I had a 2015 Base with an A8, and with the exception of A8 problems found it a very pleasing vehicle for street use. I did add a Z51 rear sway bar with the stock front bar and that helped with reducing minimal lean in cornering without any oversteer. This was mostly a whim, as there was nothing wrong with the base car's handling. I was not interested in a Z51 at the time because I thought the larger brakes, dry-sump, and other features were unnecessary for the type of driving I would subject the car to. I was not disappointed, except for the A8 issues which plagued the car from the first day.

In 2017, two weeks after replacing the TC on the A8 and having no confidence it would fix the A8 maladies for the long term, I traded for a GS--M7 of course. I like the current car even more, but not because of the performance amenities it offers--like eLSD, big brakes, differential cooler, MRSC, etc. I think it is because of the M7, which is what I really wanted from the beginning. The good looks of the wide body didn't hurt either.

 

I have a 2018 Base. As others have said, the cars limits are well above what you should be doing on the street. I do autox with mine, so the understeer of the Base setup was unacceptable at the limit. I never noticed that even driving it aggressively on the street. But the first time I ran it at an autox, I was hugely disappointing with the handling. So I added the OEM Mag Ride rear sway bar plus OEM standard Z51 shocks and the car is now amazing for autox and just slightly stiffer for street use. I bought a used take off sway bar and new shocks and with a couple hours of work later the car was ready to take on Z51s and Grandsports at autox,

I suggest you get the Base and if you decide you need more handling capability later, you can upgrade with rear sway bar and Z51 shocks.

If you are near STL, come out to our autox this sunday and you can ride in my car to experience how awesome a base car with a couple mods can be!

 

Z51, You may like the the base model at first and it will likely be fine but after a while when you get used to the base model it may not be much of a challenge during your mountain drives. Its nice to have the option to switch drive modes and use the one that serves you best. Then when cruising you have the tour mode option as well.
For the price difference Z51 all the way.

 

I've been driving Corvettes for 50 years, and the base 2014 - 2019 is more than anyone can handle on the public streets legally anyway. The Z51, sway bars, traction bars, MagRide, and everything else beyond is just for bragging Internet/keyboard rights. He'll never use em in lawful driving anyways.

 

Wrong again Joe, and as antagonistic as always. The handling capability of a Camry is above the skill level of most drivers. Using your logic nobody needs a Corvette, but aren’t they a lot more fun?

 

Z51 owners will say you need a Z51.
“Base” owners will say you need a “base.”

Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Too many threads to count here asking the same question and they all go that way.


Now, if you want to really rile some people up, ask whether Z51 is a separate model or an option package on a “base” Stingray.

 

If you want the car to handle as it was designed don't cheap out with just a Z51 rear roll bar. Get the larger Z51 front one too. The stock shocks are fine.

 

I have to disagree with you on this one. I bought both bigger 28mm front and 31mm rear bars and installed them at the same time. This results in some mid corner understeer which limits how hard the car will corner at the limit. I went back to the smaller Base front bar with the big rear bar and the car is very close to perfectly neutral.

And the stock base shocks are way underdamped for performance driving.

 

I just went through the same decision. I went for a 2015 M7 Z51 LT2 Stingray. I wanted the z51 for the exhaust and the LT2 for the upgraded sound and seats. Also got the magnetic ride.

Looked at a Z06, but I don't track my cars and 460HP is more than plenty for public roads. Had my car for a week and love it. I have the exhaust set to track, the steering on sport and the suspension on touring. Lots of fun.

 

'15 Z51 owner here. Bought mine ~3 months ago. I had 3 criteria. Had to be an M7 convertible, Daytona orange car. That's it. The car I bought was also a Z51, NPP exhaust, magnetic ride, 2LT. All of which I didn't care about when I bought the car. Had no idea really. Just knew Z51 was a handling package.

Having put a few thousand on it since purchase I will say knowing what I know now, if I were to spec out this car I'd order this exact car. As mentioned, 2LT is the sweet spot. 3LT is very nice, but I'd constantly be staring at the dash worrying.

Having NPP exhaust, IMHO is a must have. Turn it way down when you want a quiet calm cruise, open it up when the mood fits. Love it. Works very well. Wife wants it turned down, take younger people for a ride and give them the option their eyes just light up and always go for Track mode exhaust. Its a hoot.

Magnetic ride, also a very desirable thing to have experiencing it first hand. Works great. There is a discernable difference between Tour and Track. Plus having the options to set up your steering et al as it suits your tastes. Being near mountain twisties as you are, I'd for sure jump on that. In Tour mode it rides smoother and more comfortable than our Volvo XC90 hands down. Vey comfortable..

Certainly this car, even as a base model, has more capabilities than 97% of us mere mortals can wring out of it. But, having Z51, NPP, magnetic ride, only adds to the experience of owning the car. Makes it more enjoyable for sure. I'm thrilled I have these features and would do it all over again.

 

Well we know everyone has an opinion. Some need 1000 hp. and some need all the track ready suspension and what ever else you can think of. The truth is both cars are more than capable for your needs. The only answer is for you to drive both versions and decide which feels right for you, which car will give you the most enjoyment. A guy where I live bought a brand new C8 last year having never driven one before and just traded it in on a 2017 C7. The C8 just did not do it for him. I drove everything from a base Sting Ray to a Zo6 before I made my decision. They are all C7 Corvettes but each one is unique.

 

For the most part, over 7o% of the driver's in the Republik of Kalifornia are speeding!

They have made HWY 23 a construction zone from HWY 101to Simi Valley. I went a couple of weeks ago and there was, absolutely no construction. Most of the driver's were doing 75-80.

The powers that be, have found out, if they call something a construction zone, they do not have to get or pay for a pesky Traffic Survey and restrict the public to the 55 MPH Speed Limit.

Just look at the mess they have made around Santa Barbara for almost 20 years.

As for not being able to use a Z51 unless you are breaking the law. Go down a mountain road at the Speed Limit, with a cautionary sign, suggesting a much slower sped. You will be glad you have a Z51, with its tighter shifting, tighter steering, Magnetic Ride, and its marvelous brakes! jmho

 

I have a base '19 and the only thing that was lacking for me was the exhaust. So I upgraded the exhaust with an aftermarket Corsa Extreme Axle Back system and now I'm enjoying the car more.

Also basic maintenance is easier on the base:
Air filter replacements
Oil Changes

/JD

 

Using your logic no one but you should own a Corvette. Sorry, but we enjoy em. Perhaps you should too.

 

Uh....wrong. I advise everyone that wants all the bells and whistles to go for them. Just buy a ZR1, and be done with it. Then no one will top yours online here.😜

 

I have no idea what it is you are try to say.

 

Lots of mention of the NPP exhaust and Mag Ride.

Something to consider, a lot of things offered with the Z51 package were available a la carte, so there is a chance (although slim) that the person who ordered their "base" also ordered some of the Z51 goodies.

They're rare, but they're out there.

My 2016 base non-Z51 has NPP. (NPP was on my "must-have" shortlist)

Figure out your must-haves and go from there.

Here's an example of a non-Z51 base with NPP and mag ride that just sold on Cars and Bids. Kind of a rare bird, I imagine.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KPL...corvette-coupe

 

My profile mirrors yours and my base Stingray is the ideal car for touring and an occasional trip to the track.
The added systems for the Z51 are mostly track related and are unlikely to be used on the street, and are unnecessary on a touring car. That translates to lower acquisition, maintenance and replacement costs, 'cuz if it's not on the car, it can't break or require attention.

 

OP,
Either one would make you a good Corvette to own and drive!👍

 

I agree with RacerRik on this one, although I never experimented with the larger front bar as he did. After quite bit of research I determined that all Corvettes understeer to some degree, which is a safety factor engineered into almost every street car produced, more than likely all. The base C7 has a slightly smaller front bar than a Z51 and no rear bar, and adding only a Z51 rear bar will still introduce minimal understeer, but just not as much as replacing both bars. I decided to add only the rear bar and never had any regrets. I did notice some stiffening of the rear on bumps involving one wheel, which was expected since this flexes the sway bar while a bump affecting both wheels would not. It wasn't a difference that decreased overall ride comfort, iMO.