jaki30

Well, I broke down and traded my 2012 GS vert for this:








Criswell Maserati was absolutely terrific to deal with. They only had the car on their lot for 5 days. It was really a pleasure to do business with as they were willing to work with me much more than other dealers of used C7s were. Got a great deal.
Picked up the car yesterday. While I am still not a proponent of the rear end, I was very impressed with the sculpted look of the front of the car and the clean lines with the roof down.
We drove it home 170 miles from Germantown, Md to Williamsburg.
My impressions:
1. The car definitely rides better than the GS. Maybe because the suspension is not based on the Z51. Just the base suspension. 2. The brakes squeal like crazy until they get warm. The brake dust on the base car is nothing like the C6. I had several C6 cars and had to put ceramics on if I wanted any time away from washing wheels. 170 miles and there is no visible brake dust.
3. The interior seating is much more firm than on the C6. The seats feel "tighter" and the passenger side is narrower than the C6. Also, it appears the interior is lower in the C7 vs the C6 making it more difficult to enter/exit (for us senior citizens).
4. The trunk is smaller than the C6 convertible. The big plastic cover surrounding the latch takes up space that was available on the C6. Looks like we'll have to get some soft sided luggage instead of the roller we have.
5. The center console has less volume than that of the C6. This is both good and bad. Using the USB port takes up room that can result in interference with storing other small items in there.
6. The electronics are mind boggling. Where the C6 lets you set up a myriad of functions, the C7 requires more thought and deciphering of what the heck the manual is trying to describe to you. As an owner of a operational flip phone, I am muddling my way through the book. At least I got the garage door opener to function 7. This is totally subjective...I wanted a Kalahari interior or possibly a grey interior based on the color car I was buying. I had found a CRM with the 3LT package on CarMax in Kalahari. That said, the full package with Kalahari door panels and dashboard looked like too much. The 2LT package seemed much cleaner and did not overwhelm you with the interior color.
8. The C7 is a great car. Is it worth buying? I would say yes if you can afford one. Is the C6 obsolete? Like all new technology, new prevails, but, the older stuff works fine, too. If anything, I would say the C6 GS will become the C6 go to car in the C6 market. I suspect the C7 GS will do the same thing. For me, the C7 could use an azz lift, but the rest of the car is spot on

SteveMcGuire

Great looking C7! That is the identical car I want to order. Mind sending me a PM or telling us what the MSRP and actual purchase price was not counting your trade in? Again, what beautiful Vette!

Johniorio4

Having driven a few c6's, I'm surprised you didn't include in your impressions the noticeable increase in acceleration/overall power. That is the first thing I noticed, although the rest of your list is definitely spot on.

Congratulations on your new c7!

jaki30

At the age 68, I really don't get on the car. I should mention the car seems to shift much smoother than the C6. I only mention that because, as a 2014 model, it has the same A6 transmission as the 2012 GS vert I traded in.

Mike Campbell

There's a USB port in your compartment behind the screen thus giving you more room in the console. BTW the glove compartment is larger too. Don't know why your brakes squealed unless maybe there was rust on the rotors which quickly wears off from sitting outside. Anyway, you will really be impressed everyday with your C7. Good luck & enjoy your new ride!

jaki30

What screen? Thanks. Haven't found that in the book yet.

orwollma

Congrats and enjoy your beautiful 'vert! The center console screen lowers using the up-down button to the left of the screen.

dvilin

Beautiful Vette enjoy it.

USN SEAL Team Six

Nice upgrade!

SteveMcGuire

Jacki30--thanks for the PM. Enjoy your C7!

Corvette ED

Looks great enjoy!!!

boraxman

bcegaleace

Good post - I'm a new C7 owner, and it's my first vette. I have had the pleasure of driving a lot of good cars. I traded a 2011 Camaro SS vert for the vette. Some of my thoughts:

1) Styling - hands down, the exterior of the C7 makes this the best looking American car on the road today, and the best I can think of in a long, long time. The interior is also outstanding. I've been in earlier generation vettes, and other GM vehicles, that have really lacked interior quality. The C7 totally remedies this. Interior is every bit as good, if not better than my Lexus GS.

2) Performance - WOW. I have a 2LT Z51 M7 and this car is an absolute rocket ship! The power in the Camaro SS was impressive, but it was a big, non-agile muscle car. The vette has more power, and track car handling, and it's very obvious. I haven't had much of a chance to really drive it "hard", but simple things like highway acceleration, tight on ramps, etc. let you know that this car is capable of almost anything.

3) Technology - pros and cons... pros are that this car is loaded with great tech features. Everything you'd expect in a $70k+ car, and more. That said, the Bluetooth connection has been giving me fits... I'm running an S6 phone with fully updated software, and the connection disconnects and reconnects for no reason. Even with the Android update and USB cable connection, it still stinks.

Stavesacre21

Decided to make the jump, eh?

I found your comparisons to the C6 quite insightful, especially knowing full and well that you've had quite a few of them. The car looks more chiseled in the front for sure, but I'm still not getting over that back end. It looks like you went with the auto as well, and I'm sure the wife will be more than happy to take 'er for a spin once in awhile!

Congrats on the new car Jack!

graj6

Congrats on the car.

If you want to save some space, get a low profile USB drive like the "Sandisk Ultra Fit". You can find them on Amazon and it comes in sizes of 16GB through 128GB. I have a couple of these (no I don't have a C7 yet haha) ready and they are super small.

You'll save a lot of space since these don't stick out.

rcooper

Glad you like the car! It is a nice upgrade from the C6. Far better looking and much more comfy, in my opinion.
Here is where I find a difference, I think the rear is the coup de grace of the car. It has separated the C7 from the C6 as no other styling cue could have done. I get boat loads of compliments on the rear of the car. Very Euro styled, to me.
My base does not have the brake squeal that you are talking about, I believe that it is from standing around for a while. If it continues I would take it to the shop and find out why.
Beautiful car, wish you miles of smiles and trouble free driving.

zdr2k

congrats!

AdPock

Congrats on the hot new ride! And on being our Corvette of the Week!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...ng-jump-c6-c7/

plasboy

The infotainment screen on the center stack where radio and other functions appear.
Great car.

C7Joy

I love the look of your car, red with Kalahari accents. I ordered a 2LT with Kalahari interior for the exact reasons you mentioned. I was concerned about having the color in front of me. 2LT seemed right for me. Thanks for your impressions, enjoy that car this summer!