.......already ducking from the arrows and suggestive pies. I may post this in Z06 forum and compare notes.
I have owned 3 C6's, the last being a '10 Z06. Loved the motor in Z, hated, expecially my wife, the ride. I am now contemplating ordering new 2LT Z51 with mag ride, video/performance recorder, 8sp. Or........new Z, lightly optioned 8 sp auto. I no longer have the desire for the fastest or more rare. Want comfort along with performance, and something my better half would enjoy driving. While finances not an issue.....I can already hear the Z gallery rooting......the approximately $23k difference between discounted C7 vrs MSRP Z06 worth considering. Estimating less than 1500 miles/year will be driven with either car. Suggestions, criticism, opinions appreciated and welcomed........

Sky Pilot

 

Cannot comment on the Z06 ride. As a previous C6 Z51 owner, I can tell you that the C7 is a much more comfortable ride. I currently own a non Z-51, it feels tighter and more comfortable than the C6.

 

Thank you for the input Brother Donor.........

 

Sounds like you already have your mind made up.

 

I went from a C6GS to a C7Z51 with mag. I leave the C7 in sport mode all the time and I think the ride is about the same on city streets as my C6 but smoother and more stable feeling on the highway. This car is not as prone to grove tracking as my GS was.
1500 miles a year is weak sauce man. Don't save the miles for the next owner, life is a highway.

 

Why are you thinking Z51? Have you looked at the ZF1 appearance package? If ride comfort is your primary concern, this may be your best bet. If you have no intention of tracking the car, ZF1 is worthy of your consideration

 

You get comfort and performance whether you get a Z51 or non Z51.
Some have driven both to be able to compare.
You may want to test drive used versions of each, if test driving new ones is not an option in your area.

 

Hertz rents C7's - a great way to test out the ride.

 

People who have driven the various C7 configurations all seem to say that the base C7 has the most comfortable ride.

Wouldn’t think that anyone other than GM engineers or perhaps select automotive journalists have driven a 2015 ZO6.

With its strong performance focus as well as much larger, lower profile tires, the ZO6 is likely to be the hardest riding of all C7s. Don

 

I felt the z51 without Mag ride rode hard for my old back and I do a lot of long distance running....I'd either go base+zf1 or the z51 with the mag option...

 

I had an 08Z and it rode like a lumber truck on all but mainly smooth roads, so I know where you're coming from on comfortable ride. I'm also a vette junkie like you ( who else would own 3 C6's), as my 3 C6's were 2 LPE supercharged C6's and one stock Z06. I'm hopeful that GM has dialed in the Z06 without the Z07 package, to have a comfortable ride in touring, no stiffer than the Stingray Z51 with mag ride. That's one of the reasons I'm waiting until 2016 to order a Z06 A8 coupe, after magazine and more importantly user reviews have covered the issues that are important to us addicts, not the least of which is ride. Since the budget is okay and if ride reports turn out okay, you know the only move a vette junkie must make. Don't even think about getting a Stingray Z51/mag version cause it's more "practical" and after all how often would one be able to use all 650/650, yada,yada,yada. "Practical" has no place in the vette junkies decision making process. "Practical" is to agonize over the leather seats in his Toyota Camry or stick with the perfectly good fabric seats. Kinda like the famous Alvin Iverson line " You talking about practice " !?!?!?!?!?!?!?


Do yourself a favor. Put all those "sensible" ideas put of your mind and start agonizing over whether it might be better to spring for the 3LZ instead of the 2LZ in your new Z06.

 

I think "musclecar6" summation hit home. Until seat of my pants experience early next year in new Z, I just as well quit stewing.......... praying GM will a afford a "mode" in new Z06 for we maturing males whom request moments of relaxation in between climatic episodes of performance. Please, limit your comments on ad disclaimer "if your experience lasts more than a few hours, consult a physician!"

 

z06 3lz

 

I traded a 2012 Grand Sport (without MRC) on a 2015 Stingray with the Z51 package (with MRC). In "Tour" mode, the Stingray is noticeably more comfortable. Not to mention better in every other way except rear visibility. The Stingray is much more comfortable for longer trips.

I have a Z06 coming in time for Christmas (I hope) and I expect it to be similar in Tour mode, perhaps a tad stiffer in Track and perhaps Sport. But none of us really knows about the Z06. I suspect you might be happiest with the Stingray as long as you order MRC. It's a major step up in comfort and convenience from the C6.

 

Not having any C7 seat time maybe I shouldn't be commenting, but my experience with other Vette generations is that if your primary concern is ride comfort, do not go with the high performance suspension option. It's more than just the shocks: springs, sway bars, and probably bushings are all stiffer as well.

 

What are the outer limits of your driving demands? A base C7 won't satisfy them?
Don't you love Europe!

 

I have found my Z51 with mag ride to be compliant and comfortable with most road conditions by selecting Tour or Sport at appropriate times. Sometimes Sport mode provides better comfort on the "washboards".

 

Our last new Corvette was a 99 Coupe. We bought a 2015 Z51 Coupe with mag ride. A huge difference between the two. Driving the 2015 is like driving a scalpel. Very precise. Every change in mode makes a big difference in many aspects in the car. I was fortunate to be able to spend track time in a Z51 before we bought one. I learned that a Z51 would be all we would need for the few times we might track it per year year. I also like the near 30 mpg taking the car on a trip would yield. Our ZL1 Camaro has mag ride but I can feel the difference in mode changes much more in the Corvette compared to the Camaro. Plus the ZL1 is over 600HP and I really did not need a second 600+ HP car. I also chose the A8 and it shifts much faster than I can and it makes it easier for my wife to drive. Choose a car based on your real needs but I do not believe that either one of them would be a mistake.

 

I've owned every generation except for the c1 (and multiples of several of the generations). I currently have a c3, c5 and c7.

Guess I'm not a vette junkie, though, as I bought exactly what I wanted, and it's not a z51 nor a z06.

 

I agree, you're probably not a vette junkie, like us crazies running around in these superchaged vettes. We do it multiple times and keep on doing it in the new Z06. A hopeless life long addiction and loving every minute of it.