Wow factor

Hambone1

They also need to fix the flat seat cushions. I test drove a Z51 package Vette and was sliding all over the place when cornering

frost

I read somewhere that they don't want high bolsters on the vette's seats because their target demographic is men in their 50s and above, so they don't want to make the seats too difficult to get in and out of.

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370z OG

UNKNOWN_370

Hahahahaha. To sell better to its target customer... The corvette will be renamed the "Geezermoble 5000 in 2013:

Hambone1

I guess it makes sense, but still, kind of contradictory to the overall mission of the Corvette itself.

frost

Well, we could say their overall mission is to sell cars, so if old dudes are the ones buying them, they have to cater to that. From my experience owning a vette and running with that crowd, I would say very few of these things are seeing the track. Most of them become weekend cruisers.

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370z OG

Hambone1

True. Obviously they want to sell cars, but it almost seems to me that if you go that route why not offer a V6/V8 package type of thing. To all who are gearing up their flamethrowers, yes I know it's blasphemy, but if you're going to neuter the seats in a car that runs like a raped ape, might as well neuter the engine too

whoady4shoady

I have to disagree there. swapping seats out is much easier than doing an engine swap. Just swap the seats if you dont like them.

Hambone1

Very valid point. I was more playing devil's advocate there, if you're making certain areas of your car "soft" to better cater to your target demographic, 430+ horsepower, huge brakes, etc seem a little redundant wouldn't you say?

Red__Zed

Word. Most people that drive hard do that anyways.

Its not like the 370z seats are that great either. The civic si an the maxima have better bolstering.

ImportConvert

They haven't have a Z51 in the better part of half a decade. Like said, the seats are re-designed for '12 as well. Also, a set of seats isn't a big deal, won't void a warranty, and won't cost an arm and a leg.

Yes, and the 370Z will be "Collegemobile 5000". All cars will now be named after their stereotypical demographic, lol.

Part of the reason kids have 370Z's and older people or older kids like myself (at 25, I consider myself a kid compared to many) have Z06's and whatnot is because of income (or lack), not because one was designed for a certain age. It was designed for a certain income-level. The target median income of the average Z06 owner in 2006 was $130K according to GM's market study before releasing the car per their sales DVD that I lucked into buying from someone on another forum (Dealer item only).

About seats...



vs.



I'm really not seeing anything extraordinary about either. You will note, though, the HIGHER BOLSTERS on the corvette seat.

The only OEM seats on cars under $100K I can think of that are full of win for the track are in the Viper.

whoady4shoady

First off I want to say that I am definitely a hater since you are only 25 and have a brand new Z06. LOL. More importantly I would like to know how the hell can you afford or want to pay the Louisiana insurance rate on a vehicle like that? Out of curiousity, what do you pay per month? Our insurance rates are stupid high in Louisiana. Its stupid.

I also wanted to disagree with you comment about the interior quality of the vette. IMHO it has one of if nothe worst interiors I have ever been in, and it was a huge turn off when I test drove a loaded out 09.

UNKNOWN_370

The whole vette interior is terrible. Its a slap in the face to open the door of a vette then see the price tag. Its like you pay. 30k for the engine. 50k for the suspension and tires. (Which still needs tuning) and 5k for the rest of the car. The vette just doesn't divi up as a brand new ride.

whoady4shoady

I couldnt agree more. My buddy had an S2000, and he thought it had the worst interior out there for the longest which I thought was crazy. I told him go test drive a vette one day. Well that day came and lets just say he couldnt believe that people actually bought the car in that condition. I would love to grab the next gen vette, but if the interior doesnt se a significant upgrade, I wont look twice at it.

ImportConvert

I agree it's not the greatest, but to go that far? No, not really. Especially if you get the 2 or 3LZ.

What about it do you not like? I mean yes, it is not the greatest, but all I see are "The interior sucks". Yet noone can tell you why. The seats used to be the biggest gripe, but any factory seat short of the Viper's or a few other cars sucks in a car that pulls 1G on street tires.

Why don't you define how the 'vette's interior sucks?

Oh, they also corrected the crap sterio issue. That was an issue I do agree! They re-did it for '12.

GM has finally "gotten the memo" and is fixing it.

As for "$30K for an engine", yes, that's pretty close to what the driveline in my car retails for. Crate engine is about $15K, Transmission is another $5K, and the clutch, half-shafts, driveshaft, torque-tube, etc. rack up another 10K I am quite sure, especially if you include all the coolers for the diff, trans, oil, etc.

The suspension is about $800 per leaf, which is $1600, plus the massive Brembo's, plus...well, lets put it this way, if you built a Z06 from parts on another car, it would sure as heck weigh more than the 3100 and change mine does, and it would easily cost more. It also wouldn't come with a 5/100 driveline warranty.

The 'vette is a very well-made car, and for '12 it got a lot better. It had a PPH of only 62 when I watched them build mine. I don't think Nissan even publishes their PPH #'s or will release them. I am curious what the 370Z is sitting at. Part of the appeal with the corvette is that YOU can go and watch them build it. That way you know the quality of the work being done. There is no question in your mind. YOU WATCHED IT HAPPEN. I am glad I went and did this. You can run off at the mouth about how well made a car is, but you don't have a clue unless you watched it happen, you're just talking about some number you read or some CR review. I watched my car be built from half a dozen feet away, and closer at times. I know it was made well GM is the only company that allows this that I am aware of besides VW in one of their factories overseas. I'm proud of the low PPH the 'vette has, but am even more proud that I watched the process myself. A number is just a number, but being a part of something means a lot more.

GM claims Audi is their target goal for interior quality in the new C7. When GM makes a promise/statement on the corvette, I have NEVER seen them disappoint. If they step out and make the claim, they usually back it up.

That being said, I am quite happy with the current Z06's interior, with the '12 only making it better. I am not a huge NAV junkie, so that doesn't bother me. The OEM NAV IS! crap, though, I will give you that one without a single word of argument. Other than that, Interior is nice.

I think it's just popular to bash American car's interiors.

I remember when the 350Z was out how everyone on the forum was dogging on my WS6 saying the 350Z had a much nicer interior. Well, I went out and took a ride in a 350Z and am here to say that NO, it was NOT nicer than my WS6. My WS6 had way less plastic, way fewer rattles, and looked a helluva lot nicer.

The current '12 car with 3LZ option is equivalent to the Touring 370Z in every way but the NAV system imo.

sonic370

I have owned 2 Z's a 05 and my current 09. And have owned 2 vettes a 95 and a 97.IMHO both cars in their price market have the best bang for your buck period....... But when they are compared to each other its not apples to apples. Anyway good post agree on all points. Oh and hopefully the last sports car i buy will be a corvette. even knowing i will miss my 370..