Okay, since I purchased my C6 new in 2012, I have become a full blown, honest to god, Corvette guy and definitely WILL be purchasing a C7. My only question is, and I know this may sound naïve, but why would I plunk down the extra $$ for the Z51 package? I need some real details because I will be spending real hard earned $$$

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks...

 

Bragging rights. Pure and simple.

 

Z51 Wheels
Bigger Brembo brakes
E-diff
Transmission/Diff coolers
Dry Sump oiling system
Z51 Aero bits
Close ratio gearing in the transmission

This option and the MSRC are touted to be the two most important options to have to ensure you get the best berformance out of the Vette, the rest are optional as they say

 

Silverblue: do you drive your Corvette aggressively? If so, then pay the extra cost and get the Z51 package. It has nothing to do what others think period. The paragraph below is from AutoWeek Magazine.


"The C7 turns in with hungry front-end bite and corners almost flat, even more so with the Z51 Performance Package and Magnetic Ride Control driven here. A Corvette with Z51 starts at $54,795 and includes an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; extra cooling for brakes, diff and gearbox; and some aerodynamic trim pieces. At $2,800 for the package, it's a track-day bargain. Throw in another $1,795 for General Motors' newest, long-applauded adjustable suspension—it should help much with that snap oversteer, as it did with the ZR1 -- plus $1,195 for the exhaust and you have one lethal Stingray for $57,785."

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...#ixzz2a68NvbZe
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It all comes down to what you desire your Corvette to do. If you just drive it like a Honda then don't get the Z51 package. Otherwise get it and enjoy the benefits and it will keep the value up on the resale.
Cheers,
Fuze

 

It depends on how you will be using the car. Z51 is more track oriented. Other options are based on what you like or want as well.
Just look at what you get in the Z51 package. Only you can answer if those extras are worth it to you.
Personally, I would order Z51 with MSRC. Seems like a small price to pay for the items I would like. They may not be worth it to you. That's ok to.
If your looking for someone to convince you to get the Z51 package, its hard to know how you will use the car and what you like. It's liike trying to choose a color. Would you be willing to pay more for the color you like? Or save money and pick one that didn't have the up charge? Get the one that turns you on the most for the dollars you have. Hope this helps a little. In any case you will love the car. Good luck!

 

Since your shelling out "hard earned money" on a performance car you might as well make your new C7 a PERFORMANCE car. If you were buying a Cruize and could add a Z51 package to that I'd say forget about it!

 

So the base car isn't a performance car? The z51 package is an amazing value, if you will use it. Otherwise, its some nice styling upgrades. Im going to be driving 20k+ miles a year, mostly highway, with some weekend warrior trips to the mountains. I'd like to only try to buy tires once a year instead of 2, possibly 3 times. Its not always about max performance, sometimes its a bit of both performance and needs.

 

this. Although I'm going to be a first time 'vette owner I realize that I'm probably going to be Tire Rack's biotch for the next few years. I have nightmares already of being in a 5/10 NL game, looking at a decent pot and wondering if it's enough to cover a new set of Michelins

 

@GordyRay, thanks for the quote. I was curious on the actual cost of the upgrade having only looked at the C7 brochures that are popping up online. 2800 for the upgrades included seems like a real reasonable deal.

Given the uptake of the Z51 package in the orders thread, it certainly seems like most people agree.

 

What styling upgrades does the Z51 package provide other then the Z51 spoiler?

 

19/20" wheels instead of 18/19" combo. Black brake rotors. 1" larger brake disks that are slotted for cooling. And split spoke wheels.

Honestly I like the package, and it really is a good deal for the $2800 they charge for it. The only thing I am personally considering is the cost of tires for the larger wheels, and the longevity of said tires. Going off my previous C6 experience, I could net 20k out of a set of standard tires, but would be lucky to get 12k out of a set of z51 tires. But TBH I haven't done all the research into the tires on the new C7 yet, so I don't know if they are the same in base model vs performance model or not.

 

The Z51 option also allows you to get the Magnetic Selective Ride Control option.

 

This.

There is zero debate about the absolute value the Z51 package is. In the aftermarket the wheels and tires alone would cost the $2,800 price of admission. I enjoy performance driving and I do try to track my car on road courses a couple of times a year. With that said, the vast majority of my travel will be everyday type driving on everyday roads. My wife and I enjoy long afternoon weekend drives and vacation drives to destinations. With money being an object, I chose a non-Z51 coupe over the Z51. I believe the added creature comforts of the 2LT were more important to me and my overall use of the car than the Z51 with MSRC (which I believe is a must have with Z51).

It will always come down to your ultimate use of the car. Choose your features based on need. Don't get hung up on what everyone else is doing and don't get hung up on perceived "must haves" if they aren't about your needs.

Buying the Z51 carries with it some performance cache but trust me when I tell you that about 5% of those buying it will actually need it and probably 1% will ever actually be able to maximize the benefits. He'll, most won't drive the car if the chance of rain is greater than 30%. Few actually need but everyone wants to say they have it.

 

Thanks Talon for your view on this issue. This has been an ongoing question with me as I have budgeted 60-62k, options do matter and the 2LT is important to ME. This will be a weekend, non-tracked, non-raced 3rd vehicle for me. For the price of the Z-51 and MRC, I could justify a non-z51 convertible.

Thanks for your insightful comments.

 

the z51 is a bargain at 2800, it wasn;t even an option for me to order w/o... pointless not to... $2800 and you'll get every dime back in future versus the "oh, that's not a z51" routine when you go to sell..

 

There is only one reason why I will buy the Z51: It's for the Ediff. The Ediff makes ALL the difference in the car in the way it handles and performs, even in daily driving.

If the Ediff was in the base model, I might not consider the Z51 because I have no intentions of tracking it. But, to get the Ediff at in this car is a bargain too good to pass.

 

Please read my first sentence. The four words after "Hard earned money."

 

Speaking of the Z51 package, does anyone know why on the pictures of the Z51 test from the magazines the car doesn't have a full width front air dam but instead has only two smaller ones in front of the wheels and nothing at all in the middle?

It seems to me you either need an air dam for the aerodynamics or you don't. If the car doesn't need an air dam then why bother with those little pieces, and if it does then why not use a full one?

 

Base cars have all 3 dam air pieces and no rear spoiler and have slightly lower drag. Z51 cars have the rear spoiler added; the center part of the air dam is removed to balance out the lift characteristics.



.

 

I love cars that have great overall driving performance. If I was allowed to buy one and only one option it would be Z51.