Corvette = Confidence (long)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Franklinville New Jersey
Corvette = Confidence (long)
A little over a month ago (5/3) I bought and took delivery of my first Corvette; Monterey Red Metallic Tintcoat, 3LT Convertible, no Z51 no, selective ride control. Before that the closest thing I had ever owned (and I am not saying it was close, just the closest thing to it) was an '82 Pontiac Trans Am. The TA was a fun car, but is rookie league compared to my C6.
The next day I found this forum, and all you wonderful folks on it. I have visited here often, read a lot and posted a little. The crowd here is quite diverse; young/old, male/female, racers/non-racers, modified car owners/stock car owners, you all understand. The opening paragraph was to make it clear what I am, a "rookie" owner of a great sports car, with no point of reference to previous Vettes, American muscle cars, Italian or German or other countries sports cars or "supercars".
So, after 37 days (haven't driven it everyday) of ownership and about 1,400 miles behind the wheel (besides the guys at the dealership I am the only one to sit behind the wheel of my car) the one word that comes to my mind is Confidence. When I am behind the wheel of my Vette:
- I am confident in the fact and don't need to prove that my car is is faster than 99% plus of all of the cars on the road. Do I like to show off the speed? You bet. But I choose the time, not some kid in a "tuner" with a coffee can muffler.
- I am confident in the way my car handles in traffic. I have no problem finding a hole and filling it. The "Saleen Mustang" post talked about the "poor steering" of the Vette. Maybe on the track it is lacking, but for the kind of driving I do, this car is more than adequate.
- I am confident that I can stop. I don't have the Z51's cross drilled rotors, but my car seems to stop just fine when I need it to. Maybe the track...
- I am confident that 9 times out of 10, I am going to get "the wave" from all you other Vette owners and I really love that.
- I am confident that I joined the right "club" when I bought this car.
Finally, I love my Corvette just the way it is. Are some select non-warranty voiding mods in her future, maybe. But I am confident that I will continue to love the car in whatever configuration, just as I believe you love yours.
Thanks for listening.
Jerry
NJAg78
The next day I found this forum, and all you wonderful folks on it. I have visited here often, read a lot and posted a little. The crowd here is quite diverse; young/old, male/female, racers/non-racers, modified car owners/stock car owners, you all understand. The opening paragraph was to make it clear what I am, a "rookie" owner of a great sports car, with no point of reference to previous Vettes, American muscle cars, Italian or German or other countries sports cars or "supercars".
So, after 37 days (haven't driven it everyday) of ownership and about 1,400 miles behind the wheel (besides the guys at the dealership I am the only one to sit behind the wheel of my car) the one word that comes to my mind is Confidence. When I am behind the wheel of my Vette:
- I am confident in the fact and don't need to prove that my car is is faster than 99% plus of all of the cars on the road. Do I like to show off the speed? You bet. But I choose the time, not some kid in a "tuner" with a coffee can muffler.
- I am confident in the way my car handles in traffic. I have no problem finding a hole and filling it. The "Saleen Mustang" post talked about the "poor steering" of the Vette. Maybe on the track it is lacking, but for the kind of driving I do, this car is more than adequate.
- I am confident that I can stop. I don't have the Z51's cross drilled rotors, but my car seems to stop just fine when I need it to. Maybe the track...
- I am confident that 9 times out of 10, I am going to get "the wave" from all you other Vette owners and I really love that.
- I am confident that I joined the right "club" when I bought this car.
Finally, I love my Corvette just the way it is. Are some select non-warranty voiding mods in her future, maybe. But I am confident that I will continue to love the car in whatever configuration, just as I believe you love yours.
Thanks for listening.
Jerry
NJAg78
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Downtown Chicago Il
Congratulations!!!
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Congratulations on your 'new' Corvette and I appreciate your post. You mention the 'Saleen Mustang' post and that person's comments about how the Mustang handles better than a C6. I'm not saying you can't trick-out just about any car to handle well but from my experience a Mustang does not handle better than a C6...on the street or on the track.
You are also correct about finding the right 'club.' The brotherhood of Corvette owner's is alive and well.
You are also correct about finding the right 'club.' The brotherhood of Corvette owner's is alive and well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 6
Nice post and I'm happy for you. Good feeling isn't it? Yes, non-Z51 brakes will stop the car just about as well as ones with holes in the rotors and the fractional difference in rotor size doesn't mean much on the street ( if on the track ). the holes are just for show and that's not me talking it's just from reading what racing experts say.
the base C6 is a very competent car. Unfortunately, IMO, early on several of the car magazines got Z51 versions to test not base versions. Ever since then it's been Z51 this and Z51 that when in fact there's little difference in the performance numbers with or without that option.
It would have been better, IMO, for them to have tested the base C6. Then.....it would have been clear to the automotive world that the stripped base car was a heckofa performer which options like Z51 or F55 would only improve upon.
have fun
the base C6 is a very competent car. Unfortunately, IMO, early on several of the car magazines got Z51 versions to test not base versions. Ever since then it's been Z51 this and Z51 that when in fact there's little difference in the performance numbers with or without that option.
It would have been better, IMO, for them to have tested the base C6. Then.....it would have been clear to the automotive world that the stripped base car was a heckofa performer which options like Z51 or F55 would only improve upon.
have fun
