The question was basically 'what bugs ya?', but I would be remiss not to start with the following info:
FACTS:
* I have had my Machine Silver/Ebony 2006 Base car for one month now.
* Purchase price was reasonable at 42K.
* Mileage = ~1,600 with one 600 mile road trip, rest mixed highway/city.
* MPG = 22 aggregate
* Used as my daily driver
OBSERVATIONS:
* Holy smokes, Bullwinkle, this thing is fast! I have had some hot rods before, but this thing books.
* Gas mileage is a gigglefest. At 75-80 MPH, instant mileage is 29-32.
* Handling is on a par (maybe even surpasses) my '98 Boxster.
* Brakes every bit as good as any car I've driven.
* A/C? Set it once to my desired temp, and haven't ever considered it again. (Great regulation, very unobtrusive, LOW to NO fan noise)
* Stereo is not great, but it does play MP3s, easy to work, and unlike Porsche, AM band even works to get sports and news.
* Unlike Porsche, speedo is right on the money. I fought my local dealer and PCNA about the disgustingly inaccurate speedo on my Boxster, and NEVER got satisfaction, on what should have been a minor tweak. Might have even been driving a 996 now, but....
* This thing loves to run at speed. It is very easy to get going faster than you intend, even when driving 'mildly' and mellow. It just gobbles up pavement, and the smoothness quietness is deceptive.
* Seats are excellent, steering wheel great position, plenty of leg room and head room, seat belt has just enough length to fit (6'2", NFL retired linebacker build)
* Interior is well laid out, and even though I believe the materials are reasonable quailty, they do look just a little cheesy. Not so much that it bugs me (especially after the matte BLAH finish of my Porsche), but they could have done a bit better.
* I am not one of those who likes electro-conveniences (i.e.fob still makes me a little queasy), but I must admit I like leaving the lights in "ON" position, and letting the car figure out when to turn 'em out (when I leave). Between that and the auto A/C, and the keyless entry + start, all I have left to remember on my own these days is to jump in and grin.
NITS:
* Tranny does keep from selecting first maybe once every 200 shifts while at a complete stop (never while on a roll). Maybe it's wishful thinking, but seems to be dropping off in frequency now, and the latest couple of times that it has felt slightly balky, I have been able to just use a little more 'command authority' to get it to snick into first.
* My usual local driving station (NPR) has a very bizarre attribute, that appears only in this 'vette, and not in any other cars I own or drive -- it sounds EXACTLY like a mechanical rattle. At first, I thought I had something loose in rear cargo area, but using my highly scientific patented "Kenner Close-n-Play" troubleshooting technique: (turn off radio-- it stops, turn it on -- it's there, turn it off - it's gone, turn it on --it's there...), I was able to ascertain it is in the radio, and stranger still, ONLY that one station that does it -- even rap and rock stations don't do it. Weird.
* Boy, this motor runs hot. Maybe 210F for coolant, 230F for oil, no matter what -- idle, under load, A/C on, A/C off, brand new, 1600 miles. Good thing is that it is consistent, and does not climb under stress. But I am not crazy about the 'normal' temp.
* My inside hatch release button sometimes decides I really don't need to pop it, unless I get a little froggy with it and push repeatedly & hard. I know I have the fob, but still...
* When I close the hatch, the auto latch motor is hit and miss. Sometimes it goes all the way down and doesn't even apparently need the motor, other times the motor does work, still other times motor doesn't turn and it looks like the hatch is stuck up a bit... it's a crap shoot. The handle I'm supposed to pull down with feels like it isn't going to last a week -- very flimsy.
* Ashtray is an oddity. Not good for... well, anything. Not that I need it, but seems we could have used that space for useful ministorage, change, whatever. It is just wasteful of pretty prime space.
* The rear fascia does collect dirt disportionate to rest of car, and any other car I drive. Rejex works well, but it is not a cure.
PROBLEMS NOT SEEN:
* No DBS
* Hasn't used a drop of oil
* No top delaminate/rattle
* No brake dust
* Not one problem that would be at all worthy of mention outside of an enthusiast group where such things are ground over in minute detail (and which I love).
* I do not feel there is excessive heat in console, floorboard, or any other area of interior. Have not been stuck in traffic for hours in 100 degrees, but I have run for multiple hours at high double digits, and also been in traffic at 85 degrees...
well, that's about it for now... the 'nits' I mention are really just that -- so far this car has exceeded my expectations, and I am very glad I bought it.