C6 Driving Impressions Options

[torontoZ28]

I went to a lapping day on Aug 19th at Shannonville. A friend took me out for a few laps in his C6 convertible (1500 km on the clock!) and after a few laps, he said to me "it would probably be more fun for you if you were driving."

I thought about it for a second, and thought.. crap.. what happens if I wreck his new car? But then again, whens the next time this opportunity is going to come up? Lets roll!

All of the controls feel alot lighter than the fbody. Driving this thing is dead easy... with the stability control on, it feels like you would have to really overcook it to get it to go off the track.

He has a stock exhaust on it still, so coming from driving my own car and riding in other f-bodies with loud exhausts, it was kind of deceiving how it built up speed on the straights.

The HUD is a neat feature, but honestly, I guess im too used to looking down at the dash instruments so I didnt use it too often.

Overall, I think GM did a great job with this car - I like it. I cant wait to ride along in the C6 Z06 that other friend has on order (I don't think he is going to let me drive it)

Mike.

[CMC #37]

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[rmackintosh]

I have heard that driving with traction control on Vettes on track days/race days is a big hinderance to getting "real" performance out of the car.....at least with the C5's....seems it COOKS the rear brakes as well...as the computer compensates for your agressive driving by using them....

A good driver can do MUCH, MUCH better without traction control is what I have been told....it merely serves to make the inexperienced feel all warm and fuzzy inside when driving the car outside their normal comfort zone..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

...of course I WOULD LOVE the chance to find out for myself FIRST HAND!

:drive:

[slowTA]

Just recently I had a chance to drive a C5 drop top (427 hp) and a 'base model' C6 (465 hp). Both had some extensive work done on them. The C5 was a 6 speed, C6 a manual. The C6 felt like it was put together just a little better, felt quite a bit lighter, had more sensitive steering, and the brake pedal was much softer feeling but yielded better results. The shifter sucked on the C5! I used the heads up display more than I thought, but I may still use the tach in the dash instead. I put about 500 to 600 highway miles on each, and as much as I liked the C5, the C6 was more impressive. I will own a C6 one day, hopefully it will be new.

[Formula WS6]

having driven many C5s and C6s which included some of the first ones in town, ill keep a C5 thanks. the C6 is a great car. it is better put together than the C5. better materials were used on the interior and overall fit and finish is better. if GM starts building cars that are put together this well they will be just fine.

now the reasons i would rather have a C5. the C6 is nothing more than a C5.5. stand under a C6 and its a C5 in almost every aspect. the LS2 is a 6.0 LS6. calling it a Gen 4 is rather insulting to our intelligence considering it even uses LS6 heads. it drives no different than a Z06. the C6 Z06 is a completely different animal of course so im not even talking about it. i hate the C6 interior design. it is very boring and i hate everything being push button. i want to grab a door handle to get in and out. i want to turn a key not set the fob in the center consule and hit a button. the dash is very flat and i really like wrap around designs. the nav system looks cheap and i hate having to use a touch screen to control the radio. the non nav system cars are fine. the car is way to quiet. im talking about the engine and exhaust note. it doesnt have growl to it. the Vette is a sports car first and a luxury car second. well it seems they decided otherwise for the C6. when looking at a C6 it is obvious the target market are women not men wanting a boulevard bruiser or a mans car. so basically the C6 is a great car and is a great performer. i just do not liek the design.

[Crazy Canuck]

sweet... and you didn't call me ???

[slowTA]

I agree about the door handle and push to start buttons, kinda too futuristic. But I do like how it's damn near impossible to lock the keys in it. There are emergency door release handles located at the door sill and under the hatch, but I couldn't find where to use the key to open the hatch if the battery dies. So does that mean you can't drive the car if the battery in the remote dies? I have an ID badge for work that uses a proximity sensor with no batteries, maybe its the same technology.

I actually prefer the interior of the C6, but the navigation system has to go. You gotta love how the driver has to touch the liability waiver button under all the warnings to see where you are. Touch screen radio control is a PIA.

As for the C6 being a C5.5, isn't that almost how 3rd and 4th gen f-bodies have the same rear suspension? It's a body, interior, and drivetrain change. I see your point and why you think that way, but I won't look down my nose because the car is called the newer generation. I think the 2006 C6 will have an automatic 6 speed with paddle shifter control. Not sure how I feel about that, but its gotta be better than the 4 speed auto, right?

[torontoZ28]

sweet... and you didn't call me ???

sorry dude!!!

the next track day is at shannonville on october.. ill post it on LS2.com on the great lakes forum. We had good representation from the gm crowd that day (2 z28's, 1 ws6, 1 z06 and the c6). I think the bmw/porsche crowd were suprised to see that american muscle can turn as well as go straight.

[Crazy Canuck]

sweet... and you didn't call me ???

sorry dude!!!

the next track day is at shannonville on october.. ill post it on LS2.com on the great lakes forum. We had good representation from the gm crowd that day (2 z28's, 1 ws6, 1 z06 and the c6). I think the bmw/porsche crowd were suprised to see that american muscle can turn as well as go straight.

I'll be there... just make sure I can find the invitation somewhere (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
It's always fun to go around tracks and surprise ppl that much (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Formula WS6]

thats a very good point, but the whole platform did change between the third and fourth gens. i feel that the C6 is very deserving of being called the sixth generation. they divided the generations more on exterior design that anything else. C2s and C3s are very similar except for the body and interiors. My biggest beef is with the LS2 being called a gen IV. thats is for marketing more than anything else.

the key lock for the hatch is above the liscense plate. its next to the light. its not easy to bend down there and see even.

and yes its a proxy sensor thats in the key fob. they had them starting with the late C4s. it can be annoying if you happen to park the car close enough to the house and you walk around with the keys in the house. it will cause the alarm to arm and unarm and the locks to lock and unlock when you get close then walk away again.

[slowTA]

Isn't the genIV line of motors supposed to have displacemet on demand? I didn't notice it by the fuel milage mine got.

I can see the proximity sensor getting annoying, I think you can turn it off based on the options in the computer. You would have to use the remote to unlock the doors then.

Either way it's a great car do drive, just a few issues... don't people like us have a few issues with everything?

[Dave B]

Nice looking rims Mike. Was this the day you emailed me about? Unfortunately I need to keep some rubber for the Solo 1 Nationals.

[Formula WS6]

the displacement on demand will be a computer thing. it should have no affect on the generation of engines. i do believe though that the new truck engines will be displacement on demand. i think this will start in 06 or 07, not sure. the C6 does not have it and unless they just want to i do not think it will have to. the car already gets 30mpg on the open road

[torontoZ28]

Nice looking rims Mike. Was this the day you emailed me about? Unfortunately I need to keep some rubber for the Solo 1 Nationals.

heh. im enjoying them very much. thanks! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

and yes, this was the lapping day that i was talking about. if you have some tires left at the end of the season, im going lapping with my friend's law firm at some place called dunnville autodrome. there is going to be some exotic stuff like 996 turbo's and a lambo gallardo. then we will be going to shannonville again in oct.

Good luck at the nationals! kick some butt!