ThrottleJunkieM3

Lotus should be above the Cayman, if not at the top. Mazda doesnt belong in that test.

Rhino68

It seems to me that the test was conducted to make the owners of sh1tbox ricers happy with their purchases. However, to be fair, the new Z06 does have some handling issues. The steering is vague, the frame is not as rigid as it could be and the tires are not up to par. A Viper has a more rigid frame and handles more predictably at the edge, as a result. The Porsche Cayman has much better steering feel and response. The Lotus is so damn lightweight. I expect the Z's handling to improve in the years ahead but I feel that this evaluation was quite a bit biased and had a questionable agenda.

0David_Yu

I'm afraid to say that evo magazine only rated my LPE Z06 9th out of 16 performance cars in their new "road and track car of the year" issue.

1) 997 GT3 RS (it really is a fantastic car, and I don't normally like 911s)
2) Caterham R400 (track car, yes. Road car? No way, and I used to own a Caterham!)
3) Hi Tech (Superformance) GT40 (exquisite replica, didn't get to drive it so can't comment)
4) Lotus Exige S (great track car, a bit lacking in poke for the road)
5)= Caterham Roadsport (less powerful version of 2)
5)= Aston V8 Vantage N24 (full blown race car, was not highly rated on the road)
7) Morgan Aero 8 (really didn't like this car, horrible noise and no lsd)
8) Ariel Atom 300 (absolutely insane. Fastest car I have ever driven. Suicidal on the road)
9) Lingenfelter Z06
10) Subaru Impreza RB320
11) Nissan 350Z GT-S (supercharged)
12) Aston V8 Roadster
13) Renault Megan R26
14) BMW M Coupe
15) Westfield 1600
16) Seat Leon Cupra

Now, the evo boys can ALL drive (all the road testers have raced quite successfully) so it is hard to argue with their collective wisdom.

The best quote about my car was from Richard Meaden who did the lap times at Cadwell Park race circuit, the tightest and twistiest in the UK: "The Z06 is one of the few cars I've driven that feels too fast everywhere!"

However he did also say: "The way this thing builds speed is literally breathtaking. Any car that can beat a wrung-out 911 RS by 10mph at the end of Park Straight, despite exiting Charlies with less speed, is extraordinary. When David fits his promised suspension upgrade and track-biased tyres, this Z06 will take some beating."

That's why I am almost as excited about getting my Penske triple-adjustable coilovers (eh, Gary H? ) 18in race wheels and Toyo R888s as I was about getting the LPE kit fitted.

Bring on the final evo test when I have the hp up to around 600 and the suspension, wheels and tyres sorted...

Onerareviper

Not saying I totally agree with the MT article, but I do have to chuckle. For this reason - Any time there is a glowing article about the Z06 you boys 1.) post it 2.) brag about it 3.) talk about how you 'agree' with the article 4.) and put down other cars that finished lower. You either buy into what the rags say, or you don't. Make up your mind....

NOVAVETTE

It's not a question of "buying into" what they write and report.
Rather - it's a discussion about the testing techniques they used to arrive at their rankings.
There was a subjective factor which was at play in this test that resulted in the Z06 placing next to last.
It is this, along with some other issues such as tires, which are at play in the MotorTrend article.

To answer your response - you are dead on correct.
ANY and ALL articles which show the superior powers of the Z06 will be welcome and admired on the Z06 section of the corvetteforum.
Perhaps you should see if you can try out for the game show which determines if you are smarter then a 5th grader.

Hatdude

Sounds to me like the rags need to make up their mind.

07 Lemans Z51 Coupe

They had the same test driver test all the cars, and he was more than well established in racing and testing. There is an issue with horsepower overcoming traction, and weight is always the enemy. I love my C6, but my former Elise was a better "handling" car. Just not civilized to use every day, but certainly a better "handling car". I haven't driven the Z06, but I did own an SRT-10 with 505 hp, and now a C6 with 400/400, and I took the Skip Barber course in the Vipers, but consider myself to be less than a race car qualified driver. Given the limitations of almost all of us, the move toward greater and greater torque and horsepower is not a move toward better handling. Lightness, quickness of steering, compliant but resiliant chassis (just try an Elise or Exige one time over potholes, and then try the same course in a Vette-- the times are about the same, but Colin Chapman's cars are more steady, and don't bump steer as much, in my opinion). I think we should keep making the Vettes lighter and lighter, and work on chassis and suspension. We've long since gone past any usable hp/torque unless you spend time on the drag strip.

07 Lemans Z51 Coupe

Yes, that's true. However, as a Viper owner, do you wonder why the Viper was not included at all? Could it be that even the Civic handles better than a Viper? Discuss.

NOVAVETTE

Maybe you are onto something......

Viper 11th out of 11

BlaznZ06

You've just fed into his belief system.

And, he's right.

Adam Bruce

And in business related issue Primedia, owners of motor trend announced their largest advertisers ranked by spending...

1) Porsche
2) Porsche
3) Lotus
4) Mitsubishi
5) Mini
6) BMW
7) Honda
8) Mazda
9) Chevrolet
10) Honda

Notch

I can't read the matrix of the results you came up with, but I ran the numbers and came up with the Vette tired for 4th with the Exige. Maybe it's an error in my math?

Doctor Mark

I too question the MT results. I do feel, however, that the handling does have issues which may well be tire related. I find that the back end will step out when pushed in a turn. While it is not a fair comparision, I will take a winding road at much higher speed and sense of confidence in my 360 Stradale then the Vette. I suspect that super sticky tires on the Ferrari are a big contributer to this as well as suspension and chassis issues. Frankly, I found my C5 Z06 more comfortable to toss around than my C6 Z06. Perhaps it's my own learning curve but I suspect that the Z has "more power than chassis refinement" when the road is not super smooth.

American Power

What rubish!
The Cayman is garbage.
I don't just pass them on the track I lap them.
Lotus WHAT! Nice little track car for girls, but c'mon..

Maybe these editors from this rag should come down to the track when some of us are there.

My LPE Z, Embarasses all of the aformentioned cars on the track with stock run craps

Bring it on!

American Power.

Boulder GT3

I don't know if it is a correct assumption or not, but I don't think Porsche guys care as much what the mags say. I was on Rennlist and I couldn't find a single thread or comment about the rankings where the GT3 did very well in the GT3 forum.

The perceived lack of respect is a big deal for Z owners.

JimBacus

I was going to post the same thing, no one on the main Porsche forums (Rennlist and 6speedonline) has even mentioned this article, nor this thread...

TeddyFreddy

???
Show them the GT3 in a ranking with their car almost last! Show them the GT3 'beaten' by a Mazda

The Porsche crowd got very upset on this one (you posted there as well so you know it):
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...d.php?t=304914

"Z06 pisses on the Porsche", from the article.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/c...round-a-track/

I have no problem with Z06 loosing a correct test/comparison.
But I cannot stand fabricated results and nonsense premises like in this MT crap.
The mouse has better handling than the cat!

Boulder GT3

Point taken.

It still seems like the Corvette crowd has more energy on being king of hill. The proportion of input on this forum from people that feel slighted seems higher than rennlist. I didn't take the time to do an analysis.

I still think the M/T test had some valid points about the Z handling. That said, a comparison to low power front drivers pretty much pitches any credibility IMO. As well, as much as I like the 911's any viable handling comparison should include some of it's handling quirks.

In the end, it's another test with so many holes that it's hard to get very worked up about it.

Notch

What results were fabricated?

Angelelli provides his assessments on each car...are you saying that this constitutes "nonsense premises" by MT?

Bill Goswick

Well-stated. The Z-06 is somewhat like a liter sport bike (which I also own) - not for the faint of heart or the foolhardy. Talk about unforgiving handling - I have driven an S-2000 and that thing had a nasty habit of instantly going into what I call "snap-oversteer" with no warning when pushed in a corner - some great handler that was.

MT has been going to the dogs for quite a while now. Their editorials are pathetic and their comparison tests are a joke. I won't be renewing my subscription.