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Chevrolet C6 Corvette

914 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2008 at 6:54 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Corvette, Coupe


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#808 of 914
Re: Automatic mini-vans Re: Never had a Vette [bolivar] by tsy
Sep 02, 2006 (9:34 am)
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Replying to: bolivar (Sep 01, 2006 11:02 pm)

I agree. Today's automatics are technological marvels that will hold a gear through a turn, blip the throttle before a downshift, and shift faster than any human could shift manually. And you can have manual control over them.
 
Take for example, Porsche's 997 911 turbo. The Auto is faster than the manual 0-60. Or the SLR Maclaren. You can choose to shift it yourself, but (at least the car mag editors) couldn't match the computers (launch control) shifts and look longer to get to 60.
 
Unless you are Michael Schumacher and terrible gifted at driving (although even he uses SMG in his F1 car) I doubt most of us can really consistently do better than the modern automatic transmission. In a minivan or in a sports car.
 
I agree, it's fun to drive stick, and for some people it makes them feel more 'manly' and that's fine, we all have reasons for buying our 'toys'. But some of us buy autos because it makes the car more pleasurable for us (some of us live where there is a lot of traffic!) so please don't disparage us as 'minivan drivers'.
 
tom
#809 of 914
Re: Automatic mini-vans Re: Never had a Vette [smu1976] by tsy
Sep 02, 2006 (9:56 am)
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Replying to: smu1976 (Sep 01, 2006 9:26 pm)

Yes the Corvette is not the most reliable car on the road. But if you look carefully at Consumer Reports (terriblly Japanese car biased though, if you ask me) in terms of owner satisfaction the Corvette rates very highly. Which is true, most of us are very very happy with our Corvettes, and live with the little mechanical problems that may come up.
 
As for the Z06, it's supercar performance at less than half the price, and, despite the fact it may not be as reliable as a Honda Civic (or your S2000, for that matter) it is much more reliable than your average supercar (Ferrari, Lamborghini, 911 Turbo) and costs much less to maintain. (OK, the NSX is quite a reliable car, but it's the exception- and of questionable supercar status anyway)
 
One final point, yes, people spend $70k for cars they want to drive on the track. In fact, they will spend far more than that on a car that is only track legal. It just means they have a lot of "discretionary cash" that they can use. I don't know where you live, but if you live by a major racetrack go down sometime when one of the local car clubs is having a track day. I'm sure you'll see some very expensive cars (and some very inexpensive cars too) and some very happy drivers!
 
Yes, I agree with you, GM has it's problems. But the reliability of the C6 is the least of the General's problems right now. But if it makes you feel better to buy a car in it's 3rd or 4th year of production, by all means wait. It's a long wait though!
 
Good luck.
tom
#810 of 914
3rd year the charm by toquinho
Sep 02, 2006 (12:46 pm)
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As far as waiting goes, the C6 is in its 3rd year now. By my completely unscientic assessment, that should be enough time for GM to get any managable kinks out of the production process. And, to boot, the C6 is based on the C5. So despite much of it being new, its not completely new. I invested in a 2007 C6 without hesitation.
#811 of 914
Re: Automatic mini-vans Re: Never had a Vette [tsy] by pony_pirate
Sep 02, 2006 (2:56 pm)
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Replying to: tsy (Sep 02, 2006 9:56 am)

Consumer Reports is allergic to luxury, incapable of appreciating high-end products in any catagory, especially cars. CR is useful only for run-of-the-mill, middle-of-the-road products, toasters and air-conditioners. For example, they short-changed the redesigned Mustang GT, which has unversally garnered well-deserved praise and attention, as well as made all sort of top-10 lists, including Wards best engine.
 
As another example, if you want the best in audio and/or video, one of my passions, CR is the LAST place to look. They'll steer you to frumpy, mediocre, mid-level stuff every time.
 
Finally, high-performance items of any ilk are almost always more tempermental, requiring more care and maintenance.
#812 of 914
Re: Automatic mini-vans Re: Never had a Vette [smu1976] by starrow68
Sep 02, 2006 (6:03 pm)
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Replying to: smu1976 (Sep 01, 2006 9:26 pm)

smu... "POOR RELIABILITY Do you disagree with Consumer Reports?"
 
That's just it, the press release said poor 'predicted' reliability, I'm presuming that means based on past data which by definition means from the base C6, not the new Z06. That was the reason the article said it placed lower than the winning 911, so considered it a major factor.
 
As to $70k cars on track, as has been pointed out, I see many well beyond that and I pass a few of them every so often with my under $50k C5. GT3's come to mind quickly but there are plenty of others not to mention a GT3 Cup car at a recent event. Lots of discretionary income here in Calif. so that may be unusual, but I can't know too much about elsewhere.
 
And yes, I did read your original post, it mentioned the Z06 and then talked about 2005.
#813 of 914
why...?! by jayelleseven
Sep 02, 2006 (8:27 pm)
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Replying to: starrow68 (Sep 02, 2006 6:03 pm)

Is everyone taking consumer reports so seriously? They dont specialize in autos, they even had to change up their usual reviews/ratings jus for cars they had never (price range) touched before..!
 
   Reliability issues come with any vehicle, jus less likely with some. Some ppl complain about a car always being at the dealer while others have never even needed a wheel alignment...
 
   anyway, I hear the Vette is getting a new engine in 2008? N this doesnt involve the new stingray or blue devil as some speculate coming out around the same time...
#814 of 914
Re: Automatic mini-vans Re: Never had a Vette [bolivar] by pony_pirate
Sep 02, 2006 (9:24 pm)
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Replying to: bolivar (Sep 01, 2006 11:02 pm)

Nonsense. I can outshift, out-accelerate any automatic, anytime, anywhere.
 
Wha? Indy and NASCAR racers use auto? No? Then why not?
#815 of 914
Re: Never had a Vette [smu1976] by smu1976
Sep 02, 2006 (9:42 pm)
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Replying to: smu1976 (Aug 31, 2006 8:57 pm)

This is my orginal post, nothing about a 2005 Z06. Don't proclaim to be a car "expert", but have had enough sports cars in my 50 years to be able to post on a forum.
I do agree, CU does favor the vanilla cars and the high end is not rated well, but if you read the article and please do read the article before commenting it does compare other high end sports cars, actually nothing below 46K. I would imagine we all read all the auto rags, from MT, CD, Autoweek, Automobile, R&T, etc. Yes, super high end, you will get simlar performance Auto versus Stick, but this forum is not about those cars. You will not find that with the Vette (see auto versus manual performance) and if you get it (an automatic) with the Z06 Vette your doing some great work in your garage, cause they don't make it (kinda ends that discussion on this car for auto does it not). If you like the automatic in the other Vette's, it fits your lifestyle, buy it and enjoy, thats not my message. My message is your not getting an AUTOMATIC IN A Z06, as the S2000, or VIPER. They have not found an automatic that will handle that torque, nor is there a demand for these cars with auto's with it. They sell fine, they are niche cars that don't effect the bottom line of GM, Honda or Dodge with there actual sales revenue anyway. You may want to answer this question though, why is there no AUTO with the Z06 Vette? One final thought, would not Vette owners on this board (read about 50 post on the thread) be so much better served by GM with a 50K plus car with a little better warranty than the Chevy Cobalt? Can't they give you girls and guys 4 years 50K miles bumper to bumper without bucking up more $$?. Is the Vette the worst warranty in the over 50K cars? Why? See Buick, Caddilac, Saab divisions with much less expensive cars, but 25% better warranty coverage. Maybe a lesson from Hyundai to be learned here? Owner satisfaction goes way up when you ain't got to pay for repair (South Korean Proverb). Have a good and safe holiday weekend, whatever you may drive and lets be thankful we can all choose what we like and afford to have fun.
#816 of 914
Re: Automatic mini-vans Re: Never had a Vette [pony_pirate] by smu1976
Sep 02, 2006 (9:44 pm)
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Replying to: pony_pirate (Sep 02, 2006 9:24 pm)

I think some believe paddle shifters from some auto makers without a clutch is what is on the high performance cars.
#817 of 914
The Fewer Controls, the Better by pony_pirate
Sep 03, 2006 (2:12 pm)
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Replying to: smu1976 (Sep 02, 2006 9:44 pm)

I know the new Lexus has a paddle shifter, but to me this represents part of the overall trend of luxury European cars, BMW and Mercedes included, to have computers and gadgets take control of the car from the driver. That's fine for a big fat luxury sedan, I guess, but, imo, is anathema to the purist driving experience of a true sports or muscle car.
 
I want to drive, not have some computer try to do a better job than I might or might not be able to.
 
Most of the time, I even disable the traction control on my Mustang.
 
I don't even want a navigation system: too distracting; ruins the simplicity of the dash (high-tech nerdy look); and if you don't know where you are, you don't need a $1700 GPS system -- take out a $4 map.
 
Also, auto adds weight to a car, detracts from gas mileage.
 
The only advantage I can see to auto is that once in a while it frees up a hand.
 
Personally, I've shifted all my life and feel much more comfortable with manual, feel I have more control, than with an auto. I can downshift on curves, hills, in emergencies, etc. With manual, I can drive soft, at low RPM, hard at high RPM, or anywhere in between. And I really don't like auto, especially on take-off.

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