ZR1 Comes in 6th Place

[Rob]

What do you think?

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - Motor Trend

 

[Cruzen]

I have yet to get an opportunity to drive a ZR1 but based on the specs and cars with similar power curves, considering the cars that Pobst is used to driving ( A Volvo I believe) I can see where the torque of the ZR1 would be intimidating and why he was more comfortable in the Audi. The torque developed by American muscle has always been intimidating to those who grew up on a diet of short stroke high revving less torque foreign cars.

There is a history of drivers in the 50's trying to struggle with Hemi powered race cars, and later about the 427 powered Cobra and they said about the same at that time. I'm sure if he had some time to get familiar with the power curve he would be singing a different song. The ZR1 is just a different breed than most of these drivers are used to but I can imagine that they are correct in saying that the car does require the drivers full attention and that is what bothers me.

I have met four owners of ZR1's and of those, two could barely get in and out of the car due to their exceptional bulk. I got the feeling that while they had the bucks to buy the car they did not and probably would never possess the skill set or physical dexterity required to properly drive the vehicle no matter how many training sessions they ever attended.

 

[Mike G]

ZR-1, 6th

There'll be lots of camparos with the ZR, we all know that. The thing that remains is it's dominating performance in stock, standard-production form. Interesting collection of cars in this one, not sure if it's a valid comparison but nice reading. What about the new Grand Sport? That would have been interesting to include. I think Chevy should add some upgrades to the Z so it's more refined (wheel, seats, etc), wouldn't cost much more.

Did we all see the recent video where a ZR was run against a shelby - cobra - daytona coupe (add more names here ) at a drag strip? Is that thing standard production? Street legal? Available in the same price range? Did they then take the cobra to the Nordschleife and report a lap time?;squint:

So interesting to see all the others reaching into their skunkworks laboratories to make prototypes to take on the ZR-1. I think the Vette is doing a stellar job of Cobra destruction.

 

[Ultraworld]

I drove a lot of cars before settling on the ZR1. The GT500 was a pig, very heavy & numb. Nothing gave me that giddy feeling like running through the gears in a ZR1. The 40 - 100mph amazes me. I drove a 911 Turbo that bored me, an R8 that looks & sounds cool, but it lacked the torque that lets you skip gears as low speeds. I think the Vette's interior is fine. The euro chic interiors dont do it for me.

 

[Mike G]

'GT500 pig heavy and numb'... Too funny! They really don't think they're gonna take on a Vette with that 4,000 lb walrus, do they?

 

[Rob]

I drove a lot of cars before settling on the ZR1. The GT500 was a pig, very heavy & numb. Nothing gave me that giddy feeling like running through the gears in a ZR1. The 40 - 100mph amazes me. I drove a 911 Turbo that bored me, an R8 that looks & sounds cool, but it lacked the torque that lets you skip gears as low speeds. I think the Vette's interior is fine. The euro chic interiors dont do it for me.

Ultra,

What production number did you get? Color, options?

 

[Ultraworld]

Ultra,

What production number did you get? Color, options?

Blade Silver/ Black & Red interior. 3ZR & Chrome wheels. The only thing I hated & changed was the Audio System. Dynamatted the interior." It's a simple, hidden system with high grade components. I have no idea what the production number is, I doubt it's real low. They were out for several months when I ordered mine.

 

[Ultraworld]

'GT500 pig heavy and numb'... Too funny! They really don't think they're gonna take on a Vette with that 4,000 lb walrus, do they?

I had an '08 Z06 & the car was beating me up. I have pretty bad spinal arthritis (I'm only 47 for Pete's sake). It got so bad that I was driving my '05 GTO. I knew the Z06 had to go, but thought maybe another muscle car would do it for me. I drove the Mustang for 5 minutes & was appalled. So I figured a Porsche & drove a few of those. I found out the ZR1 had a more compliant suspension & 600+ HP. I drove a friends & I was sold. I had softer foam added to the seat bottoms & bolsters. It's very comfy now. I'm going to sell the GTO & get a CTS-V 6 speed next spring. I drove one recently & was very impressed. I still don't get 6th place, maybe the price?

 

[Rob]

Blade Silver/ Black & Red interior. 3ZR & Chrome wheels. The only thing I hated & changed was the Audio System. Dynamatted the interior." It's a simple, hidden system with high grade components. I have no idea what the production number is, I doubt it's real low. They were out for several months when I ordered mine.

Sounds awesome! Check the last 4 digits of your vin. That's your serial number.

 

[warren s]

The Motor Trend comparison was very strange. My take was that they were looking for a car that was friendly to drive at its limits. Obviously if its limits are very very high like the ZR-1 it will require lots of real driving skill to get the most out of it.

We see horsepower numbers all the time and sometimes forget the real extreme skill needed to handle 638 of them.

There is no disputing that the ZR-1 is the super car bargain of the century. I wouldn’t call it a “Drivers car” anyway. It’s an advanced level enthusiast’s car that only a seasoned professional can routinely handle at the limits.

 

[koolaid117]

Blade Silver/ Black & Red interior. 3ZR & Chrome wheels. The only thing I hated & changed was the Audio System. Dynamatted the interior." It's a simple, hidden system with high grade components. I have no idea what the production number is, I doubt it's real low. They were out for several months when I ordered mine.

Is it me or would this thread be much more interesting if Ultra posted some pics of his awesome ride?

I'm just sayin.