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Corvette or not corvette?
Hello all,
I know this is a boxster board, but is buying a corvette a recommended move these days? I just looked at the pricing and since US$ rate is so cheap now I was kind of drooling to get the 6.2L version. But also since GM is on the verge of bankruptcy, is it advisable to buy one of their cars? I would hate getting one and then the company goes bankrupt! I'm keeping the boxs for life, but kind of miss the growling sound of pure american V8. |
GM isn't going away, even if they filed for bankrupcy. They would just restructure and shed legacy costs like retirement and healthcare, lay off people, close some plants etc... but they aren't going away.
Pros of the Vette: great drivetrain, great performance short of an supercar, great bang for buck. Cons: the interior of a Cobalt. Makes the Boxster interior seem luxurious |
The NEW interior of a 3LZ package on the new Z06 is on par with any Porsche. If I had it to do all over again that is what I would have done.
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IMO, another con is fuel consumption, I've seen complaints about Boxsters and I think the fuel mileage is reasonable...
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If you have not driven the vette, go for a test drive. Porsche and Vettes feel and drive completely different. IMO, the Porsche is tighter, harder and I feel like I have better control (sounds like a Viagra commercial) than the Vette. I'm just not impressed with the drive of the Vette.
Eric |
I would suggest you drive both cars at least twice, if not more.
These are both great cars IMHO but they are different in look and feel, so it is such a personal issue. GM is not going anywhere, no issue there IMHO. The gas mileage on the C6 is actually quite good, depending on how you drive it. 26MPG highway for the base C6. My friend does better than that at 70 MPH. Good luck. |
About a year back before buying the Boxster S I now have the choices were down to it and a used ZO6 Corvette. If you have the opportunity, like BL said, drive both. I see you are in Japan so I don't know easily that could be done. I have seen a few guys on this forum deride the Corvette but I love them, great cars and fun for the money. One of the deciding factors for me was that the Boxster, even in S form, was much more usable without getting into the "stupid fast" zone. A C6 ZO6 can go 125 in third gear, they are absolute beasts.
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X2... :cheers: |
Well, I like the Vette.... but my concern is that other Vette owners are slightly "older" than myself. To be blunt, every Corvette owner I see is an old guy who babies the car around. The average age is got to be 62.
Do get me wrong, great car, great numbers, lots of power... I may get one when I can start pulling from the 401K. Until then, I'll keep the Boxster. |
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I am not sure how well a ZO6 handles either. I've read the reviews and the specs but a few weeks ago on the Tail of the Dragon a ZO6 couldn't come close to keeping up with me and my little RS 60 on two runs. I couldn't convince the Vette driver that I was stock. Now.....that ZR-1 may be a whole other story........ |
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I got his joke from the Ferrari guys... :D |
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Dude really it was the driver and not the car. A well driven C6 ZO6 will eat a Boxster and this is coming from me. I adore mine and have made it very fast, I have driven both and there is NO comparison. |
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I'm a vette owner and i can attest there is no comparison between a Z06 and a boxster when based on performance. i like my boxster a lot but the vette is a different animal. Fletch |
I test drove a 2007 Corvette on May 20th (my birthday wish) as well as a Porsche 911. (Both automatics) As Fletch mentioned..... different animals. Both had great power, but the Vette had unbelievable power (throw you back in the seat power - get in trouble power, break the wheels loose power)
I have a full head of hair but I am 50... :) I may still get a vette in a few years after the love affair with the Boxster gets fullfilled.... waiting to see what the next new vette style looks like... Bob - Colorado Springs 2001 Boxster S |
I agree about the "stupid fast" part, the penalty for overstepping the limits of a Corvette on the street are likely to be high. But the reason I don't like them is they're BIG, and WIDE. I like that "flickable", nimble feeling of a small, lighter car.
YMMV. Steve |
I have owned vettes since 1967. My first, a 63 Sting Ray was a blast. I do lament the fact that this sized vette is gone.
Having said that, there is nothing quite like the sound and feel of a small block Chevy engine when you hammer it. Very nice indeed. Having both these cars is the answer. Depending on what you want to experience on that given day, you can have it.] Do you want the lady that is sophisticated and responsive or do you want your back scratched really really hard??? :D |
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I would also hesitate because of GM's status. A CH11 filing could quickly precipitate to a CH7 if consumer concerns continue to drop sales. There is concern over the viability of the dealer network and even in a CH11 some of the dealers will lose their franchises without buyout payments.
Many do not think GM would be viable even in a successful CH11. I agree the Corvette brand would continue but it could go through a few years of "neglect" and potential disruption in warranty programs. Just a thought. |
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I would love to have a garage full of '50s and '60s Vettes but my limited experience with the newer Vettes has not impressed me. The '91 ZR-1 my father-in law bought new was one of the fastest cars I have ever been in but it had more squeeks and rattles than a freight train. My 2006 LS2 was a monster but the fit and finish was horrible. Many screws in the dash and under the hood were cross threaded from the factory and my dash lights and drivers door window motor stopped working before I got 1000 miles on the clock. The seats in the car had squeeks in them and the top didn't seal right. And the Boxster is a chick car.....most of the Boxsters I see are driven by old fat guys....here's a picture on one of them blowing the leaves out of the road. |
Actually, my hairdresser (aka: The woman who cuts my hair) drives a Corvette.
And she is definitely not bald nor fat. I think there is a level of truth to the fact that Vette owners only drive the car on weekends (when its not raining)... and the ones I see are "seasoned drivers". But the thread was asking if "Therwood" should buy a Corvette or not, based upon the status of GM. My opinion would be to buy the car you want. GM, even in a CH11, would still have warranties and parts for years to come. If GM filed, it would take years before they could sort out the creditors. By that time you may have traded the Vette away. But, you may lose your pants in a trade-in because of GM's status down the road. |
The problem is I won't trade any of the "imported" cars as I'm planning to keep them for life and if possible, for my collection.
Japanese cars are different though as I would trade them when it gets old because they are domestic made and not so expensive. I guess I'll just wait until GM settles and gets their money from their lenders. The problem is that they do not have many dealerships in Japan, so if they closed down their overseas dealerships then I will have a problem getting the car serviced. Come on GM!!! |
Car and Driver has an opinion
in its February 09 issue page 112 in it's editors choice section
Corvette was rated the 2nd most desirable sports car ahead of the Miata and the RX-8 with some very good words for the not yet available 370Z as a "one to watch". Of course you could also consider the number one rated sports car described in these words "It's hard to think of a car that involves and indulges its driver so much. It is also surprisingly practical for a two-seat roadster." |
C5 Z06 is a performance machine in all regards. With bolt-ons such as intake, full exhaust, header, cam, and a dyno tune the Z06 will put down ~420rwhp. Experienced drivers on corvetteforum.com have run in the 11's out of the box. With all that said and done there is nothing like a cruise top-down on a beautiful summer night than in a tight handling Boxster. Best of both worlds!
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I had a new 05 vette...does not compare to a porsche - in my opinion, the porsche is the better car...
the vette is like cutting steak by smashing it with your fist. The porsche cuts steak like a surgical razor. One is a bull, the other is a gazelle... imho Quote:
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Boxster v. Corvette
Looked at a 2004 Corvette this weekend because I have gotten kind of depressed about all the negativity on this forum re IMS, slipped sleeves, D-chunks, etc. etc. Still scared my Boxster will blow up, but I just can't do the 'Vette. Didn't even drive it because I just hated the interior -- the experience was like sitting in a Cadillac made out of cheap vinyl. Less headroom than the Boxster, and I have no idea how you would tell where the front end of the car is. The steering wheel just feels loose and doesn't look sporting to me. And the Corvette's body is just tooooooo wide for me. I'm sure it would blow the doors off my 2.5L, but frankly speed just isn't that important to me. Still, I wanted to like the 'Vette so it was kind of disappointing, although my wife refers to the 'Vette as a redneck car and prefers the Porsche anyway.
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I can't help but notice a bunch of folks here are whining about the interior of the vette. Then by all means buy a frikin dining set :D
A person that drives a corvette is interested in primarily one thing, performance! If you don't care for that look elsewhere. If you can't stand the interior why don't you invest in a Caravaggio mod, I'm sure that will be more cost efficient than some dining sets! |
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I agree. BTW-that is a GREAT color scheme on your Box. :) |
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Aren't you the guy who posted all the images of the purty young thing posing with your Boxster? Glass Houses? Just kidding....for that matter I've heard the compensation comment made in reference to all manner of cars, Porsches included. BL, you beat me to the ditto comment regarding the complaints about the Vette's interiors, I don't think they are THAT bad. For all the Vette haters, go out and drive one. Even the base car has 430 hp and handles pretty dang well....my 2 cents. |
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Week after that, someone will make a thread about they're so worried their engine will blow up. :D Rinse, repeat. Rinse, repeat. I propose to Brucelee that every week we should have IMS Tuesdays, RMS Wednesdays and Vette Thursdays. Just to organize things a bit ya know. :o :dance: |
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If someone is looking for a toy / performance / sports type of car used Corvettes and used Boxsters are priced closely to eachother, thus the posts. Ferraris, Aston Martins, Lotuses are simply in another league. For me what gets old are the cliche comments about Corvette owners (grey hair, balding, gold chain wearing, redneck, etc.) and the regurgitation of what some rag wonk had to say about the lack of suppleness on the C6's dash feel. They are simply two very different cars and should be appreciated for their own merits. I know it is usually done in jest but to snidely categorize a group of car owners is in my opinion poor form. :cheers: BTW...I forgot to ad that my personal hero is Smiling Bob...............Happy New Years!!!!!!!! |
A Porsche is like a sip of fine wine. A Corvette is like a shot of Wild Turkey. To each his own.
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Depends on the beer. My son drinks Guiness and he drives a BMW. I drink it too (love my wine too!) and I currently drive a Lexus. Go figure. :D |
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