GXP ? or C5 Corvette?

[Texas2Gun]

Originally Posted by Dan Furr I have considered a Sky Redline........ and i've thought about a S/C for this NA....... Who knows? I've got 1 year to decide. At that time I can play with some 401K money!

In that case spring for a new C7!

[Dan Furr]

C7........ IDK........how much will those cost?

Also.........what is the corvette stigma?

[rob the elder]

In my experience at local car shows the local clubs show up. Lets just say that the investment bankers and lawyers are not personalities I want to spend a lot of time with.

[Treeman]

I agree. Only reason to get the Vette is if you want a big car ir a status symbol. GXP rules!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AutoGuide App

[wspohn]

Originally Posted by rob the elder Lets just say that the ....... lawyers are not personalities I want to spend a lot of time with.

Hey now!

What you say is true, and I note the same with Lamborghini owners. Corvettes are the Rolex of the V8 sports car world, bought by many with recognition in mind. But then the same could be said for the Kappas - how many times have you seen people post that they want people to notice them in the car? Of course the real inflated egos opt for the Vipers, not Corvettes.

The OP originally asked for performance numbers and I pointed him at Goggle, then he wanted comparisons from drivers that had driven a C5 and a Kappa and mostly got what people that had NOT driven both thought. I second the suggestion that if he really wants information and not just a chat, he has to get out there and drive a C5, as it is the only way he'll ever have any first hand idea of what it is all about.

[Dan Furr]

Well........... I spent 42 years in a Chemical Plant as an operator, and now,
a "resource". I can get along with most anybody.

My grandson (7 yrs old) got me into cars. I'll probably give him my car
some day.

Anyway......... I drove a vette, and loved the power, ( I was going 55, floored it and was doing 95 in 2 seconds!),but I do like the way the Kappas look.........and handle.


I NEED TO DRIVE A TURBO KAPPA..........


Later guys.........

[DeepEnder]

Originally Posted by Dan Furr So, GXP or modest Vette? Also, should I get a manual transmission?

This will be sacrilege to the forum, but go for the Vette. A person can go on-and-on comparing the technical specs of one against the other, so instead, imagine this: You're slow cruising down on the boulevard at the beach one day. Which one do you suppose will make the pedestrians stop and notice?

[cooper1340s]

I have the best of both worlds, a Solstice with a 500+hp Corvette LS3 and Tremec 6speed stick. It can walk on most things I run into and can do severe damage to your spine if you get crazy!

[GS Stage 1]

Originally Posted by Dan Furr I NEED TO DRIVE A TURBO KAPPA..........

If possible, find one with a tune on it as well. Even just the GMPP tune makes a huge difference. 80 more lbs of torque makes it a different car. The 60 to 100 is just plain fun. This is running at 340 lbs of torque in a car that weighs just 2940 lbs; and peak torque hits at 3600 RPM. For comparison: That C5 you test drove (assuming it was at least 2001 model) pushes 360 lbs of torque in a car that weighs 3200 lbs. The pre-2001 C5 only put out 350 lbs of torque. And peak torque for the Vette doesn't hit till 4400 RPM. With the boosted and tuned Kappa, the fun power kicks in quicker.

For the record: I have driven about every fricken performance car ever built, including many Corvettes in all available body styles, except the new C7. The C5 is not a bad ride, but it is a dog. You really need to drive a C6. For the difference in cost, it is well worth it. Or find a C5 ZO6 (2001-2004 had an LS6 engine cranked up to 400 lbs of torque) For me, the Vette isn't fun until you hit 400 lbs of torque. And that is assuming I am driving down at sea level. Where I live, that 400 lbs turns into only about 320, so it still sucks. But if you are going with the Vette, stick with something pushing at least 400 lbs of torque.

Personally: My favorite Vette was the C3. The thing was a rattle trap and quite honestly a POS. But man you could get it with about any big block GM made at the time. It was a lot of fricken fun and it had a kick ass look to it. I almost bought another one for my wife, back when she decided to go for the Sky Redline instead. It was a 1969 convertible with a 427 and a 4 speed. I never even drove it myself, because I knew I would want to buy it. Tossed the keys to the wife and said go see what you think. She came back about 1/2 hour later with a big grin on her face. She said "this thing is just nasty fast, it is like your GS". I offered to buy it right there, but she hadn't had a chance to drive the turbo Sky yet; so she waited. A couple months later we finally got a turbo Sky in town. She drove it for 5 minutes, came back and said "I want it, but it has to be the color and options I want". Took my salesman another 4 months to get the one she wanted shipped into town.

[Jack19]

Originally Posted by DeepEnder This will be sacrilege to the forum, but go for the Vette. A person can go on-and-on comparing the technical specs of one against the other, so instead, imagine this: You're slow cruising down on the boulevard at the beach one day. Which one do you suppose will make the pedestrians stop and notice?

I won't say anything bad about a Corvette but I feel certain the Solstice would turn as many heads as the Vette, if not more.

[shadowsonic]

I test drove a C5 vette before buying the GXP and I'm very happy with the decision i made man GXP all the way

[Shadofax]

Originally Posted by Jack19 I won't say anything bad about a Corvette but I feel certain the Solstice would turn as many heads as the Vette, if not more.

I see the vette as being the ego stroker. Everybody knows about the corvette as you proudly proclaim "I HAVE ONE".

Not too many people know about the solstice/sky, certiainly not the coupe, that's been the interesting part for me. They aren't interested in me, they want to know what the car is. Most say it's beautiful, some don't like it or rattle off some article they read trashing the car. But the CAR gets noticed, and occasionally by someone that knows something about Pontiacs....

Then of course there is the discussion already stated about how a GXP with tune and a few other easy goodies can make for a plenty fast, plenty good handling car that also can still get GREAT mileage. It certainly can be a sleeper with a few good little mods, and if people think they will take it like they just did that Miata, well....

[Celeste]

Originally Posted by DeepEnder This will be sacrilege to the forum, but go for the Vette. A person can go on-and-on comparing the technical specs of one against the other, so instead, imagine this: You're slow cruising down on the boulevard at the beach one day. Which one do you suppose will make the pedestrians stop and notice?

THE SOLSTICE!!!! I've owned both the Corvette and the Solstice - and the Soltice is the center of attention far more often than the Vette ever was.

[wspohn]

Is that what its all about for everyone? They buy these cars as ego boosters - they want to be noticed and admired? Is everyone as insecure as that attirude makes it seem, making car buying decisions intended solely to court the admiration of others?

Pretty sad if that's true. I couldn't give a damn whether a car I own is admired or laughed at, I don't own them for anyone but myself and the only thing that matters is if I enjoy them.

[Celeste]

Actually, wspohn, I don't think anyone on this forum bought our cars as ego boosters. We bought them because they are simply wonderful cars. They are beautiful and well worth the money. Quite frankly, though, your current fleet is made up of several ego boosters. Just sayin'.