I'm starting the process of ordering my first Corvette. I'm in a rural area, and I fully expect it to take 4-5 months to come in.

I've driven several, but they've all been automatic transmissions with paddles. I didn't care for the paddles, though, and I'm leaning towards ordering it with a stick instead.

My only concern is, am I going to blast through the gears too fast to keep up? I hate to redline every time I take off.

In fact, here's a list of the options I'm ordering. Without ever having seen this car, do you guys see anything that you think I'll regret?

Lime Rock Green Metallic
Jet Black, Leather seating surfaces with sueded microfiber inserts
19" Z51 5-split spoke chrome aluminum wheels (20" rear wheels)
6.2L V8 DI engine
7-speed manual transmission
Yellow-painted brake calipers
Performance exhaust
Competition Sport bucket seats
Premium carpeted floor mats, Genuine Corvette® Accessory
Custom sillplates with Stingray™ logo, Genuine Corvette® Accessory
P245/35ZR19 front and P285/30ZR20 rear, performance , run-flat, summer-only tires
Hood stinger stripe, Carbon Flash

TIA, all,

Jason

 

This will be easy to answer, its a sports car, not a mini van, go with the stick.

 

Just my two cents worth, if its worth that much.

 

Are you sure your dealer has allocations? 4-5 months from now may be "Cutting it Close" for Lime Rock Green Metallic. If you don't get a 2014 in time, you would have to order a 2015. Chevrolet has announced that they will drop Lime Rock Green after 2014.

Good Luck............Art

 

Don't worry about the stick, you'll be okay.

 

Depends on your driving style. I have a stick. I like it but it's not perfect.

I RARELY hit the red line. This car has a ton of torque. You don't to rev the motor to get it going. In fact, you have to baby it a bit to not give you whiplash at every stoplight. If that's your worry, don't worry.

I would switch for the new 8 speed if its as fast as they claim. I'm thinking about that now but waiting for some real reviews of what people think before ordering it.

No way I would get the current auto with paddles.

The big issues with a good paddle vs stick is how you use it and how much control you want.

With a good paddle, it SHOULD shift faster than manual and you'll find yourself actually shifting a lot more often than you would with a stick. But, the computer decides what happens so you lose some control. You end up wondering if you or the computer could do a better job.

With a stick, you make the mistakes and you do it right. So, there is some satisfaction there, provided the gearbox and clutch are working well together and controllable. The downside is that if you drive a lot in stop and go traffic, it's just a lot of work. IMO, 95% of all the miles you put on the car are just like this. Is it worth the work for 95% of the time for the 5% when you really appreciate it?

That's the debate.

 

CS, I'll tell you what my car buddies told me......"Steven, if you get this C7-for the LOVE of God, please.....do NOT get an automatic."

 

My biggest problem is the new 7 speed added. I wish they could get rid of this. Way too often do I shift from 4th to 7th instead of 5th when I'm in a hurry.

I should not need to think about what gear I am about to shift into. It should be natural. The 7th gear screws that up.

What would have been better is an overdrive button or some kind of lock out if you are really cruising on the freeway and want gas mileage. In normal street driving, it's more hassle than it's worth.

This gearbox takes some getting used to. IMO, a good gearbox shouldn't.

 

My 2000 & 2006 were both six speeds. When I ordered my 2010 GS I went with the auto. This time I went back to a stick and loving the shifting experience every time I drive it. I also did LRG only with 3LT Kalahari, IMO all black interior is a little too subdued in LRG. Regardless of which way you go, you will love the car.

 

You don't clearly state if you are getting Z51 or not or what interior trim level you are planning on getting. The Z51 wheels are only available to order on a Z51 equipped car.

 

Go with the three pedals.... it's a cupcake of a transmission

 

Stick!

 

Like you, I wasn't sure. The stock C7 shifter is better than the stock c6 shifter. I just put in an MGW and it's way better yet. The real bonus is with rev matching. Takes the guesswork out of spanking those pesky Porches!

JMHO

 

No offense but that green is just boring. ANY color but that. There is a reason they are stopping it and being out of green paint isnt it

 

It's a sports car. Choose the manual trans.

 

Stick. And if you are getting Z51, spend the extra coin on MRC....it is worth every penny!!! And if you are stuck on LRG, get the Kalahari interior.

 

Honestly, no, I'm not sure at all! I didn't know they were dropping the green, so that's definitely a consideration.

I live in a fairly rural area of North Carolina, and the local dealership is small; not tiny, but small. This will be my 4th car ordered with them (the other 3 being Pontiac), and I really want to stay with them if at all possible.

They have a Z51 3LT on the lot, but it's not a convertible and it's Laguna Blue. For all I know, though, that might be their only allocation.


Sorry about that, I just copied the features list from their website. I'm definitely getting the Z51 package (no idea why someone would order a Vette without that, honestly).

For the interior, when I looked at it all online, I didn't see a lot of features from the 1LT to the 2 or 3LT that I cared about to justify the money, so I was sticking with the 1LT trim level.

But, there are things that I can't see, and really don't know if I'll miss. Like the Kalahari interior; is that alone going to be worth the $$$ for the LT3 upgrade? Or are there some other features that I'll really regret not getting, too? Is it the same sound system? That's a pretty important feature for me.

The quote for this build is $72k. I'm pre-approved for $70k and I have $10k for a trade-in, but could get $80k if I tried, so I have some buffer for additional features. I just don't want to spend money on a bunch of features that I'll never use (like mirror defrosters).


You may be right on that one; there again, having never actually SEEN a green Vette, I have no idea! It appeals to me because it's rare, but if it's ugly... that would suck.

My current car is a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. I ordered it in 2004, and ordered it in green, but by 2006 it still wasn't in. The dealership did get a black one, though, so I accepted it. I've always regretted it, though; there are now several black Solstices or Saturn Sky's in my area, so it's no longer original and unique.


OK, you guys sold me; I'm definitely getting the stick. I thought that I had the MRC on the build, but I see that I overlooked it; the quote from the dealership definitely includes it, though.

Re: the Kalahari, though... looking at the pics online, that looks like a LOT of brown against the black console. If we were just talking about the seats, I'd be all in, but with the dash and everything it looks like a lot in the picture.

Is this one of those things that looks a lot better in person?

 

So you're saying you are getting a 1LT and it is $72k??? That seems a little steep. And you DO get a lot of value going from 1LT to 2LT. And then from 2LT to 3LT all you get is better leather and NAV is included. Me, personally, if I was getting LRG, I would get Kalahari. And if I was getting Kalahari, I would go with 3LT because I like the way it goes all they up the dash to the windshield. I do not believe it is "too much". And I am not a LRG guy, but that combination is about as good as it gets for that color. Very classy and very rich looking.

I also think you need to do a search on allocation. There is no reason to go through all of this if the dealer cannot get you the car. I understand your loyalty. But if actually getting a car is your objective, then you may have to look to a dealer that can actually deliver the goods.

 

Auto/Manual is a personal choice. Go with your gut feeling.

Definitely stick with the 6.2L V8 DI engine option

 

stick