| Re: 2010 C6 Grand Sport |
Subject: Re: 2010 C6 Grand Sport by bogus on 2011/1/12 17:56:24 Quote:
lets run some numbers.... The GS option is about $5k. Not bad, really. Good value, when you think about it. So that means a new C6 GS is about $55k out the door. A base Z06 is $80k. A base ZR1 is $105k. The Carbon fits between, about $90k. Even if the stock GS is slow, you can put a mangacharger on it and get the power you want, for another $8k. Short of the chassis improvements (aluminum vs steel), I don't see the real benefit of owning a Zxx, short of bragging rights. The GS will get nearly 30mpg highway. The Z06, about 26 and the ZR1, about 22. I would be using the GS as a highway traveler, so that 30mpg starts to look real attractive. 4 miles more per gallon = 80 more miles to a tank = 2.5 gallons saved per tank over the Z06. At $3.50 a gallon, that's 10.00 per tank. A drive that we would take, from SoCal to Sebring, FL, this would add up FAST. At 30mpg, it would use 84 gallons of gas to cover 2500 miles. It would use 96 gallons at 26mpg, 12 more, at $3.50 for premium, that's $42 one way. To me, that's some pocket change. Then comes the insurance. I haven't checked on a Zxx of any kind, but a base C6 would only increase my insurance by about $300 a year. I don't think I would get away that light on either Z-car. Then comes maintenance. Anytime you increase power, you increase wear. Early Z06s were having gearbox issues, IIRC... but even beyond that, the LS3 puts out less torque, so the clutch should hold up longer. And if it does fail, I have even stronger options to replace it with that should last for about ever! There is more to a car than just the power output, that's all I am saying. And yes, there are times when a car can be built ignorantly to some ungodly power output. Sure, have fun... but remember, those outputs then start to effect drivability. They become prone to over heating and you are at the mercy of suspect aftermarket components. I spoke with Dave McClellan a couple of years back at Sebring. He is now on the board of directors of Mosler Automotive. They make a mid-engined supercar based off of C5 components. Dave and I were looking over the car, and he said (paraphrased), "I have encouraged the Mosler team to use factory components whenever possible. They are tested for durability in ways that the aftermarket just can't compete. Sure, some of that hot rod stuff is neat, but is it durable?" Some aftermarket firms to through testing... Edelbrock is one, they have 3 engine dyno cells and their own CARB legal smog test rolling dyno. They put cars on the streets with their bits in them for a year before they go on the market. And the parts stay on the car after the test, just to make damned sure the thing will work after. If the part fails at the 14th month, they have a lead to issue a fix. So many complexities... so many things to keep in mind! |
