[ZZERO6]

I just read (with interest) all of the June 20th press releases from Chevrolet Communications regarding the 2002 Z06. I read them twice and even went so far as to make a telephone call (my dime).
The "infamous" 2.2 mile road course that has the 120mph straightaway, 90mph sweeping curves and 40mph hairpins. 2002 Z06 vs. 2001 Z06 ....1/2 second faster.
0-60 times(their figures) 2001: 4.0 2002: 3.9
1/4 mile: 2001: 12.6 @114 2002: 12.4 @116
The most interesting item (in my opinion) was the direct interview with Sam Winegarden who is the chief engineer for GM Powertrain small block team. He was asked..For '02 the LS6 increased 20 HP. Why didn't you give that last year when the LS6 was introduced? His response; blah, blah, blah...'we're still not selling wine here before it's time'. Gee...it still comes down to one thing... better breathing. Increasing the volume of air in and out of the engine.
I, for one, am certainly not running to my local Chevy dealer to trade in my 2001 Z06. On the other hand...had I known this before buying my 2001 I would have waited. GM only lets their secrets out to major magazines to make money...not to their loyal customers. Hell, Autoweek knew this in their April 16 issue. My dealer said that it was simply speculative. Of course, this same dealer, still has no specs from GM on his computer as of today. He should call Autoweek. Or better yet, just ask us on this forum.
Regards,

 

[bsteinhagen]

I agree with you entirely...for a driver on the street tne 2001 is more than enough car.

By the way--Who is your dealer?

 

[ZZERO6]

On 2001-06-27 12:03, bsteinhagen spewed forth this drivel:
I agree with you entirely...for a driver on the street tne 2001 is more than enough car.

By the way--Who is your dealer?

My dealer is Jerry's Chevrolet in Leesburg. I have a great relationship with them and they are still truly a "small town dealer" and actually greet you like a family member when you "pop in". They have 2 great mechanics but the Z06 is still a "UFO" to most.
Regards,

 

[Guest]

You know GM is big business and each year of improvement adds excitement...I have ordered an 02 and will trade my 01 for a minimal price. It may be a little quicker, I just like the changes they have done to the 02... I have NO complaints on my 01 ...ZZZZZ

 

[Silver Bullet]

First year is never usually the most powerful or best in any car let alone a sportscar. Just enjoy being first and modify it to keep up. When the C6 comes out I have a feeling '01 or '02 isn't going to matter because new ones will just rock.

 

[dsinned]

I have to agree that Chevrolet dealers, as a whole, don't add much value when representing
the automaker of the vehicle. Frankly, I found out more about what was coming in 2002 in the Z06 from this forum in about an hour than I could ever hope to gleen from all the 5000+ Chevy dealers thoughout the country, as a whole, including those that are heavily allocated new model Corvettes.

Even now, after the "official" press release, most dealers are still virtually clueless. I find this to be disconcerting and very much resent the expectation (from most dealers) that the customer should blindly reward them by paying high markups on these vehicles.

Why? What do these dealers do to add any real value?

I find this problem to be rampant among all Chevy dealers who sell new Corvettes and frankly I think the vast majority of them worth a damn.

Heck, even months into the new model year, most dealers will not even have a new model Corvette brochure to show you (or a video) and many will still be clueless what the new features (and options) are in the car, yet the high markups remain just the same.

Something really stinks in American business when so little is provided by way of product knowledge and available customer services, yet so much is expected in return by these dealers and so-called service provider.

 

[ZZERO6]

DSINNED: You are absolutely correct throughout your entire commentary. The one point that I have been attempting to make is that the dealer is not informed by GM as to what is happening in his market-place or about product. My dealer readily and honestly says that he learns more from me than from GM. My complaint is with GM. I begged GM (not my dealer) for some information regarding the 2002 Z06 before I bought my 2001. I had read a magazine article in late March (Autoweek) describing the 2002 Z06; it even had a picture showing the car in Electron Blue. GM knows nothing! The article makes reference to "inside sources at GM". I buy my 2001 Z06.
When do I find out that the magazine information is correct?.....when I buy the latest issue of Autoweek. My dealer still does not have prices or specs and GM still will not talk. I have placed 7 calls to GM and 3 e-mails. I have never received a return call from HQ and receive generic e-mail responses only from people who do not even know what a Z06 is. They too only know what GM puts onto the system. They (GM) "sells" their inside information to magazine publishers who make millions of dollars from us; the same people who end up paying GM for their new cars. We are simply being left out of the "food chain".
Regards,