"how do I feel about it" ...I'd feel a lot better about it if there was one sitting in my driveway the hood is the only thing I'm not in love with...wish it would have been twin turbos...although it's a monster like it is.can't wait to see one in person.
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Vipers for breakfast - Cobras for lunch! What's for supper? SIG by GR8 WHITE
All this stuff about what you can do to a "lesser" Corvette for a fraction of the cost to equal or better the performance of the ZR1. That really isn't what it's all about!! It is a halo product for GM. It is about bragging rights and STOCK performance which competes head-to-head with the best that the Germans and the Eye-ties can muster - their own STOCK vehicles. It really is a battle between the manufacturers. NOT us! You can take a 40-year old piece of junk, put a cage in it, stuff a motor in it, and make it a 10-second car.
I saw the clip on this forum yesterday about somebody with a gajillion RWHP as he was driving it... on the highway! It was stupid. He couldn't hook it up to save his life.
The ZR1 is about package engineering. HP upgrade - but the upgraded tranny, axles, diff, suspension, brakes needed to support it in all conditions - not just a few straight line runs. If you do all of that to a C6Z, then you will have spent a LOT of money, voided your warranty, and have a "modded" `vette - and a LOT of people buying used DON'T want anyone else's mods - they want to mod it themselves. So, stock is usually a plus at trade-in time. Dealers won't give you squat for all the expensive mods.
So that, IMHO, is what the ZR1 is all about! Would I buy one? In a heartbeat! Can I afford to do it? No way. I'm hustling just to afford my C6Z - which I love dearly. I plan to keep it a loooong time! Until maybe someday I can afford a used, unmodded, non-tracked, ZR1!!!
To those who can pay the freight, have fun and I can't wait to see you on the road so that I can drool!!!!
Well said. Same can be said about the C6Z06. You can mod a lesser vette but it will never be the complete factory package with 100k mile warranty of the factory car.
I am not crazy about the hood but overall I like the car and I can envision making it a future daily driver if the price doesn't get too outrageous. I am on a waiting list and hope to follow thru with a purchase in a couple of years.
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1972 WB Coupe L48/TH400 - Sold
2001 QS Z06 - Sold
2006 VY Z06 - NCM Delivery & Daily Beater!
2007 MR Vert - NCM Delivery & Wife's Car!
"The window is icky..." "The weight balance is a little disapointing..." "I would expect more from the design/body...."
Amazing.
Let's take a step back for a minute and look at the '08/'09 world of performance cars. Name ONE car that will come close to the performance, refinement, and daily drivability of the ZR1 anywhere CLOSE to $100K!
The FACT is that the ZR1 will perform as well as, or better than 90% of the cars produced by Ferrari. Out-run and out-track most anything Porsche or Lotus produces. Perform close to, or better than, any car from Lamborghini. Be as refined as most anything from Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Maserati, or Lexus. Be brutal against anything from Jaguar or Aston Martin. And even Dodge (Viper), Ford (GT & GT500KR), and Nissan (GT-R) won't be able to match the combined performance, livability, and style of the ZR1.
How do I FEEL about the ZR1?!?
Having owned one of just about every kind of high performance car make/model produced in the last 15 years I can honestly say that I am PASSIONATE about the arrival of the ZR1. So far, nothing on the world stage has even come close.
As I am sure many of you will agree, passion is what world-class performance cars are all about. And the more I talk with the guys at the factory the more I learn that, for the guys at GM, the pure automotive passion that went into the ZR1 is really all that matters.
I agree about the window, and I think the consensus is the same.
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Be as refined as most anything from Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Maserati, or Lexus.
Since I currently own both a Z06 and a Lexus I can tell you unequivocally that is simply not true, not by a long shot. I'm not talking anything away from the Vette, but it's nowhere near the Lexus in overall build quality or refinement.
As far as performance for the dollar, you're right. Then again, there are a lot of cars whose owners can, and frequently do, make the same claim. What can outperform an '08 Viper ACR for example, for less than what they cost? And I mean consistently and by a significant margin? There isn't anything. What can outperform a Subaru WRX Sti for less money? An Evo? What can outperform a Carrera GT for less than $440,000? Again, by a statistically significant and consistent margin. This same thing comes up on a LOT of car forums all the time, wherein their owners make the same claims about their cars...and they're often right.
You raise some good points. I have a GS430 and would agree that while my Z06 has a lot of the same "toys" (nav, traction, heated seates, etc.) and a great leather interior (3LZ), the overall "luxury" isn't the same.
In re-reading my post, I want to clarify that I am talking about the ZR1 vs. the top 1% of the automotive world. Sure, a lot of car makers tout the "best bang for the buck" moniker. However, very few of them can say that while going head to head with the best in the world.
I think the point for me is that Cheverolt has finally elevated the Corvette to a car that will be evaluated, and likely chosen against, those classic makes that have long dominated the spotlight on the world stage of performance and refinement.
You're referring to economic patriotism and protectionism...
A lot of Toyota's, Subaru's, Nissan's, and Honda's, etc are also "made in the USA by American workers".
Although a lot of cars are made in the USA by American workers, it's often more correct to say "Assembled in the USA". The reason being, and it's not merely a matter of semantics, is although they are assembled here, many of the sub-assemblies and parts for instance are in fact manufactured in foreign countries and/or many of the the raw materials are sourced from foreign countries.
In fact, many of the parts on the Corvette (and all other GM vehicles as well) are produced overseas.
I will agree, however, that when one "follows the money" it often ends up in foreign pockets. However, that's beside the point, since it's a global market and economy.
In the end, it's perhaps wise to remember that "When goods cannot cross borders, armies will."
I feel, all Corvette's are great, and the ZR1 is no exception. I look forward to reading the magazine tests and comparo's. Notice it will do 64mph in first gear. This, along with the low rpm torque and launch control shocks should make for great 0-60 times. This type of press will be great for GM, and the Corvette brand in general. This is good for all of us. I have no doubt that this was the goal from inception. In other words, they built this car to win magazine tests, above all else.
I would like to see a more "Porsche like" line up. A top of the line grand tourer, a mid level track rat, and a base model. I think we are getting close. They just need to make the ceramic brakes a Z06 option.
I think a supercharger says "drag racer" and ceramic brakes say "road course," so thats a little confusing. I know it will be fast. I would have preferred naturally aspirated, but that wont win any ego contests these days. I realize they think they need to out horsepower the Viper, and sc was the only way to get there.
I would buy one if I could afford it. And replace the hood and run flats asap.
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Its the poor worker who blames his tools
Overall the car is good looking, much like the new Z, do not like the window in the hood. Wheels are OK, but look more like a luxury car wheel than a sports car. The double side vents look a little out of place. These little things I'm sure are there to set it off from the Z06. I could live with the wheels and vents, but dump the hood.
The C6 ZR1 may not be the exact car that I wanted GM to build, but don't get me wrong, I'm still excited that they're building it. If things keep moving forward like they are, we will all benefit from better sports cars in the future. That's what matters to me the most.
GM now needs to focus on interior quality and handling. Not to say they're necessarily bad, but there is obviously room for improvement. I'm eagerly awaiting the C7. I hope it's the kind of car that I yearn after.
Oh, the other thing is the price. I too thought it might be a little high. Then it hit me. The C4 ZR-1 cost $65,000 in 1992, which is about $97,000 in 2007 dollars. The C6 ZR1 is obviously a MUCH better car, but (hopefully) won't cost that much more than the rumored $100,000 target. It's really not overpriced at all if you think about what you're getting.
As long as cars keep getting better and cheaper (value for the dollar), I'm a happy camper.
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Toyo T1Rs / CAGS Defeat / Tint / Soon to be Lowered / 15-lb Battery / Seat Bolster Mod / HPDE Checklist
The C6 ZR1 may not be the exact car that I wanted GM to build, but don't get me wrong, I'm still excited that they're building it. If things keep moving forward like they are, we will all benefit from better sports cars in the future. That's what matters to me the most.
GM now needs to focus on interior quality and handling. Not to say they're necessarily bad, but there is obviously room for improvement. I'm eagerly awaiting the C7. I hope it's the kind of car that I yearn after.
Oh, the other thing is the price. I too thought it might be a little high. Then it hit me. The C4 ZR-1 cost $65,000 in 1992, which is about $97,000 in 2007 dollars. The C6 ZR1 is obviously a MUCH better car, but (hopefully) won't cost that much more than the rumored $100,000 target. It's really not overpriced at all if you think about what you're getting.
As long as cars keep getting better and cheaper (value for the dollar), I'm a happy camper.
Ref the C7 - hope your ready for a Mid engine Vette.
Ref the ZR1 - I think after the car comes out it will grow on all of us..The price is not outta the park..It's the "StealerShips" as Norm mentioned that gouge us so badly..wish there was a way around it..
Ref GM - I def am thankful that GM is doing what their doing...they know that us Corvette/ZO6 owners MEAN BUISNESS...AND THEY ARE ANSWERING THE CALL!!! Coupled w/their desire to be top dog in the performance car wars...They really have raised the bar to Dodge and Ford..Now they are sending a "Wake Up" call to Ferrari/Lamborghini/Porsche..etc. etc.
Thanks GM
Andy
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SIG by the BIGGEST, BADDEST MOFO with a broken down ride - GR8 WHITE
the hood is the only thing I'm not in love with...wish it would have been twin turbos...although it's a monster like it is.can't wait to see one in person. 
SIG by GR8 WHITE 
Re: How do you feel about the new ZR1?
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