Well this feels like a long journey. In reality I know its not, as I started looking to replace by C7z in May. It just felt like the right time to make the change as all the ballers, flippers, and a good portion of the individuals on dealers lists at MSRP or whatever have received their cars. The market had started to turn, and cars were selling for MSRP on a regular basis and a few here and there were offering discounts. My C7z was holding pretty good value and I thought to myself. Its time. Lets not wait for the prices to go lower and my c7z go even lower. I was able to find a dealer to order my car within just a few days.

I currently have a black c7z. This was my first black car and not my first choice of color, but I love it. It was not difficult to keep clean as I had I ceramic coated it....however it just requires more cleanings. Not that big of deal for the look. The love and hate...I think allot of people talk about.

My c8z was basically the exact same look. Black C8z with red calipers. I picked the 3LZ package with black interior and Z07 aero. I was on the fence of getting red stitching and red seat belts on my build, but decided I liked the white stitching better to try and keep everything murdered out. It was really hard decision as I liked the red line on the steering wheel when you picked red stitching and or yellow, etc. If you picked standard white stitching, you get the black line on the top of the steering wheel, which really gets lost in the carbon and doesn't give off that wow factor. But that was the choice to keep the Look.

Following was my journey for the build

• 5/09/2024 - spoke to dealer about ordering c8z
• 5/15/2024 - Built spec on chevy website and sent to dealer
• 5/17/2024 - 2000 Status
• 5/22/2024 - 3000 Status
• 5/31/2024 - TPW of 9/2
• 7/25/2024 - 3300 Status (TPW 8/12)
• 8/07/2024 - 3400 (Scheduled for Production)
• 8/21/2024 - 4200 status (shipped)
• 8/22/2024 - 5000 Status (Delivered to Dealer)
• 8/24/2024 - 6000 Status (Picked up car)

Yesterday I said goodbye to my most reliable and fun corvette I have ever owned. My C7z


I finished all my paper and now I'm on the new journey of the C8z. I'm hoping that I have as much fun with this car as my last. Oh and I hope its as reliable. The car was just like I asked for it to be presented. "Do Not Touch", "Do Not Wash", "Leave all protection on". This was my request as this makes it easier on black car to get ready for paint correction and PPF. No free wash that puts swirls in the clear coat. LOL.

Here she is


Upon first inspection. I really like it. I was surprised as how heavy the doors are! They are like Mercedes doors now. Very different than the c7 doors, where you can lightly close them and it sounds like you slammed the door. The fit and finish looks good. I did however today after multiple foaming and ironx treatment and finally washing the car that the bumper that was removed and put back on for the armor guards is not lined up good. That will have to be taken care of next.

One huge surprise I had was the steering wheel when I took delivery. I could see from afar something glowing through the glass. The stripe on the steering wheel was white and not black. I totally love it! It looks great! I was expecting to see the drowned out black stripe, like on the configurator. I guess they made a change to ensure the stripe matches the stitches. I also noticed the coloring on the led headlights seems a little different too. I'm wondering if some of the 2025 options have bleed over to the late 2024's.


Well there will be much more to come as I get the car ready to drive. Its off to PPF this week, then ceramic coating it and it will be ready to start getting those 500 miles out of the way. Cant wait to hear this thing winding out.

 

Great story I can't wait to hear how much you enjoy the new Z06. I'm about to place my order on a build with the same exterior color. Did you go with the bright red or edge red brake calipers? Also what were you quoted for PPF and ceramic coating. Which parts of the cars are you going to PPF? Appreciate it!

 

Thanks,
Awesome. I really like the aggressive look of certain black cars. I dont think you will be disappointed. I went with the bright red calipers. The edge red brake calipers look pale in person and nothing like they do on the configurator. I think the edge red brake calipers only go well with certain color combos. This is all subjective by the way. If you are thinking about them. Be sure to seem them in person, and get what looks best to you.

For the PPF. I'm doing what they call a track pack and will get the spoiler covered as well. So this will include the full front (Hood, quarter panels and entire grill), A pillars and front edge above wind shield, mirrors, rockers and rear quarter. All of that is about $2700 to cover all the high impacted areas. I will get the windows uv protected since I went with the 3LZ and dont want to run into any problems. Wiill do the lumar IRX ceramic window.

For ceramic coating. I have always done my own ceramic coatings. I have several different dual stage polishers and have been doing paint protection, polishing, etc for many years. I use carpro products. The ppf shop does do ceramic coating. They user ceramic pro coatings. They do like one coat of cermic pro for $800 this includes the wash, clay bar and light correction, or you can do the 2 coat which includes car pro 9h coating for like $1500. I believe both cover everything like wheels, glass, plastic, you name it.

I did some reading on the products and I have mixed fealings about them. IMO, I dont think they last as long as carpro products, and I just use the consumer grade products. this is what I will be putting on the car.

The D quartz will be the first layer down on the car paint. It creates a really hard surface. Then the Cquartz Sic will be the second coat on the paint. Oh this goes for wheels too. For the PPF, the cquartz skin will go on for 2 layers.

 

When sinister meets elegance!

 

Gorgeous car, congrats! And thanks for posting your timeline, it gives me another point of reference.

 

Wow that’s a cool car. I love black. My F150 tremor is black metallic. It looks so good when clean. I did notice the Z06 is harder to wash
than my truck and my GT3. I’d be afraid to try to keep it clean as I live in a rural area and dust is everywhere

‘’great combo and congrats

‘btw I looked at several C7 Zs and yours is one on the best I’ve seen. I thought of picking one up, but then the C8 happened

 

congratulations! that is a serious Batmobile look for sure. I am in the same boat. Mine is in for PPF and ceramic all week. However, I was able to get 1k miles on the car before they took it from me.

you are in for one awesome experience.....

 

Mines going in for ppl tomorrow. I dread it

 

Np. I was looking for these when I ordered my car and thought it would help for reference for those waiting on theirs. I saw so many getting their cars before myself and it was great watching others get their rides. I think the aero can slow them up sometimes.

 

Thanks. That black metallic is amazing in the sunlight. Great choice.
When I got the car home the next day I did 2 foam and rinses on the car then I did some ironx and another foam and rinse before I foamed and washed it. The paint was pretty much immaculate. No real issues anywhere except some sticky stuff in a couple places that needed cleaned up. I left that for the ppf team as they picked it up today and will start where I left off with wash and clay bar, etc. I had to see what the paint looked like and couldn't help myself. Had to give it some TLC first. That is the key for great shine on black cars and trucks.

The c8z is more challenging to wash than the c7z. I was worried about the vents and getting water in the hatch but it all worked out with no issues. Its a big beast for sure.
Yeah I had a tear in my eye getting rid of the c7z. Thanks for that. Hopefully I can find the right stance on the new c8z.

 

Congrats ! Have fun keeping that clean :P

 

Thank you. Yeah its not that bad for me. Gives me some extra time to spend with my car. This car is really big and its not going to be as easy to wash as my c7 so we shall see. I'm anxious to see how the PPF works for or against me. I only got the track pack PPF, so I will be able to see how the car looks with/without in terms of noticing dust and dirt.

 

Congrats! I'm extremely thrilled with my 2024 3LZ Z07 with all the toys. I went with the yellow offsetting contrasts (calipers, seat belts, and stitching). My centering ring on the wheel is yellow.

 

Insane car @Datawiz could you include an interior shot I'd love to see the yellow stitching, etc.

 

Here you go:

 

Update
It has been a real pleasure working with my local automotive styling shop. Since this was my first experiencing with getting PPF, they were really informative and welcomed all questions and any pop up visits to check things out. They even send test updates along the way. I stopped by to take a look when they started the PPF process, and it was great to see the artists at work. They really treat your car like it was their own and pay attention to the all the little details. Really impressed.


Not too mention. If you are a car guy. They have everything from A to Z. Its like a candy shop. Everyone brings their cars in for wraps, ppf, detailing, mods, you name. This crew does it all. Since they had my car and its a bazillion degrees here in Tx. I decided to let them do my first coat of ceramic coatings, instead of trying to sweat it out in the garage. It just made since. They had no issues in applying my products.

I got the track pack PPF, and then decided to cover the whole doors as well. I think that is about as good as I need for rocks. The wheels and brakes were pulled off and ceramic coated and the car got 2 coats. The shine is amazing! I decided to go with llumar 80 blue all the way around the car. Not sure if I should have put a darker tint on the side windows, but time will tell. Will post pic later when I take a pic.

Took her home last night and took my first short night ride. Coming from driving manual cars all my life and trading in my M7z Manual. I would have to say that my initial 20miles were pretty underwhelming and not really engaging at all. I reached for my gear shift a couple times. LOL.

This drive was basically trying to figure out all the buttons and such in the car....and basically just driving it after 2 weeks of ownership and not having it around. The very first thing we noticed about the C8z is that its a way more comfortable ride than the C7z. The sport mode in the c8z is way more comfortable than the C7z. Its not as harsh and brash. I put it in track mode once and I can tell that this car really comes to life in that mode. Cant wait to turn that fun botton on after 500 miles. Its too aggressive to keep the rpm's where you want it now, so I will stick to tour and sport mode.

Anyway, off to get some miles this morning!

 

Took the car out to relatively the same spot as my c7z. Now I can see them side by side sort of speak. Not exactly the same time of day, but I can them in sort of the same environment. One thing I have noticed about the c8z so far as I get the miles in. It sure is a smooth ride.

 

Spent some time in the engine bay this week. I have everything cleaned up polished and ceramic coated. Looks allot better in there and hopefully will be easier to wipe clean after cleaning the car. I think I have about one more week of not touching it and then everything should be good to go.