First impressions from a new C6 owner
07-15-2013, 09:33 PM
#1
Safety Car
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2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2018 C6 of Year Winner
First impressions from a new C6 owner
I have now owned at least one of every generation of Corvette. Since the C7 has not "officially" been released yet, that is still an accurate statement. And I loved every one I have owned over the past 42 years - I drove my `71 C3 for 21 years!
We recently bought a 2010 Grand Sport convertible and are in the process of selling our 2000 convertible. For years I have been reading negative things about the C6 and really wondered if I truly wanted to own one someday. I had read about the "cheap interior" and non-popup headlights, some calling it the C5.5 and many worse names. From my perspective, I am happy to report that every successive generation that I moved up was better than the previous in most categories.
Initially, I was not a fan of the C6 exterior until I saw the first photos of a Grand Sport. I immediately knew I had to have one.
I find the interior quality just what I would expect given the price point of the Corvette. If you want more luxury, more leather, more flash, you are going to have to pay a lot more.
The C6 seats are "moderately" more comfortable than the C5, but the difference is so minor.
Performance is where the C6 outshines both the C4's & C5 that we owned. The 300 hp LT1 (automatic) was quick, the 345 hp LS1 (manual) just kept pulling & pulling, the 430 hp LS3 (auto) will snap your neck and loosen your fillings! While trying to get away from a tail-gater recently I inadvertently scared the bejeesus out of my wife, myself and several by-standers.
I love to drive twisties and the Grand Sport seems to steer by telepathy. It knows where I want to go almost before I do. The GS suspension feels in contact with the road under all conditions and you cannot make it lean. Seriously, steering and handling are phenomenal!
I loved my `61, `64, `71, `93, `96 and 2000, but I'm never going back! This 2010 Grand Sport is one fine sports car.
We recently bought a 2010 Grand Sport convertible and are in the process of selling our 2000 convertible. For years I have been reading negative things about the C6 and really wondered if I truly wanted to own one someday. I had read about the "cheap interior" and non-popup headlights, some calling it the C5.5 and many worse names. From my perspective, I am happy to report that every successive generation that I moved up was better than the previous in most categories.
Initially, I was not a fan of the C6 exterior until I saw the first photos of a Grand Sport. I immediately knew I had to have one.
I find the interior quality just what I would expect given the price point of the Corvette. If you want more luxury, more leather, more flash, you are going to have to pay a lot more.
The C6 seats are "moderately" more comfortable than the C5, but the difference is so minor.
Performance is where the C6 outshines both the C4's & C5 that we owned. The 300 hp LT1 (automatic) was quick, the 345 hp LS1 (manual) just kept pulling & pulling, the 430 hp LS3 (auto) will snap your neck and loosen your fillings! While trying to get away from a tail-gater recently I inadvertently scared the bejeesus out of my wife, myself and several by-standers.
I love to drive twisties and the Grand Sport seems to steer by telepathy. It knows where I want to go almost before I do. The GS suspension feels in contact with the road under all conditions and you cannot make it lean. Seriously, steering and handling are phenomenal!
I loved my `61, `64, `71, `93, `96 and 2000, but I'm never going back! This 2010 Grand Sport is one fine sports car.
07-15-2013, 09:40 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
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Very very nice - enjoy !!!
I think you got bad info when you first heard the C6 was not a fantastic car. Sure there is always something that can be improved, but that's nit picking.
You will be smiling mile after mile . . . .
I think you got bad info when you first heard the C6 was not a fantastic car. Sure there is always something that can be improved, but that's nit picking.
You will be smiling mile after mile . . . .
07-15-2013, 09:41 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Maybe it's that I have the 4LT package, but I mostly like my interior. Gauges are awesome, everything is pretty good.
My gripes are as follows: Audio interface is terrible, seats are bad, steering wheel is cheap. Strangely, the few gripes bother me more in this car than other cars. I think it's because these are things that wouldn't cost much to correct, if at all. The seats should be, and have room to be wider with "deeper" bolsters. They're basically just flat. Audio interface would cost nothing to do right. Steering wheel- eh, I dunno. I can live with that. It's really just the seats and audio interface that drive me crazy.
Everything else on the car is beyond expectations and I have a lowly narrow body.
My gripes are as follows: Audio interface is terrible, seats are bad, steering wheel is cheap. Strangely, the few gripes bother me more in this car than other cars. I think it's because these are things that wouldn't cost much to correct, if at all. The seats should be, and have room to be wider with "deeper" bolsters. They're basically just flat. Audio interface would cost nothing to do right. Steering wheel- eh, I dunno. I can live with that. It's really just the seats and audio interface that drive me crazy.
Everything else on the car is beyond expectations and I have a lowly narrow body.
07-15-2013, 10:10 PM
#4
Team Owner
to the uninitiated, these cars are any number of things. to those who own and drive them, a whole different level. turn off the babysitters and another level. I "may" have done some things in mine to create fear, but mostly jusy enjoy the top down cruising. was having a conversation with myself last night while cruising home from the beach.
07-15-2013, 10:15 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
I find that the competition mode is relatively non-intrusive. If it kicks in, I'm glad it did.
07-15-2013, 11:07 PM
#9
Instructor
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I too have owned at least one of every generation. I recently traded my 2007 Z06 for a 2013 GS Convertible. I really miss the Z06 but wanted a convertible. Funny but the only complaints I hear about the interior is from the car magazines. I had a 2002 Porsche 911 and like the C6 interior much better. In my opinion the Corvette is a better car than the Porsche. But every one knows you can believe the media, right??
07-15-2013, 11:54 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
I went from an Audi A4 to a BMW 335D and IMHO my 08 3LT has a very competitive interior. I would prefer a better grade of leather on the seats and more leather trim, but overall I'm very happy and have no real complaints. I also love the two tone look, and the carbon fiber console.
07-16-2013, 12:43 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
I had two C5Zs. An '02 and an '04. Great performing Cars, for sure. In MY '10 introduced the GS model. It was a gotta have for me. Stunning Vette. Sold both Zs. For almost three years the GS has been perfect. You made a great choice. Enjoy. 
Cool looking Car. 
Cool looking Car.
07-16-2013, 04:34 AM
#18
Safety Car
GS= GOD SENT!!!!
07-16-2013, 08:44 AM
#20
Race Director
The C6 has made the Car & Driver "Ten Best" list a number of times. All of the reviews that I read are glowing about the car.
Where are you reading bad reviews? These cars are awesome!
Enjoy that C6 and congrats!
Where are you reading bad reviews? These cars are awesome!
Enjoy that C6 and congrats!