[StingraySam]

I've given my dealer my order info (Z51, 3LT, Velocity Yellow, Adrenaline Red, which is a color combo override, red calipers, Exhaust system performance, exposed carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber interior appearance package, sueded microfiber trim package, carbon flash spoiler and outside mirrors, auto, black wheels) though I'm about 20 on the list, so don't expect I'll see mine until Oct/Nov. I've spoken to a number of owners with Magnetic Ride Control who say they wouldn't want a Corvette without it, so I've included that, too. Where I'm stuck is on the seats. The competition seats look good but I'm told by the dealer that they will be much less comfortable than the touring seats. From the pictures I've seen, the seat portion looks identical. It's only the lumbar area and the side bolsters that look significantly different and might affect comfort. I would love to get the competition seats, but not at the expense of significantly reduced comfort since I will be driving the car as a daily driver. Does anyone out there have any real info from anyone inside GM who has experienced both seats?

 

[elegant]

When you are doing 150 MPH at a track, going down the straightaway, and you have to brake at 100% to make that 90 degree corner, with your five or six point belts holding you from sliding forward, you "submarine" in the seat. (Notice that phenomenon whenever they show race car drivers inside the cockpit in that situation.) To prevent that, the bottom seat cushion has to be firm, firm, firm, so it doesn't crush readily. Hence why I heard Tadge Juetcher and interior Design Manager Ryan Vaughn both say that the bottom foam cushion on a competition seat is much firmer than on a GT seat. I also heard them say at the Bash at the National Corvette Museum, that if you need to sit in the comp seat to determine if they are comfortable for you personally -- as the side bolsters are larger and do not move outward. Finally, talked with the C7 "Body Manager" at the Bash about this and he said, looking at me (I am 6'0", 160), that I'd fit easily, but someone my height who weighed a lot more, depending on how much more, might not be comfortable sitting in a comp seat. Finally you also have about four month delayed availability with the comp seats.

 

[unaverage]

4 months added time for the competition seats?!? If that's true that's crazy.

 

[torijona]

4 months added time for the competition seats?!? If that's true that's crazy.

Unaverage,

4 months added time starting when? You mean, that the options will become "order-able" in September? I was considering the regular seats, but those competition seats look too sick to not get them. You Mustang looks pretty sick by the way. I really like it!

 

[unaverage]

Unaverage,

4 months added time starting when? You mean, that the options will become "order-able" in September? I was considering the regular seats, but those competition seats look too sick to not get them. You Mustang looks pretty sick by the way. I really like it!

I have no clue what the deal is with the added time with the competition seats. I was basing my statement off of the last part of elegant's post.

Thanks! I really love the car but wish I could actually enjoy it without worrying about it breaking down. Problems with the engine started right after 200 (yes 200) miles and now the infamous MT-82 is starting to fall apart. 17 days at the dealer within the first 2 months of me buying the car. I don't want to go through the lemon process though.

 

[elegant]

The reason for the delay in the competition seats has to do with the requirement that when a manufacturer has more than one seat, every different type of seat has to be completely crash tested (front, side, rear, etc. impacts). In order to get the C7 out as soon as possible, GM crashed tested the car with the GT seat out first (estimated 90% + selection/penetration rate for this seat). This helps explain: a) why the competition seat is going to lag by many months, and, b) why the comp seat costs a lot (the low purchase rate for this seat, coupled with the crash testing costs needing to be apportioned to relatively-few-purchased comp seats).

 

[torijona]

I have no clue what the deal is with the added time with the competition seats. I was basing my statement off of the last part of elegant's post.

Thanks! I really love the car but wish I could actually enjoy it without worrying about it breaking down. Problems with the engine started right after 200 (yes 200) miles and now the infamous MT-82 is starting to fall apart. 17 days at the dealer within the first 2 months of me buying the car. I don't want to go through the lemon process though.

Unaverage,

I used to drive a 2005 M3 E46 and had the clutch fragment to pieces at 400 miles. The dealer blamed it one me and ended up making a special allowance on it. They truly thought it was me that did it and didn'tknow how to drive stick. The funny part was that I drove the car for 343 miles on the highway (on break-in mode) and then failed. Even after fixing it, it was really hard to trust the car after that. It took over a year of no problems to do so. That shouldn't be...

If you are trading the car in to get your Stingray, you will be fine. The problem is if you try selling it to an individual. The Carfax will show all the times that has been to the dealer with date, reasons why and what was done. So, if you are planning on selling it to an individual, you may want to explore your chances. You would be surprised about what a company would do when customer satisfaction is at stake. Good luck!

 

[illiceman11]

I did read someplace where if you are a big person the perf. seats are NOT the seats you want.