Little Fun Run with a new Z06

In the latest issue of Car and Driver the Z06 was significantly faster around a race track than a Ferrari 430 and the new 997 TT. Maybe I am wrong but I thought that nothing short of a race car could keep up with a ZO6 or any of the abovementione cars. I would never think or expect that a 15-18 year old sports car could be competitive. Am I missing something here? For the record.... I have driven Corvettes but never a ZO6 and while I respect their performance I would never buy one as they are not my cup of tea. I love Ferrari but I always thought that if I was in a 348 or a 355 and I tried to tangle with a new ZO6 my but would get spanked! For the record....I would never race in public roads.

 

The last time that I was instructing for a local car club's track day, the instructors went out in their own session. There was a new Z06, a GT3, me in an SL55 and an NSX.

Considering this was the instructors group, I assume everyone could actually drive. My passenger alerted me to how the group was fairing. The Z06 made no ground on me, nor I him. I was reeling in the GT3......until he spun off, and I was running away from the NSX.

I have abused Vipers, etc. at the track with the 348. HP is only as good as the knucklehead behind the wheel.

 

"I’m certain, if I was willing to risk my 348, (which I would never do) I would have terrorized him equally as well."

Almost laughed to death on that comment, and I own a 348 with a big brake kit and a reworked track suspension just to name some mods. So far from reality, its pure comedy.

The z06 is no joke or laughing matter on the other hand. A supercar level performer at a not so supercar price. It’s one of the greatest performance bargains ever, and what it IS doing in larger numbers then usual, partly because of its affordability, is putting an exretemely highly capable machine in many very less capable bands.

Ingenere put it best:

“HP is only as good as the knucklehead behind the wheel.”

 

A ZO6 owner would say the exact same thing. I'm not a Vette owner nor would I ever want to be but please people, don't underestimate a more powerful car based on experiences like this. Don't get me wrong your car might still very well be faster on a TRACK, but I wouldn't be so quick to pass judgement on the car's potential based on a completely random street race against some Joe Shmoe.

 

why not? isn't the 348 the throw away model.......

 

Oh no! This going to get ugly!

 

I can see how a track spec 914 with 400 hp could keep up......but its hard to imagine a 348. And the ZO6 is not a dragster.....it pulls 1.01 on a skid pad. Even if it was only fast it would pull seconds away in any sort of a straight line. Its power is that overwhelming. It has instant tourque and accelerates to 60 more than 2 seconds faster than a 348. Probably 5 seconds faster to 100. How do you make that up against a car that handles very well? This not a muscle car from the 60's.

 

To some people........yes.
To others.........its their pride and joy.
As would be your "66 396 vette with updated suspension/brakes and a 500hp motor"
If you ever get one.......

 

What a stupid statement.

 

Almost, but not quite. The throw away models are the 308, 328 and Dino. The 348 just barely escapes, only because it's closer to a 355.

 

I don't think so, but I have one so I'm being biased

 

Interesting because Road and Track had the F430 pulling significantly faster times around a track then the z06. The f430 made it look silly in most tests and impressed the test drivers alot alot more.
The f430 also did better in the sweeper by holding a much higher speed.
The f430 also did better in the low speed S turn by holding a higher speed
The f430 also did beter in the constant radius turn by pulling 1.16g opposed to 1.05gs
The f430 also did better decelerating.
The F430 did better on the highspeed section by obtaining a higher speed.
The F430 also did better on the High G Load sweeper turn by pulling 1.21G opposed to 1.13gs.
The f430 also did 0-100 and 0-100-0 quicker then the Z06
The f430 also well you get the point around the track the f430 did better in every single category they had.
^there are numbers for all this info i throw out sorry i didnt put those in. That was the breakdown of there track though
Also on the note of the z06 pulling 1.01g on the skidpad i saw that same advertisment. But Road and Track again pulled .97g and 1g with the f430.

Im not a big fan of quoting magazines but since i have no personal expierence in either car its all i got. So you can take what you want from the article.

 

Z06 is a bad ass machine... Got up to 150 in no time in this car. Chevy has came along ways with this car. It is the best corvette ever made, and it competes with the best of them. Once you guys drive and feel that American Muscle you guys will start saying the same thing! (maybe). Still would rather take a f430, but I will give credit to the Z06, and I will back it up in any conversation.

 

Sure, the Corvette is definitely the best performance bang for the buck these days, but, when I come home from work, open the garage door, jump into my 15 year old F348 and take her for a spirited drive..............well............. uh......no other comparisons are needed.

 

Oh please, are you seriously suggesting that only the rich can drive super cars?

Also I wouldn't be so quick to assume that buyers of the new Z06 buy it because that's only what they can afford. The Corvette (I dare say more than any one Ferrari) is ICONIC.

Truth is my garage will never be complete until I have a Ferrari AND a Corvette.

 

50 posts = troll.

1 post about beating a C6 Z06 = BS

Watching the Z06 owners laugh; priceless.

- Bill

 

It's great to finally hear someone have appreciation for both cars...and not be afraid to show it. Well said. Good luck with that garage.

 

My main point was that a new 997 TT, an F430, and a ZO6 are probably way too fast for any 18 year old car to compete with. Not that the ZO6 is better or faster than an F430. I agree that the F430 is the greatest overall production car today. This is also the opinion of the writers in the Road & Track article and the Car and Driver article I qouted earlier. You will also never find any of the writers saying that the F430 made the ZO6 look silly in any performance test......that is your opinion.

 

Road and Track disagrees with you:

I am referencing the September issue of Road and Track - page 58 start -Super Powers article. Comparison of F430, Viper, Z06, 911Turbo, Ford GT & Gallardo. F430 was fastest of all in total speed (serious road course), Low Speed turn, constant radius turn, highest top speed in straight section, High G load sweeper and 2nd behind Gallardo in Braking zone performance. Vette was 3rd in most of the them and 4th once. Only place the Vette was tops was lowest $/mph. This explains why I have seen two pass through the same light at the same time. That will only happen at an FCA rally or car show for the F430...or a 348.

Bang for buck, yes, the Vette wins...loses in all other cases.

A pretty good article. I expected the GT to do better. I was glad to have a good read while waiting at the airport (as I got there way too early expecting the lines to be horrid with the whole liquids scare).

Please note that I am absolutely positive a Z06 will smoke all 348s other then the Norwood Turbo job; however; the cameras would be on the 348 as it crossed the finish line.

 

Ooops...I see someone else read the same article...I should have scanned furhter

Repost policer take me away..guilty guilty.