So my normal ride is a 2010 GS 2LT without the mag ride or performance exhaust. On Saturday, a local Corvette Forum member was kind enough to share his time and his car with my wife and I.

I must say, I'm very impressed. Not just with the C7 (which is AWESOME), but with tome who spent 90 minutes with us and shared his keys with nearly total strangers.

About tome: Forum member tome owns a business in Brea, CA. He's had a ZR1, CTS-V and several other cars. He got museum delivery and drove the car home. When I messaged him on the forum, I was hoping to help wash the bugs off after his trip back from Bowling Green. What I got was time with a true gentleman and enthusiast.

The C7: His car is a 3LT Z51 with magnetic shocks and NPP. Getting back in my Grand Sport and looking over the dash felt like I was driving a Malibu. Suffice it to say, the interior is a massive improvement over the previous generation. I really felt like it was something more exotic. Three things stood out about the drive; The steering is incredibly responsive and precise, the brakes were fantastic with a very linear grip, and OH! the sounds. Cruising around town was completely docile but set the car in Sport or Track simply unleashed the beast.

In a nutshell, "holy hell my Grand Sport is obsolete".

Driving away I asked my wife, "Where's that rank on a scale of 1 to 10?"
Her answer, "10."
My next question, "Where's my Grand Sport land if that was the new 10?"
Her answer, "7, maybe even a 6."

I absolutely agree. No, my car is not really among the Malibus, Camrys and Accords on the road. But, I'm not longing to place an order for a new Grand Sport. I need a new Stingray. After the reveal in January, I plan to place my order for something from the 2015 model year. I plan to buy it, drive it, and enjoy it every day. I have no doubt that the Stingray could be a car to last me several very happy years.

My sincerest thanks to tome for his time, conversation and trust. I look forward to the chance to apologize for my more annoying conversation habits when I'm enthusiastic about the topic. Please keep your eye on the mail for a proper Thank you.

Addendum: I understand many people may find the contents or wording to be offensive or counter to their personal opinion. This was about MY first chance to drive a C7 and my very enjoyable time with a fellow Corvette Forum member. Please keep this in mind in your responses!

 

OP - thanks for the thoughts.

And hat tip to tome. He sounds like a great ambassador for Corvette. I've met a lot folks in Corvette circles that act like him. It's great to see.

 

Nice write-up, and great to know.....but my question is: what type of response is the C7 getting from folks who are currently in C6 Z cars?

 

Tome did the same for me when he passed through where I work. Tome

 

That's great to hear, I cant wait to drive one myself. As a C6 owner I have great admiration for that generation, but at the same time Corvette needed a significant re-working to re-establish itself in these very competitive times. Sounds like they hit the mark.

 

I asked him this myself, as he came from a ZR1. He said that the new car was such a vast improvement over the last generation that he really likes it, though he does miss the power of the ZR1. When I asked if he would consider someone like Callaway to add more power, he indicated that he would likely order one of whatever performance model revealed in January.

 

I think your comments are about to unleash hell with a few of the your fellow C6 upper classmen that don't particularly like new fangled ideas, modern ways and these new fancy pants cars. They lurk in these halls just looking for someone with a positive C7 story to pounce on and beat to a bloody pulp. Thankfully you didn't say it was fast, maybe your only saving grace. Thanks for sharing. Now, move along before they find you.

 

One last thing I forgot to mention.

I hated the automatic in my 2006 coupe. It hesitated, lurched and was generally annoying.

The A6 in tome's car was perfect. It was quick and smooth. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this new A6 and it will be a tough choice when it comes time to order.

 

My C6 is a great car. My C7 is a better great car. OP glad you got a chance to drive one. 1500 miles into mine I haven't lost any of the excitement.

 

Nice post Wax, thank you and props to Tome for his generosity. Some of us (myself included, sorry to say) get a bit feisty on the internet but everyone I have met at various meets have been awesome.

 

WaxWeekly.... Thanks for the kind words

You know you only got to drive it because you brought your lovely wife along... And sorry I didn't tell you about the radar detector....LOL

I just love sharing this new Stingray and seeing the smiles when someone gets out from behind the wheel.

And if you need a "fix" before yours comes in, just let me know.

Tom

 

Look I love my C6 and it's the best car I've ever owned. But, if I could afford it and not have to worry about possible future financial problems I'd buy one tomorrow. There's not a damn thing wrong in saying the C6 is obsolete...of course it is.

 

I dearly love my DSOM six speed 2005 C6, but after driving the C7 and seeing several others, there really is no way you can walk away without being extremely impressed by the looks, performance and technology of the C7. I got a great car when I bought the 2005 despite the many things that can go wrong with a new generation and I don't know if I can wait for a 2015 C7, but a new one is definitely in my future. Certainly there will be those who just don't like the design, but one day I bet they will be won over by the really great stingray.

 

I love hearing stories like this... it gets me excited to get my C7 for sure!! It also is a testament to the C7 as the C6 is still a great car from a performance perspective. The fact the C7 is such an improvement just speaks volumes about it!!

 

Mike,

I'm in the same boat. I love my Grand Sport. It's a fantastic car and I'll probably be enjoying it for a while yet. In the mean-time, maybe they'll add a few improvements to the C7.

I'm still a bit dumbfounded by the amount of changes between the two. I've seen so many 'compeltely new' redesigned cars that were just like the last one. This is not the 'all new' that marketing guys like to spew, this is the 'all new' that the engineers turned out.

 

Absolutely true and it makes me want one even more! The most frustrating thing is right now they are priced very well. You can bet your azz they will be going up.

 

I own a 2009 Z06. Last week I was fortunate enough to see 4 C7's in the same day. Two white Z51's, a Blue Premier edition and a red non Z51. I'm sold on white and chomping at the bit for one. I will have no problem saying goodbye to my beautiful Cyber Gray Z06 with a ZR1 body kit and 360 forged concave mesh wheels and and hello to a new C7. It's not if, it's when for me. I can say that without having even driven the C7 as I know I will love it.


Wax,
Thank you very much for your review! It's always nice to read reviews from fellow C6 owners!

 

I just saw a yellow C7 at the Chevron tonight. I turned around and went to get a closer look. Stunning looking car in person. I asked him if it was the Z51 and he said yes. I couldn't stay too long (the wife was with me). I must say the car looks great in person. The wife tells me if I want one she will sacrifice and take the 08 off my hands. lol

 

I was just in Yorba Linda and Brea this past weekend for a good 12 hours

I've sat in a C7 in the OC auto show and my C6's interior is just pathetically...inadequate... after spending some time in the C7. Time moves on and so has the Vette. Can't wait to drive a C7, but I'm really scared I'll come home with one. Bah.

 

I wish Tom would come up North.