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64 Posts
I have to say that the new C7 is a unique car. I have never owned or driven a car that is so exciting and cool yet at the same time so comfortable to drive. This is the part that I really had not counted on or even thought about. Simply cruising down the highway is pure pleasure not thinking about how fast the car is or how well it can carve up a track or a windy country road. This is truly an every day car. I really did not care about the cylinder deactivation feature when I decided to purchase a new C7. However it really has become interesting when traveling on the interstate to watch and see when it goes from 4 cylinder mode to 8 cylinder mode. Tracking the gas mileage has proven some interesting things. I have determined that the car gets the best gas mileage above 1,500 RPM's. In other words, going into 7th gear and running much below 1500 RPM's results in lower gas mileage as the engine goes more quickly back to 8 cylinder mode. However, if I leave it in 6th (or any gear that results around 1800 to 2000 RPM) the car will stay in 4 cylinder mode even up most hills. I drove my C7 to Newport News last week and averaged over 30 MPG once I figured all this out.
Since we have had some warmer weather, I am also amazed at the transformation that occurs with the handling of this car. The OEM tires HATE cold weather. When things get a little warm, this car sticks to the road like nothing else I have driven, even better than my Porsche 911. That's saying a lot. In fact, I have tried to induce some tire noise pushing the C7 harder and harder and it just keeps on track.....so much so that occupants have warned me that if I keep it up that their last meal is coming back up. The angles of this car are also beautiful....from every direction. Even from the drivers seat. I love the view over the hood reminding me of my 1968 Corvette 427 (been gone for a long time). I loved the view from the seat of my 68 but hated most everything else about the car except the unbelievable torque of the 427. Likely, the torque on the C7 is better considering the weight of the old Vette's.
At first, the C7 took some getting used to, especially the visibility but in short time I have become very comfortable with the car and feel that it fits the driver like a glove. I wish I could drive it more but the winter has been rough in Richmond VA. I also must admit that I am experiencing some stress parking it and leaving it alone. I guess anything that is new causes this stress but I am not worried about having to walk a little further to park away from other cars. I hear that sales of the Viper are suffering and many sources are blaming the new Stingray. I think Chevrolet is going to steal a number of sales from other car companies. I can think of nothing I would want more until I get over $125,000 and even then, the Stingray holds it's own well.
Great Job Chevrolet!
Since we have had some warmer weather, I am also amazed at the transformation that occurs with the handling of this car. The OEM tires HATE cold weather. When things get a little warm, this car sticks to the road like nothing else I have driven, even better than my Porsche 911. That's saying a lot. In fact, I have tried to induce some tire noise pushing the C7 harder and harder and it just keeps on track.....so much so that occupants have warned me that if I keep it up that their last meal is coming back up. The angles of this car are also beautiful....from every direction. Even from the drivers seat. I love the view over the hood reminding me of my 1968 Corvette 427 (been gone for a long time). I loved the view from the seat of my 68 but hated most everything else about the car except the unbelievable torque of the 427. Likely, the torque on the C7 is better considering the weight of the old Vette's.
At first, the C7 took some getting used to, especially the visibility but in short time I have become very comfortable with the car and feel that it fits the driver like a glove. I wish I could drive it more but the winter has been rough in Richmond VA. I also must admit that I am experiencing some stress parking it and leaving it alone. I guess anything that is new causes this stress but I am not worried about having to walk a little further to park away from other cars. I hear that sales of the Viper are suffering and many sources are blaming the new Stingray. I think Chevrolet is going to steal a number of sales from other car companies. I can think of nothing I would want more until I get over $125,000 and even then, the Stingray holds it's own well.
Great Job Chevrolet!
