CRABBYJ

I seriously thought it over to get a C7 with Z51 as my '05 C6 had Z51. I kept that C6 for over 6 1/2 years and it never ever came near a track. No big deal as it was only about a $1700 option back then. Now it is much more serious change especially with the Mag Ride.

So I got a Base C7 Coupe expecting to keep it a long time unless a C7 GS is offered in 201X?. It rides like a dream, a great touring car for over a year now. The money I saved was redirected to 3LT and a bank to buy a few mods spread out to keep my C7 fresh to me over the years. Top of the list are: Z51 F/R Sway bars, 19/20 Black Machine Faced wheels/tires (ride may suffer) and the GM High Rise Spoiler. No under hood mods this time.

kp

The non-NPP isnt really bad, my neighbors enjoy it I'm sure, but the stock exhaust on my '13 RAM hemi pickup sounds better inside and out. The C7 is just pretty flat and unexciting, its not Buick-like or anything like that but it could have been a little better. To be fair its a little better than stock C5 and C6 exhausts.

Larry/car

It is almost $2,000 saved toward the next Corvette. I personally like the base wheels, a big improvement over the polished wheels my C6 had. I was pleasantly surprised, even my dealer commented favorably, my car was the first base Corvette they had ordered. (Z51 w MRC @ $8,000 + NPP @ $1,200 = $9,200 towards the next new Corvette, premium paint saves another $1,000)!!!

CRABBYJ

I know from another thread you installed the F/R Z51 Sway bars.

Glen e: "my experience as well, it "darts" better at interstate speed to avoid a tire track etc and it recovers quicker gong over a train track, etc at moderate speed...I def would do it again. absolutley no diff in ride quality - my car is a long distance tourer. it s a 45 min install and has nothing to do with a auth dealer, it's nuts and bolts, a kid could do it..all the parts courtesy of zbrett here:"

My question to you is what are the ride/handling differences you've experienced between the Base Sway Bars 18/19 wheels and tires vs the Z51 Sway Bars 18/19 W/T vs the Z51 Sway Bars 19/20 W/T? I would think the W/T differences would contribute significantly to ride/handling changes. Thanks

Glen e

none... but my *** is dead - I don't acutely look for those things, seriously I can't tell...

JerriVette

The standard c7 is the performance handling and braking of the previous generation c6 z51 so obviously no excuses are needed.

Still that said no question I would once again order my next corvette with the z51 option again. This time I'd have to try the much hyped MRC shocks...and call it a day.

nmerhaut

I would agree with those who say get the base model. Unless you drive both the base and the Z51, Mag Ride, you will never know the difference if any. I have a '14 with Z51, mag ride,NPP and M7. I intended to track mine as I did my'09 Z06 the last 4 years. However, my local track was beaten up by last year's winter and I only got out there once in June with the Z. Now, it's gone and the prep for the C7 to track it is daunting for me if I want to attend 5-6 HPDEs.

In another recent post, many members praise the Z51 with MRSC as being a better DD and a couple thought I was off the mark with my opinion but I truly believe you can't go wrong with the base and you'll save a few bucks for other options.

CRABBYJ

Thanks! Like wise mine is dead too.

murtro

Great looking car....looks like you sunk the Z51 money into the shoes!

murtro

Good advice....I'm not sure if ZF1 is available to us Canadians? It doesn't come up on the GM Canada Build and Price at least. Something I will check out, as I like the look of the bigger wheels and spoiler....personal preference I know.

EasyElliott

I have a 2015 2lt Z51 Coupe mag ride.

My first choice was a non Z51, but I wanted the npp, spoiler, and wheels. The cost of those options was $3,195 vs $5,000 for the Z51.

So for the extra $1,805 I got the electronic traction, better braking system with slotted rotors, Heavy duty sway bars front and rear with some other goodies, the package also included the dry sump oil system which adds some safety on hard turns onto my street.

I did add mag ride to soften the ride for normal driving. The car while I own it will never see a track, but will be on of the fastest on the on ramp.

My logic is the car when trade will bring back about 50% of the investment.

I never drove a non Z51 except for my 2 C6 vettes which were non Z51. The car rides unbelievable and the performance is fantastic. I did get the A8 which shifts even better than my BMW 435i

3 Z06ZR1

I'm glad I stayed with the Z51. I bought NONz51 last time.
I ended up added springs, shocks, brake rotors and sway bars.
Still had no Z51.

What you receive is a deal when you buy the z51. This time
I wanted the Z51. WAS Only added 2800.00 higher now.

More important to get it then skip the mag ride to save money
if you want to save. The return on the mag ride is less.
The wheels and tires are worth the difference let alone all the other
stuff you get. The car looks much better to the trained eye also.


The Z51 is a long list of goodies,

c7dreamer

I have the exact same concerns as the OP. I have never owned a vette or any fast car! I have a SUV now and have never ever driven anything over like 200HP or whatever a Lexus 250 has.

I have wanted the C7 since the day I saw it. When I found out the appearance package was available I thought that would be perfect for someone like me who just wants the bad *** look without the extra money or hassle.

I ordered mine this week and did opt for the Z51. I think it is the right choice because I do want higher resale value and because I don't want any regrets. I drive my cars fast even though they weren't meant to go fast!

I figured for the extra few thousand all the options are worth it. I am a little bummed to hear about extra dust, more expensive oil changes, etc but it sounds like we could either go Z51 or non Z51 and be fine either way!

RedC7AZ

No regrets with 2014 Non Z51.

Everyone's needs and though process are different, but for me....
I don't track the car so Z51 was not "mandatory". It came down to whether I wanted it or not.

Pricing/Resale:
To me the MSRC is a must with Z51 from a function and resale standpoint. At the time (back in March) the Z51s were not being discounted as much as the Non Z51s. The additional $7k would have come back to bite in 3-4 years when I sold the car.I couldn't justify the additional $7k difference in price between Z51 with MSRC vs Non Z51.

Wheels:
The Z51 wheels looked slightly better to me in pictures than the non Z51 wheels, so I needed to see the 5 spoke wheels in person. The 5 spoke wheels just looked so much better in person than they do in pics, so that made the choice to go Non Z51 even easier.
In addition, the added benefit of no brake dust is nice.

Spoiler:
I liked the Z51 spoiler much better than the small spoiler on the Non Z51, so added Z51 spoiler as an option.

NPP:
Did not have NPP on my old C6 Z51 and told myself I'd never buy a Corvette without it, so made sure to get NPP. Well worth the $1100 and good for resale.

zbrett

My 2006 C6 Convertible had the Z51 package and a Corsa Sport Exhaust. I went from that to my C7 2LT Coupe with Carbon Fiber Dash, NPP, Splash Guards, Z51 Spoiler, QX1 18/19 black wheels, EYT Carbon Badges and Z51 Sway Bars. The Carbon Fiber dash and Z51 sway bars were added after I bought the car. Absolutely no regrets. The only thing I might change in the future are bigger rims/tires.

clegg

To the OP. You might as well get the Z51, as almost everyone else with a BASE car is adding; suspension upgrades, spoilers, upgraded wheels and tires. Then you will already have cooler looking and better brake rotors, better rear end, NPP included on Z51 for 2015 etc, etc, etc.

Mr Guns

I thought about the z51, but I went with a 3LT non-z51 instead and have no regrets. I'm planning on going with aftermarket wheels, anyways, and if I wanted to upgrade the suspension, I'd just go with coil overs. As far as brakes, I think the difference between the base and z51 is negligible, but z06 brake kits will be available soon if one wants to upgrade (steel and carbon ceramic).

clegg

I have no regrets.

Tulsaeasyrider

I've had both. Started with a 2LT black Z51 M7 and couldn't stand the clutch. Sold it and ordered a 2LT ZF1 NRB A6 and have really enjoyed it for the 3 months I've had it. I don't need the Z51 as I don't track and ordered initially because I preferred the twin spoke 19" and 20" wheels. The ride is slightly more refined in the ZF1, but still provides plenty of "feel" when you want it in "Sport" or "Track" without the harsher ride. Of course, other options are good too; in my case it's the NPP, Nav, painted Calipers. If you don't track, you won't miss the Z51 differences and you'll save on oil changes too. Do get the 2LT if you want HUD, heated/ventilated Seats, upgraded interior, Universal remote, 10 speaker Bose, etc. Good luck!

C7cmnthru

Pretty happy with base. Previous c5 and c6 were Z51's. Didnt think I needed this time since I have never tracked. Just wanted what I thought was a better ride and handling. Felt the C7 base was close to the Z51 C6 so I didnt get it. Just wish I could have gotten Z51 wheels. Bottom line. I would get the base again.