Hertz 2008 Corvette ZHZ

Outlaw 06 · 09-09-2010, 04:09 PM

I recently rented a 2008 Corvette ZHZ convertible in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was definitely the most fun car I’ve ever rented. Chevrolet produced 500 of these limited edition Corvettes for Hertz in 2008. I drove the Vette 549 miles during my 11-day rental, so I got a pretty good feel for it. I also got a GREAT special rate of $68.75/day (+ taxes, fees, and surcharges) with unlimited mileage.

The Vette’s LS3 6.2L V8 engine produces 436 horsepower @ 5,900 RPM and 424 lb-ft @ 4,600 RPM, so it was a lot of fun to drive on highways, back roads, and especially between stop lights… Straight-line acceleration was quite impressive through 80 mph in 3rd/4th gear, but then the power seemed to drop off a bit. My guess is that Hertz put a speed governor on the car in order to “detune” it somewhat. Although the car’s top-end power seemed a bit flat to me, the low to midrange power were excellent. The engine also had a considerable V8 exhaust note.

The transmission was a 6 speed automatic with paddle-shifters. I used the semi-automatic (S) mode exclusively over the fully automatic (D) mode. The transmission was decent for a slushbox, but I’d definitely prefer a manual. The car also had an adjustable suspension with "Touring" and "Sport" settings. I mostly left it on "Sport", but couldn’t really tell the difference between the two settings in everyday driving.

I picked-up the car on a rainy day, and it didn’t inspire immediate confidence that it could be driven as hard as my E46 M3 in wet conditions. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the rear Goodyear Eagle F1 tires had about 50% tread remaining, which may have explained the rear end’s willingness to break loose on wet pavement. I thoroughly explored the car’s handling limits during the next 11 days though. The few times I really pushed the car hard (on dry roads), I felt that the road-holding was VERY impressive. The brakes were very good too.

My one complaint about the car was the excessive wind noise through window seals, but that’s to be expected of a convertible.

Anyway, the Vette was a blast to drive and I truly enjoyed my 11 days behind the wheel. I highly recommend renting one of these cars if you can find one for under $70/day.

BobsM3Coupe · 09-09-2010, 06:24 PM

Glad you enjoyed the car but Florida roads are known to have about as many curves as an airport runway.

Outlaw 06 · 09-09-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Glad you enjoyed the car but Florida roads are known to have about as many curves as an airport runway.

Did you ever hear of highway interchanges, cloverleafs, on ramps, etc?

NYC6 · 09-09-2010, 07:54 PM

C6 Corvettes make great power all the way to redline and top out at 190mph bone stock. Maybe they did govern it.

Freakazoid · 09-09-2010, 08:32 PM

i had the same situation about a year ago in vegas. AWESOME car

TK-421 · 09-09-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Glad you enjoyed the car but Florida roads are known to have about as many curves as an airport runway.

Basically +1

Our roads are as curvy as Nicole Richie.

DougLikesBMW · 09-09-2010, 10:38 PM

Fastest car I've ever driven. We rented the one with the removable hardtop. Was a blast.

Opened up everything for the lulz I guess

TK-421 · 09-09-2010, 11:03 PM

kust a few weeks ago one of my friends on fb posted pictures of one of these, calling it his "new whip" and was saying how he paid extra for it because it's a special edition. almost immediately, he shit on by everyone and eventually deleted his account altogether

Outlaw 06 · 09-10-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC6

C6 Corvettes make great power all the way to redline and top out at 190mph bone stock. Maybe they did govern it.

Yes, Hertz probably governs these cars to keep them from being routinely raced and/or crashed. There's also a 1-2 second delay when you floor the throttle, but then the car takes off like a rocket. The delay may be due to the slushbox transmission though. Regardless, it's a lot quicker than my E90 335i and E46 M3...

NYC6 · 09-10-2010, 08:39 AM

I own a 06 Corvette with the auto trans. theres no 1-2 second delay in mine or anyone elses I know who has one. Must be part of their governing. When they started renting them there were many pics of wrecked yellow herz Vettes on my Corvette website. Corvette can be handful for a driver who isnt accoustomed to the power. With the nannys off its not to hard at all to get the car sidewards.

Freakazoid · 09-10-2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

kust a few weeks ago one of my friends on fb posted pictures of one of these, calling it his "new whip" and was saying how he paid extra for it because it's a special edition. almost immediately, he shit on by everyone and eventually deleted his account altogether

that's freaking hilarious...
(although still possible, I know a manager of a hertz that was selling one)

09-09-2010, 04:09 PM	#1
Outlaw 06 Major 212 Rep 1,071 Posts Drives: M240i (daily driver) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Hertz 2008 Corvette ZHZ I recently rented a 2008 Corvette ZHZ convertible in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was definitely the most fun car I’ve ever rented. Chevrolet produced 500 of these limited edition Corvettes for Hertz in 2008. I drove the Vette 549 miles during my 11-day rental, so I got a pretty good feel for it. I also got a GREAT special rate of $68.75/day (+ taxes, fees, and surcharges) with unlimited mileage. The Vette’s LS3 6.2L V8 engine produces 436 horsepower @ 5,900 RPM and 424 lb-ft @ 4,600 RPM, so it was a lot of fun to drive on highways, back roads, and especially between stop lights… Straight-line acceleration was quite impressive through 80 mph in 3rd/4th gear, but then the power seemed to drop off a bit. My guess is that Hertz put a speed governor on the car in order to “detune” it somewhat. Although the car’s top-end power seemed a bit flat to me, the low to midrange power were excellent. The engine also had a considerable V8 exhaust note. The transmission was a 6 speed automatic with paddle-shifters. I used the semi-automatic (S) mode exclusively over the fully automatic (D) mode. The transmission was decent for a slushbox, but I’d definitely prefer a manual. The car also had an adjustable suspension with "Touring" and "Sport" settings. I mostly left it on "Sport", but couldn’t really tell the difference between the two settings in everyday driving. I picked-up the car on a rainy day, and it didn’t inspire immediate confidence that it could be driven as hard as my E46 M3 in wet conditions. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the rear Goodyear Eagle F1 tires had about 50% tread remaining, which may have explained the rear end’s willingness to break loose on wet pavement. I thoroughly explored the car’s handling limits during the next 11 days though. The few times I really pushed the car hard (on dry roads), I felt that the road-holding was VERY impressive. The brakes were very good too. My one complaint about the car was the excessive wind noise through window seals, but that’s to be expected of a convertible. Anyway, the Vette was a blast to drive and I truly enjoyed my 11 days behind the wheel. I highly recommend renting one of these cars if you can find one for under $70/day. Attached Images __________________ Last edited by Outlaw 06; 09-09-2010 at 04:18 PM..
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09-09-2010, 06:24 PM	#2
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1456 Rep 3,931 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	Glad you enjoyed the car but Florida roads are known to have about as many curves as an airport runway.
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09-09-2010, 07:54 PM	#4
NYC6 Banned 71 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY iTrader: (0)	C6 Corvettes make great power all the way to redline and top out at 190mph bone stock. Maybe they did govern it.
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09-09-2010, 08:32 PM	#5
Freakazoid Captain 181 Rep 962 Posts Drives: Saturn Redline Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	i had the same situation about a year ago in vegas. AWESOME car
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09-09-2010, 10:38 PM	#7
DougLikesBMW Fapmin 402 Rep 2,660 Posts Drives: '03 E46 330Ci Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Plano, Texas iTrader: (0)	Fastest car I've ever driven. We rented the one with the removable hardtop. Was a blast. Opened up everything for the lulz I guess
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09-09-2010, 11:03 PM	#8
TK-421 Registered Sex Offender 573 Rep 4,759 Posts Drives: E46 M3 \| 1JZ S13 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	kust a few weeks ago one of my friends on fb posted pictures of one of these, calling it his "new whip" and was saying how he paid extra for it because it's a special edition. almost immediately, he shit on by everyone and eventually deleted his account altogether __________________ Stop putting stuff like painted reflectors and premium package in your signature. You're embarrassing.
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09-10-2010, 08:39 AM	#10
NYC6 Banned 71 Rep 2,070 Posts Drives: '10 135i PPKI/06 C6 Z51 Vette Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LI/NY iTrader: (0)	I own a 06 Corvette with the auto trans. theres no 1-2 second delay in mine or anyone elses I know who has one. Must be part of their governing. When they started renting them there were many pics of wrecked yellow herz Vettes on my Corvette website. Corvette can be handful for a driver who isnt accoustomed to the power. With the nannys off its not to hard at all to get the car sidewards. Last edited by NYC6; 09-10-2010 at 09:47 AM..
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