- 9,089
- Scotland
"Blue Devil" News: Test Details Roll In
- Thread starter YSSMAN
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- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
^^^ Yep, suppose it was a double post. But being that Auto-News gets a bit more traffic, I took a chance.
Seems as though Mr. Clarkson needs to come to the conclution that the Corvette is a sports car, not a GT Coupe like the 575M, so obviously it isnt going to have the great ride.
Back on this side of the pond, I have never herd anyone complain about the ride of the car, and speaking purely in comparison, it is better than that of the SRT-10 from what I hear.
Seems as though Mr. Clarkson needs to come to the conclution that the Corvette is a sports car, not a GT Coupe like the 575M, so obviously it isnt going to have the great ride.
Back on this side of the pond, I have never herd anyone complain about the ride of the car, and speaking purely in comparison, it is better than that of the SRT-10 from what I hear.
- 9,089
- Scotland
well the thing is over in america no doubt the roads over there are smooth as silkYSSMAN
compared to what we have over here 
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
Come to Michigan or any of the rustbelt states, it is a completely different story. We are lucky if our new roads last longer than 3-5 years before signifigant patching or a complete re-paving is needed.
When Car and Driver magazine compared the Z06 to the SRT-10 last fall, they actually were testing the cars just a few miles from my father's house. Roads out and around Grattan Raceway where track-testing as well as some on-road tests were done are absolutely pitiful, to some extent dangerous in some places. Back when I was on the Forest Hills Central Cycling Team, we used to practice and race on the same roads and track where the cars were tested, and on most of those rides you could expect a few flats from the rough roads.
I really dont think the suspension is that bad on any of the Corvettes. Michigan has roads are presumably as crappy as any in Europe (given similar weather patterns), and despite the fact I have not have seat time in a C6 Z06, I have been in a C6 Z51 as well as a Magnaride, and the ride was quite nice to say the least. I look at it this way, the ride is better than what it is in most other coupes and sedans because you CAN feel the road, and although you will feel the cracks and the potholes a bit more often, it really isnt any different in a 911 or Viper...
But, Clarkson and crew are the experts, so their opinion is obviously held to a higher degree than mine. I just wanted to point out that on this side of the Atlantic, the Z06's ride is considered to be quite good for a supercar.
When Car and Driver magazine compared the Z06 to the SRT-10 last fall, they actually were testing the cars just a few miles from my father's house. Roads out and around Grattan Raceway where track-testing as well as some on-road tests were done are absolutely pitiful, to some extent dangerous in some places. Back when I was on the Forest Hills Central Cycling Team, we used to practice and race on the same roads and track where the cars were tested, and on most of those rides you could expect a few flats from the rough roads.
I really dont think the suspension is that bad on any of the Corvettes. Michigan has roads are presumably as crappy as any in Europe (given similar weather patterns), and despite the fact I have not have seat time in a C6 Z06, I have been in a C6 Z51 as well as a Magnaride, and the ride was quite nice to say the least. I look at it this way, the ride is better than what it is in most other coupes and sedans because you CAN feel the road, and although you will feel the cracks and the potholes a bit more often, it really isnt any different in a 911 or Viper...
But, Clarkson and crew are the experts, so their opinion is obviously held to a higher degree than mine. I just wanted to point out that on this side of the Atlantic, the Z06's ride is considered to be quite good for a supercar.
I guess I'm one of those people that would gladly trade having to feel expansion joints and potholes as sharp impacts, for losing the ability to feel the tires grab the road.
It's why I like my gf's parents saturn over the tempo, the saturn has a bit stiffer ride, but it's not floaty, and the car is fairly tight.
It's why I like my gf's parents saturn over the tempo, the saturn has a bit stiffer ride, but it's not floaty, and the car is fairly tight.
- 9,089
- Scotland
but it isnt a supercarYSSMAN
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
That depends on your definition of a supercar.
Regarding roads and ride quality, the fact that we complain aobut car's that some American car mags and people like tells me it's got to be one of two things, a: our roads really are worse, or b: we have higher standards of what good ride quality is. The bottom line regarding the C6 Vette is Clarkson said if you want a Vette to use on the road the nrmal C6 is by far the better choice, hte Z06 is a phenomial track car, better than I had imagine even though I know the ring time it set. But you just have to admit, that one of thoes conclusions has to be the case. It's either better roads ove there or higher standards over here, becase the results are found to be simialr across the board, most reviews of the Z06 over here state it's not very refined or comfey on the road, it's quite poor infact, but in the US they say it's quite good. Now here's another thing, to get superb cornering requires a stiffer chassis and stiffer setup right, so how can the Z06 be amonst the best sportscar's for road use if it's so damn good at the track? The bottom line is it probably can't be that good at both, sacrifices have to be made.
Regarding roads and ride quality, the fact that we complain aobut car's that some American car mags and people like tells me it's got to be one of two things, a: our roads really are worse, or b: we have higher standards of what good ride quality is. The bottom line regarding the C6 Vette is Clarkson said if you want a Vette to use on the road the nrmal C6 is by far the better choice, hte Z06 is a phenomial track car, better than I had imagine even though I know the ring time it set. But you just have to admit, that one of thoes conclusions has to be the case. It's either better roads ove there or higher standards over here, becase the results are found to be simialr across the board, most reviews of the Z06 over here state it's not very refined or comfey on the road, it's quite poor infact, but in the US they say it's quite good. Now here's another thing, to get superb cornering requires a stiffer chassis and stiffer setup right, so how can the Z06 be amonst the best sportscar's for road use if it's so damn good at the track? The bottom line is it probably can't be that good at both, sacrifices have to be made.
- 21,286
- GR-MI-USA
- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
live4speed
To me, a Supercar is anything that is slotted above the performance of the regular-grade Corvette Z51, Porsche 911 Carrera S, etc. Say, less than 4.0 sec 0-60 and a top speed within sight of 200MPH. Being that the Corvette can outdo the Zonda (as seen on Top Gear), Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallarado, etc... I think that qualifies it for supercar status.
I know that it is a debated qualification system, but generally speaking, I place cars like the SLR, Enzo, Carrera GT, etc. into the "Ultimate" class, a notch above the supercars like the Z06 and 911 Turbo, etc.
live4speed
- In the US, the Corvette is so good in fact that it has won a 10-best award from Car and Driver I want to say the last five or six years. The Corvette is the car by which all are judged, and it has regularly beaten out 911s, Vipers, etc. in most comparison tests by most magazines. The last test I can recall seeing a Corvette lose in was back in 2005 when a Z51 convertable lost out to the then-new Boxster S.
- Road quality in some places in US is about the same as that of the UK I would assume, esp. states that recieve a lot of precipitation and tempurature changes during the year. Michigan is widely reguarded as having some of the worst roads in the US, and most of the new-car testing is done in Michigan, California, or Ohio in most circumstances.
- According to Car and Driver, the Z06 seemed almost too "soft" for track use, offering too much of a balance twards comfort during their comparison against the Viper. They said most of that was evident in the "squemish" nature of the car on the rather tricky Grattan Raceway, but it was still the faster car by days end.
...It is really interesting to hear how different the opinions of the car are between both sides of the Atlantic. Its not like the car is any different on either side of the ocean, so I presume it is a difference of taste and surroundings, or something like that. With the Z06 really being reguarded (in the US) as the best American sportscar in quite some time, it is just pretty strange indeed.
[side-note]It would be really interesting if Car and Driver and Top Gear got together somehow to duke it out in some kind of comparison test thingy. Both are pretty well-respected magazines, both have some of the most-respected editors in the field (Cerse vs Clarkson? Yates vs Hammond? Bedard vs May?), and both are known for their monumental supercar showdowns that happen once a year.
Maybe it wouldnt be a competition, but I'd like to see the six of them talking/debating cars from around the world.[/side-note]
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
I think it's just a difference in preferrence and outlook, the Z06's performance is undeniable, I think we just favour a different ride and feel of a car in general.
And year a TG and C&D super test would be awsome, and could do wonders false assumptions frmo both sides of the pond.
And year a TG and C&D super test would be awsome, and could do wonders false assumptions frmo both sides of the pond.
- 9,089
- Scotland
i think theres some "structure" problems with the Z06 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1369957
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1369957
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
Yeah I mean with a car with a fixed roof, the Koenigsegg has a removable roof, I've heared of converibles roof's being blown off before, usually it is becuase it wasn't fixed back on properly by the driver but never on a car with a fixed roof.
Poverty
(Banned)
- 3,567
Looks like GM made a bit of a slip up, a flying roof could kill someone. I wonder who'd get sued. GM or the driver? Going by previous cases it would probably end up being both, reminds me of the court case were a infiniti driver sued nissan because he ran over his own kid.
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
The roof coming off like that provided the driver was driving within legal speeds and hadn't done anything before that could have caused the roof to malfucntion like that, would come under a design flaw or fault with the car, not driver error, so GM would take the hit.
- 825
- Charlotte, NC
- CosmicMS3
- I2valve
Poverty
How in the world do you do something like that?!
I think the guy with the vette should just make it into a glass t-top if things at GM dont work out well. Thats what everyone in the forum seems to be telling him to do.
- 9,089
- Scotland
i think your roof coming off is abit more than "abit" of a slip upPoverty
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
It's very easy to blow it way out of proportion though, so far this is an isolated case and you don't know what the cause of the roof comng off was other than it had to be pressure under the panel, how it got there is another story.
- 20,145
- Australia
- VIPERGTS01
It happened when he shifted into second gear from 6500-7000rpm, so if it was a hard shift some flex may have contributed to it, along with wind speed, faulty design or fitting, it wouldn't put me off being buying one if I was in the market for one.
I did read in that thread that some Z06's were recalled for similar potential faults.
I did read in that thread that some Z06's were recalled for similar potential faults.
Poverty
(Banned)
- 3,567
Its not a uni body design. Its a chassis built and then a body slapped on top so the actaul body shell doesnt give the car any ridgidty it requires.
And there have been quite a few cases now as I read that entire thread. Even some guy in dubai had his roof fly off.
GM also seem to be having problems with water leaking into the cabins, battery failure, engine bolts failing and writing off engines, and the rear differential failing.
I guess we now know why the vette is half the price of a porsche as one of theyre members said.
And there have been quite a few cases now as I read that entire thread. Even some guy in dubai had his roof fly off.
GM also seem to be having problems with water leaking into the cabins, battery failure, engine bolts failing and writing off engines, and the rear differential failing.
I guess we now know why the vette is half the price of a porsche as one of theyre members said.
- 30,021
- Cuddington, Cheshire
- JDA1982
Indeed once you look you see plenty of bad reports about the cars build quality (and people go on about TVR's , the roof on a TVR never flew off ), they've been recalled for other reasons to a detachable roof as well, problems with cabin leaks the power assist steering, hose piping and other parts of the car. It certainly doesn't paint a pretty picture to me, which is a pity because I am really warming to the Corvette brand, don't blow it GM, fix it, without cutting corners and if it means sticking an extra 10k on the price, it's still cheaper than the much slower STR-10 and roughly the same price as one over here.
, the roof on a TVR never flew off ), they've been recalled for other reasons to a detachable roof as well, problems with cabin leaks the power assist steering, hose piping and other parts of the car. It certainly doesn't paint a pretty picture to me, which is a pity because I am really warming to the Corvette brand, don't blow it GM, fix it, without cutting corners and if it means sticking an extra 10k on the price, it's still cheaper than the much slower STR-10 and roughly the same price as one over here.
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- YSSMAN
- YSSMAN
...The roof panels that were comming apart, from what I have read, was happening on the regular C6 coupes equipped with the body-colored hard top. Aparently at high speed, the top layer of plastic would come off (I want to say when above 70MPH)... GM recalled the tops in the US rather quickly, as I think it was an issue with the glue or sealant that they used with the tops on some of the models.
...Keep in mind that on the standard Corvette, it is a targa top. And from the dealer, I belive you have three different options for what kind of top you want when you order. Clear, black, or body color.
...Keep in mind that on the standard Corvette, it is a targa top. And from the dealer, I belive you have three different options for what kind of top you want when you order. Clear, black, or body color.
