I already test drove a Z06 and have an order in for a 17' Z06 3LZ A8 (Z07) artic white with black rims comp seats. I went and test drove a C7 A8 Z51 and this is just what I thought about it. C7 has more than enough power and in my honest option the C7 is a better road car or a more fun road car. You can redline a C7 more often than you can the Z06. The C7 is by no means slow but the Z06 is just much faster. The Z06 is a insane car and you can definitely feel the difference between the two. The C7 sounds amazing, and the A8 shifts good, there is the paddle lag though and I wish GM would fix that. The body style of the c7 is also growing on me. I like the Z06 wide body and everything but the slim profile of the C7 with the right color combo is killer. Only mod (cosmetic) I would do would be the front grill. Not a fan of the chrome strip! Oh and about the roof, damn does it rattle. This one had the transparent roof and it wouldn't stop rattling. I actually asked the guy with me to make sure it was on and tightened. I could not live with that rattle. I would get annoyed listening to it. The C7 is an amazing car. More power is better but the C7 has more than enough and I thought it was actually more fun than the Z06, even though I decided to go with it. See a few C7s where I live, but not many Z06s. What a car!!

 

I prefer the lean, chiseled look of the Stingray over the Z06/GS. Don't get me wrong, there is no wrong choice. For me I just personally like the Stingray over the wide bodies.

Congrats on your new Z06. The C7 is an amazing car.

 

Really, the so called wide body is so unnoticeable. The Stingray and a Grand Sport have to be parked side by side and then you have to look hard to tell. The front plastic fender extension is more profound and detracts from the design.

 

Good review. I was very happy and still am with my C7. However I also took a test ride in a Z and I have to say that beast is easy to love.
It has to be my next purchase.

 

Coming from a 14 GT500, rated at 662/630 from the factory, would I be disappointed in the power of the NA base and GS motor? The 0-60 timed are very close between the Shelby and the base, but living at high altitude I'm going to lose about 15% of the NA power. The Shelby has irresponsible amounts of power and torque, but I have to admit it's fun to scoot around town. Also, I added an mgw shifter to the Shelby, which I really like. I've heard there is some controversy about the manual shifter in the Corvette. What are thoughts on that?

 

What controversy are you speaking about? The M7 is pretty solid.

 

On this forum I've seen it mentioned that the shifter is kind of a weak point in these cars.

 

Thanks for the interesting review. As others have mentioned, it is really hard to test drive Corvettes, so it was fun to see your review.

 

I will step up.

The shifter in the c7 is, meh. I never miss a shift just driving around. However, trying to execute a "no-lift" shift, I frequently slam into the shift gate and miss 3rd. I assume this would be a problem on a similar 4 to 5 shift but never find myself doing 130+ in a race situation. It is not just me either, A lot of the GS reviews I have read mentioned it too.

I plan to order an MGW shifter soon.

 

The 7th forward gear creates a 4th row of gears. So now there are 2 neutral positions. The normal one between rows with 1-2 and 3-4... and a new one between the row with 3-4 and 5-6. That second N position makes it tricky to move the shifter up and over. You got to move it over just the right amount or you will miss 3 and end up in 5. Or miss 5 and end up in 7

 

That worries me. I'm getting pretty spoiled with shifters:. GT4, which is one of the best stock shifters ever produced, I think, as well as a Dinan shift kit with a 3 series and the MGW on the Shelby. It would be a bummer to get rid of either the Shelby or the GT4, and then find out the shifting experience is unpleasant in the Corvette. For that matter, is the shifter the same in the Z as the base and GS?

 

Same shifter yes but changing them out to aftermarket is really easy even for me, not really a gear head guy. I have the Hinson but on a do-over I'd go with the MGW.

 

The OEM shifter is only a prone to missed shifts when you drive it for the first time. The "controversy" was largely created by a few magazine reviewers when they drove the car for the first time. No one completely masters a new manual immediately, and if they say the do, they're either delusional or lying.

All manuals and shifters are a little bit different. A few days of experience, and it's a non-issue, and as good or better or than as any OEM manual and shifter I've owned. That's more than 2 dozen. I've never seen a better one, including Porsche. It Tremec 6070 quite stout and capable of handling much more torque.

Now the rear half-shafts may be a different matter.

 

I see what you're saying. Like theplatinumog said, the gates are tight. I wouldn't necessarily say the M7 is "weak". The construction is quite solid.

I've had mine for 5 months and its just taken time to get used to being precise running through the gates.

 

I disagree with Foosh - and agree with theplatinummog

- my description of the M7 is it's vague....

I've been rowing gears in cars for more than 60 years... never had as much trouble with shifting as I have had in the C7 - EVER.

 

You can defiantly see the difference. The Z is a much wider car, looks even more menacing with the Z07 package.

 

Yup, I really liked the C7. The Z has alot of power, probally more than you will ever need on the street. I was suprised when i slammed the gas in the Z from about 30 mph and didn't here the rear tires break loose, they gripped and damn was it fast. The cup tires will give even more grip. Enjoy your ride!

 

I changed the shifter on mine to A Core Hurst for appearance reasons.I never had trouble shifting with the original one.
The problem that I see is when people want to shift fast when they usually don't then they tend to miss A gear every now and then.

 

Lol. I never missed a shift yet in my m7.

I only been driving manuals for like 18 years but I got in my z for the test drive and had zero issues rowing the gears or finding them.

Idk what's up with you guys lol

 

Give it some time and practice.