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For me, the 3LT interior just isn't worth the extra $. And while I really like the various carbon fiber pieces available, that stuff is more expensive than its wort (to me). ANd I agree with others that the cost of the factory dual stripes is crazy expensive
On the flip side, the heated/cooled seats are important to me whil eothers have said they could do without (the heating sucks anyway).
I prever to use Waze for Nav but I kind of like haveing the PDR although I havent used it much.
We all have our certain things that make our car more enjoyable
I sometimes think I might have been just about as satisified with a Z51 Stingray 1LT
Very happy driver of a '17 GSCE # 663 3LT with almost all the goodies offered.
I wish I had the Comp Seats, but the switch out seems too much time/effort.
I think the transparent roof would be cool, but I already have a roof I can pop out in 2 min if I want.
I really like to look of "real" Carbon fiber, the depth, look of texture vs my carbon flash, I will be slowly replacing all
"Flash" stuff with 100 % carbon. Just popped out my hood vent today, for sale tomorrow, here.
But VERY happy driver, 1st Vette ever, 1st GM ever, 1st American car since my 1970 GTO.
Value in terms of resale is one thing. Value to the owner is another. Usually the higher optioned cars depreciate the most over time on a percentage basis.
Another Vette had Spice Red Design Package for $3,000. I could not see other than the color change to the interior what was the benefit of that option. Just get one with a regular red interior and spend $3,000 on some real performance options.
You missed a main benefit for Spice Red! First it only comes in a 3LT. Also it is the only color where GM did not go "on the cheap" and make the 3LT Interior, particularly the dash look like a patch work quilt, IMO! They also reduced the amount of seat colored leather on the doors!
Background
I had a 3LT 2014 with Kalahari interior. The dash and doors had mostly Kalahari leather. Thought it looked great and matched the wife's Porsche Cayenne SUV she had at the time. Loved it and might have ordered it for my Grand Sport.
Then in ~2016 they got "cheap" and stripped it and all of colors (except black) back to what you can buy today!
I don't have Spice Red as it wasn't the color I wanted and did not "need to have" the other "extra" 3LT "stuff," so a 2LT was fine for my Grand Sport. I liked my 2014 3LT Kalahari but would not even consider it for the Grand Sport! IMO GM lost some folks upgrading to a 3LT with that cheap move!
I’m going to turn the table 180 degrees. The best option value IMO is the two tone seat/interior option (TU7) which also includes red stitching throughout. Cost was only $295.00.
An even better value is to order the gray seats with a 1LT interior, gives you gray carpets as well and gives you a two tone gray/black look for no cost at all.
As time goes on, the options you've added to your new C7 will be worthless in the resale market anyways. You just need to look at the prices of used C5s and C6s right now, you won't get any extra money for the cars that have the top trim level or Z51 or the transparent roof, etc. The value is determined by the overall condition of the car and the mileage on it.
And even in the short term, extra options don't add much value. If you add $15,000 in options and sell your car 2 years later you probably won't even get $5000 extra compared to the same car with zero options.
Bummer, I just ordered the transparent roof as an adjunct to my solid painted one.
Still driving a C6 here but following threads like this to get more information on options. I happen to like anything but black wheels and will probably be ordering a white with dual silver full length stripe 2LT Stingray in the future. What I don't understand is why somebody would pay for a custom VIN? That would be one of my choices for overpriced options.
I sought out and purchased a 2014 Premiere Edition convertible (#219 of 550), and yes, a LOT of options are part & parcel of that package. I just liked the car, the color, and I typically order my Corvettes "loaded up" anyway . . . so no regrets, it's exactly what I wanted. As far as value, I just MAY recover a bit of the purchase price premium due to the added collectability of the Premiere Edition - but there's certainly no guarantee of that. These cars tend to generate quite a bit of collector interest, and I constantly get offers to buy it - but they aren't everyone's cup of tea. While the Lime Rock Green color and the chrome wheels may be absolute turn-offs for some, they are absolute must-haves for others.
So, buy the car you like, equipped they way you like, and enjoy it. Those who buy new Corvettes looking at them as an investment are disappointed more often than not. The value of the options you choose should be their value to YOU, not the NEXT owner. That's a poor reason for buying one of these great cars, IMHO.
An even better value is to order the gray seats with a 1LT interior, gives you gray carpets as well and gives you a two tone gray/black look for no cost at all.
Hmm, reminded of my Japanese friend! When you went to his home, there was a place to put your shoes and slip on a pair of saddles that were at that location!
Customer Engine Build Program $5,000
Customer Selectable VIN $5,000
$5000 is about what I paid for the ZZ502 Chevy Crate Engine I put in my ProStreet Rod (~17 years ago!) Assembled from some 30 boxes in the crate you get the same experience and could use it for a display in the garage or sell it! More power than an LT1!
You missed a main benefit for Spice Red! First it only comes in a 3LT. Also it is the only color where GM did not go "on the cheap" and make the 3LT Interior, particularly the dash look like a patch work quilt, IMO! They also reduced the amount of seat colored leather on the doors!
Background
I had a 3LT 2014 with Kalahari interior. The dash and doors had mostly Kalahari leather. Thought it looked great and matched the wife's Porsche Cayenne SUV she had at the time. Loved it and might have ordered it for my Grand Sport.
Then in ~2016 they got "cheap" and stripped it and all of colors (except black) back to what you can buy today!
I don't have Spice Red as it wasn't the color I wanted and did not "need to have" the other "extra" 3LT "stuff," so a 2LT was fine for my Grand Sport. I liked my 2014 3LT Kalahari but would not even consider it for the Grand Sport! IMO GM lost some folks upgrading to a 3LT with that cheap move!
ALL ABOVE ARE 3LT INTERIORS
I totally agree with you about the cheapo move GM made in 2016 by eliminating the full Kalahari interior. I love my 2015 3LT full Kalahari interior and would have gotten a 2LT if I was buying the car in 2016.
Most will disagree with me, but to me "value" is in the eyes of the owner, and also many times should be measured on how a option or part is available in the aftermarket and at what cost.
A good example to me is the GM Carbon Fiber Splitter and side skirts. I dont recall the exact option price, but I was able to find real carbon fiber versions of these parts at about 50-60% lower (with the same or better quality.
Now, on the flip side, i ordered the b92 exposed carbon fiber hood. I know its just me, but I could not stand the thought of buying such an expensive car (Z06), and then have a big vinyl sticker on the hood. But i have to confess that i love the carbon fiber accents on my white car, and have replaced all of the carbon flash painted components with carbon fiber, all the way down to the wheel caps on the hre wheels.
(though I did have short-term indigestion over ordering the hood).
From a "value" perspective, changing all of the carbon fiber pardts provide very little value (in terms of re-sale value), but have usually kept my vettes 8 to 10 years and the parts make me smile when I look at them, so I feel I have great value (since it makes me happy).
So, value can be measured in many ways, though I do believe the original poster may have been asking in financial terms.
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Originally Posted by GM'er
Customer Engine Build Program $5,000
Customer Selectable VIN $5,000
and would add the painted calipers to the mix. Yes painted calipers look very good, but it's a rather high price to pay when you can paint them yourself for a fraction of the cost. JMO.
I can see where you're coming from but at the same time, value is determined by the buyer and since so many of us have different tastes, we might have value in one thing that someone else finds useless. Additionally, like you mentioned getting a sweet deal on your ride, there are several owners who purchased a car with more options than maybe they were looking for because the dealer was practically giving the car away.
That being said, I think we can all agree that the 'dealer installed tint and protective door jam blah blah blah' BS for ~$1,000 is probably the biggest waste of money
03-12-2018, 10:49 PM
$5000 is about what I paid for the ZZ502 Chevy Crate Engine I put in my ProStreet Rod (~17 years ago!) Assembled from some 30 boxes in the crate you get the same experience and could use it for a display in the garage or sell it! More power than an LT1! 
