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j3studio Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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A few observations after our first official road trip in the 2012 - three and a half days, 955 miles, 25.2 mpg.

1) Black is an insane color to travel in if you don't want dirt to show. Our "shiny" Carbon Flash Metallic is probably a little better than the normal "pure" Black, but it still shows everything.

2) There's a ton of space in the rear (22.4 cubic feet to be precise) and it's almost all usable. We made it back and forth across the continental US in the 2003 'vert with 11 and change, so we're going to be fine with this kind of space.

3) For what we ask of it, the 6-speed automagic is a magnificent piece of engineering. It's most impressive on the back roads - those two extra gears mean it never hunts and always seems to be in the right gear. Big change over the 2003 (don't even get me started on my 1985).

4) It's an immensely comfortable car to pile on the miles with. The seats are near perfect (for us, at least) and the magnetic ride soaks up almost all of the bumps.
Posted on: 2012/4/10 23:12
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bogus Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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The 6spd auto is better, not because of the extra cogs, but because of the better controls. They keep it in gear longer, which gives the perception of being in the right gear. The extra ratios help, but the better controls are the real bonus.

The 2003's box is a direct descendant to the 1985's box, which came out in 1982. The 700R4 --> 4L60 --> 4L60E --> 4L65E are marginal to fairly good autos, but not durable. I have seen the C5 autos start to fail at 110k, this is with racing them.

I was looking over Consumer Reports recently, and the C6 is getting damned good reviews for overall reliability and durability.
Posted on: 2012/4/10 23:57
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Matatk Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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I agree black is impossible to keep clean...lol.

Glad to hear it's a good road trip car. But it's still a sports car, too
Posted on: 2012/4/11 1:11
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TommyT-Bone Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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I remember nice road trips from the olden days. Have fun with it. But I think you already know that.

Black starts showing dirt as soon as the paint dries from the wash. Every speck of pollen and dust is drawn to it. I know all about black.
Posted on: 2012/4/11 1:15
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Ultraman Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Good report....Traveling in a Corvette has always been a big part of the fun of ownership for me. To do that it has to be comfortable and usable which it sounds like your car is. They keep getting better and that's a good thing.....its real fast too and that is the frosting on the cake....
Posted on: 2012/4/11 1:58
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j3studio Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

bogus wrote:
The 6spd auto is better, not because of the extra cogs, but because of the better controls. They keep it in gear longer, which gives the perception of being in the right gear. The extra ratios help, but the better controls are the real bonus.


Makes sense to me - it just never seems to be at a loss. Creeps really well in very slow traffic, great on the back roads, kicks down quickly when you hammer it.

Direct quote from Ivelis:

"I can't hear the GPS over the engine."



Quote:

bogus wrote:
The 2003's box is a direct descendant to the 1985's box, which came out in 1982. The 700R4 --> 4L60 --> 4L60E --> 4L65E are marginal to fairly good autos, but not durable. I have seen the C5 autos start to fail at 110k, this is with racing them.


We've had good experience with our 2003's auto - it just seems to work a little too hard on the back roads (it's great in city driving and on the highway). My 700-R4 acts "wack", but my transmission guy says it is in astonishingly good shape. In the absence of an examination by Pete K, I'll accept that.

Quote:

bogus wrote:
I was looking over Consumer Reports recently, and the C6 is getting damned good reviews for overall reliability and durability.


I saw the same thing - can't believe they actually recommend it. Not a factor in our purchase, but still nice.
Posted on: 2012/4/11 13:06
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BillH Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

TommyT-Bone wrote:
Black starts showing dirt as soon as the paint dries from the wash. Every speck of pollen and dust is drawn to it. I know all about black.


I find it's better to wash cars with water. Paint dries slower = more dust.
Posted on: 2012/4/11 15:01
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BillH Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

j3studio wrote:

4) It's an immensely comfortable car to pile on the miles with. The seats are near perfect (for us, at least) and the magnetic ride soaks up almost all of the bumps.


Glad your trip was fun.

Ya know? I've never been uncomfortable on a trip in a Corvette including crosscountry in a C3.

Going to like Laguna Seca in the C4, 6 hours nonstop is a pleasure. Running the same route in my Silverado - I start to get antsy after 2 hours, same thing when I had a company car.
Posted on: 2012/4/11 15:05
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j3studio Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

BillH wrote:
Ya know? I've never been uncomfortable on a trip in a Corvette including crosscountry in a C3.

Going to like Laguna Seca in the C4, 6 hours nonstop is a pleasure. Running the same route in my Silverado - I start to get antsy after 2 hours, same thing when I had a company car.


I think in the older Corvettes the necessary involvement distracts from almost anything else. I know I rarely feel uncomfortable in the 1985 while I'm driving it - it's when I get out that I notice ...
Posted on: 2012/4/11 20:44
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bogus Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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If I get fatigued driving my C4 is in heavy traffic or bad weather. If it's raining hard? between the roads and the cold drip on my left knee...

Oh, am glad you both had a great trip!!! When are you coming west again?

Posted on: 2012/4/11 23:22
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j3studio Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

bogus wrote:
When are you coming west again?


April 2015, in the 2012.
Posted on: 2012/4/11 23:33
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bogus Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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I will block off the date.
Posted on: 2012/4/12 0:38
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StephenHudson Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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C6 has undergone subtle changes, I think corvette is the perfect car for road trip, But you have only two seats.
Posted on: 2012/4/12 12:38
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j3studio Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

bogus wrote:
I will block off the date.


Posted on: 2012/4/12 12:47
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captmike13 Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

StephenHudson wrote:
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C6 has undergone subtle changes, I think corvette is the perfect car for road trip, But you have only two seats.


And what is wrong with only 2 seats? I find that the perfect amount for me and the wife.
Posted on: 2012/4/12 15:30
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SpectatorRacing Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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I had similar observations when I drove mine home last year from Texas to Michigan (in 19 hours). I'm 6'4" and couldn't believe I never became uncomfortable. In most other vehicles my bum knee starts to drive me nuts after a few hours and my ass goes to sleep.
Posted on: 2012/4/12 20:51
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j3studio Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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Quote:

StephenHudson wrote:
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C6 has undergone subtle changes, I think corvette is the perfect car for road trip, But you have only two seats.


Welcome, Stephen. For us, only two seats is a major part of the attraction.
Posted on: 2012/4/12 23:28
Edited by j3studio on 2012/4/13 0:15:45
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bogus Re: Road-Tripping In A New C6: Some Observations
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I have never had a much of a problem with only 2 seats...

It does restrict some activities... but I will leave it at that.
Posted on: 2012/4/13 2:14
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