Could a Corvette be better than a Ferrari?
#31
Lexus Test Driver
#32
I believe a bunch of newer Ferrais like the California get dd duties
in general I do agree a Vette is less of a toy but on the other had an FF or the new Lusso will move 4 in comfort
#34
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
ZR1 and a 488GTB are both 210 mph vehicles. I don’t have the chance right now to look up the numbers exactly but 60MPH are close
https://www.google.ca/amp/amp.timein...g%3fsource=dam
https://www.caranddriver.com/ferrari/488gtb
https://www.google.ca/amp/amp.timein...g%3fsource=dam
https://www.caranddriver.com/ferrari/488gtb
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 06-14-18 at 06:08 AM.
#36
Lexus Test Driver
There's truth on both sides here. The Corvette, for decades, especially its top-dog versions, has had a long-standing reputation of being able to go toe-to-toe with some of Europe's finest on the track.....at half the price or less. But it is also true that, as several people have pointed out, in the field of craftsmanship and engineering, there is a reason why the Italian exotics cost what they do, though reliability, in the typical Italian tradition, often suffers. People who pay that kind of money for a car, though (and who can afford to pay that kind of money LOL) are probably not too concerned with what it costs for repairs, nor, given the fact that they probably don't use these cars a daily-drivers, if they are in the shop 50% of the time waiting for parts.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
#38
I'd also argue the Corvette has pedigree and heritage, its been in almost continuous production for 65 years now and has an extensive racing history as well. Are they as desirable as Ferraris??? NO, never will be, once again it goes back to hand crafted vs mass produced car. Part(but not all) of the reason used Ferraris are so expensive is the limited production numbers.
#39
Lexus Test Driver
well i don't think anyone's disputing the corvette's track potential, but as he went on to say it's terrible to use on the road every day. the interiors of corvettes have also always been quite dismal. engineering is more than just a fast lap time around a smooth racetrack if it's a car that'll be sold for use on the road.
#40
Back to the Corvette. Good article about the "Father of the Corvette" Zora Arkus-Duntov who essentially transformed the Corvette from it's first generation roadster into a formidable sports car to challenge Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, and Mercedes. He knew that the mid-engine layout was a superior architecture from a sports car standpoint, and fought GM tooth and nail. In the end the bean counters got to retain their front engine sports car. If Zora was alive today we would be proud of what the C8 will be.
https://www.hagerty.com/articles-vid...-in-the-making
#41
Lexus Champion
Let's rephrase this question: If someone offered you, for FREE (you never pay for insurance, maintenance, gas, tires, etc, etc), either a Corvette or a Ferrari, who would choose the Corvette?
#43
Lexus Fanatic
I DO like one thing about Ferraris, though, that I wish other manufacturers would copy.....the gated shifters for the manual transmission. With a number of three-pedal cars, downshifts, especially with notch or imprecise shift-linkage, can be enough guesswork to risk overspeeding the engine or over-taxing the synchros unless one is adept at heel-and-toe shifting or double-clutching. The gated shifter takes all that guesswork out of the shift...just pop the lever into the right slot and Bingo, you're set. A light on the dash, showing you what gear you are in, would also help, but, for some reason, most manufacturers do that only with automatics and manual-mode automatic shifting, not with true three-pedal cars where that light would help the most. The Nissan 370Z, if you have not driven one (I have) also has a nice feature that you don't often see on other three-pedal cars...computer rev-matching on downshifts, which takes a lot of potential stress off the synchros. The feature can be turned off if desired (or if you want to heel-and-toe it LOL)
#44
Lexus Fanatic
#45
I would.....hands-down. With its noisy, kidney-pounding ride, though, and being almost worthless in bad weather, I probably wouldn't drive it very often. I'm somewhat of a GM fan, and get outstanding service from my local Chevy/Buick/GMC shop, whether that service is free or I pay for it.
I DO like one thing about Ferraris, though, that I wish other manufacturers would copy.....the gated shifters for the manual transmission. With a number of three-pedal cars, downshifts, especially with notch or imprecise shift-linkage, can be enough guesswork to risk overspeeding the engine or over-taxing the synchros unless one is adept at heel-and-toe shifting or double-clutching. The gated shifter takes all that guesswork out of the shift...just pop the lever into the right slot and Bingo, you're set. A light on the dash, showing you what gear you are in, would also help, but, for some reason, most manufacturers do that only with automatics and manual-mode automatic shifting, not with true three-pedal cars where that light would help the most. The Nissan 370Z, if you have not driven one (I have) also has a nice feature that you don't often see on other three-pedal cars...computer rev-matching on downshifts, which takes a lot of potential stress off the synchros. The feature can be turned off if desired (or if you want to heel-and-toe it LOL)
I DO like one thing about Ferraris, though, that I wish other manufacturers would copy.....the gated shifters for the manual transmission. With a number of three-pedal cars, downshifts, especially with notch or imprecise shift-linkage, can be enough guesswork to risk overspeeding the engine or over-taxing the synchros unless one is adept at heel-and-toe shifting or double-clutching. The gated shifter takes all that guesswork out of the shift...just pop the lever into the right slot and Bingo, you're set. A light on the dash, showing you what gear you are in, would also help, but, for some reason, most manufacturers do that only with automatics and manual-mode automatic shifting, not with true three-pedal cars where that light would help the most. The Nissan 370Z, if you have not driven one (I have) also has a nice feature that you don't often see on other three-pedal cars...computer rev-matching on downshifts, which takes a lot of potential stress off the synchros. The feature can be turned off if desired (or if you want to heel-and-toe it LOL)
Those gated shifters are past tense from the Prancing Horse. Ferrari brings current/future tech to the market, and only offers DSG in their cars.