The First 100 miles A non-Z51 perspective
09-28-2013, 05:26 PM
#41
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A couple of questions that I didn't address:
Regarding the self-leveling headlights, I don't believe the car has this since they did not make any movement upon start-up, and they don't lead around corners like some of the Japanese cars do. I didn't pay too much attention to The rpm's at 75. Quite honestly, it was dark, and I was really trying to concentrate on the road. I didn't want to be that guy that wrecks his car on his initial drive home. I did mention about the four-cylinder mode, and there is a little bit of shake in the drivetrain. For me, it was very noticeable when it switched to four-cylinder mode, but if you added just a little acceleration, it switched pretty quickly back to v8 mode. I don't think it's something that I'll use much. Cornering wise, the car handled maybe a little better than my Porsche Panamera that I used to drive on a regular basis. The ride is very similar, but surprisingly a little less road noise. I didn't feel the car was leaning at all, but the seats are so spectacular that they may compensate.
Regarding the self-leveling headlights, I don't believe the car has this since they did not make any movement upon start-up, and they don't lead around corners like some of the Japanese cars do. I didn't pay too much attention to The rpm's at 75. Quite honestly, it was dark, and I was really trying to concentrate on the road. I didn't want to be that guy that wrecks his car on his initial drive home. I did mention about the four-cylinder mode, and there is a little bit of shake in the drivetrain. For me, it was very noticeable when it switched to four-cylinder mode, but if you added just a little acceleration, it switched pretty quickly back to v8 mode. I don't think it's something that I'll use much. Cornering wise, the car handled maybe a little better than my Porsche Panamera that I used to drive on a regular basis. The ride is very similar, but surprisingly a little less road noise. I didn't feel the car was leaning at all, but the seats are so spectacular that they may compensate.
Is a little surprising that the C7 does not have yet HID auto leveling system, in todays modern cars that is basically standard equipment.
Does the C7 display timer measures 0-60 or 0-100 mph times?
09-28-2013, 05:42 PM
#42
Safety Car
I just picked up my car last night from the great guys at Kerbeck, and I thought I would give my impression of the ride home.
I averaged about 28 miles per gallon cruising at a steady 75. It was pretty interesting using the rev match feature on the car. Around town it was neat to have it almost shift for me, which made all of the traffic lights in Atlantic City a little more bearable.
Seven gears, I don't know. I did a Lot of 4–7 shifting. I think it will take some getting used to.
For those of you who were wondering whether the ride would be too floaty, it's not. It is well damped and the steering is very communicative. I'm no hot shoe, and I'm not one of those guys that likes to take his cars to the track, but I do love a good on-ramp. The car handled flawlessly. After the two hour ride home, even though it was late, my body was not tired getting out of the driver seat. The seats are an amazing improvement.
I really didn't step into it to see how powerful the car is, but I did run a yellow light in fifth gear at about 1000 RPMs with no problem.
I was a little worried at first that I did not get the Z 51 suspension since that seems to be all the rage with the car magazines, But for those of you who did order the standard suspension, you won't be disappointed.
I know it's been a long wait for some of you, but as anxious as I was, once you get your car, none of that will matter.
I have some great pictures, but if someone can help me to post them I'll do that. They're just on my iPad now.
I averaged about 28 miles per gallon cruising at a steady 75. It was pretty interesting using the rev match feature on the car. Around town it was neat to have it almost shift for me, which made all of the traffic lights in Atlantic City a little more bearable.
Seven gears, I don't know. I did a Lot of 4–7 shifting. I think it will take some getting used to.
For those of you who were wondering whether the ride would be too floaty, it's not. It is well damped and the steering is very communicative. I'm no hot shoe, and I'm not one of those guys that likes to take his cars to the track, but I do love a good on-ramp. The car handled flawlessly. After the two hour ride home, even though it was late, my body was not tired getting out of the driver seat. The seats are an amazing improvement.
I really didn't step into it to see how powerful the car is, but I did run a yellow light in fifth gear at about 1000 RPMs with no problem.
I was a little worried at first that I did not get the Z 51 suspension since that seems to be all the rage with the car magazines, But for those of you who did order the standard suspension, you won't be disappointed.
I know it's been a long wait for some of you, but as anxious as I was, once you get your car, none of that will matter.
I have some great pictures, but if someone can help me to post them I'll do that. They're just on my iPad now.
I just touched 60. I drove over all the pot holes, man holes and bumps I could find. I drove over some really bumpy rail road crossings at about 40 and swerved over them, twice. I swear, the C7 has lost it's American car feel. This is where German cars really shine. The base car's shocks are superbly tuned. The lighter wheels and tires and hollow A arms have done their magic. I went over every frequency bump that I knew and the shocks coped flawlessly. This is the refinement we have been looking for. Imagine how C7s will be in 5 years.
09-28-2013, 05:57 PM
#43
I drove my neighbor's wife's base A6 today for about 10 miles. She just got it this morning. Since it had low mileage,
I just touched 60. I drove over all the pot holes, man holes and bumps I could find. I drove over some really bumpy rail road crossings at about 40 and swerved over them, twice. I swear, the C7 has lost it's American car feel. This is where German cars really shine. The base car's shocks are superbly tuned. The lighter wheels and tires and hollow A arms have done their magic. I went over every frequency bump that I knew and the shocks coped flawlessly. This is the refinement we have been looking for. Imagine how C7s will be in 5 years.
I just touched 60. I drove over all the pot holes, man holes and bumps I could find. I drove over some really bumpy rail road crossings at about 40 and swerved over them, twice. I swear, the C7 has lost it's American car feel. This is where German cars really shine. The base car's shocks are superbly tuned. The lighter wheels and tires and hollow A arms have done their magic. I went over every frequency bump that I knew and the shocks coped flawlessly. This is the refinement we have been looking for. Imagine how C7s will be in 5 years.
09-28-2013, 06:12 PM
#44
Burning Brakes
Here are some pics of Litumup411's fresh ride (had to have less than 10 miles on it)...thanks again for the gracious pit stop.
Side note...My neighbor comes over to my house this morning and says "Dude, I saw a friggen awesome looking White C7 drving thru town last night!!! That was you!
09-28-2013, 06:34 PM
#45
Team Owner
Nice review, thanks for sharing.
09-28-2013, 06:46 PM
#46
I tried it once in tour mode and not getting on it all the way it showed 4.4 secs.
09-28-2013, 06:52 PM
#47
Curious to know if the wheels are the painted silver or the machined aluminum and what options did you get? Performance exhaust?? Looks like 2LT with Kalahari?? if Kalahari, were you happy with the color?
Last edited by bevo_87; 09-28-2013 at 07:00 PM.
09-28-2013, 07:37 PM
#48
Safety Car
GM will keep on tuning the 3 suspensions over the next few years also. The comparison test with the F12, the P4S and the C7, the Vette was .24 secs slower than the Ferrari.
The factory boys set the pre production car to production specs and promptly beat the Ferrari time. Motor trend would not accept this time and there was not enough time for MT to put their instrumentation on the car and let their driver run.
I would prefer controlling roll with a Porsche set up but that adds more expense and mass. Sway bars alter spring rates and cause binding but are a necessary evil.
It will be great to see a road test on the stock C7 with and without an A6.
The LaFerrari is getting ready to run the Ring this week. Won't it be great if the C7 (undercover) beats it next year like the Z06 beat the Enzo?
09-28-2013, 07:57 PM
#49
Drifting
Our last 3 Corvettes have all been Z51, and we're happy with that.
But we have many people in our club, including even some autocrossers, who bought a base C5 or C6 and are quite content with their choice. They give up a little handling but get a more comfortable ride, which is the compromise they wanted.
One size does NOT fit all.
But we have many people in our club, including even some autocrossers, who bought a base C5 or C6 and are quite content with their choice. They give up a little handling but get a more comfortable ride, which is the compromise they wanted.
One size does NOT fit all.
Then there's those like me. Even though the CR would loosen fillings when it hit divots at interstate speeds, I'd much rather have the tighter handling that goes with it. I expect the C7 Z51/FE4 will have great handling with better highway manners, so I'm saving up another $4,600.
09-28-2013, 09:42 PM
#50
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,100
Received 2,478 Likes
on
1,941 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Not a fact. I never had any disenchantment or a second thought about the Z51 or Z06 (I test drove both) after I bought my '05 w/MR. I suspect if anyone who buys a base Stingray wants to stiffen things up, adding a rear anti-sway or a more stout front anti-sway will be available options either from GM or the aftermarket.
And as said above, the aftermarket parts for Corvettes is pretty extensive. It doesn't mean a car becomes something else, but anything can be improved or, at the very least, changed.
I also appreciate the OP's post of impressions, as well as a wonderful stable of cars.
09-28-2013, 09:53 PM
#51
Le Mans Master
Not a fact. I never had any disenchantment or a second thought about the Z51 or Z06 (I test drove both) after I bought my '05 w/MR. I suspect if anyone who buys a base Stingray wants to stiffen things up, adding a rear anti-sway or a more stout front anti-sway will be available options either from GM or the aftermarket.
I have C6Z but all my other Vettes I've gone the base suspension route. I drove a C6 vert' with Z51 and the ride just flat-out sucked. Way too harsh for the roads in the Northeast. (can you say "bump steer?) I like having the base springs paired up with a set of oversized sway bars. Keeps the compliant ride with extra flat cornering.
09-28-2013, 10:07 PM
#52
Le Mans Master
09-28-2013, 10:27 PM
#54
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: Land of the free, home of the brave...
Posts: 3,174
Received 493 Likes
on
276 Posts
Beautiful ride - congrats and good luck!!
Thanks for the write-up and confirmation of my decision to stick with the base suspension.
AND to the poster who said you'll have buyers remorse or say "wish I had the Z51, etc if you don't order it.". Maybe you've had it, but I take these decisions seriously and do my homework. PLUS being pretty secure, I really don't care what others say or think...
AND to the poster who said you'll have buyers remorse or say "wish I had the Z51, etc if you don't order it.". Maybe you've had it, but I take these decisions seriously and do my homework. PLUS being pretty secure, I really don't care what others say or think...
Last edited by Crossed Flags Fan; 09-28-2013 at 10:29 PM.
09-28-2013, 10:41 PM
#55
Instructor
09-28-2013, 11:02 PM
#56
Nice read. I drove my neighbor's wife's base A6 today for about 10 miles. She just got it this morning. Since it had low mileage,
I just touched 60. I drove over all the pot holes, man holes and bumps I could find. I drove over some really bumpy rail road crossings at about 40 and swerved over them, twice. I swear, the C7 has lost it's American car feel. This is where German cars really shine. The base car's shocks are superbly tuned. The lighter wheels and tires and hollow A arms have done their magic. I went over every frequency bump that I knew and the shocks coped flawlessly. This is the refinement we have been looking for. Imagine how C7s will be in 5 years.
I just touched 60. I drove over all the pot holes, man holes and bumps I could find. I drove over some really bumpy rail road crossings at about 40 and swerved over them, twice. I swear, the C7 has lost it's American car feel. This is where German cars really shine. The base car's shocks are superbly tuned. The lighter wheels and tires and hollow A arms have done their magic. I went over every frequency bump that I knew and the shocks coped flawlessly. This is the refinement we have been looking for. Imagine how C7s will be in 5 years.
09-29-2013, 12:23 AM
#57
Le Mans Master
Michael
09-29-2013, 02:06 AM
#58
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah probably the auto leveling system is more usefull if you are going up or down a hill or roads that have elevation changes. Were the system maintains the beam properly level and less blinding for upcoming drivers in those situations.
09-29-2013, 03:59 AM
#59
Le Mans Master
It's always difficult to get an accurate read on what the different suspensions are like. All these reports help. Usually the base suspensions are softer riding, but give up in handling vs the Z51 type suspensions. Sounds like the Z51/MRSC will handle the best with the E-LSD and all the computerized integration, but may be a little stiffer than the base suspension even in the softest setting. For many of us in the decision process, cost of the Z51/MRSC is not a big factor and of course for others, cost is a huge factor as all their decisions are primarily ruled by the buck, although they say it's not about the money. It's about the money. One just has to read between the lines to see where the poster is coming from.
Last edited by musclecar6; 09-29-2013 at 04:03 AM.
09-29-2013, 05:54 AM
#60
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,742
Received 19,235 Likes
on
13,934 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Congrats on getting your C7 - enjoy the new ride and thanks for posting up your review of the car.