I'm certain this topic has been covered in the past, but I wouldn't mind having some fresh opinions. I'm planning (far in advance I might add) for my next car which in all likelihood will be a C6 Corvette. I'm going to try driving one or two at dealerships around town to get a real feel for them which will tell me the most of course.

Specifically, I am wondering how the driving feel and handling compares to the S2000. I've read that the Z51 suspension package really helps make it more toss-able and has shorter gears for a bit more pep around town. I'm sure the shifting doesn't feel as graceful (and if I get an older C6 with the T-56 I know how those feel..not great, not bad). I'm wondering if the extra 400-500lbs is really noticeable or not in the corners. I know the power/torque make up for the weight in the straights.

And anything else in general--observations, opinions, whatever. Also before it gets beaten to death, I don't care about the interior, it's fine to me.

Much appreciated!

 

compared to a stock s2k a base c6 is a monster in terms of acceleration, imagine what you feel in vtec now imagine the same feeling + more at 3k rpm. I had a chance to tool around in a friend c6, even though it feels wider vs my s2k after 10 minutes on the road I felt right at home.
Handling; a little less tighter than an s2k but it still feels like a proper sports car.
Power: the torque is the first thing you will notice, skip shifting will become a habbit. Taking off in second is no problem. First time you go WOT in a vette is memorable and it will get you in jail way quicker than an s2k.
Energy expenditure: on my spirited test drive I got 14mp and 100spg
With all the newfound power be careful in the corners, s2k will grip all the time if out of vtec, vette will step out real easy (probably didn't help that we were driving on old hard rubber)
I would daily drive a base vette no questions.
To counter the argument: oh you see a million of them on the road, all that means is that the car is great bang for the buck and the aftermarket/part supply is huge.
with that said a base c6 can be had for dirt cheap new or used especially with the c7 on the horizon, expect the c6 price to drop even more after the official c7 announcement.

 

One fits like a tailored suit, the other fits like a fitted pair of high end jeans and a t shirt. Both goo in their own way, the s felt more direct and connected, feels like its responding to your brain. Th vette feels like its responding to your inputs, so not as much of a merger between man and machine like the s. Around town and cruising, i prefer the vette no question, more comfy, spacious, and torqey. Around a ton of twisties on a nice day, the s. Everyting else, vette. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Im just waiting for ls3 c6s to be in the low 20s, but even at their current leves theyre bargains.

 

The 3 things I never got comfortable with as far as the Vette goes aren't directly related to performance but do impact your ability to go fast.

1. The driving position. Whereas in the S2000 you sit more upright and have nice forward visibility, in the Vette I always felt like I was sitting in a bath tub. Low and more reclined with a high belt line. It's not confidence inspiring.
2. The hood. While the S2000 hood slopes fairly steeply, I still have no problem gauging where the corners of the car end. With the Vette, the driving position compounds the giant hood that slopes off to who knows where and I'm less comfortable throwing the car into tight spaces at high speeds.
3. The giant tires and huge torque make the car more susceptible to, not exactly hydroplaning, but a loss of grip in the wet. And when the back end of a Vette breaks loose in the rain with traction control off.......hold on.....it's a test of your reflexes.

Aside from those issues which may be my own personal quirks, the Vette is a great car to own. They are reliable and cheap to maintain. The steering is quick and precise. And the weight is not really much of an issue. The brakes are strong and predictable. The ride is very good even with the Z51 package. And they are quieter than the S2000 in coupe form. The Vette chassis is not as stiff though. You can detect flexing. As you mentioned the Tremec T56 ain't the Aisin 6 speed in the S2000 and CAGS is just annoying but easily defeated. In fact, that should be the first thing you do to the car. CAGS is also dangerous. The Vette can also haul a reasonable amount of luggage in the hatch. Enough for two for a weekend.

 

I had an AP1 for 7 years and now have a C6 LS3 Vette with the Z51 package. The Vette is more comfortable in general, much much faster, and more practical. The S2000 is more tossable, feels "just the right size" where the Vette feels heavy and large (it is really neither). They are just two entirely different cars. Some annoying things about the Vette that I really want to change are the squishy seats, and the vague drive-by-wire throttle feel. The shifter action on the Vette isn't too bad, but could be improved. I ended up buying a Miata to get my roadster kicks. My Miata doesn't even have power steering, so it is about as far to the opposite side of the spectrum as the Vette as you can get in reasonably priced performance cars.

 

I drove one and I was really impressed, I would definitely go for it if I had the chance.

 

I own a 08 C6 as well as an AP1. I agree with everything posted so far. The vette is really comfortable while being extremly capable in all aspects of performance. I think everyone should own a vette at one point in their life. The price is coming down in the low 30's high 20's for the ls3. If you can swing it, I would keep the S. For me, the pure driving pleasure the S2000 offers is hard to beat.

 

^ Any benifit with choosing a 08+ with the LS3 vs the '06-'07 with the LS2?

 

The 2008 + has a 6.2 L that borrows some intake parts from the Z06 which bumps up the HP to 430 or 436 with the NPP exhaust. Slightly better carbon fiber interior pieces are used. The steering is improved as well as the transmission. The 08+ is the one to get if you are in the market. Much more detailed info if you google it.

 

I work at a Chevy dealership and happen to only like the Corvette out of our lineup. My dad actually bought a new 2011 Grand Sport and it is the first American car that he has ever liked. It is a much better DD and much more practical than the S2000. With the coupes, the roof is still removable and there is a ton of luggage space. The ride is very comfortable and quiet, and the instant torque makes it a breeze to drive.

The handling in the Corvette is more capable but certainly less tossable. You'll be able to tear around corners harder than in the S2000, but you won't get the same feel that you do in the S2000. Partly because you won't be winding out the engine, and partly because the S2000 is lighter and more nimble.

I definitely give the C6 a