Reviews don't get much better than that.... It's hard not to be super-impressed with the ZR1's performance and comfort/composure for normal street use. To say otherwise and you'd be kidding yourself....
That being said, no car is perfect. And the only area I wish GM addressed was the styling. Sure, it looks good as is. But I still think it looks like every other Vette minus a few styling cues. I think with a exotic looking clam shell front clip (maybe something similar to some of the Callaway designs) and unique one piece rear could have produced the perfect Vette. Roof, doors, all glass, rims/wheels can all stay. The ZR1 would look sooooo much smoother & exotic without the hood + rear bumper seams. Sure, in an accident it's going to be a little more expensive to replace these parts. But what the heck, this is a 6 figure car to begin with... Oh yeah, and maybe a more aggressive seat option (ie - CTS-V seats).
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Onerareviper
Reviews don't get much better than that.... It's hard not to be super-impressed with the ZR1's performance and comfort/composure for normal street use. To say otherwise and you'd be kidding yourself....
That being said, no car is perfect. And the only area I wish GM addressed was the styling. Sure, it looks good as is. But I still think it looks like every other Vette minus a few styling cues. I think with a exotic looking clam shell front clip (maybe something similar to some of the Callaway designs) and unique one piece rear could have produced the perfect Vette. Roof, doors, all glass, rims/wheels can all stay. The ZR1 would look sooooo much smoother & exotic without the hood + rear bumper seams. Sure, in an accident it's going to be a little more expensive to replace these parts. But what the heck, this is a 6 figure car to begin with... .
That is all a moot point. This car was not supposed to be an offshoot of the C6 styling, if it was supposed to be, they would of made it that way. This is exactly what their intention was. Was the C4 ZR1 a redesign of the basic C4 body? No. Your complaint can be said for any model high performance upgrade. What is so different about the ACR. Looks pretty much the same to me except for scoops, wings, spoilers etc. What is so different about the Shelby 500 except for scoops, wings, spoilers etc. Sorry your argument may be your own opinion, but that is all it is.
That is all a moot point. This car was not supposed to be an offshoot of the C6 styling, if it was supposed to be, they would of made it that way. This is exactly what their intention was. Was the C4 ZR1 a redesign of the basic C4 body? No. Your complaint can be said for any model high performance upgrade. What is so different about the ACR. Looks pretty much the same to me except for scoops, wings, spoilers etc. What is so different about the Shelby 500 except for scoops, wings, spoilers etc. Sorry your argument may be your own opinion, but that is all it is.
Nicely said! Another example is the 911 GT2. Its more than double the cost of the base 911, but I don't think that would bother any owners. The zr1 is a c6 vette and it should look like one.
Nice video. Gotta love this car regardless of which ever brands flag you fly. Minimal to no lean at all in the turns. ZR1 is one of the best performers, without a doubt, in the supercar arena.
I agree with Onerare in the thought that bespokeness would have added to the ZR1's uniqueness and specialness but as Racer44 correctly said it is the way GM's intended it to look. Good point on the Viper and GT2 as well. GM did a great job with the Z06 and ZR1 on the C6 platform as Chrysler and Porsche did with there respective platforms.
Ill take that "faster than an Enzo" stuff with a grain of salt as it wasnt on the same day, conditions etc though. Head to head is the way to go. Everything else is just speculation.
That is all a moot point. This car was not supposed to be an offshoot of the C6 styling, if it was supposed to be, they would of made it that way. This is exactly what their intention was. Was the C4 ZR1 a redesign of the basic C4 body? No. Your complaint can be said for any model high performance upgrade. What is so different about the ACR. Looks pretty much the same to me except for scoops, wings, spoilers etc. What is so different about the Shelby 500 except for scoops, wings, spoilers etc. Sorry your argument may be your own opinion, but that is all it is.
Racer44,
I'm sure this was their 'intention', I'm not debating that... GM has had a lot of 'intentions' over the years, and looking at a stock that nearly became a 'penny stock' (under $1.00) per share, well, maybe their 'intentions' are not always the best solution. Funny you bring up the C4 ZR1, as that is not really a car I'd mention to prove GM's insight in design. A short run with poor sales beyond mid-cycle assured its death. As for the other cars you mention, well, I will address those one by one.
1.) Mustang - This car should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as Corvette or Viper.
2.) Viper to Viper ACR - About a $10,000 difference. Plus, the Viper is rare and looks very extreme (IMHO) from the start. The base model is also very expensive. This is like comparing a stripped down base C6 to a C6 Z51 with a few options. Not a base C6 that can be had for $40,000 to a $110,000 ZR1.
* I think your analogies were feeble at best.
Redknight, your analogy is hard to argue. Here's my take:
3.) Porsche - Well, I can somewhat agree the GT2 doesn't look much different than the base 911. And for the price difference, you would think it would look a little more special. And I agree, it should! That being said, even a base Porsche 'looks' special on the road. Why? I guess the Porsche name has something to do with that. LIKE IT OR NOT, RIGHT OR WRONG, many car enthusiasts feel the Porsche name is the benchmark when it comes to sports cars. So yes, in a way Porsche gets a free pass. Do I agree with this? Not really, but it is the reality.
Now let's address the C6 Corvette. Again, LIKE IT OR NOT, there are a sh*tload of C6's on the road. I'm sorry, but when people now see them there isn't much of a reaction. And with the discounts a base model can be had for $40,000. I know what you’re saying. "SO THE 'F' WHAT, THAT IS THE BEST DEAL IN THE AUTOMOTIVE WORLD. AND WHO CARES IF THE EXTERIOR DESIGN DOESN'T DROP JAWS?" Relax, I agree. The base C6 is an amazing car, and at $40,000 it is a RIDICOLOUS value. And one where the car DOES NOT have to 'drop jaws' IMHO. But, at $110,000, it would be 'nice' if the jaws dropped. When you look at the performance, they do. Without question. I just wish the looks would equal the performance. Personally, I feel this could have been done with the changes I mentioned above (one piece/unique front/rear clip). An INSTANTLY recognizable car, even for the non-enthusiasts. Come on, your trying to tell me that would not be AWESOME to see? A uber-Vette that had exotic styling to match? Come on, who are you trying to kid? People would FLIP over a car like this, and I think it could have been done for a reasonable price increase people would be willing to pay. THINK 1963 GRAND SPORT!!! Now that is a car that is INSTANTLY recognizable, and as exotic as any Italian. A pasted on spoiler and see-thru-window doesn't cut it, IMHO. People are buying (and talking) about this car because of the incredible performance (at any cost), not the styling.
Last edited by Onerareviper; 03-16-2009 at 09:35 PM.
Is that why everybody agrees with me? It's ok to admit your wrong.
You're on this board more than I. If anyone, you should know the ZR1 didn't exactly set the World on fire with its styling. And I'm talking the Corvette World. This is fact, not right vs. wrong. So the points I'm making seem to be shared by many Corvette enthusiasts, let alone the general population. Of course, some people are willing to overlook this due to the extreme performance. The car is such a good value (even at $110,000), I can't blame them. But gees, I find it hard to believe most owners wouldn't opt for a car that was instantly recognizable as a ZR1, vs. only knowing from 20 yards or closer.
Last edited by Onerareviper; 03-16-2009 at 11:10 PM.
Location: Calgary Ab/Cabo Mx 10 yrs & over 20,000 posts! 4 time Avatar King of the year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onerareviper
You're on this board more than I. If anyone, you should know the ZR1 didn't exactly set the World on fire with its styling. And I'm talking the Corvette World. This is fact, not right vs. wrong. So the points I'm making seem to be shared by many Corvette enthusiasts, let alone the general population. Of course, some people are willing to overlook this due to the extreme performance. The car is such a good value (even at $110,000), I can't blame them. But gees, I find it hard to believe most owners wouldn't opt for a car that was instantly recognizable as a ZR1, vs. only knowing from 20 yards or closer.
Again, it doesn't matter what you want or i want. GM is not going to research and develop a new front end or rear end for a car that is about to go into it's 7th generation soon. It is about marketing and sales, they always leave you wanting more, that way you keep coming back. It seems most OWNERS (who cares about what wannabees like you and me think) don't mind the car how it is. The car still sells above MSRP and if it was available for MSRP to everyone, it would be sold out, no doubt. So, why do you keep posting your same statements in most threads. Your point is pointless.
Again, it doesn't matter what you want or i want. GM is not going to research and develop a new front end or rear end for a car that is about to go into it's 7th generation soon. It is about marketing and sales, they always leave you wanting more, that way you keep coming back. It seems most OWNERS (who cares about what wannabees like you and me think) don't mind the car how it is. The car still sells above MSRP and if it was available for MSRP to everyone, it would be sold out, no doubt. So, why do you keep posting your same statements in most threads. Your point is pointless.
I don't recall posting these sentiments in most of the threads I've entered. Quite the contrary, I've said the car looks good. I also don't think you understand my point. It is more of a 'wish list' vs. 'what is reality'. Not to mention the C7 is a LONG way off if you base it off the release date of the ZR1. Also, I think GM would do MUCH better in the future if they focused on giving people 'what they want (ie - wish list)', instead of 'leaving them wanting more (ie - hoping they keep coming back)'. This may work for the Vette (heritage and nostalgia doesn't hurt), but sure hasn't with other models. In other words, MANY PEOPLE AREN'T COMING BACK! Have you seen the news as of late? I also predict when the C7 is released it will have 'near' ZR1 performance levels. So you're looking at repeat history (ie - $20,000 C4 ZR1 all over again). But if it looked 'special', BINGO!, instant classic. And why not reward the loyal Corvette owners that can afford to shell out $110,000? We're not talking peanuts here.... Of course, as you so eloquently keep pointing out, this is moot point for the C6 ZR1. But hey, maybe future Uber-Corvette designers will see it my way. We can all 'wish'.
Last edited by Onerareviper; 03-17-2009 at 01:04 AM.
Location: Calgary Ab/Cabo Mx 10 yrs & over 20,000 posts! 4 time Avatar King of the year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onerareviper
I don't recall posting these sentiments in most of the threads I've entered. Quite the contrary, I've said the car looks good. I also don't think you understand my point. It is more of a 'wish list' vs. 'what is reality'. Not to mention the C7 is a LONG way off if you base it off the release date of the ZR1. Also, I think GM would do MUCH better in the future if they focused on giving people 'what they want (ie - wish list)', instead of 'leaving them wanting more (ie - hoping they keep coming back)'. This may work for the Vette (heritage and nostalgia doesn't hurt), but sure hasn't with other models. In other words, MANY PEOPLE AREN'T COMING BACK! Have you seen the news as of late? I also predict when the C7 is released it will have 'near' ZR1 performance levels. So you're looking at repeat history (ie - $20,000 C4 ZR1 all over again). But if it looked 'special', BINGO!, instant classic. And why not reward the loyal Corvette owners that can afford to shell out $110,000? We're not talking peanuts here.... Of course, as you so eloquently keep pointing out, this is moot point for the C6 ZR1. But hey, maybe future Uber-Corvette designers will see it my way. We can all 'wish'.
I just wish they would come down in price so I can justify buying one. I would even be proud to clean that controversial window in the hood.
I just wish they would come down in price so I can justify buying one. I would even be proud to clean that controversial window in the hood.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see invoice + small incentives in another year or two ('assuming' the ZR1 is still produced in decent numbers). So figure 7 to 10 grand off the current price, 'assuming' you can find MSRP. Now if you wait a year or two, the C7 'may' only be a few years off at that point. So I don't think the decision will become any easier, at least for those without unlimited funds. Who knows what the C7 will bring to the table, 'assuming' GM is still around & focusing on performance. Lots of 'assumptions'.
Apparently the ZR1 comes with "Michelin PEE LOW Sport II's!" LOL
(listen - he says it right about 3:40 mark)
Funny I heard that as well, I guess that's the proper french pronunciation...............it is such a bad a$$ car. Great Video, now if GM could only put the same commitment in the rest of the lineup.
You're on this board more than I. If anyone, you should know the ZR1 didn't exactly set the World on fire with its styling. And I'm talking the Corvette World. This is fact, not right vs. wrong. So the points I'm making seem to be shared by many Corvette enthusiasts, let alone the general population. Of course, some people are willing to overlook this due to the extreme performance. The car is such a good value (even at $110,000), I can't blame them. But gees, I find it hard to believe most owners wouldn't opt for a car that was instantly recognizable as a ZR1, vs. only knowing from 20 yards or closer.
Ditto. I finally saw a ZR1 in person and it looks no better than a C6 Z06.
But you cannot argue with the performance!
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MOTORWEEK Tests ZR-1 (new video today)
