Lieberman: Personally, I say 420 hp, but yeah that’s the right ballpark. And yeah, I hit 0.99 on the G-meter. Anyhow, this ‘Vette’s limitations have nothing to do with the engine. I agree that the feel of the steering is classic American — no effort and not too much feedback. However, the steering is true to itself. Meaning that this is how Corvette’s have always felt (from C3s on at any rate), and their legions of customers love it. Want it and crave it, too. Thing is, with grip bordering on glue, who needs feel? Point the wheel where you want, and the Corvette goes. I can’t even imagine the limits of this thing. A grip-related anecdote if you will. Part of my road trip brought me to Chief 24 Hours of LeMons Perp (and editor of Corvette magazine) Jay Lamm’s home/warehouse. After six, maybe seven seconds of prodding, those gathered convinced me to do some Z51 donuts in Jay’s parking lot. Not a chance. Even with 428 torques attacking the rear meats I couldn’t get to the Chevy to the levy, so to speak. Conrad, one of the Ecurie Ecrappe Autodenta owner/drivers, pulled said Alfa out of Jay’s living room and proceeded to crack off several sexy donuts. So, there you have, the Corvette Z51 has way more grip than a beater Alfa Romeo Duetto. However, the Corvette was able to perform some of the most severe smoky burnouts of my life. What am I getting at? This Corvette Z51’s a ton and a half of fun, steering feel or not.
Levy: Despite the plethora of plastic, in, out and around the car, the smell of epoxy that I assume every ‘Vette over the ages gives off, and the still low rent accommodations — I’m not even going to mention that silly piece of fabric in the trunk — this Z51 actually charmed my Stuttgart loving ass. The ride quality is amazing for a car that turns and grips like a GT1 car. I was stunned by the suppleness — I constantly braced for crashes from pockmarked Hollywood streets that didn’t come. Sure there’s a bunch of creaking and groaning going on but those trick shocks in this suspension package are worth the price of entry and really make the car. So grip is off the charts and ride quality is stunning for a sports car. But let’s cut to the heart of the matter, the real appeal of Chevy’s two seater — the LS3 V8. Our car came equipped with the servo controlled flapper in the exhaust that unleashes a bellow only a meat and potatoes ‘Merican car can make. Holy smokes, when you trounce the loud pedal it gets loud! Serious ear to ear grinning fun — like The Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up” turned to eleventeen from a festival stage!
Lieberman: I’d say it’s more a Dave Lombardo drum fill, but yeah – the engine’s a brute. Even at low speeds, you just gotta give it up for the burble. And hey, obviously, the LS3 is a work of art. There’s no question. I mean, it’s basically the same engine as the 638 hp LS9 that the ZR1 gets minus some titanium, sodium and a blower. Not only that, but this “base” car’s 0-60 mph happens in a ludicrous 4.1 seconds. To quote your country men, “Bloody hell!” And there’s no fancy, computer intensive launch control shenanigans required, either. You simply depress clutch, spool motor to four grandish, release clutch and go. Just like when you were a kid. Makes hacks like us look awesome. As you mentioned, that much power in such a light, easy to use platform is a never ending fount of smile-inducing fun. Which gets back to the Corvettes’ je nais sais quois, the reason for the model’s 65+ years of perseverance. The Corvette has the ability to take an everyman, a Willy Loman if you will, and make him feel special. Feel that for once he’s got the best of it, not the other guy. And if you bring value into the equation, our everyman probably does. Richard Nixon would drive a Corvette. And I mean that as a compliment. So, here’s the real question: is there any reason at all to buy a Z06?
Levy: Bottom line, I finally get it. I can understand the enduring allure of the Corvette thanks to this particular 2009 Z51 — nothing before worked for me. Silly acceleration, supercar looks (especially if your Friday night hang is a Dairy Queen in Wisconsin), close to idiot proof grip, and a loud pedal that goes real loud — all wrapped up for a vaguely reasonable price– affordable for a good portion of those living the American dream at some point in their lives. So yeah, the fancy Brit gets it. But this level of performance, for around $55k is a great buy. So the Z51 probably makes the Z06 redundant for another $25k. And what does that say about the ZR1 for twice the money? I can’t really answer because I haven’t driven one. But at $100k plus I already know I’d take a Porsche GT3 or Audi R8–420hp is plenty.
Lieberman: Wait… a Porsche GT3 over the ZR1? You’re on drugs. Porsche drugs. That said, even though I also understand what a great car the Z51 is, I’m not really hot to own one. Man, maybe I see your point…
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Posted By: Jonny Lieberman | 14 Comments »
Tags: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 2009 Corvette Z51 Chevy Chevy Corvette Corvette Corvette Z51 Fiends vs. Fiend LS3 Z51
The only Porsche that has ever made my trousers rustle was the 928.
@MeatFarley: I always think about risky business when thinking of the 928. A great car that I hope makes a come back.
It think the stereotypes that go with either are what would keep me from picking either one at my purchase range (which would be more like a 5-8 year old example).
That said, at the 5-8 year old level, I’d have to go Vette. I’ll take degrading plastic and a serviceable-by-me V8 over the clusterfnck that is Porsche maintenance.
Technically if the only Porsche you like is the 928 then you are definitely a Corvette guy.
Wait! I’ve reconsidered.
I’ll take a 914.
Electric, if you’re offering.
928? Run away! Run away! That’s Monty Python-ese meaning you don’t wish to pay $15K for a transmission redo for your $25K beloved, classic dream car. And that’s just the first installment. Go ahead, ask me how I know. No, please, please don’t. Bumper sticker reads “Abandon hope all ye who enter here”. Take that extra $25K (Z06) or $55K (ZR-1), or much less, and commission another interior to match whatever ego-mobile your heart desires. If it’s $55K, call me, I’ll do it or project manage it for you.
Hey..Renegade Hybrids. Put your favorite America V8/SBC (including the LS3) in a basket case Porsche 928.
Supposed to be the best of both worlds
I’ll agree that the C6 seats leave a bit to be desired. Aside from that, the Vette is about the best bang for the buck. In the long run a Vette is say more economical.
To the Porsche guys, my buddy who races Spec Miata and Drives a 911 would rather take the Miata to the track than the Porsche. It handles better. The 911 does have a touring package so it’s nice on the highway but a bit top heavy on the track.
This debate is like Ford vs Chevy. It’s never ending.
I thought the C6 seats were incredibly comfortable. The look and feel were a little cheap, but I’m used to an LS400 daily driver (that’s pretty nice leather).
I have to admit that I’ve never driven a modern Porsche. But the C6 that I drove impressed the hell out of me, and now… it must be mine. I never wanted a Corvette before, but driving is believing.
I’ve driven the new Cayman S and the Vette. I consider the interior to be sub-standard for a car the Vette wants to be. Porsche has the same problem with the older 911 but they have moved on. If you pay serious cash for a car then at least you don’t want have to wonder if some of the $$ could have been spent on a real steering wheel and perhaps leather not sourced from Wall-Mart. Hard Plastics abound. Whats funny is that the Cadillac coupe is built in the same factory and that interior is world-class. A Rabbit GTI interior would put it to shame…
The difference is that if all you like is burning rubber from the traffic lights and your favourite car movie is fast and furious then the Vette is perfect. Its a great point and shoot missile. However take the Cayman out any weekend on some nice backroads and the more you drive it, the more you want to never stop (even more fun in the dark;-). The Vette you can use every day but the Cayman is what you keep in the garage and take it out to waste anything on the road bar supercars handled by real drivers (rare) and superbikes. I saw both being tested at the Nuremberg ring and the better driver just could not figure out why his vette was slower by 3 secs every time, without fail. Good on the straits but the corners were just slower . Steering Feedback is worth having to get a feel for whats possible and where the limit is.
A caymen…..my new 370z with bolt ons easiy handle all aspects of the caymen S and my Zo6 is a rockect that can throug you out of the car with the windown down. on a quick turn.
Caymen S interiors are ok…but hell man if that the best shot you have at the vette..the vette ins Nice. period…don’t be an ass Its 3lz pckage make its a trnmedous buy…and buying a=the last of the 427’s makes buying a Zo6 worth it….an engine you’ll never see ever again.
Zo6 is so superior to the caymen it a sin to say them in the same breath
my 37Z matches up perfectly and is a better daiy driver with a Catman S
and if you ever wann go back i n time with thick leather and killer 6.0 and interior my 05 and 06 GTO’s are here so say the old muscle feel is refined enough..and there aussie interior are fantastic..BMW like.
the Z51 is the poser Z a real man buys the 427.
a NA 427…i make 551rwhp with just a cam swap and headers….i’m owered and have better than runflat tires and bette r shifter..
my Zo6 rocks…and 370 rock as well though not a firebreather..it willpost 4.6-0-60 with 2 breathign mods.
.98 g and 60-0 in 102 feet… bring the cayman on.
and all for 33k otd. incuding mods.
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I think the whole “porsche guy” and “corvette guy” is overplayed. I own a 2008 Z06 and love it, but I’m not a corvette guy. I don’t really care about the past vettes as much as I should, and would buy a porsche possibly in the future. The problem is that a similarly priced porsche would be a loaded cayman s. Good car, but I’m not in love with the looks from the rear. Also, 330 hp is a bit disappointing to me. I cross shopped the Z06 with an M3 btw.