Mixed Feelings
12-23-2013, 05:58 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Mixed Feelings
Took my new/used 2012 Red GS Conv Z16 in for my first oil change and to just allow a really great mechanic/guy (Mark@Titus-Will Cadillac/Chev in Olympia, WA) have a look:
a. Those lovely Goodyear F1's are already on the way out, I'll go until
next Spring/10,000 miles or so and replace them with Michelins;
beat tires at 6,000 miles, geez...nobody who knows likes them
b. Those brakes are incredibly expensive to replace with as many pads
as they have...I'll do alot more coasting
c. That lovely waffling at low speed is endemic
d. Getting used to alittle scraping on my slightly downhill driveway
But, after sitting in a nice all black 2014 with all the goodies mine has (except the rag top of course and that intoxicating new car smell) I'm still thinking I made a wise choice.
I would like to thank an understanding spouse, a great mechanic and the luck of the draw which allowed me to be in such pleasant circumstances in a world with so many lacking.
Best of the holidays to one and all
Dan
a. Those lovely Goodyear F1's are already on the way out, I'll go until
next Spring/10,000 miles or so and replace them with Michelins;
beat tires at 6,000 miles, geez...nobody who knows likes them
b. Those brakes are incredibly expensive to replace with as many pads
as they have...I'll do alot more coasting
c. That lovely waffling at low speed is endemic
d. Getting used to alittle scraping on my slightly downhill driveway
But, after sitting in a nice all black 2014 with all the goodies mine has (except the rag top of course and that intoxicating new car smell) I'm still thinking I made a wise choice.
I would like to thank an understanding spouse, a great mechanic and the luck of the draw which allowed me to be in such pleasant circumstances in a world with so many lacking.
Best of the holidays to one and all
Dan
12-23-2013, 06:03 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Enjoy that new (to you) GS. I know how you feel...I am so blessed to own a corvette, when you know how many folks are out there just struggling to get by. When I think about that, it seems so ridiculous that there are so many "squabbles" between owners of various generation Corvettes. Just be glad you can afford to own one, or have a bank that lets you drive one.
12-23-2013, 06:14 PM
#3
Race Car Tech
Enjoy the car, and you will love the ride with the Michelins 
12-23-2013, 06:58 PM
#4
I changed my brake pads at 1000 miles because of brown brake dust on my black wheels.hawk pads are not that much and easy to install.
12-24-2013, 08:24 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
A 2012 GS is a very nice car. I own an 08 coupe. I wasn't sure I would be totally happy with a C6 so I bought used with all the goodies. I figured it was better to spend in the low 30's and not to take a big hit if I didn't like the car. It turns out I love the car and will kep it for several year and then pass it on.
The tires that everyone seems to love are the Michelin Pilots. I have a pair on my car and they are great. However, they are not so great for winter driving. If the car is not a DD then it doesn't matter. For winter driving I also have a set of Michelin x-ice 3's. These run like A/S and are dead silent. They are the only winter tire I could find with a 40k mile warranty and eco.
Your car sits lower than mine so you're going to get more scraping. Watch out for curbs when you park. I find it hard to judge the front of the car in relations to front curbs. I have front and rear cameras and use them almost every time I park.
I wouldn't worry about brakes. They seem to last a very long time on our cars. Probably 50k if you don't ride them. The brake dust sucks though. I was thinking of getting ceramic brakes because of this.
You saved a lot of money with the 2012 over the 14 so enjoy the extra dollars in your wallet. The 2014 is a nice car and is growing on me. I love all the interior, and engine upgrades that were made. I like most of the exterior upgrades. It would have been nice if they had created three models and then floated the designs out there to hard core fans like us. I'm sure in the end they would have had a better styled car.
The tires that everyone seems to love are the Michelin Pilots. I have a pair on my car and they are great. However, they are not so great for winter driving. If the car is not a DD then it doesn't matter. For winter driving I also have a set of Michelin x-ice 3's. These run like A/S and are dead silent. They are the only winter tire I could find with a 40k mile warranty and eco.
Your car sits lower than mine so you're going to get more scraping. Watch out for curbs when you park. I find it hard to judge the front of the car in relations to front curbs. I have front and rear cameras and use them almost every time I park.
I wouldn't worry about brakes. They seem to last a very long time on our cars. Probably 50k if you don't ride them. The brake dust sucks though. I was thinking of getting ceramic brakes because of this.
You saved a lot of money with the 2012 over the 14 so enjoy the extra dollars in your wallet. The 2014 is a nice car and is growing on me. I love all the interior, and engine upgrades that were made. I like most of the exterior upgrades. It would have been nice if they had created three models and then floated the designs out there to hard core fans like us. I'm sure in the end they would have had a better styled car.
Took my new/used 2012 Red GS Conv Z16 in for my first oil change and to just allow a really great mechanic/guy (Mark@Titus-Will Cadillac/Chev in Olympia, WA) have a look:
a. Those lovely Goodyear F1's are already on the way out, I'll go until
next Spring/10,000 miles or so and replace them with Michelins;
beat tires at 6,000 miles, geez...nobody who knows likes them
b. Those brakes are incredibly expensive to replace with as many pads
as they have...I'll do alot more coasting
c. That lovely waffling at low speed is endemic
d. Getting used to alittle scraping on my slightly downhill driveway
But, after sitting in a nice all black 2014 with all the goodies mine has (except the rag top of course and that intoxicating new car smell) I'm still thinking I made a wise choice.
I would like to thank an understanding spouse, a great mechanic and the luck of the draw which allowed me to be in such pleasant circumstances in a world with so many lacking.
Best of the holidays to one and all
Dan
a. Those lovely Goodyear F1's are already on the way out, I'll go until
next Spring/10,000 miles or so and replace them with Michelins;
beat tires at 6,000 miles, geez...nobody who knows likes them
b. Those brakes are incredibly expensive to replace with as many pads
as they have...I'll do alot more coasting
c. That lovely waffling at low speed is endemic
d. Getting used to alittle scraping on my slightly downhill driveway
But, after sitting in a nice all black 2014 with all the goodies mine has (except the rag top of course and that intoxicating new car smell) I'm still thinking I made a wise choice.
I would like to thank an understanding spouse, a great mechanic and the luck of the draw which allowed me to be in such pleasant circumstances in a world with so many lacking.
Best of the holidays to one and all
Dan
12-24-2013, 08:40 AM
#6
Our 2013GS Coupe was our first (and probably last) NEW Corvette that we have bought. I saw photos of the C7 before we made our purchase decision and have no regrets going with the last year of the C6. C5 and C6 seats do not have nearly as much bolstering as the C4 and C7 have. While bolstering is great for all out performance driving, not so great for long cruises for frequent in & out cycles. I'm wondering how the seats will stand up in the C7s. The C4s had issues with bolster seams splitting.
As for the brake pads - I too hate the dust. I'm thinking of going with one-piece pads in a ceramic compound. Not sure why GM thought 6 little pucks were better than 2 large ones.
Best wishes.
Glen
As for the brake pads - I too hate the dust. I'm thinking of going with one-piece pads in a ceramic compound. Not sure why GM thought 6 little pucks were better than 2 large ones.
Best wishes.
Glen
12-24-2013, 09:30 AM
#7
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Congrats on your GS. Even with the drawbacks you mention, Corvettes are a great car.
12-24-2013, 09:41 AM
#8
Took my new/used 2012 Red GS Conv Z16 in for my first oil change and to just allow a really great mechanic/guy (Mark@Titus-Will Cadillac/Chev in Olympia, WA) have a look:
a. Those lovely Goodyear F1's are already on the way out, I'll go until
next Spring/10,000 miles or so and replace them with Michelins;
beat tires at 6,000 miles, geez...nobody who knows likes them
b. Those brakes are incredibly expensive to replace with as many pads
as they have...I'll do alot more coasting
c. That lovely waffling at low speed is endemic
d. Getting used to alittle scraping on my slightly downhill driveway
But, after sitting in a nice all black 2014 with all the goodies mine has (except the rag top of course and that intoxicating new car smell) I'm still thinking I made a wise choice.
I would like to thank an understanding spouse, a great mechanic and the luck of the draw which allowed me to be in such pleasant circumstances in a world with so many lacking.
Best of the holidays to one and all
Dan
a. Those lovely Goodyear F1's are already on the way out, I'll go until
next Spring/10,000 miles or so and replace them with Michelins;
beat tires at 6,000 miles, geez...nobody who knows likes them
b. Those brakes are incredibly expensive to replace with as many pads
as they have...I'll do alot more coasting
c. That lovely waffling at low speed is endemic
d. Getting used to alittle scraping on my slightly downhill driveway
But, after sitting in a nice all black 2014 with all the goodies mine has (except the rag top of course and that intoxicating new car smell) I'm still thinking I made a wise choice.
I would like to thank an understanding spouse, a great mechanic and the luck of the draw which allowed me to be in such pleasant circumstances in a world with so many lacking.
Best of the holidays to one and all
Dan
I think the brakes on my 2012 GS are amazing and I don't want to change a thing. The dust is a bitch but it comes with the car.
I really like my car and have no regrets about it.
Happy Holidays to you.
12-24-2013, 11:36 AM
#10
Team Owner
If you are happy with your decision than all is good.
12-24-2013, 11:46 AM
#11
Drifting
Our 2013GS Coupe was our first (and probably last) NEW Corvette that we have bought. I saw photos of the C7 before we made our purchase decision and have no regrets going with the last year of the C6. C5 and C6 seats do not have nearly as much bolstering as the C4 and C7 have. While bolstering is great for all out performance driving, not so great for long cruises for frequent in & out cycles. I'm wondering how the seats will stand up in the C7s. The C4s had issues with bolster seams splitting.
As for the brake pads - I too hate the dust. I'm thinking of going with one-piece pads in a ceramic compound. Not sure why GM thought 6 little pucks were better than 2 large ones.
Best wishes.
Glen
As for the brake pads - I too hate the dust. I'm thinking of going with one-piece pads in a ceramic compound. Not sure why GM thought 6 little pucks were better than 2 large ones.
Best wishes.
Glen
Until I used the "ArmorAll Wheel Protectant" it made a big difference ! cut down on the dust by at least 50% glad I gave it a chance before changing out the front pads.
12-24-2013, 12:01 PM
#12
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I had one of my sons put the types of issues that concern us Corvette owners this way: "Really, Dad? Those are the things you're concerned about?". He calls them "First World Problems", and of course he's right. Good on you, Dan, for realizing how fortunate we all are when so many are not. I have always found Corvette people to be among the most giving, caring, compassionate folks I know. Yes, we do know there are many people suffering, and many if not most of us dig in and help. You are some great people. Enjoy your Christmas.