The "little options"
08-16-2018, 08:56 AM
#41
Last edited by Zaphod B; 08-16-2018 at 08:56 AM.
08-16-2018, 02:25 PM
#43
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
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Luke, the most popular options are the options you want. I agree with Steven (Bell), Many can be bought aftermarket at better prices. You can also check the "Member Marketplace" on the forum. You may find OEM take-offs at an even better prices. One of the most fun things about a Corvette is making it your own by installing mods you like. Good luck, and post pics when you get that baby home.
08-16-2018, 09:35 PM
#45
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks to everyone who responded, its been very very informative reading the replies and the advice will not be ignored. Seems to me the problem with looking for a used C7 (which is where I started) is when you mentally settle on a certain interior and exterior color combo, a transmission choice, a body style etc and then go shopping it seems impossible to get a match up. That, plus it seems the C7 holds its value extremely well, so you end up saying "well at that price maybe I should go with a new car and get exactly what I want". I'm sure I'm not the first forum member to go through it. 
08-16-2018, 10:00 PM
#46
You asked and I didn't see it answered, the red or yellow stitching is only available with the 3LT option and includes
matching red or yellow shifter paddles. It is a $395 option and can be found under interior options. GLWP
matching red or yellow shifter paddles. It is a $395 option and can be found under interior options. GLWP
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Luke-44 (08-17-2018)
08-17-2018, 11:14 AM
#47
Le Mans Master
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Thanks to everyone who responded, its been very very informative reading the replies and the advice will not be ignored. Seems to me the problem with looking for a used C7 (which is where I started) is when you mentally settle on a certain interior and exterior color combo, a transmission choice, a body style etc and then go shopping it seems impossible to get a match up. That, plus it seems the C7 holds its value extremely well, so you end up saying "well at that price maybe I should go with a new car and get exactly what I want". I'm sure I'm not the first forum member to go through it.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; 08-17-2018 at 11:15 AM.
08-17-2018, 01:06 PM
#48
Burning Brakes
do the splash guards yourself. Takes about a minute per wheel. Will save over $100. I only do options that I can't do myself. If its an accessory or easy to install part, look for it on the web and save some money
Last edited by Frosty; 08-17-2018 at 01:08 PM.
08-17-2018, 01:15 PM
#49
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
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Thanks to everyone who responded, its been very very informative reading the replies and the advice will not be ignored. Seems to me the problem with looking for a used C7 (which is where I started) is when you mentally settle on a certain interior and exterior color combo, a transmission choice, a body style etc and then go shopping it seems impossible to get a match up. That, plus it seems the C7 holds its value extremely well, so you end up saying "well at that price maybe I should go with a new car and get exactly what I want". I'm sure I'm not the first forum member to go through it.
My Grand Sport
Easy to buy, no hassle or haggling with a dealer. Knew what I wanted and a 10 minute call to Kerbeck got it on order. Since they are the largest Vette dealer, often selling 1200 a year they order cars all the time. That is the quickest you’ll get one built. If an option or part is “constrained’“ to say 20% of all Dealer orders (you can look up what that means) and they are ordering so many you’ll also be likely to get it quickly!
Their prices for an ordered red car will be about the same as the ~200+ they usually have in stock. They are about the best prices you’ll find. In my Grand Sport case it was shipped from Bowling Green to a dealer 30 miles away who accepted what is called Courtesy Delivery. GM will ship to any Chevy dealer at no extra cost. In my case that distributor did it for $100 and the service department gets paid by GM for the prep. They also got paid (per the service manager) by GM for installing my Stage 2 aero splitter and full length side skirts. 6
08-17-2018, 01:23 PM
#50
Melting Slicks
Buy a Ctek 3300 for $60 (same unit sans logo) or a Battery Tender Plus or Jr. with a lighter adapter. I used my beat-up 13-YO BT+ on my C6 (no lighter connector) and first C7 and it worked fine. My current C7 had the overpriced stock unit included, so I now use it on the Vette and the BT+ on the truck. Also, a BT Jr. on the Harley which would likely work fine on any car at a lower price and a 5W BT Solar on my mower. A larger capacity Solar would work fine for long-term storage for a car, but not sure about the smaller 5W unit. Do your research, as there are lots of options.
Last edited by iclick; 08-17-2018 at 01:26 PM.
08-17-2018, 01:30 PM
#51
Melting Slicks
09-29-2018, 02:17 PM
#52
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2006
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '16
To the OP, welcome to the corvette owner family.
09-30-2018, 08:18 AM
#53
I have a torch red C7 with black interior coming. I wanted the red seats and red stitching but my wife doesn't like the red seats. So I bought some fabric-mate red dye markers and we will do the stitching ourselves. The red stitching alone is only available on the Zo6 and they want 400 bucks I think.
09-30-2018, 08:28 AM
#54
Forget all of them - spend the money on either a 2LT or 3LT and for certain the Z51 package is a huge bang for your buck... If a new base Vette is all you can afford, maybe look into a used one that's a year old. No one seems to ever drive their C7's so you can easily find one with under 10k miles that's ALOT less money than new (let someone else take the depreciation hit)...and you can get one fully loaded too... Just food for thought!! Good luck! 
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aj98 (09-30-2018)
09-30-2018, 09:26 AM
#56
Not sure this was meant to be such a bad comment. Worrying about a $100 option on a 60k car ranks up there with Corvette owners asking if they can run regular gas instead of premium to save pennies a gallon.
09-30-2018, 09:57 AM
#57
Getting ready to order our 2019 Arctic White/Red 2LT Convertible.
(If I can get any dealers to respond to my emails...)
Just wondering about the color painted calipers. Seems like $600 is a bit steep for red paint. Anyone paint their own?
Bob
(If I can get any dealers to respond to my emails...)
Just wondering about the color painted calipers. Seems like $600 is a bit steep for red paint. Anyone paint their own?
Bob
09-30-2018, 10:28 AM
#58
Melting Slicks
As a total newby to corvettes considering ordering my first vette, I have found a lot of good info with a lot of discussion centering around the big decisions - a base car or upgrade trim level, a z06, a Grand Sport etc, color, manual vs auto, etc which I have also found interesting.
But my question has more to do with the "little options", those that personalize the car but don't break the bank. I've run through my build as I'd like it, starting with a base car and then added the following, trying to keep below a $1k cost of a single option, <$5k in total.
So, setting the big questions aside, what say you all to a base car trimmed out as below ($3900 in options). Do most folks pass on these items, are they very popular no brained that everyone selects, or does it usually just fall to what the dealer chose to order for his stock?
In summary I'm curious how popular these "little options" options are, or aren't. Thanks in advance
Performance air intake $690
Battery protection package $100
Painted calipers $595
Underhood stingray liner $280
Body color z51 spoiler $600
Aero panel (front spoiler) $175
Molded splash guards $220
Red seat belts $395
Premium floor mats $165
Door sill plates $275
Personalized plaque $200
Cargo mat with logo $205
Storage bag for roof panel $130
But my question has more to do with the "little options", those that personalize the car but don't break the bank. I've run through my build as I'd like it, starting with a base car and then added the following, trying to keep below a $1k cost of a single option, <$5k in total.
So, setting the big questions aside, what say you all to a base car trimmed out as below ($3900 in options). Do most folks pass on these items, are they very popular no brained that everyone selects, or does it usually just fall to what the dealer chose to order for his stock?
In summary I'm curious how popular these "little options" options are, or aren't. Thanks in advance
Performance air intake $690
Battery protection package $100
Painted calipers $595
Underhood stingray liner $280
Body color z51 spoiler $600
Aero panel (front spoiler) $175
Molded splash guards $220
Red seat belts $395
Premium floor mats $165
Door sill plates $275
Personalized plaque $200
Cargo mat with logo $205
Storage bag for roof panel $130
The roof storage bag is quite helpful IF you get the dual roof package. Gives you scratch/damage resistance when you have the 2nd roof some place other that the back of the car.
The base floormats are plain black. The cost options are logo’ed. Yes, you can get them through Lloyd’s, etc - I got them to throw in the stingray logo ones as part of the sale.
Splash guards do what they advertise. I added mine after the fact for a bit less than what they are asking.
I like the look of the z51 spoiler, but did not get it. Would like to add it now, but hesitant on a self install.
THe car I was looking at already had red calipers. Was ambivalent, but have grown to really like them. Makes the color pop.
Battery tender: My car sometimes sits for over 2 weeks at a time. Still starts w/o a problem,
Plaque: nice touch, but you’ll have to replace if you ever sell the car.
the rest: Eh. Personal taste.
09-30-2018, 11:31 AM
#59
Safety Car
09-30-2018, 07:10 PM
#60
Melting Slicks
I love when guys with GS and Zo6 vettes say things like "if all you can afford" is a base Vette. I ordered a base Vette and I can afford a ZR1 if I so choose. We all have different ideas of what we want and don't want. For some like myself I plan on driving my Vette and going on trips with it. I want the most comfortable riding C7 available with the best fuel range. I have no plans on going to the track and things like tires and brakes are much cheaper to replace on the base models. Many of us don't need or require the higher performance trims and it's not about cost but more about what fits our needs.
Ill also add this - if you truly could afford a ZR1 (and I dont mean out $1000 down on a $139,000 loan)...then you would never just buy a base Vette. Nothing wrong with a base Vette...but dont say something stupid to justify your purchase...