On my drive home last night I enjoyed listening to the different tones of the Corvette's exhaust note. It was like hearing an actor run through different emotional ranges. As soon as you turn the key you get a pulse-quickening rumble, kind of like distant thunder. That, combined with the dancing gauge needles, gets the adrenaline flowing nicely. Any time you give it a burst of power there's a snarl in response, kind of like a pit bull waking up and giving a "back off" growl.
But the fun really begins when the tachometer climbs over 3500 rpm. Chevy tuners must have used the trunk as a sounding board because the whole back end of the Corvette begins vibrating. I'd call them good vibrations. So it all set me to wondering, if the Z06 was an actor, who would it be?
Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ 50,624 miles
throwback says:
12:56 PM, 08/27/10
A young James Caan. Talented and brooding, but often overlooked for better looking and more polished performers. But in the right role, magical. "Did you go to college get to stupid?" Sonny to Micheal in the Godfather.
gregnv says:
01:20 PM, 08/27/10
Rodney Dangerfield. Little or no respect, but always near the top of his game.
teampenske3 says:
01:30 PM, 08/27/10
Will Ferrell. A bit crude and loud, but a helluva lot of fun. "I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal." Ron Burgundy to Veronica in Anchorman.
maxedoutmax says:
01:31 PM, 08/27/10
Not sure what "vibrations" you speak of, my C5 with Borlas is quite a bit louder than the stock Z06 but still no vibrations.
nuieve says:
01:46 PM, 08/27/10
Your right pair of pipes hangs lower than left one.
alexdi says:
02:11 PM, 08/27/10
A young Marlon Brando. Raw and rough around the edges, but capable as all get-out.
feloniousmonk says:
03:24 PM, 08/27/10
Steve McQueen, the very embodiment of cool: every capable, but not arrogant, a little rough-around-the-edges, nonchalant, self-confident, purposeful and fun car is Steve McQueen. Everything else is something else.
bodyblue says:
04:26 PM, 08/27/10
More like Nathan Lane in The Birdcage.
Steve McQueen will always be linked in my mind to the 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 (in Highland Green) from Bullit.......not any vette.
feloniousmonk says:
05:35 PM, 08/27/10
bodyblue says:
04:26 PM, 08/27/10
"More like Nathan Lane in The Birdcage.
Steve McQueen will always be linked in my mind to the 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 (in Highland Green) from Bullit.......not any vette."
Nah, dude, you don't get it. McQueen's spirit lives in every car and cycle of this type. Brand doesn't matter. Steve McQueen transcends such horseshit.
ballmode says:
06:21 PM, 08/27/10
I'd like to know the opinions of the Z06 compared to your previous E46.
I know the performance numbers speak for themselves, but each has a harsh suspension, sports car type gas millage, maintenance costs, etc.
You guys both had to get tires for the M3 and Z06... which car was easier to shoe?
When driving both, which car at the end of the day would be in the garage?
Which was better to deal with at dealerships?
Certain features that make living with the car easier/harder between the two?
The reason I bring this into comparison is because both of these cars are on the best sports cars under $20000 list you did last year and was very intrigued that you have bought both used.
wrinklebump says:
07:53 PM, 08/27/10
Charles Bronson
vq356mt says:
05:46 PM, 08/28/10
Paul Newman - An all-American guy with versatile talent. I believe his last ride around Limerock was in a Vette.
majin_ssj_eric says:
07:24 PM, 08/28/10
Good questions Ballmode...
stingray454 says:
06:01 AM, 08/29/10
Clint Eastwood for sure. Everytime I hear that exhaust note on mine, and I take it on the track or push it hard, famous Clint Eastwood lines come to mind such as: "Go ahead, make my day" and “You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?” and “I tried being reasonable, I didn't like it.” and “They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning.”
lmbvette says:
01:28 PM, 08/30/10
For some reason, I just think of Harvey Keitel. He's not a big guy, but I'd never mess with him.
vq356mt says:
01:37 PM, 08/30/10
When are you guys gonna give this thing some new shoes?
jbork135i says:
07:34 AM, 09/ 1/10
I would go with Al Pacino. The outer appearance maybe hasn't aged so well, very intense when engaged and once wound up, the intimidation factor is unrivaled.