Achmed

Found this one particularly interesting because the same driver drives both the Z51 and non-Z51 models:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...rst-drive.html

Sorry if its as repost, I glanced and didn't see it posted here.

DevonK

Thanks.

Pretty lukewarm review. He says some very interesting things about the day to day tractability and livability of the Z51 with MRC. I'm starting to think I'd be better off with a base model - sacrifice some 10/10ths track performance for street usability. Disappointing to read about the slow digital tach - not expecting to see that.

Should be plenty more reviews showing up in the next few days as the journalist fly 'n drive event in California is over.

Achmed

One think I was slightly disappointed with in the review is that he mentioned that he drove both the auto and manual and both the Z51 and non-Z51, but did not give acceleration times or even comment on how each configuration compares to another. He only said that the Z51 has better cornerning capability, so I'm still thinking the non-Z51 is just as fast in a straight line, until I read elsewhere.

And yeah it did also reinforce to me that the non-Z51 is a better buy (since I don't plan on tracking it). Just sucks that we can't get black wheels from the factory for the non-Z51.

RickDI

I was just reading that. He didn't mention if the Z51 he was driving had the Magnetic Ride Control which would make a big difference as far as ride comfort.

Sin City

He likes the cushier, softer riding non-Z51 for daily driving. That's how I read it.

DevonK

I'd be very surprised if it did not - GM is trying to impress these reviewers, they are going to put the Z51 in the best possible light for street driving and that means MRC.

Chicago1

Thats a massive wheel gap in front in that first pic!!! Not everyone is going to agree that's it's teh second coming and I do agree the back with the half/half is just odd.

Sin City

I drive a Mini cooper S JCWorks as a daily driver. That thing will shake your teeth loose.

I can handle the Z51 with Magna ride.... no problem!

RickDI

Yes, you are probably right. I guess the softest setting is still pretty stiff.

Stinger1

This is one mans opinion. Just remember, his goal is to have people read his article. I have seen video of other drivers say how nice the Z51 can be a daily driver.

onthebottom

That and with all the gushing reviews you need to be different to get noticed.... The Apple effect.

C7 will be my first vette, I'll have a hard time not getting the Z51 with MRC... if I'm going to buy a toy I want it to be a high performance toy.

OTB

LbulletM

Disappointing that the only difference he really pointed out was how the suspension feels. I wonder if he had the mag shocks...

C7 BOB

This tester confirms what I thought:

The base car is a great cross-country vehicle (exactly what I want).

The Z51 is a track car (not what I want).

nite

That's because the photo was taken during a launch. Gap looks fine in the other pics.

VETJAZZ

Good read. Thanks for posting.

Crossed Flags Fan

After going back and forth on the Z51/Mag Ride or the base car's "standard" suspension this article sealed the deal for me. I'm definitely going with the base.
Thanks again.....

speedlink

Agreed, wish he had mentioned if the Z51 had MSRC. According to Tadge, the MSRC has been improved greatly. Wondering if it would smooth out the ride on Z51 to match non-Z51 ride? If it does, I'm all over the Z51.

ZeeOSix

Exactly what's going on in that photo. Front end lift due to launching.

Trackaholic

At the bash event there were some conflicting stories regarding the ride quality of the Z51 with Mag Shocks.

Some said it provides an equivalently plush ride to that of the base model, while others (notably Jim Mero) said that it was more stiff than the base suspension but not as stiff as the Z51 without Mag Shocks.

One thing that you can't escape (even with Mag Shocks) is the stiffer sway bars of the Z51 package. This will reduce ride quality due to the tighter coupling between the left and right sides of the suspension, no matter how soft the shocks are.

I therefore lean towards Mero's assessment: that the Z51, even with MSRC, would still be less comfortable than the base suspension.

As for what exactly this reporter drove, I hope that it was a Z51 without MSRC. Because if it did include MSRC, and he did not write up anything about how well its different modes worked or whether he could feel a difference between them, then I feel he did a pretty bad job reviewing the car.

-T

JerriVette

Test drive the car yourself. I'm in my mid fifties...my wife's car is a caddy. I drive my c6 z51 everyday. My 81 year old mother lives in manhattan and when I visit and take her for a ride she loves riding in my corvette. She thought my z06 was hard riding but the z51 she likes the ride.

Anyone one the fence one way or the other I strongly suggest test driving before going base.

The z51 with MRC is the most amazing aspect of the c7.

The bloggers comments not withstanding ...as he wants attention to his blogging opinion..

If he praised the car would anyone have even noticed him.

My buddies over at GMInside news as well as many other journalists are test driving the corvette today. Their reports will be up soon enough. I trust Alex from GMInside news to give a true insight whatever he might report.

He s a regular guy.

JMO