Have you driven a Ford GT lately??

[mrtew]

Tew, you actually liked the Z06? I drove one back in spring and I thought it handled like a bathtub full of water. Had a TON of get up and go, but it was an awful cornering machine. I think I need to stick to smaller rides is all. Like the STi or the EVO. No real get up and go, but cornering buggers. I simply cant have the best of both worlds, heh.

Yeah I kinda agree. I actually like driving the Solstice better because you have to try to achieve the speed and fun. In the Z06 you spend all your time trying NOT to push on the gas (and hence kill yourself and everyone around you). Plus it's a bit nose heavy feeling even though it's supposedly 'balanced'. As much as it kills me to admit it, that Ford is pretty awesome!

[transio]

I think the C6 Z06 is supposed to have superior handling and a few hundred less pounds of curb weight than the C5 Z06. MrTew, you have a Solstice? Tell us more about it!

[Numba1goalie]

I saw the newer GXT2 or whatever its called in vegas last weekend. super clean car.

[VehiX]

I think the C6 Z06 is supposed to have superior handling and a few hundred less pounds of curb weight than the C5 Z06.

Superior handeling?

The Z06 uses LEAF SPRINGS!!! lol

I used to think the Z06 was a nice car until I saw this Top Gear video!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...q=bbc+top+gear

It's a shame that with all the hype of the Z06 that it didn't turn out so well for Detroit as compared to other manufucturers in its class!

The plastic interior, the flimsy fiberglass body panels, and LEAF SPRINGS for suspension just wouldn't cut it for me. :rollr2:

No doubt the Z06 is still a nice ride and would blow the doors off most anything in the states these days (street legal) but I would spend my money elsewhere if I actually had it!!!!

Watch this video and then see how YOU feel about the new Z06. To each his or her own I guess.

[Triathlete]

I love that show!
They crack me up every time!

[volume311]

It's a shame that with all the hype of the Z06 that it didn't turn out so well for Detroit as compared to other manufucturers in its class!

Actually that videois of the C6 not a Z06

[psychos2]

the Z06 has independent rear suspension.if i had the dough i would own one. shawn

[VehiX]

Actually that videois of the C6 not a Z06

DOH! :homer:

Guess I'm not all up to date on the vette seen!

Thanks for the correction volume311

I just saw that video a few minutes before reading this post and figured I'd chime in. Sorry about that

[transio]

VehiX,

Yeah, that's just a base C6. The Z06 is actually THE "highest-tech and best performance" per dollar of car ever made (in my opinion, soon to be general public opinion I believe). At $65,000 base cost, it will demolish anything short of $150k (Ford GT, which only barely takes it). Also, the C6R is killing its "competition" in racing events. That includes the Aston Martin DBR9, and Maserati MC12.

Also, trust me, the base C6 is not a bad car at all. The Top Gear guys pick on it because it's American, but that's mostly just in jest. I mean, look at the scene of him breaking his back driving over a peanut. If you've seen a (British) Lotus Elise in person, the C6 Vette's "cheap plastics and fiberglass" seem like true luxury in comparison. Trust me on that.

PS - The "leaf springs" they make fun of aren't old-school technology by any means.

From an article about the vette: "The completely revised suspension, still based on a high-tech composite transverse leaf spring at the rear, may be adjusted via the optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control... It reads the road surface and adjusts itself accordingly by means of dampers that employ magneto-rheological fluid rather than mechanical valves."

Trust me, it's not "low tech" by any sense of the word. Have a look for yourself:

[VehiX]

Thanks Transio -

I now have a better understanding of the Z06.

I wasn't really dissing it as I understand it's a sweet ride. I was just suprised by the Top Gear video. They really knocked on the Vette.

Still a great example of all american horse power none the less

I guess my lack of knowledge comes from the fact that I don't really research these types of cars that much as I will never be able to afford one in my life-time

[transio]

Shawn, I was under the impression that the spring was at the center, transversely mounted? I certainly don't see any coils under there! I dunno, never actually been under a vette, but I'm told it's pretty high-tech and creative use of leaf springs.

EDIT: I did a little research and found more info. It's not solid axle, it is, indeed, IRS with transversely mounted leaf springs. Here's a better pic of an older model using the same concept: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...lr%3D%26sa%3DG

EDIT 2: I did some more research and found a pic of the C6 leaf springs. http://orasoft.com/Auto_Show_2005/Re...Suspension.JPG This is the passenger side, from the rear. Look under the lower A-arm and you can see a piece of it. Way cool use of it!!!