Z51 Package or no Z51 Package

[TWEGNER]

I'm close to ordering my C8 Stingray and unsure if the Z51 package is worth it. I don't intend to track it or drive it very aggressively. This will be my first Corvette. I would appreciate feedback based on everyone's experience. Thanks.

[JB]

My first corvette back in 1998 which was a 1999 model had z51 and I’ve ordered a z51 or z06 model ever since.


there is no right or wrong choice. It’s really do you want a slightly sharper tool for carving up the mountain roads or up in the mountains.

I’ve driven the standard stingray and it’s wonderful it really is. You can’t go wrong . The z51 just fine tunes that suspension with heavy duty components and a more sporting feel.

if you want a slightly more sporting feel get the z51 for the street then get the Z51.

Only you know what money is worth to you.

auto,prove journalist always praise the z51 package as a must have. I drive mine all year usually about 11k a year in the Ny metro area on the excellent moderate performance tires that come with the car which P4S tires . I’ve even gone through one set and replaced them with the exact same moderate high performance tires the P4s.

we each have our own opinions on tires, on options and if you do a search on any corvette site you’ll see this topic

To Z or not to Z ?

that is the question.

fwiw the Eray at 104 grand is the grand tourer between the z06 versus Eray …

the z06 is the track rat while the equal performing Eray is the luxury grand tourer…

the Eray has all the exact z51 bits and pieces, suspension and fe4 mrc shocks , transmission coolers, e differential bushings and gears etc..and the Eray is considered the grand tourer…(with wide body and bigger tires and wheels not to mention the 160 hp electric motor behind the front trunk.

so if that identical suspension, coolers and other fun bits to z51 is a grand tourer in that model. The idea that z51 is only for the track is flawed..

Z51 if you want about an 8.5 percent (kidding) sharper sportier tool for the street. In the past when I used to say 10 percent sharper the forum guys wanted to know how I came up that exact calculation …

best way is to flip a coin…there is no wrong answer…

what I would do is go to a local corvette club and ask to ride in both to decide.

I’ve probably let 50 or 60 guys over the last 32 months drive or ride in my c8:as early in the dealers didn’t have the inventory.

I don’t remember where you are located but if your in the Ny tri state area,shoot me a pm and if you buy me a cup a coffee you can drive my vette around bear mountain and the seven lakes to decide. (I’m a cheap date)

id say about 70 percent of the guys who drive my vette order z51 and probably 20 percent buy the awesome standard stingray.

ten percent or so are still waiting for delivery.

fwiw my wife who never really likes driving in my past vettes yet she says my z51 with mrc shock stingray rides like a Lexus in touring mode and she loves this corvettes ride .

this model with the z51 and mrc rides very nice.

all that said a lot of my good friends in the corvette club love their stingray 1LT and some of these guys are worth a hundred million dollars ..

some guys on here say you must have at least a 2LT for whatever reason..(which I disagree with)

it’s your car, it’s your money…you have to decide what you want…

there is no wrong answer. Just different choices.

[JB]

I wrote a book!

good luck and have fun deciding.

[ALF01]

My first suggestion is you search the forum...there have been numerous threads on this topic, my many valid & beneficial inputs. Of course, as is human nature, everyone believes their viewpoint is the right one, but it's a personal decision. One point I like to make (made many times while selling new Corvettes in a prior life) is that - when considering cost of ownership - do not forget to factor in increased trade in value with having the Z51 (or any other option, though many have zero value at trade in time). If you paid $5k for it and got an extra $2k at trade in, your true cost was $3k.....

[Torchy]

Perfectly happy with my non. Everyday driver and I love it. And the performance is thrilling, the mountain drives are wonderful.

[MikeC8]

Skip the Z51 if your aren’t going to track it. Instead use the money to buy a HTC. I’ve owned both and wouldn’t go back to a coupe or Z51 .I ordered the low rear wing / spoiler and front splitter which I think looks better then the Z51 rear wing. . Just my 2 cents and also get the performance exhaust for that extra 5 hp and sound.

Yes the HTC with the performance exhaust is much more noticeable then the coupe. You actually hear the exhaust all the time in track mode. My coupe was way to quite and couldn’t hear the exhaust.

Watch the Jeremy Welborn video below. This might help you decide. It helped me.

[dsinnott42]

My $.02.
The stereo w the Z51 alone is worth the cost. It ROCKS!

[Jetdriver]

I have a 1LT coupe with two options. It's a lot of car for less money. The only thing that Z51 might help you in your case is resale. Probably find a new owner faster if you had the Z51 version. I don't care what the next owner wants. I don't care for the look of the spoilers on the Z51. You can get Mag ride without Z51 package now so that might an alternative to spice up the experience a little.

[Al]

Another consideration for me was that this would be my first and last Corvette and realistically will keep it 7-8 years. I wanted to have the full experience that includes Z51 although it will never be tracked (but maybe the next owner will). I wanted to not have any what ifs for this big purchase. Hope to take delivery early July. If I were looking to buy another in a few years my choice may have been different. Good luck. !

[Saleen556]

Sounds like a base non Z51 is perfect for you. Enjoy the savings and enjoy the ride😎

[John]

While I always get a Z51 based on my usage, as you asked TWEGNER, I would instead save that money BUT definitely get the FE2 mag ride option on your base car (still saving mega thousands), and as suggested above, use that extra saved money by not get Z51 and getting some another option(s) you might want instead.

[Thunder22]

non Z51, magnetic selective ride control, and HTC. you'll be happy.

oh, and if this is your first vette, you probably haven't been paying attention to situations where you might scrape the front of your current car. Take a look at the environments where you drive and see if you could benefit from front lift potentially.

[Yoda]

My personal choice order the Z51...with mag ride. Something to consider... when I attended the Ron Fellows school, 3 people in the class had purchased non Z51 cars and regretted it after attending the school.

[My1stVette]

My $.02.
The stereo w the Z51 alone is worth the cost. It ROCKS!

You can get the Bose Premium stereo on a non-Z51 with the 2LT trim option. That's what I have.

As to other reasons for not having the Z51: cost savings, all season tires, less brake dust, and the manual limited slip differential.

If you're wondering why I included the MLSD, check out some of YouTube videos on the advantages of MLSD vs. eLSD.

[RKCRLR]

I'm close to ordering my C8 Stingray and unsure if the Z51 package is worth it. I don't intend to track it or drive it very aggressively. This will be my first Corvette. I would appreciate feedback based on everyone's experience. Thanks.

While I'm a fan of the Z51 for street use in your case I'd get a non-Z51 but add MSRC and NPP. The ability to firm up the suspension during spirited driving (although not the main objective of MSRC) will get you part of the way to the benefit of the Z51 on the street.