2008 Vettes get a tune up, more info added!

[Casio]

I like the interior except for 3 things that I just can't get over

1. Those Air Conditioning knobs and little LCD display looks it was designed in 1984.

2. Why is the hand brake on the passenger side? Surely that's just awkward.

3. Why are the steering wheel controls solely on one side, which happens to be the same side that the gear stick is on. Surely it'd make more sense to put them on the side where your hand is always holding.

 

[Jay]

3. Why are the steering wheel controls solely on one side, which happens to be the same side that the gear stick is on. Surely it'd make more sense to put them on the side where your hand is always holding.

Your left hand would be the main steering hand, as the right hand would be changing gears fairly often (especially while cornering). The buttons would probably be accidentally pressed often on the steering hand side (especially where they are positioned) and I am sure you don't need to play with the buttons that bad that changing gear interferes.

I personally don't like buttons on the wheel, especially positioned right under where you right thumb would rest.

 

[Dave A]

How many of you that complain about the ride have ever been in a Corvette?

Hello.

That said I only have bad things to say about the Z06's ride, there's nothing wrong with the normal C6's ride which is far more suitable as a road car than the Z06 imo which I still say does have a problem. As for the update, style wise, I'm still not over keen on the interior, the design of it that much, but that looks like a big improvement.

 

[Joey D]

Dave I was referring to this post, but also to anyone in general.

The ride, unadventurous styling and some God-awful paint options.

I hate buttons on steering wheels, are you that lazy you can't lean forward to change the damn radio? My mom's Pacifica has steering wheel buttons and going around corners I'll hit them and the station will change.

And hand brakes are typically on the passenger side or almost in the backseat, at least in most manual cars I've been in.

S2000's the same way with both the buttons and the handbrake:

 

[YSSMAN]

I just thought about something: Have there been any photos of the 2008 'Vette without the navigation option?

To be honest, I'm in love with the 'standard' radio looks... They need to steal the one from the Impala (yes, it breaks my love for indie Corvette parts), as it just looks better...

Or I suppose they could just use the Opel-esque unit out of the Commodore/G8...

 

[skip0110]

GM could make the radio ariel out of a coat hanger and the engine cover out of tin foil; they still would sell.

 

[JCE]

I hate buttons on steering wheels, are you that lazy you can't lean forward to change the damn radio? My mom's Pacifica has steering wheel buttons and going around corners I'll hit them and the station will change.

And hand brakes are typically on the passenger side or almost in the backseat, at least in most manual cars I've been in.

Having buttons on your steering wheel is great, I love it. If I'm sitting back relaxing on a long trip I do not want to lean forward to change the radio, adjust the cruise control, and or adjust the climate control. If you do not like them instruct your car dealer to disconnect them before taking delivery of the vehicle--they will do it and do it for free if you insist. Not everyone has problems with these buttons during normal everyday driving--and even "spirited" driving. Take this Mustang for instance:

I do dealer trades in these and I do drive spiritedly and those buttons do not get in my way and I do not accidently hit them when driving. A VERY small percentage of people think like you do on this issue...and I do mean a very small percentage. And lastly on the steering wheel buttons being on the right side of the Corvettes steering wheel I think it is a good thing. You want your left hand firmly gripped on the wheel while the right hand does everything else. It makes perfect sense to me.

And in terms of the manual transmission vehicle's handbrake location--the vast majority of manual cars I've driven have the handbrake on the driver's side.

 

[Joey D]

With the steering wheel mounted buttons I think it depends on the car, the Mustangs look very good and I could deal with that. The ones on the Pacifica are behind the steering wheel right where your hands normally rest. I hate it. I got rid of the ones that Circut City installed with my new head unit, not only did they look bad but they were placed where it was hard to just hit them. But that was aftermarket so I wasn't expecting much from that. I think it's all personal preference.

With the hand brake thing I can't really say, I should look through some more pictures. I think it depends on the manufacture.

 

[skip0110]

With 436 horsepower you don't need to use the handbrake while you are driving.

You'll touch it at most twice every time you go somewhere--so criticizing it's location is nitpicking.

 

[Joey D]

Exactly, the chances of you using it for something other then parking is going to be rare, I mean you might lose the brakes in some freak case, but I think most of the time it's going to be for parking.

 

[Dave A]

I figured you were referring to that post Joey, I just thought I ought to make the distinction that the English press made regarding the standard C6's ride and the Z06's, that the standard C6 ride is okay. I haven't experience a Z06's ride first hand, but I am incluned to believe the sources that say it's not good on the road.

Regarding the handbrake, I've never seen a car where the handbrake hasn't been between the front driver and passenger seats, so it's on the passenger side of the driver.

 

[Jay]

Regarding the handbrake, I've never seen a car where the handbrake hasn't been between the front driver and passenger seats, so it's on the passenger side of the driver.

Yeah it is normally between the driver and passenger (I have driven quite a few cars that are dash pull or foot actuated types though) but in this discussion we are talking about what side of the centre console the handbrake is located. Here in Australia it is very rare to find the handbrake on the passenger side of the console.

 

[land sea air]

it kinda makes sense to me, if it isn't on the passenger side then it would have to be placed fairly far back or down low to avoid interfering with gearchanges, the way it looks in that picture makes it seem like the best location, I would rather reach over then down or back.

 

[YSSMAN]

There have been some interesting power figures taken on the new LS3...

When we told you about our first encounter with Chevrolet's new 2008 Corvette, one of the highlights was the new LS3 engine. Up from 6.0 to 6.2 liters, the new base 'Vette motor promisea 430 hp, or 436 with the optional exhaust. That was a 30 hp bump over the '07s. Not content to let sleeping dogs lie, the gang over at LG Motorsports decided to strap one to a dyno to verify those numbers. And the results were spot on.

First up was the 6-speed auto. It returned a plot that showed peak horsepower of 370.8, with torque at 363.8 ft-lbs. With a drivetrain loss of about 16%, that is spot on. Next up was the 6-speed stick. It came back almost 20 hp better than the slushbox. The numbers were 389.5 hp and 377.4 ft-lbs of torque. That shows about a 10% loss for that engine/transmission combo. Even better.

And then, just for kicks, LG added "longtube headers, performance cam, ported intake, K&N aircharger, under-drive pulley and a custom tune" and got a quick boost of more than 100 hp at the rears. That car now shows 506.7 hp and 457.1 ft-lbs... at the wheels! One of the best performance for the dollar bargains on the planet, this '08 Corvette seems ready to take on the world.

[Source: Dragtimes]

Interesting...

While the whole LS-series is well-known for making a good bit of power, and this shows it. This being said, the maybe $4000/5000 of extra parts made an impressive amount of extra power. The LS3 could be the next LS1, being a rather effective, somewhat low-cost, but high-power new age engine to be used in hot-rods all across the US.

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

Yeah it is normally between the driver and passenger (I have driven quite a few cars that are dash pull or foot actuated types though) but in this discussion we are talking about what side of the centre console the handbrake is located. Here in Australia it is very rare to find the handbrake on the passenger side of the console.

Dash and foot brakes are for older trucks and cars that have bench front seats. Nowadays, it's hard to find a car without the lever style. Usually it's on the driver side of the dash though. Or, if your car has a tiny console, it may be in the center.

I love that new 'Vette, though. Looks good, inside and out.

 

[JCE]

While the whole LS-series is well-known for making a good bit of power, and this shows it. This being said, the maybe $4000/5000 of extra parts made an impressive amount of extra power. The LS3 could be the next LS1, being a rather effective, somewhat low-cost, but high-power new age engine to be used in hot-rods all across the US.

You better hope the new Ford Hurricane V8 doesn't out horsepower you. I can't wait to see this new engine. 👍

*edit*
Oh, imagine 6.2L V8 + Mustang + supercharger = orgasm

 

[YSSMAN]

Thats only if Ford puts a decent set of heads on it, and furthermore, make it aluminum as opposed to iron...

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Hmm, I'm really looking forward to test this LS3 Vette Z51, it really looks promising. I really hope that it won't dissapoint me like the '06 Z51 did. I just drove the Sky Redline yesterday and its better then the Z51.

 

[YSSMAN]

From what I understand about the "C6.5" is that, beyond the updated engine and interior, some of the gear ratios have been played with on the lower-level models, while the manual transmission has been updated (I want to say they call the T56 derivative the M10...), and just for you, they have tinkered with the steering just a bit, tightening it up a few more touches for more accurate driving. It should add up to a better experience across the board, the Z51s obviously getting the most attention.

I know my Grandfather is looking into a Corvette again. The neighbors have an '05 Magnaride Convertible with the T56, and he is thinking about buying if they decide to sell it, otherwise I continue to pressure him into just buying new... But you know old people and Consumer Reports... I don't think he realizes that a Corvette is a Corvette, and any sports car is going to have problems.

*Sigh*

Anyway, was the Sky Red-Line a slushbox or a manual? I'm told quite often that the 5-speed auto is actually the better choice with the car, as it does a better job putting down the power and keeping things in check.

...I wouldn't know, I haven't driven any of the Kappa cars, yet. I may have to talk to my friend at the Saturn dealer, but they aren't always very quick to let you take one out...

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Anyway, was the Sky Red-Line a slushbox or a manual? I'm told quite often that the 5-speed auto is actually the better choice with the car, as it does a better job putting down the power and keeping things in check.

...I wouldn't know, I haven't driven any of the Kappa cars, yet. I may have to talk to my friend at the Saturn dealer, but they aren't always very quick to let you take one out...

-> It was a manual, I've never liked auto's to begin with unless I have no choice, I'd like to have total control of the vehicle. The car wasn't that bad, in fact it almost mimicked the 350Z when it come to overall composure. I like that boost surge.

-> My experience at the Saturn dealership was a snappy one, they let drove one without photocopying my drivers licence, he just grabbed the key and off we go. I also turned off the TC.

BT-> As what I said earlier, that '6.5' Vette looks a promising one. Although I'm still not convinced by just looking at the photos, I HAVE to see and drive it in person for me to notice the difference.

 

[YSSMAN]

Official test specs!

​

Not bad, not bad at all. Sounds as though the steering feel has been fixed, the interior issue has been addressed (an $8000 option if I read correctly), and the extra power certainly has been put to better use. Shame about the seats though... You'd think they'd offer better ones as an option package...

Still, for $56K (as tested, pretty much fully-loaded) on this sucker, you'd be hard-pressed to find a car that performs better. With this officially out-performing the C5 Z06 without a sweat, and really only being a tick or two behind the C6 Z06, one hopes that the "Blue Devil" makes the gap between the bottom and top even larger.

Me? Well, I'm still a sucker for the stripped-down Z51 models. You can get exactly the same performance for $8000 less without the "fancy" interior. Considering I didn't mind the old one, I'm happy to go with it.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I haven't got the chance of reading the article since I just got the mag this afternoon. I kinda agree on your statement about the seats, it looks like they won't last very long (will end up like those seats in a 1980's Ford), anyways theres always a Recaro somewhere.

 

[Gabkicks]

i wonder what kinda lap times the 2008 car will do around famous tracks... the article made it sound like its signifigantly easier to drive.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'd assume the extra 36 BHP is enough to make a difference, not to mention the altogether better steering. When Car and Driver took the updated '07 model (new suspension setup) to VIR in their yearly track test it was one of the fastest cars on the track... Out-lapping the Porsche 997 Turbo if I recall correctly. Keep in mind that it was mostly a change of shocks and I believe springs, so the '08 update should better those times even further.

...Although I have no idea how long it will be until we can see an updated time at VIR, Grattan, Dunsfold, or the 'Ring...

 

[Keef]

Official test specs!

​

Thank you for showing all the European people how thorough (and how confusing, complex, and gaudy) Car and Driver's test specs are.

 

[ShobThaBob]

Official test specs!

​

Not bad, not bad at all. Sounds as though the steering feel has been fixed, the interior issue has been addressed (an $8000 option if I read correctly), and the extra power certainly has been put to better use. Shame about the seats though... You'd think they'd offer better ones as an option package...

Still, for $56K (as tested, pretty much fully-loaded) on this sucker, you'd be hard-pressed to find a car that performs better. With this officially out-performing the C5 Z06 without a sweat, and really only being a tick or two behind the C6 Z06, one hopes that the "Blue Devil" makes the gap between the bottom and top even larger.

Me? Well, I'm still a sucker for the stripped-down Z51 models. You can get exactly the same performance for $8000 less without the "fancy" interior. Considering I didn't mind the old one, I'm happy to go with it.

Sorry this is offtopic, but when I went to your link, I got a trojan downloaded to my computer named movie[1]. Might wanna consider checking out you temp files if you use that image hosting service a bunch.

 

[TopHat]

Sorry this is offtopic, but when I went to your link, I got a trojan downloaded to my computer named movie[1]. Might wanna consider checking out you temp files if you use that image hosting service a bunch.

I got nothing from that..... Also its Imageshack dude, they're not THAT evil.



Yeah, I just got the new C&D too, yet to read it though.

 

[Dave A]

Thank you for showing all the European people how thorough (and how confusing, complex, and gaudy) Car and Driver's test specs are.

Why? Do you think we don't have access to all thoes of details in any of our publications?

 

[JCE]

They really need to put a proper IRS-or even something else other than a leaf spring in this car. Could you even imagine how much FASTER around a track it would be--seriously--I'm playing the archaic suspension card. I may have defended the ZO6--but now I'm not and I'm starting to wonder if GM (or Ford for that matter) will ever EVOLVE to a more modern suspension for its sport coupes. Honestly, get with the program...its almost 2008--TWO THOUSAND EIGHT.

*edit*
Oh and those rims are ugly--and those rear discs are tiny as hell.

 

[Joey D]

Meh it works, why would they spend the money to change it?