Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

novetteyet · 12-23-2007, 11:46 AM

I wonder how many of us are really good enough drivers to take advantage of a car like this beast.

I know that I am not. Not even close.

I know a couple of very good drivers who in the same car, can get around a 2 mile track about 10-12 seconds faster than me. Put one of those guys in a bone stock C5Z, put me in a 2009 ZR1, and they are *still* going to be faster than me, even spotting me 215 HP and (hopefully) much better suspension and brakes. Driver skill > 215 HP any day of the week.

That's not to say I don't still want one, of course

. Just that at some point, for many of us, it's not about going faster any more. I think that point is the C5Z for me. I doubt I'd do much better with a C6Z than I can do with a C5Z, and again probably not much better with a ZR1. The limiting factor for me at the moment is driver skill, not the car. I bet that's true for many of us, especially those of us who can't afford lots of track time.

So I end up wondering, of the 2000 of these they'll make per year, how many will end up in the hands of people who are *really* capable of taking advantage of the car's potential. A few, I hope...

**panzer** · 12-23-2007, 01:08 PM

Because it is limited edition and expensive I think most of the cars will never see the track, they will be collectors items.

snakecharmer · 12-23-2007, 01:11 PM

I figure as well - just as happened with the C6 Z06 - some of them won't last a week in their owner-that-has-more-money-than-sense's hands before they get totalled.

novetteyet · 12-23-2007, 03:56 PM

Probably true. And a shame, IMHO.

There are people who restore and maintain old WWII aircraft. Occasionally, at an airshow, one will crash and be lost forever. But many people consider that these aircraft were meant to fly, not to spend the rest of their days rusting away in a museum somewhere.

I hope the Vette never becomes the ground-born version of "rusting away in a museum" from the very beginning. I'm all for having a high end Vette, but if production is so limited that they're all snapped up by collectors and tucked away under sheets in garages, somehow it seems like the point has been lost.

proexpert · 12-23-2007, 04:45 PM

This is similar to the average guy dating a supermodel. We all want it, we know we are not worthy, but getting it and having the stories to go along with it is the ultimate prize.

novetteyet · 12-23-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proexpert

This is similar to the average guy dating a supermodel. We all want it, we know we are not worthy, but getting it and having the stories to go along with it is the ultimate prize.

I like the analogy.

**Zippy** · 12-23-2007, 06:48 PM

Good topic with interesting comments. Here's mine.

Long ago I realized my driving skills (read that, limitations) and try not to "over drive" what ever car I own. Much more so with the 505hp C6Z. Just today, I went for a back road cruise and had the back end kick out slightly in 2nd gear, twice. That reminded me to drive carefully and respect the power of the Z06, but at the same time have fun. After all, the car is expensive, and I worked hard to buy it.
Is it a garage queen? Definitely not. Do I trailer it? No, again. I respect it, and enjoy driving it. Do I use it recklessly, most certainly not. Do I enjoy driving it easy? Yes. Do I enjoy driving it hard, yes again. Do I use it on a high speed track, yes, and plan to do more of that next season.

When the ZR1 becomes available, I'll ask myself the same questions before ordering one.

Reminds me of a question my Dad asked when I informed him of the top speed of the Vette I had at the time: "But son, where can you drive that fast? I answered with "nowhere around here, but it's nice knowing I have that kind of power."

Tomasy · 12-23-2007, 07:05 PM

Most of us can't drive a c5 or c6 to the full potential. However, I feel like the car makes me more capable and interested in getting better. Some years ago I had a 300ZX. At the time, it was a fairly fast car. I drove one recently, and it really seemed slow. After driving the Z, I like to think I may be getting better even though I am a long way from using 100% of the potential of the car.The faster the car, the more you have to respect it but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a car that has greater potential than you can 100% utilize.

**DennyM** · 12-24-2007, 11:07 AM

I first tracked my C5Z in Apr '04 and ended the first day in awe of the capabilities of the car in stock form. I vowed that I would leave the powertrain stock until I had improved as a driver to the point where the car was the limiting factor. 20 track days later, 8 Time Trials days, 50 autox days, and I'm not there yet.

I only drove a C6Z once ... it was new, and we were on highways and minor byways ... I took the G meter to .69 on a right hander and the owner was in awe (and he also had an M5). He was actually afraid of the car ...

What most impressed me was the effortless way the car handled the road ... with seamless and unending delivery of power.
I'm not ready to test a C6Z on the track ... the C5Z is enough for me at my level of competence ... doesn't mean I don't aspire to!

The ZR1 ... would be even more so.

Frankly, I can't afford to put that kind of money into a car ... and if I did, I'd have to buy my wife a Maserati first! ...

Hat's off to whomever gets one ... I only hope they are owners that appreciate what they have, and hopefully get to experience it in a safe environment (read: strip and road course).

2MchFun · 12-24-2007, 12:20 PM

There are very few people who can drive a car like the ZR1 to its potential. For that matter, there are very few people who can drive a C5Z or C6Z to its potential. I'm sure there will be a few ZR1s that never see their first anniversary. Remember all the stories about brand new Ford GTs getting wrecked?
That said, who wouldn't want one

CraZee ZO6 · 12-24-2007, 12:48 PM

I CAN drive the zr1 to its potential but I cannot afford one!

JThomas · 12-26-2007, 10:11 AM

I, like most Corvette owners, simply enjoy having the power on hand. I autocross my Z at club events and ocassionally track it at Gingerman Raceway, but the car spends most of its time travelling to and from club events or personal trips.

I think this ZR1 will end up in the hands of those that will collect them and never really drive them. There will be a very select FEW, that will actually put them on the track, to see what they will do.

It will be a great car, but it's priced well above what the average Corvette owner, who makes up the majority of the Corvette hobby, is willing to spend. Because of that, you won't see them anywhere, except on the back of a trailer or in a well heated garage.

ZO6 AL-X · 12-26-2007, 12:27 PM

The average driver will wreck it for sure. That much power should only (and will) be accessed by a few.

harry kaplun · 12-27-2007, 02:41 PM

I doubt if there are 2000 new owners each year who could ever drive a ZR1 to its capability.
But that is not why they built it nor why many of us would want one.
Our desire to have one is because it is a better car. We are performance car lovers and want to continue to pursue the ideal. Just like someone who wants a piece of art, a fine bottle of wine or a rare coin we see beauty in the object.

extanker · 12-27-2007, 03:33 PM

my 01 coup i did 2 HPDE courses 2 months after i bought it new,i sold it with 118k on it.my 07z 3 HPDE courses 1 month after it came in it now has 30k on it.its a race car with plates and thats why i bought it and thats why i ordered the zr1.it should be in march 09 ,i will do HPDE,s to bond with the car i will race it and win.i like to prowl for something thats worthy on the street like the 430 ferrari blew off on the GSP christmass day.i,m still smillin