Got the TR 2002 Z06 at 4:35pm San Antonio time.....and you guys weren't kidding. This thing is awesome even at below 3000 rpm. Can't imagine what it will be like above 3000 rpm, I may need a paramedic to ride with me to keep my heart rate under control! Car is exceptionally "tight", and the fit and finish makes my '96 look like a Hyundai. Chevrolet has outdone themselves and should really be proud of this accomplishment. I went over the car immediately after it came off the truck, all OK. After the "make ready", I spent even more time checking every single thing, no faults to be found, no rocker damage, no scratches, etc. The best part is the "sound", which seems to be getting better as the miles rack up, 86 miles presently. The oly word to describe is WOW! :cheers:

 

I know your joy. It keeps getting better. Don't forget the Zaino!

 

Shark,
I picked up my TR Z06 last Wednesday. It is the best Corvette I have ever owned(Z06 is my 8th). A FANTASTIC car. My wife has a 01 Mercedes CLK 430. The quality of build on the Z06 is as good or not better than the 430.

The Z06 is an example of American craftsmanship!!!!!!! :seeya

 

Congrats. I'm envious of you guys right now.

 

Congrats on the awesome Z06. How about some pics?
:cheers:

 

I am kind of surprised about the fit & finish comments. The paint on my EBZo6
is in a word HORRIBLE. The most severe orange peel I have ever seen on a car, the trunk lid is not even close to matching, there are light and dark spots all over the car, almost like the robot programming was slightly off. I am very disapointed. The paint quality and fit and finsh on my Grand Sport is worlds better. You would think that chevy could put a better paint job on a 50K car than they could on a 12k cavalier :mad. Then again I guess thats what you get for buying a first year color........ :(

JasonB



[Modified by JasonB, 1:23 PM 9/19/2001]

 

Hi Jason,

I was trying to get the paint on my car polished and the detailer told me that the orange peel was probably programed from GM. That is was a good way to not show imperfections.

He said he could polish it but that after the polish it would be more of a trailer queen and would show any blemish. He didn't recommend it and I didn't do it.

Weird huh?

 

Every EBZ06 I have seen is blotchy and orange peeled to death. I had a Dark Navy 2000 C5 and the paint was absolutely beautiful. I think GM will improve as time goes on. It is a new color and maybe they have had a few problems with it. If you are good with a buffer you can try this:( I have done this to many orange peeled New GM Cars and New BMW's)
1. Use 3M Perfect-it No. 05973 Rubbing Compound for Dark Colors. BE CAREFUL!!!!! Use a Wool Pad and a really good variable speed buffer.
2. Wash off the car and dry it.
3. Use 3M Perfect-it No. 05996 Foam Polishing Glaze for Dark Colors. Use
a 3M Foam Polishing Pad and the same really good variable speed buffer.
4.Wash off the car and dry it.
5. Use Zaino or your favorite wax.
This works EXTREMELY well but is a lot of work . The shine will absolutely knock your eyes out. The car will look as if it is wet all the time. Every car I do like this gets unbelievable recognition. I would try this first and wet sand it ONLY if you don't get the orange peel out. DO NOT LET THEM RE-PAINT THE CAR!!!!!!!! If the metallic is really uneven on the trunk lid then MAYBE HAVE THEM PAINT The trunk lid only. You will probably get GM to pay to have this done or get them to do it. It is NOT hopeless. Believe me when I tell you I have used this process on really orange peeled paint and the car took a FIRST for best paint!!!!!!! :chevy

Jackhammer

 

Guys,

Thanks for the tips and responses.... You would think that they could do a better paint job on a car that have done such wonderful mechanical things with!!!!!!

:flag

 

Sorry to hear your EBs paint wasn't very good. I picked up my EB two weeks ago, and I think it's paint job is as good as they get on the Vettes. All the horizontal surfaces (roof, hood, trunk lid, etc) are all very smooth -- almost not hint of any orange peel what so ever. The vertical surfaces (doors, fenders) do show slight orange peel, but no worse than any other new Vette I've looked at. IMO, the vertical surfaces are clearcoated on the light side to prevent any runs, and as a result they look alittle rougher than the horizontal surfaces. I have NEVER seen a C5 with verical panel surfaces nearly as smooth as the horizontal ones.

My EB has no splotchy areas in the paint, and it all looks very even to me. Even the front and rear facias seems to match in color very well with the ajoining fenders.

I do think that GMs concistancy in the paint quality needs improvement. It seems like there is way too much variation in paint jobs comming off the line. With robot technology, they all should be good.



[Modified by Pewter C5, 4:07 PM 9/20/2001]

 

Please excuse my ignorance of automotive paint terminology. What does "orange peel" mean when speaking about paint finish? I really like the pictures of the EB painted C5's and was leaning toward getting an EB ZO6 next year. Now you guys got me paranoid about seeing oranges in my paint!! :eek:

 

The term "orange peel" refers to the smoothness of the paint surface. If the painted surface has a bad case of "orange peel", then when looked at from certain angles, the surface looks rough, like the skin of an orange.

Most production cars have some degree of orange peel, but some are more than others. The only way to not have it is to do a super custom paint job where there are many many coats of clear that has been wet sanded and buffed like no tomarrow.