Still Considering a C6 Corvette instead?

Link doesnt work, but sleepfish has some good stuff on it. Check out the full corvette wmv not just the dragrace section. Its... revealing.

Scot

You can't abbreviate the URL with "..."; it doesn't work.

http://www.sleepy-fish.com/sleepy/Top_Gear_Corvette_lo.wmv

I'm finding their anti-American (or anything but British basis) a bit tiresome. They had a really negative review of the 350 roadster, gloated over the Exige's ability to avoid being target locked by the American, ugly Apache AT CLOSE RANGE. I'm thinking it's more entertainment than objective auto-journalism.

And the "colonies" comment!? Makes me think they still have a chip on their shoulder than the Bristish empire has lost some real estate since the 1700s!

Car and Driver television really liked the new C6 Corvette. And not only will it be more powerful, but $1000 cheaper than the C5 'Vette also. Fully loaded (including Z51 Sport Suspension), the new C6 is $47,000. The 6-speed is no longer an extra cost option over the automatic.

I have to admit that I like the new Corvette and would seriously consider it. But there will always be an opportunity to buy one (and at substantially lower prices on the used car market.) I think it will be difficult to buy a used Elise at a good price for a few years and, quite frankly, I like the idea that it's a bit exotic. (That's my ego speaking...)

Bob

"I'm finding their anti-American (or anything but British basis) a bit tiresome."

Yeah, but they generally make fun of EVERYTHING- I'm not sure they're anti-US as much as they're just troublemakers. Clarkson cracks me up. I particularly enjoy the useless reviews like their attempts to kill a Toyota pickup truck (last December?), proving it to be the most durable vehicle they've ever tested. (crashed, parked at low tide and then submerged in the sea, retrieved & started up, burned in a fire, etc.) OK, so it was a diesel, which made things easier, but definitely pretty funny to read.

Little bits and pieces of factual, objective journalism, but mostly sheer entertainment.

And who among us doesn't lust over a TVR?

I think the guy driving the car in the drag race either did not know how to drive it, or intentionally lost. The C6 is about 1 second faster in every 1/4 mile test any magazine has done over the NSX. Either he's a shitty driver or a liar - you decide.

Regarding the leaf spring, its a transverse mounted single leaf spring, not the traditional twin setup most people think of. Its used because its lighter, linear, and less likely to sag unlike a coil. They did a very poor job explaining that and I think that was on purpose.

I also want to know why they were not honest about the price. They said the Vette cost 40,000 pounds. Thats $72,000. The Vette sells for $45,000 which is really only 25,000 pounds.

I use to love that show but after watching that I would go so far as to say some of that review was so obviously incorrect, it bordered on unethical.

Oh, and did anyone notice its time beat the Extige?

Hi Joe,
The prices do not directly translate between here and the UK, even after deducting VAT which is usually included in the price. Have you checked how much they pay for an equivalent Elise (111R) over there?

Do you feel the review was unethical due to your bias towards the Corvette? In reality, Top Gear has always been like this in one way or another, but this time it hit home. You seem to even acknowledge this in your commentary about their American bashing.

Vantage said:

Do you feel the review was unethical due to your bias towards the Corvette? In reality, Top Gear has always been like this in one way or another, but this time it hit home.

Click to expand...

No, they showed the Vette losing a straight line drag race to an NSX.

The only possibility of this happening is if the driver was a bad driver, or if it was done on purpose. Regardless, they are fully aware of the 1/4 mile times for both cars and if they show the Vette being beaten by a car the entire automotive world knows can't possibly beat it in a drag race, then at the very least, its bad journalism.

NSX - 0-60 4.8 seconds 1/4 mile 13.4
C6 - 0-60 3.9 seconds 1/4 mile 12.6

Personally I take it a step beyond that and consider it unethical.

Allan Gibbs said:

I'm finding their anti-American (or anything but British basis) a bit tiresome. They had a really negative review of the 350 roadster, gloated over the Exige's ability to avoid being target locked by the American, ugly Apache AT CLOSE RANGE. I'm thinking it's more entertainment than objective auto-journalism.

And the "colonies" comment!? Makes me think they still have a chip on their shoulder than the Bristish empire has lost some real estate since the 1700s!

Click to expand...

You're taking it way too seriously. Everything is said with a wink and a nod. The Stig was listening to Culture Club back when he was taking an Elise around there track, fer Chrissakes. I doubt they're too anti-American either, considering they made the Focus RS their car of the year last year. And who wouldn't give a really negative review to the 350 roadster? I've never seen another car show anywhere as interesting or entertaining as Top Gear.

Anti-American? Then why is Jeremy C buying a Ford GT?
You guys are WAAAAY too touchy.

Yep, a bit too touchy. I like the "colonies" reference whenever I see it. It makes me think "Oh, yeah-didn't you used to be England, a superpower?" Focus on the used to be. It's like an ex-Lotus owner implying he still owns one, even though he traded it in years ago. Kind of pathetic and definitely laughable, but not insulting.

I do agree that the misrepresentation of the NSX-Vette 1/4 mile run is really unprofessional. The editors need to read up and learn a little to avoid these obvious goofs. Makes them look like rank amateurs as far as automotive review goes...

Not to stir the pot, but wasn't the Exige timed on a wet track?

As I have been saying for a while now, Top Gear tests (including track and acceleration test) are for entertainment value only. But it's totally plausible that the NSX could have beaten the C6 if there was too much wheelspin on the C6 launch. They've been launching NSXs for a long time. They also have NSX-Rs over there. Their C6 experience?

So what I'm saying is that Top Gear cannot suddenly be considered unethical because of this C6 test. This type of reporting has been standard practice for their show...

Steve,
I believe it was mostly dry with a few puddles, but certainly the A048s could have done better with higher track temps. Thus, I hate to compare times done on different days.

I love this forum, makes me laught a lot.

Regardless how has what territory, it no longer matters. Multinationals and investors own everything, and last time I've checked England owns quite a chunck of our industry. Netherlands might own more and Japan probably is the one that owns the most.

So who cares. Funny that today the Spanish gov was upset because they sent a british dignatary (forgot who) to Gibraltar to celebrate 300 years of colonizing it. When they are both members of the EU.

Me, I don't care who owns what as long as I get my car and can drive it!!!!.

My sense of humor is suspended until my Elise arrives.

As an owner of a C5, I may sell the C5 and get a C6 once they offer a cool color like Nassau Blue (very Lazer bluish), but will not replace the Elise. I'm just hoping I can fit four cars in a three car garage.

David

Vantage said:

As I have been saying for a while now, Top Gear tests (including track and acceleration test) are for entertainment value only. But it's totally plausible that the NSX could have beaten the C6 if there was too much wheelspin on the C6 launch. They've been launching NSXs for a long time. They also have NSX-Rs over there. Their C6 experience?

Click to expand...

Then if thats what happened, they should have said so. To present the NSX as being faster than a C6 when we all know thats bullshit, is simply unethical.

transio said:

Not to stir the pot, but wasn't the Exige timed on a wet track?

Click to expand...

Yes, but...it's England, chances are all the other cars were tested on a damp track, too.