Understanding the natural leanings of a 370Z discussion group, may I pose this to you? I have, through a relationship I have with a Chevy dealer, an opportunity to purchase
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
10-08-2009, 09:22 PM | #1 (permalink) |
The370Z.com Sponsor
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 354
Drives: 2010 Z Roadster T/S
Rep Power: 16 |
Thoughts on a base C6
Understanding the natural leanings of a 370Z discussion group, may I pose this to you?
I have, through a relationship I have with a Chevy dealer, an opportunity to purchase a new 2009 Corvette BASE 6MT model (no frills -- 1LT version, which is comparable to a Sport/Touring level trim Z) for $39,700. MSRP is $49,600, so the savings are substantial. Given that a Sport/Touring 370Z can be had at invoice for around $35,500 these days, does it really just boil down to personal preference? I love the Z and had my heart set on it, but as soon as my friend started talking about working that 430hp Vette into my price range, I got very interested. Plus, the Vette gets the same or better gas mileage, better acceleration, cornering and top speed, better warranty (3/36 B2B and 5/100 powertrain). So, some of my admittedly ill-informed quality concerns seem alleviated, too. Looking for some perspective... What do you think? |
10-08-2009, 09:36 PM | #2 (permalink) |
Track Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: s. cali, los angeles
Posts: 627
Drives: 09 370z plat 6 speed
Rep Power: 266 |
Honestly speaking, the Vette is a better bet overall, for the prices you mentioned. It's got about 100 HP more, more torque, straight-line acceleration etc. But I don't know about the handling part...and don't really care.
Here's the downside of the Vette, in my honest opinion: styling looks generic relative to 370, it's too simplistic and retains the fundamental silhouette of early 80's Vette-->bland styling: long nose, hatchback. It's not voluptuous as a 370. I'm sorry, but the C6 looks "cheapy" for a $50K+ car. It may be a good value, but ironically the poor "fit & finish" defeats that. The Vette is a step up from the Z-car. But it's not a fair comparison because Vettes are $50K+ cars, and Z's are $30K+ cars--a $20K disparity. I speak from experience, I used to work at Penske Chevrolet/Cadillac as a salesman and drove Vettes around on test drives. Very torquey b/c of the LS-1/6 motors. But if you can get a C6 Vette at that price, I reluctantly say it's the obvious choice. |
10-08-2009, 09:37 PM | #3 (permalink) |
Retired admin
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Winterfell
Posts: 106,613
Drives: Your Wife Crazy
Rep Power: 0 |
First, let me just say that the nissan 370 general discussion area is probably not the right place for this. I just want to say it nicely so that the next guy skips bashing you about it.
I've had 3 vettes. 2 c5 z06s and a c6. Obviously much faster than the Z, although I think their handling is on par. I got rid of the vette because its interior was an embarrassment. Cheap plastic parts, and huge stereo that they put in every POS vehicle they make, horrible quality leather, so on and so on. A couple people who rode in it made polite comments about the low quality. So, that's my .02, I would rather have a comfortable interior for my daily driver. |
10-08-2009, 10:01 PM | #5 (permalink) |
A True Z Fanatic
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,722
Drives: z34 - R1
Rep Power: 490 |
The c6 is the only car I would get if I didn't get the z. I thought of getting the c6 with grand sport package because it makes it look so much better. I'm not too fond of the base c6. I took a look at the dealer and thought the fit and finish on the outside was acceptable, not great though. But one of the things that prevents me from buying it is the reliability of a gm car. I also thought the c6 looks a bit too lean and long for my taste. Obviously the c6 performs better than a 370z and only cost a bit more. It's a great buy if you aren't concerned about reliability, and the plastic/fiberglass exterior.
__________________
2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts |
10-08-2009, 10:16 PM | #6 (permalink) |
The370Z.com Sponsor
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 354
Drives: 2010 Z Roadster T/S
Rep Power: 16 |
Thanks for not crucifying me for asking those questions here. I appreciate the responses. I really do like the looks of the base C6. The Grand Sport, to me, is just a pretender package to make it look like the version that costs nearly twice as much -- kinda like getting an M appearance package on a 328. So, not that big of a deal to me.
You guys are validating many of my reservations. I haven't owned an American car since the '85 Pontiac Fiero GT I drove in high school. In 24 years since then, I've had only German and Japanese cars (about 9 of them). I hear a lot about how much better GM is these days. I think the interior is a bit better on the 2009 C6. The price seems to be really right. And yet, I still pause on a Z board to talk about it. Maybe that's telling me something... |
10-08-2009, 10:19 PM | #7 (permalink) | |
Retired admin
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Winterfell
Posts: 106,613
Drives: Your Wife Crazy
Rep Power: 0 |
Quote:
I was a complete american muscle guy till my 370 (my distinguished list includes the aforementioned vettes, an ls1 ws6, ls1 camaro SS, and an 06 gto) The quality of the drivetrain is there; but they still lack in the interior. I finally just gave up. It would be pretty hard to pull me back to american now. |
|
10-08-2009, 10:22 PM | #8 (permalink) | |
A True Z Fanatic
|
Quote:
__________________
I don't own a car anymore. |
|
10-08-2009, 10:33 PM | #9 (permalink) |
Base Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 243
Drives: '09 370Z PW MT6 S
Rep Power: 16 |
One great thing about the 'Vette. You can get it fixed in any town in the USA. As for the Z? Not. So. Much.
I drive every day on little winding back-country roads in Connecticut, with stone walls on either side. The '09 Vette I test-drove felt incredibly wide going around blind corners on these narrow roads... like driving a very-good-handling tank. I scared myself a few times, and decided I needed a more compact footprint. The Z has been fantastic on those same roads. Case closed, for me. YMMV |
10-08-2009, 10:41 PM | #10 (permalink) |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 495
Drives: Z
Rep Power: 0 |
Go for the Corvette. It's simplt a better sports-car overall and in a completely different league performance-wise. Don't let anyone brain-wash you into thinking the interior is crap. That's just nonsense...the updated interior on the '08+ Corvette is on par with the 370Z in terms of feel and quality.
You really can't beat it for under $40K. |
10-08-2009, 10:45 PM | #11 (permalink) | |
Retired admin
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Winterfell
Posts: 106,613
Drives: Your Wife Crazy
Rep Power: 0 |
Quote:
|
|
10-08-2009, 10:50 PM | #12 (permalink) |
A True Z Fanatic
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 30,879
Drives: 370z
Rep Power: 4210 |
Holy buttons batman, they really need to re-design that cockpit. Materials I could live with, but it its an upgraded gauge display and interface.
__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram |
10-08-2009, 10:57 PM | #13 (permalink) |
Base Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Florida
Posts: 42
Drives: 370Z Vert (TBA)
Rep Power: 16 |
Perhaps I can chime in on this one in that I currently drive a 2008 C6, Vert, 3LT, NPP, Nav and a bunch of other goodies. MSRP was about $65k.
Pros for the Vette: (so far) always starts, (IMHO) looks sharp, great power, very good (not great, 4 out of 5) handling when at speed, NPP is very nice when you step on it, passing power is outstanding, spacious for a 2 seater, fairly comfortable seats, cool heads up display, very good upgraded factory stereo. Cons for the Vette: cheap interior, penny pinching noticable on small things (ie. glove box is very flimsy), about the worst nav display I have seen in a modern car, after 21,000 miles - it feels like it is already aging even with scheduled routine maintenance, wide turn radius - handles like a boat at low speeds, fit and finish NOT on par with cars that cost less. IMHO, the quality, particularly for the price, just isn't there for the Vette. Great power only gets me so far. Keep in mind, that there are hidden costs for Vette ownership. Vette tires are not exactly cheap, oil changes do not qualify for GM discounts / coupons, overall, most items for the Vette are double / triple the cost (ie. brakes, even wiper blades!). LOL Vette ownership has been fun for both my hubby and I, and we have no regrets. However, we are looking forward to moving on come March. Don't get me wrong, the temptation to get into a 2010 Convertible Grand Sport Vette is there, but frankly, it will be readily overcome. Oh, I should add that the 1LT package is so zzzzzzzz (boring). There is no way I would get a Vette without the 3LT or 4LT. To me, a fully loaded 370Z is much more rewarding than a Vette, especially a base Vette. Last edited by DropTopGal; 10-08-2009 at 11:12 PM. Reason: add line |
10-08-2009, 10:58 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
A True Z Fanatic
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Greenville NC
Posts: 2,883
Drives: 370Z Sport
Rep Power: 976 |
Quote:
If you need to get it out of your system then do it. I ordered a new '08 and kept it for 1.8 years and 13K miles. It was the 56th car I've owned and was on the Bucket list of cars I needed to own before I die. Did some mods (475 hp and suspension stuff), had some fun but the general day to day satisfation and fun factor was just not there. It's a heavy feeling car around town. My first American car in a very long time after lots of German stuff. It was bad for my image....:-) I like driver's cars and the Vette just didn't do it for me. The limits were so high you just couldn't have fun on the street. Sold it last April for $40K, bought car #57, the Z for $31.5 and threw the rest in the bank. Couldn't be happier with the decision....YMMV Out with the old, in with the new... Last edited by Modshack; 10-08-2009 at 11:22 PM. |
|
10-08-2009, 11:19 PM | #15 (permalink) |
Track Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Socal
Posts: 555
Drives: 09 370z
Rep Power: 17 |
i fought hard between the two. coming from a truck (sport truck, x runner, handled great!) with 350rwhp/rwtq, i found myself ready to move on. the 370 and c6 fit the bill of what i wanted. sporty, two seater that could move in a straight line, and dive into the canyons with confidence.
i ended up with the 370. while i acknowledge the vette is faster, and easier to make faster than the Z, i wanted not only an upgrade in horsepower, but looks, and interior. i felt the vette interior/exterior was not as pleasant as the Z, or my old truck. not to mention i see about a dozen vette;s every time i drive my car. coupled with being 24, and not wanting to be the "young" guy in a vette, and the nasty depriciation the vette's have over a few years, i was settled. every time i think i could have had XXX hp, i get in my Z, and it makes me smile before i even start it. edit- FWIW, i paid 37.5 for my Z, which would buy me a base c6, so cost wasnt too much of a deciding factor for me.
__________________
2009 PW Sport/Touring/Nav M6 Stillen Gen 3 Intake/CBE/Berk HFC/BC BR Coil over/Phillips 6500k/Hotchkis Sways/Stillen oil cooler/B&M SS Last edited by racerxj17; 10-08-2009 at 11:21 PM. |
Bookmarks |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Thoughts on 09 WRX? | blinkme323 | Other Vehicles | 14 | 08-27-2009 03:43 PM |
Thoughts/Opinions Please | dainedazz | Exterior & Interior | 12 | 08-23-2009 11:21 AM |
Thoughts on this wheel......on a 370Z?? | The_Zed_car | Wheels & Tires | 7 | 06-10-2009 12:15 PM |
Your thoughts on the 370z and Follow the Z Tour? | MikeZ | Nissan 370Z General Discussions | 25 | 01-23-2009 02:07 PM |
Initial thoughts and pics of my new Z! | Pushing_Tin | Nissan 370Z General Discussions | 47 | 01-16-2009 03:01 AM |