I just sold my C2 and a C7 is my next favorite car. However, I am seeing all kinds of warnings for the Z51 with things like a harsh ride and tires not fit for winter driving. Is that really an issue? Also, for just driving to enjoy the ride, is the base car a better buy? Any info will be appreciated.

 

I've never felt the Z51 was too harsh. But that, or equivalent, is all I've had on my Corvettes. Better yet if you get a car with magnetic ride control where you can change the suspension from Track to Sport to Touring.

The original tires on C7's were sumner-only Pilot Sports which were not meant to be driven under 40F and were prone to cracks below freezing. Many people have replaced them with Michelin Sport All-Season tires (or other brands) which have good handling in rain as well as dry conditions.

 

2019 GS…rides good….keep it in Tour mode most the time

 

I’ve had both the base and now current Z51. Both automatics with all season Michelin tires and neither had the magnetic ride control option. I think the base one had a bit softer ride, but the Z51 is by no means overly harsh. It just feels a little more responsive. I suggest you drive an example of each version. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by either one. Let me add however that I prefer the A6 transmission and 2LT interior in my current 2014 Z51 over the A8 and 3LT interior that was in my 2016 base model. Had to give up the front camera and Apple Car Play on the 2014 but I don’t fret so much over potential dashboard bubbles or transmission shuddering problems. The 2014 is the only year with the A6 transmission. Hope this helps and good luck with your search.

 

Take a test ride in the car that you plan to buy, only you can say if the ride is too harsh. Depending on what tires are on the car they may be summer only, Michelin pilot super sports would be one example of a summer only tire

 

How harsh a ride a Z51 car has is a subjective thing - different people react differently. You need to drive an example of a Z51 then a base car and see which one you like. And unless the tires have been changed, the car came with summer only tires from the factory.

 

I dont find my Z51 (with MSRC) harsh at all.

 

For just pleasure driving the base Stingray is great. I just traded my 14 coupe for a 19 vert and it's a great driving car. The Z51 is a stiffer ride if that's what you want. The ride is also dependent on how much tire tread is left. Both cars are 3lt trim with no dash problems and both needed the trans triple flush but that's no big deal.

 

As others have said, 'harsh' ride is subjective.

It is almost impossible to compare the ride of a C2 with that of the C7. My first Corvette was a C3 and while I never owned a C2, the C2 and the C3 basically had the same frame and suspension. The ride in my C3 was very stiff, mostly due to the rear multi-leaf steel spring.

When I put a composite spring on the rear with new springs on the front and new shocks all the way around on the C3, the difference was like night and day. The C3 ride was much better.

While improvements to my C3 suspension made for a much smoother, more compliant driving Corvette, it still cannot be compared to the driving experience of the C7.

Either way you go, whether the C7 base or Z51 you will find a great improvement to that of your C2.

My opinion: The Z51 is the steal in the C7 generation. When introduced in 2014, GM placed the value of the Z51 package at approximately $2,850. So if you want to tinker with the suspension or of you would like to have some fun track experience, the Z51 is the way to go.

Also, the Grand Sport is the wide body Z51 with even more equipment, such as Performance Exhaust and Magnetic Ride built into the standard package. So there are lots of choices to choose from out there.

There is no wrong way to go with the C7. It's all about options.

Best of luck with your search!!

 

At one point I had two C7's, a Z-51 convertible and a base coupe. The Z doesn't have magride and compared to the base it was a rather harsh ride, so much so that when traveling to see the kids (350 miles round trip) I usually ended up taking the coupe. IMO unless you're going to do a lot of spirited driving the base car would suit you well, and even without the Z-51 package the C7 is still a very capable sports car.

 

I was surprised by how good the ride is in my Z51 w/mag ride. But - adding to the wisdom above, it's totally subjective.

 

Hey There! I just got a c7 Z51 with mag ride. I previously had a c5 base auto. I will say the C7 Z51 rides better than the C5 did, but the C5 WAS almost 20 year old. I have not driven a base c7 so I cannot compare them, but the Z51 is pretty stiff on sport mode + and comfortable, but not a luxury ride by any means on touring. Just right in my opinion. I just swapped my wheels and tires out for the winter a day ago. I went from the 19/20 inch set up on summer tires to a 18/19 set up with all seasons. The 18/19 wheels with the slightly thicker all seasons have made the car ride MUCH more comfortably.

 

Agree 100%, I went to 18/19 wheels with all season tires. Makes a big difference.
2014 - Z51 - Mag Ride

 

If you want the smoothest ride, and the ability to change the suspension as you drive, you need a C7 with the Mag Ride shocks. I had a 2004 CE that came standard with Mag Ride. Once I experienced the Mag Ride system, every Vette since (2008, 2013, and now 19 GS) had Mag Ride. I would not have a Vette without it.

As far as tires, I changed the OEM summer-only tires out for All-Season Michelins as soon as I bought each Vette from the 2004 on. I drive year round in VA, except in snow, and did not want tires limited to 40 degrees and above. On my 19 GS, I just put new All-Season Michelins on new Forgeline forged wheels at 42K miles. The All-Season that I put on the GS at 200 miles still have an amazing amount of tread left. I am saving the OEM GS wheels, rears cracked at 40K miles and replaced under the Tire & Wheel Warranty, with the All-Season tires to put back on the GS if I sell it someday, so I can sell the Forgeline wheels and newer All-Season Michelins separately. Good luck with your C7.

 

What may constitute a harsh for one owner may equate to a Cadillac ride for another, or at least a close approximation. The only way to determine the ride characteristics is to drive one. In terms of winter driving it all depends upon where you live. For me driving a Corvette in winter is not a good idea, I live in Maine. Living in Georgia your experience will be different.

 

my summer only tires are not fit for winter driving, which is why they work great in the summer
my winter tires are not fit for summer driving, but they work great in the winter. If the roads are clean I take it out in single digit weather.

whoever said "tires aren't fit for winter driving" probably also says that hammers don't work for spreading spackle, which is in fact true

 

I currently have a 2017 Z51 without Magride, compared to my old car which was a 2002 G wagon, the Z51 is a waayyy more comfortable ride. But again the G wagon is a veryyy rough ride, I think anything after that feels smooth.

 

Had a C7 Z51 Vert for over 6 years. Lived in the mountains of northern NY and no to me the car does not give that rough of a ride. This was my 7 Vette. Now the tires Oh yeah. The ambient temperature goes down the roads get cold, your tires get slick. To me about 40F at night on a regular biases with OEM type tires and you can have a very interesting ride. At that point the car goes in the garage till mid or late April.

 

The non Z51 I bought from Carmax and owned for a total of 2 weeks then returned, rode smooth and plush if that's what you are looking for.
The Z51 that replaced it, from Carmax as well is a bit harsher and not as much a cruiser. I think the lower profile tires have a lot to do with it. The non Z51 car certainly had a lot more tire between the wheel and the road.
Then it's a Corvette. It's not really supposed to ride like a cruiser. I like the feedback a lot better from the Z51 than the previous short lived car.

 

All I ever drove was a base Stingray...no idea on ride difference. But I can't imagine the Z51 is worse then my sport suspension Charger had. I'll be adding Z51 sways in a few weeks.
The 2019 base has the 19/20 wheel setup stock.