I guess I should post some impressions on the new car...(long)...>
07-26-2007, 09:09 AM
#1
AudiWorld Uber User
Thread Starter
I guess I should post some impressions on the new car...(long)...>
First of all, most of you know I'm an Imported car guy. The American cars in my past can be counted on a few fingers. This is Car #54
I'm not a fan of much that GM does, though the Vette started catching my eye with the transition to the C6 version in 2005. As I got closer to wanting to replace the TT. I considered a few cars. Ruled out Porsches (BTDT), Ruled out the new TT (no emotional appeal and a HIGH price). Looking at other coupes in the class brought my attention again to the Vette. Talked to other past TT folks that made the change and got lots of positive feedback. It is quite an interesting car technically which is appealing to me. It has also gotten pretty rave reviews over the past few years as well as "World Class" status. I decided to take the plunge and ordered the car. I needed a new experience. The new '08's have a slew of improvements that were attractive. New LS3 engine (436hp) new tremec 6060 trans, New steering rack for better feel etc. I spec'd one out and it was built on the 2nd day of '08 production. It's a base car with the new polished, forged wheels, Bi-Mode exhaust, dual roofs (Transparent and painted), and upgraded 2LT interior (6 way adjustable seats + Power lumbar and Bolster adjusters). With a $5K discount it came to $46,344...Quite a bargain considering everything out there. Honestly, the car is a steal.
Fit and finish: I have to say the car is screwed together well. I'm sure the early build '08's got special attention the first week. No rattles, squeaks, malfunctions, Nada. Interior material quality is very nice. Panel fit is as good as you'll get, especially considering all the panels are bolted on SMC (plastic).
Dash/Instrumentation: It has a nice feel. Instrumentation is extensive and the dash is well designed. Speedo/Tach/Fuel/Volts/Water Temp/Oil pressure all in TT like legible gauges Plus you can call up additional info in digital form (Water temp/Oil temp/tire pressure). No HUD on this car as that is bundled with a more expensive package with a lot of junk in it. Standard 7 speaker Stereo is excellent with XM bundled and MP3 input.
Engine: The new LS3 is 6.2 liters (376 cubes) so still qualifies as a small block. It's mostly aluminum and includes many changes over the previous motor in breathing, flow, fueling, intake etc. 436 hp and 424 Ft lbs torque. Needless to say the power's there (all the time). Smooth and responsive. With minimal mods and $$, some tuners are getting this motor up over the Z06 numbers (500hp) easily. I got the Bi-Mode exhaust which opens up flaps in the inner tips at 3500 rpms for an essentially straight through flow. It can also be controlled remotely with a little gadgett I installed for full time music! Weight of the car is 3200lbs.
Trans: The newly fitted 6 speed is the same one fitted to the Viper and GT500. Remarkably smooth with short, precise 2 finger throws. Good ratios and a 1500rpm spin at 70mph for 30+ Miles per gallon on the road. Round town looks like 18-20.
Handling: It has a Bigger car feel to it largely because of the wheelbase and tire size (staggered). It's very neutral and quite flingable though (i've already added Bilsteins and Z51 sway bars for $400...Cheap!). The car goes where you point it with no fuss. I haven't wrung it out fully yet, but the limits appear quite high. An excellent road car. 900 mile trip last weekend was comfortable and refined.
Overall, it's an impressive machine. Get over the Corvette "image" and it's quite a piece of machinery that deserves the accoclades it's gotten. I really like it....More than I actually expected I would!. It also has 5 spoke wheels and 2 T's in the name so it can't be bad, right?....:-)
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v954/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1484-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v953/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1483-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v940/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1519-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v939/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1488-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v949/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1487-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v943/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1485-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v953/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1498-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v940/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1493-vi.jpg">
I'm not a fan of much that GM does, though the Vette started catching my eye with the transition to the C6 version in 2005. As I got closer to wanting to replace the TT. I considered a few cars. Ruled out Porsches (BTDT), Ruled out the new TT (no emotional appeal and a HIGH price). Looking at other coupes in the class brought my attention again to the Vette. Talked to other past TT folks that made the change and got lots of positive feedback. It is quite an interesting car technically which is appealing to me. It has also gotten pretty rave reviews over the past few years as well as "World Class" status. I decided to take the plunge and ordered the car. I needed a new experience. The new '08's have a slew of improvements that were attractive. New LS3 engine (436hp) new tremec 6060 trans, New steering rack for better feel etc. I spec'd one out and it was built on the 2nd day of '08 production. It's a base car with the new polished, forged wheels, Bi-Mode exhaust, dual roofs (Transparent and painted), and upgraded 2LT interior (6 way adjustable seats + Power lumbar and Bolster adjusters). With a $5K discount it came to $46,344...Quite a bargain considering everything out there. Honestly, the car is a steal.
Fit and finish: I have to say the car is screwed together well. I'm sure the early build '08's got special attention the first week. No rattles, squeaks, malfunctions, Nada. Interior material quality is very nice. Panel fit is as good as you'll get, especially considering all the panels are bolted on SMC (plastic).
Dash/Instrumentation: It has a nice feel. Instrumentation is extensive and the dash is well designed. Speedo/Tach/Fuel/Volts/Water Temp/Oil pressure all in TT like legible gauges Plus you can call up additional info in digital form (Water temp/Oil temp/tire pressure). No HUD on this car as that is bundled with a more expensive package with a lot of junk in it. Standard 7 speaker Stereo is excellent with XM bundled and MP3 input.
Engine: The new LS3 is 6.2 liters (376 cubes) so still qualifies as a small block. It's mostly aluminum and includes many changes over the previous motor in breathing, flow, fueling, intake etc. 436 hp and 424 Ft lbs torque. Needless to say the power's there (all the time). Smooth and responsive. With minimal mods and $$, some tuners are getting this motor up over the Z06 numbers (500hp) easily. I got the Bi-Mode exhaust which opens up flaps in the inner tips at 3500 rpms for an essentially straight through flow. It can also be controlled remotely with a little gadgett I installed for full time music! Weight of the car is 3200lbs.
Trans: The newly fitted 6 speed is the same one fitted to the Viper and GT500. Remarkably smooth with short, precise 2 finger throws. Good ratios and a 1500rpm spin at 70mph for 30+ Miles per gallon on the road. Round town looks like 18-20.
Handling: It has a Bigger car feel to it largely because of the wheelbase and tire size (staggered). It's very neutral and quite flingable though (i've already added Bilsteins and Z51 sway bars for $400...Cheap!). The car goes where you point it with no fuss. I haven't wrung it out fully yet, but the limits appear quite high. An excellent road car. 900 mile trip last weekend was comfortable and refined.
Overall, it's an impressive machine. Get over the Corvette "image" and it's quite a piece of machinery that deserves the accoclades it's gotten. I really like it....More than I actually expected I would!. It also has 5 spoke wheels and 2 T's in the name so it can't be bad, right?....:-)
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v954/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1484-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v953/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1483-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v940/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1519-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v939/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1488-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v949/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1487-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v943/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1485-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v953/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1498-vi.jpg">
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v940/photos/7/7305/5172799/IMG_1493-vi.jpg">
07-26-2007, 09:20 AM
#3
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Feb 2006
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About time too.....I've been sat staring at this screen for weeks waiting to drool
over your pics ! And boy was it worth the wait....that car looks amazing. Wish I was there to be passenger for a day ;-)
