Bluestripe67

Yesterday my wife said, lets go and drive a new C-7. Ok, we did! The back story is that since the C-7 debuted, I have lusted for a coupe in 2017 for my 70th BD. Over the last several months my lust has been reduced to a basic thought. That's due to the devaluation that takes place once you sign the papers and it is now reinforced after the drive. I was not selling the '67.
I am simply hooked on the drive experience I have each time I drive my '67. The new one was beautiful, comfortable, and very powerful. NO, it wasn't the Z-06. It just did not have a comparable personality. There were no real sensations. It actually rode harsh even in the tour mode. That may be a direct result of the Michelin tires. I will still admire them, I just won't be getting one. I'm considering a fully restored '64 Coupe that a friend has just completed. Dennis

ChattanoogaJSB

Dennis, after years of 67 ownership, I'm glad to see you moving upmarket to a 64 coupe. You deserve the best for your birthday!

In all seriousness, I enjoyed my c6 a great deal, and the c7 styling just isn't for me...that coupled with the fact that I really can't imagine the increased engineering is absolutely necessary c6 to c7- they are all fast and capable- means no c7 in my future. I would probably come closer to buying an F-Type!

In the end I'm with you, there is an AURA (best I can describe) that goes with operating a Sting Ray that is irreplaceable. Just...irreplaceable. Do you have any photos of the '64?

hedgehead

Good choice. I bought a new 08 Z06, stupid fast, wife would not ride in it, sat most of the time while I paid insurance, I sold it after 5 years. I did OK but you can't expect to drive them 5 years for free.

65hihp

Interesting thread,
I felt the same way about getting a special gift for myself for my 65th birthday, but never got so far as the test drive. New cars just don't do it for me, even as beautiful as the new C7 is. Instead, I stumbled upon a very nice mostly original 64 fuelie coupe (with some mild old school street race mods) that I jumped on. After that I was surprised to find out that I am now a member of "the 64 is the very best mid-year corvette" club. They really are the top of the heap in these cars, but few who don't own them realize it. Zora knew they were the best, and all of us who own them know they are the best. If you grab that one from your buddy, you will know it too. Welcome to the club!

bradc6

While there's nothing quite like the driving experience of a midyear, I love my new C7 Z06.

capevettes

Dennis, Good luck with the 64 coupe. I had one and enjoyed it alot. Every bit the mid year the others are. I don't like riding the steep depreciation curve when you buy a new car. I bought my 06 Z06 when it had 2,500 miles on it and bought it for about 1/2 price almost 6 years ago. It's a blast to drive. The old Corvettes just give you that feeling that you are in a piece of history and it never gets old.

My buddy bought a new Z06 and let me drive it. Heck of a car but it just has no traction but loads of power and handling.

JackTripper

The C7 does it for me. I am glad and fortunate to have both.



Pulling into Cars and Coffee

jprop

Words that have never been uttered in my household...

ILBMF

Heard that ^

corvetteed

If you get that '64 Coupe, you'll be very happy w/it. From one '64 Coupe owner to another..... I know I really like mine

Bluestripe67

She surprised me with that statement, and it was not the first time. As a result of the drive (she did drive it as well) she now understands my passion for my '67 and C-1/2's overall. Dennis

LouieM

My 67 ragtop gives me a sense of occasion whenever I drive it that is priceless. My silver 2007 coupe I bought new with museum delivery is a nice example of the best-looking Vette since the original Sting Ray and plenty powerful and comfortable with great luggage capacity. A few friends have C7s, but the exterior is too in-your-face, and the dash is too uncomfortably digital, for my liking.

Oh, yeah, I once had a 64 coupe but was horrified to find out someone had swapped drums for discs so didn't keep it long.

AZDoug

The best part about having a new Z06 is having someplace to actually, well drive it, at its capabilities.

On un-congested mountain freeways and twisty empty mountain secondary roads where you can appreciate it for what it is.

I would find one a waste of money if i just drove it around town or in congested traffic.

3/4 turn decreasing radius freeway on and off ramps and transition ramps are fun at about 3 times the posted speed ,as you are running about 1 G cornering force. (thing doing 80MPH going into a 30MPH 3/4 turn transition ramp)

Doug

wsaugenstein

Hi Don. I passed on a few 64's and other mid-years to buy my '65 fuelie because it was the last year of mechanical F.I., first year of 4-wheel disc brakes, functional fender gills to keep the front end down at speed, etc., etc. So, why is '64 the best?

Wayne

Randy G.

We didn't go the Z06 route, but did pick up a Z51 optioned 2016. I added Z06 carbon splitter and skirts, and wheels. The ride is very smooth unlike the OP's experience. My wife just turned in her SLK 350 MBZ and it rode like a truck by comparison. With GM Employee (my dad is a retired Hughes Aircraft Employee) we got almost $10,000 of the window sticker.

Now we are down to 4 Corvettes. The three C1's and now this.

AZDoug

You look like you may have lowered yours.

I scrape the front splitter sometimes at stock height.

You must live someplace really flat.

Doug

AZDoug

I find the ride smooth, also.

I leave it in touring except I programmed the steering to be in Sport, in all settings except track, which has Track steering.

The minimal effort Touring steering steering is too twitchy for me.

The ride stiffens up considerably in Sport or Track.

Doug

capevettes

I'll bet it's because he now owns one Don is a long time 65 owner and I think he actually likes that one too

sub006

Take advantage of depreciation and buy a used 2016 this year, probably will still be under warranty.

ChattanoogaJSB

Yep, because we own them!

No, in seriousness I do prefer a 64 for the early interior, gauges, the big back glass, and the 63 style hood without the false grills. It just adds up. Mostly I think those of us with a 64 have to give a friendly bump to our cars since they are the "lowest" Sting Ray to a certain personality type who has to own "the most expensive" car/boat/house/wife to feel secure.