Corvette Interior
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
One last thing...GM and Ford would be categorized similarly... Ford made the Ford GT...an all around amazing car, but guess what guys they don't sell it anymore. Not many people want to buy a $200,000 Ford. I'm sure the same thing goes for GM and I think we can all agree that we don't want to see the Vette get canceled.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,020
Likes: 3,427
From: Plymouth Massachusetts
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
I dont mind my 06 darker GREY console I am pretty sure that alot of high end cas like BMW and MERCEDES use these dark silver pieces like my previous 05 BMW X5 and my current 07 INFINITI FX35 besides the steering wheel and the cluster guages still use the dark silver interior pieces on the 08-10 C6 just the console has changed which is a improvement over the 05-07 console but I dont think as good as match whith the rest of the interior as the 05-07 console and interior pieces,just my 2cents.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
I certainly like my 08 interior. I still think it can be improved, but overall I really thought the quality was rather good. I do wish that there was a vendor out there that could color-match JSB though. I hear that DSVettes is working on a new color that is supposed to be a good match, however it is about 6 weeks out in the future right now.
For the money they now charge for this car the interior appointments STINK. The leather seats in my KIA Borrego are 10 times nicer.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
If I change one thing in my Vette, it will be adding denser foam in the seats.
There will always be something we wish was made better with the Interior.
But, considering what the total Vette package is, the interior is a Far cry from from being bad.
And if the Vette interior was exotic with a price tag of 20k more for the whole car ..
I wouldn't be driving a Vette
Some day I might do the work and $$$ of upgrading my Interrior.
But when I'm Blasting down the road
...
all I can think about is how much fun I'm having just the way it is
There will always be something we wish was made better with the Interior.
But, considering what the total Vette package is, the interior is a Far cry from from being bad.
And if the Vette interior was exotic with a price tag of 20k more for the whole car ..
I wouldn't be driving a Vette
Some day I might do the work and $$$ of upgrading my Interrior.
But when I'm Blasting down the road
...all I can think about is how much fun I'm having just the way it is
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth TX
With some simple mods, I think you can really improve on the interior.
Most expensive would be the seats, but simple changes like the console lid and steering wheel make a world of difference!
Most expensive would be the seats, but simple changes like the console lid and steering wheel make a world of difference!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
I have the 4LT interior and I'm very pleased with it. The steering wheel? Seems pretty darn nice to me. Seat? Again I like the seats and find them comfortable. I know the knock on the seats came from some of the very overweight auto writers. But, who really cares about what some slob that sits behind a desk thinks? All the Vette owners I know have been happy with the seats. Now that crazy hardrivin1 guy is a different story.
I also have the 4LT and can't find anything I would want to spend extra to make a change.Corvette keeps the price of this great car at a level where many more can afford to buy.
GM spending money on the performance is what makes sense.
MHO Ben, OH
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
GM has a lot of you really Bull Chited.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
First of all, he didn't get defensive. He is simply stating fact. This is the exact reason that the ZR1 uses the same seats as the rest of the C6 line and not a more performance oriented seat. The seats are considered part of the safety and restraint system of the car. In order to change the seats the car would need to be re-certified and that wasn't an option. So, no CTS Recaro seats. I can't answer your question about how they did it on the CTS. I do however know why they didn't do it on the Corvette.
I do agree that brembos shoud standard accross the board though with the exception of the ZR1.
New CTS came out in 2008 I think so that would explain the difference for a car that came out in 2005.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I think it makes a lot of sense. But then, you might not....
My 2 cents...
Background....I am a product designer and I have an 07 V8 Vantage, 09 CTS-V (Recaro Seats), and an 08 Z06... all cars are fully loaded
With that being said... The Aston's have one of the best interiors in the world; clean, simple, and superior material choices. This car however costs $130,000 dollars. Now the Z06 is also a virtually hand assembled car (and I don't mean just the engine) but can run absolute circles around my Vantage. Not only does my Z kick my Vantages *** but has far more standard features, better functioning features, and a way better Nav system. Also, the software engineering in the Vette is superior to that of any exotic which is the benefit of a larger company. I love both cars but for very different reasons.
Now because of my knowledge of manufacturing and materials....if you were to put almost the same interior from the Aston inside of the Z you would have a car that costs more than the Vantage. Now in the reverse... The only Aston that can compete with the Z is the DBS...which costs $270,000. That right there shows you just how amazing every Vette models are. And for those of you that complain that the steering wheel from the Vette is inside the Cobalt... well almost all steering wheels, regardless of make and vehicle price, are manufactured the same way. Other than the steering wheel being wrapped in exotic Italian leather there is no real difference between the Aston and the Z.
Now I totally agree that GM should offer Recaro seats but I understand why they don't. So if it really bothers you that much go buy some damn Recaro seats and put them in your self!
With knowing what I bought my Z06 for and the crazy performance I get from it I think the interior is pretty good. My biggest complaint is not the materials, but the fit and finish. There are two high of tolerances where pieces come together (large gaps). This really drags down the appearance of quality.
For the 08-??? Vettes they changed to the piano black plastic with the leather trim around the edge. This inexpensive trim solution has solved some of the fit and finish issues so I applaud GM for that upgrade. The plastic material change from 07 to 08 actually isn't very different (if at all) but is just a better color choice with a polished finish instead of matte. A similar change can be seen between the CTS and CTS-V interior.
My CTS-V has a much more balanced set up than the Z; awesome interior with awesome performance. The V costs similar money to my Z, but the Nurburgring times are dramatically different. Tradeoffs.
My point is that if people want to complain that the Vette interior is not as nice as the exotics, than you better realize what you are asking for and what it will cost you. GM made the right decisions. If GM were to use all the same materials as an F430 and with all of the current engineering they have in the Z you would get a seriously expensive Vette (FYI with more creature comforts). Corvettes are meant to blow peoples mind with performance but at a tangible price. There is a reason why Ferrari does not sell the 430 for $70,000. There are trade-offs with every car. The CTS-V balances these trade-offs more evenly than the Z06, but the Z is a super car and the V is a sports sedan. People need to realize what they want. If they want everything a F430 has for $70,000 than they live in a fantasy world.
Side note... anyone who complains about the ride of a Z06 needs a reality check...my Aston has a far more rough ride than my Z. And that goes for all of the exotics (with exception of Porsche).
Also I wish magazines would stop comparing the 911 to the C6 and the Z06 to the GT2... yeah performance is similar but a person shopping for a 911 is not in the market for a C6 but rather a Z06... and a person shopping for the GT2 is not in the market for any Vette (although the ZR1 would rape it for half price) but instead probably looking at an F430.
CORVETTES ROCK!
-Out
Background....I am a product designer and I have an 07 V8 Vantage, 09 CTS-V (Recaro Seats), and an 08 Z06... all cars are fully loaded
With that being said... The Aston's have one of the best interiors in the world; clean, simple, and superior material choices. This car however costs $130,000 dollars. Now the Z06 is also a virtually hand assembled car (and I don't mean just the engine) but can run absolute circles around my Vantage. Not only does my Z kick my Vantages *** but has far more standard features, better functioning features, and a way better Nav system. Also, the software engineering in the Vette is superior to that of any exotic which is the benefit of a larger company. I love both cars but for very different reasons.
Now because of my knowledge of manufacturing and materials....if you were to put almost the same interior from the Aston inside of the Z you would have a car that costs more than the Vantage. Now in the reverse... The only Aston that can compete with the Z is the DBS...which costs $270,000. That right there shows you just how amazing every Vette models are. And for those of you that complain that the steering wheel from the Vette is inside the Cobalt... well almost all steering wheels, regardless of make and vehicle price, are manufactured the same way. Other than the steering wheel being wrapped in exotic Italian leather there is no real difference between the Aston and the Z.
Now I totally agree that GM should offer Recaro seats but I understand why they don't. So if it really bothers you that much go buy some damn Recaro seats and put them in your self!
With knowing what I bought my Z06 for and the crazy performance I get from it I think the interior is pretty good. My biggest complaint is not the materials, but the fit and finish. There are two high of tolerances where pieces come together (large gaps). This really drags down the appearance of quality.
For the 08-??? Vettes they changed to the piano black plastic with the leather trim around the edge. This inexpensive trim solution has solved some of the fit and finish issues so I applaud GM for that upgrade. The plastic material change from 07 to 08 actually isn't very different (if at all) but is just a better color choice with a polished finish instead of matte. A similar change can be seen between the CTS and CTS-V interior.
My CTS-V has a much more balanced set up than the Z; awesome interior with awesome performance. The V costs similar money to my Z, but the Nurburgring times are dramatically different. Tradeoffs.
My point is that if people want to complain that the Vette interior is not as nice as the exotics, than you better realize what you are asking for and what it will cost you. GM made the right decisions. If GM were to use all the same materials as an F430 and with all of the current engineering they have in the Z you would get a seriously expensive Vette (FYI with more creature comforts). Corvettes are meant to blow peoples mind with performance but at a tangible price. There is a reason why Ferrari does not sell the 430 for $70,000. There are trade-offs with every car. The CTS-V balances these trade-offs more evenly than the Z06, but the Z is a super car and the V is a sports sedan. People need to realize what they want. If they want everything a F430 has for $70,000 than they live in a fantasy world.
Side note... anyone who complains about the ride of a Z06 needs a reality check...my Aston has a far more rough ride than my Z. And that goes for all of the exotics (with exception of Porsche).
Also I wish magazines would stop comparing the 911 to the C6 and the Z06 to the GT2... yeah performance is similar but a person shopping for a 911 is not in the market for a C6 but rather a Z06... and a person shopping for the GT2 is not in the market for any Vette (although the ZR1 would rape it for half price) but instead probably looking at an F430.
CORVETTES ROCK!
-Out
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Paul brought up a real good point aobut recertification. You don't want to mess around "updating" the safety and restraint system of any car if you an avoid it.
I do agree that brembos shoud standard accross the board though with the exception of the ZR1.
New CTS came out in 2008 I think so that would explain the difference for a car that came out in 2005.
I do agree that brembos shoud standard accross the board though with the exception of the ZR1.
New CTS came out in 2008 I think so that would explain the difference for a car that came out in 2005.
So I ask why would GM want to spend a ton of money with recertification if they didn't have to? I'm sure GM is well aware the seats in a C6 are marginal at best. Why did they give CTS buyers the option to have some great seats? Because they needed to make the car more attractive to those buyers.
Bottom line is GM isn't going to improve the C6 seats unless they believe it's really going to sell more cars. Now with some very ugly numbers perhaps they'll consider upgrading some components to lure more buyers in. I really hope they'll take a very aggressive approach to improving some weak points on the C6. I don't believe the C7 is going to built for a long (if ever). So if they want to keep sales up on the C6 then they are going to have to build more things like the GS and improving the present platform........
Last edited by cthusker; Aug 29, 2009 at 08:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
Maybe...but the engine/drivetrain in your Corvette is 20X better than the engine/drivetrain in your Kia Boring-0. -Did you not notice the interior before you bought the Corvette?- I've driven my Corvette on several 12 hour road trips and am constantly amazed at how comfortable it is and how the interior layout is perfect for my needs. I only wish I could dim the dash lights more than what is available.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
At the time GM was selling over 30,000 vettes a year so why worry about proper seats? Why make a change that's going to be very expensive when you don't have to? Sure there are a "FEW" competitors to the vette, but are they true competitors? The performance cars most would want here are way more expensive then a vette! Very, very limited choices...
So I ask why would GM want to spend a ton of money with recertification if they didn't have to? I'm sure GM is well aware the seats in a C6 are marginal at best. Why did they give CTS buyers the option to have some great seats? Because they needed to make the car more attractive to those buyers.
Bottom line is GM isn't going to improve the C6 seats unless they believe it's really going to sell more cars. Now with some very ugly numbers perhaps they'll consider upgrading some components to lure more buyers in. I really hope they'll take a very aggressive approach to improving some weak points on the C6. I don't believe the C7 is going to built for a long (if ever). So if they want to keep sales up on the C6 then they are going to have to build more things like the GS and improving the present platform........
So I ask why would GM want to spend a ton of money with recertification if they didn't have to? I'm sure GM is well aware the seats in a C6 are marginal at best. Why did they give CTS buyers the option to have some great seats? Because they needed to make the car more attractive to those buyers.
Bottom line is GM isn't going to improve the C6 seats unless they believe it's really going to sell more cars. Now with some very ugly numbers perhaps they'll consider upgrading some components to lure more buyers in. I really hope they'll take a very aggressive approach to improving some weak points on the C6. I don't believe the C7 is going to built for a long (if ever). So if they want to keep sales up on the C6 then they are going to have to build more things like the GS and improving the present platform........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Georgia
Interiors
If only I could take the interior out of my 06' Torrid Red/Red Interior GTO, along with the great Stereo System and stick it in my 07' Arctic White/Cobalt Int. Corvette...then you would have damn near the perfect car. The GTO seats are about the best GM gas ever produced..
LKicklight
LKicklight
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,824
Likes: 3
From: The left Coast
St. Jude Donor '08
I changed out the console and gauge surround with faux CF. Made an incredible difference. I also dumped the stock Nav for a Kenwood DNX8120 which made the nav functional with full ipod control and dvd. Other than that I would say the interior is pretty nice as is.
Just remembered the console cover with silver thread.
Just remembered the console cover with silver thread.
Last edited by Maui; Aug 29, 2009 at 10:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
My only "Bitch" about the Vette is I can use my center console for a microwave oven... If I want a Hamburger, I can go to McDonald's, and put it on the seat... and in 1 or 2 hrs if I get hungry I just put the 1/4 pounder in my console & "walla" its nice and hot in 10 min 
Other than that I can live with the interior as is....
Other than that I can live with the interior as is....
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Maybe...but the engine/drivetrain in your Corvette is 20X better than the engine/drivetrain in your Kia Boring-0. -Did you not notice the interior before you bought the Corvette?- I've driven my Corvette on several 12 hour road trips and am constantly amazed at how comfortable it is and how the interior layout is perfect for my needs. I only wish I could dim the dash lights more than what is available.
Read about it:
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/149...-engines-list/
Last edited by Jetstream08; Aug 29, 2009 at 11:51 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 98
From: Orchard Park N.Y.
My Borrego has the TAU 340 HP DOHC V8 and its a much better motor than that clacking push rod set up under my Vettes hood. In fact its listed as one of the 10 best engines in the world!
Read about it:
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/149...-engines-list/
Read about it:
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/149...-engines-list/
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
There's always room for improvement but considering price/performance/market demographics, et cetera I think Corvette hit a homerun. I've got no complaints about my 2005. Other than wanting more 'racing' oriented seats interior upgrades aren't a concern for me. I'm very happy with the C6...if I want something improved I've done it or soon will.
but in comparison to exotics the Corvette is only a fraction of the cost. If I were spending $200,000-$300,000 and up for a car I'd hope the interior would be better.
but in comparison to exotics the Corvette is only a fraction of the cost. If I were spending $200,000-$300,000 and up for a car I'd hope the interior would be better.