dataporter

Well said!

1SG_Ret

Absolutely nothing IMO.

Strake

I just did the comparison in detail, before I special ordered our car. The NET difference in cost (at MSRP) was $2k between a base car with the added NPP, MAG ride which also gave you the Z51 style rear spoiler, and the 19 and 20" wheels and tires.

While we've had several C6 Grand Sports which also had Z51 like features, and most recently the 427 which had the ZR1 wheels and tires, I found I've never tracked a car, likely won't in the future, so about the only thing I MIGHT find I wish for would be the sway bars from the Z51 package which I can buy for $300 if I feel the car is too "ropy poly"....

I too found that my insurance company wants nearly DOUBLE the price if I was to have the Z51 package. I've had USAA since 1969 but switched to Progressive last year. I checked both companies, and both want double for the Z51..... not sure why as it's the same engine. guess they figure you're going to track it, or drive it more aggressively.

JerriVette

The z51 corvette handles a little tighter, brakes a little harder....and I believe has slightly different gearing....bigger wheels and sticker tires....now the z51 has the npp exhaust standard I believe.

Is it a whole new car ? No...but it's slightly different enough for those who enjoy sporty driving on mountain roads etc...

For me? I have bought three new corvettes and they have been z51 or z06 models.

To me they are the most valuable options and with the c7 I believe the MRC is money well spent too.

Each of us have different opinions...this is mine.

DAFFYDRUNK

Ahh another Z51 vs base thread to go with the recent A8 vs M7 thread!

I'm sure I'll get flamed but I disagree about resale value. You spend $5k on Z51. Maybe the car nets another $2k a few years later. Your Z51 is still worth more but you still ate another $3k over a base C7 to get better resale.
I realize the Z51 in the C7 is different than the 08-09 C6s I'm looking to buy, but the prices for those are the same. The used car manager isn't gonna gush over your z51 when he values your trade in. Most people looking at used Corvettes don't even know what Z51 is. The only thing most people might notice is the better looking 19-20 wheel combo and the spoiler.

I did the ZF1 and NPP on my C7 vert, but ZF1 is not longer available. I saved $1500 and have less complexity do deal with. Car still handles great and you don't lose anything in a straight line with the lack of Ediff.

If I was gonna order another one, I'd do the MRC package that comes with 19-20s and the spoiler. Then get NPP. Used to be an MRC hater but I actually kinda dig the MRC now that I've had more time playing with it in my dad's C7.

08G8V8

That is crazy. I didn't have the VIN of my car when I called State Farm to add my Z51 optioned car to my policy. They gave me the quote, I paid over the phone, and then emailed me the policy. When I get it, they took Z51 for Z06. Called back and had the VIN at that time, and my insurance only went down from $528 to $474 for 6 months, so only 11% less. Can't see how going from a Z51 to a non-Z51 could be 50% cheaper.

Strake

Both USAA and Progressive had specific choices for Base, Z51, and Z06.
I priced both the Base and the Z51 and it was nearly double. For me, I'm sticking with Progressive with a their max high end limits for coverage, as we have our "other" car with them, I'll get the multi car discount, and with a $250 deductible the 6 month policy is $276 on the Base coupe.

I'd like to try to go back with USAA as I've had them since '69 and our homes are both insured with them, but they recently got very expensive. I'll try again in March. New Vette will come in about mid Feb.

lakemg

For me, the Z51 has the NPP exhaust and has a significantly more appealing appearance and that's what sold me on it...I don't plan to put mine on the track, but it just looks bitch'n...some feel that the base looks better and it's all a matter of personal preference...If the Z51 was not offered, I'd be driving the base because it's still a fantastic car.

dmhines

I have Allstate .. my Z51 c7 was only a couple of dollars more a month than my 2012 Mustang GT was .. I was pleasantly surprised ... considering the MSRP was almost double.

direct007

I wanted Mag ride and NPP. The difference in price between Z51 and Mag ride compared to just Mag Ride and NPP was under $2k (taking the dealer discount into consideration). When spending $70k on a car, another $2k isn't going to make a difference so Z51 made financial sense even if I never use it's true capabilities. Knowing I have a loaded maxed out car (without going the Z06 route) made it worth it to me.

7thgeneration

Priced out 2016 Convertible, 1 with Z-51, 1 without. All other options the same. Difference was 3 grand. Seems a no brainer to get it.

Corgidog1

Other than the feeling of knowing you have a more capable car, unless you are able to use these capabilities, there is no advantage.

0KC Corvettes

Being in and out of many stingrays I can say one thing that has been missed is acceleration. The Z51 manual has entirely different gearing in the transmission and on the automatic you get 2.73:1 rear gears as opposed to 2.41:1 resulting in 0-60 times on a Z51 being 3.8s (manual) or 3.7s (automatic) but just 4.0s on the base (both). Yes it isn't groundbreaking, but it is noticable.

Kayir

it's hysterical that everyone STILL think this debate rages on. . .It was dumb in 2014 when I got mine and it's completely useless now. in 2014 it was a matter of preference, but now that you can buy the zf1 appearance stuff and the mag ride, there's no reason for anyone to feel compelled to get the Z51 unless they seriously track the car. I have a 2014 without mag ride, without a spoiler, without the 19/20 wheels(and as my DD I swapped out the tires to Pilot Sport AS3s). I added the z51 sway bars for 300 bucks but otherwise i promise you I drive it harder than 90% of people on here and not ONCE have I thought to myself, damn I wish I had an e diff, or dry sump, or slightly bigger brakes. . .This is an option package that is purely for those who really track it or otherwise feel compelled to need to own the "track" version. . .the car is plenty capable in non-Z51 spec. OP, you can't go wrong, and enjoy the car when you get it, it's fantastic! (rant over.)

juanvaldez

I'm able.

Jus Cruisin

No, so you can continually complain that your Z51 doesn't have and should have Z51 stickers on it.

Thunder22

i had progressive until this month, and switched to Geico which was $400 less expensive a year. YMMV.

Dif

I really didn't want to go the Z51 route and wanted a base with Mag ride.
But when GM bundled it @ $3,495.00 it wasn't worth it to me.
For the extra 2K, Z51 with Mag ride was worth it to me.
In Tour mode it rides the same as my C6 did in Sport with Mag ride.
C7 Z51 items are a Lot more than they were on the C6 and a lot more car for the money whether my C7 is ever Tracked or not.
There's a lot of useful things that add to the total experience with the C7.
Just my Opinion and Personal choice, but glad I went with Z51

sdk

He must be confused with the Z06.

GeoV55

For the same reason you would pick a Corvette over a Miata - Because I can.