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I know that some opinions will be biased, but I need to ask anyway.
I went by MacMulkin Chevy this past weekend and took a real close look at the new C7 vette. I currently own a 2013 Grand Sport Coupe with 2LT option group. Is it worth the upgrade at this time? The 2014 I am looking at is a NON Z51 coupe. They seem to be giving great deals on the non Z51 cars and holding at retail for the Z51 equipped models.
Again, is the Z51 option worth more money? I do not and will not track the car. The 2013 Grand Sport I have is an auto, so the diff cooler and dry sump were not offered.
What are the performance specs between the cars equipped with Z51 and the cars not equipped with z51? This will help in my decision.
Basically, is it worth the upgrade now? Will the non Z51 coupe be enough of an upgrade that I will feel it? Or should I hold on for now and wait it out a little?
I also added this into the C6 area for a broader opinion.
Last edited by '13GrandSport; Feb 24, 2014 at 09:45 AM.
Reason: add info
For me there is no other way to go but Z51. Spending that kind of money I want all the capabilities of the car available to me, and also to have the best chance for high resale value.
When I bought mine, I had just finished test driving it, and they had a 427 convertible on the lot. So i made them get the keys, and it took me about 15 seconds sitting in it to know that after mine with the competition seats, and the new layout, i could never be happy with the 2013.
Take your checkbook. I promise you you will be coming home with a new car if you drive it.
I happen to have a Z51 with Competition seats, and they are very very nice, but i think the standard seats and the base model will be an huge improvement over what you have now.
Z51 seems to be the "must have" option for most here. It is no wonder, because every magazine article or road test video has tested the Z51 exclusively! It would be great to see a comparison of the two!
According to numbers placed in the '14 sales brochure, the performance differences are minute, at least as far as the numbers go. A Z51 will accelerate from 0-60 .2 of a sec quicker (because of lower gearing in the manual transmissions first 3 gears or the automatics lower rear end ratio) stop 6 feet shorter from 60-0 and do .03g better on the skid pad. These numbers will mean almost nothing on the street.
The Non Z51 will give you the best ride over Z51 (with or without Mag Ride). Will have less brake dust, cheaper to maintain and save you $2800 for Z51, $1795 for Mag Ride (highly suggested with Z51) and $3000 discount from MacMulkin. Either way you go...they are both great Corvettes!
Last edited by Supersonic 427; Feb 24, 2014 at 11:27 AM.
I was going to purchase a 2014 Stingray with Z51 and MRC. At Carlisle I attended the GM seminar and was talked out of the option by the GM presentation. Summery; the base Stingray has greater capability than the 2013 Grand Sport model. Stingray is capable of 1g lateral acceleration and 0 - 60 under 4 seconds. I only use about 80% of the C6's capability so I decided to go with the base model and save about $5,000. I liked magnetic (my C6 was equipped with F55) ride but the option isn't available on the base model. If I am not happy I'll trade on a 2015.
I think feeling the car's suspension and personality change on the Z-51 with MSRC as you go from Tour to Sport to Track is lots of fun. Worth the extra cost to me. Plus the Z51 wheels much better looking to me than the standard wheels (but it's your car and your perception of this that matters, not mine).
If you plan to track...get the Z51. If you are a normal city driver as I am...non-Z51.
As for resale value, would you buy a used track car or a city driver?IMHO
BTW...straight line acceleration... non Z51
Last edited by metal; Feb 24, 2014 at 11:46 AM.
Reason: more info
To help you out here with your decision. If you search this topic you will get posts with a pages and pages of opinions. You can read opinion after opinion until you are sick of reading or have made up your mind. Good luck in your decision.
I've always been told that if you're not tracking your car, the non-Z51 is what you want. It just depends on how happy you are with your Gran Sport and how bad the itch is for a new C7.
Summery; the base Stingray has greater capability than the 2013 Grand Sport model. Stingray is capable of 1g lateral acceleration and 0 - 60 under 4 seconds..
If you aren't going to track the car the performance difference is probably moot. You can't use all of a C6 on the road so debate aside on the performance differences you can stick with the C6.
IMO the GS is a better looking car on the outside. The Stingray comes with more technology and a far nicer interior. In the end you have to pick what you like best. I think if you have to ask then it's a safe bet to wait.