First Impressions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 4
From: Driftwood, TX
First Impressions
Picked up my shark gray kalahari 2LZ stage 1 today. Here are my initial impressions after 75 miles:
- Fit, finish, & paint were fine by my standards.
- Kalahari contrast stitching was a pleasant surprise.
- Was thinking no plastic seat flags since the seat backs had Z06 embossing, but they are there. Would have preferred not, but no big deal.
- Base seats were very comfortable for my medium build.
- Rode as quite & comfortable as my Acura TL in Tour mode - very little tire and wind noise.
- Shifter started out a bit notchy, but noticeably improved over a few short miles. Clutch is perfect.
- Sport was great on all roads, Track was too stiff for most roads I was on, but it was not jarring.
- Huge increase in Exhaust sound from Tour to Sport mode, snarley is the best I can describe it as. I felt self conscious coming into the neighborhood and was compelled to switch to Tour.
- Rev matching was mild on upshift, but super aggressive on downshifts, almost sounds like a short machine gun burst. I may get use to it, but found myself going back and forth engaging it (glad they are on paddles instead of in the menu).
- Keeping under 3500 rpms was tough, never got past about 1/4 throttle - can't wait to unleash her.
- Felt a little warmth through the tunnel. Not too hot but it was only in the 70's today.
- Glad I got the cooled seats, these really work on both the seat bottom and seat back. They will be necessary in the Texas summers I am sure.
- Car did not feel as wide as it looks when driving.
- My steep driveway is a bit of a challenge, but managed to get up it with mild scraping of the vertical plastic deflector. The wheel well gap is about 3 fingers and is not bad by my tastes - I plan to leave it a few months to see if it settles and if I find a better driveway approach method.
- Booked my 500 mile break-in oil change for next Friday.
- It will take me a year to learn to use all the infotainment features.
In summary, when I first pulled out of the dealer lot I had a strong flashback to 35 years ago driving my 68 vette. It is amazing to me that this car has maintained it's unique personality all these years.
I was quite nervous about making this big purchase, but now that I have it I know it was a good decision.
Cheers - RKV
- Fit, finish, & paint were fine by my standards.
- Kalahari contrast stitching was a pleasant surprise.
- Was thinking no plastic seat flags since the seat backs had Z06 embossing, but they are there. Would have preferred not, but no big deal.
- Base seats were very comfortable for my medium build.
- Rode as quite & comfortable as my Acura TL in Tour mode - very little tire and wind noise.
- Shifter started out a bit notchy, but noticeably improved over a few short miles. Clutch is perfect.
- Sport was great on all roads, Track was too stiff for most roads I was on, but it was not jarring.
- Huge increase in Exhaust sound from Tour to Sport mode, snarley is the best I can describe it as. I felt self conscious coming into the neighborhood and was compelled to switch to Tour.
- Rev matching was mild on upshift, but super aggressive on downshifts, almost sounds like a short machine gun burst. I may get use to it, but found myself going back and forth engaging it (glad they are on paddles instead of in the menu).
- Keeping under 3500 rpms was tough, never got past about 1/4 throttle - can't wait to unleash her.
- Felt a little warmth through the tunnel. Not too hot but it was only in the 70's today.
- Glad I got the cooled seats, these really work on both the seat bottom and seat back. They will be necessary in the Texas summers I am sure.
- Car did not feel as wide as it looks when driving.
- My steep driveway is a bit of a challenge, but managed to get up it with mild scraping of the vertical plastic deflector. The wheel well gap is about 3 fingers and is not bad by my tastes - I plan to leave it a few months to see if it settles and if I find a better driveway approach method.
- Booked my 500 mile break-in oil change for next Friday.
- It will take me a year to learn to use all the infotainment features.
In summary, when I first pulled out of the dealer lot I had a strong flashback to 35 years ago driving my 68 vette. It is amazing to me that this car has maintained it's unique personality all these years.
I was quite nervous about making this big purchase, but now that I have it I know it was a good decision.
Cheers - RKV
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 160
From: Concord, California
Good info., thanks! 
I sure don't like the looks of the bare Stage 1 splitter, you would think Chevy could have thrown in a Carbon Flash finish. One good thing is you won't feel bad about jamming that one on a driveway or speed bump.
I sure don't like the looks of the bare Stage 1 splitter, you would think Chevy could have thrown in a Carbon Flash finish. One good thing is you won't feel bad about jamming that one on a driveway or speed bump.
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Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 142
Likes: 8
From: Seattle WA
Great writeup. What do you think about the brakes?
Picked up my shark gray kalahari 2LZ stage 1 today. Here are my initial impressions after 75 miles:
- Fit, finish, & paint were fine by my standards.
- Kalahari contrast stitching was a pleasant surprise.
- Was thinking no plastic seat flags since the seat backs had Z06 embossing, but they are there. Would have preferred not, but no big deal.
- Base seats were very comfortable for my medium build.
- Rode as quite & comfortable as my Acura TL in Tour mode - very little tire and wind noise.
- Shifter started out a bit notchy, but noticeably improved over a few short miles. Clutch is perfect.
- Sport was great on all roads, Track was too stiff for most roads I was on, but it was not jarring.
- Huge increase in Exhaust sound from Tour to Sport mode, snarley is the best I can describe it as. I felt self conscious coming into the neighborhood and was compelled to switch to Tour.
- Rev matching was mild on upshift, but super aggressive on downshifts, almost sounds like a short machine gun burst. I may get use to it, but found myself going back and forth engaging it (glad they are on paddles instead of in the menu).
- Keeping under 3500 rpms was tough, never got past about 1/4 throttle - can't wait to unleash her.
- Felt a little warmth through the tunnel. Not too hot but it was only in the 70's today.
- Glad I got the cooled seats, these really work on both the seat bottom and seat back. They will be necessary in the Texas summers I am sure.
- Car did not feel as wide as it looks when driving.
- My steep driveway is a bit of a challenge, but managed to get up it with mild scraping of the vertical plastic deflector. The wheel well gap is about 3 fingers and is not bad by my tastes - I plan to leave it a few months to see if it settles and if I find a better driveway approach method.
- Booked my 500 mile break-in oil change for next Friday.
- It will take me a year to learn to use all the infotainment features.
In summary, when I first pulled out of the dealer lot I had a strong flashback to 35 years ago driving my 68 vette. It is amazing to me that this car has maintained it's unique personality all these years.
I was quite nervous about making this big purchase, but now that I have it I know it was a good decision.
Cheers - RKV
Attachment 47845577
- Fit, finish, & paint were fine by my standards.
- Kalahari contrast stitching was a pleasant surprise.
- Was thinking no plastic seat flags since the seat backs had Z06 embossing, but they are there. Would have preferred not, but no big deal.
- Base seats were very comfortable for my medium build.
- Rode as quite & comfortable as my Acura TL in Tour mode - very little tire and wind noise.
- Shifter started out a bit notchy, but noticeably improved over a few short miles. Clutch is perfect.
- Sport was great on all roads, Track was too stiff for most roads I was on, but it was not jarring.
- Huge increase in Exhaust sound from Tour to Sport mode, snarley is the best I can describe it as. I felt self conscious coming into the neighborhood and was compelled to switch to Tour.
- Rev matching was mild on upshift, but super aggressive on downshifts, almost sounds like a short machine gun burst. I may get use to it, but found myself going back and forth engaging it (glad they are on paddles instead of in the menu).
- Keeping under 3500 rpms was tough, never got past about 1/4 throttle - can't wait to unleash her.
- Felt a little warmth through the tunnel. Not too hot but it was only in the 70's today.
- Glad I got the cooled seats, these really work on both the seat bottom and seat back. They will be necessary in the Texas summers I am sure.
- Car did not feel as wide as it looks when driving.
- My steep driveway is a bit of a challenge, but managed to get up it with mild scraping of the vertical plastic deflector. The wheel well gap is about 3 fingers and is not bad by my tastes - I plan to leave it a few months to see if it settles and if I find a better driveway approach method.
- Booked my 500 mile break-in oil change for next Friday.
- It will take me a year to learn to use all the infotainment features.
In summary, when I first pulled out of the dealer lot I had a strong flashback to 35 years ago driving my 68 vette. It is amazing to me that this car has maintained it's unique personality all these years.
I was quite nervous about making this big purchase, but now that I have it I know it was a good decision.
Cheers - RKV
Attachment 47845577
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 4
From: Driftwood, TX
I did not mention the brakes as I don't recall needing them much. I was taking it easy, plus the downshifting really slowed the card down by itself.
I was thinking about needing to properly bed them in per the manual, but need to save that for the right time and place. I have seen a few other Stingray posts on rotor glazing causing vibration, and I certainly want to avoid that.
I was thinking about needing to properly bed them in per the manual, but need to save that for the right time and place. I have seen a few other Stingray posts on rotor glazing causing vibration, and I certainly want to avoid that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 4
From: Driftwood, TX
Yes, I thought I was well prepared at the dealership with my checklists and all my plans, but once I got there, my mind went blank with the excitement. Good thing my wife was there to remind me, and to write the check (I had to close my eyes...lol).
