MotorTrend Aug issue
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I dont have the mag yet, www.motortrend.com has a picture of the cover, (obviously)
Ill post as soon as i get it, or if anyone else gets it before me please post it.
Mike
Ill post as soon as i get it, or if anyone else gets it before me please post it.
Mike
That's a nice cover layout and the comparison should turn-out to be realy good.
Next time, 02' ZO6 Vs. Porsche 911 Turbo Vs. Ferrari 360 Modena. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif
Next time, 02' ZO6 Vs. Porsche 911 Turbo Vs. Ferrari 360 Modena. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif
SpeedVision just televised the comparison of the 3 this evening at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. It was the '01 Z06 against the M3 and Boxster-S. They had a "sneak peek" at the '02 highlighting the changes from the '01.
I am sure many of you will find it rather amusing that the Z06 won 5 of the 6 catagories hands-down while tying the 6th but MotorTrend picked the M3 as the best sports car. They chose it over the Z06 because it had a back seat, a bigger trunk and shiney gages.
They ooh'd and aah'd about the Z06's clearly superior performance all through the testing.
I have one question for the guys at MotorTrend; How can a car perform the best in every catagory not be the best sports car? The M3 was a distant second in 4 of the 6 tests, tied for 1 & 2 in the slalom and 3rd in the skid-pad. How is that then the best sports car?
I didn't remember seeing the test for getting the most rug-rats in the back seat or the most gucci bags in the trunk. I guess I just don't understand performance car testing.
Anyway, I thought the testing was rather boring. It was like watching the Yankees play a minor league team, not much competition. Bring on the real sports cars, namely their big brothers, 911 and Z8 along with the Modena and Viper. That would be great test. I know the Z06 would not win all catagories but it would hold its own quite nicely against those big dollar cars.
I am sure many of you will find it rather amusing that the Z06 won 5 of the 6 catagories hands-down while tying the 6th but MotorTrend picked the M3 as the best sports car. They chose it over the Z06 because it had a back seat, a bigger trunk and shiney gages.
They ooh'd and aah'd about the Z06's clearly superior performance all through the testing.
I have one question for the guys at MotorTrend; How can a car perform the best in every catagory not be the best sports car? The M3 was a distant second in 4 of the 6 tests, tied for 1 & 2 in the slalom and 3rd in the skid-pad. How is that then the best sports car?
I didn't remember seeing the test for getting the most rug-rats in the back seat or the most gucci bags in the trunk. I guess I just don't understand performance car testing.
Anyway, I thought the testing was rather boring. It was like watching the Yankees play a minor league team, not much competition. Bring on the real sports cars, namely their big brothers, 911 and Z8 along with the Modena and Viper. That would be great test. I know the Z06 would not win all catagories but it would hold its own quite nicely against those big dollar cars.
"2001Z06", it's like ice skating & gymnastic competitions. The international judging always seems slightly biased toward the "foreigners", then a few years later all the best atheletes from the East Block nations defect to the USA. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif
Maybe GM (Chevrolet) does not advertise in MT much anymore. Usually most magazine comparison tests fail to take into account radical differences in MSRP. In this case that may have worked against the Z06's advantage. Aren't the M3 and Boxster cheaper cars? I'm not really sure about that.
In any event the car that wins the majority of comparison tests "based on performance" should be the top pick.
Maybe GM (Chevrolet) does not advertise in MT much anymore. Usually most magazine comparison tests fail to take into account radical differences in MSRP. In this case that may have worked against the Z06's advantage. Aren't the M3 and Boxster cheaper cars? I'm not really sure about that.
In any event the car that wins the majority of comparison tests "based on performance" should be the top pick.
I would go along with the "sponsor" theory. That was my point, rather understated though. I sent an email to motor trend asking them that exact question. I am sure I won't get any response but that is par for the course. I doubt very much if GM or the other American car makers put much ad dollars in motor trend. The german brands do spend more there at least from what I see in the mags and on tv.
As far as the cost, the Boxster-S is about $10+K more than the Z06 and I believe the M3 is about the same price as the Z06.
I guess it is just another rag that thinks a sports car criteria is a back seat, trunk and pretty cup holder.
I certainly wouldn't waste my money buying the mt rag for the article.
As far as the cost, the Boxster-S is about $10+K more than the Z06 and I believe the M3 is about the same price as the Z06.
I guess it is just another rag that thinks a sports car criteria is a back seat, trunk and pretty cup holder.
I certainly wouldn't waste my money buying the mt rag for the article.
G
Guest
·Pretty obvious, maybe a little something under the table??? MT give your head a shake,
what is a sports car all about..Go back to the basics.Performance, handling, Its the Z all the way A true no brainer......
what is a sports car all about..Go back to the basics.Performance, handling, Its the Z all the way A true no brainer......
I'm not trying to start anything here, but I do want to point out that I see more Corvette ads in the magazines than BMW. GM has the new ad that you see in all of them (including my MTs) with the convertible. When the Z06 was introduced they all ran the Z06 ads (damn those were cool). I know there must be some BMW ads, but I don't remember them - which might say something about the quality of the ads or my preference.
Speaking of preference, it has been noted through the years that Motor Trend has always had a bias towards Bavarian Motor Works. Something they continually bring up by printing many letters from readers saying the same thing that has been said above.
Motor Trend also did a high dollar shootout late last year that compared the Z06 to all the cars mentioned above and more - including the Shelby - and did quite well. They also aired it on MTTV. I have it on tape and love to watch it.
chris
Speaking of preference, it has been noted through the years that Motor Trend has always had a bias towards Bavarian Motor Works. Something they continually bring up by printing many letters from readers saying the same thing that has been said above.
Motor Trend also did a high dollar shootout late last year that compared the Z06 to all the cars mentioned above and more - including the Shelby - and did quite well. They also aired it on MTTV. I have it on tape and love to watch it.
chris
Joined
·
292 Posts
I have never driven an BMW M3, but based upon the Speedvision show, it appears to be a very nice sports "sedan". When I purchased the Corvette/Z06, I was not interested in a sedan(back seats), therefore the M3 was not on the list of potentials. In fact I really don't care for the "sedan" upright look of the M3 compared to the Corvette, which is much more sleek, and sporty looking(IMHO). I got the two seat sports car that made the most sense to own from a performance as well as my wallet perspective. I am sure those that want a sporty car, but need the extra seating are well served by the M3.
G
Guest
·Hard to believe they use Z06 and M3 or what ever it is in the same sentence..Yes this m3 or whatever is,is a NICE sports sedan...Give us all a break..lets compare apples to apples...come on kiddies lets all go to the DQ in out bimmer...yuck
I won't debate that the M3 is a nice family car. It does have some nice performance numbers for a shoe box with a back seat and a nice trunk. There are many people that want that type of car, and that's wonderful for them and bmw, but it not a sports cars. And for motor trend to pick it as the best sports car because it has back seat room... I have to laugh at those idiots at motor trend. Why did they even waste the gasoline to perform the tests? Just do an article (advertisment) for BMW and say "In our strongly biased opinion we select the M3 as the best sports car in the world." While they were at it they could have a viper and a Modena pictured too. Heck why not a lamborghini too, it barely has console space let alone a trunk.
All I have to say from this point is that motor trend blew it and they have lost any credibility in my eyes. I know the Z06 isn't the greatest sports car on the planet in all phases. Although it does do quite nicely against most of the very high dollar limited production sports cars. But, get real motor trend or should that be motor pretend?
All I have to say from this point is that motor trend blew it and they have lost any credibility in my eyes. I know the Z06 isn't the greatest sports car on the planet in all phases. Although it does do quite nicely against most of the very high dollar limited production sports cars. But, get real motor trend or should that be motor pretend?
I posted this on the CF as well:
Well, here's my take:
Keep in mind that the M3 will rarely lose a magazine comparo, no matter what the take! When the C5 first came out C/D pitted it against the Supra TT, the 3000GT , and wonder of wonders, the E36 M3, and guess who won! BMW's M cars always have and always will hold a "special" place in the minds of automotive journalists.
That said, I think MT gave the Z06 a very favorable review with lots of gushing accolades:
"A man's car for the man who knows how to use it."
"In fact, if you drive this baby right, you'll match fenders with the 485-hp V12 $225K Ferrari 550 Maranello."
"You won't find a car near this price that can eat the Z06's lunch."
"Frankly we were surprised to find the mighty M3 so soundly beaten here (0-100-0)."
In CVT's own words: "If you want a street-legal race car with crankin' AC, a great stereo and comfy leather seats,this is it." "The Z06 won the acceleration, braking, 0-100-0, skidpad, and road course tests hands down, and tied with the M3 for first place in the slalom test. Five outright wins, one tie for the win. That, friends, says it all."
Rest assured that there is no doubt in anyone's mind (certainly not MT's either) who the real winner was. The M3 was given the title for reasons that are wholly abstract and unquantifiable, and frankly, who gives a damn! The Z06 romped 0-100-0 in 14.01 seconds, and if you care to reach for MT's last High Speed Shootout in the November issue, that beats every one of those exalted supercars (Modena, 911TT, Viper ACR, you name it) and that, my friends, just about does it for me! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif
Well, here's my take:
Keep in mind that the M3 will rarely lose a magazine comparo, no matter what the take! When the C5 first came out C/D pitted it against the Supra TT, the 3000GT , and wonder of wonders, the E36 M3, and guess who won! BMW's M cars always have and always will hold a "special" place in the minds of automotive journalists.
That said, I think MT gave the Z06 a very favorable review with lots of gushing accolades:
"A man's car for the man who knows how to use it."
"In fact, if you drive this baby right, you'll match fenders with the 485-hp V12 $225K Ferrari 550 Maranello."
"You won't find a car near this price that can eat the Z06's lunch."
"Frankly we were surprised to find the mighty M3 so soundly beaten here (0-100-0)."
In CVT's own words: "If you want a street-legal race car with crankin' AC, a great stereo and comfy leather seats,this is it." "The Z06 won the acceleration, braking, 0-100-0, skidpad, and road course tests hands down, and tied with the M3 for first place in the slalom test. Five outright wins, one tie for the win. That, friends, says it all."
Rest assured that there is no doubt in anyone's mind (certainly not MT's either) who the real winner was. The M3 was given the title for reasons that are wholly abstract and unquantifiable, and frankly, who gives a damn! The Z06 romped 0-100-0 in 14.01 seconds, and if you care to reach for MT's last High Speed Shootout in the November issue, that beats every one of those exalted supercars (Modena, 911TT, Viper ACR, you name it) and that, my friends, just about does it for me! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif
Guys...don't get too upset. If Motor Trend does a heads up comparo between the ZO6 and the Viper, the Vette will win hands down. More storage space, the only important measure of a sports car!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif
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