Death of the GM Corvette?

[Chock]

I've had enough cars with big engines in the past, motorbikes too, but even I think that's just a stupid amount of power for something they are trying to sell to road users.

Personally, I'll be more impressed when the US motor industry can produce a car that is actually capable of going around a corner without wallowing all over the place like a soggy sponge:rotfl:

And yes I've driven Yank cars too, including a Dodge Viper, a '67 Mustang and the posh version of the old Trans Am with the engine-turned gold dashboard that looked like a tart's handbag, and they were all awful as far as handling goes (good fun mind, I admit that). But I imagine that ZR1 is probably no better in respect to handling.

Chock

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Chock

I've had enough cars with big engines in the past, motorbikes too, but even I think that's just a stupid amount of power for something they are trying to sell to road users.

Personally, I'll be more impressed when the US motor industry can produce a car that is actually capable of going around a corner without wallowing all over the place like a soggy sponge:rotfl:

And yes I've driven Yank cars too, including a Dodge Viper, a '67 Mustang and the posh version of the old Trans Am with the engine-turned gold dashboard that looked like a tart's handbag, and they were all awful as far as handling goes. I imagine that ZR1 is probably no better in respect to handling.

Chock

Incorrect. The Yank car will kick pretty much anything from Europe short of $300K. This includes corners, and everything else on a track. Start looking to pick yourself up a Zonda. You're gonna need one to compete with this bad boy!

And if you must guess, the current ZR1 is smoking pretty much anything short of $200 - $250K out of Europe. This includes the Ferraris, Maseratis, all of it, and for less than a fraction of the price.

Pick up some Motor Trends and see how bad Europe is failing against this American beast. Its pretty bad.

By the way, sorry you had to drive a Viper. When i think of that thing, I think an Italian hairy chested guy cruising for the bottom of the barrel women (Like that politically correct way to say that? i just made it up! ) And yes, the current ZR1 is much much faster and nimble than the original Viper, and so Viper hit back with a 520 HP version, and the ZR1 still beats it.

-S

PS. Read about J Leno who took a stock slow Corvette into Germany on the Autobahn. Not much those guys can do about it when hit the accelerator and left those $160K BMW's back in the dust. And that was the crappy 380 HP version. Apparently those Beemers can't hit 170+. If he had the current 505 HP Corvette, he could approach 200 MPH (320 km/h), but I guess he doesn't need it.

PPS. The current ZR1 goes for a paultry $70K or so too.

[Chock]

Not according to all these tests:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/show/powerlaps.shtml

Seems that Corvette's going to have to find another five-plus seconds over the one on the list to get up there.

Chock

[SUBMAN1]

Funny! Notice how the crappy $70K (about 35K British pounds) Z06 is smoking that Zonda? Too funny! Its even faster than the original Konisegg! All for $69,990!

The new one coming out (not out yet and not in these tests) will have 620 HP.

In the computer world, we call this the best bang for your buck!

-S

[SUBMAN1]

Did you look at those scores Chock? Oh my gosh! I am blown away it did that well! As i said - it beats anything in the $200K to $250K range.

-S

[Chock]

Not quite, the Ariel Atom is less than 20 grand. Mind you, it is insane, 0-60 in 2.9 seconds LOL, that's almost as fast as my GPZ was off the line.

Chock

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Chock

Not quite, the Ariel Atom is less than 20 grand. Mind you, it is insane, 0-60 in 2.9 seconds LOL, that's almost as fast as my GPZ was off the line.

Chock

OK - you got me on that one. Maybe we should reclassify this topic as 'useful' street legal cars only. That thing is a Go-Kart!

Need I remind you that its a US car too? Poke poke poke! Damn Americans ruin all the high price fun!

-S

[Reaves]

Holden Monaro / Pontiac GTO

Proudly Australian made.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Reaves

Holden Monaro / Pontiac GTO

Proudly Australian made.

Believe it or not, I kind of like this car. If I were not to buy my SAAB outright (I'm tired of car payments), I'd look at this as a cheap alternative. Its got power, looks innocent, and is fast! It will smoke my car I think, until I'm done with it.

This is what I am thinking - http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product...oducts_id=2088

That should even the power band a little. 388 nm equals about 287 ft/lbs. torque. Should make it scoot a lot better.

-S

[Zachstar]

There are lots of bits of technology that can come together to give these cars MASSIVE amounts of power and acceleration. My favorites being the Ultracapasitor that can last longer than Lithium-Ion and is able to deliver most of its potential at any given time. And of course the new alloys being developed that can handle such massive stress.

If you got the cash you will not be without for long

[Zachstar]

Oh and give me a Geo Storm over any of these cars and I will be quite happy.

When I get my life together I plan to purcase a broken down one and turn it into a digital high range fun machine (500 miles per charge) with awesome amouts of safety features!