There are a couple items that would be nice to have on the Z51 option, like the performance rear axle. But I will never be racing on a track. The most performance driving I will do is on a mostly deserted black top road, at speeds that are illegal. And that will be a very rare event.

A trip to Texas Motor Speedway is a possibility, but your top speed is limited to 100 mph.

So...is there any reason the Z51 package should be purchased in my case? This will be a weekend (the need for speed) driver. Maybe 1000 miles / year.

What say you?

 

Not really. I wanted the front lift so I had to get it.

 

This is just like the mag ride argument, total can of worms. Those that don't have it say you don't need it, and those with it swear you have to have it. All of this stuff is in degrees, and there is overlap, it's not black or white. A good driver in a non mag ride non Z51 can leave a poor driver with both for dead. You won't need the cooling or the stiffer suspension on the street, you just don't. It is a must for the track with the increase in stresses on the car. Some Walter Mittys on here think they're a junior version of Lewis Hamilton and need all the track performance the car can have when they can't use 70% of what the base car possesses. I saw this same crap when I would do track days on my 1098 Ducati, I remember a guy with over $5k of Ohlins suspension on his bike and thought WOW, that's serious stuff, I had an even bigger WOW when I lapped him. Nothing makes a bigger difference than the driver.

 

Do it!!! Talked to my dealer, who is reputable and nothing to gain or lose from our dealing....(also, before I finish, the options included are well worth the price), stated that the resale on his C7 trade ins are worth much more with the Z51 and the Mag Ride.

Sure, you lose 10 mph top speed, and the 5 extra HP isn’t much, but who is really going to go 194 mph?

bigger breaks, extra radiator, etc etc etc....if you piece it all out, the cost is more than the value that you’re getting. Plus, the first question you get asked (qualitative value) is “Is it a Z51?!?”

Sorry, Iong response, but I’m just pumped because I found out today that my tpw is 3/29.

 

As much as I think Z51 is a bargain for me, it seems like overkill based on your description. I would still get the NPP exhaust.

 

I just ordered the mag ride and exhaust but I didn’t go for the full Z51 package. I much prefer the look of the car without a wing, so for me it was simple. The limited slip and rad won’t be missed given the way 90% of the drivers will use their cars even with the occasional track day. IMO it’s an appearance thing, if you like the wing get the package, if not pass and save the $.

 

I don't know, man. I hear it can get pretty hot cruising at 0-5mph during spring break in Daytona. Don't want that engine to overheat.

 

Yes...just thinking through the options, what I really need for my driving, versus what would be a waste of money on options that I will never need, or use.

 

Or ******** the drag at South Padre Island. Over heating is a real possibility.

 

It's not a bad value, it does include NPP exhaust and almost EVERYONE gets NPP, that alone offsets some of the expense. It's what you want out of the car. I will say I do enjoy the non Z51 lack of brake dust on my wheels, the pads on the Z51 make a mess in short order. Of course those can be changed, but at even more money.

 

You don’t need Z51 package to get front lift. You do need 2LT or 3LT trim level though.



I just answered a similar question in another thread. I don’t think you need the Z51 package at all for your use, which is similar to mine.

I think my HTC looks better without the rear wing, I like the all season tires, I like less brake dust, I like saving $4600 ($6000 Z51 - $1200 NPP - $200 Z51 front splitter which I added myself). I did add MSRC (FE2 suspension), NPP and front lift.

Like @Luke-44 said, it’s really an appearance thing. If you like the look better with the rear spoiler get the Z51, if you like it better without then don’t. You only NEED the Z51 package if you are going to track the car.

 

Some of the little pleasures in life are buying things you don't need or will ever use, as long as you can afford it or it makes you happy. Like a 1:18 scale model of my C8. Useless, except that it makes me happy when I see it on the shelf. It's okay to do that. If you're buying a C8, you don't have to justify every option with a need if you just want it.

 

When I am in the market for a used Corvette, I never buy the base model or car without the Z51 option.

 

Can't understand all these "Why" discussions, for why people should or should not get certain Options!

Me, I option a Car, the way I want it
I could care less about why others don't care or do care for those options. With the C8, I don't want a "Lot" ordered car, I wanted a 'MY" optioned car. I'm the one that has to live with it, not others.
I don't put people down because they don't like the same Options I do. There's a "REASON" they are called "OPTONS". Without them it would be like buying a "T" module. One car, One Color fits ALL . . .

Did I need Z51 option because I'll be Tracking My C8 a Lot? NO. I just as those that don't care for it, is I liked it's Looks, and even at 77 yrs old, High Wing. Just like it's looks, same as some of you just like Base car, like it's looks. "OPTION!
Same with Wheels. I did not order it with the Optional GM Wheels I liked best. I ordered stock ones, as I knew I would need a second set of Wheels & Tires. I now have Summer & Winter mounted tires. Also, now i can 'Option" for either set to be on car, anytime of the year, for any reason that fits need, just for 'Looks", or a little FUN Sport's driving.

While I hated to lose the ability to "Corner Weight" it, I ordered the lift option. Why, because I know I needed it, because of area I live in. Also because I wanted GM's or Aftermarket %VM package. It's splitter is wider than Z51, making it more of damage problem, While other don't or think they don't need that option, just come down to the City listed in my Avatar. You'll understand the "Why" of that even with a base C8. Distance from the nose to centerline of wheel is greater than stock or Z51. That nose want start to lift upwards until the front tires have started up grade without the "Lift". Where I live, the rear wheels can be a problem with dragging/Hitting nose. On some entrances the grade of Road angles down, creating a Valley.. When that happens the front wheels of C8, may not have started up grade to to lift the nose upwards.. Now you have to figure out how to try and crab into entrance or out of it, and that can happen even with lift.

Simple reason I "Optioned" the C8 the way I did.
Now why I could do that, I have a one other Personal Option some don't have, I have the "Option of not having to Finance the car, so I can "OPTION" or Modify it the way I want, not the way others think I should.
My C8 is my Daily Driver, except when it's not practical to use, like going to a Supermarket Etc. At 77 no reason for it not to be....LOL I'm sure not worried about resale...

Bottom Line. You buy your C8 Optioned the way you can live with. Meantime I'll live the one I 'Optioned" an-or modified the way I wanted it. I can live with what GM included in Z51 package, or for that matter having to go from 2LT package, too a 3LT option, just to get the interior I wanted. It was just an "OPTION".

 

Yep, buy what you want and what is in your budget. Nothing wrong with getting insight into certain options, but you will end up with an endless debate from people who bought it saying you need it, and people who didn't buy a certain package/option saying you don't need it.

What I have learned a long time ago is that it is much easier to order the options you think you want up front then try to add things piecemeal later.

Example 2LT. My C7 was Z51/magride/PDR. Kicking myself later that I just didn't get 2LT and HUD, heated seats, better sound system, etc. With my C8 order I added 2LT. Would I be happy with 1LT? Absolutely and I don't look down on anyone getting that car. But for me, I know I would have regrets.

 

I didn't want the rear spoiler because it makes it harder to load/unload items out of the trunk and I did not like the looks of it. I also did not want Summer only tires due to the colder weather around here 5 to 6 months of the year. So for me I added the NPP and the Mag Ride and left off the Z51. Now if I could have ordered the Z51 with all season tires and the spoiler was something liked the look of and was mounted on the rear deck lid so it opened with the rear hatch, I would have ordered it. Kinda along the lines of I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it theory...

 

I've owned four Corvettes and the last two have been Z51s. I owned my C7 Z51 before I sold it to buy my C6 Z51 to mod. When I had the C7 I went from the Michelin OEM tires to Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ tires and it really softened the ride. I did the same on my C6 and it made no difference. That Z51 harsh ride was still there even on the smoothest roads.

Like you, I don't really track my Corvettes. I got the chance to track my C5 at a Corvette Club event one time. None of my other Corvettes saw anything like a track except my C7 - I took it for a very spirited drive on the Tail of the Dragon one time. Otherwise my cars only see curvy mountain roads in North Georgia. I don't see the value of adding the Z51 package the way I have historically driven my Corvettes. I will add MSRC when I order.

I'm getting a convertible because the wife misses my C5 vert and our MB E350 Cabriolet. We both turn 62 this year and knowing that I kept my C5 for 11 years I'm pretty sure I'll keep a C8 just as long and it won't have high miles on it either. If I want the spoiler I can order one. I have several friends who own body shops that will order one at their price, paint it for me, and install it. I certainly won't be worried about resale in my 70s.

I'm not saying to add the Z51 package is a bad decision. It certainly did it's job when I took my C7 on the Dragon. I had it in track mode, drove it both ways, and when I got back to the north end I could smell my A8. I was paddle shifting the entire time.

Like we all say - it's your car. Do what you want to it.