Well my Vette finally came on Friday. My GXP was a lemon (you can search for my thread on it if you like) and while I didn't want to get another one, I really liked the "spirit" of the car. After thinking long and hard I realized that the only suitable successor would be a Corvette.
Since GM repurchased my Sol I've been driving around in rentals and waiting for the order to come in was one of the longest waits ever. During that time I read about the history of the car and it's very interesting and dramatic. The Solstice in many ways resembles the early Vette in how it is evolving. I think it is logical to group the two cars together as older and younger brothers.
Wish your Sol experience had been better....I know how you feel after getting a lemon. I have several companies on my unofficial "boycott" list for lemons or bad experiences. Logically I know that I was just unlucky and that the other companies are probably not any better, but as long as I have a choice, I choose to choose something else!
So find a local vette organization and don't worry drive happy.
__________________
"Cool" 2007 GXP
Bought from the dealer May 7, 2007
Chromed Wheels- Monsoon Speakers-GM Mud Flaps
Visor Decals-Custom Plate Frame
Carolina Custom Leather Center Console Armrest
Red Brake Calipers with GXP decals
Davie's Hide-a-plate Red Bull Drift Team 2008
Great looking car. Was not a fan of the older corvettes--thought they were too big, and just straight line rockets with no real sports car qualities--or what I felt were the true qualities of a sports car. GM has finally got it right with the Vette although if I had one I do not think I would toss it around the way I do my smaller GXP.
Again, that is one great looking car. Different league than the Solstice and the price is a well.
__________________ GXP--Cool / 5-Spd.
TSW Nogaro 19" Rims, 245/40ZR-19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx XL Tires, M/F 3" Exhaust, Norm's Cowl Panels & Side Skirts, Gentex Rear View Mirror, Stubby Antenna, Little Chromies, Momo Shift Knob, Hand Brake, & Floor Plates, Full Interior Reupholstery.
Awesome 'Vette! How about a bit more of a comparison as far as how they handle. The Corvette is a bigger car, but doesn't have too much more weight on the Sol. I know the power difference is huge (260 vs 430) as you mentioned in that thread. Just curious if you feel the Corvette is just as tossable, or whether it drives like a bigger vehicle.
Congratulations on the new C6, Tom! That's a beautiful color and it looks like you got the Z51 too, eh? You're driving the dream car that many people wish they could own...enjoy and be safe!
__________________ 2007 Deep GXP - M5, Loaded w/o OnStar
Mods: JPM Custom Shifter - Stubby Ant - WindRestrictor - Dejon TB Elbow - Dejon BOV Spring - JPM Center Console - JPM Visor Covers - Wester's Tune
Future Mods: delayed due to European Vacation!! NASSOA Founding Member
Generally, I think it's hard to test-drive a Corvette. Dealer's are generally not willing to give out Corvette test-drives, and for good reason. What the Corvette is capable of doing goes beyond what's sensible on the street. They'll let you sit in a Corvette as much as your want to test the fit, but good luck getting a test drive.
I didn't ask for a test drive when I bought my C5 back in 2001, didn't really need one to convince me that I wanted one. Even when I bought my Xterra in 2006, I didn't ask for test-drive, either. Back in 1994 when I bought my Camaro, I didn't ask a test-drive. If I get a Solstice coupe (really, really want one), I'm not going to ask for test drive, either. For a brand new car, what do you need a test drive for anyway?
But back on-topic, congratulations on the C6! The Corvette world is an exciting and entertaining fraternity. It might be a bad idea posting your mug on CorvetteForum, though...Off-Topic is brutal and filled with mischeivous Photoshoppers!
Awesome 'Vette! How about a bit more of a comparison as far as how they handle. The Corvette is a bigger car, but doesn't have too much more weight on the Sol. I know the power difference is huge (260 vs 430) as you mentioned in that thread. Just curious if you feel the Corvette is just as tossable, or whether it drives like a bigger vehicle.
Enjoy!!
I think it's too soon for me to tell. I got both cars just to make my daily life more 'spirited' as opposed to using them on the track, so I won't really have a full picture built up until I've had it for a few weeks. Initially though the Vette feels bigger and definitely has a MUCH softer suspension - more like a sporty sedan, I think; though I think I may have it stuck in "tour" mode as some users have mentioned (yes Vettes have their own quirks like this). But there are lots of brick roads, railroad tracks, and speedbumps in my daily commute so this is the mode I would leave it in most often. I think the steering may be more accurate at higher speeds. The turning radius is larger so zipping into a parking spot is harder. This is what I'd expected based on my test drives anyway.
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2008 Corvette Convertible Crystal Red/Black Top MN6 | Bi-mode Exhaust | Magnetic Selective Ride | Polished Forged Wheels
Generally, I think it's hard to test-drive a Corvette. Dealer's are generally not willing to give out Corvette test-drives, and for good reason. What the Corvette is capable of doing goes beyond what's sensible on the street. They'll let you sit in a Corvette as much as your want to test the fit, but good luck getting a test drive.
True, they won't let you test drive a new one, but did test drive two different used Vettes. Of course they were awesome; and I knew the 2008 would be even better.
I still think some people coming from a Sol should test drive first since despite have superior capabilities, the Vete doesn't have the "feel" of a small, nimble car, and this could conceivably be a deal breaker, depending on what your priority is.
__________________
2008 Corvette Convertible Crystal Red/Black Top MN6 | Bi-mode Exhaust | Magnetic Selective Ride | Polished Forged Wheels
I think it's too soon for me to tell. I got both cars just to make my daily life more 'spirited' as opposed to using them on the track, so I won't really have a full picture built up until I've had it for a few weeks. Initially though the Vette feels bigger and definitely has a MUCH softer suspension - more like a sporty sedan, I think; though I think I may have it stuck in "tour" mode as some users have mentioned (yes Vettes have their own quirks like this). But there are lots of brick roads, railroad tracks, and speedbumps in my daily commute so this is the mode I would leave it in most often. I think the steering may be more accurate at higher speeds. The turning radius is larger so zipping into a parking spot is harder. This is what I'd expected based on my test drives anyway.
Fair enough. I imagine it would be harder to push a Corvette closer to the limits on the street too with all that power.
I did read that the 08 Vette's had a revised steering rack for better feel, so maybe that is helping with how you feel at high speeds.
Generally, I think it's hard to test-drive a Corvette. Dealer's are generally not willing to give out Corvette test-drives, and for good reason. What the Corvette is capable of doing goes beyond what's sensible on the street. They'll let you sit in a Corvette as much as your want to test the fit, but good luck getting a test drive.
I didn't ask for a test drive when I bought my C5 back in 2001, didn't really need one to convince me that I wanted one. Even when I bought my Xterra in 2006, I didn't ask for test-drive, either. Back in 1994 when I bought my Camaro, I didn't ask a test-drive. If I get a Solstice coupe (really, really want one), I'm not going to ask for test drive, either. For a brand new car, what do you need a test drive for anyway?
But back on-topic, congratulations on the C6! The Corvette world is an exciting and entertaining fraternity. It might be a bad idea posting your mug on CorvetteForum, though...Off-Topic is brutal and filled with mischeivous Photoshoppers!
Wow... I am n ot sure I could buy a car at all without a test drive. How would you know if it even comfortable to sit it? Something like a Corvette maybe I could see, but just a normal daily car... Maybe I am just too picky too. However, I have sat in cars and rejected them without even turning the key, simply based on how I fit in the car in relation to controls and sitelines. Others I have driven around 20 minutes and can tell even after such a short drive that there are shortcomings I may dislike a lot 3 months later.
I am not sure I could buy a car at all without a test drive.....
Before I test drove my Sol, it was third (at best) on my pre-conceived list of roadsters I was considering. But after the tests drives, NO CONTEST. HAD TO HAVE THE SOL!!!!!
sunnygator
__________________
"Cool" 2007 GXP
Bought from the dealer May 7, 2007
Chromed Wheels- Monsoon Speakers-GM Mud Flaps
Visor Decals-Custom Plate Frame
Carolina Custom Leather Center Console Armrest
Red Brake Calipers with GXP decals
Davie's Hide-a-plate Red Bull Drift Team 2008
