room in the back to carry a Barrett 82A1 in it's Pelican case, though. I know, I've done it.
It's just a shame about the suspension.
08-05-2013, 02:13 PM
#18
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08-05-2013, 02:21 PM
#19
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You're an American - that was my point. Most non-Americans with money would never own an American car.
It would be even less likely that they would want to own a vulgar, gaudy, pig like the Corvette/Mustang/Viper.
You can argue performance-for-value and most would concede that point to the American cars. But to argue they are more desireable - keep dreaming.
They are, in reality, beyond undesireable outside of the US to the point that it is embarassing to be seen in one.
It would be even less likely that they would want to own a vulgar, gaudy, pig like the Corvette/Mustang/Viper.
You can argue performance-for-value and most would concede that point to the American cars. But to argue they are more desireable - keep dreaming.
They are, in reality, beyond undesireable outside of the US to the point that it is embarassing to be seen in one.
One thing the Vette does have going for it, though, is abundant torque across most of the rev range due to the big NA engine. Based on my experience with my AMG, there's no substitute for that, they call it 'muscle' for a reason.
As far as desirability outside the US, perhaps there's an image issue, which may take time to change. But if the Vette is great and people pass on it because of preconceptions or preoccupation with image, their loss.
08-05-2013, 02:42 PM
#20
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You're an American - that was my point. Most non-Americans with money would never own an American car.
It would be even less likely that they would want to own a vulgar, gaudy, pig like the Corvette/Mustang/Viper.
You can argue performance-for-value and most would concede that point to the American cars. But to argue they are more desireable - keep dreaming.
They are, in reality, beyond undesireable outside of the US to the point that it is embarassing to be seen in one.
08-05-2013, 03:17 PM
#23
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Reviews so far indicate the new Vette is much more communicative and interactive than previous generations. One reviewer said that it has a Porsche feel, and the 991 was the Chevy benchmark in designing the Vette. I'd certainly never buy one without extensive test driving, but I'm keeping an open mind at this point.
08-05-2013, 03:30 PM
#24
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Same here. All indications are that it's a big step forward.
I was at Saratoga Auto Museum over the weekend checking out the BMW exhibit. One of the volunteers has a nice pale yellow '66 convertible. Still a great looking car almost 50 years later. Only time will tell how the new C7 holds up.
As for the "hideous" tail, there have been a lot of other cars with fat tails that didn't play well when initially shown. This one in particular comes to mind......
I was at Saratoga Auto Museum over the weekend checking out the BMW exhibit. One of the volunteers has a nice pale yellow '66 convertible. Still a great looking car almost 50 years later. Only time will tell how the new C7 holds up.
As for the "hideous" tail, there have been a lot of other cars with fat tails that didn't play well when initially shown. This one in particular comes to mind......
08-05-2013, 03:46 PM
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Just ahead of that is the new seven-speed manual trans, an evolution of the Tremec six-speed in the C6. As well as the third overdrive gear (Z51s get shorter performance gearing and a closer overall ratio spread), it boasts active rev-matching for up- and downshifts. A hall effect sensor on the shift rail monitors every minute movement of the shifter and predicts what gear you'll want next, then revs the engine to match. Don't want the computer doing the work? Click either "paddle" on the back of the steering wheel to turn it off. The transmission also features a smaller dual-mass flywheel and smaller, twin-disc clutch that improves clamping power while reducing inertia and shift effort. And, yes, it still has skip-shift.
Doesn't sound too luddite to me. Might as well use a DCT.
Doesn't sound too luddite to me. Might as well use a DCT.
08-05-2013, 03:55 PM
#26
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Same here. All indications are that it's a big step forward.
I was at Saratoga Auto Museum over the weekend checking out the BMW exhibit. One of the volunteers has a nice pale yellow '66 convertible. Still a great looking car almost 50 years later. Only time will tell how the new C7 holds up.
As for the "hideous" tail, there have been a lot of other cars with fat tails that didn't play well when initially shown. This one in particular comes to mind......
I was at Saratoga Auto Museum over the weekend checking out the BMW exhibit. One of the volunteers has a nice pale yellow '66 convertible. Still a great looking car almost 50 years later. Only time will tell how the new C7 holds up.
As for the "hideous" tail, there have been a lot of other cars with fat tails that didn't play well when initially shown. This one in particular comes to mind......
08-05-2013, 03:59 PM
#27
Race Director
08-05-2013, 05:01 PM
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08-05-2013, 06:14 PM
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Count me in on at least test driving the Corvette Stingray with the Z51 package. If they have seriously improved all the areas that were lacking with past Corvettes such as interior, handling feedback, build quality then they will have me as a customer. Porsche has gotten really out of hand with the pricing of their cars. Point & example $85k for a 320 hp Boxster S or Cayman S loaded. Seriously, I had a Boxster Spyder fun car but 1 year and I was bored due to lack of hp. Guys, there a number of manufacturers that have closed the gap on Porsche not only off the track but on the track. At the end of the day it is our hard earned money! I will gladly put my money back into our economy by purchasing American if the product is worthy. Up to this point that has not been the case but I have a feeling times are changing.