My test drive of an C6 Z06

[Pavone]

It was a beautiful friday morning in New York, 65 degrees out and not a drop of water to be found. I had a few hours to spare before going to work, so I decided to try and get my butt into an LS2 GTO... So I went to the GM dealership right down the street from my shop.

Alas, there was not a single GTO to be found. Dissapointment started to set in. But, as I turn my car around, in glee I spot a row of 6 Corvettes. 4 C6's, a C5 Z06, and the beast... a beautiful black C6 Z06. I parked right behind it, an 06 Z06, the little sticker in the corner of the windshield signifying it was used. "What could posess a person to trade in a monsterous Z06?!" ran through my mind "Blasphemy!". 11 thousand miles the sticker said. As I was staring inside the window, looking at an interior that has absolutely nothing on my 10 year old car, I heard "beautiful isn't she" from behind. The face connected to the voice was that of a mid to late 20's Chevy salesman. We started talking about the car, I was throwing out a little nonsense about the car, things I knew werent true but I said to make him assume I know little about the car.

This Chevy salesman, whom sees a very well dressed man of about 30 (whom is actually 19) that shows up in a newly waxed and blindingly bright BMW 5 series, eyeing the fleet of Corvettes... Is caught on the hook. I talk about how I am really looking for a black on black LS2 GTO, and aren't too fond of the Corvette's interior. He insists that everything about the 'Vette is simply leaps and bounds better than the GTO. I ask him to prove it. So he tells me he will be right back. The salemsan goes and grabs the key, unlocks the door, and tells me to hop in. I ablige, happily adjusting my seat and the mirrors to my liking.. though I couldnt see anything behind me anyway. We talk about the features of the car's onboard computer. He starts telling me some technobabble about it's qualities and the HUD and all that jazz. I make a remark about the lack of built in navigation... He tells me "you don't want that, its just an expensive chew-toy" I am beggining to like this guy already.

I ask about the targa top, and he starts to open it up. He unlatches the two front thingies and the one back thingie, and tells me to grab one end. we put it in the trunk on its little guiderails. The car looks absolutely beautiful. We go to open the doors and put the targa back on, but... they won't open! The keyfob isn't working apparently, due to the fact that the battery in the car is dead! We must've exhausted it while playing with the doors. Of course, the windows were up, so neither of us could reach the little emergency door release lever next to the seats, so what was left?... The salesman crawls in through the trunk, while I am holding the targa overhead. He must be thinking at this time "I look like such an ass" as his face was completely lobsterish with embarassment. He opens the doors, and we put the targa back on... after 4 tries of not lining it up correctly.

I inquire as to if I have to put a depost down to take a test drive. He says to me "well, is this something you are looking to purchase in the near future?" I tell him "Within the next few weeks, to get ready for summer" He says "What kinda financing term we looking at?" I said "None, I don't want to do any of that payment BS, I'll just pay cash." He asked if I was looking to trade in my 540i, I told him no, the Vette would just be a weekend summer car. I inquire as to the availability of different option packages and prices. He admits that he doesn't know alot about the availabilities, and tells me to hold on while he goes and grabs a brochure. Upon his return, he tells me there are none left, but they have been ordered and should be here within the next week. I ask if he could send me one, so I give him my name, address, and phone number. We go into his cubicle, and I ask how long of a wait it would be if I decided to purchase. He asked how soon I was willing to come back to make a deposit. I told him "tuesday, if I can't find a GTO I like by then". Then he tells me to have a seat, as he will be back in a minute, then leaves.

I sit there waiting for about 5 minutes, eyeing the picture of his hot girlfriend or wife on his desk... Lucky man. He finnaly comes back, said he talked to the manager, and has a credit card in his hand. He tells me to follow him. We walk outside, and sitting right infront of the entrance is the same Z06 we were just "fenangling" He tells me to hop in, as he gets into the passenger seat, he presses the start button, and the engine roars to life. My blood is flowing like the mighty mississippi, though I look completely cool and collective. I notice that the key isnt anywhere to be found, and ask him where it is. He says it's in his pocket, and I realize its one of those new ones, like in the Prius. Wave of the future I assume? He tells me to take her out slow, and head for the Mobil station across the street. We fuel it up to about half a tank, and set towards the Northway. For those not familiar with New York, the northway is a 2/3lane highway known as I-87. We ride slow and steady, letting traffic pass us by as we are cruising at 70mph. The car is in 6th gear and running at 1600RPM's. Gas mileage must be amazing. The ride up a few exits was uneventful. The culminating anticipation and andrenaline waiting for the right moment. We get off exit 9, and turn around... getting back on the northway, heading south.

Now is the moment. I turn off the traction control, kick it into first gear, and proceed to burn those incredibly loud goodyear eagle F1's to oblivion. The road was crying. I let off, gain traction.. second gear, third, fourth... 140 miles an hour flying by traffic. Not a single word from the salesman, whom was gripping the center console for dear life. We fly by traffic, everyone moving over for hundreds of yards down the road. 140 seemed to be our limit that day, as we came up fast on two 18wheelers next to eachother. Braking late seemed to jarr my heart from my chest cavity, the car handling it beautifully. I am looking down the hood at the road, and realizing I am behind the wheel, controlling one of the most powerful cars on the road. I feel as if the car is being sucked down onto the ground. My sphincter tightens.

We are forced to cruise for a few miles behind the two tractor trailers, as a grey Dodge Charger is apparently at WOT going through traffic with wreckless abandon trying to catch up with us. He does, and proceeds to stick less than a half a car length away from our rear bumper. A hole opens up as the semi moves over, so I proceed to show the Charger exactly what he is dealing with... A few seconds later, I don't see him anymore. We run into more traffic, and our exit is coming up. The drive is almost over. I downshift on the exit ramp and the car rumbles with the fury of 1000 fat women heading towards a sale at walmart. I feel more alive than I have ever felt in my entire life. We go and park it in the lot, near the service area. I turn it off, and I say to him "I bet you weren't expecting this when you woke up this morning". He laughs, says the fastest he has ever been on a test drive was with a retired sheriff, at 100mph in a C5. Well, it was quite the leap for him.

I assured him I will be back tuesday to take a second peak at the car, and make the final decision as to GTO or Vette. Though I won't really be getting either unfortunitly. I could die today, a very happy man.

I deserve an Oscar for my performance that day. As well as a pat on the back from Mario Andretti.

[Jeremy C]

Great story, unfortunately...

I ask about the targa top, and he starts to open it up. He unlatches the two front thingies and the one back thingie, and tells me to grab one end. we put it in the trunk on its little guiderails.

The Z06 doesn't have a targa. It's a fixed roof. Other than that, good read.