C5 VS C6 in simple terms

[TomOB]

I will second the recommendation for that terrific book. I believe that there's a whole chapter on the mid engine, or at minimum a lengthy discussion. Theres even a schematic for a mid engine, transverse mounted 4 wheel drive. The rest of the book is wonderful too. I also had the honor of having my book autographed at carlisle--paid less for it too. I tell people im buddy buddy with him.
Correct me if im mistaken, but wasn't an early trend in the corvette to push the engine as far back as possible, leading to longer noses? I guess it's easier that way
tom

 

[LongTimer]

Tom OB,

Right. When Zora obtained a new chassis in the form of the C2, one of his goals was to improve F/R weight distribution. He, essentially, made the C2 a front mid engine. We talk about short overhangs on the C6 today, go look at a 63-67 Sting Ray. Try to find one with the chrome bumpers off. 98" wb and very short overhangs.

The C5 improved upon this design approach with a rear trans axle, but included so much body out in front of the front wheels that it partially negated the tranny move. This is another reason the promised shorter overhangs are so important. The challenge is ... have the design engineers been able to craft a front end cap as appealing as that of the C5. In my personal opinion the will have no problem topping the big butt look.

Not only will we probably see about 100lbs removed from the car, but it will be removed where it benefits the handling most - from the far side of the wheels. This is going to be an exciting car.

 

[TomOB]

I don't want to seem like i'm hijacking

Lke the title says i dont want to seem lke im jacking the thread...
while we are on the topic of frames, overhangs, wheelbases, etc. Can someone explain to me how the c2/c3 with birdacge compares to the c4, considered "unibody"? does ths just mean the birdcage was integrated from the get-go?

Do you think there will be some big fanfare when it debuts? my dad is in the press and im trying to get him to get me into the introduction.
tom

 

[csbacchus]

I don't think the ZO6/FRC deal is a scam. People wanted more performance, Chevy wanted/needed to sell some FRCs, so it is a win-win situation. Everybody got what they wanted.

If it was so bad, why have they sold so well?

It was simply a good business decision, IMHO. Unfortunately, profit is still "King of the Hill". This was the best way to remain profitable and give the consumer what he wanted.

I would like to see it offered as an option on the coupe and verts instead of a whole new bodystyle, I like the targa roof personally. It was the main reason I didn't get a ZO6 and went with the coupe, well that and the A4 that the wife wanted.

Life is all about compromises.

 

[phxraptor]

Oh for me sweetheart thats as nice as its ever going to get when it comes to C/F.

:eek Sweetheart

 

[Remo]

Z06 Scam

csbacchus,

With all due respect for your opinion, I along with most of the editors of the larger auto magazine, disagree with you. We saw it for just what it was - a method to unload the unpopular hardtops. As far as life being full of compromises - I couldn't agree with you more. On the other hand when the customer is willing to invest over $50K he shouldn't have to make a compromise.

Remo
:cool

 

[JBsC5]

Re: The Real Story

Tuna,

I was glad to read your comments regarding the "real story" behind the Z06/hardtop scam. This has been an issue with me since the introduction of the C5 Z06's. GM now has themselves in a box relative to offering a Z06 convertible. If they offered it they would have to admit that the C5 Z06 offer was a marketing scheme to unload the "not so popular" hardtops.

Let's face it Corvette convertibles have been offered with 400+HP for years. I bought a brand new 396/425HP convertible in 1965. Followed by a 427/425HP convertible in 1967. "What a scam".

Remo
:cool

I had a 99 C5 with the lift off roof..Great car..loved it and it was easy to drag race with the Automatic...Bought it and thought the A4 would make it easier for my better half to drive..She never did...

Thought the lift off top would be cool...basically ...once I put the glass roof on...I rarely took or had the time to take it off. ..its not like you could safely park the car with the roof off..(JMO)


/(edit) the XLR roof is waaay too heavy an option for the Corvette in my humble opinion..let it stay for caddy..good way to differentiate./

Life is full of compromises...I agree...I just decided..with facts in hand..time to make a compromise that was in my favor. Sort of like a burning desire after driving in a friends Z06..I just had to have it..

I sold that 99 for a Z06..and all I can say..is.....I sure am glad I got "scamed"

Best dam scam that ever happened to me..

This cars amazing..

If the C6 does a dry sump oiling system..CCM brembo brakes...(for amazing reduction in center of gravity..and 40lb reduction in unsprung weight respectively....ups the power to 500hp with looks to kill. (curb weight for Z06 reduced below 2950 lbs)

GM can call it whatever the hell it wants...it will be a winner..

 

[Edmond]

Wouldn't T-tops be a compromise between convertible and fixed roof? A T-top would still enable some body stiffness right? But you still get some sun right?

So why couldn't the compromise be made of having T-tops? It's obviously not as stiff as the FRC, but it is much more stiff than a convertible.

 

[CFour]

They are saying C6s frame layout will be 15% stiffer then C5 so the roof hole should not even be an issue for a high power Z06 type car when it comes. There will be no T-top just a full hatch. What you see on the Betas is a stick on to hide the SHARPER creases in the glass

 

[Edmond]

I wonder what the dealer markups are going to be like...:L :L :L They're probably going to be asking $10,000 over list for them. What's worse, people will pay it!

 

[Sportscarnut]

The dealer I purchased my 97 C5 from never jacks up the price. I spoke with him last week about it. He has guaranteed me to be one of the first 10 people to get a car from him, all his cars will be retail invoice, no mark up.

It's nice to know there are a few dealers that still care about their long term customer relationships over a quick buck.

 

[CFour]

I purchased my ordered 1997 C5 in March of 1997 for $1800 below window sticker. You just have to shop around!

 

[Sportscarnut]

Sounds like a great deal.

I live in Southern California, high roller city, I had a tough time finding a dealer that wasn't marking up the price, let alone negotiating a price below retail invoice.

From what it sounds like, the C6 will be in limited supply when it first hits the streets, what's your take?

 

[LongTimer]

I love So Cal, but way too many people here pay at, and above sticker here for any popular car - esspecially vettes. 50th Ann.s were priced $2,500 and higher over sticker. I might consider buying a C6 out of state for the right price.

 

[invinceablevett]

50th. anniversary editions were 5000.00 over sticker up here but the price dropped drastically once the first ones arrived.One dealer had 2 at the same time.........He's still stuck with one.I made him an offer but he laughed and walked away.This was 2 months ago.I went back a couple of weeks ago and he saw me but stayed in his office.....He sent over a salesman.What bothers me is that when it was time to order one the guy was playing hard to get(asking more than retail) and now that it's sitting there and no one freaken wants it ,he still wants me to believe it's worth the same amount.I know dealers have to make a living but the whole idea about above retail prices is based on customer demand.If they treat customers this way in the long run they lose out.I remember in '99 the dealer was taking orders without a downpayment.........around here you can't even order a PIZZA without a downpayment.......but......the dealer wanted the cars so they took as many orders as possible.That one friend of mine got Ill and didn't take the car.It was a white convertible(not my favorite color).I went over and spoke to the saleswoman and she tod me that she was up to 3 000.00 over list price.I told her "that's nice" but no thanks.I don't higher the price of my products just because more people want them.I guess the moral of the story is buy pre-owned.

 

[LongTimer]

A dealer in the LA area advertized that he had 18 Ann Eds. I called and was told that "most are only $2500 over sticker. The 6 speeds and verts higher."

 

[Lil' Red]

I agree with the pre-owned method also that's why I'm in no big hurry to release my C5 just yet. I'll wait until 08 and get an 06 or 07 after they work all the kinks out from the 05 and pay a lot less for it. My New Car addiction ended in 96!:bash because I just don't want to get bopped over the head anymore.