quaters

Did a fair amount of research and did a lot of reading so I wouldn't have as many surprises.

Goal: To buy a used Corvette as a daily driver and eliminate known issues and future maintenance at the best value

Where I ended up: 2016 Z51 2LT M7 PDR Non-MAG Ride 11k miles

Summary of rationale:

• 2016+ - First Year of Android Auto, out of 3 year 36k mile warranty (cheaper car)
• Z51 - Was between the GS and Z51, while GS seems to be a better value the bent rim issues steered my towards the Z51 (possible $5k expense in forged rims for a GS)
• 2LT - Wanted the creature comforts, but not the liability of the 3LT Leather Dash (possible $2-$3k repair)
• M7 - Did not want to install a range device for the 4-8 cylinder issues and shudder. Or join the class action on the A8 transmission.
• PDR - Added Bonus, but wish it had the ability to use it as an always on dash cam with over write ability.
• Mag vs. Non Mag - This was a tough one -- I really wanted the Mag ride, but in the used arena you are closer to having them replaced (costly). My extended warranty did not cover Mag-ride either and they needed a SW update at $350.
• 10k Miles - Went low miles, paid a small premium and bought an extended warranty.

Gotchas:

• While 2016 was the first year of Android Auto, the car I bought didn't have it. Confused I did some research and GM shipped the first cars of 2016 without Android Auto and sent a certificate to have it installed at a dealer at a later time. My car was never done and now (3.5 years later) I will attempt to have it completed at the first oil change.
• The M7 feels sloppy compared to my C6. Not sure if it needs new fluid or if I need more practice and muscle memory. Also not crazy about the how high the clutch engagement point is. I might invest in a MGW short throw shifter as the reviews say it is night and day compared to stock and has much less slop.
• 10k miles - The car is nicer than I had hoped for. Inside still smelled new and paint was almost perfect. Hurts me more than I thought to daily drive it now.

A little craziness:

• Never drove a C7 before purchasing
• Bought the vehicle sight unseen, sent a 3rd party verification for a report and bought through a reputable dealer.

Thank you to everyone who posted about all the above issues, helped me greatly.

Hope this summary saves someone else a little bit of time or gives them a point to start research on a topic.

JMII

Congrats, nice summary Pretty risky to buy a vehicle without driving a representative sample. I test drove three C7s before I bought mine. Knew I had to get mag-ride.

The software update is not needed... its optional. I skipped it, the ride in Tour and Sport feels perfect to me. And for 2014 they didn't update Track mode.

Skid Row Joe

Congrats, first of all. The Z51 goes hand in hand with the Mag Ride. Disagree with your assessment of it breaking down, or, that the $350.00 upgrade would not have already been included with the car used, or, done gratis by the dealer. I also don't think that it is not included on ext. warranty items list.

zipity

nice write up and I am watching the used sales as I am bout 15 months away from looking to get a C7 as a daily driver. My want list is similar to yours except I need an automatic so my wife is able to drive it.

quaters

I went back and forth on the Mag Ride. I don't think there is a wrong decision, but I found enough cons that I was okay either way. I read that only the GMEPP covered the Mag Ride and I didn't got that route. In hindsight I should have (GMEPP). Also read a few threads about the earlier c7s saying things like "Mag Ride is great until you have to replace it".

Maybe it's a good thing that I don't know what I'm missing

SingleTrackMinded

Congrates on your new to you C7. Getting the M7 was the right move

Vetteman Jack

Congrats on your C7 - I would bet you will throughly enjoy the car.

C5 Z16

A new shifter would probably tighten up your M7, No worries about maintenance of the Mag Ride is not a bad thing if you are keeping it long term.

miss my Z06

I also bought a 2016 M7 Z51 but it has mag ride. Bought in Feb of this year with 5,200 miles. So far I love the car and I did buy Extended service warranty from GM. Put some pics up when time allows and enjoy your new ride...

dbintegrity

Congrats on your new to you car !! FWIW in 2017 I went from a Z51 without Mag ride, to a GS with and I was not tracking the car but I noticed no significant differences... both cars handled well.... Good luck with it... Oh and M7 was definitely the way to go...

quaters

Here it is being torn apart, ha: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...owboy-dan.html

And in a better light: