View Poll Results: Which do you prefer, Z51, or Base?
Voters: 308. You may not vote on this poll
What do you prefer? Poll
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Does "prefer" mean want, or need, or both? I say, you buy what you want, what you need, and sometimes both coincide. OP decided his preference was for a Z51-optioned car. Fine but doesn't detract in any way from a base Stingray, or those who "want" or prefer the other Z. (06) 
OTOH, if this is a nice way of starting a thread to show the new car, it's a beaut!
OTOH, if this is a nice way of starting a thread to show the new car, it's a beaut!
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Couldn't test drive (getting to see the new model was a chore) so I went with the base car thinking I can upgrade if I am not satisfied. Well I have not upgraded, saved thousands - thanking GM for their honest presentation a Carlisle 2013. I would have gone Z51 with MRC.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,139
Likes: 17,987
From: DFW Area TX
I went with Z51 (2014) for several reasons - able to get MSRC; better stabilizer bars, brakes; performance gear rations on M7; etc. None of these are just for track - they improve day to day street driving capabilities. Also like the Z51 wheels and spoiler better.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,721
Likes: 116
From: Cape Coral Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
56 percent of 2014s produced were z51s and 44 percent were non z51s.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2014...e-numbers.html
http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2014...e-numbers.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,204
Likes: 17
From: Fayetteville North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '15
Love my Z51, I wanted mag ride and I love the Z51 wheels. By the time I went ZF1 and paid for NPP it was a no brainer to just go Z51 for all the other stuff you get.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,477
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
It is amazing (and refreshing) that this forum has swung to many base owners reporting why they bought what they did. A year ago every z51 thread broke down to a few z51 people issuing decrees that if you bought a base you were either cheap or less of a man. Nice to see we've all grown up here.....
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,767
Likes: 338
From: San Diego CA
I went with the 2LT base but I added the Z51 rear spoiler. I will never track my car so the Z51 package made no sense for me. I probably would have added the MSRC if it had been available in 2014 as a stand alone option.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 755
Likes: 19
From: San Antonio TX
It is amazing (and refreshing) that this forum has swung to many base owners reporting why they bought what they did. A year ago every z51 thread broke down to a few z51 people issuing decrees that if you bought a base you were either cheap or less of a man. Nice to see we've all grown up here.....
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 83
From: boerne texas
I think the lines of the base are cleaner, without the spoiler. And for street use, unless you have perfectly maintained roads where you live, the taller sidewalls of the base tires make more sense, as do the "dust free" brakes. The one thing I might do is add the Z51 sways, but the base model already out handles, out brakes, and out performs 99 % of the cars on the road.
If you're going to track the car, the Z is a no-brainer. But for the street, I'll take the base model, and the savings.
If you're going to track the car, the Z is a no-brainer. But for the street, I'll take the base model, and the savings.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 878
Likes: 61
From: Louisa, Ky
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Likes: 535
Does "prefer" mean want, or need, or both? I say, you buy what you want, what you need, and sometimes both coincide. OP decided his preference was for a Z51-optioned car. Fine but doesn't detract in any way from a base Stingray, or those who "want" or prefer the other Z. (06)
OTOH, if this is a nice way of starting a thread to show the new car, it's a beaut!
OTOH, if this is a nice way of starting a thread to show the new car, it's a beaut!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 476
Likes: 82
From: Hartland WI
It is amazing (and refreshing) that this forum has swung to many base owners reporting why they bought what they did. A year ago every z51 thread broke down to a few z51 people issuing decrees that if you bought a base you were either cheap or less of a man. Nice to see we've all grown up here.....
Now seriously, I did order my 2016 coupe with Z51 only because I love spirited driving every once in a while. It was a tough decision for me because for what I could have saved by purchasing a base, I could have ordered a Vert. But then, I like the lines of the C7 coupe better, with the rear fender vents and sloping tail. So it turned out to be an easy decision.
Bottom line, we are all Vette lovers and we purchase what we want and can afford. It all makes sense in the end as there is not a better sports car value out there.
Enjoy All!! Mine was built yesterday, got my VIN today, and am waiting for Shane to call and schedule my museum delivery. Very excited as this is my fifth Vette, but will be the best!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 381
From: Southeastern PA
exactly why I went with Z51 on my 2015 vert!