Corvette interior
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers FL
Corvette interior
Why does everyone complain about the Corvettes' interior so much? I've been in alot of cars that were supposed to be a step above and haven't noticed that much of a difference. Maybe they had better seats or wood trim, but that's not what you usually want in a sports car. Can someone explain it to me?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2
I guess they look for things such as fit & finish and the amount of plastics the interior has. They also assume that since the vette averages around $50k that it should have a fancier interior. While I do think the vette could use a tad more upscale interior pieces like aluminum or carbon fiber trim, this wasn't the reason I purchased the car. I bought it for the performance and styling, which for the value I don't think anything else can compare.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Temecula California
Some of the plastics I feel are a bit cheap, the part around the shifter and cup holder would be the first to go IMO.
One part that REALLY bugs me is the rear hatch handle as there are 2 screws showing and it is seemed to be a "We forgot to install a handle to close the hatch, give me 2 self tapers and some cheap plastic."
Other then a few other small pieces i am very happy. The attention to detail was lacking but i like to call it weight reduction for piece of mind
One part that REALLY bugs me is the rear hatch handle as there are 2 screws showing and it is seemed to be a "We forgot to install a handle to close the hatch, give me 2 self tapers and some cheap plastic."
Other then a few other small pieces i am very happy. The attention to detail was lacking but i like to call it weight reduction for piece of mind
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
I agree with you that for the most part, the C6's interior is pretty darned good. My nits are few but IMO they cheapen the overall feel of an otherwise good interior:
For me, that's about it as far as complaints are concerned. On the positive side...
Overall, pretty darned decent IMO.
- The silver plastic trim on the center console and surrounding the buttons for the HUD and DIC is a needlessly cheap choice. If it was made of brushed metal it would make a huge improvement to the overall feel of the interior.
- Though I really like my car's seats, I wish they had leather on the backsides; I also wish that the recline function was power-operated.
- A power tilt function (with memory, of course) to go along with the power telescope on the steering wheel would be great.
- I'd like to see a soft lining in the door storage pockets.
- Lighting in the center console storage area and ash tray would be great. (No, I don't smoke. Still, it'd be nice to have the ash tray illuminated when open.)
- Some here have mentioned wanting cooled seats. I've never had them so I can't comment; I sure do like having heated seats in my C6, though.
- XM sound quality is pretty dismal. It's better on FM and CDs but still not up to what I hoped for. I'd gladly pay a grand or two extra for a truly great sound system.
For me, that's about it as far as complaints are concerned. On the positive side...
- HUD is great.
- I love the factory nav system.
- The C6 has the best set of instruments of any car I've seen, period. Not only are they complete, they have real numbers (instead of "C" for "Cold" and "H" for "Hot").
- Seats are comfortable IMO; I like the side air bags, power lumbar support, heat.
- Other than the aforementioned plastic trim pieces, choice of materials seems very good to me.
- The auto-dimming mirror is great.
- Dual zone climate controls are easy to operate and look good; no complaints.
- Manual shifter is comfortable to use and perfectly positioned.
- Keyless start may be gimicky but I've really come to like it. Note that it's standard on the C6 but costs quite a bit extra on German cars that are much more expensive!
- Other than some squeaky rubber (window channels) and some creaking noises in the roof and center console (all fixed by the dealer), my interior has been very tight and without unwanted noises; overall quality seems quite high.
Overall, pretty darned decent IMO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 15
From: El Segundo California
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Very nice write-up Puzach. I agree with most of what you said. I'd like to add that the shift boot and E-brake boot should have been made of leather and the glove box would have been nice if it was lined with felt.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2
I definitely agree the silver console piece seems cheap. Same cheesy plastic that my Sony vaio laptop lid is made of, although the laptop claims to be a magnesium alloy (bs). I guess that's why there are so many mods out there to replace it. I also agree with the shifter boots needing to be leather, luckily we have mods to choose from there, too. I also asked the dealer when I picked up my vette if the fob controlled the windows and he said "no". I was shocked but good thing there's the C6 window valet. First mod I purchased and is great.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers FL
This is the review that had me scratching my head. They really bashed the corvette pretty bad. Although I guess the corvette is alot more expensive over there. Maybe that's why they were bashing the interior and leaf spring suspension. Hopefully the 08' rumors are true about a better interior.
By the way, I enjoy this show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCr1RXfKyVA
By the way, I enjoy this show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCr1RXfKyVA
Last edited by carnut2912; Feb 12, 2007 at 03:44 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Temecula California
If you watch thier show you would find out they are VERY critical on American Cars. They love the English cars and Ferrari.
It wasnt a bad review and the car does cost a bit more in Europe. They have always been very hard on American cars. Though i really really love the show I have found to personally test each car which i am looking at buying.
They did a Z06 test on the car also.
It wasnt a bad review and the car does cost a bit more in Europe. They have always been very hard on American cars. Though i really really love the show I have found to personally test each car which i am looking at buying.
They did a Z06 test on the car also.
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,265
Likes: 143
From: Short Hills, NJ
Same here. For everything else that this car can do SO well I find the interior surprisingly well appointed and somewhat upscale considering how little the car costs compared to other similarly performing (yet SUBSTANTIALLY more costly) cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 32,921
Likes: 2
From: Coppin' a tan from the Messiah's aura
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Spot-on assessment. Some of these are fixable via aftermarket ... but still much out there that vendors could offer improvements on ... not that this excuses GM for the shortcomings noted.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 40,718
Likes: 6
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Let me see if I got this right. People have a $50k sports car that outperforms 99% of every other car in the world while costing anywhere from half to 1/10th or less but want an interior of a $100k luxury car?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Mansfield Ohio
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I love the C6 interior and have absolutely no complaints. Plus, the Vette is one of the few cars where my short arms have no trouble reaching the controls. I've rented a few cars (the ugly Camry comes to mind) where all the controls are so high up on the dash I feel like I am doing aerobics to reach them all 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
I agree with you that for the most part, the C6's interior is pretty darned good. My nits are few but IMO they cheapen the overall feel of an otherwise good interior:
For me, that's about it as far as complaints are concerned. On the positive side...
Overall, pretty darned decent IMO.
- The silver plastic trim on the center console and surrounding the buttons for the HUD and DIC is a needlessly cheap choice. If it was made of brushed metal it would make a huge improvement to the overall feel of the interior.
- Though I really like my car's seats, I wish they had leather on the backsides; I also wish that the recline function was power-operated.
- A power tilt function (with memory, of course) to go along with the power telescope on the steering wheel would be great.
- I'd like to see a soft lining in the door storage pockets.
- Lighting in the center console storage area and ash tray would be great. (No, I don't smoke. Still, it'd be nice to have the ash tray illuminated when open.)
- Some here have mentioned wanting cooled seats. I've never had them so I can't comment; I sure do like having heated seats in my C6, though.
- XM sound quality is pretty dismal. It's better on FM and CDs but still not up to what I hoped for. I'd gladly pay a grand or two extra for a truly great sound system.
For me, that's about it as far as complaints are concerned. On the positive side...
- HUD is great.
- I love the factory nav system.
- The C6 has the best set of instruments of any car I've seen, period. Not only are they complete, they have real numbers (instead of "C" for "Cold" and "H" for "Hot").
- Seats are comfortable IMO; I like the side air bags, power lumbar support, heat.
- Other than the aforementioned plastic trim pieces, choice of materials seems very good to me.
- The auto-dimming mirror is great.
- Dual zone climate controls are easy to operate and look good; no complaints.
- Manual shifter is comfortable to use and perfectly positioned.
- Keyless start may be gimicky but I've really come to like it. Note that it's standard on the C6 but costs quite a bit extra on German cars that are much more expensive!
- Other than some squeaky rubber (window channels) and some creaking noises in the roof and center console (all fixed by the dealer), my interior has been very tight and without unwanted noises; overall quality seems quite high.
Overall, pretty darned decent IMO.
Nicely stated! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,877
Likes: 531
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: NYC NY
The seats look really nice in leather, but the center console looks junky.
LOL, I still can't get over how on the computer screen, it says like," You are driving a Corvette -- By Chevrolet"
Made me crack up.
LOL, I still can't get over how on the computer screen, it says like," You are driving a Corvette -- By Chevrolet"
Made me crack up.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I think a lot of people are looking at the 'glass half-empty.' The inside of the ashtray doesn't have a light....I mean come-on. Sure the C6 interior could be more upscale in many respects but when you're fighting for performance, weight and cost considerations, I feel GM didn't do too bad. Overall I'm quite satisfied with the interior of the C6.
I recall (years ago) when I bought a new BMW 533i, the first time my friend rode in it he commented on how cheap the interior was....he just expected 'more' from a BMW.
While performance seems to be a common prerequisite, many C6 owners are concerned about cost. Others are less concerned with cost and would gladly pay more for an upgraded interior. Accordingly, GM should offer an upgraded interior as an option.
Sure the C6 interior could be more upscale in many respects but when you're fighting for performance, weight and cost considerations, I feel GM didn't do too bad. Overall I'm quite satisfied with the interior of the C6.I recall (years ago) when I bought a new BMW 533i, the first time my friend rode in it he commented on how cheap the interior was....he just expected 'more' from a BMW.
While performance seems to be a common prerequisite, many C6 owners are concerned about cost. Others are less concerned with cost and would gladly pay more for an upgraded interior. Accordingly, GM should offer an upgraded interior as an option.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
I don’t mind the interior so much and agree with some of what was said about improvements. However I have to believe that most of us would never trade interior finish for performance… so if that’s what drove some of the decision making in the design process good for them…however my big complaint is the darn “A” pillars on the exterior. Why are they a “B” level plastic? I really dislike that detail. They should have been the same as the body color and material…sorry I'm off topic..