2006 Best Overall

**Ghrankenstein** · 12-19-2006, 08:54 PM

2006 Best of GMI Awards: Best Overall

2007 Chevrolet Corvette

By Ghrankenstein

The Corvette is everything GM wants to be in every segment: coveted, revered, and surpassed only by much costlier vehicles.

When the C6 debuted in 2005, I reviewed it with a bit of skepticism, though with great fortune. When was I going to get to drive so many really fast cars on one of America’s most challenging race tracks (V.I.R.) ever again? In comparison to the Z4 3.0i, Porsche Boxter S, and 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera, the Corvette was the most capable in the hands of an Average Joe like me.

The Z4 was easier, the Boxter S was stickier, and the 911 was more visceral, but each had shortcomings that I didn’t encounter in the Corvette. I was disappointed with the C6 only in comparison with the pricier, and more terrifying, C5 Z06. The previous “ultimate Corvette,” offered similar performance, only louder and with more decals, and an interior design comparable to the discontinued F-bodies. I still love the C5 Z06, even for those reasons, but the market clearly favors interior features and materials as a value statement, and even then the C6 comes across as adequate at best.

The market also values refinement when the sports car doubles as a touring car or daily driver, and in this regard, the 2007 Corvette is as stellar as it is in pure performance. The 400 hp/400 lb-ft LS2 (6.0L/364 cid) is docile, placid, tractable, whatever adjective you want to use when you’d rather be listening to Andy Williams instead of the engine. It can get a reliable 28-mpg on a highway jaunt from one fillup to the next, and it pulls like few other engines when you unleash it. Chevrolet claims a 0-60 in 4.2 (Z51) or in 4.4 (others), with a top speed of 186 mph. Those are generally hundred-grand numbers, with a few notable exceptions. One, of course, being the C6 Z06.

Pure enthusiasts can choose the stiff Z-51 suspension package, while grand tourers don’t, and combination owners can opt for the best of both worlds: magnetic ride control. Even the base suspension, with its steamroller rubber and low center of gravity, can corner at a steady-state 0.92g.

Just as with the engine and suspension, GM and Chevrolet have put their best foot forward with the Corvette’s rear-mounted transaxle. For 2006, the Corvette was the first vehicle to sport the still-new Hydramatic 6L80E (mounted transversely). Being #1 industry-wide in transmission reliability, GM and Hydramatic have a high standard to maintain, and the 6L80E is a combination of proven reliability and innovation. If the six-speed is slower than the vaunted VW/Audi DSG’s 0.7-second shift threshold, it isn’t by much, to the point that it isn’t noticeable. If there’s any deficiency, it’s in the slight feeling of “over-rev” from the torque converter versus the slower, yet exact, rev matching of the DSG. With the extra ratios, wrought by a bicycle-style clutch-to-clutch shift mechanism, that feeling is minimized, and smooth shifts are assured. That sounds like faint praise, but it rocks. Much as with their current cam-in-block engines, which continue to excel in the face of the OHC competitors, I can envision clutch-to-clutch torque-converter Hydramatics forging ahead against more numerous DSG’s. Will this be the next great powertrain debate?

What we’d like to see: Either competitive interior design to other vehicles at the ‘Vette’s price point, or a lower price point. A lot of us would geek at true 400 hp luxury, wood, and real brushed aluminum for $45 grand, but perhaps just as many of us would settle for dangling wires, manual cloth seats, roll-up windows, a tachometer, a 2800-lb curb weight, and the price of a $32,000 GTO. We’d spare the catalytic converters if we could. Call us nuts.

Finally, no other car, American or otherwise, delivers truly exotic levels of performance and handling, with proven reliability for less than $75,000, much less the sub-$50,000 starting price of the Corvette.

The King Lives. Long Live the King.

Ghrankenstein's Take- Chevrolet Avalanche: This vehicle has no true competitor, and is back in a thoroughly improved form. The original gamble was a huge success, and the Avalanche now sports one of the industry's most loyal owner bases. Few vehicles have appealed to the diversity of customers that the Avalanche has, and does.

Paul8488’s Take- Cadillac SRX: With luck this coming year consumers will see what reviewers have... the refreshed SRX interior makes the SRX even that much better now. Already an excellent vehicle, the upgraded SRX will go a long way to help keep Cadillac rolling in 2007.

TaHoe’s Take- Cadillac CTS: I continue to have an infatuation with the CTS, from the begging to the end of it's first generation, yearly sales gave continued to increase. The CTS is a hit, no doubt about it. It's handling is crisp, ride is smooth but firm and MOST of the interior materials really are very good. I absolutely love this car, and I cannot wait to see how impressed people will be with the next generation.

ChevroletRevived’s take- 2007 Cadillac SRX: An area where GM is truly class leading, the SRX been truly improved and refined for the 2007 model year. The SRX's MCE has won the acclaim industry-wide, with comments praising it's beautiful, handcrafted interior and driving dynamics. A class-leading vehicle and a great all rounder, the SRX takes the Best Overall vehicle award. Honorable mentions include the 2007 GMC Sierra, 2007 GMC Acadia and 2007 Saturn Aura.

Jwrebholz’s take- Saturn Aura: I'm not the only one smitten with this car. Pick up any magazine and they'll be singing the praises of what could be the best midsize sedan GM has ever built. The exterior is subtle, sexy and stylish all at once. The interior in both design and build quality is top-notch. The powertrain--well you couldn't really justifiably ask for a better combination than the 3.6L DOHC V6 and the 6-speed auto. It's got tons of room, great handling and good gas mileage. GM has FINALLY figured out how to build a car that can compete on the same level as the Accord and Camry

John Kujawa’s take: The Saturn Aura is my vote for the best vehicle that GM is producing. Just look at the line of wood/brushed nickel that goes seamlessly from the dashboard running to the rear doors. The powetrains are on par with the competition, granted the lesser has only a four speed. The exterior styling is the best new statement from GM in a sedan since the CTS hit the road. There is an AURA in the NEW ERA for GM.

Mags’s take- Corvette: For a niche sports car, the Corvette, and specifically in 2006 the Z06, has been doing a lot of heavy lifting for GM the last few years. It's the pinnacle of GM engineering, the proof that GM doesn't genetically suck and will continue to suck going forward, and unquestionably the best car GM has ever made. You don't have to juxtapose a “compared to” with what GM has done before in the case of the Corvette. It just kicks serious ass. Exotic, European, Martian, Japanese, or otherwise, as long as GM can make a vehicle like this, there will always be hope. Now they just need to move the guys responsible for this car over to everything else that needs fixing.

Throwback’s take- The SAAB 9-3: GM needs to get back to building great cars. Not trucks, not crossovers, not sports cars, but bread and butter sedans. The 9-3 shows the way. Make cars stylish, well built, fun to drive, good value, good ergonomics, good quality materials. The 9-3 is all of these. Imagine if the current Malibu was as good as the SAAB 9-3 where GM would be. They actually would make money selling cars! What a concept, sell a car at a profit and make money.

Counterpoint: Read DS’s extended take

stevecmh · 12-19-2006, 09:13 PM

totally agree. i think the Z06 pushes it to the chapaion.. and the 6 speed auto helps.. but I think the Tahoe could be second

asim · 12-19-2006, 09:34 PM

Awesome! Like many people on this site, I agree with having the Corvette as best overall. It's a great vehicle for one. For two, it is an awesome value. Great vehicle + great value = best overall.

You can't go wrong in a Corvette. It is amazing, IMO, that even die-hard import lovers can even like the domestic vehicle named the Corvette.

Hurricane · 12-19-2006, 10:47 PM

Love my Corvette!!!

redimpss5 · 12-20-2006, 12:49 AM

Hmm, Corvette, or CTS-v. Tough choice!

bryce miller · 12-20-2006, 01:10 AM

good choice i knew that was coming

Hoosier Red · 12-20-2006, 02:08 AM

I try not to drive my Corvette when I think it's going to take a beating in the parking garage. But it's so hard. I love driving my Corvette!!!

IROCNROL1 · 12-20-2006, 08:07 AM

Good opinion piece overall. I'll agree with your choice. I'm somewhat surprised that there haven't been more responses to the awards so far. Maybe everyone is focused on Christmas.

ByTheLake · 12-20-2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Love my Corvette!!!

My wife enjoys hers, but honestly, she picks her Envoy to drive over the 'vette most of the time.

Since we deal with icy roads and snow, I could never call our Corvette "Best Overall", but its nice enough.

GM, please do something special with the Corvette's interior ... honestly (and I mean this) ... my '88 Toyota MR2 had MUCH nicer seats and intrumentation than our Corvette has. I'm still confused as to why such an iconic car has such a boring interior.

Hurricane · 12-20-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

My wife enjoys hers, but honestly, she picks her Envoy to drive over the 'vette most of the time.

Since we deal with icy roads and snow, I could never call our Corvette "Best Overall", but its nice enough.

GM, please do something special with the Corvette's interior ... honestly (and I mean this) ... my '88 Toyota MR2 had MUCH nicer seats and intrumentation than our Corvette has. I'm still confused as to why such an iconic car has such a boring interior.

Absolutely agree about the interior. It is far superior to the C5 but there is a lot of room for improvement.

We don't get as much snow and ice here, but since my son was born this past summer - I don't get as much seat time since usually there are three of us to haul around now, LOL!

Still, it is such a blast to drive!

ponchoman49 · 12-20-2006, 10:34 AM

I would call it the Corvette. The Aura is a good second runner up but the lack of a competitive hybrid model and a basic low cost 4 cylinder version for around 18K makes it second best in my book. The SRX has a nice new interior and competitive powertrians mated to dull exterior styling that looks too wagonish and the purile boring slab sided look that I really hoped the General would avoid.

GM_Guy81 · 12-20-2006, 12:38 PM

cant go wrong with the vette!

12-19-2006, 08:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ghrankenstein GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Springfield, MO Drives: 2004 Chevy Cavalier LS Sport 5-speed. Posts: 3,115	2006 Best Overall 2006 Best of GMI Awards: Best Overall 2007 Chevrolet Corvette By Ghrankenstein The Corvette is everything GM wants to be in every segment: coveted, revered, and surpassed only by much costlier vehicles. When the C6 debuted in 2005, I reviewed it with a bit of skepticism, though with great fortune. When was I going to get to drive so many really fast cars on one of America’s most challenging race tracks (V.I.R.) ever again? In comparison to the Z4 3.0i, Porsche Boxter S, and 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera, the Corvette was the most capable in the hands of an Average Joe like me. The Z4 was easier, the Boxter S was stickier, and the 911 was more visceral, but each had shortcomings that I didn’t encounter in the Corvette. I was disappointed with the C6 only in comparison with the pricier, and more terrifying, C5 Z06. The previous “ultimate Corvette,” offered similar performance, only louder and with more decals, and an interior design comparable to the discontinued F-bodies. I still love the C5 Z06, even for those reasons, but the market clearly favors interior features and materials as a value statement, and even then the C6 comes across as adequate at best. The market also values refinement when the sports car doubles as a touring car or daily driver, and in this regard, the 2007 Corvette is as stellar as it is in pure performance. The 400 hp/400 lb-ft LS2 (6.0L/364 cid) is docile, placid, tractable, whatever adjective you want to use when you’d rather be listening to Andy Williams instead of the engine. It can get a reliable 28-mpg on a highway jaunt from one fillup to the next, and it pulls like few other engines when you unleash it. Chevrolet claims a 0-60 in 4.2 (Z51) or in 4.4 (others), with a top speed of 186 mph. Those are generally hundred-grand numbers, with a few notable exceptions. One, of course, being the C6 Z06. Pure enthusiasts can choose the stiff Z-51 suspension package, while grand tourers don’t, and combination owners can opt for the best of both worlds: magnetic ride control. Even the base suspension, with its steamroller rubber and low center of gravity, can corner at a steady-state 0.92g. Just as with the engine and suspension, GM and Chevrolet have put their best foot forward with the Corvette’s rear-mounted transaxle. For 2006, the Corvette was the first vehicle to sport the still-new Hydramatic 6L80E (mounted transversely). Being #1 industry-wide in transmission reliability, GM and Hydramatic have a high standard to maintain, and the 6L80E is a combination of proven reliability and innovation. If the six-speed is slower than the vaunted VW/Audi DSG’s 0.7-second shift threshold, it isn’t by much, to the point that it isn’t noticeable. If there’s any deficiency, it’s in the slight feeling of “over-rev” from the torque converter versus the slower, yet exact, rev matching of the DSG. With the extra ratios, wrought by a bicycle-style clutch-to-clutch shift mechanism, that feeling is minimized, and smooth shifts are assured. That sounds like faint praise, but it rocks. Much as with their current cam-in-block engines, which continue to excel in the face of the OHC competitors, I can envision clutch-to-clutch torque-converter Hydramatics forging ahead against more numerous DSG’s. Will this be the next great powertrain debate? What we’d like to see: Either competitive interior design to other vehicles at the ‘Vette’s price point, or a lower price point. A lot of us would geek at true 400 hp luxury, wood, and real brushed aluminum for $45 grand, but perhaps just as many of us would settle for dangling wires, manual cloth seats, roll-up windows, a tachometer, a 2800-lb curb weight, and the price of a $32,000 GTO. We’d spare the catalytic converters if we could. Call us nuts. Finally, no other car, American or otherwise, delivers truly exotic levels of performance and handling, with proven reliability for less than $75,000, much less the sub-$50,000 starting price of the Corvette. The King Lives. Long Live the King. Ghrankenstein's Take- Chevrolet Avalanche: This vehicle has no true competitor, and is back in a thoroughly improved form. The original gamble was a huge success, and the Avalanche now sports one of the industry's most loyal owner bases. Few vehicles have appealed to the diversity of customers that the Avalanche has, and does. Paul8488’s Take- Cadillac SRX: With luck this coming year consumers will see what reviewers have... the refreshed SRX interior makes the SRX even that much better now. Already an excellent vehicle, the upgraded SRX will go a long way to help keep Cadillac rolling in 2007. TaHoe’s Take- Cadillac CTS: I continue to have an infatuation with the CTS, from the begging to the end of it's first generation, yearly sales gave continued to increase. The CTS is a hit, no doubt about it. It's handling is crisp, ride is smooth but firm and MOST of the interior materials really are very good. I absolutely love this car, and I cannot wait to see how impressed people will be with the next generation. ChevroletRevived’s take- 2007 Cadillac SRX: An area where GM is truly class leading, the SRX been truly improved and refined for the 2007 model year. The SRX's MCE has won the acclaim industry-wide, with comments praising it's beautiful, handcrafted interior and driving dynamics. A class-leading vehicle and a great all rounder, the SRX takes the Best Overall vehicle award. Honorable mentions include the 2007 GMC Sierra, 2007 GMC Acadia and 2007 Saturn Aura. Jwrebholz’s take- Saturn Aura: I'm not the only one smitten with this car. Pick up any magazine and they'll be singing the praises of what could be the best midsize sedan GM has ever built. The exterior is subtle, sexy and stylish all at once. The interior in both design and build quality is top-notch. The powertrain--well you couldn't really justifiably ask for a better combination than the 3.6L DOHC V6 and the 6-speed auto. It's got tons of room, great handling and good gas mileage. GM has FINALLY figured out how to build a car that can compete on the same level as the Accord and Camry John Kujawa’s take: The Saturn Aura is my vote for the best vehicle that GM is producing. Just look at the line of wood/brushed nickel that goes seamlessly from the dashboard running to the rear doors. The powetrains are on par with the competition, granted the lesser has only a four speed. The exterior styling is the best new statement from GM in a sedan since the CTS hit the road. There is an AURA in the NEW ERA for GM. Mags’s take- Corvette: For a niche sports car, the Corvette, and specifically in 2006 the Z06, has been doing a lot of heavy lifting for GM the last few years. It's the pinnacle of GM engineering, the proof that GM doesn't genetically suck and will continue to suck going forward, and unquestionably the best car GM has ever made. You don't have to juxtapose a “compared to” with what GM has done before in the case of the Corvette. It just kicks serious ass. Exotic, European, Martian, Japanese, or otherwise, as long as GM can make a vehicle like this, there will always be hope. Now they just need to move the guys responsible for this car over to everything else that needs fixing. Throwback’s take- The SAAB 9-3: GM needs to get back to building great cars. Not trucks, not crossovers, not sports cars, but bread and butter sedans. The 9-3 shows the way. Make cars stylish, well built, fun to drive, good value, good ergonomics, good quality materials. The 9-3 is all of these. Imagine if the current Malibu was as good as the SAAB 9-3 where GM would be. They actually would make money selling cars! What a concept, sell a car at a profit and make money. Counterpoint: Read DS’s extended take __________________ NEW RIDE: 2008 Carp Poseidon (for fish-head delivery) Last edited by Ghrankenstein : 12-19-2006 at 09:20 PM.

12-19-2006, 09:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
stevecmh 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Muskego, WI Drives: 04' Grand Prix GT 03' Pierce Saber Fire Engine Posts: 3,042	Re: 2006 Best Overall totally agree. i think the Z06 pushes it to the chapaion.. and the 6 speed auto helps.. but I think the Tahoe could be second

12-19-2006, 09:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
asim Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,266	Re: 2006 Best Overall Awesome! Like many people on this site, I agree with having the Corvette as best overall. It's a great vehicle for one. For two, it is an awesome value. Great vehicle + great value = best overall. You can't go wrong in a Corvette. It is amazing, IMO, that even die-hard import lovers can even like the domestic vehicle named the Corvette. __________________ I'll make a new sig. Later.

12-19-2006, 10:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hurricane 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,371	Re: 2006 Best Overall Love my Corvette!!!

12-20-2006, 12:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
redimpss5 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,617	Re: 2006 Best Overall Hmm, Corvette, or CTS-v. Tough choice!

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12-20-2006, 01:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
bryce miller 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 501	Re: 2006 Best Overall good choice i knew that was coming __________________ Current Ride: 2000 Buick Regal LS 1995 Chevrolet Camaro RS Past Rides: 1992 Saturn SL2 1993 Pontiac Grand Am SE 1996 Chevrolet Lumina LS Future Rides: 2008 Pontiac G8 2009 Chevrolet Camaro

12-20-2006, 02:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hoosier Red 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Jul 2005 Drives: 2003 Corvette Posts: 834	Re: 2006 Best Overall I try not to drive my Corvette when I think it's going to take a beating in the parking garage. But it's so hard. I love driving my Corvette!!!

12-20-2006, 08:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
IROCNROL1 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fairfax, Iowa Posts: 2,126	Re: 2006 Best Overall Good opinion piece overall. I'll agree with your choice. I'm somewhat surprised that there haven't been more responses to the awards so far. Maybe everyone is focused on Christmas.

12-20-2006, 10:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
ponchoman49 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,135	Re: 2006 Best Overall I would call it the Corvette. The Aura is a good second runner up but the lack of a competitive hybrid model and a basic low cost 4 cylinder version for around 18K makes it second best in my book. The SRX has a nice new interior and competitive powertrians mated to dull exterior styling that looks too wagonish and the purile boring slab sided look that I really hoped the General would avoid.

12-20-2006, 12:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
GM_Guy81 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,266	Re: 2006 Best Overall cant go wrong with the vette!

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