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Why is the C7Z the most criticized Vette I've owned?
Disconcerting.
I've thoroughly enjoyed owning 5 different Corvettes, ranging from two C4s, a C5, a C6Z, and now a C7Z. Not one of these cars was what I'd call "PERFECT". Each had its strengths and weaknesses.
However, this time around, with the C7 Z06, is it just me...or does being a fan of this car mean you're always playing defense? I mean, really..despite posting ridiculous track times, 0-60 times, grip, 1/4 mile times, now having a removable roof/convertible option, etc....?
I get hit all the time with stuff like:
"It's not really a Z06 because it gets hot if you flog it on the track..."
or
"Yeah, well, the C6 ZR1 is still the best Vette ever..."
..and on and on.
Like I wrote above, no car is perfect. C6Z owners certainly recall the alleged "dropping valves" epidemic. Even so, I never felt the levels of "hateration" as a C6 Z06 owner. I'm trying not to let it, but the constant beat down everyone puts on this car is starting to become bothersome, yet it seems to be largely undeserved.
I truly think it's the best Vette ever...and possibly by a considerable margin. Are people like me missing something?
Last edited by tonypittman; 06-29-2016 at 06:54 PM.
Ehh... Social media has really taken a big part of everyone's life since the days of C6Z introduction. Lots of idiots that know nothing of cars out there getting false information about things that they really shouldn't be knowing in the first place. Hence you get more people saying / spreading incorrect information around.
Does the C7Z have some short comings... Yes it does and so does every man made thing. All you have to do is.. Let the haters be haters and continue to enjoy the best Vette thus far!!!
Beautiful Z! I personally don't think the Nickel Finish wheels get enough credit. They look perfect matched up to your Blade Silver paint.
As to the Z06, I loved the C7 (rear tail lights and all) immediately and had the same gut "Gotta have it" reaction I did when I first saw the C5. I decided to wait until the Z06 came out and now I'm getting ready to add to the stable and get a C7Z. I personally don't care about any naysayers, however I will admit that the field is more crowded now than ever with high performance and high horsepower cars. That's why although the C7Z is a beautiful example of automotive machinery, there are many naysayers because there are simply more options available that at least get close to the King.
People go by the magazines. The Z06 had a tough run in the release coverage with overheating, accidents, etc. there is no 'Ring time and it essentially DNF'd the Best Drivers Car competition. This marred the release coverage and that set the bar for the average non-owner Joe's opinion. Just like when the BMW 1M came out and it got labeled a parts bin abomination. Then later people sang its praises. Maybe the Z will get a similar late acceptance.
Last edited by spearfish25; 06-29-2016 at 07:42 PM.
Tadge combined the Z06 and ZR1 models into one car for one price. The C7 Z06 is a compromise car so neither of the buyers in the two camps are fully happy. If Tadge allowed himself the higher price to truly develop a ZR1 then we would have had a sorted out 650hp car or possibly more powerful and with lower drag for high speed straight line runs and all the amenities. The ZR1 guys would be happy. If Tadge allowed himself to build a NA engine Z06 he could have made a car with higher stamina and lower curb weight for the track. But he didn't. We now have a supercharged car optimized for the track but loaded with tons of amenities, and cooling only sufficient for a no aero straight line racer.
I think Tadge nearly pulled it off. But at $78k many track going owners put their hands on one and ran them hard at the track where all the compromises started to show. I also believe that if the ZR1 was this cheap we would have seen better drivers pushing them at the track and revealing their performance envelope.
There were tough decisions made during and post recession for the C7 generation that have long lasting effects. GM has released some upgrades during the C7 generation but few and not substantial.
Last edited by SBC_and_a_stick; 06-29-2016 at 07:50 PM.
Tadge combined the Z06 and ZR1 models into one car for one price. The C7 Z06 is a compromise car so neither of the buyers in the two camps are fully happy. If Tadge allowed himself the higher price to truly develop a ZR1 then we would have had a sorted out 650hp car or possibly more powerful and with lower drag for high speed straight line runs and all the amenities. The ZR1 guys would be happy. If Tadge allowed himself to build a NA engine Z06 he could have made a car with higher stamina and lower curb weight for the track. But he didn't. We now have a supercharged car optimized for the track but loaded with tons of amenities, and cooling only sufficient for a no aero straight line racer.
I think Tadge nearly pulled it off. But at $78k many track going owners put their hands on one and ran them hard at the track where all the compromises started to show. I also believe that if the ZR1 was this cheap we would have seen better drivers pushing them at the track and revealing their performance envelope.
There were tough decisions made during and post recession for the C7 generation that have long lasting effects. GM has released some upgrades during the C7 generation but few and not substantial.
I think it's because this Z06 is a different Vette. It is now being compared to other supercars. It's performance is now being compared to a higher level of competition and it performs as well as cars which cost 100k or more. Vettes were always nice fast sports cars with few US competitors in their market and no one considered them to be compared to the Porsches etc. of the world. Now that has changed and there is a new level of critique.
Tadge combined the Z06 and ZR1 models into one car for one price. The C7 Z06 is a compromise car so neither of the buyers in the two camps are fully happy. If Tadge allowed himself the higher price to truly develop a ZR1 then we would have had a sorted out 650hp car or possibly more powerful and with lower drag for high speed straight line runs and all the amenities. The ZR1 guys would be happy. If Tadge allowed himself to build a NA engine Z06 he could have made a car with higher stamina and lower curb weight for the track. But he didn't. We now have a supercharged car optimized for the track but loaded with tons of amenities, and cooling only sufficient for a no aero straight line racer.
I think Tadge nearly pulled it off. But at $78k many track going owners put their hands on one and ran them hard at the track where all the compromises started to show. I also believe that if the ZR1 was this cheap we would have seen better drivers pushing them at the track and revealing their performance envelope.
There were tough decisions made during and post recession for the C7 generation that have long lasting effects. GM has released some upgrades during the C7 generation but few and not substantial.
The people who hate can't afford one! Most of them drive *** cars so it's not worth getting out of breath with those idiots, then there's the mustang ball bags and all those clowns can eat $hit! Enjoy your car, you worked hard for it so who cares what others think, never met a girl that wouldn't get into a vette!!
I could care less with what some say or think. Most would give anything to have a C7Z in their garage, so in their shallow little minds, putting down the car compensates for not having the money to buy one.
Right now, in my garage, I have a car that will compete with any world class car on the strip or track.
I also agree with an earlier comment about people now on social media, car forums, etc. There's nothing as funny as some guy who doesn't know a C6Z from a C7Z spouting off about how the C7Z sucks, just because he read it.
I could care less with what some say or think. Most would give anything to have a C7Z in their garage, so in their shallow little minds, putting down the car compensates for not having the money to buy one.
Right now, in my garage, I have a car that will compete with any world class car on the strip or track.
I also agree with an earlier comment about people now on social media, car forums, etc. There's nothing as funny as some guy who doesn't know a C6Z from a C7Z spouting off about how the C7Z sucks, just because he read it.
I never owned a C6, so I don't have a frame of reference to compare to C7 posts. But I would venture to guess that the criticism is likely because it kind of departed from the "ethos" of what the Z is "supposed" to be - possibly to appeal to a broader audience. So it got heavier, got a ton of settings that many people will have a hard time trying to figure out, and an auto box. Not very different from other icons that change the formula - like when the M5 was sold without a manual transmission, gained weight and started pumping engine sounds through the speakers, the M3 went turbo, the 911 lost its air cooled engines, and the GT3 - God save us - was offered without a manual box. Par for the course.
06-29-2016, 06:53 PM
Why is the C7Z the most criticized Vette I've owned?
