fireinv38

please tell me realistically what the difference is between the Z-51 option. I will not be tracking the car. It will be used on public highways with potholes and in everyday traffic. Why opt for the option? price is not a factor. have a 2013 Grand Sport now.
Thanks

shaan

Get Z51 with mag ride, you are set to go

Mdm23

It's kinda like the reason you chose a grand sport over a regular C6. If price isn't a factor why not get the Z51? Imo the mystique around having the Stingray is only present if you have the Z51. That package is required to have the car perform as advertised. Plus, it looks better.

Bill17601

Mag ride available on all c7's in 2015.

slief

In your case I'd probably suggest non Z51. You will get an overall better and more forgiving ride at the expense of overall handling in the curves. Still the car will perform great and if you ever desired better handling, adding Z51 Sway Bars and a set of DRM custom valved Bilstein shocks will transform the car for a fraction of the cost. If you don't mind spending the extra money, the Z51 with Mag Ride would give you the best of both worlds but you are talking several thousand more dollars over the base price.

fdxpilot

Some coolers you will never need. A spoiler, lower aspect tires on bigger diameter wheels (same width tread, though,) and a stiffer suspension with rear stabilizer bar and bigger front bar.

Unless you get the MRC suspension system, which is another option, but only available with the Z51 package, your ride will be similar to your current GS. Non-Z51 and MMRC are both smoother riding, and the MRC will absorb potholes better than the other two.

For your uses, the only two pluses are the appearance with the larger wheels and spoiler. Everything else is a wash, or favors the non-Z51 for a street cruiser. Just my $0.02 worth, but my wife does drive a non Z-51 vert for this reason.

Steve_R

The Z51 option package includes the following:

- 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
- dry sump oil system
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential
- larger front brakes (13.6 inch vs. 12.6 inch) with black calipers
- specific shocks, springs and stabilizer bars
- differential and transmission cooling
- unique Aero Package that reduces lift for high-speed stability
- Michelin® Pilot® Super Sport® ZP summer-only tires
- available Magnetic Selective Ride Control and Performance Traction Management
- HD Cooling
- Slotted Brake Rotors
- Performance Gear Ratios

Are those things necessary or worth the extra cost for normal driving? Only you can answer that question. Most of them are for better high speed or track performance and won't be noticeable in everyday driving on the road. The vast majority of Vettes with the Z51 package will never see a track but people are willing to pay for it. Mag ride is nice, but very costly if it ever needs worked on.

I traded in my '08 Corvette coupe on a C7 convertible. I tracked my C6 a lot so it was set up for it. I decided I won't ever track the C7 and I wanted a vert, so I decided the Z51 package wasn't worth the extra cost for me. I liked the Z51 spoiler so I had the dealer make it part of the deal to buy the C7. I'll add bigger sway bars and better shocks if I ever decide to track it, but I don't see that happening.

Go through the list above and ask yourself if each item is necessary, or will even be noticed for how you'll drive your Vette. That should give you a good answer to your question.

J18369

Do you like to drift around corners? Z51

Do you like to go straight? Non-Z51

Big Lebowski

If you are coming from a Grand Sport, you should not give getting the Z51 a second thought...it will feel like a downgrade if you DONT get it. Any automotive reviewer has said the Z51 package is the bargain of the century. Get it. It's worth it for the rims alone.

2CRUZIN

runutzzzzz

Wheels alone are almost worth the price!

Since price isn't a factor then check ever option box available!

DALE#3

Good statement to be liked around here.WOW!

J18369

It's kind of funny really. People act like a Z51 package turns you into a Z06/ZR1 or something.

Big Lebowski

I disagree. The only comparisons have been made between the base Stingray and a Z51...However, for the next 6 months or so the Z51 Stingray is the top dog.

J18369

Top dog in what? Going around a corner? Depends what you're trying to do.

At a drag strip. I would put my money on a nonz51 a6 over any other Stingray. On the race track... well, that's up to the driver. I'm sure PTM helps in the Z51.

jerryv

I'd certainly agree that the Z51 package is a great value and has a lot of cool features .. but they're all features that I'll never need, so I didn't order it. I don't consider my choice a 'lesser' C7 .. just one that is configured for my driving needs. I've got to assume that all the people that do opt for the Z51 package are planning some *****-to-the-wall driving ..

Steve_R

Top dog what?

Some (as in a previous poster) seem to think a non-Z51 somehow isn't even a C7. I never saw the kind of arrogance from ZR1 or Z06 owners toward base C6s that I see all the time from Z51 optioned cars towards all other C7s.

StingrayTR14

Well, for me, the looks alone on the Z51 just blow away that of the base car. Again, that is just my opinion. Add the performance aspect of it all and again, IMO, Z51 is a nicer car.

J18369

Tbh, I think this is one of the main reasons people buy a Z51. Some people like the spoiler (my opinion: I don't), and some people like the Z51 tuning fork rims (my opinion: I don't). 90% of Corvette buyers, Z51 or not, will never push the car to its limits or even have it on any type of track. Just like some Z51 drivers either purchased it on looks alone or dealer stock. Z51's may have been constrained for a while, but when I checked dealer inventories, EVERY single car was a Z51.

These are, of course, my opinions. Just like people are entitled to their opinion that some extra weight, coolers, rear sway bar, a spoiler, different tires, and gear adjustments bought them a far superior car.

NaplesDoc427

I have to agree. Z51 is an option package, not a model. People refer to their cars as a "Z51" which to me is like saying I have an "NPP" or "3LT". They are all C7 Stingrays optioned the way the individual wanted them, and we are all (generally) happy with our vehicles as configured. It is different to say I have a ZR1, a Z06, a 427, etc, as those are specifically different models. I love my non-Z51, and have no regrets, but at the same time respect the buyers who opted for the Z51 package. Seems like the opposite isn't always true. I am sure I will be blasted for this, but just my humble opinion.