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Let me start off by writing I just love the idea of the corvette. The history, the events that surround it, all the stuff you can purchase to enjoy not just your corvette but the corvette experience. This is a long post and will walk you thru my thoughts before I purchased my C7 and my thoughts after 4 weeks of having the c7
This is my 2nd corvette. My first one was a 2010 C6 1lt. Me and this car just did not bond. I had some trouble with the corvette (the shifter would not move out of park twice during the two years I owned it) and once the wipers would not turn on and the interior started looking like crap after 1 year (seats wrinkle, writing missing from dash,etc). All done under warranty. However, that brought me to another issue with the 2010 C6 corvette – dealer did not meet my service expectations. I was use to drop the car off, loaner waiting, and off to work. This all took about 6 min. Not at the chevy dealer. Also takes them forever to get parts.
Also, I purchased the wrong model. I did know much about the corvette during my first purchase…did not know about the GS model, HUD, mag ride, z51 etc. I blame my sales person and me to some degree. A good sales person when you say I know very little about the car please show me some options should have pointed this stuff out. I believe today the sales person was just as clue less as me.
So missing some features I would have liked to have, the corvette breaking down, and service that was not meeting expectations I traded the corvette in for an Audi TT. This time I made sure I purchased it with all the options..including Mag ride which also get you the sport exhaust – night and day. I was very pleased with the TT…proved very reliable and dealer service was excellent.
Traded the TT in with 85,000 miles for a CPO 2018 z51 2lt corvette 4 weeks ago and now I would like to give my opinions. Yes my opinions. I am sure not all will agree with what I write but I hope some find this a good read and helps some decide on their dream corvette…because while it took two tries I think I found mine.
I really like the color Glen Watkins gray. I guess it was named after the race track. The race track, Glen Watkins or “glen” is known as the original F1 track and I am an F1 fan - so I was leaning towards this color. Other colors I was open to were sebring Orange and racing Yellow. Some must have options for me if I was going to get rid of the payed for TT and have debt in my life again was – HUD, some type of sport suspension above the base, performance exhaust, and mag ride. Also, auto dim mirrors I have grown to love so this was a want as well. I can live without heated seats but will take them as a bonus. Well, these wants as most, if not all of you know place you in 2lt. 2lt also gave me cooled seat or ventilated. For the other stuff such as suspension, exhaust and mag ride – needed z51 or GS. The other models of corvette – z06 and zr1 where out of my price target of 55,000.
After driving both manual and auto of both z51 and GS I was leaning towards the manual…just seem the gears where better suited and I think the exhaust is even louder but could just be me. Also, coming from the TT with the very good duel clutch I found the auto when using paddles very slow…I do not care what Tadge says..faster then PDK…I do not think so. At least it does not feel as fast and that is what matters when driving around town.
Now for GS or z51 – always a great discussion. Before I heard about the reports on cracked Rims on the GS’s and z06’s I was leaning toward the Z51. One, it is less expensive and the tires cost less. I will agree the GS has a better stance but this just was not a priority to me. During my test drives I really could not tell the difference in driving but cracked rims made the z51 decisions easier for me. Also, during my driving I did not notice a difference between the 2019 mag ride vs the 2018 mag ride. Did not drive any 2017 so not sure. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who went from 2018 mag ride to the new 2019 setting and thought it was an improvement.
So,after 3 months of looking for a 2018 (I wanted a 2018 as well for warranty and another year to work out any bugs) with z51, 2lt in sebring orange, racing yellow, or Glen Watkins gray I found one about 300 miles away. Once I saw the interior I was hooked and while reading more about I was hoping it would have everything else. Well, it did…as a bonus the corvette also had NAV and PDR. It was also a CPO model. Before I saw this corvette I did not know chevy had CPO…but it does. You get a 172 point inspection which includes having 2 keys and manuals included. Tire where has to be at a certain level and a fresh oil change. In addition, you get another 12 month/1 year bumper to bumper added to the normal 3/36. Also you get 6 year 100,000 powertrain. So, I have a 38 month bumper to bumper. Also, you get 2 oil changes and 3 months of onSTAR. The dealership also supplied me with all the GM reports and a MSRP sticker page.
What I like about the Corvette C7 vs C6
A lot has improved. The ride is better and the handling is crazy good. I have a Polaris slingshot and have taken the Corvette on the same roads as the slingshot and I thought the slingshot can take a corner well…I think the C7 does better and full throttle out of the corner…what a sound.
Pedals – the C6 has basic black sedan like pedals…The C7 nice looking sport car like pedals.
Glove box – the one on the C6 open and closed like a cheap kia. C7 opens nice and slow and has nice shut to it….much improved.
The interior…well we all know much better. The fake leather around the shifter in the C6 was awful..now nice leather or micro fiber as I have. I do think the fake carbon fiber around the shifter and where the cup older are was nicer in the C6 then the plastic in the C7. Also, it seems strange to me for 1000 you can have the carbon fiber dash but this area (cup holder area) is the same crappy plastic. On the plus side this plastic seems to hold up against scratches and such.
Heated seats – suck compared to other heated seats
HUD – super cool
Wish the corvette had lights under the doors so when you opened the door the corvette logo would display…maybe in the C8. Does a 3lt have this?
The leather seems be better – no wrinkles on my corvette or any C7 I have looked at
Exhaust – great sound.
Rev matching – love it.
Like the corvette name on the Rim and symbol in the middle of the rim. Also, has anyone noticed the corvette symbol in the lights and over the top part of the rear hatch window?
Trunk space – great trunk space. I think the corvette should come standard with some type of partition (I did buy one) and a better solution for cargo cover. However, these are easy things to live with.
Nav system – I know many think it is junk and just use your phone but I like the unit. I only used it once and that was on the way home from the dealership. I was able to tell the Nav to use back roads and when near a circle it highlights on the NAV screen and the HUD how far to go in the circle. So if you need to go halfway around, the halfway will be darker. You can use the chevy app and with On star send a destination to the Nav unit.
OnStar – again some hate it. But, I think it is great I can see where my corvette is at all times. You can also setup alerts so if the corvette leaves without you.
We will see how it goes when I take the corvette for service but I am just expecting the basics. At least now there is a chevy dealer just 6 miles from my house.
Thanks for reading and posted some pics of my dream corvette below
I really like the red on black micro fiber. The microfiber wheel and shifter was a nice plus Wish it came with red seat belts. I know I can add the but I am to cheap. Well maybe. nice view from the back. 4 round tail lights to match the exhaust I think would have been better...but this look is agressive andgrows on you
06-07-2019, 06:23 PM
My dream Corvette...3 months in the making
CONGRATS
You picked the Best Color 
