I am just going to vent for a moment as the other day I got into a little difference of opinion. I was talking to another Corvette guy about Corvettes and he said that my Vette was very nice for a base model. I politely corrected him and said "no it's a coupe" and a very well optioned coupe at that. He said that the options didn't matter as it is still a base model. Once again I had to say "no the factory designation is Coupe and there is no Base of all the factory designated models". Coupe, Convertible, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1. No Base. GM made base models of all the factory designated models. If you have a 1LT GS than it a base model Grand Sport. He said that didn't matter what I think or what the factory says that unless you have a badge that you have a Base. It was at that point I said I gotta go and just got into my highly optioned Base opened my NPP and lit both tires up to say my goodbye. I don't know of any other car that refers to a factory model as a Base. none! Please correct me if I am wrong. It didn't make me feel like a lesser Vette owner as I bought the model Vette I wanted but more the stubborn ignorance of this guy who just came across as being holier than thou, and this clown does not even own a Vette. Maybe I will buy a couple of the Z51 badges so the next time I run into another guy like him they will think I have an upgraded model!.

 

Hagerty calls all Corvettes base from '53-'62. In '63 they separate the Z06 before going back to all base until '70 with the ZR1.

All C6 Coupes & Roadsters are considered base unless it's a GS or Z...

 

"Base model" means entry level/ most affordable variant. In the hierarchy of C6s the only one I'd consider base model-ish is a 2005 with the 4L65... and even that's a stretch as an entry level corvette was still leagues ahead of a lot of fully loaded (and similiarly priced) competitors during that period.

I can see his "logic" I suppose, but there's clearly some ignorance on display here - your 09 LS3 w/ Z51 isn't base anything. The only other variant offered in 09 was the Z06, so according to him a person who purchased a new corvette in 2009 either owned a Z06 or a base model? Did Chevy ever reference an LS3 coupe as being a base model?

 

Hagerty calls a '67 L88 a base model but a '78 Pace Car is not. It's all about model designation...not motor.

 

OP, like it or not, everyone on here calls the narrow body C6 the "base" Corvette regardless of its trim level 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 4LT. The C7 generation fixed this by calling it the narrow body version the "Stingray".

Hell, the people with a "base" Z51 get their panties in a knot because they think Z51 is a model, which it is not.

Life is too short and stressful to add this nonsense to it. Just enjoy your car.

 

Obviosly it did or you would not have ran home and started a thread like this

Who cares what some stranger says.

 

Well this happened over a week ago, I was bored this morning so I decided to write this today. To be honest what bothered me the most was this strangers arrogance and attitude coming from a guy that does not even own a Corvette. When we use it here on this board I understand because we are all owners of these cars. I will admit I did let it get to me but once I roasted those tires it made me feel all warm and fuzzy again.

 

I always felt that unless it is a GS it is a base. THen coupe or vert. What I look at is the trim level. As in my BASE 2012 COUPE with 3LT trim. Unless you really have a need to one up the next guy, who cares? IT'S A CORVETTE, which is more than most people have.

 

The Corvette community is not immune from snobbery.

 

lol, the older I get, the less I give a $hit what other people say, especially the ones I don't know.

Be comfortable with who you are, the choices you make, the things you own, you don't need to impress anyone but yourself.

 

This is where the term base gets abused IMO.

There are a lot of owners out there that feel they need to beat down the lesser models and intentionally inflate themselves to a higher peg.

 

Him being a non corvette owner doesn't deserve the time of day.

 

I can identify with your irritation from when I had my C6. The GS is different from, not better than the coupe. Which one is better depends on your personal preferences and driving habits. While I think most GS owners agree with that, there are some who don’t, and their various put-downs can get annoying. Just ignore it.

Having said “ignore it” I will add my own reasoning for preferring the coupe. That doesn’t mean it’s better in an absolute sense. It simply means to each his own. To my eye, the “wide body” of the GS appeared overweight, sort of like the Kim Kardashian of Corvettes. My eye preferred the sleeker look of my coupe. I also preferred my coupe’s F55 mag ride suspension even though the stiffer Z51 suspension did give the GS a smidgen more ultimate cornering capability. And finally, unless you track the car and have the skill to utilize the better tolerance of high G-forces and extended high speed, high power output running that dry sump gives, you’re better off with the wet sump oil system of the coupe.

 

I see ten times more of the opposite. Members being "corrected" for referring to their car as a Z51 because it's not a model (whatever that means) by persons who seem to have no problem with "base" even though that isn't a model either.

Saying something is or isn't a model adds virtually nothing to the conversation. It's a marketing department distinction.

 

Agree. Pissing contests are not as fun in your sixties. You are just happy to be able to take a good **** at all.

I bought my 07 new, years before all this GS "braggerting" you hear now. You got either a coupe, a vert or a ZO6 if you want a track car. Who gives a sh*t what's called what.

Maybe I should brag about my "base" C6. You can't see your voluptuous GS fenders when driving 100MPH down the road...only when parked. Don't give a sh*t if others want to criticize me about my freakin' fender size...duh! Base is the greatest!!! The GS is wider, slower, and pricier to own: tires....brakes....and those with dry sump. Don't feel the desire the upgrade to that. You wax and admire your "upgraded" Vette....I will drive mine.

I guess owning a C6 for 19-1/2 years, that you are still perfectly content with and still smile when you launch it, makes you immune from all the mind-numbing "my C6 is better than yours" chatter.

 

Occasionally a C6 is referred to as a "Hatchback" as well

 

Every car I've owned has been a "hatchback". Are you trying to start something? LOL

 

If it's not a Grand Sport, Z06, ZR1, or 427, it's a base. There is no trim line below it, thus base. It's the same in Porsches, you buy a 911 that isn't an S or a C4, or one of the millions of other trims they make, it's a base.

Porsche tried to class it up calling it a Carrera, in the same way Chevy tries to with it being a Stingray, but it's the base.

A 1LT no options is what we call a stripper model, because it has nothing on it.

There's nothing wrong with a base model or a stripper model either. Love the car you have for what it is. No shame in a nicely equipped base or a stripper GS. It's still a cool *** car. Even the worst Corvette is better than the least lame Tesla, ya know?

 

You do realize that when you "roasted your tires" that the other guy was in control of your actions?

You gave him the power/authority to pull your strings, like a marionette.

Never give someone that power, over you.

Now, as far as "base" vs. everything else....the lowly" base model is probably the slowest C6 made. But, even so, it's still a 180MPH car...

 

Well, I've called my 2008 a "base model" with a degree of pride. Bought it new....NO options other than being a convertible and a six-speed automatic. Oh...and NCM delivery as well (an option, not optional equipment of course!). Manual top that takes me 30 seconds to put up or down. I drove my buddy's 2013 Grand Sport and BY FAR preferred my good old base for ride and comfort. Honestly, it is the best car I have ever owned....solid, comfortable, reliable (other than the shifter problem!). It will be in my garage till I head to that big Corvette show in the sky!