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Chevrolet C6 Corvette
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Comments
Speaking of quality, I do not understand why American car manufacturers cannot have the quality control like Japanese car manufacturers do.
After all, they should have worked out the quality issue before actual production begins.
I mean after first 500 or so units, there should be no unknown quality issues, but we all know that is not the case.
I guess the downfalls of all the American and European cars is the quality and that is why Japanese car makers are gaining more and more market share in US.
I predict in 10 years, American and European cars combine will hold less than 20% of the total US market if they do not realize that quality is the number one priority.
JD Powers still doesn't like the 2004 C5s interior quality and body integrity but gives it good marks for mechanicals.
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/safety.jsp?makeid=9&modelid=86&year=2004&myid=&acode=&crpPage=summary.jsp&aff=national.
So it's the same old "fit and finish" argument.
The size is right, it is a performance bargain, and has a great community of owners. I was really thinking of a new Porsche 997, but if I look at everything, it seems tough to beat the C6, plus I will save at least 15,000 dollars and have better performance.
My only question is a coupe' or convertible? Any thoughts on the body stiffness, cowl shake issues, etc. My Boxster was exemplary in those areas. I prefer a coupe' in many ways, but a nice night with the top down is hard to beat
The coupe is just a little stiffer with the top in as many doing autocross have noted on other boards, but that's in C5s and the initial writeups on the C6 give the vert good marks in this area.
As for quality, I think the fit and finish is some below other good models, but I don't and never have wanted an Accord or Camry. The reliability has been made top notch with hope that they will improve there on the C6, we'll see as the owner comments start to come in within a few months. Enjoy your C6!
" Dual Roof Package
Includes removable one-piece body-color roof panel and removable one-piece transparent roof panel. INCLUDES CC3" show I assumed (shame on me) that the targa had become an option. But when I looked at the standard features, it showed it as a targa. That might do it for me.
Thanks everyone
Quality is less and less of an issue now
the car connection has a so/so review that is mostly a rehash of what's out there before the actual drive reviews. Motor Trend and Car and Driver have both put out performance data in current editions and the C6 Z51 is close to the early reviews of the C5 Z06 which seems about right.
Looking forward more and more to a test drive.
And I learned from the dealer last weekend, the C6 will cost me approx $15K more than a new C5......now I'll have to wait for a C6 test drive.
http://www.mlive.com/business/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/business-- 0/1091719665213420.xml
One article starts about a test drive and the other finishes it after the first gives lots of stats.
Anyway, I have a behind the scenes still photo and clip from the ad on my server at:
http://64.49.250.212/images3/C22383_051_800x532.jpg
ad clip:
http://64.49.250.212/images3/a_boys_dream.mov
http://www.sleepy-fish.com/sleepy/Top_Gear_Corvette_hi.wmv
An interesting message. I still am on the fencepost and have 50K earmarked for a new vette. Based upon your message, when do you see a C6 for 50K (as you mention). I do not think it is possible in the next year. Until I see a C6, I am still leaning towards a heavily discounted C5.
I do wonder how the heck a 14 year old NSX out-dragged a C6 though. And, the video kept zooming in on what appeared to be some rather atrocious panel misfit around the front hood. Hmm.
Since the Coupe starts at just under $45k and there are dealers on the web taking MSRP orders for delivery within a few months we are already there. Now it just depends on what you want on the car, ours have had about $5k to $7k in options, so getting below $50k MSRP may take awhile, to get what you want, as you note. The local dealers will mostly be asking for premiums for years to come, some still are on some C5's, and bless them, they get it once in awhile.
The problem with price is that without specific option levels it doesn't mean a too much. But, as noted above the $50k 2005 Corvette is available if you look, and the under $40k 2004 Corvette will be available for just a little longer with supply going down rapidly, selection being very thin about now, unless you like basic colors, IMO.
At the current C5 pricing they have been moving 33k to 35k per year which in my view marks them as not a dime a dozen. However, given the performance per dollar view they are a tremendous bargin compared to many they can easily pass at the track. Now, someone can go on about the S2000 and Evo which I'm sure must be highly modified but seem to have little trouble passing me at the tracks. In the one case it's too tight to be comfortable and in the other, well let's just say it's got a back seat, or at least used to have one. Nice thing about the current market, most can have what they want! Enjoy what you drive, I sure am!
Probably, given the C6s amazing capabilities, that most buyer objections are going to be aesthetic ones. But even here C&D lauded the C6 as much improved aesthetically, noting that the older Vettes looked to some people like "an ill-fitting superhero costume" (cruel, very cruel), but I get the point of what they were saying, however exaggerated it might have been.
The new car is leaner and less over-the-top. I think "world class" is a combination of the mechanical AND the aesthetic, and this combination is not easily achieved. No automaker is going to win over Porsche or Ferrari drivers with questionable aesthetics or so-so build quality, no way. There are many seriously aesthetically-challened cars that go a lot faster than either a Vette or a Porsche. It all takes time but if the progression from C5 to C6 continues, GM is getting closer and closer to the mark at a very attractive price.
When you are in the 70K on up price class, people want something seriously exquisite for that money.
Oddly enough, C&D mentioned something that bothered me about the C5 and I guess still exists in the C6---the resin smell. I hope this goes away as the car is driven for a while.
Ferrari 356 is an older car still, early 70s vintage...no fair picking on the elderly --hahaha!
Nice that you are getting plenty of track time. I wish more people would do that. I hate to see all this exotic machinery wasted creeping around shopping malls.
The LS2 is a 6.0 liter, not a 6.2 as described.
Chevy has not taken a long time to come up with a 400 hp engine, not compared to other car manufacturers. Maybe Charts2 forgot about the LS6, the 5.7 liter 385 hp engine that came out in 2001, then in 2002, was upgraded to 405 hp. Remember, the LS1, on which the LS6 is based, was new in 1997, so within 5 years, there was a 400 hp engine. Most car companies don't have a 400 hp anything.
Since the 6.1 liter Hemi and the LS7 (the new Z06 engine) are vaporware at this time, it makes little sense to throw words around as to which one is better or more powerful. I've heard that the LS7 will be slightly under 500 hp, but until it's out, one just has to wait.
I think the fact that the C5 can compete and beat many other high performance cars that cost a lot more is a good sign the the Corvette leads the way with a lot of things. I don't see how the improved C6 can be called anything other than a segment leader.
Also to my mind, if I apply a higher standard to the word "high performance", the C6 comes out a lot better than a Viper and a better performer than a GT40, and the M3 is better than it looks just on paper.
The more I read about the C6, the more I think this may be my next car a few years down the road. I'll let the early adopters take the MSRP hit and then I'll take a look.
Still, it would be a totally different drive than my current RX8. I don't know if I could give up the "fun" that the RX8 offers. The allure of all that HP and torque is undeniable, though.
From what I'm reading, the C6 is about $1K LESS than the C5. I'd have to guess that perhaps the '06 or '07 model years might yield some rebates? I qualify for GMO/GMS and would think the C6 price may be a little more pallatble using those GM discounts.
I need some C6 seat and road test time.
I take it you like the M3, Shifty, but having a few rides in the neighbor's, it's just a coupe with a back seat. That's why they got it, need room for a child seat, and for anything beyond the kid that back seat is not very comfortable. It doesn't really have much more head room, well I could go on, but needless to say, I'll take what I've got to the track and every so often get to pass an M3.
Took the 3 day class at Bragg-Smith last year and it's now Spring Mountain Motorsports Park with new 2004 Z06's and the web site says they are going to add C6, Z51's, I think that might be the ticket for some seat time in a C6. Should be a good comparison to get back to back with the last C5 Z06 before they raise the bar again.
One last comment on the C6 pricing. The list is just below the C5 but the options are higher on most stuff so I expect the out the door pricing to be just a little higher when all is said and done. I too am waiting for some discounts.
List on the new coupe is $43.4k down $400 from $43.8k. For those who got manual it is now standard so that saves another $900. But that doesn't get you heads up display (HUD), memory and power sport seats and auto dimming mirrors, telescope on steering wheel and new for '05 side air bags. The '04 package was $1.2k while the preferred package (1SB) for '05 is $4.4k. Then the new Z51 performance package includes new coolers, better gearing and brakes but it goes for $1.5k vs. $400 for the '04. So, that's $1300 off and add $3.2 + $1.1k ending up with about a $3000 increase with some nice new stuff. Still trying to sort out the old addon 12 disc changer vs. the new 6 disc in dash sound system.
Personally getting the car without HUD or the telescope wheel is really missing out, but at 6' 3" I find the wheel without telescope to twist my leg so it's not comfortable to drive, it's a must have, IMO. Also the sport seats have a cut through that works well with harnesses which is a significant shortfall on the Z06 seats if you ask many who track the cars. Going to be very interesting to see what this all does to option take rates compared to history, things are going to change, how much, only time will tell.
Since Corvettes require the use of synthetic oil, I'm not nearly as concerned about the oil sump changes. Just a guess, but I'd say the use of synthetic oil probably negates any affects using a quart less.
That said, only time and miles will tell the tale.
I'm sure the engineers know what they are doing (obviously, given the product) but sometimes you get bit in the butt from the most unusual sets of circumstances.
Before I bought my current ride, I considered the C5 pretty seriously (particularly since I qualify for GMS pricing).
My biggest complaint with the C5 was the "low quality" interior (typical GM fare) and the "buckboard" ride. In my estimation, in today's world, you can have both a decent ride as well as great handling.
Plus, I wasn't real keen on the C5 body style. The C6 fits more with the type of styling I like.
If I'm reading the initial trade rag reviews correctly, all of these issues have been addressed in the C6.
I'm anxious to hear of owners experiences when they get the first ones.
The C1 Corvette had several problems as a sports car, but “good performance” was not one of them. The C1 was a decent performer, compared to other sports cars of the day. I have read that information in countless reviews during the last 40 years. Since then, many Corvettes could easily be called “good performers” and some could be called great performers. Saying it took 51 years to get a “good performer” is quite a stretch.
The September 2002 Car and Driver had an article entitled “10,000-HP Shootout” where a bunch of Tuner Cars were tested, then all the tests were summarized in a time line and a winner was chosen. After the tuners were tested, three stock cars were tested the same way. The three stockers were the 911 Turbo, the Z06, and the Viper. The Z06 came in third place in this stocker test. What else did I learn from this test? The Z06 tied with the 911 on the road course, both beating the Viper. There was a 150 to 0 MPH braking test where the 911 stopped in 684 feet, the Z06 in 702 feet, and the Viper in 775 feet, something like that. The point is that the Z06 could compete with these other two cars which both cost a lot more money. I would not describe this third place car as having to play catch up with anyone, especially when one considers its price.
Now, take the C6. With whom is the C6 going to play catch up when it goes on sale real soon? If you exclude any car that costs more than, say, $55000, I wonder what you’d say.
The only reason I can think that there wasn't whining when they switched seats is that she drove first and he didn't have to relinquish the controls. After seeing my first one, I can note that I didn't notice where the cup holders were.
And added info from the Corvette Museum newsletter today:
Corvette Assembly Plant Ships the First Batch of 6th Generation Corvettes
Today, the Corvette Assembly Plant will ship the first batch of C6 Corvette Coupes to many dealerships throughout the United States. The first “batch” is reported to have approximately 70 Corvettes ready with others to follow soon. "This is an exciting day for the Corvette community and for the Bowling Green Assembly Plant," said Wil Cooksey, plant manager. "Our plant is committed to building the highest quality, most precise and powerful sports cars for our customers." The plant will continue to accelerate to its production build schedule this fall. "This is a memorable day in Corvette history. ...
I thought the Lexus SC430 was for that type of buyer?
Like it or hate it, the Porsche 911 is still a bit "rough and ready", with that electric wire feel all true sports car should have. I trust the C6-C7-C8s will go that way as well.
http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/stories/public/200408/17/0dZO- _top-feature.html
http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2004/MERC-Aug-19-Thu-2004/24527491- .html
FWIW