Hey guys. I'm mostly a lurker who is very intrigued by the C6 as a potential 'track car' and I'm a big fan of the Z06, but for the cost, I can't do a 2-seater.

I've had about 5 years of road-racing/driving experience with Porsches, my most recent being a 996 Turbo. Now I have a new '06 BMW M5. I sold the turbo b/c it made no sense, and was quite a bit of money for a track car only. Also, if I drove it to work it gave the wrong impression. The M5 quinches my HP thirst and addiction and most people have no idea how much it costs. (non car people and clients think the turbo is a $150K car and the M5 is just another 5 series)... anyway, enough background, sorry.

I am very interested in the C6. It seems to be the best deal out there for sure! And it's the first Vette that has caught my eye along with a decent interior.

I've only tried to drive one once. I live near Bill Heard Chevy in Sugar Land (SW Houston). This dealership is pathetic, and a they acted snobbish when I asked to drive one. I absolutely hate them now, and would never buy from them. (high pressure, moronic sales people, and they wanted me to sign a credit app before driving!!!!! WTF!?!)

Is this normal? I have been too busy to try somewhere else. Before I do, I'd like to get your experience so I don't waste my time again.

TIA

 

In a way, I can see it. We have a friend who, when he and his wife are bored on the weekends, will just go to dealerships to test drive sports cars. They have no way to afford even a $5,000 car, but they'll drive around in anything they can get away with for a few hours. I imagine the dealer is trying to protect themselves from such people.

Still, if you pull up in an M5, you's think they'd let you drive a car that was just over half the new retail value of the M. Maybe they are afraid of discrimination problems or something...

~Steve

 

I live right in your area as well. You are not gona find a chevy dealer in SW houston to let you test drive a C6. Check with Lone Star Chevy - Gary Leister where I bought my C6 (290 & Beltway8). Tell him Jeff sent you. Aslo I saw a C6 at Mercedes Benz of Houston on 59 close to 610. Usually benz dealers will let you test drive anything - save the ford GTs they have.

Remeber most of the people who show up at chevy dealers are "Average Joes" - and thier treatment reflects that.

Did you see the red z06 on the showroom at BillHeard marked at $100K?

 

so you won't buy a Z06 as a track car due to cost but you'll buy a C6 as a track car?

if money is a concern, honestly, you're wasting it on a C6. you'd be far better off buying a pristine C5 Z06 for $32k-$36k. the C5 Z06 has better performance in every category, and if its a track car, i doubt you'll care about the difference in looks or interior.

 

Excellent suggestion!

 

this forum has a serious lack of smileys. :thankya: :bow:

 

Get the new M6 and you will never need another car...

If you have the dough (100K) and need the 4 doors for the fam, that is the best car you can buy...

...until the next great thing comes out

 

I have a 2003 996tt 6 speed that I've had since new for an occasional driver. My daily driver is a 2006/a6/f55 ( My previous daily driver was a 2003 M-5 that I got tired of shifting but other wise a great car). The C-6/C-6 Z06 cars are Imho so far beyond anything BMW or Porsche makes as either a daily or track car in the value proposition. If you put the Michelin PS2's for a daily driver or the Michelin Pilot sport cups on for a track car, you'll have great feel & feedback although you'll lose the run flat capability. Awesome awesome cars that you don't have to worry about where you leave them or park them. Just think, roughly 3150 to 3275 lb cars with either 400hp/400lb torque or 505/475.( a quick trip to Lingenfelter can easily up those figures) I had a new E-60 M-5 on order due to come in Dec 05 that I was having to pay msrp of $96,000 on. When it came down to it I didn't want a 4100 lb car even though they have done a great job of hiding the weight. Instead I bought a new C6/A6/F55 coupe fully loaded that listed for roughly 59000 that I got a 5000 discount on making it 54000( I also got an additional $3000 discount on points accumulated on my old style GM mastercard bringing the price down to $51,000). It'll do 0-60 in 4.5 sec, 1/4 mile 12.8 0-100 9.8. & a helluva lot more tossable. I prefer it much more for a daily driver than my 2003 M-5, & for me it was $45,000 chaeper than a new M-5 with much less depreciation to deal with.The A6 paddleshifter is not an SMG but for a daily driver it is a good all around unit that can be manually shifted for fun or put in drive mode that is as smooth as a Lexus for easy cruising. All these performance cars are a blast, just different ways of feeding our addiction. Maybe one more trip thru the 12 step program at the Henry Ford clinic will do it for me.

 

The cost diff b/w the Z06 (MSRP) and a C6 (discounted) is pretty huge ($30K?). But the cost diff b/w a C5Z06 and a new C6 isn't. And for that, I'd way rathere have the new C6. The C5Z06 is pretty junky. It's a beast and a nice track car, but junky, and even though this would be primarily for weekend at the track, if I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather have something I can tolerate to drive on a pretty day now and then.

I appreciate the suggestion and have considered it but I just can't bring myself to buy a C5 or older vette. No offense to those here who like those cars.

 

Yes... Bill Heard is the most retarded dealer I've ever seen. What a bunch of *** clowns.
Thanks for the pointer.

 

The M6 is about 10K more than my M5 was, and still a 2 door. Given that, I'd have just kept my 996 TT. The M6 is a GT cruiser that blows doors, but it's not a true sports car.

The M5 is so close in performance that it made no sense to give up 2 doors and space for me.

 

I bought a C5 from Bill Heard about 4 years ago and I didn't have any problems with a test drive. Guess they have changed. Anyway, I bought my C6 from Champion (45 South/Gulf Fwy) back in September and had no probelms with a test drive there either. You might want to try them out, they were willing to deal.

 

There are exceptionally good dealers and exceptionally bad ones...and everything in between. Look around and you'll lfind a good dealer with good policies (test drive and otherwise).

After you find one (or more), give them preference when buying your car.

 

i actualluy went to the chevy dealer around me yesterday and didnt expect them to let me test drive the c6...BUT apparently the sales guy told me that they changed that rule about 5 months ago....prior to it you couldnt test drive the c6 just like that....now....the guy says they are able to do it....im young (24) so for him to let me test drive the car he either saw my heavy interest or just didnt care....he took my license...told me to pick whichever c6 i wanted and hed get the keys for it....it was fun

btw i drove to the dealer in my jetta....

 

ok. it was just a suggestion bro you said track only, which is why i made this suggestion.

well, you should be able to get a great deal on an 05 or 06 Z51 C6. you wanting all the luxo options or none of that crap? You can get a 1LT Z51 for a tad over $40k if you look around (kerbeck maybe?).

 

Well I was going to suggest going to the GM Auto Show in Motion which is where I first test drove the C6 but it looks like they canceled it. You could try going to this thing in Las Vegas, looks like they charge $10 for test drives.

http://www.thedrivevegas.com/

 

Berman, thanks for the suggestion. I was just adding more clarity. I don't really care about the luxury items and I may buy an '05 for around $43K or so. That seems like the best deal.

I'll try some of the dealers suggested above. Bill Heard in Sugar Land, Texas SUCKS.

mbonness, perfect! I'm headed there next weekend.
I'm not surprised GM cancelled that 'show in motion' deal. That thing only reinforced how poor most GM cars are. I drove a C6 there, but could hardly count it as driving. The GM **** sitting shotgun wouldn't let you do anything and you drove it for all of 15 seconds or something silly like that. The car I really liked for the money was the GTO. It was quite a kick to drive and they let you have more fun w/ it than the Vettes.

 

How do crappy dealers like this stay in business?

 

I really don't know. This place has you drive through a security gate to get onto the grounds, so they definitely see what you drive up in. Then, there are at least 10 sales guys waiting to pounce, and it's the definition of pressure sales from this point forward. Of course, not a one of them has any clue about their product or the competitor's products, but who cares when you're bullying your customers into buying?