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Resistance was futile.
I ordered a 2007 Corvette C6 Coupe on Wednesday. Expected delivery in 5 – 6 weeks.
Monterey Red \ Titanium Gray
3LT, MX0, CC3
- Ray
Soon to be Corvette Driver . . .
True. And in fact there will be NO back seat at all! Something I no longer require. . .
I posted this here because some may be interested. I posted my impressions of the Corvette after 2 test drives in early July on the C6 Forum here. The market has softened somewhat for Corvettes and we are now heading into somewhat colder weather – not prime Corvette sales time. So the price offer ( discount ) now met my requirement.
While I certainly see that these are 2 very different cars in many ways ( including such basics as price and number of doors \ seats ) I do find that they share some quite similar driving dynamics. Just at a significantly higher level in the C6.
At 57, I do not know how many more new cars I’ll be able to buy. The C6 has added some essential elements I was looking for before I decided to make this “plunge”: The styling of the C5, particularly the rear, was not to my taste. The addition of the 6 speed manumatic with paddle shift was the most significant mechanical change to me. For me. ( The C6's 6 speed manumatic with paddle shift is actually a very similar implementation to the GXP ! )
Bursitis demands that I not deal with a clutch – and Atlanta area traffic means I would not want to, on a daily driver. The availability of the heated seats & telescoping steering column help make the C6 an acceptable daily driver. For me, the time had come.
Anyway, again I thank all on this Forum that ( repeatedly ) provide valuable information & insights.
I will be moving on in a while.
Cheers,
- Ray
Still enjoying every drive in the GXP . . .
Understand the clutch and traffic. Had a Mustang 5.0 with stick and did the LA 405.....not too much fun.
Gonna keep the GXP as well?
Cheers,
Gary
Make : PONTIAC Model : GRAND PRIX Year : 2006
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Service Bulletin Num : 3975 Date of Bulletin: JAN 01, 1901
NHTSA Item Number: 10019842
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK
Summary:
INTERMITTENT DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING LAMP, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM MESSAGE, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM MESSAGE, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1390, C0236 AND/OR C0240. *AK
You'll never hit 12's in a GXP with slicks and a CAI though. Even with a 75hp shot of Nitrous you'd be low to mid 13's.....as can be seen by Area47 at clubgp.
Anyway, just for comparison sake, I am posting my Corvette MPG from my trip to Florida over the weekend – compared to my GXP.
Trip: Approx. 725 miles, mostly over 2 travel days.
Average MPG = 28.25 ( Excel & DIC nearly identical )
My 2005 GXP ( when well broken in ) managed approx. 24 MPG, with essentially the same load & road conditions.
This trip included a couple of ‘demonstration’ acceleration runs: 15 – 95 or so. NOT exactly the best conditions for fuel economy . . .
Just another point on the curve.
- Ray
Car: 2007 Corvette Coupe, 6.0L V8 ( 400 \ 400 ) with six speed automatic.
Me, too.
( sigh )
I have written my feedback to ( at? ) every Edmunds \ CarSpace person I can find an email address for . . .
Oh, well.
- Ray
Movin’ on . . .
My brother had a bent rim on his 1995 Impala SS which he refuses to sell and they wanted a $1,000 to replace it. He straighted it out himself. Maybe you can get the dent out yourself. Good luck. I at first was a little skeptical about the GXP after I purchased it, but now really like it and get a lot of compliments on it. I have only seen one around so far. They seem to be rare, which I like. My color is the Dark Cherry Red Metallic. I have everything in it except the nav system. chats1
Meaning what, exactly?
When I had mine replaced, they were certainly re-balanced...
And they were balanced from the factory.
- Ray
Curious....
And to close this subject here.
( I’ll try to place this largely in GXP context, but I’ll admit one could argue that this is somewhat Off Topic, and [ perhaps ] I should request the indulgence of the Moderators? )
Executive summary: I am very, vary pleased with my Corvette experience, so far – and I really do not miss the GXP. Though comparisons are really moot, I did find it interesting that to obtain substantially improved performance in the areas important to me ( acceleration, handling, etc. ) I needed to give up:
2 doors
rear seats
a separate trunk
a sunroof
And: I paid almost exactly $20,000 more for the Corvette than I did for my GXP.
I monitor my car’s fuel economy – and have for decades.
My C6, in essentially identical driving and Daily Use, as my GXP was, has so far returned 22.97 MPG – in 3441.8 miles of driving.
Again, in identical driving, my 2005 GXP in the first 10 fills achieved 18.6.
This is approx. 23.5% better in the Corvette.
If I eliminate the 2 tanks of driving the Corvette to Florida & back last Thanksgiving ( somewhat atypical and 28.1 & 28.5 MPG ) the average for the Corvette drops to 22.13 MPG. This is still almost 19% better than the GXP.
Not one tank on the C6 has been below 20 MPG – and in the first 10 fills, my GXP never achieved ** OVER ** 20 MPG. Again, in virtually identical driving.
Several of “the usual suspects” are in play here:
The C6 is roughly 400 pounds lighter than the GXP.
The C6 is more aerodynamic.
Also: The very wide gear spacing in the 6L80 transmission allows for both a “ye – HAW !!” first gear and a very ‘tall’ sixth gear – for very low RPM highway cruising.
At a steady 65 to 70 MPH on level road the trip computer instant MPG readout quickly stabilizes at 31 to 33 MPG.
It will pull 55 in sixth gear with no problem – and with full TCC lockup.
( 55 MPH = approx. 1,200 RPM in sixth gear. )
In fact, it will pull sixth from about 42 MPH – with no indications of any stress or strain. Though I would not typically apply WOT at that speed in sixth.
( 6.0L and OHV = Lovely Torque, even at very low RPM. Peak TQ is 400 at 4,400 RPM – but the LS2 also makes a bit over 300 at 1,200 RPM. Plenty to move 3200 #s along. )
I hasten to add here that I certainly did not consider my GXP to be a ‘gas hog’.
Or anything like that.
I was just always somewhat disappointed at my GXP’s highway MPG, given the EPA rating of 27.
I never achieved 27 for a full tank, though I did once come close, with half a tank - under near ideal conditions – at 26.4.
My real world experience with my GXP just did not match up as well as I’d expected to the EPA highway rating.
One reason that I mention this is that my 2007 C6 with automatic is also rated at 27 highway.
And I can exceed that rating on a relatively long trip – even when regularly maintaining cruising speeds well above the ( up to 2007 ) EPA MPG test schedule maximum speed of 60 MPH.
( My typical highway cruising speed, where reasonable & proper is 70 to 78. )
Overall, I am very, very pleased with my C6. It took quite some time to reach a confluence and match of the Corvette’s attributes for my requirements and my ability to pay. In almost every respect, my C6 has met or exceeded my expectations. And my expectations were very high, indeed. I am glad I bought this car & at over 3,500 miles, I enjoy every drive.
I will likely change the exhaust at some point, just for a sound quality more to my liking ( the GXP was actually superior to the stock Corvette in this respect ! ) - and I may buy Koni dampers – but the C6 ( as designed & assembled ) is quite an impressive sports car & GT car.
Oh, and the Corvette’s tires cannot be rotated either.
Just my 0.02 gallons worth . . .
- Ray
Carpe C6 . . .
Also I love the GXP, What a great car for the money
Mike
The stock tires are Bridgestone Potenza's, and they are a summer tire. I would like to find an all-season replacement for all 4 tires, but am having trouble finding a brand that sells replacements for all 4 tires. I know that the fronts and rears are different sizes, and i can find replacements for those sizes, but I have only been able to find them from different dealers, ie, I can get Goodyear Eagles for the rears, but goodyear doesnt make any for the fronts, or I can find the fronts from Cooper, but they dont make the rear.
I was wondering if possible, what size could i go up or down to in the REAR to be able to get the same brand replacement for all 4 tires, yet still retain roughly the same look/ride height of the originals? ie, could i go with a 225/55 r18 or a 255/50 r18 in the rear? The stock rear size of these tires seem to be the one that not many dealers make.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
how much snow did you actually drive in? both times i was in over 3 inches, w/ most of it laying on the road. ive driven plenty of FWD cars in the snow, and have never had the problems getting around that i had in the GXP. It actually terrified me to be on the roads, wondering if id be able to make it home ok.
When I first got the car, my brother had told me that I would not have any problems which was last winter because of the good traction on the tires and I didn't and this winter I had no problems either, but maybe next winter if I have the same tires I will have a problem. We'll see. Also, I am a very cautious driver and take it nice and easy when the weather is bad. It's not worth an accident.
In the beginning the dealer did tell me that since these tires because of the different sizes in rear and front and do not get rotated would only last about 30,000 miles. I have 23,000 + on my car.
I have had 3 GTP's before this car and never had any problems in the snow with them either and others on this site also complained about the GTP's in snow.
When I first got the car, my brother had told me that I would not have any problems which was last winter because of the good traction on the tires and I didn't and this winter I had no problems either, but maybe next winter if I have the same tires I will have a problem. We'll see. Also, I am a very cautious driver and take it nice and easy when the weather is bad. It's not worth an accident.
In the beginning the dealer did tell me that since these tires because of the different sizes in rear and front and do not get rotated would only last about 30,000 miles. I have 23,000 + on my car.
I have had 3 GTP's before this car and never had any problems in the snow with them either and others on this site also complained about the GTP's in snow.
I have a question about the size of tires and thought id post it on here. I would like to replace my stock tires with some all season ones. The rear size 225/50 r18 are very very difficult to find under the same brand name as the fronts. ie, a company might make a line for the rears, but not carry the front size under that line also. Would i be able to change the rear to a 225/55 r18 w/o any real problems? i have compared the diameters, heights, circumference, etc, and there isnt much noticable difference. That size is much more available under the same brand/line as the fronts, and would be easier to get a "matching" set (not the same size), but the same line. For example, I can get a pair of pirelli P6 "Four Seasons" in 225/55 r18 AND a pair of 255/45 r18 of the same make/model. Does anyone see a problem w/ going to a 55 instead of a 50 for the rear?
thanks!
So I know you have to trust me on these points, but, I am very GP/GXP knowledgable so please investigate these points before blowing them off.
The tires that came on the car are indeed all-seasons, although they are all-seasons that are heavily leaning towards the performance end of the spectrum. These are NOT the RE050As that you can just order from anyone. Pontiac approached Bridgestone, and had this tire specifically designed for the GXP. For some reason, Bridgestone created the tire under its closest mainstream model name, RE050A, but the one for the GXP has a special design to minimize torque steer and provide more winter traction.
So how can you tell the two apart? You need to use the DOT number stamped on them.
And why don't the sidewalls show M&S rating? Because it would have cost extra for them to be officially certified M&S, and due to the low volume, they decided not to bother. But it was designed and tested to meet all season status.
I'm not arguing that they are wonderful in the snow and you are crazy if you think you need more traction. Just trying to fill you in on some of the insider history behind these tires. If you don't want to buy winter tires for winter which would be the best solution, there are other choices out there they're just hard to find.
I am a huge Pontiac fan, but this whole experience of having different sized tires that only 1 company makes, plus not being able to rotate them, has really hindered my option of getting another pontiac after this. Why is it that the Impala SS and the Monte Carlo SS (both of which come with the same LS-4 V8) dont come with different sized, specially made tires?? Ive driven the monte carlo IN THE SNOW, and the difference was like night and day!
Thanks to pontiac for producing crappy front tie-rod ends, I had to have my dealer replace mine already at 16,600 miles. They were so bad that one of the tires even started to wear down to the belts. Needless to say, I have ordered other tires for on it because im not about to pay $250 PER TIRE just to put summer tires back on it again.
Pontiac did this because this is supposed to be the all-out, full performance, variant of the GP. By staggering the tire sizes, they countered the traditional FWD understeer in cornering.
I can understand where you're coming from, but I know the performance enthusiasts would not be happy if the car didn't have the maximum level of handling possible. So Pontiac is in a loose-loose. If they put all season tires on, same size around, some people complain that its nothing but an Impala with a different badge, and that Pontiac should be the excitement division. If they go to performance tires (along the lines of what you see on sports cars) then your everyday Joe hates the car.
Tough to please everyone.
Over all very happy with the power But this car is very very loud with air noise.In the cabin. It is AWFUL.
One more thing has anyone experienced an unusual high rate of oil consumption?? I am using about a Quart of oil between oil changes. My low oil light came on when my oil life info said I still had 37% left before I needed a change...
On the rust specs in the paint I have been told that they are from the cars being hauled in rail cars and something either in the rail cars or perhaps some iron ore dust on the tracks gets kicked up and settles on the paint.
The way to get rid of them is use this stuff called DETAILING CLAY your local body shop can tell you where to get it and how to apply.
Good Luck!!