The C7 - Opinions
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
The C7 - Opinions
First of all, I don't own a C7 and probably never will, unfortunately. I have Two C6's that I plan on keeping so there isn't room for one in my stable.
That said, if I didn't have my C6s already or just had a stock or nearly stock C6, I would surely get one because, as I discovered over the past week, they are fantastic cars!
I just returned from my 5th time at The Ron Fellows School at Spring Mountain. As usual I had a blast and as usual the instructors were FANTASTIC and the School was FANTASTIC but this time it was a bit special.
The School this time had C7s with the Z51 option. I now have over 300 Track Miles in a C7, driving it as hard as I could on a new, 2.1 mile, 10 turn track. There were sections where you could hit over 100MPH (I consistently saw near 120 on the main straight and as high as 121 a few times (all depended on how I got on to the straight)) and sections where the turns were very technical and slow - 90* turns or more. The car handled them all very well. The new tires were very grippy, especially on the new asphalt, as well as being very predictable.
The driving modes were fun to play with. I drove mostly in the Track Mode (Dry) but did some in Track Mode Sport 1 and some in the Sport mode. Each major mode configured the Driver Information Center differently. The HUD is really cool - in color and has shift lights! In the sport mode and track mode, the exhaust baffles were open all the time. The car sounds mean! No Mild to Wild needed, just switch modes with a flick of the switch....
I loved how the car looked and handled. The interior was very nice and comfortable, and even though we didn't have the new sport seats, the regular seats were fine on the track.
Chevy did a great job with this car!
Anyone contemplating getting a C7 should think about going to Spring Mountain.
Another note, While we were there, GM was providing training for Chevy Sales people that were going to be selling the C7. They got both on track and Class Room instruction and had to pass a test. From what they told us, if the Dealer didn't have a certified Sales Person, they would not get an allocation! There should be few if any sales people out there with no C7 knowledge trying to sell you a C7!
Some obligatory Pics! (The C6s you see in some pics were all ZR1s)
That said, if I didn't have my C6s already or just had a stock or nearly stock C6, I would surely get one because, as I discovered over the past week, they are fantastic cars!
I just returned from my 5th time at The Ron Fellows School at Spring Mountain. As usual I had a blast and as usual the instructors were FANTASTIC and the School was FANTASTIC but this time it was a bit special.
The School this time had C7s with the Z51 option. I now have over 300 Track Miles in a C7, driving it as hard as I could on a new, 2.1 mile, 10 turn track. There were sections where you could hit over 100MPH (I consistently saw near 120 on the main straight and as high as 121 a few times (all depended on how I got on to the straight)) and sections where the turns were very technical and slow - 90* turns or more. The car handled them all very well. The new tires were very grippy, especially on the new asphalt, as well as being very predictable.
The driving modes were fun to play with. I drove mostly in the Track Mode (Dry) but did some in Track Mode Sport 1 and some in the Sport mode. Each major mode configured the Driver Information Center differently. The HUD is really cool - in color and has shift lights! In the sport mode and track mode, the exhaust baffles were open all the time. The car sounds mean! No Mild to Wild needed, just switch modes with a flick of the switch....
I loved how the car looked and handled. The interior was very nice and comfortable, and even though we didn't have the new sport seats, the regular seats were fine on the track.
Chevy did a great job with this car!
Anyone contemplating getting a C7 should think about going to Spring Mountain.
Another note, While we were there, GM was providing training for Chevy Sales people that were going to be selling the C7. They got both on track and Class Room instruction and had to pass a test. From what they told us, if the Dealer didn't have a certified Sales Person, they would not get an allocation! There should be few if any sales people out there with no C7 knowledge trying to sell you a C7!
Some obligatory Pics! (The C6s you see in some pics were all ZR1s)
Last edited by johnodrake; Nov 17, 2013 at 03:32 PM.
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Not to be a spoil sport... but...
I am sure the school was a whole lot more than that, but dude, I get my 2003 Kia Sedona mini van up to 110mph on the autobahn with the kids and wife asleep in the back...
Germany does have its perks though... I guess.
...There were sections where you could hit over 100MPH (I consistently saw near 120 on the main straight and as high as 121 a few times
Germany does have its perks though... I guess.
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From: DFW Area TX
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From: La Center WA
Great write-up, John! If I had your 427 no way would I be wanting a C7. Since my only Corvette is a mechanically-stock '05 coupe, though, it's going to be easy to convince myself to order a C6 Z51 next year. Looking forward to seeing you in April! 
(Oops - Make that C7 Z51.)
(Oops - Make that C7 Z51.)
Last edited by mpuzach; Nov 18, 2013 at 01:09 AM.
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Verdad Gallardo
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He probably didn't have six miles to get there like you would need.
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Melting Slicks
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Thread Starter
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
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From: APO AE
Hopefully, for him, his in-laws don't read what he posts on CG
.... I'll add... no matter how fast you go, you always have to move out of the "fast lane" to let an Audi Station Wagon come through. They always seems to be going 15mph faster than you...
Last edited by Revfan; Nov 18, 2013 at 01:28 AM.
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From: Cold Hell, Minnesota...for now
St. Jude Donor '15 thru '26
The best modification one can do to their car is to attend a high performance driving school. 
I thoroughly enjoyed my 2-day ZR1 course at Bondurant last year.
I would love to attend again to thrash on a C7!
I thoroughly enjoyed my 2-day ZR1 course at Bondurant last year.
I would love to attend again to thrash on a C7!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 777
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From: Irvine California
Nice write up and pics.
Curious, does Ron Fellows Driving School still teach on the C6s, esp the Z06?
I have a C6 Z06 and had always planned on taking Level 1 at Spring Mountain... if they only have C7s, that would be disappointing to me....
Curious, does Ron Fellows Driving School still teach on the C6s, esp the Z06?
I have a C6 Z06 and had always planned on taking Level 1 at Spring Mountain... if they only have C7s, that would be disappointing to me....
