Yep...another help me decide thread
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 60
From: Fredericksburg VA
Yep...another help me decide thread
Hello all,
So to start, after having to sell my C4 back in the day when my son was born, and then having a few other cars along the way to include a Pontiac GTO and a Grand National, I'm ready to finally get back into a Corvette. So I know the saying that everyone has "buy the newest one you can with the lowest mileage". That being said, I'm considering three C7's, but all a little different from each other if you factor in the options and packages that you can get. Which one makes the most sense in your mind; all are about the same amount of money, 42-43k, give or take a few hundred dollars.
Option 1- 2017 Black on Black 1Lt, 1200 miles. Pretty base car, but still newest in my selection. Factory warranty is nice to still have. At a dealer.
Option 2- 2015 Shark Grey with Red Interior Z51 2LT, 34,000 miles. Has a lot of options to include carbon fiber, PDR, aftermarket Cray wheels. Private seller. Warranty is probably expired if not getting close.
Option 3- 2014 Midnight Blue with Grey Interior, Z51 2LT, 19,500 miles. Chrome wheels, Lloyds mats, no NPP, Engine for life warranty from dealer.
I know this is a tough "first world" decision to make, but I can justify why each of them makes sense in my mind.
So to start, after having to sell my C4 back in the day when my son was born, and then having a few other cars along the way to include a Pontiac GTO and a Grand National, I'm ready to finally get back into a Corvette. So I know the saying that everyone has "buy the newest one you can with the lowest mileage". That being said, I'm considering three C7's, but all a little different from each other if you factor in the options and packages that you can get. Which one makes the most sense in your mind; all are about the same amount of money, 42-43k, give or take a few hundred dollars.
Option 1- 2017 Black on Black 1Lt, 1200 miles. Pretty base car, but still newest in my selection. Factory warranty is nice to still have. At a dealer.
Option 2- 2015 Shark Grey with Red Interior Z51 2LT, 34,000 miles. Has a lot of options to include carbon fiber, PDR, aftermarket Cray wheels. Private seller. Warranty is probably expired if not getting close.
Option 3- 2014 Midnight Blue with Grey Interior, Z51 2LT, 19,500 miles. Chrome wheels, Lloyds mats, no NPP, Engine for life warranty from dealer.
I know this is a tough "first world" decision to make, but I can justify why each of them makes sense in my mind.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 60
From: Fredericksburg VA
The 1LT is what is on my mind as well... I would like the other amenities that come with the 2LT and why I waiver back to the other choices on my list.
The '17 isn't certified pre-owned, but they already have it at such a huge discount that I'm thinking that would be out of my pocket.
The '17 isn't certified pre-owned, but they already have it at such a huge discount that I'm thinking that would be out of my pocket.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 159
From: Minot ND
At least 2lt. you really want the PDR and mag ride. Heads up display is a necessity once you are used to it. IPO unless you intend to track your car, the Z51 does nothing for you. Mag ride is better. Lots of 17's still on dealer floors with steep discounts, plus you'll get to go to Spring Mt. That's the only way you'll ever know just how good these cars are.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,280
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
You have a variety of colors. Zero in on that. Decide your color and look around. I know its spring but the time to buy is Fall when dealers like to shed their sport car inventory.
As far as the options, decide what you want. PDR overrated, there are cheaper and better options.
There is nothing wrong with a 1 LT and you can customize it to be yours.
As far as the options, decide what you want. PDR overrated, there are cheaper and better options.
There is nothing wrong with a 1 LT and you can customize it to be yours.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 60
From: Fredericksburg VA
This is where I'm a little handcuffed by the wife. She would ideally like to be in the neighborhood of 40-42k. I'd like to have the Z51 but I'm thinking at least the 2LT and as new as I can...a combo of both would be awesome.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 982
Likes: 151
Option 3. - it has the a6 transmission and not the a8. Read torque converter replacement 2015-2017. Option 3 - Z51, 2lt, low mileage. Good price, If it has exposed carbon fiber roof than that’s $1,000 in your favor. If it has competition seats that’s $1,000 in your favor. Npp not needed because it’s still too quiet. Option 2 has high mileage but not a killer. Option 1 - 1lt but potential torque converter issues down the road. It took 9 months from when I decided to buy to be able to. I decided on 2014 Z51 3lt 8700 miles, private seller $44,500. It had exposed carbon fiber roof that I sold for $1,800 and I bought a transparent top for $750. My info is from viewing car seller sites twice per day for 9 months and viewing this site twice per day for 9 months.
Last edited by Johnp94; Apr 26, 2018 at 11:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 60
From: Fredericksburg VA
Thank you 
They are all manual transmissions, since I like to shift my own gears so the A6 vs A8 isn't really a concern for me. Option 3 has the transparent roof and GT seats. I'm going to be pretty picky and will probably shop for a while as well, but these all looked like nice options to start my search.
They are all manual transmissions, since I like to shift my own gears so the A6 vs A8 isn't really a concern for me. Option 3 has the transparent roof and GT seats. I'm going to be pretty picky and will probably shop for a while as well, but these all looked like nice options to start my search.
Option 3. - it has the a6 transmission and not the a8. Read torque converter replacement 2015-2017. Option 3 - Z51, 2lt, low mileage. Buy that car for $41,000 and no more. If it has exposed carbon fiber roof than that’s $1,000 in your favor. If it has competition seats that’s $1,000 in your favor. $41,000 is the going value for that car. Buy it. Option 2 has high mileage but not a killer. Option 1 - 1lt but potential torque converter issues down the road. It took 9 months from when I decided to buy to be able to. I decided on 2014 Z51 3lt 8700 miles, private seller $44,500. It had exposed carbon fiber roof that I sold for $1,800 and I bought a transparent top for $750. If option 3 was on eBay the highest bid would be $39,000. My info is from viewing eBay twice per day for 9 months and viewing this site twice per day for 9 months.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 1,039
From: Georgetown CA
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
$44,982... https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8355/overview/
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray WZ51 2LT MANUAL Coupe with only 24,000 miles! Daytona Sunrise Orange over Jet Black Leather Interior. Options Include: 7 Speed Manual Transmission, 2LT Package, NAVIGATION, Magnetic Ride Control, Back Up Camera, Heads Up Display, Power Front Seats, Heated Front Seats, Ventilated Front Seats, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Removeable Roof Panel, Black Wheels and much more.
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray WZ51 2LT MANUAL Coupe with only 24,000 miles! Daytona Sunrise Orange over Jet Black Leather Interior. Options Include: 7 Speed Manual Transmission, 2LT Package, NAVIGATION, Magnetic Ride Control, Back Up Camera, Heads Up Display, Power Front Seats, Heated Front Seats, Ventilated Front Seats, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Removeable Roof Panel, Black Wheels and much more.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 60
From: Fredericksburg VA
And it's even local to me 
$44,982... https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...8355/overview/
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray WZ51 2LT MANUAL Coupe with only 24,000 miles! Daytona Sunrise Orange over Jet Black Leather Interior. Options Include: 7 Speed Manual Transmission, 2LT Package, NAVIGATION, Magnetic Ride Control, Back Up Camera, Heads Up Display, Power Front Seats, Heated Front Seats, Ventilated Front Seats, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Removeable Roof Panel, Black Wheels and much more.
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray WZ51 2LT MANUAL Coupe with only 24,000 miles! Daytona Sunrise Orange over Jet Black Leather Interior. Options Include: 7 Speed Manual Transmission, 2LT Package, NAVIGATION, Magnetic Ride Control, Back Up Camera, Heads Up Display, Power Front Seats, Heated Front Seats, Ventilated Front Seats, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Removeable Roof Panel, Black Wheels and much more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
IMO for a mostly touring 'vette, a Stingray 2LT offers great bang for the buck... I'd agree with looking for a new '17 (some '16s are still on the lot) You'll get a great deal on a new car with full warranty.
My concern about any used 'vette is that they are capable of stunning performance, but not all 'vette owners know how to properly use that capability, which can create problems for the next owner... The last step before opening your wallet should be a trip to a Corvette dealer to confirm no warranty-busting mods or tunes have been installed...
My concern about any used 'vette is that they are capable of stunning performance, but not all 'vette owners know how to properly use that capability, which can create problems for the next owner... The last step before opening your wallet should be a trip to a Corvette dealer to confirm no warranty-busting mods or tunes have been installed...
