Ready to get in.

dalparadise

At the risk of starting another shitstorm, I would like to report on my progress for anyone who might find it interesting.

I went for a test drive in a nicely optioned 09 Corvette -- it was an automatic, NPP exhaust, head-up display, 3LT -- way more add-ons than the car I was considering. I found I liked the add-ons a little too much and thus, they pushed the car out of my price range. So, it was clear that the base 1LT idea wasn't going to work.

Even so, I wouldn't have liked living with that car, as many of you advised me. True, the acceleration, sound and rock-solid feel of the drivetrain and suspension said "ticket me" at every opening in traffic. This is truly a well manufactured car.

But it doesn't seem to source the finest materials for areas outside the engine bay. The carpet in the cargo area was a gross bellybutton lint consistency. The leather must be sourced from something other than a traditional animal. Plastics in the interior were flimsy, though there have been great strides made in dressing up this cockpit. I really like the carbon-fiber-look center console with chrome accents. Very nice looking, but not enough to save the design. The space in back is longer and wider than a Z, but not as deep. It seems, therefore, less usable, if that matters to anyone. The out-gassing plastics smelled a little funny, too, like Pasadena, TX on a muggy July night.

The instrument presentation, however, is like a clinic on how a car should look. It's ironic that I loved the HUD so much that I rarely even looked at these eye-pleasing gauges. The auto shifts were clean and crisp with the paddles -- not so much with the fully auto, but whatever. And when the dual-mode exhaust opened up, it was awesome. At 3500 rpm or so, a valve changes the tone and back pressure in the exhaust and the V8 roars. Very nice.

The car handled well, accelerated like a beast and stopped on a dime. The ride was a great mix of sport and touring -- very impressive. My tester had only 5 miles on the ODO, but I could feel the body wanting to flex. It's too big, heavy and powerful. It's a GT car that's wound so tight it performs like a proper sports car. To me, throwing that kind of mass around is asking for trouble of the squeak and rattle kind. It felt dated in this respect, like a design much older than just five years.

So, in a nutshell, virtually all your advice was confirmed. My new car will be a daily driver, so a modicum of practicality must enter the equation. The Vette is the antithesis of "practical" for anyone other than a race driver, superhero or aging gigolo.

I went from there to my Nissan dealer. I have been waiting for the 370 Roadster to arrive before making my decision, but am now tired of that plan.

My dealer has a 2010 Coupe and a 2010 Roadster coming in, both in my desired configurations - Sport/Touring/6M -- and color choice, for November/December arrival. I went ahead and put my name on the coupe, but will take a look at the Roadster, if it gets here first (which it should).

It looks like I'll be legit in a matter of a month or so!

kenchan

Do you have a short version?

Trips

my head is starting to hurt!

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Modshack

Smart move. I sold my '08 Vette for the Z and have not regretted it....

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Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S
Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

Nikon FM

Thanks for the post. Enjoy the Z ....I find it hard not to.

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Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

Steven

Great read!

Pasadena TX lol! I lived there for a few years doing my graduate work and yep, it stinks there!

i was in your shoes and wanted a vette.. i'd still take one too lol!

dalparadise

I went for a test drive in a nicely optioned 09 Corvette.

virtually all your advice was confirmed.

I went from there to my Nissan dealer.

I went ahead and put my name on the (2010 370Z) coupe.

Togo

The Vette was a big consideration here for me but at the end of the day the Z wins hand down in my book.

I honestly think the Z looks a lot better than the vette but I'll admit the power of the LS3 is amazing and then to throw a Vortech SC on top of that is just all smiles!

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This will decimate all after you put about fifteen grand in it or more, and if we have to, overnight parts from Japan.

Joe Clem and Koeppel Nissan

SGTseanzie

Have you started talking numbers yet? I want to know what everyone else will be paying for the 2010 as compared to me.

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--"If you want peace, prepare for war."
-Flavius Vegetius Renatus

Portlander

Placed order on September 9th for an October build and an early December delivery. Deal worked out to be $500 over invoice at 2010 prices which have not been released yet. Could have purchased a 2009 off the lot for $200 over invoice, but I decided to wait for the new model year and the exact color and options I wanted. Wish I could tell you they gave me invoice or below invoice as others have received, but that's the best I could do on an ordered 2010!

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Life is a highway!

Lug

I grew up in Pasadena Tx!



Yeah, some parts aren't so pleasant smelling.

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keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

Blown32

Good article with a very thorough report of the vette.Wise choice deciding on the Z.
By the way I liked the long version much better then the short version.