Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I am also glad the software isnt done by Microsoft!! The term CRASH takes on a whole new dimension!! Which will be address by OS 6.111112...
Seriously even our most sophisticated fighters have been relying on computers to help to fly them for years now!!
Even our 50 plus year bomber the B52H will put in close to 100 years in the air when hopefully mercifully, it is yanked from service.
I presently am driving a Volvo that is about to have its lease mature. I have been considering leasing a Corvette coupe. However, the one thing that is a must for me is a comfortable seat (I have back problems from prior automobile accidents that were not my fault; however, the injuries remain). Herewith my question: How are the seats in the Corvette for comfort? I believe that the seats in the '03 Corvette are upgraded from the seats in the earlier models; is this true? Does anyone have Volvos in the family that can compare the seats between the Corvette and the Volvo? The best response would be from someone who has suffered back injuries (compressed disks, partially fractured vertebrae) in the lumbar area.
I do like to drive, and the Corvette would be a fun car; however, I have to take care of my back.
What I am telling you is indeed 2nd hand, told to me by a long time and avid Volvo driver with back concerns. The seat in question was a Z06 seat, so it may not be totally germane. He told me during and after a 4000 mile road trip that we took together that the Z06 and the seats were very comfortable and he was amazed he could do a 8-12 hr leg and be relatively comfortable. He stated that if it was in his Volvo that 3-4 hrs max would have been his limit. I was comfortable also but I am blessed with no back concerns. I also find what I just told you a bit counterintuitive for on the face of it, I personally would have like the seats in the Z06 more Euro and Japan like.
Thanks
Volvo Seats -- I'm with ruking here, I never thought the Volvo seats were particularly comfortable, and they seem awkward to adjust.
You should sit in a new Vette and pay particular attention to the range of seat adjustments, and also where your knees end up.
10 supposedly came from the enlarged air box intake, MAF screen removal and pup cats being removed. The other 10 from a mild cam change and some reprograming of the ECU.
As to seats, I have a Z06 and think the seats are OK comfort wise for long hauls but they totally suck if you like driving the twisties...very poor side bolstering. My brother has a Vette convert and has the optional "sport seats" which are much better from a bolstering standpoint. However this is not available on the Z06.
Go figure, you can't get the "sport" seats in their sportiest model (Z06).
Regarding water leaks, there are a couple service bulletins that address these issues and may be helpful:
Check here for more information:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/index.php?ownertopic_id=13
I am not sure if electric controlled driver and passengers seats are standard across the vette line, (Z06 electric drivers seats are standard with the passenger seat on manually adjusted rails) but I would make sure you had that option for optimum adjustability. I personally found that once I had the seat position's dialed in, I seldom if ever moved it, even with 10-12 hrs of seat time.
My understanding from reading the Corvette.com website and discussions with the sales staff at the nearest Chevrolet dealer is that the '03 Coupe comes with the sport seats as a standard equipment item. Therefore, the request for feedback from anyone who had the sport seat upgrade on an earlier model C-5. (Trying to get as close to an apples-to-apples comparision as possible.)
Regarding electric powered seats, I completely agree with the concept of power seats. I would even order the memory option - inevitably when the car is dropped off for service, someone changes the seat position to suit their size. You then spend a non-trivial amount of time re-adjusting the seat to fit your requirements again. A simple press of the memory button is all that is needed to bring things back to where they need to be for maximum comfort.
Once again, thanks for the feedback.
I got the Vette in Montana and had to drive it back to SF, so planned 4 days just in case knowing that I would need to get out and relax every so often. On the trip back longest days drive was 10 hr. day and wife did at least 1 hour a day and maybe 2.5 hours on that long day. But I was still sitting, and surprise, no real issues with the back. I got the sport seats on both sides with electric on passenger as well. I like the driver's double bolster in the lower back and the side bolsters as well. Also as mentioned elsewhere in several posts, I got the Z51 suspension to do some autocrossing and track time and even with stiffer ride I don't see any problems. I have also taken the car to LA/Orange Co. and back with similar results, no back issues.
I found several dealers I could work with on Corvetteforum.com and I know CorvetteActionCenter.com also has several as well. Check around, they can even order for you from out of state and have it delivered to a local dealer for a minimal charge, say $125 to $250. I get mine serviced at the dealer I didn't buy from and say hi to the salesman every so often and we have talked, he was glad I got what I wanted at what I wanted to spend and as he notes the ones they have gotten in since then have all moved off the showroom floor. Can't fault the guy for wanting to feed Mom and the kids.
But that depends on finding one who will do it, I've heard several people say that Caddy dealers are more likely to do it than Chevy dealers.
How many miles are on the '99? If I am not mistaken starting with 2000 the specified 75W-90 gear oil is synthetic.
The answer is no. There is a certain amount of marbles in a can type of noise, but since you have put app 28k on it, I would figure you would notice a difference.
Depending on whom you talk with, the upper end of rear differential oil is life, down to 25k. I would say bring the car in under warranty is in line to fix the problem, if you indeed have one or to assure you if there is none.
The "marbles in a can" occurs in all vehicles equipped with the Borg-Warner T56 transmission. It can be heard as a slight grinding rattle when in neutral with the clutch engaged. A small rev of about 500 rpms makes it louder for just a split second.
How recent is your data on Corvette's? I have joined a club, haven't had one person mention NCRS and matching numbers in the last year. Read about it a bunch in Mags and the internet, or I wouldn't even know what you referenced. Been to 3 autocrosses, 2 to watch and one I tried out after getting a helmet and got lots of input to help from people from several other clubs. Been up to Sears Point 3 times to watch and in all 3 cases there were a handful of Vette's, several Ferrari's, a number of M3's and lesser BMer's plus many others including a couple Capri's, of which I had forgotten until I saw them, but very few Porsche's. Not to mention all the stuff from the setting sun which I have to admit I don't much look at. The race prepped late 60's Mustang with cut off hard top and full roll cage was a kick to watch. Big block I think based on hp numbers people were throwing around. Maybe times have changed some, it is always possible.
http://www.vetteweb.com/features/0208vet_celebrate/
Again, if anyone has actual ownership experience with the F55 option, I would be interested to hear about your experience(s).
Thanks for the magazine info Shifty.
This is subject to an experts' opinion, but I heard calculated that: 1. 10#'s of additional weight equals app minus -1 hp. 2. 100#'s is equivilent of 2-3 mpg.
From a performance point of view, I think that one trend that is instructive from the Corvette Coupe and Convertible to the Z06 Corvette is that weight gained is hard to lose on subsequent models. (On the principle that: Most all features tend to add weight.)
Another trend might be the fact that weight loss is infinitely cheaper and more reliable than upping the HP to compensate for a heavier vehicle. This is very evident, say, if you compare BMW's M-3 and to me, the apples to apples comparo of BMW flagship two seater, the Z-8. to the Corvette Z06.
Or let me cut to the chase, all things being equal would you like a 3115# which is awesome, or a 2500# vehicle with the same identical engine and or HP (385-405 hp) ? Or like having 61.5 hp more.
Comparative weights: M-3 Convertible = 3781#'s
M-3 Coupe = 3415#'s
Z-8 Convertible = 3495#'s
So as you can see the range of weight over the Corvette Z06 is from 666#'s,300#'s,380#'s, respectively. If the 10#'s per minus one hp is correct, on vehicle weight alone, that is: minus -66,-30,-38 hp respectively.
On the other perspective, most if not all BMW buyers REALLY don't care. We know this by the simple fact, they buy them. They like paying more for the extra features and corresponding extra weight.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=168
http://www.avelate.com/speedsterGallery.html
After checking out your link, these cars sound like SERIOUS eye candy to me!
Actually I am wondering outloud if having a vette that generates vigorous downforce (no big visible wings for heavens sake) but (like in F1 cars) would add seat of the pants performance!
I am glad it worked out well for you! I also like how the measuring procedure is so fool proof! If the car is level, then pump in the 4 oz of friction modifier,synthetic differential oil and if it drips back out it is full!!! In any case the total amount of synthetic differential oil (75W-90) is just under 2 qts if memory serves me correctly!
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/0301Vette_Retiring
It was really slow to come up on my home connection. Be patient.