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Coupes & Convertibles Sports Cars - The Definitive Discussion 
522 messages, Last post on Dec 08, 2007 at 6:07 PM
You are in the Coupes & Convertibles Forum. Your Host is claires
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Replying to: chrmdome (Dec 03, 2007 9:00 pm) -mike
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Replying to: paisan (Dec 03, 2007 9:05 pm) Thank you sir, you know, I might just do that . I have been fishing and golfing for the last 10 years and have been thinking about another "fun " thing. I might just do that, thanks Chromedome |
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Replying to: chrmdome (Dec 03, 2007 8:24 pm) As Mike noted, it is easy to get on track. I also instruct for several groups and have been on 4 tracks here in CA and two just across the border in NV. At the SCCA Buttonwillow track when we do configuration 25 CCW, even my stock LS1 coupe gets just past 135mph. That's the fastest course I have driven, but at Sears Point I get between 100 and 110 at four places each lap which requires a great amount of continued concentration to keep up the pace for 20 minutes or so. It has helped my street driving since I am much more aware of what is going on around me and less worried about what I'm doing in my own car. I know what gear I'm in and which I would select if I needed to down shift at any given speed. Laguna Seca has two groups out this week and Thursday / Friday is sold out but always fun to watch. Randy BTW, I agree that comparing 355hp 911's to 500hp Vettes isn't to meaningful, but since I have a 350hp C5 coupe and get on track with 911's all the time, the chance to pass something that cost 50% more is worth a smile or two. 
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http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=123805 Interesting take on the latest offering. I'm not sure I would encourage the idea of even a slight drift on freeway onramps and even the best stability control will some times lose it. Take it to the track if you want to find limits. As for comparisons, Edmunds provides the link to the Carrera S from the spec page for the 2008 Vette. $56k vs. $86k as tested and since everyone scoffs at 0-60 times, lets ignore that. There is always the skid pad .95 vs. .92 with the Vette on GY EMT's and the the Porsche is on Michelin PS II's. How does that leaf spring pull that off when they have about the same curb weight according to the specs? Did I say 50% more, earlier? Guess I was being nice. Randy
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Replying to: starrow68 (Dec 05, 2007 8:33 am) I've heard that be debated a dozen times. |
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Replying to: chrmdome (Dec 03, 2007 8:24 pm) Anyway. Chromedome is unaware of Corvette's chassis architecture: The Corvette is a mid-engine sportscar; not a front-engine car (Technically, the Corvette is a "Mid/front engine" car, since the engine is located front of the driver, but behind the front axle, thus a mid-engine car. In like manner, something like the Porsche Cayman or Acura NSX is also a mid engine car but a mid/rear engine car, since the engine is located behind the driver, but before the rear axle; thus, a mid-engine car) Also, garden variety Porsche models tend to have steel frames, iron engine components like iron connecting rods, lots of interior plastics and heavy, steel components used genorously elsewhere. OTOH, the Corvette Z06 model tends to have carbon fiber chassis componentry, titanium engine components, hydroformed aluminum frames and composite suspension components. That's why the car has the world's most powerful natually-aspirated engine and the car weighs just 50 pounds more than a Honda S2000 (3,000 lbs versus 2,950 lbs) and wins comparison test after comparison test (Ferrari didn't even agree to enter their F430 in Road and Track's comparison test unless it was compared against the base $45,000 corvette and not the $70,000 Z06 and even then the Vette came in 2nd-place out of 5 cars) not to mention winning endurance race after endurance race. And since the Porsche models are made out of iron and steel whereas the Corvette is carbon fiber and titanium, the Porsche is the muscle car here, while the Corvette is the envy of the automotive world. |
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Replying to: pmc4 (Dec 05, 2007 9:45 pm) Only when Porsche and Ferrari develop their own cheap plastic interiors, notchy shifters, numb steering, and leaf-spring suspensions can they cease envying the exalted Chevrolet.
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Replying to: fedlawman (Dec 05, 2007 10:03 pm) "the Corvette is the envy of the automotive world." Only when Porsche and Ferrari develop their own cheap plastic interiors, notchy shifters, numb steering, and leaf-spring suspensions can they cease envying the exalted Chevrolet. Well put. To each his own though. Sometimes people are ledgends in their own mind  This debate is not likely to get solved here or anywhere. Some people like the vette, some don't. Then again I get into debates on a few hi-performance boat boards that I'm on about how buying a non-american truck is anti-american, when in fact a lot of "american" trucks are made in Canada and Mexico, whereas a lot of the "japanese" trucks are made in the US. -mike
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Replying to: paisan (Dec 06, 2007 4:40 am) For the record, I like the Corvette a lot. I just believe that you get what you pay for, and there's a reason why the Vette "only" costs $45,000.
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for as long as there have been Corvettes so it is not likely to be resolved any time soon. I must've spent half my college years ('61-'65) arguing the merits of Big Healeys and Jags vs.'Vettes (back then Porsches were just oddball little cars with the motor in the wrong end.). I like Corvettes and admire their current commitment to balance and lightness but I think I'm too Euro-oriented to ever buy one but that could change if the ever get the fuel consumption down to a reasonable level for a world of $3.00+ gasoline.
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