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To get over the doubts, just remember it is still a Stingray, and you paid $25,000 less than the other guys...
I have had Z06's and I am just as happy with my non-Z51 Stingray as with any of my previous cars.
You can spend a lot of extra money and end up with features that do not matter, and are just something else to break.
Only thing I have really added is Hurst shifter and stage 1 splitter.
Just look at the window sticker on a Z51 car. Z51 is listed as an option pkg. to the Stingray model. Its NOT a stand alone model as so many here like to think it is.
The OP referred to it as the "Z51 Package", so seems to agree.
I couldn't agree more. You will not be able to drive the car to its max capability. My first Corvette. Sign up for Ron Fellows.
+2; I've watched several videos of folks going 160+ mph in a base Corvette. Since I don't plan to track my car or ship it to Germany, I think a base C7 will be more than adequate for driving on any public highways in North America.
+2; I've watched several videos of folks going 160+ mph in a base Corvette. Since I don't plan to track my car or ship it to Germany, I think a base C7 will be more than adequate for driving on any public highways in North America.
+3. I spoke with a Chevy rep. before ordering my car. Asked his opinion about Z-51 or non Z-51. His comment was very direct--if you are going to track the car buy the Z-51. If not, buy the base suspension. To me the difference is very direct. No question in my opinion--I bought the non Z-51 and couldn't be happier. One other issue that came to mind was that if I did track the car would I be able to exceed the capabilities of the non Z-51 car---hell no, but that's just me.
Oh, by the way, I ordered the 1lt with ZF1 package. You will love your new Stingray--don't look back and look forward to enjoying a great American sports car. You will be very happy with the way your new Stingray performs. CONGRAT'S.
Since I've owned my 1LT non Z51 Stingray I've participated in 4 car shows. The interesting thing is, even when parked next to a 2013 ZR1 and a beautiful loaded Crystal Red Stingray on the other side more people stopped, looked and came up and commented to me than any other car in the line with us. BTW two of those shows were sponsored by the local Ferrari Club. I of course think my car is really nice, but, I just have been totally surprised with the reaction of people especially since my Stingray is just an ordinary cheapie.
I agree. Same experience here. It must be the arctic white... just makes the lines and vents pop so much!
Arctic White C7s are beautiful! Back in 2013 at the Corvettes at Carlisle Show GM had every color '14 C7 in their Engineering Tent. By far the white one on display received the most attention. It was so striking with the black accents all around. I almost decided right then that Arctic White would be my choice. Then again I was selling my white Z4 and promised myself my next sports car would be blue. So.........
When it comes down to spending $5k on a vehicle package that I'd kind of like to have but I'm not sure I want to spend the extra cash if I don't have to have it, I think about it's effect on resale. Using one of the trade in value guides the dealers use, a 2015 Z51 has a $3340 higher trade in value (at 15,000 miles) than a non Z51, even with a ZF1 package (it's possible that the ZF1 package might get added to the price guides later). That leaves the cost of ownership for the Z51 package at $1650. Now, before the non Z51 village starts to burn me at the stake, I'm just trying to add another point of view to an already complex purchase decision.
I'm getting closer and closer to getting my new baby, an AW/AR 2015 C7 1LT with A8, NPP, black wheels, red calipers, and carbon flash spoiler.
I think it's only natural, but I'm second guessing everything now. Lol. Concerned I messed up bad by not getting the Z51 package.. Should I have gotten that 2LT..what about waiting for the 2016...
:0
Lol I'm going crazy!
I purchased a 1LT with A8. Love the car and the ride it produces. Did not see the necessity of more options in other packages. Since I am 70 years old, I am long past the days of traffic tickets and routine visits to the body shops. We use it for pleasure driving. Love the car. You can't go wrong no matter what you decide.
I'm getting closer and closer to getting my new baby, an AW/AR 2015 C7 1LT with A8, NPP, black wheels, red calipers, and carbon flash spoiler.
I think it's only natural, but I'm second guessing everything now. Lol. Concerned I messed up bad by not getting the Z51 package.. Should I have gotten that 2LT..what about waiting for the 2016...
:0
Lol I'm going crazy!
If it bothers you that much get the Z51, but I can tell you once you drive the Base car you won't even think about it.
If the Z51 had more power and was faster in a straight line I would have considered it, but it is not.
You think you are having 2nd thoughts, how about me, I have the A6 tranny knowing the A8 was coming.
Pulled the trigger any way and never looked back.
I even skipped NPP, but I got Flowmasters for $700 new and I love them.
No brake dust is a huge advantage, just wish my 1lt had memory seats, but not as important in the automatic.
The Base suspension is easy on the back also.
Whichever C7 you get, you will love it, guaranteed.
This is a pic of the base Stingray that I owned and I loved it. Don't race and don't really need the Z51. It dove great. I put different wheels on it.
I now have a '15 Z06. It's also a great car but again I don't race so the options I have now are because I want them - just because I can - but I'm never going to attempt to justify that I need them - as I really don't. You need to do what yo want.
Z06:
My 2014 base:
Originally Posted by C2367
My C7 is the 7th Corvette I have owned 1LT, NPP, A8, ZF1, Shark Gray, Gray interior. Last Corvette I had was a 2009 Z51. Did not need the Z51 package (I don't go around turns on two wheels). I just like to take it to the drags 11.78 @ 119 on 91 octane California gas. Could of ordered it anyway I wanted it so I ordered it the way I wanted the car. I am fine, If they did not have a ZF1 package, then I would of gone without ZF1 and bought some nice after market wheels and tires or gone with the Z51 option package.
This is a pic of the base Stingray that I owned and I loved it. Don't race and don't really need the Z51. It dove great. I put different wheels on it.
I now have a '15 Z06. It's also a great car but again I don't race so the options I have now are because I want them - just because I can - but I'm never going to attempt to justify that I need them - as I really don't. You need to do what yo want.
My 2014 base:
I see you went to visit Mike & Frank from American Pickers. Neat
When it comes down to spending $5k on a vehicle package that I'd kind of like to have but I'm not sure I want to spend the extra cash if I don't have to have it, I think about it's effect on resale. Using one of the trade in value guides the dealers use, a 2015 Z51 has a $3340 higher trade in value (at 15,000 miles) than a non Z51, even with a ZF1 package (it's possible that the ZF1 package might get added to the price guides later). That leaves the cost of ownership for the Z51 package at $1650. ... I'm just trying to add another point of view to an already complex purchase decision.
What point of view is that: resale on a Z51 package is lower than for the car overall?
A 2015 with 15,000 miles has a blue book trade in of 78% of MSRP, and the Z51 package retains 66% of its $5,000 cost, so it exceeds the overall depreciation rate by 50% (assumes the new 2015 sold for a 10% discount (typical of big dealers) and thus lost 12%.
What point of view is that: resale on a Z51 package is lower than for the car overall?
A 2015 with 15,000 miles has a blue book trade in of 78% of MSRP, and the Z51 package retains 66% of its $5,000 cost, so it exceeds the overall depreciation rate by 50% (assumes the new 2015 sold for a 10% discount (typical of big dealers) and thus lost 12%.
Trying to determine what resale values might be worth with or without different options is almost impossible to figure. So much goes into the resale valuation, it can only be speculation of what the extra options are even worth on an outright sale or trade in.
There are so many variables like age of the car, condition of the vehicle at the time of trade or resale, market conditions for the vehicle and what new options might be available on newer models at the time of trade or resale.
Really it's a topic that is probably not worth allot of discussion as there will most likely be so many vast opinions and variables as mentioned.
What point of view is that: resale on a Z51 package is lower than for the car overall?
A 2015 with 15,000 miles has a blue book trade in of 78% of MSRP, and the Z51 package retains 66% of its $5,000 cost, so it exceeds the overall depreciation rate by 50% (assumes the new 2015 sold for a 10% discount (typical of big dealers) and thus lost 12%.
While I agree on your 78% of MSRP (and it shouldn't matter if they both were bought for the same XX% discount). The $5K Z51 package has a trade in value addition of $3340 (correction, $4041, I just did an apples to apples comparison of a 2015, 2LT, auto w/ 15000 miles).
My point being that using either number puts your Z51 package depreciation at $1640~$959 which is quite impressive for everything included in it. These numbers are based on actual trade-ins in todays market, not future speculation.
05-22-2015, 05:50 PM
Just look at the window sticker on a Z51 car. Z51 is listed as an option pkg. to the Stingray model. Its NOT a stand alone model as so many here like to think it is.
BTW two of those shows were sponsored by the local Ferrari Club. I of course think my car is really nice, but, I just have been totally surprised with the reaction of people especially since my Stingray is just an ordinary cheapie. 
We use it for pleasure driving. Love the car. You can't go wrong no matter what you decide. 
