Steve_R

One of the dumbest things I've read here in a very long time, and that's saying a lot.

SD_Dave

Amen brother!

iclick

I had a 2015 base car without MRSC and now have a 2017 GS with it. I'd have to say that any ride differences are notable only when the GS is in Sport or Track mode, not Tour. The GS is a bit firmer in Tour but not markedly so, IMO.

A friend has a 2016 base with MRSC and we took back-to-back rides in both cars to compare, both agreeing the difference was barely noticeable. I have a bad hip and drove the GS 1622 miles in three days from MacMulkin and another 1200-mile round trip last summer without discomfort. What constitutes an acceptable ride is subjective, but I'll wager that you'll love the GS.

JerryU

"Comfortable" is a relative word depending on the person! I drove a Z51 for 3 1/2 years and it did not have mag shocks. It had stiff springs, a large sway bar in front and one in the rear the base car does not have. It also had 45mm versus the base cars 36mm shocks. Ride was fine for me-but I'm only 75!

Now have a Grand Sport that comes with mag shocks. I can validate what GM says is the ride stiffness comparision.

The base car with less stiff springs, small front sway bar, none in the rear and 36mm shocks is softest.

GM says the Z51 with mag shocks (assume GS is similar) set at Touring is next softest.

Next stiffest they say is the Z51 without mag shocks. I can validate the ride is somewhat softer in my Grand Sport than my Z51 when set at Toring-BUT not a lot!

Next stiffest is the Z51 with mag shocks set at Sport. I can validate that and although I like a firm ride and we have relatively good roads in Eastern SC I find the ride in Sport stiffer than I like so I drive mostly in Touring.

Siffest is the Z51 set at Track. I can validate what what one person stated. Set at Track you can feel if you go over a dime!


Your choice. For a long trip I prefer the wife's BMW X5 SUV for many reasons! Ride is good, less stiff than my Grand Sport set at Touring but most important I sit up high and can go over the many 18 wheeler tire treads on the Interstate without destroying a $1200 carbon fiber splitter! Buddy without a splitter wrapped one around a rear axle of his Vette! A lot of damage.

Love the Grand Sport for where I drive in our rural area where I can avoid the interstate! (It is a smooth ride on the Interstate, when I use it.) My 5th Vette. All have had HD suspension, would have nothing else-expect for long trips! Don't get me wrong it's not as bad as the CJ5 Jeep I had and about the same as the modified S10 truck with HD suspension relative to ride!

Recall a poster who unfortunately like many bought a Grand Sport because they liked the looks! He asked if he could change the suspension to that of base car! Best to trade for a base car! In addition, if getting a Z51 or Grand Sport be prepared to change brake pads as the dust from the OEM pads on my Z51 caused me to to switch to ceramic brake pads or I was cleaning he wheels every ~100 miles. They not only looked bad the dust was pitting my black wheels. Had no issue with the Grand Sport as I had ceramic pads purchased that I installed when I brought it home with 30 miles on the OD!

Just Sayn'! Unless you intend to push the car near the limit the base car handles just fine!

iclick

I'll agree with you about the ride difference from first-hand experience, but not the part about the handling prowess of the base car. Even a base C7 without MRSC can reach skidpad numbers of >1G, which is better than 99% of cars on the road as well as most other sports cars. In fact, GM claims 1.0G for the base and 1.02G for the GS without Z07, and nobody will notice that difference. I've had both and can say that the base car has a very slight bit more lean in corners, but I never found the cornering to be anything other than stellar. The GS is snappier due to its wider tires and suspension tuning (tires, sway bars, etc.) with a ride that is comparable to a base car, IMO, but I would never say the base car is anything but an able performer in cornering.

Rebel Yell

Scuff said what I was thinking. Unless it makes a difference to you the base without the mag ride would be my suggestion. We took ours on a approx 6K mile road trip right after we brought it home. Very comfortable ride over long distances. With that said I say go with your gut, and don't fret the differences. You certainly don't want to be driving down the road saying "I wish I would have bought the......." Good luck on your decision, whichever you decide on will be a great road car.

Steve_R

Yup, pretty much end of discussion. GS isn't for cold temps or any snow/ice until/unless AS tires are available.

/thread

silvertc6

I have to admit that I do love the wide body look but all other considerations seem to clearly suggesting the base model for the reasons you kindly pointed out. One other consideration which has not yet been mentioned is the difference in clearance from the road surface if any between the GS and the base stingray. It appears that the GS is lower to the road. Is there a difference?. Many thanks.

Walt White Coupe

I believe the ground clearance stock is the same.

jtranger

I was under the impression these were non run flats. If they are run flats that is the way to go.

Avanti

I can only speak to the base C7 and my C5. I bought the C7 nearly two months ago from Kerbeck's and drove it home (1600 miles) in two day. I found it surprisingly comfortable and much more so than my C5 coupe... much better seats, imho.

Also, the new run-flats (C7 base now comes with 19/20s) are SOOOOOO much better than the ones that came on the C5s, which I ditched soon after delivery. Current ones are surprisingly UNobnoxious on the highway under most conditions (well, apart from I-70 in eastern Indiana; worst roads of my entire trip home, but anything would be bad on it).

Steve_R

They are ZP (run flat) tires. I just put them on mine last week. See the linked thread for a review of them.

rb185afm

I absolutely notice the difference in handling between the base and GS. The lack of rear sway bar in he Base is very apparent to those who live for the tack. Best mod I did was add Z51 sway bars to my base. I personally could not stand the sloppy feel of the rear with no sway bar. I hated how it handled and still can’t believe a C7 comes without sway bars. If your not sliding sideways out of corners it’s probably a mute point. But there is a real tangible handing difference. I suspect most people saying otherwise don’t push hard in corners.

Steve_R

Of course there’s a difference on a track. Most Corvettes, regardless of generation, have never seen and will never see a track. The OP is asking for advice about long pleasure trips, not track time.

traderfjp

I had mag ride and now I have the base suspension and I can't tell a difference. It is nice to say you have it but if you need or want to save money I would ditch the mag ride.

village idiot

1.00 for the base (non z51?) I was far faster through turns in my GS than even my Z51. I find it hard to believe the base (non z51) can pull a full G. That would be pretty impressive.

village idiot

I can't imagine anyone who cares about handling to get a car without a rear sway bar if they can afford the Z51 package.

F4 Phantom

Why not. My 14 C7 has MSRC .

rb185afm

Agreed for the most part, my response was for other reading this thread, who might think they handle the same. They do not, and I can tell the difference on the street. Granted, most people who buy vette’s probably can’t tell, or care. I just hate seeing misinformation spread based off of poor driving ability. I bought my wife’s base model off of bad intel of its track ability. The base is horrible on track. Brakes are a joke, and lack of sways gives to much body roll. I overheated the brakes on my warm up lap!

Had to throw in an edit. All that said, I love driving my wife’s base. It does not have the grip or brakes, but it’s actually just as fun if not more fun on the street, as it does not have my crazy track alignment, and turns in much more quickly. As a result, at a slower pace it actually feels “lighter on its feet”, and is more entertaining sliding around on a spirited street drive (with upgraded brake pads and Z51 sway bars). Point being, as others have correctly pointed out, if not on a track, pushing as hard as you can, you will love any C7. It’s an amazing platform, and I love all models. I park my cars next to Lambos and Ferrari’s and still find my eye drawn to the C7. Pick the model that suites your needs and you will be good to go. Long live the C7!

driver9

I never plan to track my Corvette, so I bought a base car with M7. It has been great. I drive it hard and have thought about putting a rear sway bar on it.

One of the great things about the base Stingray is that it is a bit cheaper on maintenance, and less hassle with regard to things like brake pad dust.

On one level I would love to have the magnetic suspension, but I think active handling is too intrusive unless I'm in Track mode. With the mag suspension, being in Track mode would mean the suspension would be much too stiff for street use, meaning it doesn't deal with road hazards well (according to Chevy IIRC). The car really needs to let you choose your active handling setting separate from mag ride setting.

Since I have a 2016, I got to have the 18/19" tires which I prefer for street use. The slightly greater ground clearance of the base Stingray was/is desirable due to the ramp angle of my driveway apron. I don't know if the new Stingray still has the higher ground clearance.

FWIW. YMMV. LSMFT.


Whatever you decide on will be a delight.

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