Topic: CD Article: 2005 Chevrolet Corvette convertible

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

Though it's the most comfortable Corvette yet, the redesigned 2005 model "still has that raw edge that makes you feel like you're driving a race-car," says Editor, Greg Wilson. In the Convertible, "the experience of being open to the Sun and the sky, the fresh air, and the sounds and sights around you, is very pleasant," he says.     More...

[ovr50]

Nothing to discuss - just send the car to me (ovr50), care of this Forum.

I'll be waiting...

[mdxtasy]

What a fantastic car.  For the money, it's king of the road.  I'm still not quite sure about the sudden cliff of a rear end but I'd still gladly drive it to work. 

However, this was an interesting point:
"On the inside of the doors are electric buttons instead of door handles, but to get out of the car, the doors won't open unless the engine is off and the transmission is in Reverse. GM says this is to prevent draining the battery, but I find this difficult to understand. Why can't the doors open with the engine in First gear, or once the engine is turned off, or when the engine is running in Neutral? Fortunately, if the battery fails, there are two emergency levers located near the door sills that will open the doors manually."

Can't open the car door when the car is running?  Afraid it will drain the battery?  When the car is running, doesn't the alternator do the work?  Personally, I find a door lever a dependable mechanism to open the door from the inside and out.  Making it complicated by needlessly adding a button to open the door is just a blip in the thought process of an otherwise very nice sports car.

[si]

"the doors won't open unless the engine is off and the transmission is in Reverse"


spec of dust on a gleaming proposition.  Nice testosterone car.

[wing]

So ummmm if you get into an accident and something happens you can't get out?

[si]

So ummmm if you get into an accident and something happens you can't get out?

Yeah, can be unsafe.  And dropping off passengers - a minor pain too.

And what if you are like that lady who ...smartly... evacuated her honda civic which was sliding down an icy hill destined for a collision - only to be almost mowed down herself by an M-class.  In times of collisions, we need to get out of our vehicles people - ONCE OUR CAR STOPPS. (now if this was a foggy 401 crash I would bolt for the cows)

[mdxtasy]

So ummmm if you get into an accident and something happens you can't get out?

Yeah, can be unsafe.  And dropping off passengers - a minor pain too.

And what if you are like that lady who ...smartly... evacuated her honda civic which was sliding down an icy hill destined for a collision - only to be almost mowed down herself by an M-class.  In times of collisions, we need to get out of our vehicles people - ONCE OUR CAR STOPPS. (now if this was a foggy 401 crash I would bolt for the cows)

Reading the next sentence of that paragraph...." Fortunately, if the battery fails, there are two emergency levers located near the door sills that will open the doors manually."

I'd just use the emergency levers if it was an option to do so. 

[AVToller]

I hate it when a car tries to make such decisions for me. The has to be a special place in hell for the inventor of motorized seatbelts - and I ALWAYS use mine and have for 40 years. If I want my doors locked, I"LL lock them, thank you very much.   

[wing]

Mdx, unless you get use to using those levers though what would happen in a panic?  This morning I pulled my car out of the garage put it in neutral through a piece of paper in the trash and hoped back in.  Seems like I would use it everytime!

[ovr50]

I'll still take it...........to heck with the nits you pickers are complaining about..

[Brigitte]

I like it, too.  What a beautiful car.  And to think that it's got that kind of power on a car that's lighter than the new Jetta.  Sweet.  I wanna go for a ride.  Who's buying one?   

One question, though.  Why bigger tires on the back?  Better grip for RWD?  I've never heard of this being done with any other car.

[mrthompson]

It's quite common on rear wheel drive sports cars and pony cars.

[Brigitte]

And the rationale would be?  C'mon...  Talk nerdy to me.   

[chrischasescars]

Love the photo of the Vette in front of the fighter plane mural. Just hope the plane isn't a P51 Mustang...  but wouldn't that be ironic? 

[wing]

And the rationale would be? C'mon... Talk nerdy to me.

Typically for balance Brig.  My car has 205 in the front and 245 in the rear.  This to protect the driver from bad driving which could cause a 50/50 balanced car to swap ends quickly upon high speed corner entry.  With smaller tires up front you lose grip in the front first which means you understeer going into the corner.  If the tires were smaller or the same size in the rear there is a tendancy to enter the corner at X speed, as you enter the corner you may increase throttle or by simple momentum end up at speed X + 1.  This +1 could be the end of your grip, but your tail end has yet to enter the corner.  Result?  Back end wants to become front end

Understeer sucks, but unless your a really really good driver it is safer.  People tend to goose it after they enter the corner as they think if they made it in they can make it out. So having the bigger rear tire allows for that extra wiggle room.

[mrthompson]

I thought the reason was that a larger/wider rear tire gets the power to the ground more effectively?  D'oh.  Oh well, learning all the time...learning all the time.   

[AVToller]

I thought the reason was that a larger/wider rear tire gets the power to the ground more effectively?  D'oh.  Oh well, learning all the time...learning all the time.   

You are ALSO correct, but the balance is the thing. 

[ovr50]

Love the photo of the Vette in front of the fighter plane mural. Just hope the plane isn't a P51 Mustang...  but wouldn't that be ironic? 

Actually I think it is a P51 Mustang fighter!!  

[mrthompson]

Nope.  It's either a Spitfire or a Hawker Hurricane.  Probably the Spitfire....the Hurricane is like Rodney Dangerfield.   


Edit:  Dang.  I spoke too soon.  The RCAF (RAF?) markings mislead me.  It is a P-51...the RCAF used them in addition to the Spit and 'cane.

[a4_tom]

I love C5 and C6 Corvettes. These great American sports cars run ring around Porsche on racetrack.