Corvette ZR1 Unveiled (Blue Devil)

[Subw00er]

The REAL problem with this car is the price. What is GM thinking? I'm a die-hard vette guy as well, but man I'd rather have a Aston Martin, or something more interesting for that money. Maybe even a well used 360 Ferrari.

So I sit here with my c5 z06 not able to find a better car for the money. What they should really do is make a budget, $40K supercar and it would sell like hotcakes. They have the engine, now just make the car, and make it pretty and its a winner. There is nothing in the $40-50K range to satisfy me!

This trend for interesting sports cars going to the $60-70K mark really sucks. (GTR, c6 z06, etc).

The new Toyota might be a REALLY interesting car, if they can keep with the stated $35K. They will sell a million of them!



Ya its a hybrid, but with 400HP and it looking like that, man I'd give it a try.

[chaos4NH]

Some good points there subw00er, but think of it, they want to keep this car for the $$$ guys, not for the masses. GM doesn't want to see a zillion of them running around the streets and "cheapening" the marque. As you say, perhaps not the best money making way to go about it, but let's face it, GM lost $11 billion in 2006 (or was it 2005?) which shows they never have had the best marketing.
Oh, by the way, do any of you think that GM saying the "new" Malibu is better than the Camry, makes it so?

[Subw00er]

I guess I just dont understand why they dont make an inexpensive, fast sports car. They have the technology to do it within a budget, so why dont they? I keep hoping that hyundai or a similar company comes out with jsut some outrageous car and wipes out everyone. Look at what VW did with the GTI back in the 80's. They cleaned up!

[DanB]

I think we have enough "outrageous" superperformance cars on the market today. What is lacking is simple, basic, LIGHT WEIGHT rwd/irs performance cars.

Still waiting for a "new 240Z" (not a 2-seat G35)
Or a new 510 line
Or a new 240SX (closer to S13 than S15, please)
Or a new 2002 (note: The new 1-series is NOT a modern 2002. At over 3200 lb., overweight for a 3 if you ask me!)
Or a new 914 (Boxster is WAY to close to the already-overweight 911)
etc.
etc.
etc.

[rajito]

Why wait? You can build one of these yourself for $30-50K, according to the brochure! http://www.factoryfive.com/gtmhome.html



Specs say 2300lbs and 350hp

I doubt we'll see any light production cars in the future. A 2008 "MINI" Cooper S weighs 2800lbs. An 08 Miata weighs 2600. I think the only under-2500lb cars are made by Lotus.

Raj

[enjoythemusic]

Removed, felt the post was a bit O.T. for the thread.

[breakaway500]

My Atom is 1400lbs road ready,Chevy powered(300hp),has fully adj. Konis (stock),Alcon race brakes (stock),
100% street legal,made in the USA,is a factory production turn key car and if you shop wisely,around $50k.
I plan on attending some Comscc events this year.

[StephanAlfa]

Why wait? You can build one of these yourself for $30-50K, according to the brochure! http://www.factoryfive.com/gtmhome.html



Specs say 2300lbs and 350hp

I doubt we'll see any light production cars in the future. A 2008 "MINI" Cooper S weighs 2800lbs. An 08 Miata weighs 2600. I think the only under-2500lb cars are made by Lotus.

Raj

Oh.... what a nice car... the style, wow! and it's not even Italian design
Thanks Raj for the info. Anyone up to sharing one?

[DanB]

I was talking about road cars for road usage. I.e., something I'd want to buy for a daily driver.

I'd have been a lot more impressed with GM (and more likely to give them my money) if they could've come through on their 2400 lb. promise for the Solstice/Sky (and preferably if they'd made the coupe version!).

ZR1, GTR, 911 Turbo variants, Vipers, etc etc etc are all a bit "much of muchness" for me. I don't think I'd be interested in them all that much even if I could afford them. I mean, for track performance, a Formula Ford would kill any of them for a lot less dough!

Breakaway, look forward to seeing yer Atom! We had one at Lime Lock. Schweeet...

Again, though, I'd probably sooner get both a Formula Ford (or some such) PLUS have what I want for a street car (my current S2000, or an SR20DET'd S13 240SX) for a lot less $$$.

I know $30, $50, $70+ k is not a stretch for a lot of people, but me, I ain't there yet, and even if I was, I don't think I'd spend that much when what I *really* want is a simpler, smaller, lighter real-world road car.

Raj, I bet we *DO* see lighterweight cars in the future. Unfortunately, our retarded culture and its need to overconsume resources has led us MUCH more quickly than necessary to the point where global oil production is flat, while global demand is rising. Fuel costs will continue to climb, and fuel economy will become FAR more important than it is now (not to mention CO2-emissions concerns will likely soon play a role).

It *USED* to be that "cars of the future" were EXPECTED to be much lighter weight and more efficient. However, since the late 80's, American tastes (big dumb heavy Americans must have their big dumb heavy cars) and cheap oil and lack of leadership have led us down the current path of bigger/heavier/more-powerful bigger/heavier/more-powerful bigger/heavier/more-powerful.

Doing more with MUCH MUCH MORE is not progress to me.
More with LESS, THAT'S progress.

Unfortunately, the short-sighted folks who control our government and our media are pretty much only interested in us consuming ever more each year, and the none-to-subtle message has been received loud and clear. To the point that TONS of people are spending as much as they possibly can, and MORE!

OK, I'm done now...

[DanB]

Regarding cars under 2500 lb.:

Toyota Yaris: 2293 lb., $11,300
Chevrolet Aveo: 2343 lb., $10,030
Kia Rio: 2365 lb., $10,890
Hyundai Accent: 2467 lb., $10,775
Honda Fit: 2432 lb., $13,950
Smart fortwo: 1653 lb., $11,590

Disproving the myth that lightweight cars that meet modern crash standards have to be made of exotic materials/construction. Lightweight cars are cheaper, not more expensive!

The real shame is the Smart Roadster was discontinued a couple of years ago, and won't be available here

[breakaway500]

How about a Mazdaspeed Miata?Lightweight,comfortable,drop top,handles very well, has excellent power (turbocharged),strong brakes and a Torsen diff, all stock.
Plus great aftermarket support.A nice low miler can be had in the $15k range.

[DanB]

How about a Mazdaspeed Miata?Lightweight,comfortable,drop top,handles very well, has excellent power (turbocharged),strong brakes and a Torsen diff, all stock.
Plus great aftermarket support.A nice low miler can be had in the $15k range.

$15k is what I paid for my S2000 a year ago. Quite a bit heavier (2750 lb., quite a porker for its size), but looks a lot cooler and it is faster
I'd love to build an early Miata with the MSMiata turbo motor

But for a DD I'd really rather have a 2+2 coupe/hatch S2000 weight or less, I don't need or even really want convertibility. A modern S13 240SX would be nice, but Nissan's too busy finding out exactly how heavy a performance car they can build

[rajito]

Come on Dan, 3800lbs isn't THAT heavy

Raj

[offcamber09]

Breakaway, look forward to seeing yer Atom! We had one at Lime Lock. Schweeet...

I was talking to the owner of this car today. The officials that he has been working on to get his Atom registered in MA. are trying to get the Feds to make the decision for them. He says he is really screwed now and will not keep the car for just track days. Interesting that even automobile-hard-ass CA. will let you register them.

[chaos4NH]

Breakaway, look forward to seeing yer Atom! We had one at Lime Lock. Schweeet...

I was talking to the owner of this car today. The officials that he has been working on to get his Atom registered in MA. are trying to get the Feds to make the decision for them. He says he is really screwed now and will not keep the car for just track days. Interesting that even automobile-hard-ass CA. will let you register them.

He should move to NH. No taxes and the Atom would be a blast as a commuter car!