1st Impressions - C6 - Just got back from Koons

[Black396]

Well, if anything the butt is even bigger! [:">] It may be an optical illusion due to being narrower but I don't think so. I like the front. To me the best view is 3/4 front to side.

It may be narrower but it's going to be hard for us short people to wash / wax the hood without leaning up against the fenders.

The seats feel good but the interior didn't really grab me and I wasn't impressed with the gray plastic trim around the center of the dash.

The hood cowl should have been extended further back. The windshield wiper area is open and going to catch a lot of trash. There were three on the show room floor and they all had stuff (small bits of leaf, etc.) in them.

The front fenders where they meet the doors are very thin and flex. I would always be worried leaning over the fenders working on the motor.

Overall I like it but there are a number of small things that I'm going to have to overlook or get over.

[ArmyVette]

Laurie and I were there earlier this afternoon, too.

Koon's has the black, silver, and what I believe is the Victory Red color (not sure -- not listed on the window stickers).

We liked the dual cup holder and the Z-pattern molded into the door panels just in front of the door handle. We're still undecided on the Euro headlamp setup (though it did look pretty good on the black C6). The LS2 is definitely larger and more aggressive looking. The air bridge is flater to fit under the sloped hood and we noticed that the air cleaner box is MUCH larger than the C5's stock air cleaner. Not sure whether this will necessarily improve the airflow into the engine but we assume that it does.

Neither Laurie nor I liked the new spoke wheels. Reminds me of the old style wagon wheels some Vettes come with. They almost looked powdercoated, not polished, as I would have anticipated.

As for pricing, well, let's just say I was surprised. The base price is around $44K, which is what GM has been advertising. The options packages are a little steep. The preferred group with HUD, memory package, power seats, etc., was over $4K extra. Add the XM radio for about $700, the upgraded stereo (still a Bose but with 7 speakers) for about $1300, and at 3.15 rear diff for another $350 and you're pushing $50K.

[EbVette]

I am C6'd out after Carlisle. I sat in one, liked the button you push to open the door instead of door release, but what about if the button breaks, there did not seem to be a manual overide to it.

Sorry don't like the the headlights. I looked at the car from the head one it it looks more like a VIPER to me then ever. I agree with Mike regarding the interior, althought it appears they tried to give it more of a richer look. my impression was it looked to me just about the same as my C5 except with some different trip and the navigation system that flips to reveal a small LCD or quartz screen. It felt just like my C5 and really not much of a change excepte for the newer options.

I did not drive it, but to me this is nothing but a C5.5 . The changes that are made have it looking more like a Mazda RX6 or a newer VIPER....

I think I will keep my C5 for a long time. Its a beautiful car, but sorry I still like the pop up headlights and still like the look of the C5. Mike is right about the rear end, it looks to me like that Cobra Race Car used a Sebring in the mid 60's....the Cobra hardtop....very similar.

I saw the new color Orange, and it was VERY interesting, one of those colors you really don't know if you like it or not......

Its a beautiful car and I am sure the people who buy them will love them, but not my cup of tea for now....

[urtoslo]

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. Some cars you fall in love with imediately, others take a while and grow on you or you never like them.

Now we have the C6. In spite of the new "C" designation, it's still basically a C5 (big butt-itis). It has taken me this long to get somewhat used to the C5 and that exposure probably helps the new "C6" for me. I like the larger wheels all around and more horsepower but wish the front looked different than a Viper. They should have made the fixed headlights look unlike any other car - then make them clone the Vette look.

I'll give my C4 a 100rwhp improvement and keep it till the C7 comes around. Maybe then they'll have a new crop of designers that will hit me with a new car that I'll fall in love with instantly (like the C4 did for me).

[LilRedCorvette]

I liked the new orange on the computer screen, but now that I've seen it in person at Carlisle, I don't like it. It reminds me of that ugly 70s orange just with metallic flake in it. It looked more orange-red metallic on my screen and I liked that; it doesn't look anything like that though.

I agree about the door opening dilemma; what happens if it breaks? Do ya pull a Dukes of Hazard and egress from your window? I'm sure I could squeeze through but what about you guys? [:p]

Also agree that the interior was nothing to write home about, but GM has a history of unexciting and/or cheap looking interiors. For the price of the car I expected better, though. Comfortable seats, however.

Again, as I said in another C6 post, it echos the Viper and/or other euro sportscars too much for me. The headlights are a big bone of contention for me as well.

Not enough of a change/improvement to call it a C6. I agree with the C5.5 designation. Although I'm sure the engineers at Chevy would disagree...

I will keep my C4...too much in love with the tightness of it. When driving a sportscar is more like driving in a big bubble of a Cadillac, then it's no longer a sportscar. Besides, there is always the option of adding stuff to the C4 if I want to add HP/etc... to it anyway.

[Black396]

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. Some cars you fall in love with imediately, others take a while and grow on you or you never like them.

...

Maybe then they'll have a new crop of designers that will hit me with a new car that I'll fall in love with instantly (like the C4 did for me).

I have always loved the styling of the sharks and the "nasty" sound of the big block V8 growl. The C5 Z06 is an awesome car. The combination of handling, power and comfort are unbelievable.

Despite that and the creaks, squeaks and groans that come with them I still love my C4s. There is just something about sliding into the seat and becoming one with the car that I haven't found in the C5 or C6.

[Non_Blue_Z06]

Looking at all the posts, I understand and agree with most of the items. I joined everyone else in looking over the C6's at Carlisle from front to back. I like the idea that the car is shorter and narrower, it won't hurt the handling. With the changes to the brakes in the Z51 option, I am looking forward to the Z06. The C6 is going to be a great sports car. I just went away with a feeling that I didn't have this great need to have one. Maybe that will change as the model evolves.

I understand why the initial cars would be optioned out to maximize the profits. I thought the $4K prefered group was on the high side and included too many items. I like some choice in setting up the car. A lot of luxury items if fine if you want your vette that way but sometime you want a car that is more performance oriented.

It will be interesting to see how the prices will be presented by the dealers to get the pricing over MSRP. I always found that a big turn off and would go to another dealer automatically or just wait. There will always be 'hot' models but I look for a dealer who offers a fair price to me and one that provides enough profit to the dealer to allow a level of qualtity of service.

[EbVette]

I think you will see the base prices will be the same, but what they do is up the prices on the option packages. With the addition of the power roof, Navigation, and several other items, they will make them costly and up the prices of things we like, upgrade suspension, etc. So what would have been a well equiped coupe for 48K will know be around 51K....thats how I read it.

I just received from my friends at GM a complete press package, the C6 Dealer Spec book, sale brochuer and the media DVD, includes a movie of the C6 driving down winding curves with sound.....I will take some time and learn more and post what I learn off this info... [:D]

[LilRedCorvette]

Despite that and the creaks, squeaks and groans that come with them I still love my C4s. There is just something about sliding into the seat and becoming one with the car that I haven't found in the C5 or C6.

I agree 100%! That's exactly how I feel about the C4...couldn't have said it any better.