First C7 start of 2023! | Z06's and E-Rays! 

Shane man! Great to hear from you as always. Happy Fredday indeed! I agree, I'd love to see the E-ray in some skilled hands on a track. I suspect (though not proven) that on a track it will be very similar to the Turbo S vs the GT3. Just because it's a little heavier doesn't mean it isn't going to slay, and I honestly think that there'll be a handful of tighter tracks the Z06 will set much better times, but that anything with mid or long straights, the E-ray will make up for that weight deficit with power delivery. I'll say it now, if I do decide to get the C8Z, and we get to that point, and MM offered me an E-Ray slot instead, I'd think long and hard. There's a good video out there of a camo'd e-ray on the 'Ring absolutely shredding the track, and I think I love the deep pushrod rumble at least as much as the LT6 scream. :) Have a great weekend man! Also, love seeing your interactions with Doug (Kerry Glock) in the comments. The bond of friendships over cars are a wonderful thing! -Fred

Haha, sorry about the mess! It's a humble space, but it works. That said, I'm getting quotes on building my detached garage, and am hopeful to get something built in the next year. I am including a small filming studio in that, which would be a wonderful addition for me. Separately, once driving season arrives, I plan to add more diverse filming so it's not just me standing there talking. In car, out of car, etc... I want to branch out. Thank you for the support and the kind words, they mean a lot! :) Have a nice weekend Jon! -Fred

Thanks Bill, much appreciated! Story time. Way back in 2014 I was on a trip down in Naples, FL for the day, and my wife and I were walking to a restaurant. Right across the street was a yellow C7. First year, hadn't seen any in person, and there it was, in gleaming glory. I took a couple pictures of it, and was so impressed. I too, hadn't thought the pics were anything too amazing, but seeing the car in person changed my opinion. I do certainly agree that the widebody of the Z or GS really add to it, and once I saw those, I would never have gone for "just" a Stingray (though still a sweet car). I never thought in a million years that a mere 4 years later I would have my own C7, it seemed so unattainable to me financially, but things change over time, and I was fortunate to be very successful for someone my age. Anyway, nice to hear from you, have a great day! -Fred

Hey fellow Fred! Congrats on the E-Ray reservation. I think Riptide is the color to get for the E-Ray, though that's just me. I think some of Chevy's other models are offered in that color, so you likely can do a little searching and go find a dealership with one in stock (I think the blazer comes in it), and see the color at least in person, even if not the E-Ray. Hope that helps! -Fred

Thanks Fred great idea.

I always enjoy reading your comments and thoughts man❗ Glad you're planning on coming to Carlisle. I'm looking forward to meeting up with you in person! 😆 Don't worry if plan #3 Mustang is your only option...ha ha ha 😆 There were plenty of other brand cars at Carlisle last year, so you'll be safe! -Shane

@@Hangin_With_Shane Thanks Shane! I hear good things about you! You’ve got to be in your life, one of those people I call “The Glue”! One you can count on and holds things together! Clubs, organizations, businesses, families and such need such people! I bet Fred is one of those people too! I sure hope I get to Carlisle! I may not have many opportunities left. Chemo for the past four years just takes so much out of me. Two weeks on then two weeks off. Fred is such a great guy. I was away in Aruba November 2, when Ciocca had the ZO6 reservation request open up. I had been waiting for it, but found I couldn’t do a wire transfer from Aruba. I was disappointed to say the least. A few weeks passed and I had been following Fred for awhile, but not that long. Anyway, I think it was just before Thanksgiving I made some comments and he got back to me. He convinced me to at least to get on the list at MacMulkin and since that time we have had such a great time IMO. I think I might have been the first person to have appeared on his Tablet of greeting his followers. So, he’s brought some hope and sunshine into my life. Some goal out there to live for. I’m glad you had the opportunity to be #24 and that you got to hang out with him. Looked like it was fun but cold outside MacMulkin. 👍Thumbs Up Buddy, keep counting them! Kerry Glock a/k/a Doug (The Glock was my Duty Carry Firearm, was a LEO for 33 years, so a play on words)

@@kerry_glock Doug, thank you for the kind words! I had very similar thoughts about Fred when I found his channel and I'm just really glad RU-vid Fred was the same as Real Life Fred...ha ha ha 🤣 I had heard about your name play with Glock/LE, but wasn't 100% on that and I've learned never to assume things 😁 I figured you and I would discuss it soon 😁 when we meet up! I'm currently at 22 yrs myself, so congratulations on retiring! I had also heard about your cancer, but didn't know the details either, so try and stay strong my friend! Cancer is extremely difficult to deal with for you and family alike. Having lost my father to Cancer, I have a little experience with your health situation! Looking forward to meeting you in person at Carlisle or some other event sooner 😉 I'll keep you in my thoughts and until we meet up, be well! -Shane

Love you guys! Just too bad we are separated by distant miles. So want to get together and see the cars we all have. I’d like to hang out and discuss the build of a C8 ZO6 and ERAY. Even another Stingray would be fun to spec. The last 4-5 years have been rough for all of us (might be an understatement)! Looking forward for that #24 ERAY to be acquired and hearing a lot more about it. Is there any word at all on the pricing? I’ve been trying to get my wife onboard with trying to keep the C6, C8 and getting the ERAY. The C6 is super clean and with only 7,200 miles, it’s almost like new. Carvana gave me an offer of $34,249 on 2/24/2023….. I probably should have taken it. Really need to downsize the fleet and have some cash for a significant down payment. 6-7 vehicles are just too many……. Alternative might be to pass the C6 along to my son. 2022 C8 1,197 miles Pleasure Vehicle 2016 Explorer 86,543 miles Wife Daily Driver 2013 BMW 328x 11,459 miles Pleasure & Trips 2011 F250 11,422 miles Necessary for plowing snow 2009 C6 7,244 miles Pleasure Vehicle (Retirement present to myself) 2009 Mustang GT 17,547 miles Pleasure Vehicle Family Christmas Present 2006 Explorer Limited 154,427 Daily Driver Yes the fleet is too large to enjoy keeping up with them all: Inspection, Oil & Filter Changes, Insurance, wash and shine, tires, whatever? My health just doesn’t permit the TLC I need to provide to them!!! State Farm loves me.

@@kerry_glock 💙 you too man! We'll get together soon! Between NCM Bash, Carlisle, my E-Ray delivery, or Fred's Annual Drive... we'll figure something out for a gathering!

That sounds awesome on the F-car front. What model(s) have you been looking at? Low miles I bet your ownership experience would be great. The 458 is my all time fave, with the 430 close behind. The newer stuff they make I'm sure is nice, but they just look a bit more "busy" to me, and maybe a tad less soulful. That said, by all accounts they're true monsters of a car. Higher mileage on the older cars though, and I've heard a few horror stories of how expensive they can get. I agree on the production front, and hope that this year GM really can ramp up. Looking even where I am in line, I think I'm *at LEAST* 2-3 years out, potentially 3-4. The only benefit there is more time to save, but also I have a fun car in the meantime. I hear ya on wanting to have something to fill that void. Total alternative thought, to really mix it up (totally different market so feel free to laugh), would be either the current gen M5, or a lightly used ZL1 1LE (in manual). Both cars are relative bargains on the low miles/years used list, and put down tons of power. I've heard of lightly modded M5's putting down 911 Turbo S level acceleration, and the 1LE looks like an awesome back road ripper. For ~$70k for the 1LE with low miles, I don't know that there are many more capable cars for less money. I've personally been kicking tires on those for a bit "just to see" if I can find the right one. Haha, anyway, have a nice day! -Fred

@@FredsFullThrottle thanks for the ideas. I'll reach out if I make a purchase on anything other than the Z06. In the meantime, I'll continue to wait.

Hey Sully! Agreed, hope you have Z07 available, as the first though that comes to my mind whenever I see you is your C5 on the track, and track driving. :) As to the plate, I figured there are a few ways to go with a vanity plate: - Something about the car. I've never been a fan of that. Like you're driving the car, having "C7 GS" doesn't tell someone anything they (as a car enthusiast) wouldn't likely already no - Something kinda braggy or performance related. The "URSLOW" or "BIGM0N3Y" type plates are not my style, and are corny to me. - Funny. I wanted to make people smile. I figure worst case if I ever get pulled over (knock on wood, haven't yet), I can say "officer, the car can't go fast, the plate says so". Or at least get a chuckle. What I have enjoyed is that at various places (even in a traffic jam), I've had people ask "Is it really not fast?". Lol. Usually I follow that up with a rev or something, and everyone laughs. I'm all about making people smile, so I had to go the funny route. :)

@@FredsFullThrottle Gotcha! I can see the humor on a fast car! My C5R-427 had "LQQKOUT." We liked that because the Qs on the real plate looked like eyes. In SC there isn't a letter O on the plate just the number 0 (zero.) So here we are at Walt Disney World leaving Disney Springs going back to the Contemporary Hotel and a local cop stops me. I knew I was not speeding and I always using directional signals, so I asked why. He said that he ran my plates and they are no valid. I thought firstly why run plates on an older couple at Disney. I asked if he typed in O or zero, when he said O, I explained. He smiled and said have a nice evening. Weird!

161!! I'm jealous!! I'm so far back that I'm afraid they will no longer make them by my turn. Isn't it just the aero package that is not available? That stuff could be aftermarket.

@@polystictus I put down my deposit Sep 2020 without knowing the specifics. I figured worst case I could cancel and get my $2K back. Here is the list of the Z07 option.: -Carbon fiber aero package with larger front splitter, front-corner dive planes, a rear wing and underbody strakes -Unique FE7 suspension with specific Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 calibrations -Michelin Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires developed specifically for the Z06 -Available carbon fiber wheels that deliver a 41-pound reduction in unsprung mass -Brembo carbon ceramic brake system featuring larger, 15.7-inch-diameter front rotors and 15.4-inch-diameter rear rotors So yes some items could be after-market but the upgraded, track focused suspension is important to me. I do not think GM will piece-meal the Z07 option, but I wish they would. Hopefully the Z07 will be available when my turns comes around.

I agree with that observation. At least for me, I've never viewed buying cars as an investment, but rather something to enjoy and have fun with. That's why despite taking as good care as possible, I also will never "save a car for the next owner". I won't sweat the little nicks and scratches and signs of wear, putting mileage on the car, or driving it in the rain if I get caught out and about. For me, cars are for enjoying. I have investments for making money, so I've never considered looking at cars that way.

I mean my standard answer is MacMulkin, but I believe the list is super long. It would be MSRP, but you'd also have to wait a long time, if they're even still accepting new deposits. Worth a call if you are interested. You'll have a wait, but you likely would get the car eventually.

Hi Green Rush! You're right, for *enough* money, I would part with it. :) Now as to if there's a *reasonable* amount I'd part with it for....not really. I'd say and I'm genuine when I say this, I'd part with mine for a 992 GT3 straight up trade, a 992 Turbo S straight up trade, or probably about double what the car is worth (in cash), so about $120k. Here's my rationale: If I got 120k cash, then combined with what I've saved up already, I could go buy a 992 911 GTS, or for either of the aforementioned cars, I could end up with what my true dream cars are. Shy of that, there's nothing out there that I'd take over my car, so I'm happy to ask for unrealistic numbers/cars to get rid of it. I truly love my humble C7 GS, and would be very conflicted, even if someone had a GT3 to trade for it. It's the first really expensive thing I ever bought for myself, and it's more than just a car to me, it's a milestone, an accomplishment. I would question anyone's sanity if they offered me any of those 3 things for the car, so I'm happy with the fact that that won't happen. But, if you've got a few hundred K kicking around and a burning desire for an Admiral Blue car....let me know :). Side note, if I got any 992 gen car, it would be in Gentian Blue Metallic, which is more or less very close to my current cars' color. :) Have a nice day! -Fred