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BTW, heel/toe covers a lot of different techniques that include toe on the brake, heel on the gas; left side of the ball on the brake and right side of the foot on the gas with a twist of the ankle (which works better for me) since I usually drive with wide bottom shoes. There are several other variations as well. The real objective is to take the car at say 1500 rpms in 6th at freeway speeds and get it down a gear and let out the clutch with the rpms at say 2200 rpms which will exactly match the engine to the gear box, easier to understand than to get consistent. On the street if the car surges or lags a little because the match is off by a bit is usually no big deal. On the track if you are going into a high speed corner and you lock up the rear, or even drag the rear just a bit you can pass the turn in point and with no weight on the rear, so to speak, things get very unsettled. Good luck and congrats on the new Z06.
jim
Mesa AZ
THe Z06 has been a favorite car for me since its launch, but GM's response to the person with the "huge problem" makes me rethink the purchase. You can buy a lot of other car with $80K. Heck, you can buy a lot of other carS, too.
Jeremy CLarkson of the British mag Top Gear is engaging and funny in this video of his test of the Z06. He actually races burning petrol. I won't tell you who won.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaIg_dIpNGI
This guy Clarkson is apparently prone to hyperbole and self-importance, typical boob-tube boob. I trust his objectivity and expertise as much as Paris Hilton's. For example, the butterfly exhaust valves are there to keep the noise down, esp. at low speeds, not to give the sound "extra range." Also, duh, the body is soft because it's fiberglass.
The only useful bit of information in this piece is that the rear end has a tendency to slide when the car is pushed hard.
And I certainly can do without Lord Twit's Euro snobbery and anti-Americanism. The Vette a boy band wannabe? Compared to what? A Jag? :shades:
Of course, the Corvette is also less attractive overseas because, as an import, it costs a lot more to purchase in the UK (60,000 UK Pounds). That's as much as a BMW M5 or Maserati Coupe GT over there! Or maybe you are willing to sacrifice some HP for superior quality and driving dynamics? The Porsche Cayman S costs the same as the Z06 here in the US (Porsche has no problem selling them), but in the UK, the Cayman S costs a whopping 15,000 UK Pounds less than the Z06 (even the base C6 costs 7,000 UK Pounds more than the Cayman S)!
BTW, Clarkson bought a Ford GT40 last year, so he can't be too anti-American if he spent 126,000 pounds (about $240,000 USD!) on an American car - although he did subsequently get a refund because his car experienced continuing quality problems and abysmal repair service. Imagine that, an American car company with quality control problems and poor customer service - who'd have guessed!?!?
I wish I could remember where, but I saw a side-by-side comparison of the Z06 and Porsche 911 (it was online, one of the major mag's or, perhaps, Edmunds, and included a video). The Porsche, at twice the price, had a hair's advantage in initial acceleration and slalom, both attributed to slightly better traction due to its rear engine. Otherwise the Vette equaled or bettered the Porsche. And, imo, the Porsche is ugly and nerdy, while the Vette is stunning and sexy.
The 911, to my understanding, is sort of a reference standard for performance for cars not in the stratosphere, i.e., under $200k.
The Z06, btw, out-performs many of the cars in the stratosphere, such as the Ferrari F430 Spider ($205,000) and 612 Scaglietti ($269,829), as well as every single BMW, Jaguar and Aston Martin made. Admittedly, the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder ($225,180) does as well as, but not better than, the Z.
The only consistent quibbles reviewers have had with the Z06 relate to the quality of the interior, e.g., the seats and, rarely, the radio. I've sat in one and found it fine, quite nice, actually. (And, imo, true quality audio is impossible in a car, due to road noise and limited space for speakers.)
As for reliability and service, I hardly think Maserati, Ferrari, and BMW (or SAAB, Volvo, Audi, Land Rover, Volkswagen, etc.) have anything to brag about. The only reliability and service substantially better than that of American cars is that of Japanese cars, which are hardly fast or sexy. :shades:
As a matter of fact, the Vette is a purist machine, a real sports car. (Btw, I am wearing a 100% wool sweater as I write this.) :shades:
Z06's, with winter closed in, are now going for MSRP in several places.
I think I got a great deal on a great car.
out over MSRP, and by the end of the run I got one for the
wife at $11.6k off. The C5 Z followed the same trend and
was selling at those discounts by the time the C6 was in
the wings. What this does to the values paid earlier in the
process is well documented and should be part of any one's
analysis. While putting the finger in the dike may work
once in awhile it is probably unwise to expect the wall of
water to stop because you think it should. Time will reveal
what we get them for in the future and if the 600hp Viper
and Blue Devil are real, who can say.
Randy
Went thru the same thing w/ my Mustang GT Premium. Was happy to get it at MSRP in late '05 (most dealers were asking $5k markups), now see them discounted at $2500 below MSRP. Of course, that lessens resale value, but I've had enjoyment of the car all along.
A new car is not an investment. You want an investment, keep your money in the bank. If you want to live in the fast lane, you gotta pay. :shades:
to get your new Vette, they would deal. When asked about
the Z06 they said they had 6 to order and would take MSRP.
That's without any negotiation, between the price increase
by GM and the filling of backlog demand it seems they can
build as many as people are currently willing to pay the
price for. Good luck to those still wanting more HP. I'll
stick with my old 350hp and have a good time at the track,
Laguna Seca on Monday. Happy New Year, all!
Randy
Not According to Car&Driver. 1st Place, F430 - 2nd 911T 3rd-Z06 The 911 had the disadvantage of AWD.
link title
Regards,
OW
Not a real head to head to head test now was it!!?? Glad they were honest enough to mention it. But the head to head to head part goes on to say:
..."On paper, the Z06 Corvette is the best car here. It accelerates as quickly as the 911 Turbo through the quarter and wastes both the Porsche and Ferrari at speeds above 120 mph. How about 0 to 150 mph in 17.7 seconds? That’s up there in Ford GT territory, if not as stupid fast as a McLaren F1. The Z06 has the most grip at 1.01 g and the best braking performance. On an autobahn, it was still accelerating while the Ferrari was topped out in sixth gear at 186 mph. Around our road course, it was an easy victor, 1.7 seconds quicker than the Porsche on a near-76-second lap. It does all this for about a third of the Ferrari’s price. The Z06 is the best performance value in the world, period."...
For the prices mentioned I would take two Z06's, BUT people will usually buy what they like, regardless of the above quoted "reality".
I left the Porsche out because it is last on my "sex appeal" scale.
Regards,
OW
The Porsche is JUST expensive.
For most,the Z is fantasy also. :shades:
Then, C&D has to add in their 'intangible' points and call the fragile Euro cars the winners.
Happens over and over. And it's not going to change.
spent the day at Thunderhill Raceway in Nor. Calif. with 84
Vettes all entered in a Vette only track day. Since I've
been on track for several years I was running in the top
group with my lowly C5 Coupe and all day long I got to see
and hear Z06's blow by me, about a 1/3 of the group was C6's
and the balance was C5 Z06's. In the lower three groups
there were also many C6 Z06's for about 25 in total, amazing
car. All I can do with a good exit from T15 is mid-120's
at the end of the straight. Rode with the son of one C6 Z06
owner who was taking it easy and he was doing past 120mph
at about the mid point of the front straight with another
100 yards to my braking point :surprise: , as noted, amazing.
But when asked if I'm saving for a replacement, I have to
admit, the thing is too Damn fast for me, even on street
tires. Stock, it runs in the fastest race classes when it
is even allowed.
Randy
Imagine the 2009 upgrade to this beast!
I assume you really need to be careful and train first before attending a track day event with any of these cars.
Regards,
OW
operated and they provide a Street School for drivers of all
types of vehicles and I've seen everything from Ferrari's
and Corvette's to Mini-Vans. And yes, the lady in the Mini-
Van did pass a few folks before the end of the day. Marque
specific events are common for Porsche, BMW, Audi and even
Volvo in some parts of the country. Corvette specific events
are not too common so getting 84 Vettes out on the same day
was pretty special. There are similar tracks all over the
country too, hope to spectate at a Sebring event in about a
week myself.
Randy
control
area as I spun the wheels in three gears off the line in
comp mode. Then again, having the engine bog would probably
be slower, but not by much
Have fun! It's good to hear your results and experiences.
I don't have one yet, but it's brewing!
Regards,
OW
http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0704_2007_chevrolet_corvette_z06_dyno/- -
A small, low volume dealer may not have an allocation.
If the dealer DOES have an allocation, given the fact that Z06s are not quite the "hot commodity" they were initially, I'd guess you would be looking at 4 - 6 weeks.
In Fall of 2006, I ordered a 2007 Coupe ( not a Z06 ) from a very high volume Corvette Dealer and it arrived in exactly 5 weeks.
YMMV.
Good luck!
- Ray
$65,444.
http://www.kerbeck.com/kerbeck/kerbeck.nsf/corvette_special_offers
They show 8 Z06s in stock & 6 more inbound....
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their orders before release of the car waited for two years to get delivery at MSRP.
Then again, the ZR1 has just been announced and that is going to put some what
of a damper on it's lesser cousins.
The notes above about dealers having allocations is key, if they won't show you
what their allocation is and can explain it simply, they probably just don't know
enough to get you what you want.
Randy
Observation: INSANE, OBSCENE....what else to say...., INCREDIBLE!!!I
I've attended schools for 11-12 years, driving Supra TT's, '01 Z06 and '03 Z06 and now an '08 coupe.
Anyway, I met this fellow a number of years ago when he drove a Zanardi NSX. He is an instructor and drives his cars extremely well. He traded his Zanardi for a Stradale maybe 2 years ago and he gave me a ride in that...WOW! He sold the Stradale a couple months ago and was really in the hunt for a GT3; even went to look at a couple of them but they were disappointing to him so he gravitated to the Z06. Bought it Wednesday night, left Friday a.m. with 80 miles on the clock and drove up to RA.
He is TOTALLY impressed with the Z06. I wanted a ride and got it. I just can't fathom the difference between my '03 w/ 405 ponies and his w/ 505. Sure, I expected more grunt and I knew the brakes were much improved w/ 6/4 pistons but damn, the car was so well balanced, all I could do was giggle and smile.
He didn't even have time to change brake fluid nor upgrade pads so it was bone stock. All weekend, no fade, and no spongy pedal.
I knew I'd be impressed but had no idea as to how much I would be impressed.
Truly, the ride of my life.
of exercise at Spring Mt. MSP in Pahrump, NV last fall. Had two students, one a
GM exec and the other a guy my age from So. Calif., leading edge baby boomer.
The car is amazing but for one's first track toy it is too fast to learn in. Both of them
had to spin out once before they started to listen about going in slow and exiting
fast, learning the line and 'building' speed. And the spins came with the Active
Handling system working, you really have to screw up to accomplish that! No harm
and no foul as all ended well and they pretty much both improved greatly over the
weekend. The car is obscenely fast.
Randy
expansion; the resin smell inside the car made my daughter sick, another 60 miles
and we are understanding styrene off-gassing from the SMC panels inside the car
is a serious health issue. Sad to say this can last days to years; depending on
ambient temp. and such. Has anyone else experienced this to a unacceptable
degree? Bought my first vette in 85; last one-91-ZR-1. No previous odor.
This issue has been discussed on the Corvette forum.
Please respond to this issue. Thanks
But my 2007 did smell 'new' and of leather inside for over a year, parked with the windows closed.
My guess, by weight, a Z06 is probably 40% petroleum products. The body and interior is probably over 90%. And the car, while stopped, has very little air movement out of the interior.
In a house, the carpet and much furniture is also petroleum products. This is something that you are not going to get away from in todays 'modern' world.
Their first track day....in a Z06??? That should be illegal...LOL!
Seriously, that is WAY too much car for a first timer unless they are good students and listen real well. Even then, I'd be nervous in the passenger seat.
I started with Supra TT's and while it was great fun, I wanted to use all the horses and as a result I went like crazy in the straights but continually screwed up the corners. Yup, an instructors worst nightmare.
Thankfully, with some very good instructors I got the message and actually obtained instructor status.
Looking back though, I'm not so sure that novice students should not all drive something like a BMW 318. Something that comes out of the box with great handling and good brakes but not an abundance of horses. It would be a superior "learning" vehicle in my mind.
I still cannot believe how impressed I was with the new Z06 but that positive thought should be tempered with the fact that the driver was incredibly talented.
Needs some work...only 1600 miles on odometer, as it was a SEMA show car.
I've always wanted a vette since 30 years ago....
Long wait...but worth it.
:-)