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First impressions of the car and the drive home...
First impressions after my 1100 mile drive back to Texas (with as quick stop in Illinois). I had to make a tough decision about whether to stop mid trip home for the oil change that is apparently now required at 500 miles. I didn't do it since I needed to get my son back to Texas. I'll get the oil changed at about 1100 miles. I hope that won't be a problem down the road with warranty coverage.
First, anyone who thinks the view out the windshield is restricted by the hood much be quite short. Admittedly I'm on the upper end of height (6'7") for someone that can fit in this car, but the view isn't even close to being impacted by the hood. I wouldn't even have thought that if I hadn't read it here first. On the other hand, staring across the glossy CF dash out at the sea of CF under the hood that's visible from the driver's seat is pretty awesome.
If you're the kind of person who likes to stay low key, don't buy this car. I had people following me taking pics, talking to me at every stop, etc. A lot of folks don't know what it is, but they know it's something different from a "normal" vette. Lots of attention as expected.
If you, like me, want to hear the car. Setup the sound in engine management in settings for Track mode. This will keep the valves open nearly all the time. There is a noticeable different in sound between Sport and Track. In Track, the sound is incredible when starting and driving. However, wait til you downshift and hear the burbling through the exhaust. A sound the Z06 does not make. It's awesome. I kept doing it over and over just to hear it. I love that sound!
The interior is definitely a notch up from my 15 Z06. The diamond pattern on the ceiling of the roof panel is a nice touch. It is NOT the chosen stitch color though. So my red stitching did not carry up there. However, the paddles are red which is another nice touch. The Glossy CF dash is sweet. Acres of alcantara, suede, or whatever they call that material throughout the cabin. Since I did museum delivery, instead of the normal badge on the center console, I have the museum delivery badge with the VIN, my name, and the museum delivery caption. I did the regular seats (not comp) and noticed no differences between the Z06 and the seating comfort in the ZR1. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the step up in the interior with the ZR1 over the Z06.
I went with the Carbon Flash wheels which have the embossed ZR1 logo like the Z06 wheels had. They have a nice gloss and I'm actually liking them much better than I had thought I would from the pics. I think these are going to stay on the car for now anyway. The tires are, of course, the Sport Cup 2's and for me they're on the must replace list. I'll either be going to the Conti Extreme Contacts or Michelin SSZP's
As I mentioned above, the entire under hood is exposed CF. For those of you, like me, who had custom hood liners on your Z06, well you probably won't do that here. I couldn't bring myself to covering up that CF even if there was a hood liner option. It looks pretty awesome under there. Speaking of CF, there's a lot of it on this car. Even the rear differential scoops are CF on the car. I'm surprised, however, the rear diffuser is not. It's the largest, by far, piece of Carbon Flash on the car and I"m surprised they left that considering the other CF parts the upgraded. I've already ordered the APR CF rear diffuser with the extra 2 strakes on each side. I sure hope it fits...
Now for some pretty early views on the driving characteristics. I've not gotten into it much yet but it's clear the transmission programming is different. Definitely seems to be faster shifts than the Z06. I was a bit surprised that when in track mode and in manual shifts, the shift aren't as hard/harsh as I would have expected. They're very smooth. Almost too much so for my liking. I like a hard shift and it doesn't do that. Downshifts seem to be very quick whether in paddle shift or auto modes. Performance seems strong, but I have to say, I'm not seeing a huge difference from the Z06. I'm sure it's there. 100 HP is pretty significant. I'm just not wowed by the seat of the pants feel. I've not done any real times runs or anything, but my one unofficial test is a place near where I live in the country on a deserted road which I use two landmarks to check what speed I can get to. I've done this for years and with all my vettes since about 2000. This roll on speed test on the Z06 allowed me to get from 60 to about 127 in that span, and the ZR1 got to 128. So not much difference. Time will tell as it further breaks in and my experience with it goes up.
For those that care, even without eco mode and cylinder deactivation, I was getting around 23-25mpg on the way home running about 80. That's pretty darn good for a 750hp car doing 80. Not that I really care about MPG in this car, but that was a pleasant surprise.
BTW, I've included a pic as the car was being driven out of the museum by Stacy. That was a very cool moment when the 75 or so folks parted to allow Stacy through and then everyone starting clapping and shouting. Lots of excitement from the crowd as it was driven out.
I need to take some interior pics and I'll post those asap. The car just went to the shop this morning for full paint protection film wrap so I won't have it back til Friday though...
Great review did you hit any adverse weather on the trip home?
love the black. My OCD won' let me buy black. BEAUTIFUL RIDE!!!
No, I was very fortunate to miss all the rain. However, I took a nasty rock chip in the front end of the hood that I now have to get fixed before I can clear bra the car. I got lazy and didn't install the track tape I brought with me for this but it wouldn't have mattered since the rock hit was above where I would have taped. Oh well...
Thanks for the write up. Car looks beautiful. Would love more pics if you've got them. There's only 3 colors, to me, that I would want. Black, Sebring Orange and Admiral Blue.
From a straightline perspective, the car has more power but also more drag than the Z06. I think with the hood, it's again, not an issue in driving straight, but more of an issue placing the right front corner of the car on a road course, as your sight lines will be pretty far out in the distance. Just something you have to adapt to visually is all.
Much appreciated that you took the time to share your thoughts & experiences with that beast in your garage now....THANKS! I watched yours on the webcam, and am hoping my experience will parallel yours (though I will be trailering home, as Winter does not want to leave the NorthEast yet...and the ZR1 also does not have a "Weather" mode...)
Thanks for the write up.
How was the ride quality compared to the Z06?
As far as ride quality and handling, I didn't notice a lot of difference from the Z06 w/Z07 package that I had. Since it's a ZTK car, it has the suspension programming for the track, but if you put the car in Tour like I did for the drive home, it was actually pretty smooth. Don't be concerned about ride harshness off the track if you buy the ZTK option. It's fine. I did have in track mode a bit yesterday and it definitely stiffens up like the Z06 and I'm sure will handle well on the track. No chance to evaluate that yet.
I do plan to put it on the track a little. I won't be a big track user like some of you guys, but I will be getting it out there. I'm doing Spring Mountain first then I'll get it out on COTA at least.
04-02-2018, 09:11 AM
First impressions of the car and the drive home...
