I'm a Brit and a HUGE American car enthusiast. Yes our roads are not wide enough for these cars, nor are they practical and don't really have the weather. But they are incredible cars. Camaro, Mustang , challenger they're unique which makes it even better in the UK!!!
I've got a C6 ZO6 in the U.K.,it's no wider than a Porsche,Ferrari etc,I've had a couple of Firebirds,the great thing about the 'pony' cars is they arn't particularly big or no bigger than a Jaguar and are fine on U.K. roads,it's just they're left hand drive which is no big deal.
I own one of these. Best car I've ever owned. Had it 4 years and every year I change the oil. That's it. As far as visibility- use your mirrors. If you put it in touring mode its really comfortable to drive. It's completely Jekyl and Hyde. One minute it's comfortable and quiet- the next... Ohh that sound!!
Use the mirrors ! Exactly.. Afteral, that’s their sole function. Comparing the $80k bulletproof Z06 to a half M Aston DBS and 1/4 M Ferrari F12 and say the Vette isn’t quite up to par as those two. PSSHH! It 1/6th the price and way more durable. Give me the Z06 al day over those Euro pansies. Save the 911, that’s a drivers car too
Bit late I know, but the use your mirrors comment makes me think you have never drove in the UK before? 🤔 Our junctions are at many different angles, not all just 90 degrees on big, wide, grid-like roads, driving a car with that big of a blind spot, and lack of side visibility is a problem for sure on narrow UK roads.
@lorddoobsworth144 Once he started to complain about blind spots, I lost interest in the review. After that, it just felt like your typical European looking for reasons to bash on an American made car. So meh. The blind spots aren't that terrible, not any worse than most Ferrari. And that's why u have mirrors, and take an extra second to check if you need to on the UK roads. U aren't ripping thru town anyway, and no sports car is gonna have 360 visibility. So the blind spot thing feels incredibly nitpicky, but that's just me.
Having seen this car in the "flesh" on the day of filming, it is an amazing thing to behold. From every angle it just looks aggressive, beautiful, sharp, purposeful, in yer face, exciting........ it truly is something that you keep on looking at from one angle, then another, and then another. There is no getting away from the size of it though. It's all in proportion which I think masks the size to a point. This Z06 has the ability to make pretty much any car look boring, and small when side by side with it !!
My uncle took me for a ride in a Z06 when I was a kid in the mid 2000’s. That was the first time I’ve ever experienced g forces like that in a car. I’ve always wanted to experience that again.
I agree. The everything about the C7 looks better than the C8. People buy a Corvette for it to be a Corvette, not a camaro; so why the hell did GM put Camaro lights on the rear of the C8?
It's a bat shit crazy car. It's certifiable to have one in the UK. I want one so bad lol. I love it's looks, besotted by the engine and sound. There is something to be said about having a std car that isn't held back in any way due to restrictions. Just seeing it on those roads make look as scary as hell, not just in looks, but the fact it just barely fits on them!
@@invisiblekid99 it's the best corvette ever made with only one downside. believe me i was a hater until i rode in it. its just a different step taken. only downside is no manual... 😢🇺🇲
Why can't a European brand come up with an affordable sports car that offers this kind of performance without having to visit a service center every 5 miles?
@@malp6280 Stupid comment. If you don't like the rev matching, turn it off. Look, the Corvette is for people who value performance over soft touch door panels. If soft touch door panels are your thing, get a Porsche or BMW. Just be quick with the point by at the track day.
@@CharlesFlahertyB which porsche has soft close doors, or even bmw for that matter. A porsche is a sport car - supercar with a 3-4l engine & they still out perform every corvette Bmw are not even supercars there everything from saloon cars, coupes, convertibles etc to high performance saloons/coupes & for their purpose they out do corvettes.. Going back to your original comment bases on track cars, well whats the point of buying a new car only to be 'ok' during noce weather occasions only to find it could easily overheat which many have suffered with & that's not only this model.. You simply can't handle the fact other manufacturers pay attention to their product, as a result they make good cars.. & have a purpose behind them.. Remind me how many european, or Japanese model cars require 6-7l engines & produce 3-4-500bhp, we have 3-4l 3engines & produce alot more power then any American produced engine & with that we also ensure good handling, build quality aswell, including using good materials... not forgetting these cars/models are also usable no matter what weather conditions are..
@@CharlesFlahertyB pps also remind me how many worlswide races have corvette won in recent years... Have they won many races in sucession??? Or are you basis your information on usa only race series where its usually only usa teams & cars being used as a whole....
the tires need to be warm enough and to get these monsters warm on cold english streets is a bit tricky. i guess that is why you had grip later at the video.
I love this car and thinking of being a manual C6 or maybe C7. Think you are being a little unfair to it as an actual ownership prop. Sure its not a day to day driver on such small roads but use it like a Ferrari or similar now and again for high days and holidays and its awesome. Even better as a car to take on the continent touring. I expect good residuals and low running costs too compared to the European rivals.
I owned a C7 Z06 for about a year. Drove it from Tacoma to Pahrump for the Corvette school. Got it to 161 mph on a road in the NV desert on the way. That seemed fast enough. I still play the PDR file whenever I need cheering up. I Spent a few hours at over 100 mph over the days of the trip. Came back through the twisty mountain roads of OR. It’s made for that. Nobody was thinking UK when they were designing the C7. Merica!!
Buddy's dad had a C4 ZR1 when I was in high school, he would let us take it out once in awhile but only in the detuned mode, but it was still glorious. There are 3 yellow C7 Z06s within a mile of my house, one in the house literally behind me. My one neighbor had horrible problems with his, it was always gone for service for very long periods, still love them though. Got a few C8s around here too, they are nice, very much a Vette in my opinion. lol
IMO, the C7 Z51 is probably the sweet spot in terms of driving. It's not too wide. It's less snappy in the handling department, and you get to enjoy flooring it for slightly longer time before it becomes illegal. It's also the lightest version, so it has the most sports car experience of its variants. The grand sport, z06 and ZR1 come with ridiculous wide bodies with even wider front tires (285 in the front) and in semislick tires that don't like the cold. Unless you're gonna track your car, the base model is the best.
Yes. And many, many (see what I did there?) people choose the wrong package for their use case. The Z06 is a track car, really. Incidentally, hard track use is where the cooling issue became a problem, not normal driving. Maybe in Houston, Texas' rush-hour traffic, or something like that, but I doubt it. There have been aggressive performance packages available in every generation since the C4. All have been too stiff, harsh, and hyper-responsive to make good street cars. On track, though, they are magic.
If I and my C7 were somehow magically transported from California to the UK, I would surely end up wrapped around a fine old British oak tree in very short order! Very good video James. Very perceptive.
Y'all know this is a world- class sports car in supercar territory. Full stop. And to boot, it's basically half the price of anything which can keep up with it. It doesn't have "too much" power for its chassis; it simply has hordes of luxurious extra power and torque beyond what any front engine- rear drive platform is expected to handle.
Hi jay nice review...fyi in Malaysia we have one c7 chevy corvette z06 which has been converted to a right hand drive version...agreed it is a beast but man..what a beautiful beast
I have a C7 z06 z07 package manual, upgraded from the stingray. I live in the States. Absolutely love it. Funny he said 50 feels like 90, problem is 120 can feel like 90 too when you get on it. You get there so damn fast you don't even realize it until you look at the speedometer
Thank you for your appreciation and review! It is a fine machine if I say so myself. The visibility is a bit of challenge but I turn my head and use the mirrors and drive sensibly and with awareness. It’s truly an engaging sports car.
Wonder if the castor was off? The car shouldn't have that much difficulty gripping. Did you have sport cup 2 tires on? They have a hard time heating up because the tire is so wide without enough lateral stresses on the tire. I have a camaro zl1 1le..so same engine. I switched to michelin pilot sport 4s tires...30kph and full throttle I have full traction with tc off when 20c outside and only warm them up a couple of blocks away from my house. The stock tires were goodyear supercar 3r tires and were a death trap at 15c and took forever to warm up.
its the UK, so lucky if the outside temp itself is 14 degrees celsius, and then the road will still be damp or greasy from the night before's low dip in temps and possible spit of rain. not sure on how much that would affect but id imagine even the road temp itself where your from is double of what ours would be. 20c outside for us is maybe 14-21 days realistically out of the whole year in the bit of UK im from. although recently we've been hovering above 14c even with heavy clouds and small rain fall.
the C7 was meant for tracks where it can stretch it's legs. if you buy it for a redlight to redlight acceleration joyride, you bought the wrong car. those short british roads don't have the space to unleash that beast. and, the C8 Vette is EXACTLY what Corvette HAD to make. their tuning potential on RWD cars had reached its peak. i can't wait for the Zora C8. that's the Vette i'm saving for!
If these were available in right-hand drive I would sell my daily and weekend cars tomorrow and get one. Absolutely ticks all the boxes for me. Amazing value for money, stunning looks etc
Absolutely,sometimes reasonable priced parts become expensive due to import duties,V.A.T. but availability definitely not an issue unless you're driving a '49 Tucker Torpedo or something!😉😊
@@SieTeppischfresser - but this one is from a British perspective... AND being driven on UK roads. So it's unlike almost any other test given that it's telling us, in the UK, what it might be like to own one and use here!
@@markchip1 precisely my point mate. I wanted to know what it was like to own a C7 from a British perspective since I do plan to own one in the UK someday
riding a powerful thoroughbred after learning one's riding on a tractable suffolk punch can be disconcerting. time and practice will sort things out, however. a more enjoyable experience may well be had on the new right hand drive version of the mid-engined c8. :)
Great to see you going through these American classics. I would love to see you review a C4 ZR1. Growing up as a kid it was that C4 and the Countach that had the most iconic looks for me. The C4 ZR1 has an engine that GM collaborated with Lotus on, and has about 450bhp I believe...
I test drove one in the uk 2years ago and came very close to buying. It wasn’t the car but a lack of access to parts and servicing and support that was the issue. I was also concerned that if I bought one I wouldn’t be able to sell it on if I needed to as these are so niche that the pool of potential buyers is very small. Still want one tho.
@@lorenrich2525 I’m sure they are, however if you saw the garage of the one and only corvette official dealer in the UK you probably would reconsider one over here (as I did) as there ain’t much support if it goes awry.
Jay, you're a good man for giving the Chevy's their due. Unlike Clarkson making jokes about fat Americans, (rather ironic, considering his girth). I'm hardly the flag-waver, as I drve a "89 Si. Fortunately the big 3 have been forced to up their game, as the quality in the past was a embarrassment. I've spoken to many enthusiasts over here who love your channel, as do I.... P.s. I'd chose the Lotus as well, but I'm '6ft5.🏁liked/subbed.
If I could get one with the steering wheel on the right, and that was actually affordable, I'd have to get one of these. A relatively light two seater RWD sports car with a supercharged 6 liter V8 and a manual gearbox, it's the dream they don't make cars like that in Europe any more.
@BEASTMODE 2020 it's the aero "winglets" on the front splitter that don't comply with European pedestrian collision regulations which is why I was amazed to see one in the U. K., all I can think is that he personally imported it but how he got motor insurance on it, I have no idea.
As a Z06 and a Viper owner, I can tell you those cool damp roads are not made for that car with those tires... in fact, it will feel like you're driving on an ice skating rink! Warm dry tires and it will feel like a hero car, but cool damp roads and you're lucky to stay with a damn Camry!
The Grand Sport is always kind of the sweet spot for Corvettes. All the go fast bits without too much horsepower. I have a C6 Grand Sport and enjoy it on the track, but it's still too much for the street even just on handling. It's hard to have fun near the speed limit when the car's handling limits are so stupidly high. I started watching your channel because I happened across it when looking for reviews on the Evora. How would you say the Evora compares with a Corvette in terms of being fun on the street?
I had 2017 C7 Z06 7spd manual for 3 years. Loved it, best car I've had (E60 M5, second gen CTS-V manual, current M8). However, I got rid of it because of service. Most Chevy dealers are just not capable of servicing this car, and the ones that are are never local. Brought it in for manufacturer recall work for steering assembly, and the dealership messed up the car to say the least. You will definitely need to find independent sports car shop to work on this car.
@@trashbandit2449 I bought it from Kerbeck...the largest Corvette dealer in the world. But they're about an hour away so I would get it serviced at out local dealership.
@@YarMobile C7 Z06 definitely much more nimble and raw. M8 is not a sports car, it’s a heavy tourer, rather boring. I currently have AMG GTR-Pro. Best car I’ve had to date!
Most Americans do not realize just HOW narrow European backroads are. You are a brave man to ring that thing on a wet road. I've driven every rendition since a 65 Stingray and though i love Corvettes it's a bowie knife on a scalpel job there. Cheers!
Has to be one of the best sounding engines and looking cars ever, so is the C6 for that matter. I'd be all over them if they were RHD but I just don't think I could be arsed with LHD unless I was minted and it was my 5th car 😔
My Camaro SS has the same engine, minus the supercharger. Even here on US roads, there are so few occasions when I can put my foot flat to the floor; it’s that fast. I grew up throwing old cars down country lanes in England. I cannot imagine doing it in my Camaro, it’s just too big.
I rented one for a week from Gotham Dream Cars of New Jersey in 2017. Sadly I had to cancel the trip and only got 50% back. Would have loved it I expect. It wasn't a manual though.
The c7 is a real mans car! Jeramy Clarkson drove the c6 zo6 and the audi r8 and said the Audi is a better car but if he had to choose it would be the vett! That says it all! And the c7 looks AMAZING! I love McLaren and lambo merc but the c7 is one of the best looking sports cars ever made! I don't care what anybody says it looks amazing! It sounds amazing and it goes like shit of a shovel! And the c7 zr1 is the car I'd take over almost everything at a 3rd of the price! Cars are ment to be driven not fancy interiors and fancy exteriors! And the yanks do it better than anyone when it comes to that! Cheap to service and bulletproof drivetrains! Euro stuff is overpriced and overrated! It's a fact!
Nice review. The C7 is a great car. I had the Stingray which I think is a little more manageable. It held the track a bit better than the Z06 at the Corvette driving school. (Free with a new purchase) The C7 in any guise wouldn't be ideal in the UK. Too much car for your little country lanes and left hand drive doesn't help. In the states? No problem.
...when I saw this vid for first time I was really clueless what to think about this machine....and now I saw TV documentary about last (3rd)gen of Viper...and it suddenly made me finding out what GM tried to achieve with this Vette.... to bring it with new version closer (and further)to specifics originally limited to Viper and still keep it what it use to be according to pure Vette fans at the same time....does it work? From Jay's presentations...I understand that special cars shouldn't be compromised to be more utilities together....
As an American and a Corvette owner, it's interesting to observe Euro/Anglo disdain for the Corvette. 'It's so big and heavy', for example. Actually it weighs almost exactly what a 911 Turbo weighs (both 2018). The Turbo is not exactly a skinny car, either. Anyway, it's OK, really. Believe me, we have our prejudices against 'obscenely overpriced European junk', on this side of the pond. Fair is fair.
Why do you assume majority of European people have a disdain for American cars? Your statement proves you are just as bad. The reason corvettes don't sell is more likely it being lhd only, fuel is pricier here and costs associated with buying one are usually prohibitive for a lot of people, British people like some American cars, the mustang for example sells quite well, and ironically it's the V8 that is the most popular.
My turbo charged c5 has 800 plus to the wheels you need to run a Hoosier tire if you want to apply more than half throttle I can light them them up at 100 mph but not with the Hoosiers
I think it's interesting how cars are different depending on the environment. The c7 doesn't feel too large on American roads when you catch a slow Ford f350 winding through the hills. A 991 feels small and perfectly sized. With a 991 you can easlly explore the width In a lane while in the UK you need more a 993 to do that. Also as a camaro owner I am curious of your thoughts on the Camaro SS
Since most people are going to mistake it for a Ferrari anyway - yes it works. IF my TVR Cerbera works then so does this. Ps My TVR Cerbera never worked, as in when it worked it worked, but when it didn't it was trailered...
I respect the car for what it is - and it is a good Sportscar, but I never felt the need to own one. - The only Corvette I lust for is the C4 from the A-Team in exactly that specification. - I even drove one for a week (C6 when it was the new model) and I was left cold somehow. Don`t know why.
I was going to get one to replace my C6Z as my DD. I drove one and it's a great car, but I instantly knew I wouldn't be happy if I pulled the trigger on one when the C8Z is coming out with it's wider body and DOHC engine. Hopefully it lives up to my expectations, but I have a feeling I'll keep the C6Z as a spare DD for it's raw feel.
You need to educate yourself a little better...previous gen Corvettes C4 and on have been excellent handling cars even compared to Euro sports cars...especially the C5 Z06 and C6 Z06.
Exactly I don’t know where these euro fan boys get this bad handling thing with corvettes. They have been one of the best handling and braking cars since the c5 zo6. The c7 zo6 has a top 3 60-0 branding distance and in the right hands a zo6 zo7 and zr1 can handle with and or beat any car on track. Corvette racing dominates lemans with every car c5r-c6r and c7 r winning 3 or the four years they ravines each ending in championships. The c6 r made Ferrari quit the gt1 class because it dominated. People kill me with the handling thing lol. When I go To the track nothing on track perfomante, gt3 rs , amg gtr etc is out handling my car or out braking me in the apex but down the back straight I blow oasss them.
@@speedlife301 Heres how. They started by taking a mild mustang from the 60's and expouse that all muscle cars drive the exact same (underbraked, plow understeer, luxury car body roll, no traction), thus all American performance cars are glorified drag machines with no idea how to handle a corner in spite of America proving that wrong since the 60's.
The C6 ZO6 was much lighter than a 997 turbo or any other contemporary supercar in the mid 2000's,when the C7 came out it seemed G.M. had not worried so much about weight saving even though it's not heavy.If you think a C7 has bad visibility drive a 5th Gen onwards Camaro!
Yes, the Camaro is downright claustrophobic inside. So bad that a friend, who has owned over 100 cars (including a '69 Camaro or two) and is not squeamish, was set to buy one until he found that he could not stand to be inside the coupe. Maybe the convertible is OK with the top down, but you can't always go that way.
@@Michael_Lorenson exactly,that's why I bought a C6,a friend took me for a run in his 5th Gen,brilliant car in every way barring the visibility which has obviously taken 2nd place to styling,I would buy one but there are better options and in the U.K. driving on the left,the vision issue is exacerbated.
Not a vette guy but nice car. Too much for the UK? Better performance and price than a Aston v12. I own a 67 Shelby GT500 Clone with a elephant 429 Cobra Jet Semi Hemi. Bored and stroked to 500 ci
I would love to try that one. Had a C3 and then a C4 when I was big into yanks. Both were hopeless. Hot hatchback would pee all over them. Despite 5 plus leters of bald eagle.
You picked the slowest corvette generations ever, ouch (other than the c1 was also slow). Other than the first 5 years of the c3 (chrome bumpers), they were very very slow (prius slow)
If you want the performance of this with a Right Hand Drive you really need to check out the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS. There is a rumour Chevy are going to sell the new C8 in right hand drive. We'll just have to see if it comes to the UK.
Just seen a ZR1 for the 2nd time in 2 days. Guy is dailying it as it was at the supermarket this morning. Stumbled upon this review when looking in to it. Now ro the point: "Zee", James, really?!
I'm a Brit and a HUGE American car enthusiast. Yes our roads are not wide enough for these cars, nor are they practical and don't really have the weather. But they are incredible cars. Camaro, Mustang , challenger they're unique which makes it even better in the UK!!!
I've got a C6 ZO6 in the U.K.,it's no wider than a Porsche,Ferrari etc,I've had a couple of Firebirds,the great thing about the 'pony' cars is they arn't particularly big or no bigger than a Jaguar and are fine on U.K. roads,it's just they're left hand drive which is no big deal.
I own one of these. Best car I've ever owned. Had it 4 years and every year I change the oil. That's it. As far as visibility- use your mirrors. If you put it in touring mode its really comfortable to drive. It's completely Jekyl and Hyde. One minute it's comfortable and quiet- the next... Ohh that sound!!
Use the mirrors ! Exactly.. Afteral, that’s their sole function. Comparing the $80k bulletproof Z06 to a half M Aston DBS and 1/4 M Ferrari F12 and say the Vette isn’t quite up to par as those two. PSSHH! It 1/6th the price and way more durable. Give me the Z06 al day over those Euro pansies. Save the 911, that’s a drivers car too
Bit late I know, but the use your mirrors comment makes me think you have never drove in the UK before? 🤔 Our junctions are at many different angles, not all just 90 degrees on big, wide, grid-like roads, driving a car with that big of a blind spot, and lack of side visibility is a problem for sure on narrow UK roads.
@@lorddoobsworth144 likely.
In the uk?! That’s literally the dream😅
@lorddoobsworth144 Once he started to complain about blind spots, I lost interest in the review. After that, it just felt like your typical European looking for reasons to bash on an American made car. So meh. The blind spots aren't that terrible, not any worse than most Ferrari. And that's why u have mirrors, and take an extra second to check if you need to on the UK roads. U aren't ripping thru town anyway, and no sports car is gonna have 360 visibility. So the blind spot thing feels incredibly nitpicky, but that's just me.
Having seen this car in the "flesh" on the day of filming, it is an amazing thing to behold. From every angle it just looks aggressive, beautiful, sharp, purposeful, in yer face, exciting........ it truly is something that you keep on looking at from one angle, then another, and then another. There is no getting away from the size of it though. It's all in proportion which I think masks the size to a point. This Z06 has the ability to make pretty much any car look boring, and small when side by side with it !!
Isn’t it the same size as a 911?
My uncle took me for a ride in a Z06 when I was a kid in the mid 2000’s. That was the first time I’ve ever experienced g forces like that in a car. I’ve always wanted to experience that again.
I'm really happy this channel took off the way it did and is already at a 100k in subs
Me too!
@@JayEmmOnCars great job Jay, especially recent releases. I love your in depth knowledge. These comparisons to closest competitors are spot on.
I have one, a 7 speed manual and it is the best purchase I have ever made, it will change your life & never rust.
Me too. With the Z07 package. Agree on every single word you said (y) Even on my worst day it makes me smile
I like the c7 styling better than c8 thoughts?
Yup. Cause C7 is a better looking car (y)
Same
Agreed. I love all corvettes but a c7 has a more flowing design, even with the vents
Everyone has forgotten how upset people were over the rear of the c7 at first.
I agree. The everything about the C7 looks better than the C8. People buy a Corvette for it to be a Corvette, not a camaro; so why the hell did GM put Camaro lights on the rear of the C8?
That exhaust note 👍
Sounds mad doesn't it?
It's a bat shit crazy car. It's certifiable to have one in the UK. I want one so bad lol. I love it's looks, besotted by the engine and sound. There is something to be said about having a std car that isn't held back in any way due to restrictions.
Just seeing it on those roads make look as scary as hell, not just in looks, but the fact it just barely fits on them!
invisiblekid99 it’s not a big car really.
@@tarmac1697 Must be the colour and or design, looks very wide, but I'd would have one in a heartbeat. That mid engined thing is not a corvette.
invisiblekid99 Less than 15 feet long and 6 feet 1 inch wide.
@@tarmac1697 Blimey. My Stinger is longer and as wide! Wish it made the same noise.
@@invisiblekid99 it's the best corvette ever made with only one downside. believe me i was a hater until i rode in it. its just a different step taken. only downside is no manual... 😢🇺🇲
Why can't a European brand come up with an affordable sports car that offers this kind of performance without having to visit a service center every 5 miles?
All them European "super cars" should come with free tow truck 🤣
Good God, this car sounds fantastic.
The paddles on the MT car enable/disable the rev-matching.
a good driver can do this without gimmick's or oversized buttons originaly for gear change aka "being stoopid & lazy to save money"
@@malp6280 Stupid comment. If you don't like the rev matching, turn it off. Look, the Corvette is for people who value performance over soft touch door panels. If soft touch door panels are your thing, get a Porsche or BMW. Just be quick with the point by at the track day.
@@CharlesFlahertyB which porsche has soft close doors, or even bmw for that matter. A porsche is a sport car - supercar with a 3-4l engine & they still out perform every corvette
Bmw are not even supercars there everything from saloon cars, coupes, convertibles etc to high performance saloons/coupes & for their purpose they out do corvettes..
Going back to your original comment bases on track cars, well whats the point of buying a new car only to be 'ok' during noce weather occasions only to find it could easily overheat which many have suffered with & that's not only this model..
You simply can't handle the fact other manufacturers pay attention to their product, as a result they make good cars.. & have a purpose behind them..
Remind me how many european, or Japanese model cars require 6-7l engines & produce 3-4-500bhp, we have 3-4l 3engines & produce alot more power then any American produced engine & with that we also ensure good handling, build quality aswell, including using good materials... not forgetting these cars/models are also usable no matter what weather conditions are..
@@CharlesFlahertyB pps also remind me how many worlswide races have corvette won in recent years...
Have they won many races in sucession???
Or are you basis your information on usa only race series where its usually only usa teams & cars being used as a whole....
@@malp6280 Stupid, since 2000 they've won the GT Class at Le Mans 8 times. They won the GTLM Class at the IMSA race at Sebring two days ago.
the tires need to be warm enough and to get these monsters warm on cold english streets is a bit tricky. i guess that is why you had grip later at the video.
And please... If you have this car, put Michelin PS Cup 2's on it. It makes whole a lot of difference
I love this car and thinking of being a manual C6 or maybe C7. Think you are being a little unfair to it as an actual ownership prop. Sure its not a day to day driver on such small roads but use it like a Ferrari or similar now and again for high days and holidays and its awesome. Even better as a car to take on the continent touring. I expect good residuals and low running costs too compared to the European rivals.
I own a 2017 ZO6, auto and it's an incredible car. As impressive as the new C8 is, I don't plan on getting one anytime soon! Nice review Jay.
I am glad you enjoy the Z06. I have had my ‘16 Z06 for over 4 years and it has been great. Giving a shout out from across the pond. 😎
I owned a C7 Z06 for about a year. Drove it from Tacoma to Pahrump for the Corvette school. Got it to 161 mph on a road in the NV desert on the way. That seemed fast enough. I still play the PDR file whenever I need cheering up. I Spent a few hours at over 100 mph over the days of the trip. Came back through the twisty mountain roads of OR. It’s made for that. Nobody was thinking UK when they were designing the C7. Merica!!
Merica indeed
Spring mountain! Great track and lots of straights on the roads outside town. That's where Koenigsegg did their top speed record
Stunning car! I've never been a huge fan of American cars but the C7 seemed like the one that could have changed my mind!
Buddy's dad had a C4 ZR1 when I was in high school, he would let us take it out once in awhile but only in the detuned mode, but it was still glorious. There are 3 yellow C7 Z06s within a mile of my house, one in the house literally behind me. My one neighbor had horrible problems with his, it was always gone for service for very long periods, still love them though. Got a few C8s around here too, they are nice, very much a Vette in my opinion. lol
Really? Usually corvettes are super reliable
Actually I think I've never heard of a c7 having a problem (other than z06 cooling), but haven't really specifically looked for them
Please please review a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V saloon (if you can). That would be a great video. They are criminally underrated.
IMO, the C7 Z51 is probably the sweet spot in terms of driving. It's not too wide. It's less snappy in the handling department, and you get to enjoy flooring it for slightly longer time before it becomes illegal. It's also the lightest version, so it has the most sports car experience of its variants. The grand sport, z06 and ZR1 come with ridiculous wide bodies with even wider front tires (285 in the front) and in semislick tires that don't like the cold. Unless you're gonna track your car, the base model is the best.
Yes. And many, many (see what I did there?) people choose the wrong package for their use case. The Z06 is a track car, really. Incidentally, hard track use is where the cooling issue became a problem, not normal driving. Maybe in Houston, Texas' rush-hour traffic, or something like that, but I doubt it. There have been aggressive performance packages available in every generation since the C4. All have been too stiff, harsh, and hyper-responsive to make good street cars. On track, though, they are magic.
Had a C7 stingray in the US too. Absolutely loved it
The paddle shifters on the manual Corvettes turns on & off rev matching. Thanks for reviewing with a different view.
Driving a C3 and then jumping into a C7Z must be a very strange experience.
Super car, super looks, super sound, what more could any driver want. Love this and thanks for sharing.
If I and my C7 were somehow magically transported from California to the UK, I would surely end up wrapped around a fine old British oak tree in very short order!
Very good video James. Very perceptive.
California 🤢
California 🤢
knows how to party@@defyyourlogic487
Y'all know this is a world- class sports car in supercar territory. Full stop. And to boot, it's basically half the price of anything which can keep up with it. It doesn't have "too much" power for its chassis; it simply has hordes of luxurious extra power and torque beyond what any front engine- rear drive platform is expected to handle.
Jeez James, Now it Grips while it didn`t before...You were finally getting some HEAT in the tires.
The C7 corvette... 🥰🥰🥰
Hi jay nice review...fyi in Malaysia we have one c7 chevy corvette z06 which has been converted to a right hand drive version...agreed it is a beast but man..what a beautiful beast
I have a C7 z06 z07 package manual, upgraded from the stingray. I live in the States. Absolutely love it. Funny he said 50 feels like 90, problem is 120 can feel like 90 too when you get on it. You get there so damn fast you don't even realize it until you look at the speedometer
Thank you for your appreciation and review! It is a fine machine if I say so myself. The visibility is a bit of challenge but I turn my head and use the mirrors and drive sensibly and with awareness. It’s truly an engaging sports car.
Wonder if the castor was off? The car shouldn't have that much difficulty gripping. Did you have sport cup 2 tires on? They have a hard time heating up because the tire is so wide without enough lateral stresses on the tire. I have a camaro zl1 1le..so same engine. I switched to michelin pilot sport 4s tires...30kph and full throttle I have full traction with tc off when 20c outside and only warm them up a couple of blocks away from my house. The stock tires were goodyear supercar 3r tires and were a death trap at 15c and took forever to warm up.
its the UK, so lucky if the outside temp itself is 14 degrees celsius, and then the road will still be damp or greasy from the night before's low dip in temps and possible spit of rain.
not sure on how much that would affect but id imagine even the road temp itself where your from is double of what ours would be.
20c outside for us is maybe 14-21 days realistically out of the whole year in the bit of UK im from. although recently we've been hovering above 14c even with heavy clouds and small rain fall.
the C7 was meant for tracks where it can stretch it's legs. if you buy it for a redlight to redlight acceleration joyride, you bought the wrong car. those short british roads don't have the space to unleash that beast. and, the C8 Vette is EXACTLY what Corvette HAD to make. their tuning potential on RWD cars had reached its peak. i can't wait for the Zora C8. that's the Vette i'm saving for!
Thanks for calling it the Zee o six
Zed zéro six in France
If these were available in right-hand drive I would sell my daily and weekend cars tomorrow and get one. Absolutely ticks all the boxes for me. Amazing value for money, stunning looks etc
American car parts hard to get hold off. What ???. US Automotive mate in Bedford. Ive always got what ever i needed more or less next day.
Absolutely,sometimes reasonable priced parts become expensive due to import duties,V.A.T. but availability definitely not an issue unless you're driving a '49 Tucker Torpedo or something!😉😊
I've been waiting forever for a review of the C7. At last.
There are thousands of reviews on the C7.
@@SieTeppischfresser - but this one is from a British perspective... AND being driven on UK roads. So it's unlike almost any other test given that it's telling us, in the UK, what it might be like to own one and use here!
@@markchip1 precisely my point mate. I wanted to know what it was like to own a C7 from a British perspective since I do plan to own one in the UK someday
Nice review. I own a 2017 Z06 in torch red with a manual. Such a great car.
The ZO6 is phenomenal, but it is too much car for public roads. The manual C7 Grand Sport is the way to go. Sadly the last manual Vette.
Song Ho: I have a manual C7 GS. Number plate: LAST C7. Cheers!
I'm glad to have stumbled across your UA-cam channel! Very refreshing points of view and very humorous/informative my friend!
Thanks!
riding a powerful thoroughbred after learning one's riding on a tractable suffolk punch can be disconcerting. time and practice will sort things out, however. a more enjoyable experience may well be had on the new right hand drive version of the mid-engined c8. :)
Props to you for saying "Zee" and not "Zed"👍. 'Murica!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Great to see you going through these American classics. I would love to see you review a C4 ZR1. Growing up as a kid it was that C4 and the Countach that had the most iconic looks for me. The C4 ZR1 has an engine that GM collaborated with Lotus on, and has about 450bhp I believe...
You are right. A quad cam too, very rare for GM
375bhp then the facelift had 405bhp
I love your cinematic views and the sounds that car makes are fantastic
I test drove one in the uk 2years ago and came very close to buying. It wasn’t the car but a lack of access to parts and servicing and support that was the issue. I was also concerned that if I bought one I wouldn’t be able to sell it on if I needed to as these are so niche that the pool of potential buyers is very small. Still want one tho.
You must be in Europe. It’s so crazy you guys have to plan out owning a corvette over there.
Yep. UK. We have one main dealer and very little support. Love the corvette cars tho.
Corvettes are known to be pretty damn reliable here in the states
@@lorenrich2525 I’m sure they are, however if you saw the garage of the one and only corvette official dealer in the UK you probably would reconsider one over here (as I did) as there ain’t much support if it goes awry.
Jay, you're a good man for giving the Chevy's their due. Unlike Clarkson making jokes about fat Americans, (rather ironic, considering his girth). I'm hardly the flag-waver, as I drve a "89 Si. Fortunately the big 3 have been forced to up their game, as
the quality in the past was a embarrassment. I've spoken to many enthusiasts over here who love your channel, as do I.... P.s. I'd chose the Lotus as well, but I'm '6ft5.🏁liked/subbed.
It would be like playing through a Marshall stack at volume 1, 2 at best. Confucius say ‘this car is pants’
IVE SEEN THIS VETTE, MY DAD AND I DRIVE PAST IT EVERYDAY, wish I could get a ride in it, thing looks amazing now
If I could get one with the steering wheel on the right, and that was actually affordable, I'd have to get one of these.
A relatively light two seater RWD sports car with a supercharged 6 liter V8 and a manual gearbox, it's the dream they don't make cars like that in Europe any more.
it is actually a 7 liter...427 ci
Is the C7 ZR-1 on the table? That’s even more powerful than this Z06 (and maybe try it with a manual, too).
Good luck finding a manual C7 ZR1 in the UK.
@@rv9990 there's definitely one here at least.
Shmee reviewed one in the UK I think
@@trashbandit2449 nah he didn't. He did review a tuned one in the AED tho.
@BEASTMODE 2020 it's the aero "winglets" on the front splitter that don't comply with European pedestrian collision regulations which is why I was amazed to see one in the U. K., all I can think is that he personally imported it but how he got motor insurance on it, I have no idea.
Would be good to see more American muscle cars on UK roads
As a Z06 and a Viper owner, I can tell you those cool damp roads are not made for that car with those tires... in fact, it will feel like you're driving on an ice skating rink! Warm dry tires and it will feel like a hero car, but cool damp roads and you're lucky to stay with a damn Camry!
BTW, it always freaks me out see you drive on the WRONG side of the road over there, lol!
That Corvette sounds so good because it probably has headers and an xpipe. I would know because my supercharged 2014 Z51 has it ;)
I have this car and love it (2015 Z06/07).
It puts the power down a lot better with all-season tires.
Trying to get a nice C4 ZR1 next ☺️
I have a 96 LT1 so I can tell you the ZR-1 would be even crazier! The ZR-1 blocks have a higher redline than the LT1 and the later models made 405hp!
The Grand Sport is always kind of the sweet spot for Corvettes. All the go fast bits without too much horsepower. I have a C6 Grand Sport and enjoy it on the track, but it's still too much for the street even just on handling. It's hard to have fun near the speed limit when the car's handling limits are so stupidly high. I started watching your channel because I happened across it when looking for reviews on the Evora. How would you say the Evora compares with a Corvette in terms of being fun on the street?
I had 2017 C7 Z06 7spd manual for 3 years. Loved it, best car I've had (E60 M5, second gen CTS-V manual, current M8).
However, I got rid of it because of service.
Most Chevy dealers are just not capable of servicing this car, and the ones that are are never local.
Brought it in for manufacturer recall work for steering assembly, and the dealership messed up the car to say the least.
You will definitely need to find independent sports car shop to work on this car.
Small city? I would assume if they're a little bit of a bigger dealership that sells corvettes that they could service them
@@trashbandit2449 I bought it from Kerbeck...the largest Corvette dealer in the world.
But they're about an hour away so I would get it serviced at out local dealership.
How would you compare the C7 Z06 and M8 in terms of driving?
@@YarMobile
C7 Z06 definitely much more nimble and raw.
M8 is not a sports car, it’s a heavy tourer, rather boring.
I currently have AMG GTR-Pro. Best car I’ve had to date!
Nice video Nice Vette...But where did you get the Awesome Jacket? 😎😉
The visibility is not bad. Just add some wide angle side mirror attachments for $15. I have a C7.
Most Americans do not realize just HOW narrow European backroads are. You are a brave man to ring that thing on a wet road. I've driven every rendition since a 65 Stingray and though i love Corvettes it's a bowie knife on a scalpel job there. Cheers!
Corvettes are quite small and low in person. It's not bigger than Bentley, Mercedes Benz, or Audi car.
"Too much for the UK?"...never said about Bib's Peugeot 106 diesel....
Has to be one of the best sounding engines and looking cars ever, so is the C6 for that matter. I'd be all over them if they were RHD but I just don't think I could be arsed with LHD unless I was minted and it was my 5th car 😔
That paddle delay is really disappointing. Jag had it sorted 14 years ago...
Just buy a manual!
My Camaro SS has the same engine, minus the supercharger. Even here on US roads, there are so few occasions when I can put my foot flat to the floor; it’s that fast. I grew up throwing old cars down country lanes in England. I cannot imagine doing it in my Camaro, it’s just too big.
Not any bigger then Aston or Bentley.
@@TraveladvRajanSRai, no, but neither of those are suited to zipping down country lanes either.
I rented one for a week from Gotham Dream Cars of New Jersey in 2017. Sadly I had to cancel the trip and only got 50% back. Would have loved it I expect. It wasn't a manual though.
The c7 is a real mans car! Jeramy Clarkson drove the c6 zo6 and the audi r8 and said the Audi is a better car but if he had to choose it would be the vett! That says it all! And the c7 looks AMAZING! I love McLaren and lambo merc but the c7 is one of the best looking sports cars ever made! I don't care what anybody says it looks amazing! It sounds amazing and it goes like shit of a shovel! And the c7 zr1 is the car I'd take over almost everything at a 3rd of the price! Cars are ment to be driven not fancy interiors and fancy exteriors! And the yanks do it better than anyone when it comes to that! Cheap to service and bulletproof drivetrains! Euro stuff is overpriced and overrated! It's a fact!
A looker, but scary on small European roads with oncoming traffic. Perhaps it can show its strength as an Autobahn stormer.
* Yes, this is a hint to do a car review in Germany *
Nice review. The C7 is a great car. I had the Stingray which I think is a little more manageable. It held the track a bit better than the Z06 at the Corvette driving school. (Free with a new purchase) The C7 in any guise wouldn't be ideal in the UK. Too much car for your little country lanes and left hand drive doesn't help. In the states? No problem.
Great video. Can you please make a video about electrical issues of your Lotus?
I was surprised how good they look in the flesh
...when I saw this vid for first time I was really clueless what to think about this machine....and now I saw TV documentary about last (3rd)gen of Viper...and it suddenly made me finding out what GM tried to achieve with this Vette.... to bring it with new version closer (and further)to specifics originally limited to Viper and still keep it what it use to be according to pure Vette fans at the same time....does it work? From Jay's presentations...I understand that special cars shouldn't be compromised to be more utilities together....
As an American and a Corvette owner, it's interesting to observe Euro/Anglo disdain for the Corvette. 'It's so big and heavy', for example. Actually it weighs almost exactly what a 911 Turbo weighs (both 2018). The Turbo is not exactly a skinny car, either. Anyway, it's OK, really. Believe me, we have our prejudices against 'obscenely overpriced European junk', on this side of the pond. Fair is fair.
It’s lighter than a 911 turbo s
Why do you assume majority of European people have a disdain for American cars? Your statement proves you are just as bad. The reason corvettes don't sell is more likely it being lhd only, fuel is pricier here and costs associated with buying one are usually prohibitive for a lot of people, British people like some American cars, the mustang for example sells quite well, and ironically it's the V8 that is the most popular.
@@darronian4951
You might want to work on your reading comprehension.
Jay. Some education for you. Corvettes have always wiped the floor, or kept up with any of Europe's offerings.
My turbo charged c5 has 800 plus to the wheels you need to run a Hoosier tire if you want to apply more than half throttle I can light them them up at 100 mph but not with the Hoosiers
I think it's interesting how cars are different depending on the environment. The c7 doesn't feel too large on American roads when you catch a slow Ford f350 winding through the hills. A 991 feels small and perfectly sized. With a 991 you can easlly explore the width In a lane while in the UK you need more a 993 to do that. Also as a camaro owner I am curious of your thoughts on the Camaro SS
Corvettes have had good handling on par with euro cars since the 60's 69 Vette LT1 vs 69 911 was a pretty even competition
Since most people are going to mistake it for a Ferrari anyway - yes it works. IF my TVR Cerbera works then so does this. Ps My TVR Cerbera never worked, as in when it worked it worked, but when it didn't it was trailered...
I respect the car for what it is - and it is a good Sportscar, but I never felt the need to own one. - The only Corvette I lust for is the C4 from the A-Team in exactly that specification. - I even drove one for a week (C6 when it was the new model) and I was left cold somehow. Don`t know why.
I love your new intro!
I think if you aint scared of your sports car its because its too tamed and you seemed litteraly scared of it so that tells you its a REAL sports car
Looks good, especially compared to this new Hyundai Corvette C8...)))
That front reg looks extremely illegal 😂
The Motortrend guys concluded that the GS was the right play for the C7, having the right balance.
Yeah he did it a bit of disservice saying it was a base model with Z06 looks. There's so much more to the GrandSport.
THANK YOU!!! SOMEONE WHO AGREES WITH ME THAT THE C8 IS NOT A CORVETTE!!
Jay, your looking very American with that coat😋
Bought it at the Daytona 500!
I can't decide if I like watching cars on the channel that we don't get in the States more than watching cars from the States out of their element.
Wait for the C8........I did ;)
I was going to get one to replace my C6Z as my DD. I drove one and it's a great car, but I instantly knew I wouldn't be happy if I pulled the trigger on one when the C8Z is coming out with it's wider body and DOHC engine. Hopefully it lives up to my expectations, but I have a feeling I'll keep the C6Z as a spare DD for it's raw feel.
You need to educate yourself a little better...previous gen Corvettes C4 and on have been excellent handling cars even compared to Euro sports cars...especially the C5 Z06 and C6 Z06.
Exactly I don’t know where these euro fan boys get this bad handling thing with corvettes. They have been one of the best handling and braking cars since the c5 zo6. The c7 zo6 has a top 3 60-0 branding distance and in the right hands a zo6 zo7 and zr1 can handle with and or beat any car on track. Corvette racing dominates lemans with every car c5r-c6r and c7 r winning 3 or the four years they ravines each ending in championships. The c6 r made Ferrari quit the gt1 class because it dominated. People kill me with the handling thing lol. When I go
To the track nothing on track perfomante, gt3 rs , amg gtr etc is out handling my car or out braking me in the apex but down the back straight I blow oasss them.
@@speedlife301 Heres how. They started by taking a mild mustang from the 60's and expouse that all muscle cars drive the exact same (underbraked, plow understeer, luxury car body roll, no traction), thus all American performance cars are glorified drag machines with no idea how to handle a corner in spite of America proving that wrong since the 60's.
Another excellent review!
SO nice.
ive had both..the manuel is so much more desirable 2 drive.
The C6 ZO6 was much lighter than a 997 turbo or any other contemporary supercar in the mid 2000's,when the C7 came out it seemed G.M. had not worried so much about weight saving even though it's not heavy.If you think a C7 has bad visibility drive a 5th Gen onwards Camaro!
Yes, the Camaro is downright claustrophobic inside. So bad that a friend, who has owned over 100 cars (including a '69 Camaro or two) and is not squeamish, was set to buy one until he found that he could not stand to be inside the coupe. Maybe the convertible is OK with the top down, but you can't always go that way.
@@Michael_Lorenson exactly,that's why I bought a C6,a friend took me for a run in his 5th Gen,brilliant car in every way barring the visibility which has obviously taken 2nd place to styling,I would buy one but there are better options and in the U.K. driving on the left,the vision issue is exacerbated.
Not a vette guy but nice car. Too much for the UK? Better performance and price than a Aston v12. I own a 67 Shelby GT500 Clone with a elephant 429 Cobra Jet Semi Hemi. Bored and stroked to 500 ci
🤣 comparing a C7 to an Aston Martin. Good joke
@@millenniumzeek It's not really a joke though is it? Comparing them is perfectly valid. The C7 is a good car.
@@detaart I've been to LeMans once. And guess who was neck and neck with the Vettes,the whole time... Aston Martin
I would love to try that one. Had a C3 and then a C4 when I was big into yanks. Both were hopeless. Hot hatchback would pee all over them. Despite 5 plus leters of bald eagle.
You picked the slowest corvette generations ever, ouch (other than the c1 was also slow). Other than the first 5 years of the c3 (chrome bumpers), they were very very slow (prius slow)
"but in order not to mock the rain god's .. we've left the top on". 😄
It seems like its always raining there!
Lap times, that's what that car is all about. Talk about that more!
If you want the performance of this with a Right Hand Drive you really need to check out the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS. There is a rumour Chevy are going to sell the new C8 in right hand drive. We'll just have to see if it comes to the UK.
Used z06s in the US go for $55K-65K - crazy performance for that price.
UK and Australia 3lZ 707 standard , I know usa doesn't have federal sales tax
Spot on...!
This is way late, but I think the Michelin Pilot Sport tires aren't sticky enough for the C7 Z06.
Nice v8 sound
...!!!
Just seen a ZR1 for the 2nd time in 2 days. Guy is dailying it as it was at the supermarket this morning. Stumbled upon this review when looking in to it. Now ro the point: "Zee", James, really?!