Drivers Log.(News)(Chevrolet Corvette and Land Rover LR3 HSE)(Product/Service Evaluation)

2005 Chevrolet Corvette

Date in fleet: Oct. 19-Nov. 3 As-tested price: $55,315 Powertrain: 6.0-liter V8; rwd, six-speed manual Output: 400 hp @ 6000 rpm, 400 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Curb weight: 3179 lbs MPG (EPA combined/AW observed): 20.6/n/a

Hart: In just about every measure, the C6 is a step up from the C5. The V8 has good punch down low and sounds just the way you want a Corvette engine to sound. This is not just a great American car, but a great car, period. This is the best performance bargain on the planet. The Porsche 911 is the only performance car I'd rather drive, but you could buy nearly two Corvettes for the price of one 911-and I don't like the Porsche twice as much.

The seats are great, and the ride is surprisingly compliant over rough highways; I'd love to drive cross-country in this car. I didn't get much of a chance to really open it up, but it wants to run. At the same time, the car is as docile as a faithful old horse when cruising along at 80 mph on the freeway. But take your favorite freeway ramp at a speed you never thought possible, and you suddenly have thoughts of Le Mans running through your head. I went back and ran one particular ramp again and again, just because I couldn't believe how much this car sticks to the road. And of course, come up to a rural stop sign, turn off traction control and drop the hammer, and you can do a smoky burnout that would make John Force smile (even though he drives a Mustang!).

Morrison: If you need proof GM knows how to design and build a world-class car, the C6 provides it by the giant engine bay-full. Though this exterior shape will never be my absolute favorite, it looks tighter and more compact than the C5, and unlike many faithful Vetterati, I like the new headlight treatment. The pop-ups were old-school cool, but the new exposed lenses appear much more sophisticated to my eyes. The same goes for the aerodynamic, wedgy greenhouse and the slimmed-down tail.

I haven't doubted the Corvette's performance for a long time, but I also have never been able to picture myself owning one. Blame my snobbery or whatever, but the image just never appealed to me. But I would love to own this C6, it's that good. You just can't argue the fact that no mass-market car sold in America can rival the Corvette's bang-for-the-buck ...