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Base coupe auto: Z51 or 2LT?

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Old 01-17-2019, 07:44 AM
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rckt
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Default Base coupe auto: Z51 or 2LT?

It's time for me to start considering the c7. Price is a factor and I am trying to decide is the 2lt worth more than what the z51 gives you. I don't race my cars. My 1st 2 corvettes were garage queens, never again. My current c6 is my daily driver as my new/used c7 will be.

I like that the z51 comes with the performance exhaust. None of my previous corvettes were z51. I know everyone's opinion is just an opinion, just wondering if there is something that you must have in a z51 or 2lt.

I will say it 1st, some will say get both :-) but I have a budget.
Old 01-17-2019, 07:49 AM
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Corgidog1
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Get the 2LT and check the option box for performance exhaust-it is a stand alone option. The Z51 is better served for track use.
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Old 01-17-2019, 08:07 AM
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1BadRS
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They are apples and oranges. One is performance and one is comfort. I have a Z51 and 3LT and love all the performance parts you get over the base, but I also love having heated/vented seats, parking camera, HUD, etc. As a daily driver I'd get the 2LT, as you will use all those options way more than the Z51 if you aren't going to track it.
Old 01-17-2019, 08:19 AM
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VH Vette
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Daily driver. 2LT is the answer. You can always get one with the Mag Ride for the occasional spirited drive. Base came with Z51 size rims and tores after 2015.
VH
Old 01-17-2019, 08:22 AM
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449er
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As a daily driver, I would get the 2lt
Old 01-17-2019, 08:25 AM
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dvilin
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2lt with NPP exhaust and you are good to go.
Old 01-17-2019, 08:43 AM
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kenownr
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Originally Posted by dvilin
2lt with NPP exhaust and you are good to go.

Old 01-17-2019, 08:44 AM
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LuisZ51
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Originally Posted by VH Vette
Daily driver. 2LT is the answer. You can always get one with the Mag Ride for the occasional spirited drive. Base came with Z51 size rims and tores after 2015.
VH
I thought the base came with 18" fronts and 19" rears? When I was shopping for mine every non Z51 2016 and 17 years all had this combo. I ended up getting the 2LT and Z51 package. The only thing from the 3LT that I wanted was the extra red on the dash and panels. I'm currently converting mine over with the necessary pieces for pretty cheap. Mine came with 19"fronts and 20" rears.

Last edited by LuisZ51; 01-17-2019 at 08:45 AM.
Old 01-17-2019, 08:52 AM
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Zjoe6
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What I want and what you want have nothing to do with each other. Do you want luxury or performance? I can’t make that decision for you.
Old 01-17-2019, 08:55 AM
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Mayor111
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Just a thought - since your working within a budget - if you buy a used Vette - you could get a 3LT, Z51 for less than either of the two new options you are looking at... C7 owners for some reason dont seem to drive their cars - so it would take you about 3 minutes for find a mint 3LT Z51 with under 10k miles... Going with a used Vette allows you to have your cake AND eat it too.

If your firm on buying new - then my vote would be for the 2LT because a no one will call a non-Z51 "slow"...but if your lacking options (by going with a 1LT) - your lacking options.

Good Luck - you will love any Vette you end up with!
Old 01-17-2019, 08:57 AM
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kenownr
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I think the 16 base and for sure the 17's and on up came with the 19/20's. I have 19/20's on my 15, but it was an option. I've also been told "I think" usually means you're guessing. LOL
Old 01-17-2019, 09:00 AM
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Rickybobby571
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I had a C6 Z51 it rode so hard, I recently bought a C7 3lt no Z51, I love the ride! My wife would not ride in the Z51 because it bothered her back but loves the new C7. Enjoy your new ride!
Old 01-17-2019, 09:10 AM
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Jerry0
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I would go with the Z51 w/MRC over the 2LT in my opinion..performance items you get in Z51 package even if you do not track make driving experience more enjoyable
and allow you to feel the difference in different driving modes...
Again this in my opinion.. i like you had a budget ,, i went with Z51 w/MRC 1LT and do not have any regrets
Old 01-17-2019, 09:21 AM
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CVG993
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I have a '15 Z51 3LT, I love it.
Old 01-17-2019, 09:37 AM
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Kevin A Jones
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As has been stated, one's a convenience/comfort option and other is performance so hard to compare the two. I recommend comparing the 1LT and 2LT componets below and deciding if the additional 2LT features are worth the approx $4500 to you? Hard for anyone else to make this decision for you. However if you are like me and enjoy driving winding country roads then the Z51 option will be appreciated.

If resale value is important to you, the Z51 option typically brings in an additional $2000>$2500 at resale, the 2LT option will most likely not add $s at resale. Good luck on your decision.

1LT includes:
8” touchscreen, Bose AM-FM 9 speaker stereo, 3 month Sirius/XM,MP3, MyLink, OnStar, 4G LTE, 8” HD driver info screen, leather power GT sports seats, power break set/release, power locks/windows, active handling, dual-zone AC, keyless access/start, power tilt/telescopic, leather wrap steering w/flat bottom wheel, cruise control, tire pressure monitor, driver, passenger and side airbags, carbon fiber hood, Bremo 4-piston disc brakes, rear view camera, coup- body color painted carbon fiber roof panels, convertible- power soft-top which can be lowered remotely.

2LT includes:
Everything found in the 1LT plus: Console and door panels in interior color, Lumbar/wing adjust, Heated/vented seats, Seat emblems, front camera, 10-speaker Bose® premium audio system, Universal Home Remote, Auto-dimming mirrors, Memory Package, Head-Up Display, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with one-year subscription, Enhanced Theft-Deterrent Package, Luggage shade/cargo net
Old 01-17-2019, 11:24 AM
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Thank you all for taking the time to comment. Are people swapping out the NPP exhaust on the C7? I had NPP on my c6 and swapped it out for the Corsa Extremes. The NPP was lacking in the c6. Just wondering if it got better with the c7?
Old 01-17-2019, 11:30 AM
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speed4tu
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Not sure why everyone is saying it but Z51 and 2LT is two totally different things. You can get a 2LT base or 2LT Z51. All trim levels are available whether it is Z51 or not. As for the performance exhaust if youre gonna pay up for that you might as well get the z51 as it will be easier to sell in the future. I have a 2LT Z51 and the ride isn't too bad in it.
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Old 01-17-2019, 11:34 AM
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Mayor111
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Originally Posted by Kevin A Jones
If resale value is important to you, the Z51 option typically brings in an additional $2000>$2500 at resale, the 2LT option will most likely not add $s at resale. Good luck on your decision.
Actually according to Corvette DNA - a C7 in EXCELLENT condition:
  • Currently Z51 Option adds $3000 to overall resale value over a non-Z51
  • Currently 2LT adds $750 to overall resale value...its the 1LT cars that currently offer $0 value to resale
These values increase if the C7 is in SHOW condition...
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Old 01-17-2019, 12:28 PM
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Rebel Yell
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Originally Posted by Corgidog1
Get the 2LT and check the option box for performance exhaust-it is a stand alone option. The Z51 is better served for track use.
Get the 2LT for the extra goodies.
Old 01-17-2019, 12:57 PM
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LimeRay
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If you're going to buy a sports car why wouldn't you choose the option that will provide the most bang for the buck, Z51! I have a 2LT Z51, the heated and ventilated seats are tepid at best. The extra bump in the sound system is negligible and in fact makes the bass too boomy IMO, quite muddy. The heads up display is pretty cool, I could easily live w/o the front camera.

The Z51 over standard gives you bigger wheels (not necessarily a big advantage), bigger brakes (nice to have), improved cooling, among other goodies. But what the non-performance crowd greatly underestimates as far as it's contribution to daily driving and handling is the E-Differential. See attached for further info and search YouTube for some more videos describing it's benefits.

My opinion is 1LT Z51 with MagRide for one of the most technologically advanced street performance vehicles which will also soften up for touring if that's what you want. I find Sport mode to be sufficient on all but the really rough roads and when I meet them I turn the dial to touring. M7 with rev match is a blast but if you deal with heavy stop and go traffic it can get tedious. Many will say that if you go with Z51 and Mag Ride you might as well get a GS which is reasonable thinking but the road noise is greater, tires are a good bit more expensive, and it's got a big fat *** which some like but I don't.

Whatever your decision you will love the car but I would never leave the extra performance of the Z51 and MagRide out.

Edit: link now attached below.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/02/...mance-package/

Last edited by LimeRay; 01-17-2019 at 12:59 PM. Reason: Forgot link
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