'06 Z06 Corvette 0-60 time and MSRP

[chevyguy28]

IMO the cars are so different, that they cater to a different crowd. If the standard C6 is any indication, the Z06 will not be a good communicator. There will be less feel through the brakes, steering, etc. You have to pick what you want in a car between the two. Raw performance vs. finesse/communication. How fast a car goes around a corner is not the only defining category for handling.



I disagree with anyone that says having a communicative sports car doesn't matter. While I agree it's all personal preference, I always have more fun in sports cars that have good feel through the steering, brakes, shifter, etc.



In any case, I found the previous Z06 to be a blast despite the lack of communication. It certainly puts up great numbers for the money.



- J

 

[chevyguy28]

IMO the cars are so different, that they cater to a different crowd. If the standard C6 is any indication, the Z06 will not be a good communicator. There will be less feel through the brakes, steering, etc. You have to pick what you want in a car between the two. Raw performance vs. finesse/communication. How fast a car goes around a corner is not the only defining category for handling.



I disagree with anyone that says having a communicative sports car doesn't matter. While I agree it's all personal preference, I always have more fun in sports cars that have good feel through the steering, brakes, shifter, etc.



In any case, I found the previous Z06 to be a blast despite the lack of communication. It certainly puts up great numbers for the money.



- J

 

[chevyguy28]

We will try both and see. My money is on the Cayman for handling based on what I have read. Tail happy is not an issue any more for 911s.

At the limit, mid engine handling is a bit more tricky (compared to front or rear engined). The car really wants to rotate, which is a good thing for handling. Once you get the hang of it, modern 911 handling can actually be easier due to better traction.

 

[chevyguy28]

We will try both and see. My money is on the Cayman for handling based on what I have read. Tail happy is not an issue any more for 911s.

At the limit, mid engine handling is a bit more tricky (compared to front or rear engined). The car really wants to rotate, which is a good thing for handling. Once you get the hang of it, modern 911 handling can actually be easier due to better traction.

 

[Tasty]

Cayman is a glorified Boxster? I find Porsche designs uninspiring these days. Everything looks like the 911 to me. Just my 2 cents, I'm sure I'll be flamed for that.

 

[Tasty]

Cayman is a glorified Boxster? I find Porsche designs uninspiring these days. Everything looks like the 911 to me. Just my 2 cents, I'm sure I'll be flamed for that.

 

[BillyBarou]

At the limit, mid engine handling is a bit more tricky (compared to front or rear engined).

Well I'm not sure I quite believe that. I find it easier overall.

Cayman is a glorified Boxster?

Actually it went through a lot of development but it is similar to a boxster with a roof. That gives it more structural integrity but they also built a faster engine and added some engineering improvements.

 

[BillyBarou]

At the limit, mid engine handling is a bit more tricky (compared to front or rear engined).

Well I'm not sure I quite believe that. I find it easier overall.

Cayman is a glorified Boxster?

Actually it went through a lot of development but it is similar to a boxster with a roof. That gives it more structural integrity but they also built a faster engine and added some engineering improvements.

 

[chevyguy28]

Well I'm not sure I quite believe that. I find it easier overall.

It of course depends on the particular cars. Sounds like you are quite familiar with Porsches, so the 987S and 997S provide a good comparison. The 997S is more progessive and can be straightened out easier, whereas the midengine car wants to spin like a top at the limit. Just a generalization on my part. The 986 was definitely setup in a way that tended towards understeer, though you could get the back out with the right inputs.



I think the Boxster and Cayman are similar enough to warrant calling them variants. The Cayman could have easily been called the Boxster Coupe if it were not for marketing, and the Boxster's meaning (boxer engine + roadster).

 

[chevyguy28]

Well I'm not sure I quite believe that. I find it easier overall.

It of course depends on the particular cars. Sounds like you are quite familiar with Porsches, so the 987S and 997S provide a good comparison. The 997S is more progessive and can be straightened out easier, whereas the midengine car wants to spin like a top at the limit. Just a generalization on my part. The 986 was definitely setup in a way that tended towards understeer, though you could get the back out with the right inputs.



I think the Boxster and Cayman are similar enough to warrant calling them variants. The Cayman could have easily been called the Boxster Coupe if it were not for marketing, and the Boxster's meaning (boxer engine + roadster).

 

[Andrew ACR 2]

do not tell a Porsche owner or fan anything,because nothing is better than a Porsche!!! The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

 

[Andrew ACR 2]

do not tell a Porsche owner or fan anything,because nothing is better than a Porsche!!! The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

 

[BillyBarou]

whereas the midengine car wants to spin like a top at the limit

That's not been my experience with the Boxster. It's very stable.

The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

Isn't arguing about cars a time honored tradition? The new Vette is a killer car, no doubt, and it is lightning fast. I just remain concerned about product quality from GM. Their track record is very poor...maybe this time is different. Historically the vettes have not had the transmission cooling necessary for track work like other cars. There are a lot of other great choices at $65K.

 

[BillyBarou]

whereas the midengine car wants to spin like a top at the limit

That's not been my experience with the Boxster. It's very stable.

The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

Isn't arguing about cars a time honored tradition? The new Vette is a killer car, no doubt, and it is lightning fast. I just remain concerned about product quality from GM. Their track record is very poor...maybe this time is different. Historically the vettes have not had the transmission cooling necessary for track work like other cars. There are a lot of other great choices at $65K.

 

[JustinR32]

do not tell a Porsche owner or fan anything,because nothing is better than a Porsche!!! The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

LOL, I was going to take BB to task for that, but then I re-read his original post. If you read what he wrote you'll see that he doesn't say anything bad about the 'Vette at all, only that he prefers the Porsche, which is cool, and that he would think that the Porsche interior is better than the 'Vette, which I would say is a valid assumption. And that he doesn't measure his own satisfaction by 0-60s or lap times.



I can't apply MY yardstick to HIS satisfaction. Heck, I prefer my Miata to either car, and Vette and Porsche drivers can scratch their heads over that from now until whenever.



Arguing cars is GREAT fun, but driving and maintaining them is funner.







Tom

 

[JustinR32]

do not tell a Porsche owner or fan anything,because nothing is better than a Porsche!!! The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

LOL, I was going to take BB to task for that, but then I re-read his original post. If you read what he wrote you'll see that he doesn't say anything bad about the 'Vette at all, only that he prefers the Porsche, which is cool, and that he would think that the Porsche interior is better than the 'Vette, which I would say is a valid assumption. And that he doesn't measure his own satisfaction by 0-60s or lap times.



I can't apply MY yardstick to HIS satisfaction. Heck, I prefer my Miata to either car, and Vette and Porsche drivers can scratch their heads over that from now until whenever.



Arguing cars is GREAT fun, but driving and maintaining them is funner.







Tom

 

[chevyguy28]

That's not been my experience with the Boxster. It's very stable.

They're all pretty stable. But what about at the very limit?



As I mentioned, the 986 was tuned to be quite friendly. But we are talking about factory tuning vs. intrinsic characteristics. At high speed, the difference between the 987S and 997S (both with PASM) is notable. Speecifically, a friend of mine who has both cars notes that when-chrono sport mode is turned out, it's not as forgiving or predictable as the 997. From ride alongs and short time behidn the wheel, I have to agree. Granted, the Boxster is not like certain older MR2s that could get away from you quite fast because of how it is tuned. A lot of midengined cars (Elise, Boxster, 360, Noble, etc) are darlings at 8/10ths, but get tricky when you try to extract every last bit out of them. True of most cars.



Got to love that 911 traction though. Wonder how the Boxster would fare with 355 hp?



I remember the previous Evo VII was pretty knife edged though!



- J

 

[chevyguy28]

That's not been my experience with the Boxster. It's very stable.

They're all pretty stable. But what about at the very limit?



As I mentioned, the 986 was tuned to be quite friendly. But we are talking about factory tuning vs. intrinsic characteristics. At high speed, the difference between the 987S and 997S (both with PASM) is notable. Speecifically, a friend of mine who has both cars notes that when-chrono sport mode is turned out, it's not as forgiving or predictable as the 997. From ride alongs and short time behidn the wheel, I have to agree. Granted, the Boxster is not like certain older MR2s that could get away from you quite fast because of how it is tuned. A lot of midengined cars (Elise, Boxster, 360, Noble, etc) are darlings at 8/10ths, but get tricky when you try to extract every last bit out of them. True of most cars.



Got to love that 911 traction though. Wonder how the Boxster would fare with 355 hp?



I remember the previous Evo VII was pretty knife edged though!



- J

 

[chevyguy28]

do not tell a Porsche owner or fan anything,because nothing is better than a Porsche!!! The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

Definitely a killer car. Just not one I'd consider owning (maybe for a track car), and I don't even own a Porsche.

 

[chevyguy28]

do not tell a Porsche owner or fan anything,because nothing is better than a Porsche!!! The new vette is a killer car,why don't you Porsche guys just say it?

Definitely a killer car. Just not one I'd consider owning (maybe for a track car), and I don't even own a Porsche.