Since this site is heavily Corvette-themed, I figured that I would share some impressions about C5 Corvettes, now that I have a modicum of basis to form first-hand opinion. I have driven them in brief occasions in the past, but only now have I had some extensive seat-time.
So in recent days, I’ve been driving a 2001 Corvette. It’s a base-model coupe with targa-top and six-speed, officially rated at 350 hp. The car was purchased by a friend for a relative, and I’m temporary caretaker while storage space and the logistics of ownership-transfer are sorted out. Since we have been unusually blessed this fall with warm weather in Ohio, I’ve been driving the car to keep it tuned, so to speak.
Other cars as points of reference:
- 1991 Mazda Miata. Gutless, lucky to develop 100 hp at the rear wheels, but very light and nimble.
- Datsun Z, with big-block Chevy (aluminum oval-port heads, fairly healthy mechanical roller cam).. maybe makes 400 hp at the crank, in present state of tune. 2600 lbs, unconscionably crude, loud, ill-tuned and billows smoke from every imaginable aperture (and some that are unimaginable).
- 1996 BMW M3. Officially makes 240 hp (maybe 260 with current bolt-ons), 3.7 rear (up from the stock 3.15 – definitely wakes up the car in street driving)
And the verdict is… unfortunately I’m underwhelmed by the Corvette! Though it weighs about the same as the M3, it feels larger, heavier and more ponderous. The steering is excessively boosted. The clutch isn’t particularly stiff, but still manages to be touchy. Acceleration is OK… great for street-car standards, but not befitting of a supercar. Driving both the Corvette and the BMW at 7/10ths, the Corvette is moderately faster… it would pull away from the M3, but the difference would not be crushing. Maybe at 10/10ths the Corvette would shine, but not with my driving style (and lack of skill!). On the other hand, the Datsun absolutely annihilates the Corvette… pulls harder off the line in 2nd gear than the Corvette pulls in 1st, and it performs an effortlessly rhythmic dance, while the Corvette struggles just to stagger. The Miata and to some extent the Datsun are fun cars even in tight quarters, on driveways and narrow country lanes; the Corvette needs room to roam, and feels unsettled if pushed at low speeds and high steering angles. The Corvette feels like it has plenty of potential, but that potential is hidden beneath a veneer of staid conformity, doubtless marketed to the gentleman who’s arrived and who wishes to impress the ladies… as opposed to the fellow who wants a nimble sports car.
In the ultimate analysis, I prefer… the Miata! Yes, the gutless hairdresser’s car, which would be lucky to run the quarter-mile in 17 seconds. But it’s more refined than the Datsun, without being numb by insulating the driver from the driving experience. It is more nimble, more telepathic than any of the other cars, easier to drive at the limit, providing just the right amount of cues without overwhelming the driver. And most importantly, I don’t worry that bits would fall off, belts would be thrown, the crank would drop out of the sump or I’d leave the differential on the pavement.
Lessons-learned:
1. The fastest car is not necessarily the most fun to drive.
2. Peace of mind is more important than ultimate performance.
3. Low weight is staggeringly important – more important than high hp.
4. A car that’s too precious can’t properly be enjoyed.
When I grow up, I’m going to buy a kit-car that’s under 2000 lbs. Prime candidates are Ariel Atom or Brunton Stalker (it’s a V8 stuffed into a Caterham, formerly a Lotus-7). I’m thinking open-wheels, single-seater, and no doors!
So in recent days, I’ve been driving a 2001 Corvette. It’s a base-model coupe with targa-top and six-speed, officially rated at 350 hp. The car was purchased by a friend for a relative, and I’m temporary caretaker while storage space and the logistics of ownership-transfer are sorted out. Since we have been unusually blessed this fall with warm weather in Ohio, I’ve been driving the car to keep it tuned, so to speak.
Other cars as points of reference:
- 1991 Mazda Miata. Gutless, lucky to develop 100 hp at the rear wheels, but very light and nimble.
- Datsun Z, with big-block Chevy (aluminum oval-port heads, fairly healthy mechanical roller cam).. maybe makes 400 hp at the crank, in present state of tune. 2600 lbs, unconscionably crude, loud, ill-tuned and billows smoke from every imaginable aperture (and some that are unimaginable).
- 1996 BMW M3. Officially makes 240 hp (maybe 260 with current bolt-ons), 3.7 rear (up from the stock 3.15 – definitely wakes up the car in street driving)
And the verdict is… unfortunately I’m underwhelmed by the Corvette! Though it weighs about the same as the M3, it feels larger, heavier and more ponderous. The steering is excessively boosted. The clutch isn’t particularly stiff, but still manages to be touchy. Acceleration is OK… great for street-car standards, but not befitting of a supercar. Driving both the Corvette and the BMW at 7/10ths, the Corvette is moderately faster… it would pull away from the M3, but the difference would not be crushing. Maybe at 10/10ths the Corvette would shine, but not with my driving style (and lack of skill!). On the other hand, the Datsun absolutely annihilates the Corvette… pulls harder off the line in 2nd gear than the Corvette pulls in 1st, and it performs an effortlessly rhythmic dance, while the Corvette struggles just to stagger. The Miata and to some extent the Datsun are fun cars even in tight quarters, on driveways and narrow country lanes; the Corvette needs room to roam, and feels unsettled if pushed at low speeds and high steering angles. The Corvette feels like it has plenty of potential, but that potential is hidden beneath a veneer of staid conformity, doubtless marketed to the gentleman who’s arrived and who wishes to impress the ladies… as opposed to the fellow who wants a nimble sports car.
In the ultimate analysis, I prefer… the Miata! Yes, the gutless hairdresser’s car, which would be lucky to run the quarter-mile in 17 seconds. But it’s more refined than the Datsun, without being numb by insulating the driver from the driving experience. It is more nimble, more telepathic than any of the other cars, easier to drive at the limit, providing just the right amount of cues without overwhelming the driver. And most importantly, I don’t worry that bits would fall off, belts would be thrown, the crank would drop out of the sump or I’d leave the differential on the pavement.
Lessons-learned:
1. The fastest car is not necessarily the most fun to drive.
2. Peace of mind is more important than ultimate performance.
3. Low weight is staggeringly important – more important than high hp.
4. A car that’s too precious can’t properly be enjoyed.
When I grow up, I’m going to buy a kit-car that’s under 2000 lbs. Prime candidates are Ariel Atom or Brunton Stalker (it’s a V8 stuffed into a Caterham, formerly a Lotus-7). I’m thinking open-wheels, single-seater, and no doors!
