Multi-Car

'98 Chevrolet CorvetteAfter 1200 break-in miles, our long-term Corvette engaged in wheel-to-wheel combat in the "Viva Velocity!" (May '98) international speedathon, where the Torch Red coupe achieved 173.9 mph. After the brutal week-long competition, the rock-solid Vette returned to the mean streets of Los Angeles, where it continued to impress the editors with its stunning balance of performance and civility. A staffer, whose garage has been home to three 427 Corvettes through the years, wrote in the logbook: "This is the best Corvette I've ever driven." Other praise has run from admiration for the ride quality of the Z51 competition suspension to appreciation for the powerful, ultra-crisp Delco/Bose stereo system. The only major criticism so far is of the wear of the leather buckets' torso bolsters, which is exaggerated by the tan color. It's necessary to combine yoga and gymnastics to enter/exit the long-doored Vette in close confines, like a garage, proving to be another good excuse to seek a safe, lonely spot at the far end of parking lots. Nice touch: The digital information display monitors oil life expectancy and recently indicated that the first service was due.