No Z51 Bad Idea?
04-10-2015, 05:35 PM
#21
The Z51 is not a rock hard suspension.
the Z51 is a package that increases the looks, sound and performance FEEL of the car. GM made the Z51 package knowing that MOST people getting the package are not going to the track. I would not buy a c7 without the Z51, I also do not plan on tracking. IMO the Z51 corvette is the way a corvette should look, sound, and feel.
the Z51 is a package that increases the looks, sound and performance FEEL of the car. GM made the Z51 package knowing that MOST people getting the package are not going to the track. I would not buy a c7 without the Z51, I also do not plan on tracking. IMO the Z51 corvette is the way a corvette should look, sound, and feel.
04-10-2015, 05:48 PM
#22
Le Mans Master
My feeling is there will be more people looking for a "pre-owned" C7 that will take a Z51 when they were looking for a non Z51, then people who will take a non Z51 who were looking for a Z51.
04-10-2015, 06:36 PM
#23
Burning Brakes
The initial reason we did not get a Z51 was my wife hated the rims. I could have persuaded her but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I really didn't need a Z51. I tracked my C6 that I owned for 8 years a total of 3 times. Besides that, less things to go wrong since you don't have a dry sump or an eLSD to worry about. I did put the Z51 front and rear sway bars on, which buttoned down the handling a bit. No regrets for not getting a Z51 here... Base car or Z51. I don't think you can go wrong either way.
04-10-2015, 07:07 PM
#25
The initial reason we did not get a Z51 was my wife hated the rims. I could have persuaded her but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I really didn't need a Z51. I tracked my C6 that I owned for 8 years a total of 3 times. Besides that, less things to go wrong since you don't have a dry sump or an eLSD to worry about. I did put the Z51 front and rear sway bars on, which buttoned down the handling a bit. No regrets for not getting a Z51 here... Base car or Z51. I don't think you can go wrong either way.
the Z06 rims are the only truly great looking corvette rims though.
usually when women pick the options, thing ever go right.
04-10-2015, 07:31 PM
#26
04-10-2015, 08:13 PM
#27
Intermediate
Let's say you purchase the Vette with the Z51 package and put 30,000 miles on it while your buddy purchases the identical car and only puts 15,000 miles on the odometer. Who will make out better $$ wise when you trade it in? Most dealers only care about the age of the car and the mileage. The Z51 may be worth a fraction of the original price on a trade in.
I just purchased a new C7 and they offered next to nothing for an '01 C5 6 speed, Z51 with 62,000 miles, so I'm selling it myself.
I just purchased a new C7 and they offered next to nothing for an '01 C5 6 speed, Z51 with 62,000 miles, so I'm selling it myself.
04-10-2015, 08:27 PM
#28
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2014
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Well, I buy what I want for me. But the discussion got me thinking so I checked blue book values on used 2014's (just bought one of those myself). Here is what I found:
Comparing a 1LT Vs a 1Lt Z51, they were about $3000 different on the original MSRP. But the blue book used retail is $5000 more for the Z51.
But option packages its a different story. Compare a 1LT Z51 with a 3LT Z51 and you find that the original MSRP's had the 3LT $13K higher. But at used retail, its only $3,000 higher. Of course I only have 2014 to go on, but I'm too lazy to go and do the same comparison on older cars.
So the performance options like Z51 seem to hold up where interior and electronics sort of things don't. Another thought on the electronics is that they change fast. In a couple years, my cool navigation system in my 3LT will start looking clunky compared to the latest and greatest smart phone that will be out by then. Electronics never hold value in any other area so why would they in a car?
All of the above of course is non-scientific speculation.
Comparing a 1LT Vs a 1Lt Z51, they were about $3000 different on the original MSRP. But the blue book used retail is $5000 more for the Z51.
But option packages its a different story. Compare a 1LT Z51 with a 3LT Z51 and you find that the original MSRP's had the 3LT $13K higher. But at used retail, its only $3,000 higher. Of course I only have 2014 to go on, but I'm too lazy to go and do the same comparison on older cars.
So the performance options like Z51 seem to hold up where interior and electronics sort of things don't. Another thought on the electronics is that they change fast. In a couple years, my cool navigation system in my 3LT will start looking clunky compared to the latest and greatest smart phone that will be out by then. Electronics never hold value in any other area so why would they in a car?
All of the above of course is non-scientific speculation.
Last edited by grandpawmoses; 04-10-2015 at 08:29 PM.
04-10-2015, 08:29 PM
#29
Team Owner
I'm sure that in the future there will be a buyer looking for a used C7 that isn't interested in a Z51, just as there are buyers for new C7's that are not Z51's.
04-10-2015, 08:30 PM
#30
I disagree you will have a larger base of buyers if you have the Z-51 option with the Mag ride. You will have buyers that only want the Z-51 and buyers that don't care. You will have very few buyers that will not buy a Z-51 on the used market.
Also the Mag ride is very noticeable, much more than my 2012 ZR1.
There is a big difference when I go from Tour to Sport and visa versa.
Also the Mag ride is very noticeable, much more than my 2012 ZR1.
There is a big difference when I go from Tour to Sport and visa versa.
04-10-2015, 08:39 PM
#31
Team Owner
I disagree you will have a larger base of buyers if you have the Z-51 option with the Mag ride. You will have buyers that only want the Z-51 and buyers that don't care. You will have very few buyers that will not buy a Z-51 on the used market.
Also the Mag ride is very noticeable, much more than my 2012 ZR1.
There is a big difference when I go from Tour to Sport and visa versa.
Also the Mag ride is very noticeable, much more than my 2012 ZR1.
There is a big difference when I go from Tour to Sport and visa versa.
As I understand it, the be C7 has the softest ride, then comes the Z51 with Mag ride in Touring and then the Z51 in Sport, and then the Z51 without Mag ride
04-10-2015, 08:42 PM
#32
Team Owner
I think you are overemphasizing the selectiveness of the used car buyer. Used car buyers are not as picky as new car buyers. Condition and mileage will play the major roles as it relates to resale on 3-5 year old cars. Buyers will be all too happy just to get into a Corvette for half the price of a new one.
04-10-2015, 08:46 PM
#33
04-10-2015, 09:00 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2004
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So that's the rule right?
Wrong, Z51 is just an option package. A non-Z51 is just as much a Corvette as a Z51. There have been years when this package was not even offered. I think it is a wonderful deal for people that want it, but it is a waste of money for those of us that do not need it.
Wrong, Z51 is just an option package. A non-Z51 is just as much a Corvette as a Z51. There have been years when this package was not even offered. I think it is a wonderful deal for people that want it, but it is a waste of money for those of us that do not need it.
The Z51 is not a rock hard suspension.
the Z51 is a package that increases the looks, sound and performance FEEL of the car. GM made the Z51 package knowing that MOST people getting the package are not going to the track. I would not buy a c7 without the Z51, I also do not plan on tracking. IMO the Z51 corvette is the way a corvette should look, sound, and feel.
the Z51 is a package that increases the looks, sound and performance FEEL of the car. GM made the Z51 package knowing that MOST people getting the package are not going to the track. I would not buy a c7 without the Z51, I also do not plan on tracking. IMO the Z51 corvette is the way a corvette should look, sound, and feel.
04-10-2015, 09:11 PM
#37
Drifting
My son... "Daffy Drunk" on this forum, and I both purchased 15' Vettes.
I have a 1LT loaded Velocity Yellow Z51 with A8, Nav/Camera, and Mag Ride with Supplier pricing (9% discount + fees). He bought a 1LT Shark Grey Conv. with M7, ZF1, NPP, and Black emblems. He got 11% off at MacMulkin with no supplier discount, + he had $1900.+ GM $$$$ he could apply. Courtesy delivery in IA cost him $200.
Now,,, I have to either buy him a ticket to help me get my TOY to IA for the summer, or ship it for $1,000. and then figure out how to get it back to Naples for the winter.
SO... Who got the better deal??? ( I did because I like my VY car better than a SG Conv....) But... ...
: cheers:
We are both VERY HAPPY CAMPERS!!!! ZOOM...ZOOM...ZOOM!!!!
I have a 1LT loaded Velocity Yellow Z51 with A8, Nav/Camera, and Mag Ride with Supplier pricing (9% discount + fees). He bought a 1LT Shark Grey Conv. with M7, ZF1, NPP, and Black emblems. He got 11% off at MacMulkin with no supplier discount, + he had $1900.+ GM $$$$ he could apply. Courtesy delivery in IA cost him $200.
Now,,, I have to either buy him a ticket to help me get my TOY to IA for the summer, or ship it for $1,000. and then figure out how to get it back to Naples for the winter.
SO... Who got the better deal??? ( I did because I like my VY car better than a SG Conv....) But... ...
: cheers:We are both VERY HAPPY CAMPERS!!!! ZOOM...ZOOM...ZOOM!!!!
04-10-2015, 10:17 PM
#38
Safety Car
This is what you get with the Z51 package for $5000 -
Z51 Performance Package includes (J55) performance brakes, (J6A) Black-painted calipers, slotted brake rotors, (Z52) dry sump oil system, (FE3) Z51 performance suspension, specific shocks, springs and stabilizer bars, (NPP) performance exhaust, (XFJ) P245/35ZR19 front and P285/30ZR20 rear tires, (Q7S) Silver-painted aluminum, 19" front and 20" rear wheels, performance gear ratios, (G96) Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), (KNR) rear differential cooler, transmission cooling and an Aero Package
I would have added most or all of these mods anyway, so why not buy the package. I think the Z51 package is well worth the money and that's why I bought it. I don't plan on tracking my C7, but I do enjoy spirited sports car driving through canyons and mountains. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to add the magnetic ride suspension feature (I really wanted it), which is only available with the Z51.
If you are going to duplicate the Z51 performance package with a Base C7 Coupe add the Package ZF1 $1995 + Performance Exhaust $1195 = $3190.
The extra $1810 for Z51 suspension components (sway bars, springs and shocks), dry sump oil system, transmission cooler, differential cooler, electronic limited slip differential, performance gear ratio and performance brakes is worth the extra dollars for me.
If you don't want these features or you don't want to spend the extra money ... then don't, it's your car. Enjoy the ride!!!
Z51 Performance Package includes (J55) performance brakes, (J6A) Black-painted calipers, slotted brake rotors, (Z52) dry sump oil system, (FE3) Z51 performance suspension, specific shocks, springs and stabilizer bars, (NPP) performance exhaust, (XFJ) P245/35ZR19 front and P285/30ZR20 rear tires, (Q7S) Silver-painted aluminum, 19" front and 20" rear wheels, performance gear ratios, (G96) Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), (KNR) rear differential cooler, transmission cooling and an Aero Package
I would have added most or all of these mods anyway, so why not buy the package. I think the Z51 package is well worth the money and that's why I bought it. I don't plan on tracking my C7, but I do enjoy spirited sports car driving through canyons and mountains. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to add the magnetic ride suspension feature (I really wanted it), which is only available with the Z51.
If you are going to duplicate the Z51 performance package with a Base C7 Coupe add the Package ZF1 $1995 + Performance Exhaust $1195 = $3190.
The extra $1810 for Z51 suspension components (sway bars, springs and shocks), dry sump oil system, transmission cooler, differential cooler, electronic limited slip differential, performance gear ratio and performance brakes is worth the extra dollars for me.
If you don't want these features or you don't want to spend the extra money ... then don't, it's your car. Enjoy the ride!!!
04-10-2015, 10:20 PM
#39
If you're buying it for yourself, you can't go wrong. If I were buying used a couple years down the road, it would have to be Z51 or greater. To some, it doesn't matter; and it probably shouldn't. Any version of these vehicles, dating back to C5s, are waaay more (fun) than we can handle outside a track. I do think the Z51 is a bargain. Compare used base C6s to C6Zs or GS, and it's almost $10k.
04-10-2015, 10:23 PM
#40
2018 Grand Sport
I have the Z51 and personally think it is worth every penny. When it comes down to it ...it is what you can afford and still enjoy the vehicle. If your not gonna track and just want to cruise around the non Z51 is more than you will need.