SaberD

I think a lot of people confuse the ease of driving a car with its actual abilities. For example, my friend has an s2000, and it is extremely predictable and easy to drive, but my 99 frc walks all over it in the twisties with the stock z51 suspension. However, the c5 is definitely more difficult to drive. A lot of people that dont have much experience will think cars that are easier to drive handle a lot better. what are your thoughts?

87SAM

I had no idea that anyone thought vetts handle bad.

Bronk

If a Corvette has "unpredictable" handling issues, then there is a problem with suspension, tires, etc., especially the newer generations as opposed to the much older models, ie; C1's.

Bronk

SaberD

i think the grunt of the issue with the c5 being more difficult to drive is the throttle pedal. lots of torque to control.

many people refer to corvettes as straight line cars. they basically think they are cool looking f-bodies.

capevettes

I think the confusion comes from comparing the different types of handling situations, ie: Road course vs autocross/slalom type courses.

The C5 does extremely well on an open road course and not so well on an autocross type course. The C4 actually fares better on an autocross course as do some of the less powerful cars with a quicker turning radius like the S2000 and the Miata. Would I want to own any of those? No

Kale

Because they are harder to park than a honda civic.

Indy

It's the monster torque on the Vettes...it scares people who aren't used to it. With most 4 and 6 Cylinder sports cars, the power comes on gradually and at higher rpms. So you can push the pedal to the metal when exiting a corner without having to worry too much about loosing the rear of the car....with the Vette, you need to adjust your driving style a bit. Most people don't realize that. In my opinion, the Vette (C5 and newer) are among the best handling cars produced....upper and lower A-arms is the suspension setup to have for a sports car...

Dominic Toretto

Slower cars are always easier to control.

-Alex

87SAM

I've not heard of that either.

Evil-Twin

We put active handling in the C5 when No one else was doing it but cars that cost 100,000 dollars plus... still many cars do not have this option... A C5 can handle better than 99% of all American and Japanese, and Euro cars. Period. We placed this advantage 10 years before others were even thinking about it.
This prometed one of my famous Old addages.. It's a 100,000 dollar sports car with a 50,000 dollar price tag

Amherst

My default reference point is my DD - 08 Chevy Tahoe.

The Vette handles like a freaking DREAM!

EZEDDIE

Runflats...Enough Said

SCM_Crash

I've only known one person to tell me that Corvettes can't handle and that's because they simply do not know anything about cars. They thought Vettes could only go in a straight line... LOL

SaberD

i think if gm chose a different oem tire then a lot of peope would think differently about the corvette's handling. this really hurt the stock performance specs for the car which is what most people look at to compare it with others.

ronssito

Why do some people think man made global warming is real?

mcgilles

my dad made comments like that once. he once told me he hates corvettes. said he went for a ride in one and described it as being pulled down the road by a rope. not sure what that means exactly, but I'm pretty sure his ride was in a much older vette. I don't think that C3's are really known for great handling, I could be wrong though, never drove one! but he was very eager to try my C5 when I brought it home. I've heard the negative comments about Corvette handling before, only by people who don't know what they're talking about. they just lump C5's and C6's in with older vettes and F bodies. I think the car handles extremely well, and skidpad results concur.

SaberD

hahaha this is my favorite misconception of all time. props bro.

billla

There's a general perception that NO American car handles. The Corvette, America's Only True Sports Car, gets lumped in with that perception. Anyone that's driven one would quickly realize the untruth...but as has been noted although it's a car with honest handling it does need to be learned a bit.

And I agree that relatively few drivers, even ones that consider themselves "performance" drivers, are familiar with a car that can't really be floored from a dead stop and need to be steered to some extent with the throttle. I let my boss try my '03 Z06 and told him specifically that doing this was a Bad Idea...so of course he did it anyway.

Admitted to sharting himself just a little.

Corvette: Scaring the Hell out of Mediocre Drivers Since 1953.

(Well...maybe 1955, anyway )

blacksedan87

You would have rather had a heavy spare tire and jack? Not to mention that you would have lost trunk space for something that you may never use? I think the Run Flats were the right choice given the time - early/mid 90's.

I think the reputation for mediocre handling came from the early Corvettes, and as the car has evolved, so have the handling characteristics. I gave a ride to a late friend of mine who was a Porschephile, and after our spirited ride his comment was that Corvettes can really handle now.

SaberD

was it required by law to have a spare tire for new cars at the time or something? how did they get away with not putting one in the z06?