Wow factor

Originally Posted by flashburn

Dammit ImportConvert, you are making me want a 2012. No way I could afford the Z06 + around $20k for a DD though.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Haha, my DD cost me my WS6. Even swap. My WS6 had a few issues with it, and unfortunately this Infiniti developed a few soon after I got it, so it came out with me more behind in the trade than even as it appeared at first glance. Still, it gets the job done.

Even a brand new Cobalt is only $12-14K. My former roommate has one and gets 35-40mpg and has a helluva time in it.

A daily just needs a good A/C, good radio, and an interior/exterior that doesn't look too shoddy and you're G2G.

I don't demand much of my daily.

Oh, as far as the interior on the '12...



BTW, the Z07 optioned cars are pulling 1.1G+ (no, I didn't miss a "0" before the 1) on GM's skidpad. GM usually advertises dead-on to what magazines and actual drivers get out of the cars on the track. GM has tested the new tires on the Z07 this year to lop off another 3 seconds from lap-times at VIR. Or you could just buy an older Z06 and put R compounds on it.

I'm holding out for the last model Z6 Z06, though. I have one, so if I somehow miss the cut-off date for it, I'll survive, but I really want the last of the 427's. I have a feeling we won't be seeing them again.

They also FINALLY!!! upgraded the BOSE audio system, which used to sound worse than the base sound system according to many. I'm no audiophile, but I like my base sound system, so this could only be better. 9 speakers, rare-earth magnets, and Bose's Nd Next Generation Base.

Originally Posted by flashburn

I played with some numbers, and I think I could definitely do C6 GS and either trade my Z for a DD (perhaps a Juke) or keep the Z and use it as a DD.

I'm liking the idea of getting a 2012 C6, and then waiting a few years for the C7 to mature and get a Z07 (or whatever they call it), depending on what it's like.

I need to start doing research though, see if the C6 is really right for me. I'd like it for occasionally driving to work (maybe twice a week, at most), and going to 5-6 track events a year. Definitely plan on replacing the seats and getting harnesses. How is the C6 GS with track events? Any modifications needed?

/derailment!

Originally Posted by sonic370

I seen a 427 today and i'm full grown and nearly crapped my pants!!
inside or out with in that price range nothing touches it...

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

No factory car is optimal for track events except maybe the Viper ACR. However, nothing really breaks on the corvette, if that's what you are asking. There isn't any weak-point to it that stands out beyond the seats, but again, all factory seats suck for serious track time.

Originally Posted by flashburn

Well like with the 370Z, it's almost all but necessary to replace the brake/clutch fluid, add an oil cooler, and swap out brake pads. I'm guessing everything but the oil cooler would probably still need to be done for the C6 GS? I noticed the GS doesn't have SS Brake lines (not sure about clutch line?). Any other obvious weak points like this that should be addressed before tracking?

Originally Posted by flashburn

Yeah, I tried searching that forum for more info, as well as google, didn't come up with much. CorvetteForum.com isn't nearly as close to as awesome as the370Z.com, we seem to have a lot more content and info here for our car.

Originally Posted by flashburn

Perhaps, but it'd be a lot easier to find stuff if they had a few more sub forums.

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Check your PM, I will convert you yet!