The problem with widebody Corvettes

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 01/28/2014 at 14:15 • Filed to: None

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I like Corvettes. They're fun. I don't mind the midlife crisis reputation. Here's the problem though. GM goes and makes a perfectly decent looking car like the C6:

But then they're all like "hey let's punch out the fenders to fit even more rubber on there and add some cool aero stuff" and next thing you know you end up with this, which kinda makes the regular version look a bit...boring.

GM eventually decided to offer the widebody looks from the Z06 and ZR1 on the regular C6 with the LS3 and steel frame, so you could get into a Grand Sport and have the widebody looks without the crazy price.

Then the C7 came out, and everyone oohed and ahhed, and the world was good.

But then what does GM do? Oh hey here's this C7 Z06:

And I mean come on, those fenders.

Now I will say, I think the regular C7 holds up better to its Z big brother better than the narrow-body C6. But still, the Z06 makes the regular one look a bit...plain.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 14:19

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By these comparison shots I can now somewhat agree with the people saying that everything looked "tacked on" with the Z06.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 14:20

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That's the whole point. The base looks great, until you see a hopped-up version. If the base model looked the same as the Z06, they'd get less people buying the Z06.

Forgetful > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 14:21

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Remember kids, don't do drugs and stay in school or one day you'll end up in a base model Corvette.

Textured Soy Protein > Brian Silvestro 01/28/2014 at 14:22

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I'm pretty sure the yellow C7 Z06 in the press shots has the Z07 package with extra aero bits tacked on. So yes.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Forgetful 01/28/2014 at 14:37

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Yeah. If you're going to do drugs, drop out first.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 14:38

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I hear you.

Spaze > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 14:59

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I have a feeling this is just a taste of things to come for the Base/Z06 models. I LOVE the lines on the C6z and C7z, so much so I also find the base models a little ho-hum.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 15:04

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And I was a bit underwhelmed with the base c7 specs. The C7 Zo6 specs is closer what what I expected.

Textured Soy Protein > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 01/28/2014 at 15:10

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I'm actually fine with the base C7 specs, especially Z51. It got the aluminum frame which was only on the Z-model C6es, bigass brakes, magnetic shocks, 455 HP (or 460 with the performance exhaust), active rear differential, etc. If you compare the C7 Z51 to the C5 Z06, basically the only area where the C5 Z06 has an advantage is lighter weight, but not a huge difference. That's a hell of a car. Just that next to its big brother it looks a little tame.

It's a "Porch-uh" > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 15:49

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I also thought the magnetic shocks came with the Z-51 package, but it just includes the "Z-51 Performance Suspension" (assuming that just means "stiffer"). Magnetic Selective Ride Control is an additional option. Learned that this weekend from an owner at Cars & Coffee (who had the Z-51 package, but not the magnetic shocks) and confirmed it on the Chevy site.

magman007 > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 15:53

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i completely agree. Its the same as the 3 series and the m3 though too. Once you see the sexier body, your boring (still awesome but boring) performance missle looks dumb and cheap.

Textured Soy Protein > magman007 01/28/2014 at 16:11

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Well yes and no. If you compare an M car to a full-on base model with big wheel gap and chrome trim, yeah. But the M Sport trimmed regular BMWs with lowered suspension, body kits & blacked out window trim look pretty good to me. Maybe I'm biased since I have a 135is, and while I think the 1M looks awesome, but I don't feel like that makes my 135is stink.

So yeah, my car...

Isn't quite as cool as this:

But I don't mind.

JR1 > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 16:37

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My grandpa has a C6 (I know I know typical) but when you see it going down the road I can assure you it looks anything but boring!

magman007 > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 17:33

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im not saying it stinks, but you know you want the more aggressive lower front facia, and cool mirrors. 335is, looks great. Then the m3 rolls by.

Textured Soy Protein > magman007 01/28/2014 at 17:37

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I could take or leave the fascia and mirrors. I am jealous of the wheels/tires and fenders. But hey at least my car has a sunroof. I like sunroofs. I also think BMW should make more -is versions but I guess that's what we now have in the M235i.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 22:29

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The rear wheels of the new Z06 are TWELVE INCHES WIDE. Conversely, the i3's wheels are just FIVE inches wide...

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/28/2014 at 22:41

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Stupidru > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/28/2014 at 22:44

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I would shit myself if I owned a Z06 and knew what a set of replacement tires would cost me

Manuél Ferrari > Textured Soy Protein 01/28/2014 at 22:44

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I actually liked both the narrow and the wider/more aggressive C6 bodies.

I am a rare person who never had a complaint about any section of that car.

The only thing I didn't love about the exterior is the headlights. Every time I look at them I think they are too similar to the bulb design in the Ferrari 575M. And I never liked the headlights from that Ferrari...

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/28/2014 at 22:50

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Ehh, my Crossfire's are 10inch and I think the Viper's are 13 inchers. So its not that crazy.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stupidru 01/28/2014 at 22:51

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The OEM PS2 rears for the ZR1 are just $530 on Tire Rack (each - down from $660).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky 01/28/2014 at 22:55

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Meaty.

Is there a wider OEM wheel than the new Viper's?

Just checked - Veyron rears are 355 = ~14"

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/28/2014 at 23:07

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Took some searching. A lot of supercars have smaller tires, the aventador's match the viper and only the Veyron's are bigger (from my search), 14 inches.

magman007 > Textured Soy Protein 01/29/2014 at 10:16

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Agreed. the whole M235i bull shit needs to stop. I know they used to make 325i mtech's and e30's with mtech packages and such, and its been more prevalent in the european markets, but its more dilution of the m brand. Its a cop out like the audi S line.

Textured Soy Protein > magman007 01/29/2014 at 11:07

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That's why I like -is. Because it's a BMW badge with a little history, but it's not trying to be like "hey this is an M car too." Although I've got ///M logos on the door sill plates, wheels, and steering wheel.

But....I get this super sweet 135is badge on the dash.

magman007 > Textured Soy Protein 01/29/2014 at 11:35

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you know, I wouldn't even have a problem if a few M badges are thrown around, but put the actual M parts on the thing, dont give me a steeringwheel with an m badge, that isn't found in any m car (like they did with the e46 330i zhp)

If you're going to give it an M facia, make it the M facia, not one that is more aggressive but not the same, or else, dont call it an M facia etc.

Then they decide to bring the sport line, and luxury line, but the sport line is not enough, oh no, it needs to be totted up the price tag some more with M bits that really are not M bits.

If you're going to give them an M anything, make the M differential an option. and not an LSD thats kind of like the m differential.

911e46z06 > Stupidru 01/29/2014 at 19:25

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It is unfortunate. You kind of go through a lot of them too.