Now that the Z06 reviews are out can we more fully appreciate the Gen V?

[Bruce H.]

There have been numerous C7 Z06 and Z07 reviews published this week. By all accounts its a fantastic performance car, and many had questioned whether it was going to leave the Gen V in its dust with more advanced technology, driver aids, tires, ect. While I've warmed to its styling, and come to realize that it will be an excellent choice for many buyer's lifestyles, I feel even more proud of what SRT's Viper Team created, and it's performance seems unlikely to be overshadowed by the new Z06. The Z06/07 did demonstrate exceptional grip with the near treadless Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and their most advance aero, but I sure couldn't drive to my track events on those tires, and don't expect to see any Z06's drive to the tracks I run either. Beyond that I think the performance of the two cars is so close that it will be completely up to the driver skill...and just the way it should be!

What I'm most happy about is that I can enjoy driving an analogue exotic with spectacular performance that seems to make no concessions to the latest technology and driver aids on the race track where I can appreciate its performance fully. I would think both Viper and Corvette owners should be ecstatic with these results, and I for one really look forward to dicing it up on track with the new Z06.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...06_first_test/

[ViperSmith]

It was really disappointing to see the one overheat while Pobst drove it. After all the doom and gloom when it was debuted in January on these and other forums, the peanut gallery was silent when the reviews came out.

The figure 8 times are just silly though.

No doubt it will be a performer in capable hands and hopefully the overheating was just a fluke.

Just laughable all the non-tracking folks who scream "The ACR should have 991HP with Forced Induction!!!" - here is what FI will earn you.

[VENOM V]

Two things about the Z06 are deal breakers for the true track rat:

1. Although I had high hopes for the Z06, they blew it when they supercharged it and didn't solve the heating problem. From the article, 'Considering the capability of the optional tires, brakes, and aerodynamics, we were surprised to hear that when Pobst pulled back into the pits after his fourth lap, it wasn't because he wanted to stop. The car had flashed an oil-temperature warning on the back straight.' I read someone making excuses for the car, saying that none of us would drive it as hard as Pobst. That's BS, there are plenty of track rats at every event that would push the car hard. They may not put down a Pobst time, but they will be pushing it hard and it will be overheating. And the 85-degree test temperature that it overheated in is cool compared to our summer track days. I've tracked my Viper at Thunderhill twice. First weekend it was 107 degrees, the next 105 degrees. The Viper got warm and came close to the 240 degrees, but dealt with the temperatures with relative grace.

2. Car and Driver had two C7 Z51s that they tested, and they BOTH blew their engines. Last thing I'm going to trust is a supercharged C7 if they are struggling with their normally aspirated reliability.

I really wanted to like the car, I have a Camaro that I currently track so I'm open to other brands. But the more I track my trouble-free wicked-fast Viper, the more I appreciate it over all other makes at the track. The Viper's got a winning combo of top track performance, reliability, supermodel looks and now a great price. Honestly the only thing that almost holds it back are the tires, and it still puts down amazing laps despite that disadvantage.

[J TNT]

Both are great cars , but for my driving preference at this time it's Viper approach and driving style that puts a smile on my face
Similar to a 1000cc Supersport Bike , if you drive it well , it will reward you !

Look forward to seeing you and your wife Bruce at the year end party !

P.S. I take magazine articles with a grain of salt and have bought product despite the reviews , but I'm sure that's the exception .

[Bill Pemberton]

As Venom V stated, the new Z06 is a really hot car, er, really HOT car --- heat soak to explosive power, makes one appreciate the naturally aspirated Snake even more.

[Chorps]

The Viper gets no credit for being a hell-for-strong industrial strength race car.

Most cars mags today tout a single hot lap number and don't tell you behind the scenes of the overheating, boiling over fluids and smoking brakes and trashed components, while Vipers are really built to take a beating on the track and soldier on without complaint.

[VENOM V]

As Venom V stated, the new Z06 is a really hot car, er, really HOT car --- heat soak to explosive power, makes one appreciate the naturally aspirated Snake even more.

Viper on a hot track day:


Z06 on a hot track day:


LOL, sorry, this glass of Bruno di Montalcino brings out the in me

[ViperSmith]

Both are great cars , but for my driving preference at this time it's Viper approach and driving style that puts a smile on my face
Similar to a 1000cc Supersport Bike , if you drive it well , it will reward you !

Look forward to seeing you and your wife Bruce at the year end party !

P.S. I take magazine articles with a grain of salt and have bought product despite the reviews , but I'm sure that's the exception .

If I could get over the interior (which I can't) Id have ordered one

[TitleMine]

I hope they get it ironed out. Nothing I love more than to see the Euros take a beating.

[Stealth]

The new C7Z06 is an awesome car and I am glad GM built it.

I seriously considered the Z but settled on my '14 Yellow/Black GTS and I am glad I did. For me, the factors were:

1. Viper looks and quality.

2. Viper with Laguna Leather and all bells and whistles is brutally fast, but also somewhat luxurious.

3. Viper N/A, proven motor.

4. No DCT in the Vette, only new A8. If I am not rowing, I want DCT.

5. The Vette rear.

6. The numerous Vette body pieces that contribute to a "cobbled together/bolt-on" appearance, including the side skirts, rear spoiler and front fender extensions.

7. Looks too much like the "regular" vettes.

8. Not a fan of supercharged power plants at this point (heat soak, whine, etc.), and the vette uses a small displacement unit. Twin Turbo would be more palatable.

9. Not likely to get a smoking deal on the Vette for some time (although my Viper purchase price was dented a bit by the $15k MSRP reduction).

10. First year of Z06

[Bruce H.]

So let me see if I've got this straight...you guys prefer the Gen V, right?

Todd, I don't think Corvette fans are going to find that very funny, but I personally think that was a hilarious use of the burning stickman! I'm definitely going to have try that wine now

Viper on a hot track day:


Z06 on a hot track day:


LOL, sorry, this glass of Bruno di Montalcino brings out the in me

[Shooter]

Seems to be a lot of Vette fanboi excuses happening over on the various Corvette interwebz.

As an aside, I also like the posts by the bench racing idiots that are disappointed in the 183 mph top speed. Although it is a fail in my eyes with the 4 lap overheating issue, it did put in a decent 129:XX laptime. The top speed bench racers must think it's pixie dust that makes a car go fast around corners or something.

[ACRucrazy]

183 top speed and people are mad? IIRC stock ACR top speed is 176?

Downforce can be wonderful can't it?

[Shooter]

183 top speed and people are mad? IIRC stock ACR top speed is 176?

Downforce can be wonderful can't it?

186 for the 2010 with revised gearing and wing. I thought it was 179 for the 08/09.

[v10enomous]

I didn't have to wait for anything that GM did with the Corvette to fully appreciate the GenV. The C7 in general was a great car when it was in the rumor stage and then it went down hill from there. It's not nearly as light as it was supposed to be and the focus group styling and poor paint quality and mass production just kill it for me. I just think that the Viper is a much more special and unique car with it's classic curves, superior paint and unique industrial strength V10 NA configuration coupled with low production and no half price entry model to dilute the brand makes for a more rewarding ownership experience.

[FLATOUT]

And how many of those guys do you think will ever see the top speed of that car lol.

Seems to be a lot of Vette fanboi excuses happening over on the various Corvette interwebz.

As an aside, I also like the posts by the bench racing idiots that are disappointed in the 183 mph top speed. Although it is a fail in my eyes with the 4 lap overheating issue, it did put in a decent 129:XX laptime. The top speed bench racers must think it's pixie dust that makes a car go fast around corners or something.

[ViperSmith]

And how many of those guys do you think will ever see the top speed of that car lol.

It sure will be talked about at cars and coffee, thats for sure.

[Nine Ball]

I may still buy one. I like all American cars. But, no way in hell I'd get rid of either Viper to get one. The C7Z looks like a fun commuter car. The Corvette being so common, and indistinguishable from base model Corvettes, sometimes has a positive effect. You can daily drive them without attracting haters or attention. So, they make for fun commuter cars that you don't have to worry about. Sometimes, you just don't want to have the rockstar effect that a Viper brings.

[Bruce H.]

That's very true, Tony. A track friend bought a C7 Z51 for he and his wife to mostly daily drive to work and around town in. It makes a lot of sense and they love it for that use. He was disappointed when he had a number of problems the first time out on track driving it very aggressively, and is working at resolving those... as he had to do with his GT-R as well. I would think he'd be able to over-heat the Z06 also, although hopefully that was a problem with just Randy's test car.

[Nine Ball]

Bruce,

There were a lot of Corvette owners at the track day yesterday. They didn't pay the Viper much attention, until after our first session. Then a lot of them came over to look at the car, asking a lot of questions about it, and even a few sat in it. They had never seen inside one before, or under the hood. I asked them if they were going to consider the C7 Z06, and none of them seemed interested in "upgrading" from their ZR1s or C6 Z06's. They sure did like the TA though. I swear Chrysler should just hire a few of us for trackside PR. Just pay my fuel, race entries and for tires, i'll do it every weekend

Tony

[VENOM V]

Man, I just read 7 pages about the overheating issue on the Corvette Forum. Yikes. I feel for those guys who are die hard Corvette track rats and had their hopes up for the Z06. Imagine if SRT announced a supercharged ACR only to find out that you couldn't do a hard track day without heating issues. Not only overheating, but heat soak as evidenced by dropping MPH per lap and mediocre speeds in the straights. Lots of info, like Ron Fellows School having overheating and reliability problems. Bonduraunt replacing engines and only running C7s in the morning sessions to avoid overheating. They're struggling with the Z51 and now the Z06, crossing the Z06 off my list. They should have stuck with the simple, reliable, light weight normally aspirated Z06 formula that has worked so well for both the C5 and C6 generations.

What's interesting is how much respect Corvette forum members have for Vipers, which is well deserved. Vipers can put a beat down on just about anything at the track, yet drive to and from the track in relative comfort. There aren't many cars out there at any price that can do that. Comparing my Viper to my Camaro, they both have about the same number of track days on them (maybe 16 each). The Viper has been rock solid the whole time, with the exception of an 02 sensor that needed replacement. My Camaro, however, in less than a year's time has been through 3 axles, a suspension arm and an engine. And two days ago I tracked it and had clutch and brake issues. This Camaro is modded and is nearly as fast as the Viper, but I'm paying the price in reliability because of the mods. I started with a $35K SS 1LE and modded it. After replacing the engine with a 416 forged stroker, I am nearly up to the price of a base SRT Viper, LOL. I would have considered a Z/28, but not now with the Viper's repricing being so close to it. The goal for the Camaro is to run a full season of NASA next year. That was supposed to be this year, but the engine blew. Unless it stays running I won't have a prayer of doing well in points.

If the Camaro's reliability doesn't stabilize, it will be sold and I may end up with another Viper. But no C7 Z06 for me. Not unless they make major improvements, but by then the ACR should be out

[ViperSmith]

Man, I just read 7 pages about the overheating issue on the Corvette Forum. Yikes. I feel for those guys who are die hard Corvette track rats and had their hopes up for the Z06. Imagine if SRT announced a supercharged ACR only to find out that you couldn't do a hard track day without heating issues. Not only overheating, but heat soak as evidenced by dropping MPH per lap and mediocre speeds in the straights. Lots of info, like Ron Fellows School having overheating and reliability problems. Bonduraunt replacing engines and only running C7s in the morning sessions to avoid overheating. They're struggling with the Z51 and now the Z06, crossing the Z06 off my list. They should have stuck with the simple, reliable, light weight normally aspirated Z06 formula that has worked so well for both the C5 and C6 generations.

What's interesting is how much respect Corvette forum members have for Vipers, which is well deserved. Vipers can put a beat down on just about anything at the track, yet drive to and from the track in relative comfort. There aren't many cars out there at any price that can do that. Comparing my Viper to my Camaro, they both have about the same number of track days on them (maybe 16 each). The Viper has been rock solid the whole time, with the exception of an 02 sensor that needed replacement. My Camaro, however, in less than a year's time has been through 3 axles, a suspension arm and an engine. And two days ago I tracked it and had clutch and brake issues. This Camaro is modded and is nearly as fast as the Viper, but I'm paying the price in reliability because of the mods. I started with a $35K SS 1LE and modded it. After replacing the engine with a 416 forged stroker, I am nearly up to the price of a base SRT Viper, LOL. I would have considered a Z/28, but not now with the Viper's repricing being so close to it. The goal for the Camaro is to run a full season of NASA next year. That was supposed to be this year, but the engine blew. Unless it stays running I won't have a prayer of doing well in points.

If the Camaro's reliability doesn't stabilize, it will be sold and I may end up with another Viper. But no C7 Z06 for me. Not unless they make major improvements, but by then the ACR should be out

Ditch that junker and get the TA2!!

[VENOM V]

Ditch that junker and get the TA2!!

ACR or bust!

[Nine Ball]

My Camaro, however, in less than a year's time has been through 3 axles, a suspension arm and an engine. And two days ago I tracked it and had clutch and brake issues. This Camaro is modded and is nearly as fast as the Viper, but I'm paying the price in reliability because of the mods. I started with a $35K SS 1LE and modded it. After replacing the engine with a 416 forged stroker, I am nearly up to the price of a base SRT Viper, LOL. I would have considered a Z/28, but not now with the Viper's repricing being so close to it. The goal for the Camaro is to run a full season of NASA next year. That was supposed to be this year, but the engine blew. Unless it stays running I won't have a prayer of doing well in points.

If the Camaro's reliability doesn't stabilize, it will be sold and I may end up with another Viper. But no C7 Z06 for me. Not unless they make major improvements, but by then the ACR should be out

In all fairness to the Camaro though, your car is pretty modified and many of the issues may be attributed to the added power/torque. Left in stock condition, the Camaro would no doubt be more reliable than it currently is, but much slower too. The Viper just does badass, right off the showroom floor.

[VENOM V]

In all fairness to the Camaro though, your car is pretty modified and many of the issues may be attributed to the added power/torque. Left in stock condition, the Camaro would no doubt be more reliable than it currently is, but much slower too. The Viper just does badass, right off the showroom floor.

Totally agree, my Camaro's reliability issues were the result of the mods. The lesson to me was to avoid mods and just buy a car that performs from the showroom like the Viper. The stock 1LE is a fantastic track car at a reasonable price. However my two Camaro track buddies, both in 1LEs, are having the same clutch problem that I am. There's a chance it's just air in the line, so I'll bleed it again to investigate. More likely it needs a new clutch slave or master. I'll know soon.