Corvette at the "Ring"

[MYD WGN]

I think most of the complaints about cars like this, especially when compared to more expensive Euro cars, is the reason I love them. They're like the fat red neck that shows up to the 100 yard dash wearing flip flops, jorts and a plaid shirt with the sleeves cut off, but somehow still manages to win the race. They're not the most sophisticated, but they get the job done.

When new maybe.Compare a 30 year old Porsche to a Vette.Also which one would you rather to crash in?I value my life more than that.

Compare it in terms of what? I'd honestly rather not crash in either one. Besides if you have to go back 30 years to make your point, you don't have a point. The bottom line is that the modern ZR-1 as proven with this lap video, is a very strong performing car. Now some people may buy a performance car and complain that it doesn't have butt warmers or enough cup holders, if I buy a performance car it's because I want it to perform like a performance car.

Besides the whole technology thing cracks me up. I don't care how much new tech is in a car, if it can't out perform a supercharged vette with a pushrod V8 then how valuable is all that technology?

I'm a car guy period, I'm not a fan of GM, but I can certainly appreciate a car that performs well regardless of who makes it.  

Compared to quality.Why by a car that is the some of the cheapest parts available. Part of technology is what you do with what you have.Porsche has been and is doing more with an engine almost half the size of GM.Technology is building a safer car.You nor I will ever achieve what the driver in that Vette did so for me it comes down to real world driving.The Vette rides like crap.The reason the Vette improved so much at the Ring wasn't because of the car it was the tires that helped so much.If they are so great then why did Porsche,BMW and Ferrari all beat them for the series championship in ALMS last year and BMW is beating them this year?

Haha please, Let me guess, Porsche and other German auto makers sent their cars around the ring on wagon wheels? I mean god forbid a German car used great tires, it would travel so fast it might shatter the space time continuum right?

My parents had a Porsche in the 80s, they never drove it. Mostly because it was broken down all of the time and maintaining it was ungodly expensive. And you see that's the point, American cars for the most part are built to be relatively affordable. That's why I LMAO every time I hear someone say something about quality, as if the ZR-1 driver is thinking "Hmmm I really should have paid another 100 grand for the chinchilla leather interior." People that buy these cars get exactly what they want, a fast car that's fun to drive. If you want ride quality, buy a mini van, I'll take the vette.

Of course you would.I'm sure the Vette of the 80's where screaming gems by comparison.I've been around all sorts and have traveled with all sorts and Germans are superior why do you think everyone copies them.The worst thing to make a car unreliable is not to drive it so this explains alot in your taste and opinion.Please tell me whats the greatest revolutionary thing an American manufacturer has come up with in the last 30 years?It's easy to copy.

I seem to recall another period in history in which the German's thought they were superior. Besides, what you call being superior I call being a giant douchebag and that clearly explains your affinity for them. So you go ahead and keep making excuses for why a POS American car just shredded the ring, and I'll keep laughing at you.

Keep laughing.Everytime I talk to someone who gives me this whole American superior never can answer my questions.The period in Germany you talk of also made it possible for the Germans to help the US end WWII.There was a period when we thought we were superior but we are now a Chinese colony if you want to get technical.If you think American cars are so superior then why do they all go to Europe to prove themselves.They use Europe as a marketing tool.They constantly copy them.So answer my question if you are capable.

[Bryan]

I don't understand why you can't at least admit that the car is quite capable.  I mean, it's not like it isn't fast.

As to the "Viagara" argument, keep in mind that a lot of people who buy the Corvette wanted one as kids and can now buy one.  Those people are, by and large, older.  Of course, as the Baby Boomers retire (and don't have as much money as they likely wish they did), sales fall off.

That, of course, says absolutely nothing about the car's speed.

I think with that I'm bailing out of this thread.  It's pretty clear some people are just car snobs and really aren't worth talking to on this matter.

[rlnewby]

That was quick:


I just think that the implication that they don't engineer the car is the slap in the face.  It goes fast and that is all that matters no matter where it was build. 

[mazdax3]

I wanted one since the first time I rode in one as a 15 year old. I recall it was a 71 with a 454. It was a brute. My neck still hurts from the launch my brother's friend did. I watched it autocross a few times, but it was a bit much for the courses back then.

Granted, it's a different era now but the Corvette is still an iconic car. I'll take my ZR-1 in Viagra Blue. The killer is that it gets better gas mileage than my RX-8.

[Turd]

I think most of the complaints about cars like this, especially when compared to more expensive Euro cars, is the reason I love them. They're like the fat red neck that shows up to the 100 yard dash wearing flip flops, jorts and a plaid shirt with the sleeves cut off, but somehow still manages to win the race. They're not the most sophisticated, but they get the job done.

When new maybe.Compare a 30 year old Porsche to a Vette.Also which one would you rather to crash in?I value my life more than that.

Compare it in terms of what? I'd honestly rather not crash in either one. Besides if you have to go back 30 years to make your point, you don't have a point. The bottom line is that the modern ZR-1 as proven with this lap video, is a very strong performing car. Now some people may buy a performance car and complain that it doesn't have butt warmers or enough cup holders, if I buy a performance car it's because I want it to perform like a performance car.

Besides the whole technology thing cracks me up. I don't care how much new tech is in a car, if it can't out perform a supercharged vette with a pushrod V8 then how valuable is all that technology?

I'm a car guy period, I'm not a fan of GM, but I can certainly appreciate a car that performs well regardless of who makes it.  

Compared to quality.Why by a car that is the some of the cheapest parts available. Part of technology is what you do with what you have.Porsche has been and is doing more with an engine almost half the size of GM.Technology is building a safer car.You nor I will ever achieve what the driver in that Vette did so for me it comes down to real world driving.The Vette rides like crap.The reason the Vette improved so much at the Ring wasn't because of the car it was the tires that helped so much.If they are so great then why did Porsche,BMW and Ferrari all beat them for the series championship in ALMS last year and BMW is beating them this year?

Haha please, Let me guess, Porsche and other German auto makers sent their cars around the ring on wagon wheels? I mean god forbid a German car used great tires, it would travel so fast it might shatter the space time continuum right?

My parents had a Porsche in the 80s, they never drove it. Mostly because it was broken down all of the time and maintaining it was ungodly expensive. And you see that's the point, American cars for the most part are built to be relatively affordable. That's why I LMAO every time I hear someone say something about quality, as if the ZR-1 driver is thinking "Hmmm I really should have paid another 100 grand for the chinchilla leather interior." People that buy these cars get exactly what they want, a fast car that's fun to drive. If you want ride quality, buy a mini van, I'll take the vette.

Of course you would.I'm sure the Vette of the 80's where screaming gems by comparison.I've been around all sorts and have traveled with all sorts and Germans are superior why do you think everyone copies them.The worst thing to make a car unreliable is not to drive it so this explains alot in your taste and opinion.Please tell me whats the greatest revolutionary thing an American manufacturer has come up with in the last 30 years?It's easy to copy.

I seem to recall another period in history in which the German's thought they were superior. Besides, what you call being superior I call being a giant douchebag and that clearly explains your affinity for them. So you go ahead and keep making excuses for why a POS American car just shredded the ring, and I'll keep laughing at you.

Keep laughing.Everytime I talk to someone who gives me this whole American superior never can answer my questions.The period in Germany you talk of also made it possible for the Germans to help the US end WWII.There was a period when we thought we were superior but we are now a Chinese colony if you want to get technical.If you think American cars are so superior then why do they all go to Europe to prove themselves.They use Europe as a marketing tool.They constantly copy them.So answer my question if you are capable.

The only person here claiming superiority is you. You just couldn't resist the urge to start bashing on something not German. The rest of us are simply admiring the performance of a very fast car. I don't know if you have some sort of inferiority complex or what, either way, I don't care. But you're right, they are using the Nurburgring as a marketing tool, it's a marketing tool that allows them to say "Hey, we just brought over our "crappy" car and smoked you with it". Pretty effective marketing.

[MYD WGN]

I don't understand why you can't at least admit that the car is quite capable.  I mean, it's not like it isn't fast.

As to the "Viagara" argument, keep in mind that a lot of people who buy the Corvette wanted one as kids and can now buy one.  Those people are, by and large, older.  Of course, as the Baby Boomers retire (and don't have as much money as they likely wish they did), sales fall off.

That, of course, says absolutely nothing about the car's speed.

I think with that I'm bailing out of this thread.  It's pretty clear some people are just car snobs and really aren't worth talking to on this matter.

My complaint is that it's not up to the potential of what it could or should be.When your design thought is to have a clear plastic hood opening to look at a plastic engine cover you have failed.When your biggest concern on the latest design is exposed headlamps because you don't want to upset traditionalists you have failed.When your inspiration is a Coke bottle.When you look back in history and the ideas and prototypes that GM shot down for the Vette it's a shame.They should be up to a Ford GT standard now.There is no reason why they can't be the best.

[Dark Knight]

Geeeez ! I was just posting a car going around the track and thought it was cool.  It as never meant to start bashing on what cars are better, what cars are not. I guess i will not post on here anymore if it starts such crap.  One reason I only read forums and rarely post on them. I thought we appreciated fun to drive cars no matter what they are and what type of person drives them.

[MYD WGN]

I think most of the complaints about cars like this, especially when compared to more expensive Euro cars, is the reason I love them. They're like the fat red neck that shows up to the 100 yard dash wearing flip flops, jorts and a plaid shirt with the sleeves cut off, but somehow still manages to win the race. They're not the most sophisticated, but they get the job done.

When new maybe.Compare a 30 year old Porsche to a Vette.Also which one would you rather to crash in?I value my life more than that.

Compare it in terms of what? I'd honestly rather not crash in either one. Besides if you have to go back 30 years to make your point, you don't have a point. The bottom line is that the modern ZR-1 as proven with this lap video, is a very strong performing car. Now some people may buy a performance car and complain that it doesn't have butt warmers or enough cup holders, if I buy a performance car it's because I want it to perform like a performance car.

Besides the whole technology thing cracks me up. I don't care how much new tech is in a car, if it can't out perform a supercharged vette with a pushrod V8 then how valuable is all that technology?

I'm a car guy period, I'm not a fan of GM, but I can certainly appreciate a car that performs well regardless of who makes it.  

Compared to quality.Why by a car that is the some of the cheapest parts available. Part of technology is what you do with what you have.Porsche has been and is doing more with an engine almost half the size of GM.Technology is building a safer car.You nor I will ever achieve what the driver in that Vette did so for me it comes down to real world driving.The Vette rides like crap.The reason the Vette improved so much at the Ring wasn't because of the car it was the tires that helped so much.If they are so great then why did Porsche,BMW and Ferrari all beat them for the series championship in ALMS last year and BMW is beating them this year?

Haha please, Let me guess, Porsche and other German auto makers sent their cars around the ring on wagon wheels? I mean god forbid a German car used great tires, it would travel so fast it might shatter the space time continuum right?

My parents had a Porsche in the 80s, they never drove it. Mostly because it was broken down all of the time and maintaining it was ungodly expensive. And you see that's the point, American cars for the most part are built to be relatively affordable. That's why I LMAO every time I hear someone say something about quality, as if the ZR-1 driver is thinking "Hmmm I really should have paid another 100 grand for the chinchilla leather interior." People that buy these cars get exactly what they want, a fast car that's fun to drive. If you want ride quality, buy a mini van, I'll take the vette.

Of course you would.I'm sure the Vette of the 80's where screaming gems by comparison.I've been around all sorts and have traveled with all sorts and Germans are superior why do you think everyone copies them.The worst thing to make a car unreliable is not to drive it so this explains alot in your taste and opinion.Please tell me whats the greatest revolutionary thing an American manufacturer has come up with in the last 30 years?It's easy to copy.

I seem to recall another period in history in which the German's thought they were superior. Besides, what you call being superior I call being a giant douchebag and that clearly explains your affinity for them. So you go ahead and keep making excuses for why a POS American car just shredded the ring, and I'll keep laughing at you.

Keep laughing.Everytime I talk to someone who gives me this whole American superior never can answer my questions.The period in Germany you talk of also made it possible for the Germans to help the US end WWII.There was a period when we thought we were superior but we are now a Chinese colony if you want to get technical.If you think American cars are so superior then why do they all go to Europe to prove themselves.They use Europe as a marketing tool.They constantly copy them.So answer my question if you are capable.

The only person here claiming superiority is you. You just couldn't resist the urge to start bashing on something not German. The rest of us are simply admiring the performance of a very fast car. I don't know if you have some sort of inferiority complex or what, either way, I don't care. But you're right, they are using the Nurburgring as a marketing tool, it's a marketing tool that allows them to say "Hey, we just brought over our "crappy" car and smoked you with it". Pretty effective marketing.

Still can't answer the question.Their marketing isn't working very well.Vette sale have tanked.

[Turd]

I think most of the complaints about cars like this, especially when compared to more expensive Euro cars, is the reason I love them. They're like the fat red neck that shows up to the 100 yard dash wearing flip flops, jorts and a plaid shirt with the sleeves cut off, but somehow still manages to win the race. They're not the most sophisticated, but they get the job done.

When new maybe.Compare a 30 year old Porsche to a Vette.Also which one would you rather to crash in?I value my life more than that.

Compare it in terms of what? I'd honestly rather not crash in either one. Besides if you have to go back 30 years to make your point, you don't have a point. The bottom line is that the modern ZR-1 as proven with this lap video, is a very strong performing car. Now some people may buy a performance car and complain that it doesn't have butt warmers or enough cup holders, if I buy a performance car it's because I want it to perform like a performance car.

Besides the whole technology thing cracks me up. I don't care how much new tech is in a car, if it can't out perform a supercharged vette with a pushrod V8 then how valuable is all that technology?

I'm a car guy period, I'm not a fan of GM, but I can certainly appreciate a car that performs well regardless of who makes it.  

Compared to quality.Why by a car that is the some of the cheapest parts available. Part of technology is what you do with what you have.Porsche has been and is doing more with an engine almost half the size of GM.Technology is building a safer car.You nor I will ever achieve what the driver in that Vette did so for me it comes down to real world driving.The Vette rides like crap.The reason the Vette improved so much at the Ring wasn't because of the car it was the tires that helped so much.If they are so great then why did Porsche,BMW and Ferrari all beat them for the series championship in ALMS last year and BMW is beating them this year?

Haha please, Let me guess, Porsche and other German auto makers sent their cars around the ring on wagon wheels? I mean god forbid a German car used great tires, it would travel so fast it might shatter the space time continuum right?

My parents had a Porsche in the 80s, they never drove it. Mostly because it was broken down all of the time and maintaining it was ungodly expensive. And you see that's the point, American cars for the most part are built to be relatively affordable. That's why I LMAO every time I hear someone say something about quality, as if the ZR-1 driver is thinking "Hmmm I really should have paid another 100 grand for the chinchilla leather interior." People that buy these cars get exactly what they want, a fast car that's fun to drive. If you want ride quality, buy a mini van, I'll take the vette.

Of course you would.I'm sure the Vette of the 80's where screaming gems by comparison.I've been around all sorts and have traveled with all sorts and Germans are superior why do you think everyone copies them.The worst thing to make a car unreliable is not to drive it so this explains alot in your taste and opinion.Please tell me whats the greatest revolutionary thing an American manufacturer has come up with in the last 30 years?It's easy to copy.

I seem to recall another period in history in which the German's thought they were superior. Besides, what you call being superior I call being a giant douchebag and that clearly explains your affinity for them. So you go ahead and keep making excuses for why a POS American car just shredded the ring, and I'll keep laughing at you.

Keep laughing.Everytime I talk to someone who gives me this whole American superior never can answer my questions.The period in Germany you talk of also made it possible for the Germans to help the US end WWII.There was a period when we thought we were superior but we are now a Chinese colony if you want to get technical.If you think American cars are so superior then why do they all go to Europe to prove themselves.They use Europe as a marketing tool.They constantly copy them.So answer my question if you are capable.

The only person here claiming superiority is you. You just couldn't resist the urge to start bashing on something not German. The rest of us are simply admiring the performance of a very fast car. I don't know if you have some sort of inferiority complex or what, either way, I don't care. But you're right, they are using the Nurburgring as a marketing tool, it's a marketing tool that allows them to say "Hey, we just brought over our "crappy" car and smoked you with it". Pretty effective marketing.

Still can't answer the question.Their marketing isn't working very well.Vette sale have tanked.

  Haha yeah, it's all about the marketing. Forget the fact that we're in one of the worst recessions in history and that it's now competing for sales with the new Camaro. I guess Porsche and Audi need to work on their marketing too?

http://www.edmunds.com/about/press/corvette-drops-to-50-year-sales-low-as-sports-cars-sputter-reports-edmunds-autoobservercom.html

[Turd]

Geeeez ! I was just posting a car going around the track and thought it was cool.  It as never meant to start bashing on what cars are better, what cars are not. I guess i will not post on here anymore if it starts such crap.  One reason I only read forums and rarely post on them. I thought we appreciated fun to drive cars no matter what they are and what type of person drives them.

Absolutely agree.

[mazdax3]

I looked up the sales figures. Sure, the Vette is down since 2006. Refer to these stats: http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2011/06/01/may-2011-corvette-sales/

Also, looking at the premium sports car marketplace (Edmunds.com), during 2009 and 2010, Porsche, Audi, etc all had less sales and double digit drops. Could be the economy? Yes. For the Vette, probably due to the aging C6 platform.

We all have our favorite cars and passion for certain brands. Frankly, it comes down to what's important to you and your budget and not what anyone else thinks. I have a thing for Mazdas, but if I found an Audi I liked and could afford to buy and maintain it, I'd consider it. But I'd probably have to upgrade my wardrobe and start eating brie.

[Turd]

I looked up the sales figures. Sure, the Vette is down since 2006. Refer to these stats: http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2011/06/01/may-2011-corvette-sales/

Also, looking at the premium sports car marketplace (Edmunds.com), during 2009 and 2010, Porsche, Audi, etc all had less sales and double digit drops. Could be the economy? Yes. For the Vette, probably due to the aging C6 platform.

We all have our favorite cars and passion for certain brands. Frankly, it comes down to what's important to you and your budget and not what anyone else thinks. I have a thing for Mazdas, but if I found an Audi I liked and could afford to buy and maintain it, I'd consider it. But I'd probably have to upgrade my wardrobe and start eating brie.

Haha, the wardrobe comment has me rolling. That's why I can't sell my mustang, I wouldn't be able to wear jorts or overalls anymore.

 

[MYD WGN]

Also, looking at the premium sports car marketplace (Edmunds.com), during 2009 and 2010, Porsche, Audi, etc all had less sales and double digit drops. Could be the economy? Yes. For the Vette, probably due to the aging C6 platform.

Audi has had a yearly increase every year in sales.They are the only company to do that.

[mazdax3]

Premium sports cars like the R8 and TT. Not talking A4, A6 or A8 models. The TT didn't fare too well.

From Edmunds for 2009.

The Corvette, which slid 48.3 percent, was the third best selling sports car in 2008, consuming about 6.6 percent of the categories' market share. Edmunds.com Web site metrics indicate that the Camaro was the Corvette's most frequently cross-shopped competitor. The last time fewer Corvettes were sold in a year was 1961, when the car was still in its first generation. As recently as 2006, Chevrolet sold more than two-and-a-half times as many Corvettes — 36,518 — as it did last year.

One high-ranking General Motors official told AutoObserver.com that he was not necessarily surprised by the Corvette's near half-century low sales figure in 2009. He said the Corvette is priced at the more affordable end of the segment, and as such has a higher ratio of aspirational buyers more likely to be affected by the country's economic downturn.

Here's how some other sports cars fared in the comparison of 2009 versus 2008 total sales:

The Porsche 911 dropped 17.8 percent last year, while Porsche's Boxster and Cayman were off 36.0 percent and 44.0 percent, respectively, in 2009.

The Audi TT — a comparatively new design — fell 56.9 percent last year to just 1,935 sales for the year. Even sales for Audi's R8, launched in 2008 and revered for being a relative bargain, dropped by 22.3 percent.

At Mercedes, sales for the SLK plunged 48.1 percent to 2,566, and sales for the pricey SL were off 26.3 percent.

The Dodge Viper, which the Chrysler Group LLC announced would cease production later this year, fell 58.9 percent last year and just 482 were sold.