test drove a '95 - underwhelmed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,118
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (wake)
Hey. My post might have sounded defensive but it really wasn't. It was just stating how I felt. I'm sure the ETC vs the 96 off the line would have been a joke. 
As for buying an ETC. Do it!!! I love the car to death! It really is amazing! The car may not beat a Vette out of the hole but it holds its own with just about anything from 20 mph on. The Northstar has 300 horsepower with 371's, I believe. I have heated seats, heated mirrors, traction control, automatic power moonroof.. All the options.
Yes, the car is heavy with all this stuff, but it still gets up and goes. I would definitely recommend getting one. They weigh about 3850 so it's only around 600 pounds heavier - not the end of the world.
I get 19 mpg city but I always drive mine easy. And WAKE. You may be happy to know there are lots of performance parts for the Northstar engine. There is a supercharger (almost ready) which adds 95 horsepower and plenty of exhaust modifications to make the car sound meaner. But let me tell you this - if you've never heard an ETC at WOT, it's scary! But, you can get a Borla cat-back which fits on it perfectly. There's a whole forum on modifying the Northstar:
http://discussions.gmforums.com/foru...s=&forumid=198
[Modified by Sal Collaziano, 9:46 AM 9/8/2001]
As for buying an ETC. Do it!!! I love the car to death! It really is amazing! The car may not beat a Vette out of the hole but it holds its own with just about anything from 20 mph on. The Northstar has 300 horsepower with 371's, I believe. I have heated seats, heated mirrors, traction control, automatic power moonroof.. All the options.
Yes, the car is heavy with all this stuff, but it still gets up and goes. I would definitely recommend getting one. They weigh about 3850 so it's only around 600 pounds heavier - not the end of the world.
I get 19 mpg city but I always drive mine easy. And WAKE. You may be happy to know there are lots of performance parts for the Northstar engine. There is a supercharger (almost ready) which adds 95 horsepower and plenty of exhaust modifications to make the car sound meaner. But let me tell you this - if you've never heard an ETC at WOT, it's scary! But, you can get a Borla cat-back which fits on it perfectly. There's a whole forum on modifying the Northstar:
http://discussions.gmforums.com/foru...s=&forumid=198
[Modified by Sal Collaziano, 9:46 AM 9/8/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,118
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Sal Collaziano)
Oh, Wave. If you need some pictures for convincing...
http://www.80sxchange.com/caddy.htm
http://www.80sxchange.com/caddy.htm
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (wake)
Got a nice 96 Impala SS for sale if yo want it. I need money and the car is in great shape, 100% original, see link in sig. Just about to break 46k. I can't tell you how nice the car is. If you are serious let me know. I do live in NJ, so it might be hard to actually see the car... But it's worth a shot.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 46
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From: Bay City, MI USA
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
I had an '93 Ruby coupe with an auto and I was happy with the performance. I sold that car and bought a '96 Collectors Convertible with the LT-4 engine - what a difference. Try one of these.
Best of luck. :chevy
Best of luck. :chevy
Elite Torch Red Member
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
Come drive mine and you'll change your mind-----quick.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (95CYC4)
Got a nice 96 Impala SS for sale if yo want it. I need money and the car is in great shape, 100% original, see link in sig. Just about to break 46k. I can't tell you how nice the car is. If you are serious let me know. I do live in NJ, so it might be hard to actually see the car... But it's worth a shot.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (wake)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 300
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From: Fairfield CT
in general
in general i dont feel the speed as much in my 96, as i did in my friends 88, or my dads 84. the lt1 c4's seam to have less road feel in general, all pussified for the fat old people that buy them as mid life crisis mobiles. not feeling the performance doesnt mean it isnt there.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
Raise your standards a bit and test drive a '96 LT4 (if you can manage a manual trans, that's the only way they came). I think your opinion will change for the better.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 0
From: na
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (grndspt)
Maybe your used to supercars, however when a LT-1 with the performance axle is punched at 20 mph the tranny should downshift to 2nd gear and stay in 2nd to 75 mph. If ASR is off there should be a chirp and very rapid acceleration. It's possible that the transmission did not downshift or if the ASR was on that the road or tires were sandy or wet. It does not take much to affect the traction.
I have driven some Corvettes that were "tired". Why they were I can't say cause I just moved on and did not buy them.
The A-4 transmission can be shifted! I have been doing this for years with my 86 Caprice and present Corvette and it's very effective. Also look at the red line when the tranny shifts. Some trannys will upshift too early!.
As far as gears go, lower gears (higher numerical) than 3.07 for the LT-1 A-4 I don't agree with unless the car is for drag races. Your just going to be wearing out your engine faster and burning more fuel. Beach Bum went all thru this and concluded that the 3.07 is ideal for drag racing anyway.
I have driven some Corvettes that were "tired". Why they were I can't say cause I just moved on and did not buy them.
The A-4 transmission can be shifted! I have been doing this for years with my 86 Caprice and present Corvette and it's very effective. Also look at the red line when the tranny shifts. Some trannys will upshift too early!.
As far as gears go, lower gears (higher numerical) than 3.07 for the LT-1 A-4 I don't agree with unless the car is for drag races. Your just going to be wearing out your engine faster and burning more fuel. Beach Bum went all thru this and concluded that the 3.07 is ideal for drag racing anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,388
Likes: 42
From: Murrysville PA
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (grndspt)
I was going to buy a collectors edition once LT4 6 speed and was not impressed. Peopel said I drove a bad car so I test drove a black LT4 also. Same thing. No bottom end. My modified 89 had much more street torque. I really got bashed for that one. BTW, I have a 300 HP Northstar and it screams but the 95 auto is faster.
[Modified by 89vette, 7:21 PM 9/10/2001]
[Modified by 89vette, 7:21 PM 9/10/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,237
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From: Southern Maryland
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (89vette)
I must be missing something here. My stock 95 at 20-25 mph will set you back in the seat farther than at any other speed. Bringing my C5 back from Monroe Georgia the C4 ate the C5's lunch at those speeds up to 50 mph. OK OK the C5 only had 11 miles on it but I can't believe anyone would think a Northstar could take a C4 :rolleyes:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
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From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (gs633)
Raise your standards a bit and test drive a '96 LT4 (if you can manage a manual trans, that's the only way they came). I think your opinion will change for the better.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
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From: Marianna FL
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (89vette)
89Vette, you can't drive an LT4 like its an L98 and expect it to feel fast. I was underwhelmed going from my modded L98 IROC to my current LT4. However, the slowest quartermile run my LT4 made is 0.5 seconds quicker than my IROC. 0-60 is about the same though.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Don Martin)
I guess the problem was the car didn't downshift enough. In my mind I knew the vette should be faster, but it just wasn't. I am fully capable of driving a standard tranny, but don't want to be bothered in a daily driver, so I have to pass on the LT4. My standards are pretty high - my 69 vette was under 6 seconds 0-60, I also had a 70 Formula 400-4spd Firebird with Tripower, a 34 Ford street rod also 400-4-speed. So I expected the vette to blow the caddy away, as fast as the caddy is. I will keep looking.
Thanks for all the replies, and the link to the caddy web page!
Joe
Thanks for all the replies, and the link to the caddy web page!
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Park Texas
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (gs633)
Raise your standards a bit and test drive a '96 LT4 (if you can manage a manual trans, that's the only way they came). I think your opinion will change for the better.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,765
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From: na
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
That's it Joe, it didn't downshift to 2nd. If it had it would startle you unless you have been driving one for a long time. The tranny's TV cable may just be out of adjustment.
In any case just drive another LT-1. They are a good deal right now. Look for one with the performance axle. Mine is numbered G-92. Thats all you need.
In any case just drive another LT-1. They are a good deal right now. Look for one with the performance axle. Mine is numbered G-92. Thats all you need.
