jet2vettes

I'm thinking about purchasing a C7 Z-51 but have concerns regarding the ground clearance entering my driveway which has a modest incline. Other than getting a corvette owner to come to my house, is there a way to check for clearance?

JC 2004

Rent one?
Or if a local dealer has a used one perhaps a test drive. Back in the day I have taken cars to a customers home to check clearances from time to time.

I'm sure someone may have measurements but I'm one for the real thing.

My Z51 had surprising great clearance, the new Z06 with the chin spoiler... not so much,lol.

jet2vettes

That is an option.

lakemg

I'd tell the dealer that the only thing holding you back is possible clearance issues and see if you can test drive it to your house to confirm. Win win if it clears...

C7Joy

I get a little rub on my rubber air damns exiting my driveway, which has a drainage swail at the street. If you get that contact, don't worry. They are made of rubber for a reason. You can also minimize contact by entering/exiting at more of an angle. Good luck!

joemessman

I originally was going to purchase a Z06 and the dealer had a used one he drove over to house to see if it would make the incline. It didn't and that is why I ended up with a Stingray. It clears just by a half inch. I can't back in though because the rear wheels have a bigger diameter and that lowers the front end also.
Moving down south soon to AZ and my priorities are the driveway and the garage. Then I can get my Z06. You have got to have your priorities in proper order when buying a house you know!

rakuhn

Thanks guys, once again I learned some thing.

dbaker

Agree...my Z51 does the same.

No harm

\db2

speed4tu

Probably could have adjusted the screws on the suspension and got the z06 up to clear it also.

JerryU

Yep as you say, they are made flexible and designed to scrap! The C7 scraps less than my C6, which scraped slightly every time I left my drvieaway. In 6 years I just used some sandpaper a couple of times in 6 years and smoothed out the bottom edge.

Some folks act like they are scraping a body part! If fact that modest sound is a warning that the next thing to hit will be the aluminum "skid pads!" Scraped them several times in my C6 and that noise of aluminum on pavement is terrible! The plastic air dam is a warning not to go further! They are also easy and cheap to replace. The GM "skid pads" or what they call radiator supports are not!

In fact I added "fangs" to protect the C7. I have hit the fangs once with my 3 year old C7. It happened as it did a few times with my C6, when pulling into a store where they had a drainage channel. I usually just drive very slow and at an angle but, as has happened in the past, someone was driving very fast and to avoid having them possibly hit me, I had to pull in fast and straight. With the plastic fangs no damage just a minor scrap.



C6 Scrapped Skid Pad, Skid Pad Part, C7 Protector with FANG Being Installed

///ADMAN

No problem. You'll be fine. I've got plenty of room with my Z51

JK 23112

I have a new 2017 Stingray 2LT that I purchased on Wednesday. I have a little "dip" at the end of my driveway (for drainage, I assume) and avoid scraping by coming in frontwards at a slight angle.

I totally LOVE this car - even though I have driven it just 20 miles (in addition to the 120 miles I drove it home from the dealership in MD). If the sun shines tomorrow, I will put a few more miles on it. :-)

JK 23112

My new baby on Wednesday when I picked it up in Maryland.

6spdC6

Now on my 4Vette (98 vert, 05 Z51 vert, 07 Z06 and now my 15 Z51 Vert) that I have to drive a 1/4 mile on a hilly, curvy, gravel driveway (live on the side of a mountain). At the bottom either coming or going hitting it at a angel makes things much better. FWIW hit speed bumps the same way if traffic allows!

As far as the rest of the driveway doing about a max of 10 MPH gets the job done. Without a doubt the 07 Z06 was the worst to navigate my driveway.

1FUNC5

Back in 2014 City came in and did this for me no charge the week I moved in. It's called a curb to driveway transition. My gutter was pretty steep and the c5 was very close on the nose and rockers even going in at an angle. After it hardens the 4x4 is removed to allow water to flow. Now I can go in at ease.... even with a stage 3 z07 package that a friend has!

Indy-hp

Yep. Mine have scraped twice a day every day for 17 years (C5, C6, C7). When they get too tattered-looking, I buy new ones. They are not expensive and easy to replace.

JoesC5

There is no discernable difference in the rear tire diameters between the various C7 models.

Base C7------26.7"

Z51 C7-------26.5"

Z06 C7-------26.6"

Bucknut2006

The car without a splitter should be able to clear almost anything that you would typically encounter on the road or parking lot. The way the front end is shaped actually makes for more clearance than the C6.

JoesC5

I have this problem and I thought of doing what you did. But it wouldn't last very long as with the first decent snowfall, and the asphalt ramp being covered with snow, the county snowplow would take the ramp out in short order.

drobbins

when folks refer to a "splitter" do they mean the stock airdam in the front of the car or something aftermarket that's more aggressive? I have similar driveway concerns but when I read these threads I want to understand the terminology folks are using