[CEPupper]

A little background before I get to my question: I'm not a car guy or interested in racing. This will be a fun weekend touring car. I ordered a C7 because I think they look amazing and a Z51 with all the options (3LT, MRC, perf exhaust etc...) because I just wanted to get the 'best.' Plus I liked some of the appearance options only available with the Z51 (the wheels, carbon flash spoiler and mirrors etc...)

Long story short my local dealer screwed me and I'm reordering though one of the forum sponsors. I know more now than I did five months ago from lurking on these forums (thanks everyone!) and am reconsidering the need to get a Z51. Here are my thoughts:


- I can order with a body colored Z51 spoiler and I imagine it would be a simple to have the mirrors and spoiler painted black.
- Getting the wheels painted or powder coated black should also be simple. Although I like the stock Z51 wheels better...
- My reorder will be post-price increase, which is more for the Z51. I found a dealer offering non-Z51s at $3k below MSRP, but Z51 orders seem to be at/close to MSRP. Even with the above add-ons mentioned I'm guessing I'll save ~$7k (although money is not a huge factor.)
- Wheels are smaller than on Z51 but I'm not sure I would notice the difference.
- Gear ratio is less aggressive, but again not sure I would notice.
- I don't understand what that dry oil thingy is other than it helps at a track. I'd guess maintenance is cheaper/easier without it.
- My understanding is electronic slip differential is more of a track thing and not useful for my needs.
- Originally I was thinking the MRC would give the option for a more comfortable ride, but I read that wasn't the case.

Is there any other considerations/advice you guys can think of? For example 'You forgot the Z51 does XYZ which is awesome.'

Thanks.

 

[LT1xL82]

You will get MANY different opinions on this subject. "Search" and you will be kept busy reading for a long time.

In my personal, biased opinion, you are a perfect candidate for a non-Z51. Between the cost of the option, the price increase, and the non-Z51 discount you could buy a lot of other stuff that would be of much, much more value to YOU.

 

[mjw930]

I agree with LT1, for what you plan on using the car for a Z51 would be the wrong car. When you combine the $4000 option savings with the discounting the base cars are seeing you could save as much as $7000 buying a base LT3 and optioning it out to meet your needs. In fact, since there are a fair number of LT3 base cars already on dealer's lots you could probably find one in your color by simply searching the top 10 dealer sites and strike a pretty good deal.

All the appearance options you are talking about, except for the wheels, are LPO items meaning any dealer can order and install them after the car is built. If you are liking the Z51 rear spoiler check out Glen E's car with the wing spoiler. That, combined with a mirror repaint and either aftermarket or take off wheels would give you everything you are looking for.

Happy hunting.

 

[CEPupper]

The car I want is blade silver with the full dual stripe with red calipers. I have found some in-stock non-Z51s in that color silver cars but w/o the stripe and calipers.

I thought I read (but now cant find the thread) that the factory stipe is best as it goes under the clear coat(?) Is that correct or is this a non-issue?

Can I get the standard calipers painted?

Sorry for the lame questions, but hopefully my ignorance will help others...

 

[Chip]

The car I want is blade silver with the full dual stripe with red calipers. I have found some in-stock non-Z51s in that color silver cars but w/o the stripe and calipers.

I thought I read (but now cant find the thread) that the factory stipe is best as it goes under the clear coat(?) Is that correct or is this a non-issue?

Can I get the standard calipers painted?


Sorry for the lame questions, but hopefully my ignorance will help others...

The factory stripe is not clear coated. You can paint the calipers yourself pretty easily and save a bunch of money. There are no lame questions...Only lame answers.

 

[53Vette]

From whit I've read so far the non Z51 is a nicer cursing car. Z51 makes the ride a bit harsher.

 

[Redc7]

Also think of it this way less things to break.

 

[glen e]

I have ridden in all three susp types and the forums tend to morph it out of control that "if you want a true vette that handles, you have to have z51". Nothing could be further from the truth, I ordered the non-z51 way back when I could have had anything without waiting. I am so impressed with the base suspension, it is hard enuf it carves curves well, but on a long trip the ride is very sedan like without the undulations from a soft suspension. It is the nicest combination I've ever owned, far nicer than the many M cars I've owned from BMW.

As far as how to equip it, I think mine looks better than a z51...I have z51 sized wheels and tires, and the wing, that is far nicer than the z51 spoiler. Also, as we go forward, many z51 owners are selling their painted, chrome or black wheels as more aftermarket wheels are being released.

All just my opin of course...see the mods on my car in the link in my signature....

 

[speedracer1]

I personally wouldn't order a Z51 if not using agressively or taking to the track.
The non-Z51 does just fine!

 

[mark13]

I bought my first Vette last Aug. and got it in Oct., a non-Z51 LT1 with a 7-speed manual. I never plan on going to the track. I think spending more for the Z51 in your case would be a waste. What I have is more than enough to enjoy the pleasures of this great car.

 

[Roadrat3]

ok i can understand saving some money if your not planning on selling it but if you are going to upgrade in the future it might be of value to do the Z51, just my opinion i could be completely wrong

 

[elegant]

The "base" StingRay, without a single option, can carve corners at over 1.0 G. This is an amazing sports car even if you do not buy a single extra cost item.

 

[LT1xL82]

ok i can understand saving some money if your not planning on selling it but if you are going to upgrade in the future it might be of value to do the Z51, just my opinion i could be completely wrong

You're not alone, other also think the Z51 will help sell a used Corvette faster/easier/more money.

Me? I'll bet it will barely matter, pro or con. And a small fraction, if any of the Z51 cost will be recovered. I've been wrong many times in my life, so...

 

[autoxal]

Agree with most that has been said... about not getting Z51 if you're not going to 'use it'... Return on investment? Depends on how long you keep it... You'll never get back all of your cost, it will probably go down by the same percentage as the rest of the car (what have I seen? Worth 60% in five years?). I've done five years of track events at Summit Point Raceway in my '93 1LE Z28. The proverbial "Most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on". I struggled with Z51 yes/no for nine months. Ended up with deciding that I didn't need the added complexity and cost. If I were still going to be running four or five track events a year, maybe I would have. Even then, I wonder what the difference in performance (or 'fun') would be? My Camaro was fun... I've got in car video of me passing all kinds of much more expensive cars. The fun is learning to drive as close to 10/10ths as you can get. Some never get close (those guys in the expensive cars I was passing)... but they were probably having fun going as fast as they were. I can't imagine how much more fun a Z51 might be to 'canyon carve' on the street. You may never drive fast enough to tell the difference. You may not agree, but I'll tell you that you'll drive a lot harder on a race track... no intersections, no police, no surprises around curves and >usually< more run off room - not to mention everyone going in the same direction ... just you and the road in front of you... as fast as you can (dare to) go. Now with all that writing, did I say anything? Hope I helped?

 

[regguy1]

A little background before I get to my question: I'm not a car guy or interested in racing. This will be a fun weekend touring car. I ordered a C7 because I think they look amazing and a Z51 with all the options (3LT, MRC, perf exhaust etc...) because I just wanted to get the 'best.' Plus I liked some of the appearance options only available with the Z51 (the wheels, carbon flash spoiler and mirrors etc...)

Long story short my local dealer screwed me and I'm reordering though one of the forum sponsors. I know more now than I did five months ago from lurking on these forums (thanks everyone!) and am reconsidering the need to get a Z51. Here are my thoughts:


- I can order with a body colored Z51 spoiler and I imagine it would be a simple to have the mirrors and spoiler painted black.
- Getting the wheels painted or powder coated black should also be simple. Although I like the stock Z51 wheels better...
- My reorder will be post-price increase, which is more for the Z51. I found a dealer offering non-Z51s at $3k below MSRP, but Z51 orders seem to be at/close to MSRP. Even with the above add-ons mentioned I'm guessing I'll save ~$7k (although money is not a huge factor.)
- Wheels are smaller than on Z51 but I'm not sure I would notice the difference.
- Gear ratio is less aggressive, but again not sure I would notice.
- I don't understand what that dry oil thingy is other than it helps at a track. I'd guess maintenance is cheaper/easier without it.
- My understanding is electronic slip differential is more of a track thing and not useful for my needs.
- Originally I was thinking the MRC would give the option for a more comfortable ride, but I read that wasn't the case.

Is there any other considerations/advice you guys can think of? For example 'You forgot the Z51 does XYZ which is awesome.'

Thanks.

About the 4 minute point in this review he talks about the difference in the Z51 vs Base car, it sounds like you'd be happy with a base model.

 

[greggshere]

Your question is a good one, and one of the very first questions I asked when I joined the forum. I decided to put the extra $ into creature comforts, since mine will be a DD and went with 3LT, because I wanted the Brownstone. Still, when someone finds out I have my car on order their like,"So what did you get?", and I say a Stingray coupe. Then they say, "yeah but what did you get, a Z51 or a convertible?" Then I say neither and then they are like, "Oh you just got a base car" and the sound in their voice is like I just told them I bought a Volkswagon. Well if you want to call a fully optioned 3LT a "base" car, then yeah, that's what I got. $68K worth of "Base".

 

[glen e]

Your question is a good one, and one of the very first questions I asked when I joined the forum. I decided to put the extra $ into creature comforts, since mine will be a DD and went with 3LT, because I wanted the Brownstone. Still, when someone finds out I have my car on order their like,"So what did you get?", and I say a Stingray coupe. Then they say, "yeah but what did you get, a Z51 or a convertible?" Then I say neither and then they are like, "Oh you just got a base car" and the sound in their voice is like I just told them I bought a Volkswagon. Well if you want to call a fully optioned 3LT a "base" car, then yeah, that's what I got. $68K worth of "Base".

Well it balances out....I have NEVER been asked if I have a z51, and I spend my retired life at a sports bar that is my local watering hole. The closest I Get that is "do I have the adjustable ride?"… Which means obviously the MAG ride, but never about z51. Every day I am asked to "show" the car to an inquiring mind, so to speak.

In fact, kind of the reverse, there is a red C7 that also frequents a restaurant in the same locale as the sports bar. That gentleman has stopped and asked me if I have the mag ride or the regular ride. Because he has the non-mag ride z51 and thinks it rides hard. So I took him for a ride in mine and his comment was "I should've got this car."

Not every guy is a track testosterone race driver, or wanna be.

 

[Roadrat3]

Ok I will most likely never push the car to its full potential but maybe I will and I want to have the ability to do so which the z51 will allow. Also you can see how many people now wan the Z51 and how it's on restraint, what do you think most corvette buyers in the future will want? I would say most would want a Z51 just like they do now. But in the end no matter what it's still a Vette and people love them. Just my two sense

 

[glen e]

Ok I will most likely never push the car to its full potential but maybe I will and I want to have the ability to do so which the z51 will allow. Also you can see how many people now wan the Z51 and how it's on restraint, what do you think most corvette buyers in the future will want? I would say most would want a Z51 just like they do now. But in the end no matter what it's still a Vette and people love them. Just my two sense

well, we will have to wait on how much actual demand the z51 has long term. In 2014 the package was abnormally priced low and many just added it on to get the wheels, etc. Now that it's $4000, my guess is we will get a better feel for the actual demand. 4000 buys a lot of trim level...

 

[mjw930]

well, we will have to wait on how much actual demand the z51 has long term. In 2014 the package was abnormally priced low and many just added it on to get the wheels, etc. Now that it's $4000, my guess is we will get a better feel for the actual demand. 4000 buys a lot of trim level...

I agree but I'm one of the fools who is gladly paying the $4000 to get the entire package and access to MRSC.

It really has very little to do with whether I'll ever put the car on a track. I want to brakes, ediff, Z51 ratios, forged rims and dry sump and access to MSRC. In sum they are well worth the $4K to me and were a no brainer for $2800.