Kwagnerhvac

I am very close to pulling the trigger on a 2016 2LT with the z51 package. My question is, if I don't ever plan on taking the car to the track, is the Z51 package a total waste for me or are their other cool features that I will benefit from? I love the car and it's the only one that they have in stock. They are giving me great discounts on it. I just hate spending the extra money on a package that is meant for tracking the car. Does anybody else have the same situation?

mowe

2 words. Resale value.


Even if you don't track it ... The car has better looks, stops better , and will be easier to sell later

graj6

I would still say you should get the Z51 package. It has the eLSD, bigger wheels and rear spoiler upgrade at the very least even if the rest of the stuff is of no big use to you. Looks a whole lot better.

However, does the car have the Magnetic Ride Control option (and PTM) spec'd?

Citation

If you do not like to drive agressively on track or street, you probably won't notice any difference. The average owner in a forum like this is more into the details (like me) so Z51 is the way to go. If that isn't you, feel free to save the money. The "base" car is still a great handling machine. As far as resale, the difference will never be as much as you saved on the original purchase price.

MikeLsx

i never plan on going to the track. But i wanted the better looking rims, and the NPP exhaust.

Those two options are like 2-3k combine. The Z51 was 5 grand..... i went with the Z51

Dr. ice

I own a 2015 2LT Z51 and I will probably never track it either.......but I love it and wouldn't have ordered it any other way. With Mag ride it has a very compliant ride with the option to firm up your suspension when you wish to push it a little on the back roads. I also like the E- differential from a safety and control standpoint along with the bigger tire and brake package which can now be purchased as the ZF package. No second guessing myself here and I personally love the 7 spd manual. If money is not an object I would say spend the few extra dollars and have no regrets after the purchase. Many on this forum think their base Stingray is a little soft when driven in a spirited manner and end up putting on rear sway bars to give the car better handling dynamics. Regardless of your decision you will be getting an amazing performance car.

CLLOFF

How are your roads in PA? Is this to be a daily driver?

I'm in Denver and went from a 2013 Grandsport to a 2015 base stingray. I custom ordered so could have gotten it anyway I wanted it. Local Corvette specialists (Purifoy Chevy) talked me out of getting the Z51 package primarily based on ride quality.

We have a lot of pot holes and cracks. Plus lots of sand on the roads. With many dry winter days I'm looking to put on some AS tires for next winter. In sort, I'm very satisfied with the base model for a daily driver.

Cant argue the Z51 is a great value for the money. If I was in the South or it was only a weekend car, I would have sprang for the Z51, just because, even though I have no plans to track it.

Crossed Flags Fan

Nope

Jmcdude

I struggled with a similar situation recently. Mine was different in that I was ordering the car and I had a choice to have it or not. I knew I wanted the performance exhaust (NPP) in addition to Magnetic ride control. Being that performance exhaust is included in the Z51 package it meant only about $1600 more after discount to have it. So the cool factor along with added resale value, better brakes and suspension, I opted to get it. You didn't mention if the car you were interested in had Mag ride. The consensus is that the Z51 ride is stiffer in comparison to the base suspension. If you're just using it a daily driver or cruiser which you appear to be, and you want a comfortable ride, better make sure it has Mag ride.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-decision.html

rcooper

The Z51 package gets you a bunch of stuff that the base car doesn't have. Larger rotors that are slotted, sticker tires, dry sump engine and eLSD. The dry sump engine needs more oil than the base, the tires will wear out faster, other than that there is not much else. If the looks are important you can get the spoiler for $600 from the factory, the new wheel is very comparable, although not forged, and MSRC is now an option on the base car. It includes the Z51 tire and wheel package.
As mentioned before the resale will be a bit higher and many future buyers will want the Z51 package. And you don't have to track it to get benefits from some of the tech, driving in the twistys it will allow you a bit more grip and stability. Also the Z51 has larger sway bars, where as the base car has no rear sway bar.
Many, like me, have added the Z51 suspension kit ( sway bars ) to help with stability in cornering. Chevy parts on a Chevy so warranty is not affected, according to my dealer who installed mine.
You will also benefit from this...I own a C7 with Z51 lots of grins and giggles. But, hell, we all have C7s which puts a perma grin on our faces, whether it is a base or a Z51.
If you get the Z51 option please don't get the aftermarket Z51 badge...remember, "We don't need no stickin badges"
This is my first base car in the last 4 that was not a Z51 or a car with MSRC and it still handles great, and there is no where that I can drive it at its limits. The ride is nice and it is a great GT car. The Z51 is a bit harsher but not horrid.
It boils down to one thing, money. Are you comfy with the price and does it put a crimp in your budget? If not a problem then get the Z51 and enjoy the fool out of it.

nmvettec7

Bought my 2015 C7 as the base model 1LT with ZF1 package. The performance is great, no need for the slotted rotors and the C7 has everything anybody would want. Looks impressive and aggressive and saved thousands of dollars on the base model vs Z51 package.

This C7 is stunning without the Z51 package and after racing high-speed high-performance formula race cars competitively this Corvette C7 will NEVER see any track time.

kaufmansm

My thought process when I ordered my car was, why order a performance car without the most amount of performance available. Z06 appearance didn't do it for me, besides when looking at Z06 price it brought a lot more vehicles into the picture.
What ever you decide, its a great car for the $$$

C7Joy

I knew I would never track my car. Yet, I wanted anything that could make my car perform better. I was already committed to spending 60k plus and did not see the point in conserving a relative handful of $ and deny myself the extra performance. I also knew I'd be kicking myself in the posterior later!

Morton1

And don't forget that you get lower rear gears with the Z51 which gives the car a little racier feeling! I would not have one without the performance exhaust!!

JerryU

I have a Z51 but I've had HD suspension packages on all my 4 Vette's (and many other vehicles.) I don't track but use the higher "g" capability from time to time.

That said, first I'm assuming it has mag shocks, if not the ride will be significantly stiffer than the base car. Mine does not (not the money, I did not want or need it with our roads) and it's firm. In fact with mag shocks, only when set at Touring (Eco or Weather) will the ride be softer than mine BUT it will not be as soft as the base car's softer springs, smaller front sway bar and no rear sway bar.

Second, be prepared to learn how to check the oil level in a dry sump. Not as easy as in a wet sump. Also from many posted experiences, suggest if taking advantage of the Free oil changes you have the dealer leave it fill with 9 quarts and give you a quart. As soon as you get it home with the oil still hot, check the level after 5 but before 10 minutes (per the Owner's Manual) and fill to half way between min and max on the dip stick.

Third, be prepared for more "cold weather wheel chatter," as GM calls it, when making slow speed, full lock turns as when pulling out of a parking slot. In fact after my first experience (this has been my 3rd winter) when having to make sharp slow speed turns I employ "K" turns. It happens with the base car to some extent but appears to be worse with the lower slip angles of the 19 inch lower profile tires versus the base car 18 inch front tires. This is an issue as temps reach 45F and lower, which you'll often see in the morning in PA. It is so bad in cold winter mornings in SC at full lock when backing out of my garage if I use full lock it feels like the front end is falling apart! Other have reported the same! No big deal as I mentioned, just be prepared to turn the wheel less and make "K" turns.

These are not big issues for folks who want the HD options, like myself, but have generated forum complaints by some who got it because of super deal price (or since it was the only way to get mag shocks.)
If looking for the wheels and spoiler only, those ordering should get that option!
FWIW

dvilin

Waste of money, you will NOT get any return on resale, you will not notice a thing different in your daily driving, and for looks really who would notice except the people that shelled out the money for the package.

Corgidog1

I don't drive my base near its limits so the extra handling would not be utilized for me, and I don't need to have the best if I can't use it. I happen to like the looks of the base spoiler better than the full spoiler as it accentuates the angles in the back as opposed to a straight line that the full spoiler presents. I don't need extra brake dust not the less protection against pot holes that the larger wheels present. I got the NPP as a stand alone option and used the money I saved to get the 3LT package. The only thing I would have liked to get with the Z51 package is the lower gears-not sure how much of a difference in response one gets with this but any little bit helps. Just not enough benefits for me to spring for the extra dough.

bjones7131

I ordered my vette without the Z51 because of the $$ and I never will track or do any aggressive mountain driving. U can get the NPP exhaust on the base car as I did and U can order any wheel U want. Mine is supposed to be delivered to the dealership TODAY, finally. Ordered in mid Jan and was built 3/23/16 and arrival is slated for today.

Kwagnerhvac

How many miles can you expect out of the tires with the Z51?

motomanvette

Z51 would be a waste if you drive like my mother. It wouldn't if you drove like me. eLSD even helps in high-speed, straight line driving, good for triple digit speeds. AND, the Z51 was marketed as a separate model.