Interesting question/problem...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
.. I had several 911's and a 930. At very high speed the 930 steering got extremely light from the force being applied from that huge whale tail. In fact it got down right rather scary and usually caused me to back off. Yea the vette does feel a little heavy but I suspect the large tires and funky steering is the cause. I'll bet with German type steering the car would feel totally different.........
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
I've driven most of the cars you mention, and yes, I think Corvettes do have a heavier feel than the others...Face it, there is a lot of weight over the front wheels, the car is wider than all the cars mentioned, plus has a longer wheelbase. But look at what you are comparing, two with mid engine technology, and lighter 4 cylinder front engine cars...of course the 'vette is going to feel heavier... The heavy feel of the C6 was the first thing I noticed about it...then I mashed the go pedal...
Feeling is so subjective. What is heavy to one is perfect to the other; after the president of the Porsche GT-3 club of Germany drove my C5 Z06 around the Nurburgring he said he loved the steering feel. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Indy Indiana
After reading all the posts, I think a lot of the heavy feel is the steering. It just doesn't seem to communicate the road. I have also recently driven an e36 M3 vert and think the vette feels only slightly heavier than the M3 but tons faster. Agreed, the vette feels awesome and fast compared to 99% of all cars I've ever driven. Those other cars seem like you can feel a penny on the road if you ran over it, whereas, corvette not so much. If I had to pick one thing to adjust it would be steering feel. I love everything else about the corvette, but the heaviness just makes it not as much "fun" to drive. Anyway, thanks for all the opinions, and hopefully, everyone has enjoyed reading them too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
What? 911 are rear engine, boxster is rear-mid, honda and vette are front-mid engined; and the vette has near 50/50 weight distribution.
Feeling is so subjective. What is heavy to one is perfect to the other; after the president of the Porsche GT-3 club of Germany drove my C5 Z06 around the Nurburgring he said he loved the steering feel. The grass is always greener on the other side.
Feeling is so subjective. What is heavy to one is perfect to the other; after the president of the Porsche GT-3 club of Germany drove my C5 Z06 around the Nurburgring he said he loved the steering feel. The grass is always greener on the other side.
... a very true statement when applied to cars........
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 392
Likes: 1
From: Orange County CA
It feels heavy partly because of the V8 stuck up front. Much of that feeling has to do with the steering. The C6 feels much more like a front engined Porsche 928 or 944.-which also feel heavy compared to a mid or rear engined Boxter or 911. However, as others have noted, the c6 stability at speed is much better than the rear or mid engine Porsche cars. I can remember being scared to death in my old 911T at 90 MPH because the front was tooooo light.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 91
From: Sugarland/Houston TX
My wife feels a little heavy; however, has a body of a beauty queen.
I agree, my C6 feels a little heavy. I believe it is due to the steering. My 06 G35 coupe feels like a boat and my wife’s 07 Avalanche feels like tug boat.
I agree, my C6 feels a little heavy. I believe it is due to the steering. My 06 G35 coupe feels like a boat and my wife’s 07 Avalanche feels like tug boat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 4
From: Henderson Nevada
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
I also have an '05 S2000 and I agree it feels much lighter and is definitely more nimble. Top end on the S is only 155 (with factory rev limiter) and the vette has three times the torque but there is no way my C6 (or anyone else's) can keep up with it up and down those winding canyon roads in Malibu. It's also alot of fun zipping around at 6500-8000 rpms.
Last edited by dgp123; Apr 10, 2007 at 06:44 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Randolph NJ
Having owned a '99 911 (996) I can say that I too feel that the Vette is heavier feeling. Both car weigh about the same, but as other's have pointed out, fron engine vs rear. The engine placement changes everything, especially so when you consider the distance from the front of the car to the driver. IMO the vette makes for a better all around drive, capable of all. My Porsche was an expensive lemon!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: Fairview TX
I agree - feels heavy. I just traded in my 350Z and the steering felt much more precise. I can't tell you how glad I am to own my first Corvette! Steering - schmeering. TGFC - Thank God For Corvettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
I have a 2002 S2000 of which I'm "trying" to trade in for either an 05 or 06 Z51 and cash. I'm looking for a Z51 in either a Coupe or Convertible.
I've driven (only test driven) the vette's as described and "anothercrisis" said it best..although the S2000 (cannot speak for the 911) is exceptionally nimble, you certainly cannot sleep (passenger that is) in it when driving. You do feel "everything." I've used it as a daily driver nearing 5 years since new purchase. It's very accurate and feels very well balanced. Never ever had a single problem. None. That being said, it's wearing thin on us and we are looking for a change. The vette is our preference and hopefully, it will be a good decision (re: reliability). The vette does feel heavier, but that's more of a reflection of the wider tires coupled with the steering feedback (not a bad thing..as mentioned above), rather than the extra weight.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Red Cell.
I've driven (only test driven) the vette's as described and "anothercrisis" said it best..although the S2000 (cannot speak for the 911) is exceptionally nimble, you certainly cannot sleep (passenger that is) in it when driving. You do feel "everything." I've used it as a daily driver nearing 5 years since new purchase. It's very accurate and feels very well balanced. Never ever had a single problem. None. That being said, it's wearing thin on us and we are looking for a change. The vette is our preference and hopefully, it will be a good decision (re: reliability). The vette does feel heavier, but that's more of a reflection of the wider tires coupled with the steering feedback (not a bad thing..as mentioned above), rather than the extra weight.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Red Cell.
Last edited by Red Cell; Apr 10, 2007 at 10:59 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 1
From: Livermore California
My DD is a 328i and it definitely feels more nimble. In fact, until I really started noticing it and started wondering why, I would swear it was quicker into the corners. Not so . . . what I finally realized was how much hotter I'm able to enter and, of course, how much quicker I'm able to come out of a corner in the vette. I'll take it's inherent oversteer any day over the bimmer's "hope I don't hit the guardrail" understeer. But, as most have pointed out, the vette feels heavier. In addition to the valid arguements given, I think it is also due to the fact I drive it differently and wasn't really aware . . .
FM
FM
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton California
The first test drive I did in a C6 surprised me, because I had this mental picture that the car would feel really small & zippy. It felt like a larger car than I expected, but cool nevertheless. This was a pretty leisurely drive on a wide boulevard at only 45 mph.
Only when I got mine & put it through it's paces on some windy roads, did I see how really tight this car handles (Z-51 option on mine). I think the C6 is really a Jeckyl & Hyde car. Crusing slowly around town, it feels like a mellow cruiser. Driving it hard through your local "road course", the thing is an animal, and wants you to push it ever harder through the turns.
Only when I got mine & put it through it's paces on some windy roads, did I see how really tight this car handles (Z-51 option on mine). I think the C6 is really a Jeckyl & Hyde car. Crusing slowly around town, it feels like a mellow cruiser. Driving it hard through your local "road course", the thing is an animal, and wants you to push it ever harder through the turns.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
After driving my 3/4 ton, 4x4, 496ci Suburban the C6 feels absolutely agile.I don't consider the C6 'heavy"....I think of it as being 'substantial.' Besides...you don't want to drive a little sissy car...you want to drive a man's car.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Boone Lake Tennessee
I have been told that the heaviness feeling is due to the way the ECM is programed...I know it sounds crazy but Chuck COW will tell you he can make your car feel 1000lbs lighter after his tune. This has been confirmed my a few over the last few months. It's something about the torque management(incomming) and the delays that are built in...Help me out here Chuck!!!!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
It's a tug of war......
I would like to get some interesting dialogue going about this, please. Ok, now I realize some of you guys and girls have driven or even owned other sports or sporty cars. I recently had the opportunity to drive a Porsche 911 Cabriolet C2, 911 C2, porsche boxster, and honda s2000. Here comes my question, does the corvette feel like it's heavy compared to those cars? The corvette only weighs 3100 pounds, and the boxster and s2000 obviously weigh less but not that much. The 911s probably weigh more than the corvette. All the other cars just feel like the weigh less than the corvette. The vette just feels heavy. Is it just me or does anyone else agree? Thanks for your opinions...
Hey man.....
Basically, it's a full time TUG OF WAR between you and GM's engineers.....
You push the pedal futher down....then they respond by closing it against your wishes.....same with the ignition timing.... You and the engine like it rising as you accelerate....while it's subtracting timing on their end....
The tunes I write foil their evil plot to spoil your fun!
Call my any time and I'll explain it to you in detail....STAY TUNED!
Chuck CoW
