Hi all- this is my first topic ever- I am going to buy a Z06 in a few weeks as my other lease runs out, and I have heard from a very unreliable source that the wet road performance of the vettes isn't that great- could someone with true experience tell me how it is? Thanks
Wet Road Performance
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When I attended the Bragg-Smith course in Nevada (see Pit Road above) I was told that the track performance was not very good with the supercar tires. Having heard this I pushed for a hydroplane at home in interstate driving and at speeds of approx 80 on roads where people were in the ditch I have remained stable. I would not worry unless the driving were competitive. I the potenza scoring on one half of the tire seems to do the trick so far. That said, watch yourself and use normal caution in the slippery stuff and expect tire wear to be a bigger factor with adhesion just due to the size of the tread alone.
Just remember, this is a rear-wheel drive sports car, and a very light one at that. So far my Z06 has been great in even heavy rain because I've taken it easy. I drive in higher gears and do everything smoothly. Several years in Mustangs will teach you that in the rain. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif
I don't know how other people drive when the road is wet, but for me, I feel safer in the Vette than any other Car I've ever driven. I never had any mishap on the Vette. The Supercar tires on the Z is best for normal use (may not be for tracks). I tried to test out the anti-lock brakes on Sunday after got caught in the rain, I couldn't activate it. My Z came to a stop from 40 MPH in the rain like it was on a dry road. The active-handling suppose to help too.
You just can't go wrong with the Z.....
You just can't go wrong with the Z.....
Thanks all. That's what I wanted to know- the Lexus was(is) actually bad at all speeds and styles of driving in the rain- actually hydroplaned at 70 mph and went sideways across a 150 foot median to end up facing oncoming traffic on the other side- on a straightaway - no turns to start the loss of control. Used to have a Twin Turbo Stealth and I curse the day i replaced it with a Lexus to look more 'professional.' Wont make that mistake again.
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I would say the Z06 handles just fine.
I just ate a black Firehawk on the way home from a late night at work, wet road and all.
It had rained about a half hour before so the road was not soaked but wet and slick.
Before you say anything I know it was stupid but I was not going to let a F body challenge me without a fight.
I just ate a black Firehawk on the way home from a late night at work, wet road and all.
It had rained about a half hour before so the road was not soaked but wet and slick.
Before you say anything I know it was stupid but I was not going to let a F body challenge me without a fight.
Our weather is pathetically rainy most of the time. I have found the last three Corvettes to be very civilized in the wet weather. Now that does not mean you drive in the rain identically to how you would drive on dry pavement, however the car is very manageable. You simply have to be more aware with a car with this kind of power. That goes for any high performance car. Period.
Buy it and drive sensibly, its a great automobile.
Buy it and drive sensibly, its a great automobile.
The tires are fine when cold (yes we get cold weather here /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif) and Frank is absolutely correct that they are useless in snow. Don't even consider that. In the rain, I find that cornering is no problem at all, but acceleration isn't that good. They like to spin. To hydroplane, I think you would have to be going ungodly fast through pretty heavy standing water. It's a daily driver in the summer for me, and I've had no problems
I competed in an SCCA rally a few weeks ago. It was raining quite hard. The car performed very well. I think I finished with the second best time amongst 24 competitors, of which there were two other Vettes, one was an 98 Vette and the other was a C4. There was a Viper and a Shelby Ford also. The Viper and the Shelby were all over the place. My Z06 never slid out.
Welcome to the forum!
Congrats on the Z06. I just got mine a month ago! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif You'll be grinning from ear to ear.
Haven't had mine in the rain yet, but even on the hot asphalt around here the traction control has kept me under control.
Congrats on the Z06. I just got mine a month ago! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif You'll be grinning from ear to ear.
Haven't had mine in the rain yet, but even on the hot asphalt around here the traction control has kept me under control.
I think it really has alot to do with the road surface, and how much standing water ...... On I-80 between Fairfield CA, and Vacaville my car was the second SLOWEST car on the road!!(only faster than a 1970 Corolla Wagon...seriously) @ 65-67 mph, no turns and no accelleration my AH kept going active! It wasn't a malfunction, I could feel the car twitch. Since then, I rarely took it out in the rain. I had a '99 with F1's and the car seemed like it had no limits, I drove it in the rain the same as in the dry. Some posts above have conditions much worse than what I encountered, so they have raised my opinion of the SC tire, so my next car will see rain.
Sold my 01, not because of the tires, but needed some cash, and have a 02 Z06 on order TPW 07/30. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif
Bob
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Bob
Rwdyryd
'01 Z06 Blk/Blk
C5R#Y4505
Sold my 01, not because of the tires, but needed some cash, and have a 02 Z06 on order TPW 07/30. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif
Bob
_________________
Bob
Rwdyryd
'01 Z06 Blk/Blk
C5R#Y4505
Hi Thrust,
I've found that in cold weather and some dry salt on the road, the rear end will come around on you if your not careful. This was with A/H on and under medium acceleration on city streets. I think the SC tire compound stiffens up and with the salt on the road it just skates over the asphalt. This surprised me twice when I first got the Z06 (late November). Once, from a stand still turning left (almost took out a cop car!). And a second time, on a right turn shifting into second and a little extra gas. I took it off the road for winter after the temp plates ran out, as planned. That also saves a chunk of cash on insurance.
I've found that in cold weather and some dry salt on the road, the rear end will come around on you if your not careful. This was with A/H on and under medium acceleration on city streets. I think the SC tire compound stiffens up and with the salt on the road it just skates over the asphalt. This surprised me twice when I first got the Z06 (late November). Once, from a stand still turning left (almost took out a cop car!). And a second time, on a right turn shifting into second and a little extra gas. I took it off the road for winter after the temp plates ran out, as planned. That also saves a chunk of cash on insurance.
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