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The Grand Sport exists, so why bother with the Z51?
What do you guys think about this article?
The Grand Sport exists, so why are so many Corvette buyers still bothering with fully-loaded Z51s?
This is going to spark some hate, but if you want you want to buy a loaded Z51, you’re buying the wrong Corvette. The Z51 existed as a way for Corvette owners to get extra performance from a standard Corvette without jumping up to the track-ready Z06. Now that the Grand Sport is in production, buying a loaded Z51 feels like a waste of money.
This debate started when desibaba posted in the forum asking if the Z51 had been discontinued for 2018. He hadn’t seen any at dealers and wondered if the Grand Sport had killed the model off. What followed is a long thread confirming (and defending) the Z51’s existence.
Supporters say that the Z51 is easier to get tires for, its narrow body looks nicer, and it’s a better daily driver. This is where we take issue.
The Corvette in general is a wonderful daily driver. But if you’re adding every performance option available, including the MR dampers, any Corvette has a “worse” ride, whether it’s a GS or a Z51. Why would you throw thousands of dollars at go-faster parts, then stop at wide tires and say “no, that’s a deal-breaker?”
We understand that much of the Corvette community is made up of people who want a beautiful sports car that blends comfort with great performance, but this feels like a step too far. Ride harshness is one of the biggest factors for daily-driving, and the Z51 gets a full suspension rework even before the Magnetic Ride option. We also happen to think the wide body is the best-looking car by a million miles. And the added performance you can get with wider tires just makes sense.
We will make an exception and say that getting the Z51 is acceptable if you skip the MR dampers, the aero options and the PTM system. But if you’re tacking on every performance option you can, the Grand Sport is the only intelligent choice. Especially considering how small the price jump is between the two cars.
There are numerous reasons one might buy a loaded Z51 rather than a GS. Perhaps they like the narrow body look, but want an upgraded suspension and gear set. Perhaps they want a wider selection of tires - particularly if they live in a northern state and want to drive the car more than just summer. Perhaps they plan road trip it and can get a better ride with the mag shocks and narrower tires. Perhaps they want performance but longer tire life. Perhaps. . . . . .
Plenty of reasons.
The fact the site editors would put this garbage forth is testament again (if any was really needed), that the whole lot of them needed canned.
There are numerous reasons one might buy a loaded Z51 rather than a GS. Perhaps they like the narrow body look, but want an upgraded suspension and gear set. Perhaps they want a wider selection of tires - particularly if they live in a northern state and want to drive the car more than just summer. Perhaps they plan road trip it and can get a better ride with the mag shocks and narrower tires. Perhaps they want performance but longer tire life. Perhaps. . . . . .
Plenty of reasons.
The fact the site editors would put this garbage forth is testament again (if any was really needed), that the whole lot of them needed canned.
Supporters say that the Z51 is easier to get tires for, its narrow body looks nicer, and it’s a better daily driver. This is where we take issue.
So what if you take issue? The first point is objectively true. The second and third points are opinion and preference. What is there for you to "take issue" with? It's like "taking issue" with the fact you like black, but I like Long Beach Red. Like most all articles on Corvette Forum, there's a notable lack of substance.
All the talk of what's better or best is completely subjective. I got the GS because I like the widebody look and didn't want the added expense and complexity of a supercharged car - not to mention I wouldn't trust myself with that much HP in a dailly driver
Get what you want - whatever makes you happy when you plant your butt behind the wheel - and take everyone else's opinion for what it's worth.
One of the great reasons for the posed questions which lead to articles is to promote discussion. The Z51-equipped Corvette is a worthwhile alternative to a wide-body and more expense. It is also an alternative look different from, but similar to a GS buyer not wanting the higher performance, and cost, of a Z06.
If GM and Corvette continue the Z51 option it will find buyers. Of course that depends to an extent on the new models, and options coming out soon. We will see.
Everyone has a reason for buying the Vette they bought. People on this forum have passed judgement on others for buying what they bought. I prefer the narrow body and if I buy another C7, it will be a narrow body with 3LT trim.
I have to say, I am really getting tired of these threads/articles. The C7 is awesome. Period. From the base Stingray up to the 3LZ. Each one is made for a reason and fits a market and a buyer who has specific likes and budgets. As we are Corvette breathren here, bashing any owner for whatever Corvette they chose to buy is insensitive and ignorant. Lets support each other instead of trying to make others feel lesser.
.......after staring at their purchase some feel the need to boost their own decisions by deriding (and over simplifying); much of what passes as discussion/disagreement is based on statements that use bredth to replace depth. Besides making broad brush statements are easier to make....
I had a C6 GS 3LT conv. and when my lovely bride allowed me the chance at one more Vette purchase before retiring I chose the Z51 Conv. 7MT 1LT because I wanted to "downsize" into a Vette that drove/felt smaller.....
I respectfully disagree with you, Disababa. I simply prefer the Z51 (loaded) over the Grand Sport. I personally do not prefer the look of the Grand Sport, never have in any model year, nor the "look like a Z06, but not really one" concept (I hope no one takes offense). Bottom line, it's my money, and it's my choice what I want to buy. I don't see why you would even care either way. Just sayin'.
Originally Posted by desibaba
What do you guys think about this article?
The Grand Sport exists, so why are so many Corvette buyers still bothering with fully-loaded Z51s?
This is going to spark some hate, but if you want you want to buy a loaded Z51, you’re buying the wrong Corvette. The Z51 existed as a way for Corvette owners to get extra performance from a standard Corvette without jumping up to the track-ready Z06. Now that the Grand Sport is in production, buying a loaded Z51 feels like a waste of money.
This debate started when desibaba posted in the forum asking if the Z51 had been discontinued for 2018. He hadn’t seen any at dealers and wondered if the Grand Sport had killed the model off. What followed is a long thread confirming (and defending) the Z51’s existence.
Supporters say that the Z51 is easier to get tires for, its narrow body looks nicer, and it’s a better daily driver. This is where we take issue.
The Corvette in general is a wonderful daily driver. But if you’re adding every performance option available, including the MR dampers, any Corvette has a “worse” ride, whether it’s a GS or a Z51. Why would you throw thousands of dollars at go-faster parts, then stop at wide tires and say “no, that’s a deal-breaker?”
We understand that much of the Corvette community is made up of people who want a beautiful sports car that blends comfort with great performance, but this feels like a step too far. Ride harshness is one of the biggest factors for daily-driving, and the Z51 gets a full suspension rework even before the Magnetic Ride option. We also happen to think the wide body is the best-looking car by a million miles. And the added performance you can get with wider tires just makes sense.
We will make an exception and say that getting the Z51 is acceptable if you skip the MR dampers, the aero options and the PTM system. But if you’re tacking on every performance option you can, the Grand Sport is the only intelligent choice. Especially considering how small the price jump is between the two cars.
I will probably be in the market to buy a Corvette next year and I'm considering both. Personally I love the wide body looks but I also like the fact that the Z51 has 99.9% of the performance but its tires are cheaper to start with and there are more options. I would consider getting a set of Mich AS3s or something just so I can enjoy it on cold but dry winter days. If I lived in the south and never planned on traveling north then I would go with the GS hands down. But even southern states get cold sometimes.
The marketplace clearly shows that there is a place for the Z51 which means far more than the drooling of a wanna be journalist. I own a Z06 because it is the most desirable model for me. Standard C7, Z51, and GS variant owners have the same logical reasons for choosing their desired model.
A better question might be, "are too many wanna be reviewers/journalists a bigger problem than too many Corvette variants". Coming from a marketing background I am in favor of providing as close to what the customer truly wants as possible and having these C7 variants fits with that desired state.
The Grand Sport exists, so why are so many Corvette buyers still bothering with fully-loaded Z51s?
This is going to spark some hate, but if you want you want to buy a loaded Z51, you’re buying the wrong Corvette. The Z51 existed as a way for Corvette owners to get extra performance from a standard Corvette without jumping up to the track-ready Z06. Now that the Grand Sport is in production, buying a loaded Z51 feels like a waste of money.
This debate started when desibaba posted in the forum asking if the Z51 had been discontinued for 2018. He hadn’t seen any at dealers and wondered if the Grand Sport had killed the model off. What followed is a long thread confirming (and defending) the Z51’s existence.
Supporters say that the Z51 is easier to get tires for, its narrow body looks nicer, and it’s a better daily driver. This is where we take issue.
The Corvette in general is a wonderful daily driver. But if you’re adding every performance option available, including the MR dampers, any Corvette has a “worse” ride, whether it’s a GS or a Z51. Why would you throw thousands of dollars at go-faster parts, then stop at wide tires and say “no, that’s a deal-breaker?”
We understand that much of the Corvette community is made up of people who want a beautiful sports car that blends comfort with great performance, but this feels like a step too far. Ride harshness is one of the biggest factors for daily-driving, and the Z51 gets a full suspension rework even before the Magnetic Ride option. We also happen to think the wide body is the best-looking car by a million miles. And the added performance you can get with wider tires just makes sense.
We will make an exception and say that getting the Z51 is acceptable if you skip the MR dampers, the aero options and the PTM system. But if you’re tacking on every performance option you can, the Grand Sport is the only intelligent choice. Especially considering how small the price jump is between the two cars.
This article reaches new heights of "if you don't agree with my opinion, you're wrong" type thinking.
The Forum editors have posted some really dumb articles and made some incredibly biased statements, but this one has to be the penultimate stupid article.
08-30-2017, 04:59 PM
The Grand Sport exists, so why bother with the Z51?
