Thanks,I needed a laugh today.
C7 Impressions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
C7 Impressions
Just got done driving a C7 w/Z51 for two days at the Ron Fellows driving school. She is an absolutely beautiful car inside and out, and the technology (gauges, etc) is a major upgrade from the C6.
Obviously it handles great, but to me it seemed a bit "soft" compared to my C6 even in the track PTM modes, as if it has been treated too much as a touring car even in Z51 trim... particularly the clutch which is very soft. I've never taken my C6 on a road course, so I can't compare the handling much except for street driving.
Maybe my simple mods just make a bigger difference than I would have thought; the throws in the C7 seemed long compared to my short throw shifter, and it seemed a bit slow off the line. My dyno I posted a few weeks ago (436 rwhp for I/H/E) was ripped apart as being unrealistic, but after driving the C7 my car sure feels a bit faster accelerating.
Anybody else have the same impression or am I crazy?
Obviously it handles great, but to me it seemed a bit "soft" compared to my C6 even in the track PTM modes, as if it has been treated too much as a touring car even in Z51 trim... particularly the clutch which is very soft. I've never taken my C6 on a road course, so I can't compare the handling much except for street driving.
Maybe my simple mods just make a bigger difference than I would have thought; the throws in the C7 seemed long compared to my short throw shifter, and it seemed a bit slow off the line. My dyno I posted a few weeks ago (436 rwhp for I/H/E) was ripped apart as being unrealistic, but after driving the C7 my car sure feels a bit faster accelerating.
Anybody else have the same impression or am I crazy?
Last edited by slickstick; May 18, 2014 at 04:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
The pros still outweigh the cons and I might still buy a C7 someday. The Z06 model will probably remedy all of these woes.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 171
From: Vancouver Island
That must have been a fun couple of days.
Your impressions of the C7 are as valid as anyone else's, but the C7 is the real deal performance wise, an improvement over the C6. Not so much in straight line acceleration, though it looks like it is a little quicker than the LS3 C6's, but more so in carrying speed around a road course and predictability at the limit. But I've yet to drive one, and you have, so thanks for the feedback. It's looking like they will sell over 30K units in for the 2014 model year, so love it or hate it its keeping the brand alive. Personally, I love it.
Your impressions of the C7 are as valid as anyone else's, but the C7 is the real deal performance wise, an improvement over the C6. Not so much in straight line acceleration, though it looks like it is a little quicker than the LS3 C6's, but more so in carrying speed around a road course and predictability at the limit. But I've yet to drive one, and you have, so thanks for the feedback. It's looking like they will sell over 30K units in for the 2014 model year, so love it or hate it its keeping the brand alive. Personally, I love it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
That must have been a fun couple of days.
Your impressions of the C7 are as valid as anyone else's, but the C7 is the real deal performance wise, an improvement over the C6. Not so much in straight line acceleration, though it looks like it is a little quicker than the LS3 C6's, but more so in carrying speed around a road course and predictability at the limit. But I've yet to drive one, and you have, so thanks for the feedback. It's looking like they will sell over 30K units in for the 2014 model year, so love it or hate it its keeping the brand alive. Personally, I love it.
Your impressions of the C7 are as valid as anyone else's, but the C7 is the real deal performance wise, an improvement over the C6. Not so much in straight line acceleration, though it looks like it is a little quicker than the LS3 C6's, but more so in carrying speed around a road course and predictability at the limit. But I've yet to drive one, and you have, so thanks for the feedback. It's looking like they will sell over 30K units in for the 2014 model year, so love it or hate it its keeping the brand alive. Personally, I love it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
they seem very sensitive to ANY criticism. I really don't understand some of those over on the C7 forum and why they take any criticism so seriously. If someone doesn't like my C6...fine. I didn't buy it to please them.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
Really not trying to bash the car, I'll probably be driving one in a couple years. It's reasonable to think there are some things to like about an older generation, even if overall the new gen is a better car. If you asked I bet a lot of C5 guys prefer their pop up headlights, for example.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 158
Likes: 23
I saw a C7 on the street yesterday. My impression was the same as other times I have seen them - from a distance it is instantly recognizable as a Corvette.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,608
Likes: 13
From: New Rochelle N.Y. 2013 Grand Sport
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
I saw a C7 on the street yesterday. My impression was the same as other times I have seen them - from a distance it is instantly recognizable as a Corvette.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,274
Likes: 8,546
From: Rochester, NY
Well stated.I saw a C7 on the street yesterday. My impression was the same as other times I have seen them - from a distance it is instantly recognizable as a Corvette.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 1,656
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I saw a C7 on the street yesterday. My impression was the same as other times I have seen them - from a distance it is instantly recognizable as a Corvette.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Once you get closer you then see that it's a C7 - they have a very striking appearance.
Maybe not everyone loves it, but it is surely a major home run for the product group.
It has to be a huge challenge to re-design an "icon" product like the Corvette (or the 911) and present an all new impression while not alienating the customer base. As a fan of the car since I was a kid, I am glad they succeeded so well with the C7.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
Speaking of rear ends. This is from our road trip Saturday to the Golden Spike Historic Site (transcontinental railroad) in Utah. The C7's were from the Denver area. Nice guys.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/atta...1&d=1400457952
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/atta...1&d=1400457952
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 202
From: Long Beach California
I recently drove a friend's C7 around the neighborhood and out on the highway. As far as street driving is concerned (which is all I do), I don't notice much of a difference between my Grand Sport C6 and the base C7. They are both beautiful cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 11
From: Philadelphia, sub burbs Wynnewood, PA
I like your analogy. 
It's funny to me when people think my C6 is the new Corvette
And others think my C7 is a Ferrari.
I Have to say performance wise it's really close. But the technology and interior upgrades in the new C7 put the old interiors to shame.
It's funny to me when people think my C6 is the new Corvette
And others think my C7 is a Ferrari.
I Have to say performance wise it's really close. But the technology and interior upgrades in the new C7 put the old interiors to shame.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
Happened to me also at a Chick Fil A drive through 
I love your C7. I think Artic White with black mirrors, wheels, and stripe is the best combo.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 202
From: Long Beach California
Great comparison photo. I can really see the similarity between the two rear wheel "hips". Yeah, the C7 really nails the interior, but the C6 still looks hot too. It's like comparing a 1967 and the redesigned 1968. Both cars are great.