Honestly, guys, I can't believe these conversations are still going on well into the 4th model year of the C7. "Same as it ever was . . .same as it ever was . . . same as it ever was . . ." This is the same response the C6 got here when it arrived and very likely identical to the one we'll be reading when the C8 hits the streets. Judging by the sales numbers, the C7 is an undeniable hit. And, when you factor in inflation, it's pricing is on par with C5 pricing when that was released. Surprised?

Several of us here own both a C5 and a C7 so we have a lot better perspective to speak to the differences than most. I've owned two C5's (current one for 15 years) and have modded both of them significantly. People here have often said, "I did a h/c/header (or s/c) on my C5 and this is the way it should have come from the factory." Well, the C7 did but with much more than just better performance. And the C8 will be configured the way we would want the C7 to come from BG. It's called progress. Accept it or don't, but I prefer to not live in denial and enjoy the latest technology while I'm still above ground to appreciate it.

I have been dd'ing my Z51 C7 for a year now. It's two generations separation from the C5 and it looks, feels like and acts it. But the Corvette DNA is apparent and anyone who has only driven one once or twice won't be able to discern that. It takes a while to appreciate the many modes this car was designed to work in. Mine is mostly stock but can sound as gnarly with the NPP valves open as my head/cam/header C5 with it's cutouts wide open and is just as fast.

This is a stock C7 - just like a C5 or C6, slap a h/c package or s/c with headers and you're going to elevate it's performance to extreme levels. Remember, the LT1 is .5 liters larger than the LS1/6 with direct injection, etc., paired with much better suspension and brakes - and the torque band of the LT1 is significantly beefier across the rpm band than the LS engines. Stock, it gives the C6 Z06, with 45 hp more and 200 lbs. lighter, a run for it's money. Mod it and it responds beautifully to the upgrades. The Z51 with mag ride is unbelievable and the electronic diff is awesome. Let's not even talk about the interior quality and the state of the art configurable display with driving modes (Weather, Eco, Touring, Sport, and Track with different levels) and other features. My optional Competition seats are amazingly grippy, comfortable and adjustable and are what we have been pleading Chevy to put in a Vette for decades. And the C7 Z06 is out of this world.

I readily admit, the C7 styling is purely a personal-taste thing. But, remember how maligned the "big butt" C5 was by the C4 crowd when it first appeared, some saying that it "resembles the Ford Probe", and now we're saying it's a timeless classic. I love the C7 styling and will probably love the C8, too. My C5 still holds my attention and I'm in the process of completely remodeling it from the mechanical and esthetics standpoint but it is decidedly early '90's styling and technology - and that's OK. It was, and still is, a great car.

Wouldn't it suck if Chevy had stopped at the C5 and quit evolving the species? You've got family sedans and SUV's roaming the streets now that can hold their own against - or beat - a stock C5. Few can keep up with my stock C7 but that won't last. Latest gen bashing has no point - the C7 is what it is and has been well received since it's debut. The Grand Sport C7 has taken the world by storm with many calling it the "best Corvette ever" because of it's excellent balance. On the track, it's beating cars with significantly more power that cost a lot more - that's quintessential Corvette value performance!!! We should be thrilled that it still represents best bang-for-buck.

Hate all you want, haters, but the fact is, Corvette has moved on and it's better than ever. I'm going to keep buying them as long as I draw breath and can mash the go pedal all the way down.

 

^^^^^ Patches you mean LT 4 ???

 

No - LT1. The LT4 will blow most other stock vehicles off the road. The usable torque of the LT1 is shown to exceed that of the NA LS family across the RPM band. Look it up.

 

I drove a new Z51 a few months back. I agree that the car had very usable power and it felt almost as quick as my cammed C5Z right out of the box. It felt very much like a Corvette and reminded me of my C5 in many ways, except that it was better in almost every single way. I liked the interior and all of the tech offered as well. People hating on the C7 or suggesting that their C5 is just as good, or god forbid better because it's faster in a straight line, are just living in denial. I personally would like one once the prices come down a bit more but we will see what happens.

 

My Bad Sir, I thought all the newer vettes came with the LT 4, I did look it up Thanks !!

 

[QUOTE=Patches;1593347704]Honestly, guys, I can't believe these conversations are still going on well into the 4th model year of the C7...

I don't get the concern about people who don't like the C7. This is a C5 forum. I like the C5, C1 and C2 Corvette, otherwise I'd pass.
C7 envy, no. C8 envy one day, who knows. Wish I could afford a C7, sure... but I'd either keep my C5 (happy with performance and style), or move makers if I could afford one.
Not a hater, just not a liker and find it a pity what the Corvette turned into with the C7. Not at all my style is all (yes, particularly those back lights).
Would it have sucked if the Corvette stopped, of course. I'm a car fanatic though, the Corvette is one of many cars...

 

I didn't say anything about envy and I truly do not care if anyone else likes the C7 or not - no car in the world is universally loved. I like it and that's all that matters to me - I KNOW there are many who don't like it, especially the tail lights. What I don't understand are the visceral outpourings in threads where some proclaim they would never buy a C7 because it's ruined what the Corvette represents to them. Fine, don't buy one - but at least position it as an opinion and not gospel that the C7 is ugly and doesn't perform well. I'm certainly not losing any sleep over C7 haters. But many are stating as fact what is actually opinion - like how it performs and feels.

This can be said about any car. I owned a 1990 300ZX for many years (bought new) and absolutely loved that car. I was awaiting the release of the 350Z to replace my 300ZX and, when I finally saw it, was very disappointed. I went out and bought a C5 instead and I still own it. In fact, loved it so much I bought a second one.

Hey, to each, his own. Enjoy what you got. Peace.

 

I love all Corvettes some more than others, didn't care for the C 7 for the first few years now hope I can have one before I die!

 

IMO you appear to care what others think, otherwise why defend the C7 on a C5 forum. Just my impression of your post perhaps.
I would never buy a C7, absolutely true. I don't hate it, but there are nicer cars out there for me. As for somebody saying it doesn't perform well, yep, them people are nuts. But it's also beyond what I need for a DD, the C5Z is more than sufficient for me.
That you like the 300ZX, guessing you also liked the NSX? Neither are exactly on my list of loved cars, just different taste, no biggy.
Your C5 is very nice (although I really don't like red, haha), enjoy man! All good with me.

 

I raced and beat one last month!

 

However the reliability would be somewhere around zero.
Lot's of folks have highly modded their vettes with superchargers etc to get 600+ HP, but they invariably lose street ability and reliability. Most folks live in a sorta la la land when it comes to this.

 

Total nonsense. I had had a 2008 C6 with an ECS kit/meth.headers and now I have a 2015 Z51 with the same set up and it's beyond reliable. These cars with 600rwhp are ultra reliable. It's the builds that push past 1,000rwhp where stuff starts to break a fair amount. I really drive my cars as well. Zero problems.

If you have a quality kit and most importantly have a quality tuner it's not an issue. I've seen stock C7 Z06 blow motors as well as stock C6 Z06 and other cars. Anything CAN happen but to say reliability for modded 600hp vettes is zero is flat out wrong.

 

Then you didn't 'highly modify' your Vette, someone else did.

 

Nice try with the semantics. The poster said mod your C5 to the same level or more. You said if you do that it has Zero reliability. I never said you have to do the work yourself in the garage. My point was a modded vette done correctly is plenty reliable..

 

As usual, you have no idea what you're talking about.

 

Give Porsche a try if you're not into the C7

 

The C7Z is too damn fast therefore I will stick to my C5.

 

No, I'd go BMW or AMG I think. I know you have a Porsche, not my style either. Enjoy tho, all you guys with multiple cars...

 

BMW is my pick of the two. The E46 M3 is a timeless classic but the E9x would be hard to turn down because of the high revving V8. I have been using my E46M as a DD for the past several months and have been enjoying every moment of it. I have to say though, not very interested in newer BMWs, they seemed to have lost their way right around the beginning of the "F" chassis cars.

I have no experience with MB, but I did get to drive a C63 once and thought it was pretty nice. If you decide to go that route, make sure to do lots of reading as both cars have their share of know issues and crate motors aren't cheap

 

There' no concern, I ain't got money for another, nor am I worried about switching cars. Between the 2, I'd also almost guaranteed go with the BMW. Drove nothing but for 17 years until I made a switch to the Z06, just wanted a change.