test drove a '95 - underwhelmed
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
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From: Eastern Connecticut
test drove a '95 - underwhelmed
I test drove a 95 convertible the other day and was really disappointed by the acceleration. Even my wife felt my Northstar-powered Cadillac was much quicker! I am talking about flooring it at about 20 MPH or at 40 MPH - not much there. It did chirp 2nd when starting from a standstill, but it didn't pin me back in the seat. This is an LT1 automatic with the performance rear end. Is this car a lemon, or are my expectations too high? Joe
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Waukesha Wisc.
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
Even if it had the 3:07 Rear Gears.......I would say that it won't set you back in the seat much....:(:(.......if you buy the car, toss in 3:73's and the "Northstar" will be "toast"...... :yesnod:
Also it helps to have the ASR "OFF", that may have something to do with it...........
Also it helps to have the ASR "OFF", that may have something to do with it...........
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Beaverton OR
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
i wouldn't really say your expecting too much, but any year of c4 doesn't really toss a person too hard bone stock, the 89-91 6spd L98 cars had a nice off the line snap but didn't breathe past 4750 either. the autos respond really well to torque converters, lower thermostats, roller rockers, exhaust & air cleaners really well. without doing any head, cam or bottom end work i'm sure you can make an LT-1 auto a low 13 sec car fairly inexpensive. the hardest part will be doing the transmission, also i'd double check the rear end gears with the codes in the arm rest box. most the ones i've seen are pretty high ratios. a 3:45 or 3:54 dana 44 from a manual car might even be a better bet for longlivity & a lead foot. :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
Your Northstar-powered Cadillac is not faster or quicker. No matter what you thought you felt. Try another Vette. But don't let a big drop shift in your Caddy fool ya.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
Try a stick shift, the feeling is comepletely different. My wife's auto feels like a log from a 20+ roll, but the stick shift is a different story. They both run close to the same from a stand still though.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (myruby2)
The car could be a lemon. Try test driving other 95 or 96's to see if there is any difference. I drove a bunch before I bought my lemon....lol it is yellow though...lol
The previous owners of Vettes either took care of them or trashed them. Mine was trashed, but I got what I paid for and a few hundred bucks later the car is fine.
I would look around at alot of Vettes. There are plenty to look at, and don't be in a hurry to by this great automobile no matter how good the deal looks. You should bring somebody with you that has that year Vette so that they can help you out when you test it. If you need that much help i'll drive up from NJ to look at some with you. It's better to have 2(or more) sets of eyes than 1.
Any newer Vette should seem fast, auto or manual, and like the other guy said, take the ASR off, makes a big difference since your timing won't be retarded when you get on it.
Take your time is all I can really say. They aren't going to stop making them, and the economy is sucking right now, so it's a buyers market. Have fun and good luck. :cheers:
[Modified by 95CYC4, 12:28 PM 9/7/2001]
The previous owners of Vettes either took care of them or trashed them. Mine was trashed, but I got what I paid for and a few hundred bucks later the car is fine.
I would look around at alot of Vettes. There are plenty to look at, and don't be in a hurry to by this great automobile no matter how good the deal looks. You should bring somebody with you that has that year Vette so that they can help you out when you test it. If you need that much help i'll drive up from NJ to look at some with you. It's better to have 2(or more) sets of eyes than 1.
Any newer Vette should seem fast, auto or manual, and like the other guy said, take the ASR off, makes a big difference since your timing won't be retarded when you get on it.
Take your time is all I can really say. They aren't going to stop making them, and the economy is sucking right now, so it's a buyers market. Have fun and good luck. :cheers:
[Modified by 95CYC4, 12:28 PM 9/7/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Northern tip of Virginia
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (95CYC4)
did you expect to melt the tires...??
My 95 with 3.07s wouldnt melt em @ 20mph.. but a gear change to 373s, and a new torque converter will now melt-em @ 20 mph.
remember..the cars are released from the factory, not as fire breathing monsters, but DOCILE creatures for the general public.
However.. try this... powerbrake just enough to take slack out of the drive train.. let-er rip!!..you have a high 13 to 14 flat 1/4 miler :yesnod:
My 95 with 3.07s wouldnt melt em @ 20mph.. but a gear change to 373s, and a new torque converter will now melt-em @ 20 mph.
remember..the cars are released from the factory, not as fire breathing monsters, but DOCILE creatures for the general public.
However.. try this... powerbrake just enough to take slack out of the drive train.. let-er rip!!..you have a high 13 to 14 flat 1/4 miler :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Phil-tha-Rush)
I agree... the cad is a nice car and pretty fast for it's size and weight, but it shouldn't be faster than a vette. I've seen a couple cads pull low 15's and that's it. Don't expect more than say 13-14 out of a bone stock vette either.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Langley, BC, Canada
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Glock'94)
i raced a caddy in my 91..i got the jump off the line,he pulled even at about 40mph and held even till about 70 then i started to pull away, i had him beat bad by 120
Team Owner
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (joe wannavette)
You should drive one like mine :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :blueangel:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Thud)
I have a 1995 Eldorado Touring Coupe. My Brother had the same model as I do and he got a 14.7x in the quarter mile. Shortly before I bought my car, I watched the previous owner race a 1996 Corvette Convertible from around 20 miles per hour. The race was nose to nose until they slowed down at about 90...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
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From: Southern California
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Sal Collaziano)
The SOTP feel comes with low gears. My 2.59's won't throw you back, the 3.07's are alittle better. My Dad's 2000 Eldorado ETC has no chance with my '93 Convertible.
You don't have to feel anything to actually go fast. Check the speedo next time. This is a sports car, i'm pretty sure a Cadillac is not going to pull on a LT1.
You don't have to feel anything to actually go fast. Check the speedo next time. This is a sports car, i'm pretty sure a Cadillac is not going to pull on a LT1.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: South Carolina
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Sal Collaziano)
I have a 1995 Eldorado Touring Coupe. My Brother had the same model as I do and he got a 14.7x in the quarter mile. Shortly before I bought my car, I watched the previous owner race a 1996 Corvette Convertible from around 20 miles per hour. The race was nose to nose until they slowed down at about 90...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Rich_01659)
Up. I saw the BS flag go up. Well, whatever. I didn't say the driver of the Corvette was a trained racing professional. All I said was my car went nose to nose with his car from 20 miles per hour up. Off the line, there's no way that would happen. Plus, the driver of my car was no race car driver either. The Corvette was only a few months old and what happened, happened.
I'm trading my 1995 ETC for a 1991 Corvette in 2 weeks. Me BSing about this race wont do any miracles for me or Cadillac itself.
I'm trading my 1995 ETC for a 1991 Corvette in 2 weeks. Me BSing about this race wont do any miracles for me or Cadillac itself.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Sal Collaziano)
I have a 1995 Eldorado Touring Coupe. My Brother had the same model as I do and he got a 14.7x in the quarter mile. Shortly before I bought my car, I watched the previous owner race a 1996 Corvette Convertible from around 20 miles per hour. The race was nose to nose until they slowed down at about 90...
Remember the Caddys have either the 275 or 300 HP motors, but they also have to pull around what, 1000 more pounds of weight???
BTW, how do you like the ETC??? I'm thinking of picking one up for a second car next year if I can't find a decent 96 Impala SS...
Now if I can old find a performance sounding exhaust for a Caddy...
Team Owner
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From: I need a 4 door C6 Z06
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Re: test drove a '95 - underwhelmed (Vette92)
mine is a 6m and if youre in the right gear you will get 'pushed back' a lot more than with an auto