Speed or handling?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
Likes: 313
From: New Jersey
Speed or handling?
As a Corvette owner which is more appealing to you? While I love the acceleration and speed we can reach (rather quickly). To me, the handling is what sets the C7 apart from other cars in it’s class. Now I’ve never driven a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini, and for their price point they should be superior across the board. But I have owned Mercedes and BMW sedans, and to me, for handling and cornering it’s not even close. Just wondering what you’re more impressed with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 949
From: Fleming Island Florida
I’d have to say the handling for sure. Raw speed (and torque) are a blast too, but it’s relatively easy to go fast —especially in a straight line. After having driven mine on a road course, it completely changed my opinion of this car. I also have a new respect for the guys that race professionally.
Last edited by stevettec7; Nov 30, 2018 at 11:01 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 453
From: Saint Clair Shores Mi
Silver: I'd have to say both, but that is pretty much saying "just the overall driving experience". It's a nice car to drive period. Sure there are cars out there that are faster (much faster in some cases) but I'd have to ask them "how's that 1500 mile cross country drive in your race car?" I asked a guy that question once after he thoroughly toasted me (not unexpected) in a highly modded trailer car at the strip. I turned low 12's - he turned a 10.40 something. At the time booth he yelled over, "what do ya'll think of that corvette now?"
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Seeing how I never go around a corner fast enough to roll the tire over onto its shoulder, I prefer the speed aspect I guess. One thing is for sure, on a street car, I set up the alignment with an eye toward straight line stability.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 467
From: Colorado
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 48
Likes: 9
From: Mount Juliet, TN
Acceleration and handling are important to me. I'm over my "top speed" stage in life but I love quick acceleration and tight handling. I got a smile on both of my kids' faces when I gave each one a test ride and floored it the first time! #priceless. Doubt I'd ride them at 185 mph! I've owned BMWs which had mild-good acceleration via turbos and handled ok (wide tires helped) and driven Porsche 911's S4 AWD and Ferrari 458 on a road course. Both handled corners great but the Ferrari sound won me over. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 285
From: Ten Mile TN
I enjoy both speed and Handling. However Handling is what I like the most about the car. A lot of why my second C7 is a grand sport. I live in the hills of East TN. We have a lot of great curvy mountain roads,, that this car excels on. This car is just easy to drive those curvy roads at why over the posted limit. On 55 mph roads, with 30 mile an hour curves, no need to slow for the curve.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I've owned Corvette for over 40 years. I've had a fascination for them since I was an 8 year old kid. I love the handling, and speed, but what I enjoy as much as anything is the friendships I've acquired over the years from the Corvette community. I've done a bit of higher speed stuff, and simply joined in on Corvette 'cruise ins', I've been a member of the local Corvette club for many years (the largest in the country) and have even been president of it a couple of times. I'm now 73 years old, and frankly, my Corvettes give me a feeling of a long lost youth. Yeah the new ones are fast, and really handle well, but there are a lot more benefit to still owning a couple of them. Enjoy your life, for it is temporary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Like the others I like both the speed and handling. Love the curves! A lot of opportunities for those in my area of the country. The other day my wife took over the wheel. We had a 15 mile stretch where there were a lot of 25 and 30 curve warning signs on this 55 highway. My wife put it at 60 on cruise control just for fun to see if we could make it all the way without slowing down. She did! If I had a trophy I would present it to her. You just can't beat the handling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
Neck snapping acceleration is relatively easy to get... put lotsa HP through the right transmission to BIG tires on a stiff frame and suspension, and mash down the gas pedal till you're done... As proof, Chrysler has sold a ton of varying versions of their Dodge sedans on steroids...
IMO "maturing" means appreciating the "finer things in life", and as a college student my first full throttle experience in a '64 GTO was truly pants-wetting, and the C7's acceleration is exhilarating, but I get more satisfaction out of the handling of the car on the twistys having plenty of HP on tap, correctly managing the M7 shifts and properly executing the turns.
IMO "maturing" means appreciating the "finer things in life", and as a college student my first full throttle experience in a '64 GTO was truly pants-wetting, and the C7's acceleration is exhilarating, but I get more satisfaction out of the handling of the car on the twistys having plenty of HP on tap, correctly managing the M7 shifts and properly executing the turns.
Last edited by jimmbbo; Dec 1, 2018 at 12:38 PM.