Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 Forum - View Single Post

Zeus · 08-06-2009, 11:10 AM

Neighbor just got a Black Premium package GTR, took it for a 45 minute ride through some nice roads. I drove 20-30min out of the ride. First impressions. For the purpose of this comparison I will be directly comparing to the M3, and 911, two of the GTR's biggest rivals which I have had hours of seat time in.

Dayummmm.. this is a BIG car. For being known as a handling car I was not expecting such a large vehicle. Very wide, very big, even the wheels were large. He also has a 911, which seemed to be dwarfed by the GTR. The interior is black leather, with black trim. Everything seems to be of good quality, id say on par with the CTS-V. Only... this one is 90k. The fit and finish does NOT seem to be up to comparable status with the BMW (M3) or 911. Very much a Japanese car, built for the go, not the show.

Driving impressions. Well, driving through town the car struck me as both uncomfortable and quiet. I was expecting something like the screaming engine of a Ferrari or even an M3 but it was very smooth sailing when we were on the roads. The seats were track seats, which made bad road uncomfortable, and the suspension was very very stiff. I'd say it made for a decent daily driver but the M3 blows away the GTR in this comparison. The M3 manages to be one of the most comfortable cars on the road while also maintaining unbelievable handling. The handling on the GTR was nice, but around town it feels like there is a bit more under steer than you would want. Nothing like the Porsche or even the M. The paddles behind the steering wheel are nice, on par with the DCT system used in the M3 or the PDK box in the 911. But major bad marks for not even offering a manual.

Out in the Country driving impressions. This thing goes like a bat out of hell. That's all that can be said. I've driven Z06's, M5/6's, F430's, Audi R8's, and a list of other fast cars, but this has got to be the fastest. It isn't as dramatic as the Ferrari or M6, it sounds a lot like a GT500 in the sense that it sounds like a Jet. It just GOES. Around turns the car has an unreal sense of grip. Even with the traction control turned off (the warranty was voided long before I got in the car) the car still doesn't feel like its even possible to break loose. The GTR explodes through corners like you wouldn't believe, but more than that it does it easily. Its so simple and so easy that it makes you look like your Schumi or Rorl out there, its a point and shoot car. The flip side to that is that you don't get the same thrills you get by rowing the gears in a Z06 while doing the same roads, BUT you do go faster, grip harder and end up finishing a lot sooner. I know this has been said before, but its true. The GTR is so accomplished in its driving that you reach your limits driving the car well before it has approached its own. The Nurburgring lap time seems like it could well be accomplished (I was a skeptic before) but the car still left something to be fulfilled.

Overall. Id say the car is really something. Its easy to hate one of these things when your competing against them, and I know why this is such a controversial car. So many automakers build cars that are for the driver, with all the great things this car has, but it seemed as if this car was built to go from point A to point B as fast as possible, and not so much about the enjoyment of actually driving one. This car blew me away with what it could do, it is a 'hang on for dear life' kind of driving experience. The 911, nor the M3 could hang with this car. Its just not possible, they weren't built for it. The M3 is a great all around car, lightly used M3's go for 50k, and they are worth EVERY penny of it. The 911 is an iconic car which (imo) is overpriced. The Cayman S is a better driving experience, for 30k less than the 90k+ 911. It is my opinion that if you were in the market for a 911 it would be better to spend your money on a ZR1 corvette, or save further for a GT3 or Turbo 911. The GTR is a ridiculous car, but I just dont see myself ever owning one. If track times are your thing, the GTR is what you want, but there are mountains of other cars you would enjoy more during a track day. The GTR really is the ultimate NOT drivers car.

08-06-2009, 11:10 AM	#1
Zeus BOOOOOM MF'R!! Drives: to Chipotle daily Join Date: May 2009 Location: Flo-Rida Posts: 3,614	Drove a GTR today Neighbor just got a Black Premium package GTR, took it for a 45 minute ride through some nice roads. I drove 20-30min out of the ride. First impressions. For the purpose of this comparison I will be directly comparing to the M3, and 911, two of the GTR's biggest rivals which I have had hours of seat time in. Dayummmm.. this is a BIG car. For being known as a handling car I was not expecting such a large vehicle. Very wide, very big, even the wheels were large. He also has a 911, which seemed to be dwarfed by the GTR. The interior is black leather, with black trim. Everything seems to be of good quality, id say on par with the CTS-V. Only... this one is 90k. The fit and finish does NOT seem to be up to comparable status with the BMW (M3) or 911. Very much a Japanese car, built for the go, not the show. Driving impressions. Well, driving through town the car struck me as both uncomfortable and quiet. I was expecting something like the screaming engine of a Ferrari or even an M3 but it was very smooth sailing when we were on the roads. The seats were track seats, which made bad road uncomfortable, and the suspension was very very stiff. I'd say it made for a decent daily driver but the M3 blows away the GTR in this comparison. The M3 manages to be one of the most comfortable cars on the road while also maintaining unbelievable handling. The handling on the GTR was nice, but around town it feels like there is a bit more under steer than you would want. Nothing like the Porsche or even the M. The paddles behind the steering wheel are nice, on par with the DCT system used in the M3 or the PDK box in the 911. But major bad marks for not even offering a manual. Out in the Country driving impressions. This thing goes like a bat out of hell. That's all that can be said. I've driven Z06's, M5/6's, F430's, Audi R8's, and a list of other fast cars, but this has got to be the fastest. It isn't as dramatic as the Ferrari or M6, it sounds a lot like a GT500 in the sense that it sounds like a Jet. It just GOES. Around turns the car has an unreal sense of grip. Even with the traction control turned off (the warranty was voided long before I got in the car) the car still doesn't feel like its even possible to break loose. The GTR explodes through corners like you wouldn't believe, but more than that it does it easily. Its so simple and so easy that it makes you look like your Schumi or Rorl out there, its a point and shoot car. The flip side to that is that you don't get the same thrills you get by rowing the gears in a Z06 while doing the same roads, BUT you do go faster, grip harder and end up finishing a lot sooner. I know this has been said before, but its true. The GTR is so accomplished in its driving that you reach your limits driving the car well before it has approached its own. The Nurburgring lap time seems like it could well be accomplished (I was a skeptic before) but the car still left something to be fulfilled. Overall. Id say the car is really something. Its easy to hate one of these things when your competing against them, and I know why this is such a controversial car. So many automakers build cars that are for the driver, with all the great things this car has, but it seemed as if this car was built to go from point A to point B as fast as possible, and not so much about the enjoyment of actually driving one. This car blew me away with what it could do, it is a 'hang on for dear life' kind of driving experience. The 911, nor the M3 could hang with this car. Its just not possible, they weren't built for it. The M3 is a great all around car, lightly used M3's go for 50k, and they are worth EVERY penny of it. The 911 is an iconic car which (imo) is overpriced. The Cayman S is a better driving experience, for 30k less than the 90k+ 911. It is my opinion that if you were in the market for a 911 it would be better to spend your money on a ZR1 corvette, or save further for a GT3 or Turbo 911. The GTR is a ridiculous car, but I just dont see myself ever owning one. If track times are your thing, the GTR is what you want, but there are mountains of other cars you would enjoy more during a track day. The GTR really is the ultimate NOT drivers car.