S-o-o-o-o-o-o-o true. With *just* a little effort, the Corvette could become so much more desirable. Even if it just stepped up to Cadillac-level trim (i.e. within the quality envelope that GM ha already demonstrated), it would be so much better. It's not like they'd be eroding the Cadillac brand equity the way they would if a Toyota started being trimmed out like a Lexus. The Corvette is effectively its own brand.

 

Bob Lutz tried to explain this to the sophisticated financial guys, and they dismissed it as "farmers' math."

Cars vs. Beans - Autoline Detroit 1525 - YouTube

 

Damn accountants...

 

I drove C6 on an AX. No problem with suspension. A suspension revamp will likely cost $10k more in MSRP, which would be detrimental to sales.

Isn't the leather dash an available option?

 

Have you seen their leather "upgrade"? It's miserable. Look man, there are many of us who find a live axle (hello, Mustang), leaf springs (hello, Corvette), etc. unacceptable in 2011. Just FIX the damn car. A suspension revamp with 3-way adjustable dampers and coilovers from the aftermarket (JRZ, etc.) would cost $10K to do AFTER the fact. Keep in mind, manufacturers make money from economies of scale. When they buy 100,000 suspension setups, it's a lot cheaper than the one-off some enthusiast does on his own. That $10K suspension could easily turn into a $1K OEM solution with decent dampers/springs. JRZ, Ohlins, Penske, etc. will always be a premium, but for an OEM move to coilovers, it would not be that expensive. Same goes for the interior. Cadillac belongs to GM, too - borrow the CTS-V seats, etc. No one would complain.

 

Chris, nobody uses common sense anymore. So stop

 

True, the interior isn't at Porsche/exotic levels. Then again, neither are the prices. I gather you know this, but simply swapping seats from the CTS-V forces the car to be re-certified re crash worthiness. Not an inexpensive proposition.

I think most guys who own Z06's or ZR1's would disagree with the sentiment that the 'transverse' leaf spring isn't sufficient for (street level) performance driving. The GM engineers feel that it works as intended.

In any event, the (perceived coilover issue)/interior stuff is easily resolved in the aftermarket. It seems more likely that some of the 10-15% of guys not buying a Vette, (don't) do so because it doesn't wear the right badging.

 

HIRISC - I understand your points, but we're talking about the NEXT Corvette. It hasn't been crash-tested yet. Pricing hasn't been set yet. Etc., etc. This is ANOTHER grand opportunity to bring the car up to date. Sure it's priced right, but when you spend $50-70-100K for a car, another $3-4K on the sticker won't dissuade that buyer. So spend the money, put good seats/interior in, put an uncompromised suspension in, etc.

Seriously, there's no way to argue FOR a composite transverse leaf spring. NO argument.

I guess the bottom line is "good enough" just isn't anymore...

 

having just picked up a new C6, it is miles ahead of the C5. the suspension is fine, but it could be better. the seats are what bothers me the most. i actually have had to learn how to sit in the seat to make it comfortable. there is a nice leather wrap around the center dash area, that if spread around the entire dash, would be perfect. the wheel design on the 2011 is much nicer than the previous couple years. for a new sports car, under 50k and 0-60 in 4 seconds and a 3rd peddle, im happy. the headlights are sharp too.

edit: there is absolutely no reason this car needs a 7 speed. (unless the torque is raised 30-50%) this thing gets around 32mpg @ 80 mph, under 1500rpm...

 

C6 is the best-looking Vette since the C2... No knock on current owners, for sure. Which C6 is it (base, Z06, etc.)?