Well, first and foremost, I would like to thank Scott for allowing me to take his Z06 for an incredible ride. I tried my best to resist, knowing it would only make the fever I have worse. I even used the excuse that the roads are too cold and asked for a rain check until nicer weather, but Scott insisted I drive it. Well, OK, twist my arm.
Needless to say, I buckled like a wet noodle and jumped in the drivers seat. Before I get on to the drive let me give my impressions of the car. I also want to thank Scott again.
Fit and Finish
Well, I have to say what brought me to this test drive was me helping Scott out with his wet sanding project for what he called horrible orange peel. I only saw 1 spot on the car before it was sanded on the sail panel which Scott said was one of the worst spots and I have to say that it was not that bad. The few C6 Z06's I have seen seem to be a little better than the C5's as far as the paint goes. It is still unacceptable for a 70+k car, but have to say no different than many of the more upscale cars like Mercedes and many others. I think they call this progress. But I will say that the SMC panels do seem alot straighter than my C5 Z06 that has waves in on top of the OP. It does seem to have plenty of clear coat and with a little, OK, alot, of wet sanding comes up with a world class finish. Actually, I think if you give it a quick wet sanding with a block and 3000 grit to knock down the high spots minimizing the OP it will look better than 99% of the cars on the road and satisfy most of the corvette owners out there with the exception of a few people like Scott who are looking for a show quality flawless paint job.
Interior
Again, another big improvement over the C5 Z. At first, I did not like the new style, but loved the new materials. But just like the C5 when it came out, it is growing on me and I am starting to like it better. I think the C5 is a little sportier but the C6 is a little classier, especially with the heated seats and nav system. For some reason, I have always thought that you have to give up some creature comforts for performance, ala C5 Z06 and Viper, but apparently THIS IS NOT TRUE. The C6 Z06 apparently gives you mind bending performance AND luxury. It is even quiet if you don't pull the fuse. Luckly Scott pulled the fuse shortly after he picked his up, I mean come on, you have to draw the line someplace. I'll live with the heated seats and nav system but I need to hear that awesome LS7.
I will say this may be my only complaint about this car. When I heard it at the Smithville Show I asked Dave from Kerbeck if he could pull the fuse for me and when he said it was already pulled I was shocked. This is a perfect lead off to my next section.
Exhaust
If I had to pick something about this car that I was dissapointed about it would be the exhaust. I have to say that the exhaust valves are super cool but even with them open it is a touch too quiet. Is it bad enough that I would want to spend a dime to make it louder, NOPE. I am sure as it ages it will get a touch louder, my C5 Z did and that will probably make it perfect. I have heard from more than one person about how bad the drone is on the highway and that is where you really appreciate the exhaust switch. It's really not that bad but I still think I would put a switch on it just for the cool factor, but I really could live with it if I had to. It is really only in 6th gear that you hear it when you are semi lugging it.
Clutch/Trans/Shifter
I have heard alot of people say how light the
clutch is. I did not think it was much different than my C5 Z, maybe a touch lighter. If anything I think I liked it better.
I was also concerned about the different gear ratios in the
trans, especially first gear. Let me say that with all of its lower end torque it felt perfect, just like my C5 Z and much better than the C5 or C5 which I think has the exact same ratios (don't quote me on that).
The
shifter was a definite improvement over the C5 Z. I put a B&M Precision 45044 in my Z and love it. It has a super short throw and is very precise and quiet as a mouse and figured I would put one in the new Z when I got it too but I am not sure now. The stock shifter feels very nice where I would not be as motivated to replace it. Maybe if I had one sitting around I would swap it but it really is 6 in one and a half dozen in the other, no pun intended. This car is just a blast to drive, did I say thank you? Thanks Scott, what a blast.
Headlights
Well it was day time when I drove the Z but the last C6 I was driving it was night time and I have to say it was a pleasure being able to see where I am going. As far as looks, they are subjective and I really have no preference.
Looks
As with the headlights, looks are subjective. But I have to say that I was not super thrilled with the C6 looks at first and it is growing on me despite the fact it is so subdued and does not have the road presence that the C6 Z06 or the Viper does, or even the C5 Z06 for that matter. But I have to say, the fender flares, front facia, hood scoop really make this car. I am not sure why all C6 vettes do not look this way. That is a whole other conversation. I hate to say it but the Viper does have a better road presence than even the C6 Z06 (I followed one home from work today, they do look so cool on the road) but the Z06 makes up for it numerous ways, too many to even count. Again, this is all subjective and lets just say the C6 Z06 is one of the best/top looking cars on the road and has an awesome presence only rivaled by the Viper and GT.
The Drive
Ahhh, I have to thank Scott again. Actually I am not sure if I should thank him or be pissed off because the slight fever I had is now a full fledged 103+ burning up, don't want to get out of bed in the morning, devising schemes to rob a bank for the scratch fever.
First thing that really blew me away was the lack of rear view vision compared to my C5 Z. I just assumed bigger back window, better view. Not true, I am unsure why that section in front of the rear window hung so low. Not a big deal but just surprising. Before I get on to my ride I want to thank Scott again. I will also take this opportunity to say a few more things about the interior. I think the leather is much nicer and love the red stitching and the LED dash and even the little red and blue plastic rings around the climate control that glow. The lazer cut aluminum trim is cool as is the new leather like dash pad. The G meter was awesome and looks like it would be alot of fun and possibly even get me in to trouble some day trying to get it as high as it will go. At first we are basically cruising around some nice scenic roads along the Perkiomen Creek enjoying the scenery with the heated seats on listening to some tunes on the radio just enjoying the moment. Car sounded great, rode nice, I think even a little nicer than the C5 Z06, definitely not worse. I asked Scott, how am I doing, he laughed and said, your driving like a grandmother, lets find some open straight away where we can put the petal to the metal, words he would probably soon regret saying. Most of the roads we were on did not allow me to stretch its legs too much although I did get into it here and there somewhat. Since we were close to the NE Extension Scott suggested we hop on there and shoot up an exit and turn around and head back. I gladly obliged, luckly there was a nice opening when we were getting on so I had an opportunity to see what she had in her. I hit it on the exit heading onto the highway in second gear and shifted a little short when starting to lose traction in second gear grabbed third with some minimal wheel spin and grabbed fourth again a little short of the redline and put it to the floor, obviously I couldn't do this in the first 3 gears or we would have just smoked the tires. This thing is like a f@#$ing rocket. Sorry about the language but I cannot think of a better word to describe it. We were coming up on traffic FAST and with that Scott looks over trying to see what the speedo is saying so I took that and the rapidy approaching traffic as a queue to let off and I looked over at Scott with a smile that wrapped around the other side of my head and said one hundred and thirty two (132 mph). Scott retracted his grandmother statement and we cruised with the flow of traffic doing about 80 in a 65 zone thanking god that there were no speed enforcement via air or anyplace on that road that day. Oh, I should probably mention this part actually is not true, we would never think of breaking the law, that is just wrong.
The rest of the ride was somewhat uneventful until the next open stretch where I was pulling away from a light with nobody coming towards us and nobody close behind us on the home stretch heading back towards the house and I am thinking this is probably my last chance to feel this awesome power so I pushed the throttle progressively harder in second gear and towards the top of the RPM range the sucker decided it wanted to remind us that 500 hp and cold roads could have a nasty bite if not respected and the rear end kicked out and jumped over 1/2 lane similiar to what I hear people say Vipers are famous for. I was surprised that the active handling did not interact more than it did, it seems chevy has definitely tone AH down a lot since the C5 Z. I think at this point Scott turned white but it was all over in a second and needless to say I backed right off and got us on course but if I was being stupid and doing this with other traffic on the road it could have very easily been a disaster. OK, this was another dream similiar to when we were doing 132 but had it not been it would show that you really need to respect a car with this much power especially on a cold road and not something you would ever do without plenty of room or on a road that is perfectly straight. Man are these cars fun to drive. Thanks again Scott. I cannot tell you how much fun this was. For all your people who already have your Z06's I cannot tell you how lucky you are and how much respect this car deserves. :thumbs:
I apologize for the long post but you cannot describe this car with just a few words. Well, maybe I can sum it up in one, AWESOME. Thanks again Scott. :thumbs:
Your post pretty much sums up the way this rocket ship feels. 
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