With a Z51 in the garage, which is still a little odd, I thought I'd write up my thoughts so far on the journey to get here and what I think after 130 miles…

Never really been a car guy, all guys like cars but I've never prioritized what I drove over other things (where I live…). With only one kid left in the house and some financial flexibility I started to consider a toy car - I've never owned a two door car, only sedans, wagons, SUVs.

My wife has an old 930 Porsche and I started to look at 911s… Didn't want to spend six digits on a car so I was looking at used 911S. While I fit, it always seemed like big guy in a small coat thing. The other thing that bothered me was spending that kind of money on a used car, the service costs and the fact that all 911s look very much the same over the years. While they drive fantastic they look a bit generic. Who wants a generic toy everyone else has.

This lead me to muscle cars, old Cameros, GTOs, Chargers….. I loved how they looked, reminded me of high school, and I loved the way they sounded. What I didn't like was how they drove. I didn't like that they were either hacked or VERY expensive for what was a simple car.

Enter the release of the C7. Competitive reviews with a 911S (yes the 911 handles better, C7 faster off the line and around the track), aggressive and distinctive styling, THAT V8 sound. My concerns were many, but I wanted to believe. First was that Government Motors would cut corners to hit a price point the "value" shopper could afford. Second was the interior, I've been in many vettes and impressive isn't a term that leaps to mind on the interior. Third was that dreaded first year curse of production issues.

As the flood of reviews came in it seemed that GM had pulled it off, a 911S competitive sports car, at a value price, with a great exterior and interior that was fun and accessible. At this point I was kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop (byproduct of being old, seen every movie…). I told myself I wouldn't order until I'd driven one. That proved to cost me a couple of quarters.

As I started shopping dealers (no need to shop cars as they didn't have any) in late summer early fall I was shocked at how poor the product knowledge was and inconsistent the sales experience was. I kept searching for someone I could stand to talk to - no easy feat. I finally found a son of a local dealer owner who was experimenting with this whole internet thing and social media (really, how is not everyone on this) and he said he had a car coming in and I could drive it - all this over email. It came in (base coupe 3LT 7speed), and I couldn't believe how well it drove - I was literally blow away by the torque band and comfort of the interior. I ordered one on the spot.

Anyone who's read this thread knows what happens next: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...-my-order.html

I wait, and I wait and …… until 4 months pass and the dealer (long past dealing with the kid) tells me he has no idea if he can get me the car.

At this point I PM on CF Rick Conti, Rick get's right back to me, sends me a link explaining how the constraint process works, how orders progress and offers to take care of me. I talk to him on a Saturday, send him a follow up email with my details and list of what I want, he doesn't ask for a deposit, on Tuesday I'm at 2000 and less than 2 months later my car is sitting in my garage (highly constrained, exposed CF roof, FAY.…).

I have the advantage of living driving distance (90 miles) from Rick's dealership and that made everything very easy. Rick is a true professional in a space with very few of them, fantastic energy, knowledge and an absolute straight shooter. He let me take advantage of a set of soccer games my son was playing to take delivery late on a Saturday (around closing time), he kept the team there to take care of me and took time away from his family to make sure I was comfortable with the car - I actually sent him away as I'd read so much on CF (more on that later). I can't say enough about Rick, best car buying experience of my life, hands down.

The Car

It's all true, the handling, the sound, the fit/finish of the interior, the attention it draws - the sheer fun of driving it - and these early miles are in questionable temps (high 30s, low 40s) - can't wait to see how this rubber sticks to hot pavement. I won't make this about the car review, there are several threads here on that.

Corvette Forum

Any company that doesn't understand the power of social media should join CF. Yes there are trolls and every little issue (dim display and the memory seats on a manual are repeating favorites) is obsessed over, but the depth of knowledge, the enthusiasm of owners (and shoppers) and the willingness to help are really remarkable. I really can't thank the members here enough for what I've learned about this car, you've made a complete Vette newb feel confident in making a rather large investment.

GM

Finally, and I told Rick this, had you told me a year ago I'd buy a new GM car I would have laughed at you. The management incompetence, the devastation of Detroit, the government bailout all gave me a VERY low opinion of GM. This is a lesson of, if you build it they will come, GM built a remarkable car, they won me over from a position where I'd buy anything before I'd buy from GM. They sold a car to a guy who's never owned a GM product, never owned a sports car and started his search looking at 911S…. I think this is the expansion of the base they are looking for (although at 53 I'm not younger).

Sorry this was so long, a bit cathartic for me to share the journey. I'll post updates here and not clog CF with other threads.

Now, if it would just warm up a few degrees I could go rip through some more country roads…..

 

Another 911 convert here as well.

Nice write up and congrats again!

 

100% agree.

I was in a very similar place when I bought my first (now on third). As a matter of fact, the very first GM product I ever owned was a Corvette.

Agree with your assessment of the prior flaws as well...I think everyone does (at least the honest ones)

Also...Corvettes, any year, but especially the C7, makes people smile. Corvettes convey a "he's one of the good guys" message to everyone. 911's and M3's don't.

I am a Mercedes guy, but not interested in their "performance" cars. The Asian stuff is pretty, but uninspiring.

Relax and enjoy the car, sounds like you've earned it

 

Nice write up. Congratulations on your purchase and I wish you the best of luck with it. I smile every time I go for a drive in my C6Z. I can't wait for the C7Z to be available. GM has done a great job with the Corvette, now I just wish they would get the rest of their crap straightened out.

 

Congrats on your car. I had similar experience when I first contacted Rick Conti. He let me drive one, I ordered one without any deposit, and picked it up at the Museum in Bowling Green within the time frame he gave me.

So far, this is the most exciting car I have ever owned, including my first one (55 Chevy). Almost 1500 miles in two weeks and loved driving every one of those miles.

 

Nice write up!

 

Great write up. The one area where I am different is I have always been a GM guy but it has been limited to trucks, SUV's, and Corvettes. Just last Friday I helped my middle daughter complete the purchase of her first new car, a 2014 Chevy Cruze and for what it is I am equally impressed as I am with a C7. Hope you get some warm weather soon so you can really enjoy the car!

 

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

My father was a GM guy (body by fisher is what he used to say), me, Honda and Toyota…. if they build SUVs with this same quality GM might sell me a replacement to my Land Cruiser (to its credit, going strong with 240k miles).

 

Nice post... Congrats on the ride and enjoy!!! One more thing...

Welcome to the "Dark Side".....

 

Very cool, my Dad used to say that as well. My Grandfather retired from GM and in fact ended up at GM because he started with Fisher Body prior to GM buying them. My Dad is going with me early next month for my Museum Delivery.

 

iPhone pic today while out or errands, got stopped twice by people with questions and a girl ran a red light to take a picture while driving... Crazy attention this car gets.

 

What state is this Iowa? Seriously

 

Great story and awesome looking car!

 

He's not a 911 convert! He's an SUV convert!

Big step up! Congrats, Mr. ON THE BOTTOM!!

 

Ohio, pulled in front of a park that has an old restored barn....

 

I think I had a similar story. I was impressed with what I heard about the C7 way before I saw one. It peaked my interest and I did like the new styling. I liked that it appeared to be mostly a clean sheet design with new engine, gearbox, chassis, and especially interior.

For years I tried to like Corvettes but just couldn't. This one though I thought someone had really tried to think it through. I was also worried about GM and if they could do it. In the end, I was satisfied.

I also was completely turned off by the lack of knowledge or care of my local dealer. Not just about the car but about me and what I wanted. It seemed to me they were more interested in selling me anything rather than the car I wanted.

I too looked at this forum for help --- and got it. I found Mike Furman from a recommendation here, contacted him by email, and almost immediately he contacted me by phone. In five minutes I realized there was actually someone out there who knew about this car in detail. I finally found someone who understood who I was, what I wanted, what I was interested in doing, what was the deal with this car, and how I can buy one.

In that 5 minutes I knew I had the information I was looking months for with my local dealer. In the 6th minute I gave him a deposit right over the phone, sight unseen.

Since getting the car, it's been a pleasure. It does pretty much everything that was promised. People seem to really like it. Is it perfect? No. Is it worth every penny and a bit more? Absolutely.

Has it been a fun experience? YOU BET!

 

Love that color. You will LOVE this car. Have fun and congrats.

 

I'm over 600 miles in 7 days - off to Europe tomorrow so my girl is going to have to sit for a few days. Spring has arrived, with some reluctance in Ohio, had some beautiful driving today - first Eco mode freeway trip.

I found the transition from V8-4 almost imperceptible and with no loss of response when I needed red to get up and run.

No squeeks, rattles, car is very tight, fit and finish is outstanding (some orange peel on paint - maybe you've heard )

Washed the car for the first time today - Adams two bucket, cleaned wheels, used Adams sealant over the entire car - VRT on the wheels - looks better than new.

I continue to be surprised at the reactions to this car, I had no less than 10 people say something to me or give me a thumbs up on the road today - one very enthusiastic thumbs up from a C6 Z06 .

I feel very lucky to have this car.

 

I enjoyed reading your post. The whole dealership route to purchase a car can be so disappointing. It seems to be an antiquated system held in place by their collective size. But then you find a dealer who does it right. Lucky you.

I really didn't want to deal with the whole ordering process. Last week I went to my dealer down the street, saw what I wanted, and did the 4 hour grind telling him he was crazy to expect 10,000 over list. Finally made it out for 700 over, knowing the next batch of cars would have the 3000 bump in msrp for the same car.

Please post more, start a thread later about your driving impressions after you've gotten to know the car. You are a great writer.

 

First drive with the top off….

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wwb3ti30ou...tle%20Ride.mov