You have heard enough about the first 2 to decide, also check out some of the last 3 or 4 months of Car and Driver, MT and R&T, they drive it and give opinions as well.

With the 1SB option, the Bose stereo is the same, the only difference is do you get the NAV screen or not (well, in truth you lose the 6 CD changer and MP3 playback) but the stereo speakers and amps are EXACTLY the same....

Some members have for a little less than $200.00 upgraged the speakers and remarked that the sound was much better. Also some have placed a small sub in the back for better bass... However, there is no option to get the base stereo with the 1SB/1SX package, it has so many other things that make it worth it.. I will also say with a Vert and the top down, any stereo will suffer due to wind noise. Sound I have found out is WAY to personal, its best if you just listen to both (standard and upgraded C6 stereo) and decide for yourself!

Lastly on the polished wheels, I just feel this is a cash cow for GM and the dealers.. For the cost of the chrome's from forum vendors is the same or less and MUCH better quality. Also the Greys seem to be pretty nice as well...



Thomas

 

Z51 is the firmest of the suspension options. It isn't actually rough riding, but it is considerably harsher than the base suspension. Since I wanted primarily a highway car rather than a track car, I chose the base suspension. But I could have lived with the Z51 package. I don't think you'd notice the difference between the base suspension and the F55 suspension unless you routinely drive over very rough roads. Drive them all and make up your own mind. None of them will disappoint.

I have the polished wheels. While I prefer their understated look to the bling of chrome, I also agree with nearly everyone else that they aren't worth $1200. The stock painted wheels are silver, the gray wheels are a new, $300 and some odd dollar, option. I don't really like either, but that's such a personal choice I won't offer any recommendations.

The Nav system is really slick, but it comes crippled as a Bose stereo. You only get single CD capacity, and it won't play MP3s. If you can tolerate that, at least it isn't very expensive to replace the dreadful Bose speakers and make the system sound pretty good. OTOH there are aftermarket stereos available with built in Nav that are much nicer. But, they won't integrate with the HUD, or the DIC, or OnStar. The stock system does. For me, the higher integration of the stock Nav was a deciding factor.

Reading over what I just wrote, I wasn't much help was I? Any of the choices may make you happy, or not, depending on what you personally want from the car. None of the choices are perfect. It really just boils down to what's most important to you.

 

Thanks, everyone, for the input. Unfortunately, I read Car and Driver; one reply mentioned that MT and R&T did better comps regarding the suspensions. Even though I don't plan on much track time, I will probably go for the Z51 since I really like flat cornering. Will the dealers allow me to drive all three (base, Z51 and F55)? One dealer I went to wouldn't let me drive anything; I walked away.


What speakers have you guys used to replace the Bose? Substantial difference?

 

As I stated eariler, speakers are great only to the owner.
That stated, Eclipse 8233 (3.5 coax for the front) and 8353 (5 1/4 Triax) for the Rear. Also some have used a bazooka or Clairon sub for the rear. Do a forum search and you can find this...

 

Done again, I would leave off the Polished wheels.

Jim

 

Z51 is okay if you don't mine a little harsher ride. I did not have it on my c5, but do on the c6. I really prferred the ride in the c5, but the handling of the c6 is much better in my opinion.

Polished wheels are too pricey, I had them on my c5 and thought they looked great. I am dissappointed in the c6 looks.

Nav. I would go for it. It took me a while to get used to it at first, but now that I am familiar with it I'm happy with it. You do lose the 6 cd player however. The sound to me is okay, but then again I'm not a audiopholie.