First drive impression

[ElGringo]

Hi All
I am new to the forum and 1LE ownership, I picked up my 2014 1SS 1LE with NPP and Recaros last Saturday. To get the color and options I wanted I had to buy from a dealer about 600 miles from where I live, this was not a bad thing as that 600 miles was over the Rockies. So a perfect chance to get to know my new car. It has been many years since I owned a GM product, I have had a couple of BMW s and my wife has a 2015 WRX STI that she lets me drive occasionally, just to give you a little back ground.
First off, I love the look of my car, as a guy waiting in line for the ferry next to me said "it looks like the Batmobile" (mine is Ashen grey). I really love the sound on start up and found the seats very comfortable, something that I came to appreciate after an 8 hour day. Getting out of the city the car was very docile, and easy to drive, but the fun started once I got clear of traffic. If you get a chance to drive the road from Pemberton to Lilloet DO IT! The road is very windy, quite narrow with lots of elevation changes with a few frost heaves thrown in. Initially I thought the steering was a bit light but it soon felt very natural, with good feed back. I found the gear shift to be very good, no missed shifts and as quick as I needed it to be. The brake pedal is firm, but has good feel and easy modulation. I love the NPP, it sounds amazing, and I really enjoy the pop pop pop on overrun. The engine is also very flexible with a good linear delivery, as I was breaking in I didn't rev it too hard, but used enough throttle to get the rings bedded. All of that stuff was good but the most amazing part of the car is the chassis tune. The body motions of this car are so well controlled, it is amazing, at one point there was a pretty strong compression in the bottom of a dip at the end of a turn, I was going at a sporting clip and just had time to think "oh boy this could be interesting" then wham, a big compression, then nothing, no secondary motion, no bump steer, just let's GO. The car just instills so much confidence, the tires have phenomenal grip, and when they do let go it is in a nice gentle fashion. The traction control works very well at keeps things pointed in the right direction without being too intrusive.
I drove a total of 1400 Km in 2 days over some great roads, I averaged 10.8 Litres per 100 KMS (24 mpg, I think) not worrying about economy, Cruising at around 2000 rpm in 6 th gear felt so effortless, with the mutated thrum of the LS3 in the back ground. Driving like that highlighted what a great long distance runner this car is, very little wind noise, no slop in the steering and that alert chassis.
I can't wait to drive her again. GM you have produced an awesome car.

[SSMY1LE]

Great write up, I agree with everything you said.
But..........there is a saying here, "post pictures or it didn't happen" !! lol

[XxScottxXN]

[Ragnar]

Glad your having fun and enjoying your nice ride, that is what it is all about!

[29er]

Welcome and Congrats!!! hope to see some pics soon...

[GONIF]

As it brakes in it gets faster ,then the mods and it gets even faster and more fun .

[Indydriver]

Welcome and congrats. Nice write up. 2000 in 6th, eh? Must not be any Mounties out there.

[GONIF]

Originally Posted by Indydriver

Welcome and congrats. Nice write up. 2000 in 6th, eh? Must not be any Mounties out there.

YUP ,I'm at exactly 80mph at 2000 rpms too .

[Stoned Hemi 6]

I have an AGM as well and I can't tell you how many times my car gets called Bat Mobile. I guess it beats being called Bumble Bee...

[jgenestra2012]

Congratulations on the car and I think your write up is spot on.

[tmcclint]

Welcome to the 1LE club! Enjoy!

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted by GONIF

YUP ,I'm at exactly 80mph at 2000 rpms too .

I forgot that 2000 in 6th is a lot faster in my lowly vert.