I'm curious to what owners think about this theory. Everyone knows that the RunFlats truly take away the Vette's potential performance. But if I owned a dealership, I would have one demo car with Pilots, KD's, Nitto's - whatever but anything besides the runcraps. Might this attract potential buyers, particularlly Porsche or BMW potential converts?

More importantly, it seems to me that a potential buyer (specifically a Porsche, Viper or BMW enthusiast) could actually test drive a vette with the RUNCRAPS and conclude that the car is rough riding or doesn't handle well in comparison, hence, the runcraps act as a deterrent

 

GM sells over 30k vettes a year, I don't think they are worried.

 

Our local dealer marks the C5 up 5K and still sells them like hotcakes.

 

JB,

Did you see my post in your Topic http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=206778 ?

 

Car & Driver recently compared a stock 2001 C5 vert to the BMW M roadster, Mercedes AMG SLK and Porsche Boxter-S. Car & Driver was so impressed with the Corvette that the editors announced that they would seriously consider buying one as a daily driver. Remember, no tires were swapped from the OEM tires that were supplied with each car. Of course, handling was a very critical criteria in determining the overall winner and not every car in the test had run-flats.

Yes, there will always be better tires, intakes, transmissions, engines out there, but for a 50,000 car that can compete with the best in the world, I think GM has done a great job of providing us with high-performance components that are acceptable for 99% of its customer base.

If you want the ultimate performance C5, get the Z06. If you want that open-air feeling with your choice of any color AND no worries about a flat tire, get a coupe or vert.

IMHO, of course!

 

Interesting discussions about the run flats as usual. It is a fascinating technology. They may not be the best handling tire - GM knows that by putting the Supercar tires on the Z06, however as a showcase for new technology, their introduction made waves in the consumer community.

Customers started buying these tires in areas where they thought getting a flat tire might be dangerous. In other words they did not want to stop to fix a tire in an area they would be uncomfortable stopping in. Rumour had it that the run flat tires were being snapped up at Goodyear stores in areas where certain elements of the population would shoot at tires, to get a car disabled. You guys figure it out, again these were the rumours in the Goodyear Tire store community in late 97.

 

99% of the C-5 owners on this board do not drive their C-5 to the limit of the runflats!! the other 1% can change the tires. i am sure GM does not consider drag racing the C-5 taking it to the limit.


[Modified by clem zahrobsky, 6:53 PM 12/26/2001]

 

The General sells the run flats as "new technology". Most people don't use what the car has anyway.

 

"new technology" is a joke, these tires have been around for what...10 years, that would be old technology. I like the runflat idea, but they could be a little quieter. Listen to the Firestone or the Michelin runflats.

 

Yes, but Firestones (I have them) only run flat for what, 60 miles? Whereas the Goodyears can go 200? Not familiar with the Michelins. The noise and harshness is obviously a direct result of their construction for ability to run flat for such a distance.

 

The bottom line is that they can't fit a spare tire in the car. GM figured that Z06 owners, or enthusiasts, would demand a better gripping tire and sacrifice the safety of runflats. The average Vette owner is not driving the car to it's limit and feel comfortable knowing that the runflats are there.

 

I agree with whats been said above, runflats do not prevent people deter Corvette sales.

 

50 miles, actually--
And I seriously doubt I'll ever be further than fifty miles from a service station or phone...
Really--think about it--- why in the name of God and all things Holy would you have to drive two hundred miles on a flat tire?!!:rolleyes:
I'm more than happy to give up 150 miles of this"nobody on the planet will ever need this wasted-capability-feature" for a much quieter, smoother, and more responsive ride...I like the balance the Firehawks offer-- runflat utility/safety and good performance driveability:yesnod: :cheers: :smash:



[Modified by MDL-01C5, 3:23 AM 12/27/2001]

 

Firestone Runflats are supposed to be pretty good...only thing I don't like about them is protruding "rim guard" rubber which makes the tires seem smaller and hides the wheels at certain angles. Good idea, but I rarely ever parallel park the Vette (in fact, in 8 years I can't remember where I had to ever parallel park my Vettes). Funny thing, there is a Firestone Tire Store about 600 yards from me (and a Goodyear Store about a quarter of a mile away). I'll stick with the GY's for now.

 

Firestone Runflats are supposed to be pretty good...only thing I don't like about them is protruding "rim guard" rubber which makes the tires seem smaller and hides the wheels at certain angles. Good idea, but I rarely ever parallel park the Vette (in fact, in 8 years I can't remember where I had to ever parallel park my Vettes). Funny thing, there is a Firestone Tire Store about one eighth of a mile from me (and a Goodyear Store about a quarter of a mile away). I'll stick with the GY's for now.

 

The runflats are on the Corvette to save weight and space.

Re the rim protectors. My Michelin Pilot Sports has them. I know it's a matter of opinion, but I like the looks fo them.

 

BFG all the way baby..........I understand what you mean though. Runcraps suck! I run KD's, R1's and TA's.

 

I think GM did a great job on the C5 to make the proper balance of affordability, performance,looks,etc. The only part that I can say, in my opinion, that dis-credits GM is their service at their dealers. They really need to work on that. Once again, just my .02.

 

Do we really need any more Porsche or BMW converts?

 

I race my car on slicks at track events. I drive on the street with Pilot Sports now. I drove the car with the run flats and thought they were preety good. Stiff yes noisey maybe. Strong side wall for cornering yes. Goodyear and Michelin ae in a joint venture to find a better technology now. Yes 99% can't drive the car to the limits of the run flats. I never have seen Goodyear send out the junk Firestone/Bridgestone does.