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Does anyone know of somewhere to get a nice looking, not obscenely expensive tool kit that would look good in a C5 trunk?
We're going on our first caravan and everyone suggests a tool kit, but we're picky about what we put in our 50th. Newbies...:)
By the way, I strongly suggest the F55 suspension. I'm constantly suprised by how comfortable the car is, without seeming to give up anything to the standard suspension in handling. There was absolutely _no_ gritting of teeth involved at any point in the 800 mile plus drive home from the factory, over some not great roads.
I would also carry a supply of synthetic oil (1-3 quarts)
Another thing I do carry is the tire inflator kit for the Z06. If you have a lug nut lock, don't forget the lug nut key.
A spray bottle with dilute car wash with 100% cotton toweling is very good to have on hand . I use it a lot for insect removal, road splatter etc. I also tour with a front nose bra and that seems to really cut down on the insect issue and NO paint chips!. You can also use the ubiquitous nasty gas station provided squeegee, whereas I would never use that on exposed paint. It also provides a bit a padding for those almost inevitable small stone/ rock incidents.
I have taken numerous long trips totalling 40k miles in my 2001 Z06 with the above "tools" I also would not get too nuclear with tools because the luggage limits are like 100#s above and beyond two folks, if I have read my technical data correctly.
If you still feel the need to carry hand tools, since you are caravaning, you can avoid duplication by in effect having everyone care a small part of a pretty substantial tool kit list. Communication will in all likelyhood be by cell phone or CB so you can find the right tools when and if need be.
A safe and happy trip to you!
The second session was a repeat with the road course instead of the NASCAR configuration. Sears Point has what seems like a lot of elevation and sweeping into turn one at just over 70, slight brake into turn two to wide open throttle to slight brake into turn 3 is really a kick. Going down hill through 5 into 6 at close to 80, braking hard and then going wide open just past the apex at the bottom and hitting a '00 up the straight is really a blast when you finally get the line correct. Too much else to go on out to the U at turn 11 but you get the idea.
If you haven't done it, it's a great time. The group of 8 we had included another Vette, a 911 and BMW's, two were M3's. Just what the Corvette was made for.
However, this weekend I hope to get into the low 13's with a little help from a new exhaust system and having been once before. Straight line seems fun too.
Best part for me was seeing her eyes light (even with binoculars) at a safe distance!! It took the better part of the day for her to wipe that wired on grin after the experience!
Your experience sounds like the Highway Survival course can be a good base to send her to the school you are describing!!
Just put a Magnaflow exhaust system on this past week and it does sound nice. Not much louder, but deeper rumble and at cruise speeds I don't get any resonating sound in the car, except on steeper hills when you put it under load. Depending on what is on the CD it can be heard. Just hoping the 15 ponies and 12 ft #'s help tomorrow at the Vette Magic drags @ Sacto. Should be fun since I've now got an idea of what to do from the prior visit.
Got to see quite a number of vintage vettes at Sears Point today on a complimentary ticket from Jaguar. They had an introduction party on the back of turn 7 with test drives in the XJR, nice ride if you like big sedans. The XK8/R is still too tight to get into for someone 6'2" or over. After putting down the rear, my head hits the top of the door frame 1/2 way from the top of the ear to top of the head, about 1 1/2 inches too tight, requiring a fold and spindle that is painful. The Corvette is amazingly roomy in comparison.
http://photos.yahoo.com/starrow68
Link to just a few pic's, go to the Vette Magic folder.
Next Gen Corvette, speculation and spy photos.
http://palmeter.com/CorvetteTimelineW11P06.htm
Enjoy. Now, what's the HP for '05, that's the real question.
Seems the consensus is the regular C6 will come in at about 420 HP and they are going to weigh in at about 3100# (the current Z06 weight). If so, it will be one helluva ride for a "standard" Vette. The C6 Z06 will appear a year later (July '05) at a rumored 500 horses and a weight goal of 2900#.
I have an '01 Z06 and don't keep my fun cars for more than 2-3 years so am contemplating an '03 because of the deep discounts now available...or wait for the '04's which will have early and deep discounts also. (just who is going to buy a 405 hp '04 Z06 when the "standard" Vettes come soon as the next generation C6 with more horses and the same weight?)
Questions yet to be answered...and please, don't tell me the sane thing to do is to keep my '01 and wait for the C6/C6 Z06. I KNOW that's the sane thing...unfortunately, I've always been a bubble or two off when it comes to fun sleds.
The price, IMO, is the important question to me.
Thanks
While you didn't state your mileage and or driving patterns,the problem may be as simple as adding GM friction modifier to your 75w-90 gear oil(less than 4 oz).
The next level would be to change out the gear oil and/or go up to using synthetic, such as GM synthetic, Redline, Amsoil, Mobil One, Royal Purple etc. While I know for sure the 2001 has GM synthetic 75w-90, I understand that the 98 is probably conventional. Depending on which synthetic you use, also use the above mention friction modifier in 5-6% dilution (4 oz) The acid test would be to do figure 8's (slow speed) with no chatter. You can DIY if you have the time and equipment or at a Corvette specialty shop it can cost 30 dollars shop time(15 min to 30 min), plus parts, 2 qts synthetic 75w-90 gear oil and 4 oz of GM friction modifier. (Most shops will install the parts you bring)
The easiest way to start is to do a series of figure 8's in a parking lot to see if you have differential chatter. If you get chatter on both left and right turns, then almost for sure it is the GM friction modifier issue. If it still has only one side look into the bearing issue.
Thanks all..
-Core
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
What is a good deal at a dealer for a new 2003 Z06? What are they willing to do?
What is a good deal for a used 2002 or 2003 Z06 with let's say 10k miles?
Any recommendations and tips? Plus, it's really tough to find them out there. If you were me, what would you do?
I don't want to wait until c6
Next issue was California delivery and smog. I ordered the car, which I picked up in Montana, with CA smog option. That made no difference since it seems that all cars are now 50 state legal. I just got a smog check on return to CA and got the registration at DMV and paid fees and sales tax at a prescheduled appointment, no hassle. The other option is to get out of state dealer to set up for courtesy delivery at a local dealer, I've seen several cases where people used Cadilac dealers instead of Chevy. FWIW. They seem to want a documentation fee of a couple hundred dollars to process pickup. I've had no issues getting good service at the local Chevy dealer on the Vette.
Looking around can make a big difference. How much depends on timing, the same local dealer that quoted me $5k over in 2001 was pushing $5k under a few months ago. But this was a good 9 months after you could get that same deal on the internet if you looked around.
Your deal is $5.7k with $.5 add back for $5.2k off. What is local delivery and getting what you want worth? Sounds like you are very close to a deal, especially if it's what you want. That was critical for me, still enjoying it 20+months later and I even own a 2nd Vette now as well. Once to the track and couple times to the drags with a few autocrosses added in and it really can develop a huge smile. Then again just drive it for a touring car and it is superb!
SAve the Wave!
BTW, ruking1, any chance you are going to the all Vette Autocross in Marina on Saturday the 12th?
Ok, the wife corrected me, the X-Pipe and new mufflers are supposed to add just over 15hp, and they do look good.
Thanks in advance, Bill G
2017 Accord Sport CVT Mod Steel Metallic
As I remember the experience, once you get in cue, the key is to keep in fairly close contact with person that you either bought it from or the person who is responsible for monitoring the contact. I bought mine in CA in the Napa Valley, so one other treat was to be able to tour the wine country. While I was getting the winery tour , during the "orientation ride" (sure glad the car knew the way around, "the gals" went to Napa to do real damage at the outlet stores! I had a great experience with a GM dealer and if you want contact information, just send me an e mail.
Corvette forum has a dealer vendor who writes a newsletter column and it is quite informative both on the process and news about new Corvettes. All the best!
Keeping track of your build as it goes through the GM system is something that helps you get past the worry along the way, at least for me. Again, Ken's news letter info helped. Linking up with your local Corvette club and actually having a few folks show you what to look for on delivery inspection is also a good idea. There were still things I thought about asking after the fact so the more background you get ahead of time the better. Also there are local corvette shows which can provide lots of personal insights if you can track one down. Most Corvette people love to discuss the experience, if you are up to it.
Last thing is the obvious, easy breakin, early oil change, most recommend magnetic oil drain plug if they aren't standard now. Even with stability and other aids it is easy to lose it some in spite of the massive rubber contacts. Fun when expected but scary when not expected. Then again you can drive it like a touring car and never hear a tire squeal if desired. I have a couple of freeway onramps with good visibility that I now enter without touching the brakes from speed limit and it acts like it's on rails, maintain balance into turn and easy power out to set the rear and the car can amaze you if you turn in correctly, apex and unwind. Oh, btw, a day at a defensive driving class is also a very good idea.
Ok, I'm curious as well, willing to discuss how much off MSRP they are going for at this point? Sure my $2k off from back before 911 is way out of date. I know what I read but actual deals put it in better perspective. Enjoy the ride, save the wave, and be safe.
Also, while I have your attention, the owners' manual 'recommends' using premium, saying that it will give the best performance. But it then hedges by saying that you actually can burn any high-quality gas in it. I am tentatively assuming that there is a real difference in performance between using premium and using mid-grade, but I invite any information anyone can give me. Thanks.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
As to mileage it is amazing, at one rally this couple in a C5 got over 30 miles per gallon for a 100 mile trek not all on freeway. Back to reality, not many Vette drivers are trying to get good mileage so don't be surprised if some ask, why would you bother. OTOH I've tried to get top mileage several times and gotten close to 24 combined with much on the freeway. All it takes is lots of driving around in 6th even as low as at 35mph, just have to be very easy on the throttle if you need to accelerate, gobs of torque helps. If I stay under 65 on the freeway with very few hills it will get into mid 30's but drops off after that. Crusing at 100mph it still will get close to 22mpg, I've seen a claim of 23 but how would I know? Where could you do that legally?
As to premium, never considered anything else, I'd hate to hear that sweet purr start knocking and I think that is where you might end up if the octane gets a little low. I've talked to several performance oriented drivers who keep 96 octane around, it is available, to bring up the average from the available 91. YMMV
If it were my Corvette, I would not run anything less than 91 octane.