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Coupes & Convertibles Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet C6 Corvette
914 messages, Last post on Aug 30, 2008 at 6:54 PM
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I've had my 06 Z-51 for a couple months now. Firm is relative - this one's too firm. I like the bigger brakes, gearing and extra cooling, but want to soften the ride a tad. Anyone know where stock shocks can be had w/o breaking the bank? Regarding tires (from an earlier post), my understanding is that there are winter tires and all-season ones. Winter tires are designed specifically for cold weather and snow/slush using both compound and tread design. All-season (usually noted by the "M+S" on the tire) use a compound that is compliant enough at low temps to provide better traction than high-temp performance tires w/o the M+S rating. I had a Z-28 with Goodyear GS-C's on it. The GS-C was not an all-season tire and really lost traction below freezing similar to the F-1 Supercar tires on the Z-51. Check out the standard C6. Those F1's are M+S rated. |
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You should be able to get a set of stock shocks from Fichtner Chev or FredBeans. They should be under $200 for a set of 4. Do a Google search on these names. I have been pleasantly surprised at how cheap the basic parts are for these cars. One thought about how to soften up you current Z51. I have another set of stock wheels with non-runflat tires (stock sizes). The improvement in ride over the runflats is really noticeable. There is the risk of getting a flat but folks carry tire sealer, tire plug kits, and a small 12v air compressor. |
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| jmess, thanks much. I'll check with them and bounce their responses with the local dealer. On the tires, I replaced the original F1's on my 2001 standard C5 with Pirelli P Zero Nero non-run-flats. I didn't notice much difference in ride, but they were quiet and felt awfully good, too. Like the C5 Z-06, I carried some sticky stuff and a compressor like you suggested. The dealer I bought my C6 from has a program that replaces tires for as long as I own the car as long as I get it serviced there. So I'll probably always have Good Year run-flats. Good thought, though. Non-run-flats have more compliant sidewalls. | |
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The shocks you want may just be lying around pretty soon at some Corvette speciality shop that is upgrading to after market components. One shop I know in Roseville, CA seemed to have lots of excess stock parts during the C5 run. Randy |
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Randy, Softer shocks are about $80 ea at my local Chevy store. I haven't called Fichtner or FredBeans yet, but will this week. However, do you have the name of the shop in Roseville? I have a friend who lives there and can get them to me if they have some good ones at a reasonable price. Thanks, Vic |
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So please explain this to me. In the 2000 sports car comparo the Corvette finishes first and the 911 third. If you read the article you see that they are not so impressed with the 911. In a 2002 comparo of luxury sports cars it also finishes behind the Lexus SC and the MB SL. Cheap interior and rough ride etc. Then in the latest article it's the quintessential sports car and best by far in the head to head with the C6 Corvette yet it's character hasn't changed much at all. Maybe just a bit of an upgrade to the interior but still basically the same type of ride. Today I am sure that Edmunds wouldn't even mention an SC430 in the same breath. Seems like maybe different editors using different criteria?
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Replying to: topspin628 (Jan 03, 2006 7:12 pm) Hope this explains a little.  tom |
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Replying to: tsy (Jan 03, 2006 10:18 pm) I have only had BMW, Infiniti, MB and Lexus for the last 20 years and would never consider American for fear of quality and because there really is nothing other than the Vette that is interesting to me. I want to reward myself (50 years young) with a sports car and I'm beginning my search. I want a convertible and something with personality. I drove the Boxster and was not that impressed. I found the visibility somewhat poor and felt like I was sitting in a bath tub. I also found the engine noise to be a bit artificial as it felt like it was being pumped into the cabin. I may drive again though. I never drove the 911 but I guess I'd be looking at almost 100K for cab. and don't think I would go for that unless I just "had to have" after driving it. How do you like the vette for daily driver? Do you drive in bad weather? A bit of ice or an inch or two of snow? Which suspension do you have? How has the quality been? I hear that it can be hard to control with possible tail spins. I am not a hot rodder and like a car I feel is safe and I can control. The verts loaded are around 62 MSRP so I was wondering about the "value" factor. Used to be best bang for buck. I want a real smile inducer, so what's your take? Thanks for any input. |
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I have had a C5, 2002 coupe for 4+ years and going on 48k miles. I came at the Vette from the bottom end, Nissan and MG for most of 25 years so can't compare to higher end cars. For smile inducement, the Vette with only 350hp is just about tops, at least 0-60 up freeway ramps is still legal and really fun. I have taken mine on road racing courses for the past 3 years and it is more capable than everything close in price and pushes 911's that are close to double the price. Now for some of the down side. The S2000 with race tires is less expensive and faster on track, but a very tight fit, at least for me. The Evo and WRX can be very quick on track but as more ralley cars seem to get into roll overs more often that others I've seen and not what makes my boat float. On bang for the buck the Vette is hard to beat, I'd recommend looking for used ones, they exist and go for a few drives with and without sales people. Then I look on the internet for pricing before going to any local dealer. To answer a few questions, I'm in San Francisco East Bay, worst we get is heavy rain and mine is a daily driver and track car both. I tried driving something else to BART for a couple years but liked the C5 so much I decided I would not worry about exceeding the 6/60 extended warranty on mileage before time. I did come back from Nevada and had to do 30+ miles in a snow storm down I-80 and due to stability control had no issues going over inch or two of slush between lanes when necessary, slowly for sure but it would keep me straight and true. Love the car as a daily driver. The shop in Roseville is Motorsports Image, they have a web site. Ask for Mark or Terry |
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Replying to: topspin628 (Jan 04, 2006 9:09 am) |
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