Why on Earth did GM equip the C7/Summer Tires?
02-13-2014, 05:22 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Why on Earth did GM equip the C7/Summer Tires?
Did a search folks, so do hope this is not a repeat. Title pretty much self-explanatory! Just looking for a common sense answer on the tire selection given anywhere from one third to one half of the Country shut down by the elements for many months every year! Your thoughts!
Wish All the Best! Jerry
Wish All the Best! Jerry
02-13-2014, 05:28 PM
#3
Corvettes are summer cars no matter what some people like to say...
02-13-2014, 05:29 PM
#4
SUPPORT AUTISM
I agree. My first purchase was a set of TSW rims and I installed the summer tires on them. My second purchase was a set of Michelin All Season tires and installed them on the stock rims. Both set are runflats and the All Season tires ride much better. It is just not GM. My friends Audi All Wheel Drive coupe is equipped with summer tires also. Go figure.
02-13-2014, 05:30 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
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GM wanted to build a "World Class Sports Car" I don't think the C7 would handle that well with Blizzaks.
They figure that some will be garage queens and not driven unless it's really nice out and for the other group of people they will throw on some all season / snow tires.
I'm happy they threw summer tires on because in warm weather the C7 handles like a champ!
They figure that some will be garage queens and not driven unless it's really nice out and for the other group of people they will throw on some all season / snow tires.
I'm happy they threw summer tires on because in warm weather the C7 handles like a champ!
02-13-2014, 05:34 PM
#6
Safety Car
It would be a tough sell to advertise "A world class sports car that handles so-so because we put compromise all-season tires on it."
Especially all the Z51 fans. "I got the handling suspension package, with the optional non-handling tires."
Especially all the Z51 fans. "I got the handling suspension package, with the optional non-handling tires."
02-13-2014, 05:36 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
It's a "sports car". The better the tire, the better the handling and that is exactly what sports cars are all about. If the C7 came equipped from the factory with snow plow (all season or winter) tires, the cars handling would be substantially compromised and conversations about 1+G lateral grip would be out of the discussion along with 3.8 seconds 0-60.
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
Last edited by slief; 02-13-2014 at 05:39 PM.
02-13-2014, 05:37 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
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I agree. My first purchase was a set of TSW rims and I installed the summer tires on them. My second purchase was a set of Michelin All Season tires and installed them on the stock rims. Both set are runflats and the All Season tires ride much better. It is just not GM. My friends Audi All Wheel Drive coupe is equipped with summer tires also. Go figure.
02-13-2014, 05:43 PM
#9
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
02-13-2014, 05:44 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
It's a "sports car". The better the tire, the better the handling and that is exactly what sports cars are all about. If the C7 came equipped from the factory with snow plow (all season or winter) tires, the cars handling would be substantially compromised and conversations about 1+G lateral grip would be out of the discussion along with 3.8 seconds 0-60.
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
Whenever our C7 arrives, it will not be used on the occasions where this area (central TX) gets into the low 20s or the occasional ice storm of which we’ve had 2 real ones and one imposter this season.So, before the next winter, our G8GT will get a set of
Michelin Pilot A/S 3s to use when the crud settles in. If it’s too nasty for the G8, we aren’t going out in other than a true emergency situation and that’s highly unlikely. Don
02-13-2014, 05:48 PM
#11
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GM wanted to build a "World Class Sports Car" I don't think the C7 would handle that well with Blizzaks.
They figure that some will be garage queens and not driven unless it's really nice out and for the other group of people they will throw on some all season / snow tires.
I'm happy they threw summer tires on because in warm weather the C7 handles like a champ!
They figure that some will be garage queens and not driven unless it's really nice out and for the other group of people they will throw on some all season / snow tires.
I'm happy they threw summer tires on because in warm weather the C7 handles like a champ!
02-13-2014, 05:51 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
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It seems to me more people want summer tires than all season tires. So, better to put the summer tires as stock and let winter drivers buy winter tires. Rather than give everyone winter tires and make them buy summer tires.
02-13-2014, 05:56 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
It's a "sports car". The better the tire, the better the handling and that is exactly what sports cars are all about. If the C7 came equipped from the factory with snow plow (all season or winter) tires, the cars handling would be substantially compromised and conversations about 1+G lateral grip would be out of the discussion along with 3.8 seconds 0-60.
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
02-13-2014, 05:56 PM
#14
This might be the dumbest question ever asked on a forum. All season tires on a Corvette???
Why not just go buy a Buick, if your buying the performance of a Vette and then disabling it with tires meant for an SUV what is the point....
Why not just go buy a Buick, if your buying the performance of a Vette and then disabling it with tires meant for an SUV what is the point....
02-13-2014, 06:08 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I'd be pissed if I spent money on a sports car that came with all season tires. GM got this right.
If this is your year round daily driver, you are really pushing the limits and you will need separate wheels with snow tires to stand any chance in the winter.
If this is your year round daily driver, you are really pushing the limits and you will need separate wheels with snow tires to stand any chance in the winter.
02-13-2014, 06:14 PM
#17
Racer
These tires are grippy as hell, but I am sure when my tires need to be replaced, I will get a diff set, love the grip, hate the low speed turn's, I thought my front tire's were flat, the first time it happened. But I live in Florida, so I will never need "all season's" maybe different brand.
02-13-2014, 06:23 PM
#18
SUPPORT AUTISM
It's a "sports car". The better the tire, the better the handling and that is exactly what sports cars are all about. If the C7 came equipped from the factory with snow plow (all season or winter) tires, the cars handling would be substantially compromised and conversations about 1+G lateral grip would be out of the discussion along with 3.8 seconds 0-60.
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
For those that need to drive the car under not so ideal conditions, you have options as you are well aware but those options are at YOUR expense and not at the expense of the cars outstanding performance and handling which (among other things) is what makes this car the incredible car that it is.
Stay warm!! It's in the mid 80's here in So.Cal and these "summer tires" are incredible on this car!!
I agree with this thought but, how often is the car driven on the track and how often on the street. You will not be accomplishing 1+G lateral grip around a street corner. GM offers three different roofs, vented seats, heated seats and so on. These summer tires are deemed unsafe below 40 degrees, dry or wet. Would it make sense if an optional set of rims with either All Season tires be available for those who want it, or optional track tires for those who want it.
Never said it was a Z51.
02-13-2014, 06:31 PM
#19
Safety Car
Question asked: Why on did GM equip the C7 with Summer Tires?
Question answered: The C7 is high performance sports car mainly driven in dry, mild conditions. Therefore it is sold with 'summer' tires to provide the maximum performance on dry streets in mild to warm weather.
If you can afford a $60k car. You should be able to afford a $1000 set of A/S tires. Considering the vast majority of Corvettes are driven only in mild to warm & dry weather, it doesn't take a scientist to figure out that GM is simply catering to the majority. Could GM offer an A/S option? Sure they could. But is it really necessary for them to do so, when pretty much any tire shop down the block already offer that option?
For those few Corvette owners (like myself) choose to drive their car year round. Or in the rain/wet or when temperatures are less than 40 degrees (which is the advertised limit of the max 'summer' tires OE installed on the car). The Michelin Pilot A/S or AS3 is one of the best tire options you can choose. It provides plenty of grip in the wet & dry, works well in cold temps and can also handle a few inches of snow. I know this first hand as I drove my new-to-me C6 through the snowy mountains of WV & Northern Maryland with absolute no drama.
Question answered: The C7 is high performance sports car mainly driven in dry, mild conditions. Therefore it is sold with 'summer' tires to provide the maximum performance on dry streets in mild to warm weather.
If you can afford a $60k car. You should be able to afford a $1000 set of A/S tires. Considering the vast majority of Corvettes are driven only in mild to warm & dry weather, it doesn't take a scientist to figure out that GM is simply catering to the majority. Could GM offer an A/S option? Sure they could. But is it really necessary for them to do so, when pretty much any tire shop down the block already offer that option?
For those few Corvette owners (like myself) choose to drive their car year round. Or in the rain/wet or when temperatures are less than 40 degrees (which is the advertised limit of the max 'summer' tires OE installed on the car). The Michelin Pilot A/S or AS3 is one of the best tire options you can choose. It provides plenty of grip in the wet & dry, works well in cold temps and can also handle a few inches of snow. I know this first hand as I drove my new-to-me C6 through the snowy mountains of WV & Northern Maryland with absolute no drama.
02-13-2014, 06:36 PM
#20
I agree. My first purchase was a set of TSW rims and I installed the summer tires on them. My second purchase was a set of Michelin All Season tires and installed them on the stock rims. Both set are runflats and the All Season tires ride much better. It is just not GM. My friends Audi All Wheel Drive coupe is equipped with summer tires also. Go figure.