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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
Don't waste $100 for a $49 battery charger with a Corvette logo on it ("Battery Protection Package")
I wished mine came with the red painted calipers...I would have spent the $595 on that.
The underhood stingray liner seems a waste.
Don't waste your money on any of them. The only thing worthwhile is the battery charger and it can be bought cheaper. Spring for a 2LT/LZ at the min. The 3LT/LZ are also very nice in colors other than black. The contrast is very sharp. Skipping the auto option will save you a few bucks as well.
Invaluable feedback. For some reason I thought this was a prewired "built-in" setup, where I could just plug an extension cord into the car for winter storage time. I figured it was a bargIn as I understand battery access is difficult.
Invaluable feedback. For some reason I thought this was a prewired "built-in" setup, where I could just plug an extension cord into the car for winter storage time. I figured it was a bargIn as I understand battery access is difficult.
The plug is already in the trunk. It just gets you the charger.
Of the list you mentioned . . .
Painted calipers are really popular.
Consider colored stitching. Red looks great.
Performance exhaust (unless already in the package)
I would go aftermarket for splitter, skirts, and floor mats
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!
Luke, congrats on your first Corvette! This one was my first one too. Here's your list and some suggestions in RED.
Performance air intake $690-Yes, or another aftermarket CAI
Battery protection package $100-The guys already covered this.
Painted calipers $595-Yes, my suggestion is to get them painted the same as your body color.
Underhood stingray liner $280-These are nice, but you can buy some custom painted ones from RPI Designs that you'll like MUCH better.
Body color z51 spoiler $600-Yes!
Aero panel (front spoiler) $175-Go aftermarket with this. There's lots more options that way.
Molded splash guards $220-Buy aftermarket and have them painted the same color as your Corvette.
Red seat belts $395-Yes! Especially if you're ordering a red, silver, gray or black C7
Premium floor mats $165-NO....purchase Lloyd Mats from one of our aftermarket Vendors on CorvetteForum.
Door sill plates $275-Yes
Personalized plaque $200-No, not worth it.....
Cargo mat with logo $205-No, again, Lloyd Mats makes one that's nicer!
Storage bag for roof panel $130-A waste of money unless you get two roofs!
No disrespect meant, but if you're that hard up to be impressed by saving "$49.00," on a battery charger on a car that lists for $60,000.00 +/-, you're not new Corvette material. You're much better off buying a used one.
Luke, congrats on your first Corvette! This one was my first one too. Here's your list and some suggestions in RED.
Performance air intake $690-Yes, or another aftermarket CAI
Battery protection package $100-The guys already covered this.
Painted calipers $595-Yes, my suggestion is to get them painted the same as your body color.
Underhood stingray liner $280-These are nice, but you can buy some custom painted ones from RPI Designs that you'll like MUCH better.
Body color z51 spoiler $600-Yes!
Aero panel (front spoiler) $175-Go aftermarket with this. There's lots more options that way.
Molded splash guards $220-Buy aftermarket and have them painted the same color as your Corvette.
Red seat belts $395-Yes! Especially if you're ordering a red, silver, gray or black C7
Premium floor mats $165-NO....purchase Lloyd Mats from one of our aftermarket Vendors on CorvetteForum.
Door sill plates $275-Yes
Personalized plaque $200-No, not worth it.....
Cargo mat with logo $205-No, again, Lloyd Mats makes one that's nicer!
Storage bag for roof panel $130-A waste of money unless you get two roofs!
I will disagree with $700 for a CAI. It makes ZERO power on the LT1. It makes very little on the LT4. A complete waste unless one is opening the hood showing it at car shows. It's only bling.
Thanks for the warm welcome Joe. It's not a case of being impressed with the savings, just making sure I got a built in charger, having read battery access isn't great. The previous posters cleared this up for me better than the Chevrolet.com website and I'm glad I asked as it wasn't what I thought it was. Asking a question on the charger option for a new Corvette as my 3rd toy car to fill my 6 car garage hopefully doesn't disqualify me as "Corvette material" but overcoming some of the stereotypes of some Corvette owners is something I've had to work on. No disrespect meant, after all we all share a passion for the C7.
Steve, you totally read my mind on the color - blade silver, red calipers, black interior. The red belts remind me of my old Porsche RSA blue seatbelts in a black interior which always got a reaction. I think the combo as shown below is awesome!
The stitching option is of interest to me but I can't seem to find it. I assumed it was a different model or higher trim level.
Does anybody know where it is on the Corvette build site? I'd like to see what that looks like. I've gone through the build steps a few times now and must be skipping right on by it.
I agree with those who said to go with the 2lt trim. Most bang for the money. Or buy a used one. A previous poster was right, there are many low mileage, well cared for C7's out there. Nearly new really! Check out the for sale section here in the forum. New listing pop up daily.
But, if you insist on ordering, I'd say calipers, spoiler and red seat belts for sure. The rest do later...
I will disagree with $700 for a CAI. It makes ZERO power on the LT1. It makes very little on the LT4. A complete waste unless one is opening the hood showing it at car shows. It's only bling.
Interesting.
Chevrolet claims 17 hp on the option detail sheet. Sounded like cheap factory approved hp to me, that's why I selected it. I'm thinking now I'll delete it. Thanks.
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!
I tend to agree with this. If getting a used one with a few thousand miles you might want to consider an extended warranty.
There's an almost endless number of ways to equip a new Corvette purchase order. Since money isn't an issue on yours, spend big on what you want. The guys that scrimp on their spending, are always regretful here. Even the ones that claim to be the millionaire high-rollers. Lol! They tried to save a buck OR time, by leaving off very important equipment/options. If you think you can handle the power, check the ZO6 or ZR1 box. You'll never regret buying too much horsepower. When in doubt, check the box and order it. Do not go
cheap on a new Corvette. I never have on any of mine
08-14-2018, 09:24 PM
The "little options"
