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I agree that the interior could have had some nicer touches in the C6. The 4lt version was definitely a step up. But in my 3lt, I felt the need to add some red stitched pieces and 4lt door pulls while also redoing the shifter and e-brake handle to bring the look of the interior up a notch. GM was definitely behind in upgrading their interiors, and to some extent was playing catch up to some of the other manufacturers with the C7 and their other cars and trucks.
I guess I am stupid.......but can someone explain to me the defnition of "dated" styling? Do not understand what it even means.....or why it is important to anyone.
Dated styling to me is so.ething that just looks like it probably isn't still current.
I'm not arguing, I'm just having a discussion, that's what forums are for. No ill will my friend. To me 14 and up GM's brought their interior design to a new level. Your right, we'll never all agree on something that is an appearance thing nor should we. But what is fact is that GM went the cheapest route possible with the C6 interior which they turned around and redeemed in C7 and now C8. We can agree to disagree.
I would disagree. The c7 and c8 interiors aren't very good to me. Theme8 looks like garbage, and the c7 is just a modern take on the c4 interior, which admittedly was oretty ergonomic. GM doesn't know how to use good materials, the concept is lost of them. They can make a "good enough" interior, but they're hopelessly incompetent compared to something like Genesis/Hyundai or FCA.
Also, I don't take offense to the term "dated". Some cars you want to have that dated look and that is part of the appeal of having an older car or classic. On the other hand, some cars have a timeless design. It doesn't matter how old it gets, it's still attractive and makes you want it. The 911 is probably the best example of a timeless design, along with some Ferrari's and I'm sure there are more examples. As far as some cars being "over styled", there are some examples of "over styled" that have withstood the test of time also. The Lamborghini Countach comes to mind as a beautiful car that can be considered "over styled" and yet you can't stop looking at it and never seems to get old.
Not sure what all the fuss is about with the C6 interior...sure is nicer than some exotics I've seen. To me, it's comfortable and still has that "Corvette" feel with the big analog gauges. Yeah, the NAV/stereo is outdated, but 99% of the time I have it off just showing the Corvette logo.
But, when I do want music, I just plug my phone into the headphone jack in the center console and listen to Sirius XM radio through my phone app. Not sure why SXM provides this, but it has to cut into their profits. I used to pay for SXM in all my cars...now I just pay for one and use the phone app to play it in my other cars and in my house through my iPad app connected wirelessly to my Denon AV unit through my home wifi.
C6 is the last of the analog vettes - the all analog guages are just beautiful and timeless. Simple push rod engine. You can upgrade the radio all you want. The C5's last of the air brake corvettes (pop up lights) another classic.
C7's dash is going to age. It already looks old compared to the new C8 dash. Possible issues with AFM - yes I would have bought one if I had more money (7speed only)
I think if the car is a keeper and you really like it (does help to start with a 3LZ), then a few tasteful upgrades go a long way, while supporting the car’s analog nature. And still cheaper than some Porsche option pkgs and some C8 ones too I bet. I was shocked when I saw how plasticky a friend’s base C7Z looked.
a good start is a modern head unit with CarPlay and backup cam
Truth is, I would take one of every generation of Corvettes if I had the space and money to make a collection. So when I am talking about the C6's design, it's not to put down or even compare it to the design of the other Corvette gens. My point is, on its own, the C6 seems to be holding up well in regards to design vs time, imo.
Everything ages with time, the radio/dash area feels dated the most to me, you can likely replace the radio and make things better, but all things age, houses, people, styles, people..
I don’t necessarily care if the interior is ‘dated’. I personally prefer the simplicity, and it was not an issue at all getting the head unit replaced, new speakers, and a back-up camera. Even the Cobalt steering wheel is functional albeit a bit plain and not befitting a car at this performance level…….however, the seats are poorly functional if the car is driven anywhere near its limit. It’s a big comfy couch if you putt around and go to car shows and drive like it’s value will plummet if it reaches a speed over 30mph. However, the seats won’t hold you in place for crap if you are taking a corner the way the car was designed to do.
I don’t necessarily care if the interior is ‘dated’. I personally prefer the simplicity, and it was not an issue at all getting the head unit replaced, new speakers, and a back-up camera. Even the Cobalt steering wheel is functional albeit a bit plain and not befitting a car at this performance level…….however, the seats are poorly functional if the car is driven anywhere near its limit. It’s a big comfy couch if you putt around and go to car shows and drive like it’s value will plummet if it reaches a speed over 30mph. However, the seats won’t hold you in place for crap if you are taking a corner the way the car was designed to do.
I agree, its so comfy my wife falls asleep on long trips...........unless I have to drop a gear. 😆😆
I love the interior of my 09. Analog tach. and Speedo is my preference. The other gauges are also quite useful. I have a base model with the stock radio/cd and it sounds good to me. There are definitely better units out there, but I’m real happy with it. The steering wheel may be found in other GM models, but I’ve not owned them so it’s a Corvette steering wheel to me - fits my hands well. It seems there are fewer buttons and switches in my C6 than my BIL’s 98 C5 which gives it an relatively clean look. I also like the carbon fiber looking trim.
When I was looking to buy my first Corvette last summer at 59, the C6 just felt right to me. The, dare I say, Ferrariesque styling from the dawn of the 21st century, the analog nature of the interior, great 6 sp. manual, and overall performance - I love it as much today as when I first saw it. I think the C6 wide bodies do take it up a notch, but I can’t think of a another Corvette I would rather own. I guess that’s what it’s all about - finding THE Corvette that makes you smile every time you think about it.
Hot tip! Apparently C7 control arms fit (except the lower rears), are inexpensive and are an improvement over C6 because the bushings don't squeeze out from the dog-bones with track use. They have an inner metal sleeve. hat's especially nice is that you retain OE comfort without going to delrin or monoball. I haven't gone this route yet, but will...
This is exactly what I have done. For my HPDE track car I now have AMT spherical bearings (monoballs). They are great on the track.
However I am returning the car to stock and need all eight stock control arms. I have six of the eight stock arms. I need the two front lowers which I can not source (2009 C6Z) for the past three months.
I plan on selling the AMT monoball control arms when I swap out all eight plus I have AP Racing CP9660 372mm front brakes which will be for sale also.
The other JOKE about this term "dated" is that it implies that car styling should move contantly to what is cconsidered today's styling.........has anyone watched traffic go by on a highway or street lately.....EVERY car, truck and SUV looks exactly the same as every other car, truck and SUV. Compared to the generations of cars before the 80's......styling was truly unique and individual. You had many different shapes and sizes to choose from, and the designers actually produced something worthwhile. Today.....everything is the same blob shape. ANY Corvette is set apart from modern car design. So being "DATED" is absolutely a good thing....if its necessary to label it as such. Interior-wise.....if dated means a LAPTOP sitting on the dash.....I will pass. I cannot stand it when people describe Corvette interiors as "dated"...WTF is that? The dramatic interiors of the C8 and C7 are a little over the top in my opinion, with styling that must have been designed by a Star Wars model designer....but I guess some like it. For me,.....C6 and previous Corvettes have everything and anything a sports car driver needs....simple, functional, easy to see. I don't need the BS fluff that "modern" cars, and people obsessed with them, have. Its all just gimmicky nonsense.
When it comes to car terminology, "dated" just means that it is obvious to most what year or era it is from, or that you can easily predict the age of something. So if you say something is "dated", it doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing. When it comes to the C6, the only thing that I found dated about the car was the navigation unit. Other than that, I don't think there is much else that would obviously give away its age if someone didn't already know. And when it comes to the interior, I actually like the layout and the design. My only complaint would be the cheapness or quality of some of the materials. Little touches go a long way inside the cabin.
When it comes to car terminology, "dated" just means that it is obvious to most what year or era it is from, or that you can easily predict the age of something. So if you say something is "dated", it doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing. When it comes to the C6, the only thing that I found dated about the car was the navigation unit. Other than that, I don't think there is much else that would obviously give away its age if someone didn't already know. And when it comes to the interior, I actually like the layout and the design. My only complaint would be the cheapness or quality of some of the materials. Little touches go a long way inside the cabin.
Thank you......but I would say that typically when people state the C5 and C6 are "dated", they mean it in a bad way. I personally think that MANY things in life today that are "dated" are actually better than what is considered "current". SO again,.....its all up to individual taste.....there is no definitive "better".....yet that is always what is suggested. I still am waiting for examples of what is "current" and better. So far, I have not seen it.
I own a 77 Corvette.....in my opinion the C3 is the best looking generation every built by Chevy. Is it "dated"......I really don't care.
I don't see something being Dated as a bad thing either. I would infact say that part of what makes the C6 so great is its simplicity. Doesn't have to be a negative term.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
