2017
12-09-2015, 06:57 AM
#61
Burning Brakes
The C7 Z06 I will buy is the last year they make them to get the best one possible. I skipped the C6 waiting for the C7 and will watch the improvements and get the best discounts also. The C8? How can the Corvette get any better than the C7 Z06? Mid engine is not my favorite drivetrain format. Drove the GT40 it was fun but obnoxious.
12-09-2015, 08:39 AM
#62
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: Northern VA
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"Ask Tadge" Producer
Someone who "gets it". It's not that folks who want the luxury items are against a de-contented car. There's no thoughts given to, "it'll de-value the name!" At all. It's about money. While what ElCid posted would probably happen, what would also happen is the cost of optioned-up car would go up. There's a discount that happens given volumes, and if GM doesn't buy as many X things for the car, then the X things they do buy will go up in cost. Guess who ultimately gets to pay for that cost increase? (hint: it's not GM).
12-09-2015, 09:34 AM
#63
The C7 Z06 I will buy is the last year they make them to get the best one possible. I skipped the C6 waiting for the C7 and will watch the improvements and get the best discounts also. The C8? How can the Corvette get any better than the C7 Z06? Mid engine is not my favorite drivetrain format. Drove the GT40 it was fun but obnoxious.
12-09-2015, 10:47 AM
#64
Team Owner
The weight of the C7 GS would be the same as the weight of the base Stingray with Z51 plus the additional weight of the larger brakes and wheels/tires moved over from the Z06.
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12-09-2015, 11:05 AM
#65
Team Owner
Someone who "gets it". It's not that folks who want the luxury items are against a de-contented car. There's no thoughts given to, "it'll de-value the name!" At all. It's about money. While what ElCid posted would probably happen, what would also happen is the cost of optioned-up car would go up. There's a discount that happens given volumes, and if GM doesn't buy as many X things for the car, then the X things they do buy will go up in cost. Guess who ultimately gets to pay for that cost increase? (hint: it's not GM).
When the C5 was still a dream at GM, they envisioned(and planned to build) three versions, a fastback coupe in 1997, then a convertible in 1998, and then a "Billy Bob" version with a cheaper fixed roof, cheaper cloth interior, and cheaper manual transmission as the only transmission choice in 1999. More of a de-contented car than the base fastback coupe. After doing some research, GM decided that the cheaper full "Billy Bob" version was going to devalue the Corvette's name and decided against it. The "Billy Bob" released for 1999 was not the fully de-contented car as originally planned(it was only $394 cheaper(1%) than the base fastback coupe)and only represented 12% of the 1999 production and that dropped to 6% in 2000.
It's not clear if GM originally planned on the Z06 version when they were laying out the C5 back in 1992-1996, or if it was a decision made after the sales failure of the "Billy Bob" version. But, when they did make the Z06 out of the "Billy Bob" version, it was more expensive($7775, 19%) and it was a sales success(16% of 2001 Corvette production and jumped to 23% in 2002). Same with the C6 Z06 and the C7 Z06. But the C6 Z06 and the C7 Z06 were versions that GM planned to build from day one.
If you review the production stats of the C5, C6, and C7, you will see that the majority of people want optioned up, more expensive cars and not "stripper" versions.
Last edited by JoesC5; 12-09-2015 at 11:31 AM.
12-09-2015, 11:21 AM
#66
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2009
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2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Yes there are good deals on the 16's now and I think there will be large discounts on the 17's too. The market is now flooded with C7's.
I would wait till you get more info on the 17's, and then decide.
Good luck on what ever you decide.
I would wait till you get more info on the 17's, and then decide.
Good luck on what ever you decide.
12-09-2015, 11:24 AM
#67
Team Owner
Well in the context of this thread, the purchaser of their dream car NOW would be able to enjoy it every day, while those who wait for tomorrow or next year can only sit and wonder what a new vette might be like.
If you want to get into the overall wealth management and financial advice discussion, that is outside the context of this thread, and buying a Z06 at any time is probably a poor wealth management decision.
If you want to get into the overall wealth management and financial advice discussion, that is outside the context of this thread, and buying a Z06 at any time is probably a poor wealth management decision.
He said my future didn't look good and I should make plans for my family(wife and two kids). I jokingly said that I should go out and blow everything since I wouldn't be around to enjoy it tomorrow. He said "and what if you don't die today, then what are you going to do tomorrow without any money".
Well, it's been 32 years since that little talk we had. Good thing I listened to him and I didn't blow everything so I could "enjoy today and to hell with tomorrow".
I didn't have a 56 Vette, nor a 64 Vette, nor a $80,000 high per performance version Corvette(as I have now) until I made sure my family was taken care of. Those "goodies" came later as did the enjoyment of them. I didn't miss anything while waiting. I had Corvettes before I had my second heart attack and have had them after I made sure my finances were in good shape.
But, if one's finances are in good shape, and an expensive toy wouldn't put them into bankruptcy if they had a major downturn in employment, health, etc., then by all means, buy today and enjoy that toy.
Last edited by JoesC5; 12-09-2015 at 11:48 AM.
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12-09-2015, 11:41 AM
#68
Team Owner
The "spats" are the black plastic fender extensions that extend out over the tire over most of the wheel opening. The "spats" are all on all Z06.
The "winglets" that you are talking about are only found on the stage 2 and the Z07. You can remove the "winglets" from the spoiler on the stage 2 and the Z07 and you will still have the "spats" attached to the front fenders.
Last edited by JoesC5; 12-09-2015 at 11:49 AM.
12-09-2015, 12:03 PM
#69
Team Owner
Exactly!!!!! The amount of finger pointing whining is just stupid when you see this car running 10.40s out of the box, setting some of the fastest times ever at race tracks, and all from a car that is as happy to drive across the country and use as a daily driver. Even the amount of luggage that can be taken is impressive. Plus the MPG is very good for a 650hp beast. And all that for what Porsche wants for a 350hp entry 911, which I might add even the 911 turbo S is 3600lbs. Nothing is perfect but then again nothing can touch this Z for the money "over all".
As for the highway gas mileage, the C7 Z06 is 9% better than the ZR1 and the C7's coupes luggage capacity is 32% less than the C6 ZR1. But both the C6 ZR1 and the C7 Z06 are better bargains than the more expensive foreign cars. Not necessarily better cars though. But, I have seen the more expensive foreign cars on road trips and being used as daily drivers.
Last edited by JoesC5; 12-09-2015 at 12:19 PM.
12-09-2015, 12:05 PM
#70
Melting Slicks
What you are referring to are the "winglets" that are mounted to the front spoiler on the stage 2 aero option and the Z07 option.
The "spats" are the black plastic fender extensions that extend out over the tire over most of the wheel opening. The "spats" are all on all Z06.
The "winglets" that you are talking about are only found on the stage 2 and the Z07. You can remove the "winglets" from the spoiler on the stage 2 and the Z07 and you will still have the "spats" attached to the front fenders.
The "spats" are the black plastic fender extensions that extend out over the tire over most of the wheel opening. The "spats" are all on all Z06.
The "winglets" that you are talking about are only found on the stage 2 and the Z07. You can remove the "winglets" from the spoiler on the stage 2 and the Z07 and you will still have the "spats" attached to the front fenders.
Oh right. It's hard to keep up on all these aero bits.
12-09-2015, 12:08 PM
#71
Team Owner
12-09-2015, 12:37 PM
#72
Regarding 2017 models, I hope GM will introduce a new wide body Z51 with updated LT1 +500 HP NA.
12-10-2015, 07:22 PM
#73
this is a minor one, but kind of baffling.
The two ceiling lights have pretty bad button design. You have to press them pretty right on center otherwise they dont press smoothly or if you catch them on one of the edges then dont press in at all.
I wish they just went with the simple and elegant solution of having the dome light be the button, where you just press the ceiling light to toggle it on or off.
Also the buttons are even kind of poor quality looking since they look tilted in there like they are not attached correctly (but they are) and even the material looks really cheap. The lights themselves look good, its just the buttons are total crap. Someone at the dome light sub, must have designed that one after a hangover or something. eh, we all have bad days.
The two ceiling lights have pretty bad button design. You have to press them pretty right on center otherwise they dont press smoothly or if you catch them on one of the edges then dont press in at all.
I wish they just went with the simple and elegant solution of having the dome light be the button, where you just press the ceiling light to toggle it on or off.
Also the buttons are even kind of poor quality looking since they look tilted in there like they are not attached correctly (but they are) and even the material looks really cheap. The lights themselves look good, its just the buttons are total crap. Someone at the dome light sub, must have designed that one after a hangover or something. eh, we all have bad days.
Last edited by TripleBlack99; 12-10-2015 at 07:24 PM.
12-11-2015, 04:58 PM
#74
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Colorado Springs, CO/Augusta,GA Colorado
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I applaud you on your patience. I'm going to guess you must be under the age of 50. Eight year wait to skip the C6 and now another possibly 5 to 6 years waiting for the last of the C7's....whew 13 years of waiting. BUT if the C7 design is discontinued when it's replacement comes out or if it is further improved, you will then be buying an old design.....that might call for another round of waiting.
The C7 Z06 I will buy is the last year they make them to get the best one possible. I skipped the C6 waiting for the C7 and will watch the improvements and get the best discounts also. The C8? How can the Corvette get any better than the C7 Z06? Mid engine is not my favorite drivetrain format. Drove the GT40 it was fun but obnoxious.
12-12-2015, 10:51 PM
#75
GM dropped off my 2017 pre-pre prototype [for some back road testing last week] and everytime I open the trunk I forget the eng/trans are back there and I need to put the fitted luggage up front,its really good in the snow with the all-wheel drive,and the drive by wire steering is nice too,but I cant get over the sound of that v-12 rowing thru the 9-speed tranny,o'well back to work,maybe you should just buy a 16',as theres nothing really new coming out soon