Ron_Attleboro_MA

Hi all, I think I am ready to buy a C8. I presently have a loaded 2017 Grand Sport Convertible which I have enjoyed for 5 years now.
I never switch out of Touring-Mode and wish I could get an even smoother ride.

I have been following what people are ordering. Seems there are some many, a majority of people, whom want the Z51 option.
I believe most will never track their cars and really don't use the benefit of having the Z51 option.
Am I correct to believe a non-Z51, non-mag-ride, car will have the smoothest ride?

Best wishes to all;
Ron

blackvetterzo6

I really think a lot of people do it for resale, because about 3% of the people that buy these cars actually track them.
I had all that crap on my ZR1, never used it once

spireland

Most people don't use the capability they have in a car. It's kind of weird to hold that standard to the z51 option and not the whole car. By that logic, why even buy a Corvette if you don't push the limits every time you drive?

If you don't want Z51, don't buy Z51.

Trying to justify your own choices based on what others do is a shortcut to being unhappy.

Jbravo_AK

Majority of it is resale/constraint. When I bought mine the Z51 wait time was less and I do appreciate the comforts like NPP/extra cooling/tires ect. I will be tracking my car though come summertime.

itsonlyairandfuel

Non Z51, 1lt, never had a better corvette, this is my eighth one. I have friends that have Z51 cars, most said they did it, to help resale value. I never bought my car to resell. I even have my 2001 Z51 coupe I bought new, really never felt the difference between the other C5 cars I rode in. If you get on rough interstate, even my car is rough riding. Can't imagine what a Z51 would feel like. If you are buying used, the market is getting back to normal. prices are gradually coming down. Good Luck.

Walt White Coupe

Ron,

"Am I correct to believe a non-Z51, non-mag-ride, car will have the smoothest ride?"

Yes

TD20

For me, I liked all the options that were on the z51. In my mind, what’s another 7k when I already have spent all this money.

MitchAlsup

Personally, I do not see why everybody does not simply order a Z51 !
I also don't see why GM did not just put the Z51 transmission in all C8s.

{Probably has something to do with mileage or emissions...........sigh}

Kevin A Jones

My '23 C8 Z51 2LT is not a daily driver. I enjoy it mostly for taking early morning spirited drives on the twisty country roads around my home and the Z51 option definitely enhances that experience. I also chose it for the included NPP exhaust, Z51 rear spoiler (my favorite of all rear spoilers offered), front splitter, and rear 3rd radiator etc.. Not a big deal, but the "Z51" decals on the calipers are pretty as well. I'm not saying the Z51 is better, just fits my needs and preferences better.

ArizonaZ06

""Never switch out of Touring Mode"". Well that one says it all to me.

Go with the non Z51 C8, keep it stock, and try to stay out of the fast lane

Avanti

Simply an artifact of the "slant" of Forum members, one that has exhibited itself through various series... check-out the C7 Forums, for example.

Foosh

A non-Z51 w/ MRSC in Tour should provide the same smooth ride as a non-Z51 without MSRC. Since you can order MSRC on a non-Z51 when there are no constraints, it gives you the ability to stiffen things up for spirited corner-carving. That's what we did for our street-only C8 because there is absolutely no advantage for the bigger brakes, extra transmission cooling, and things like eDiff and PTM in a street-only car.

StanNH

It's just personal desires. All C8's are great, and offer good ride quality and handling regardless of how they’re optioned. Most, including myself, opted for the Z51 simply because it's considered the performance best of the best … certainly from an emotional point of view. We're building our own dream cars, and everyone’s dream is different. The base suspension is surely the most compliant ride, with or without the mag ride option. If that's what's on your own wish list, there's no need to spend more money on any options that don’t improve on that. Very few forum users have ever expressed any disappointment with how they ordered their cars … that should tell you something.

undecided1965

I mean Z51 would be awesome if it was parted out. I for one do not want the louder exhaust, my wife would not like that. But, I'd love the extra cooling, bigger brakes and firmer suspension. I also would not want the summer tires or the dusty brake pads. I do not understand why we can't order this things piecemeal.

JerriVette

ron normally id suggest going to a local corvette club and ask for a ride in each yet you seem so confident id imagine a stingray with mrc shocks to enjoy is what you want.

good luck. Two years in, 20k miles and im loving this c8.

newcastlegreg

I have a 22 htc nonz51with mag ride.
I also have various other cars- Tacoma pu, Honda Civic, 1967 c2. Even with the way I configured the c8 it is still the roughest riding car compared to the other cars I mentioned. The big low profile tires on certain rough roads can be brutal. You will also get plenty of tire roar. I find myself changing modes but tour only helps a small amount. I often find myself wishing the rear tires were a bit skinnier- that way the tires would be quieter and it’s fun to slip and slide a little bit…

Fishfryer527

So… the C8 is a bargain… it is considered a near proxy for a real supercar by many. So who would buy a near supercar without near supercar potential, plus Z51 cheap, $6k, chump change. So yes, Z51 is overkill for many, but so is 495 HP. THAT IS WHY YOU ARE STUCK WITH TRACTION CONTROL! We don’t use those 500 hp but once in a great while. Traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes… my 70 vette with under 500 hp will do rolling burnouts at 40 mph and it’s an automatic. So even the base car is way too much car for the street.

as far as mag ride… if Ferrari has it, I want it. It’s that simple. Actually, I want a Ferrari, but I’m too cheap, lol.

this is no different than people that buy Japanese liter bikes. 99% of people never explore anything more than half of the performance of a modern rice rocket. My old CBR600 was absolutely frightening (and it couldn’t power wheelie), forget about when I borrowed my buddies CBR 1000 (that’ll loop if you aren’t careful), that thing was just serial killer insane. Never been on Hayabusa, but I’d imagine that is pretty unbelievable.

people buy Z51 because it’s cheap, has extra cooling, NPP, big brakes and stiffer springs, extra everything all good things. And ITS CHEAP. It’s a no brainer. I couldn’t imaging ordering a car without it and MSRC (unless it is purely being used on the track).

RKCRLR

The Z51 also has a benefit on the street but the benefit may not be worth it to you.

The firmer suspension will provide a crisper feel, even with MSRC. But you may not want the difference and some people say they can't feel the difference.

The eLSD will help you dig out of slow corners while delaying the onset of traction control intervention and allow for more stability in rapid transient maneuvers.

The Z51 stops quicker than the non-Z51. Some will saw that the bigger brakes are just to prevent brake fade on the track, that once ABS intervenes there is no advantage, and the shorter distance is solely due to the summer tires. But those same people will say there is no advantage to summer tires unless you get them up to track temperatures. I believe the answer is they both contribute to the shorter stopping distance. Larger brakes can allow for better modulation which in turn can result in shorter stopping distances even with ABS engaged.

I haven't seen any evidence that the larger cooling system provides a benefit on the street. The Z51 may run cooler in hot temperatures but properly operating non-Z51s don't come close to overheating.

The Z51 package may help you sell a car quicker but if you lower the asking price by the amount you saved by not getting the Z51 your car will sell fine.

jgzo6

I live in Las Vegas I will get z51 package for cooling it't hot here in summer mag ride to soften ride If they had a heavy duty cooling package on The c8 i would do without z51 and mag ride.

BlaznZ06

Because when my order went through Z51 was all you could get at the time due to constraints.