The Corvette has got to be something special if you are willing to look past a lifetime of Porsche driving to pick one up! The biggest adjustment for me at least would be getting used to the gearing being opposite that of the Porsche but for a semi-pro driver like Durff, this would be no big deal. He’s also obviously not afraid to put some miles on it. 5k in 2 months is not too bad for a sports car. Good luck with your new car and if you’re ever in New England you gotta pick me up…
Yes, it’s definitely got a lot of ‘special’ in it! But one aspect that we didn’t talk much about in the article is the combination of special + affordable. Obviously, it’s not a cheap car, but it’s imminently achievable and an incredible value compared to the Porsche camp that I was in before. I loved my 997, but it was a fairly pricey car to maintain well. Shortly before I sold it, I had close to a $5k service visit with largely routine midlife maintenance as the car crested 90k miles. I compared prices on major things like clutches and regular wear items like brake rotors, and the C7 is usually about half to two-thirds of the Porsche price. So that makes it a car I can manage to maintain longer term.
And yeah, the gearing has taken some getting used to. The biggest adjustment is the extra gate where 7th resides, i.e. having two gates past the neutral middle one. After a couple weeks of driving, muscle memory kicked in and I don’t notice it anymore. The gear ratios that come with the Z51 package combined with the torque from the engine make a really flexible combination. 1st and 2nd are very close together, as are actually all the gears up through 5th. 6th is quite overdriven - my normal ‘cruising’ gear above 65 - and 7th is insanely overdriven. I haven’t touched 7th much except when cruising at 80+ on a road trip. What I find is that in normal driving, I tend to skip from 1st to 3rd if I’m not in a hurry, which suits the car just fine.
First big track day with the car is this coming Friday. I’m very excited. Will try to pop back here and let you know how it goes.
Thanks for the article John. Epic car, would love to have one. It gets 29 miles to the gallon, that’s awesome. Makes for an even better road trip. 5k is a lot miles in a short amount of time, must be great to drive. Thanks for sharing.
GT Jazzywriter3112
FM4 Ferrari Challenge Stradale
Best corvette to date she’s smokeing hot :). i love the american top gear vid with tanner foust killing the tire’s and the sound just awsome, congrat’s bybear76 bet you have ton’s of fun ;). i would tell you how i feel about it on fm5 but havent got xbox1 yet . GT: xxiszx UC: fm4 ferrari 430 challenge stradale please
great review of the c7, ultra stylish with everything you would expect under the hood, i always think red is the best colour to have for review cars ,but this one looks superb in white.
You have good taste. I debated a long time between red or white. I’ve owned a bright red car once before, so I figured I’d try white since it works so well with the black trim and Transformer-esque body.
The innards of this stingray are very interesting when observed closely. The “skin” of carbon fiber suits him very well, as the lining in Alcantara with all banks. The quality of materials and assembly definitely approaching the Corvette over a Cadillac (the luxury brand of the group) than a Chevrolet.
The innards of this stingray are very interesting when observed closely. The “skin” of carbon fiber suits him very well, as the lining in Alcantara with all banks. The quality of materials and assembly definitely approaching the Corvette over a Cadillac (the luxury brand of the group) than a Chevrolet.
GamerTag: Cocaguns
Cars: Ferrari Dino GT, Saleen S5S Raptor, Mini John Cooper WOrks, Mazda MX-5 Superlight, Lotus Elan Sprint, Ford Fiesta Zetec S, Honda CR-X
Amazing car. Here in Brazil is really rare to see a machine like this, but last wee, I could not believe what I saw in the street: YES, IT WAS RED C7!!! I got crazy, I tried to accelerate my car to get closer, but a 105cv car can never take a 460cv car. I saw it a little far, but was enough to me. Now I can tell my friends: I SAW A C7!!! kkkkkkk happy boy
Great article. I’m so envious. I only drive a Chevrolet and I love Corvette. Wish I could afford one. Also wish john could gift me my first unicorn. Thank you.
Gamertag: Mafiasto
FM4 unicorn: Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
good article john, loved the c7’s a wonder car the roar of the engine and other.I wish one day to take a ride
Gamertag: XxMATEUSGAMERxX
Unicorn: Horizon Forza Ferrari Dino
It really isn’t fair to the 997 that it got put up against a C7. Even with years of brand loyalty the C7 is just so much more fun, it’ll put you in the seat in ways the 997 can’t dream of.
ill be the first to say that im not a fan of most american cars, especially “muscle” cars.
however, seeing the sheer beauty of this new 'vette, i may just become a fan.
with the smooth sculpted lines, low cg, optional 7-speed, and a massive v8 to top it off, it looks like it could be a real winner in a race, even stock.
gamertag: RyuDragon27
unicorn: Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type-A (forza 4)
Being from Germany, especially very close to Stuttgart, I’m a little biased towards Porsche. But after this great article I just want to experience this Corvette, as it might be a contender for my new fav. car.
BTW: white is the perfect choice. It gives this beast of machinery the sense of beauty it deserves.
GT:tmw666
FM4: just got it, no unicorns so far…so any would be mosty welcome
I saw it a little far, but was enough to me. Now I can tell my friends: I SAW A C7!!! kkkkkkk happy boy 