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I agree, quality in general is ever increasing despite the machines becoming much more complicated
I think a lot of it has to do with mfgs utilizing suppliers more
VDO, Recaro, getrag, brembo, etc
The supplier can focus all his attention on refining 1 product which improves quality and lowers cost
Competition also has increased which is always good for the consumer
A recent mag looked at inflation adjusted costs for cars and one thing stood out for me
Using avg household income as a basis it takes the same number of months to buy the avg car now as it did 30 years ago
And the product is MUCH better
Same cost much better product = increase value
Which would imply our work/compensation is woth more
We paid the same ~30 months of labor for an 84 gti as we do a 2015
'05 SL 55 Black/Black w/mods from Eurocharged/Kleemann/BuckheadImports
jrcart, do you think that...
jrcart, do you think that maybe if someone like Weistec who did the work on your cars put on a larger supercharger for this new Z06, because it only comes with a smallish 1.9 liter supercharger correct? If they put a bigger 3.0 liter or 3.6 liter supercharger on it with the correct bolt on upgrades, shouldn't it be up over 1,000 HP like your 2008 CLK 63 Black Series?
The upcoming ZR-1 Zora should be even easier to upgrade since its supposed to be a twin-turbo V-8.....just wondering.....
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
Originally Posted by SL65amg
jrcart, do you think that maybe if someone like Weistec who did the work on your cars put on a larger supercharger for this new Z06, because it only comes with a smallish 1.9 liter supercharger correct? If they put a bigger 3.0 liter or 3.6 liter supercharger on it with the correct bolt on upgrades, shouldn't it be up over 1,000 HP like your 2008 CLK 63 Black Series?
The upcoming ZR-1 Zora should be even easier to upgrade since its supposed to be a twin-turbo V-8.....just wondering.....
I have a good friend with a 2011 ZR1, he swapped out the supercharger and now it makes over 1000hp. I am sure tuners like Lingenfelter and Callaway will have bigger blower kits available for the Z06 soon after the cars hit the streets. The transmission the the Z06 is it's gem. They claim it is the fastest shifting transmission in the world, nearly 50% quicker shifts than a Ferarri or Porsche PDK and it is NOT a DCT and has some sort of new torque converter technology so it will be able to handle insane torque loads.
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
Originally Posted by Ingenieur
jrcart
A 'cheap' track toy for you perhaps lol
LOL, after I typed that I knew I was going to get crap for it While $78k is not "cheap", it is cheap compared to my SLS which stickered for nearly $300K and has another $75K in mods. Even my C BS has over $200K into it and I track both cars regularly. I always have in the back of my head that both cars are not replaceable so if I wad one of them up it's more than just the money factor, it's the fact that both cars are so limited that I may not be able to get another one....especially a Mars Red SLS BS, just five were made world wide is what I was told by someone higher up at AMG. I would not really have to worry about wadding up a $78K Vette, that is an entire car that cost about the same as the mods on my SLS and less than I just spent to have a custom Harley Bagger built this summer.
LOL, after I typed that I knew I was going to get crap for it While $78k is not "cheap", it is cheap compared to my SLS which stickered for nearly $300K and has another $75K in mods. Even my C BS has over $200K into it and I track both cars regularly. I always have in the back of my head that both cars are not replaceable so if I wad one of them up it's more than just the money factor, it's the fact that both cars are so limited that I may not be able to get another one....especially a Mars Red SLS BS, just five were made world wide is what I was told by someone higher up at AMG. I would not really have to worry about wadding up a $78K Vette, that is an entire car that cost about the same as the mods on my SLS and less than I just spent to have a custom Harley Bagger built this summer.
Jim...lets not forget about your new GT coming right
Actually I recently read an article which pertained to automotive material quality. The article made a comparison to materials used on a $20K Ford Focus and several "high end" brands. It said that Ford used the highest grade steels of any manufacturer in the world. Audi/VW followed by GM used the highest quality and aluminium alloys and GM had the most advanced technology for manufacturing(extruding, fabricating and welding) aluminum. The article did mention that steel is a diminishing material in the automotive world and made mention of CF's and other composites being more and more widely used and becoming less expensive and more main stream.
Also Corvette is a loss leader, GM/Chevy makes zero money on the Corvette and has not for a several decades, it is simply branding and marketing tool just like a Black Series is to MB/AMG.
LOL, after I typed that I knew I was going to get crap for it While $78k is not "cheap", it is cheap compared to my SLS which stickered for nearly $300K and has another $75K in mods. Even my C BS has over $200K into it and I track both cars regularly. I always have in the back of my head that both cars are not replaceable so if I wad one of them up it's more than just the money factor, it's the fact that both cars are so limited that I may not be able to get another one....especially a Mars Red SLS BS, just five were made world wide is what I was told by someone higher up at AMG. I would not really have to worry about wadding up a $78K Vette, that is an entire car that cost about the same as the mods on my SLS and less than I just spent to have a custom Harley Bagger built this summer.
Perhaps a bit of crap mixed with a smidgeon of envy lol
I do like the car but I’m not supporting a company that can’t survive without We The People propping them up with $50 billion in 2009. Hate to say it because I was a huge GM fan but if they can’t properly operate a business… close the door.
Don't hate on a company, hate on a GOV that was so willing to do so
But if it failed all the lost taxes, lost investments, increased unemoyment payments, etc would far exceed 11 bil
They would be long term
Not only GM but their suppliers
They actually made money on some loans so it is a net gain
The German and Japanese, not to mention the Chinese and russians do the same and even more...even MB sucks the teet
We need to learn how to better make the govs economic clout work for US not the other way around, it's not going away
Always been like that: under reagan the debt trippled and gov employment grew to its largest ever, the workforce is >10% smaller now in spite of he population being 20% larger despite more services being required, SS. homeland security, war on terror, etc
Same for the guy we have now
Same for the next
Not going to change
We are the gov, we need to participate more than a vote every few years
Not just elect some clown and wash our hands of it or wrose become part of the problem
Whether 'our guy' wins or not
Because half the People's guy will always lose
So do we divest and become obstructionists?
I learned an important lesson in the military
Can't choose my leader but it is best for the unit if I support him 110%
Sorry wrong forum, off the soapbox
All are very good points and I do agree, especially with
" Can't choose my leader but it is best for the unit if I support him 110%"
Most exhilarating car I have ever been in and I have been around almost every car made including mclarens.
My 2 close buddies have the blue (without stripes) and the other Stryker Green.
The guy with the Stryker Green is #1 of only 30 made. Car is beautiful and loaded with every imaginable CF part you can buy. Such a mean car.
Looks like this:
I'M NOT A HATTER, YET A LOVER OF ANY SPORTS CAR INCLUDING VIPER, HOWEVER, THE DAY I FOUND OUT FROM A OWNER FRIEND THT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO CARRY OUT AN SIMPLE CONVERSATION AND THE HEAT RADIATING THRU THE PIPES, KIND A TURNED ME OFF, YET PART OF ME STILL WANTS ONE..., DOUBLE EDGE SWORD, PERHAPS THE TEST DRIVE WILL HELP MAKING A DECISION...LOL
2008 CLK63 Black Series 2012 C63 Black Series 2014 SLS Black Series
Originally Posted by rickclass
Jim...lets not forget about your new GT coming right
The: AMG GT-S Edition 1 is a given, there will be one in my garage in late March or early April. The Corvette is just maybe a maybe at this point. After the problems I had with my Lingenfelter CTS-V several years ago I swore I would never buy another GM but I like the looks of the new Vette and love what I am hearing about the upcoming Z06.
Also Corvette is a loss leader, GM/Chevy makes zero money on the Corvette and has not for a several decades, it is simply branding and marketing tool just like a Black Series is to MB/AMG.
'05 SL 55 Black/Black w/mods from Eurocharged/Kleemann/BuckheadImports
ZR-1 Zora...
The next ZR-1 will indeed be called the "ZR-1 Zora"...not sure about AWD but it will be mid-engined and supposedly have a 7 speed DSG gearbox with a twin-turbo V-8 pumping out well over 800 HP or rumours are saying 900 because for $125,000 to $150,000 they might feel like 900 horsepower would properly set it much higher above the 707 horsepower Challenger Hellcat which can be bought for around $65,000....at least 200 horsepower more is probably expected and demanded....
Has anyone heard how difficult it will be to get one?
I recall the original ZR1 being extremely difficult to get for quite some time.
I believe the $78K price will be much higher once one pays for carbon ceramics, 3Z package, Pilot cups, etc. More like close to $100K. And some dealer markup at first and the car will be $110K at least.
Using launch control in the GT-R consistently yields sub 3 second 0-60. The Vette should be in the same category easily given increase in HP and it weighs less than the GT-R.
C6 ZR1 is one hell of an amazing car!
If I were to go to a 2 seater and had to pick between this and the Gen V Viper, I would really have to consider all attributes of each car.
Man what a problem I would have on my hands if each were an option!
I have to say the Vette is more refined than the Viper, but the Viper is so brawn!!!
Just add tuning, headers, CAI kit and a pulley swap - perhaps some E85 and game over!
Based on my past experiences with the C6Z06 and C6ZR1, you could do the above mods for less than $6K and gain around 100 rwhp!!!
Hecks, just wait until heads and cams becomes available, maybe even aftermarket TQ converters...holy crap man, that **** is going to run some looow 9's maybe even high 8's with DR's and still be able to do over 205 mph with decent handling and stopping power.
In the last 10yrs I had my share of AMG cars (E63 & C63), M5's and a E-gear Gallardo, a few vettes, a 2009 GTR (sold it after the trans crap)...now I'm tossing the idea of getting either clean used 991 TTS or a brand new Z06 8spd Auto with the Z07 package. I never owned a 911 TT P-car, but many of my neighbors and coworkers have them and they seemed cool and very reliable.
Like mentioned above, I think this time I'll wait to drive the C7 Z06 first before making my final decision. I've driven plenty of 911 TT P-cars and to me they are by far one of the best, if not the best DD supercar out there.
Everyting is getting faster and faster...I won't be shocked if an all new Twin Turbo Yugo comes to market soon and capable of running 12.8's from the factory.
Yes, these are great times for automotive "nut cases" like us
10-03-2014, 03:54 PM
jrcart, do you think that...
While $78k is not "cheap", it is cheap compared to my SLS which stickered for nearly $300K and has another $75K in mods. Even my C BS has over $200K into it and I track both cars regularly. I always have in the back of my head that both cars are not replaceable so if I wad one of them up it's more than just the money factor, it's the fact that both cars are so limited that I may not be able to get another one....especially a Mars Red SLS BS, just five were made world wide is what I was told by someone higher up at AMG. I would not really have to worry about wadding up a $78K Vette, that is an entire car that cost about the same as the mods on my SLS and less than I just spent to have a custom Harley Bagger built this summer.
, DOUBLE EDGE SWORD, PERHAPS THE TEST DRIVE WILL HELP MAKING A DECISION...LOL
