The C7 has always been my favorite generation, especially the Z06 from that gen having a manual available with the supercharged 6.2l. I fell in love with corvettes back when I was a little kid and my Dad drove me around in his C5. Then when he let me drive it to prom I fell in love all over again when I opened it up one the highway a bit. The feeling from flooring a Corvette is like nothing else, its the only car to ever make me scared of using the full power of it.
Yep, your enthusiasm pretty much sums up the car. With crazy horsepower numbers being thrown around by manufacturers 455 or 460 sounds meager. But not in this car. One key thing to remember about horsepower is there is only so much traction to be had with a tire and road surface. Anything below optimum parameters for both and you make the crash highlight videos. Mine is 460 HP with the M7 manual and from a drivers perspective it keeps you very busy and hits all the senses. And it's too bad you didn't get to experience the RevMatch that comes with the manual. Makes the downshifts feel and sound like your a heel and toe professional. Great car.
My brother has a C7 Z06 Manual and holy crap that car looks like the ultimate experience. Why spend $250k on a Lamborghini when you can get a manual C7?! Also very glad you enjoyed!!
When I bought mine in 2016 I had a hard time finding a manual transmission I made up my mind I wasn't buy a automatic transmission or a white car I finally found a 2016 3lt Z51 racing tint yellow the color wasn't my first choice but it grew on me
The C7 Z51 has been my daily driver for the last 3 years. You mentioned sacrificing practicality, but if you don't have young kids to haul around or your kids have left the nest, then you don't have a need for additional seats. The trunk area is spacious - plenty of space for any item you need to carry or for small overnight trips. If you need more seats, there is always the Camaro. But the Corvette is a very purpose-built, capable sports car. Driving modes - you'll definitely feel a difference and hear a difference when you progressively switch through the modes from Touring to Sport to Track and beyond. Steering is stiffer and more precise. The suspension stiffens progressively through the modes. The only thing to watch out for is steep ramps and tall speed bumps because the car is low to the ground. Replacing the battery in the car requires some acrobatics because of the small spot that it's located in. There are winter sport tires available for the car, for driving year-round. I avoid driving it in the rain, and I drive it carefully when I do. There is a Weather driving mode and traction control, but there's no point in tempting fate.
what kind of a “daily driver” car is it if you can’t drive it in the rain? You are contradicting yourself. You go to work with a daily driver. It might be sunny on your way to work and raining cats and dogs on the way back. Do you stand instead and wait for the rain to stop and the roads to dry out? It sounds to me like a RWD car is not really safe to drive.
@@PeterSchneemann If it's raining cats and dogs I drive it slower or I tend to wait the worst of the rain out. But I primarily work from home, so I can control that. I realize that others probably can't. With any RWD sports car, you have the combination of rear wheel drive, high horsepower, and very wide tires - it's mainly the width of the tires and the effectiveness of the tread that makes it more tricky in rain, if you have the usual soft, slick, wide, sport tires. It's a tradeoff. Better traction in the rain means more tread. Better performance traction for racing means soft, semi-slick tires. I currently have Michelin Pilot Alpin's on mine for winter traction, and my Michelin Pilot Super Sports are in the basement for now. But this is true of all sports cars.
@@OPC879 I work from home, so I only drive when I need or want to. So, it's not a fair comparison. MPG is dependent on what driving mode you are in and how heavily you stomp on the pedal with your right foot. If you're in Eco (4-cylinder mode) you can get about 26-29 miles per gallon. If you're in Track mode (8 cylinders and competitive shifting) you're going to get a lot less. As with any large-engined car, mileage is good if the car keeps moving. If you're stopped at a red light, your mileage goes quite down.
Agree with you, I have also been daily driving a C7 Z51 for the last 3+ years and I love it. I drive it hard, added the Range OBDII to eliminate the AFM system and still average 20MPG.
I have a 2016 C7 and I love it. I also recommend using your Nav when driving on curvy roads to see whats behind the next curve. It really helps you make speed decisions.
Recently bought a '14 vert, z51, manual w/ mag ride, 64k miles. Driving the car is addictive--I go out and drive 50 to 60 miles almost every day so plan on spending a bunch on premium gas even though you will get in the low 20's even driving the hell out of it (retired so I have the time to drive!). Only issue so far is the seat material is cracked and replacement is not available--the rest of the interior is holding up very well--comfortable and easy to learn. Love the manual but could have done without 7th gear. GM did a great job on this car and the style is holding up very well. Still garners looks at 10 years old. Cornering with the z51 is amazing--flat, incredible grip, doesn't step out unexpectedly. I heartily recommend a c7 to anyone that even thinks they might want to buy one!....and DRIVE it! Don't let it be a garage queen. Oh, and insurance is very reasonable if you have a fairly clean record. Great review and enthusiasm!
All C7 Corvettes have brembo brakes from the factory. They've just got corvette painted on the. Why would the SS Camaro come with brembos and not the Vette? lol
The removable top is called a Targa Top. You said it was the base model, which would be the 1LT and 455 HP. A gentleman mentioned 460 HP due to a performance exhaust. Only if it was aftermarket, maybe 460+ horses. If 1LT stock from the factory, you will have 455 HP and you get 460 HP when you step up to Grand Sport.
Super beautiful!! I love the Blueridge mtns!! My dream someday is to own a Stingy Ray, orange and automatic. I hope they come with automatic. I can’t drive manual.
Ive had my 2017 Mustang GT M6 since 2019. I've been considering switching to a 18/19 C7 GS or Z06 if I can find one at a decent price. I do think Id go automatic, had my years with a manual but for what the car is used for now, auto is just a better daily option
Mustang owner as well...2012 Mustang GT, 150,000 miles. 🤔 Think this would be my 1st option, New mustangs GT and Dark Horse 🐎 to expensive with to much sceens..... Otherwise, just restore the 2012 Mustang GT.......12 years old.....might end up how cool 😎 the Fox Bodies turned out 🤷♀️
@@ProfessorDrives In my opinion the C7 stingray is great but compared to 6th gen ZL1 it pales so much in comparison. I used to have a c7 stingray but in every aspect the ZL1 wins
@@ProfessorDrives It’s got the same engine from the Mighty C7 Zo6 minus the overheating issues and it’s rated from the factory to hit 200 mph. 650 Hp / 650 lbs ft of torque
c7 prices are starting to dip into the low 40s now, probably high 30s during the holiday season. I'm really debating getting a C7 Stingray and procharge/building to 700-800ish wheel, would it be better to hold out for z06 or build an LT1? Currently have a 16 manual 5.0 making 800ish so I at least need 700. Also is the auto that bad, I didn't want two manual cars.
I’m gonna buy one sometime this year when the right one comes around, 7 speed manual of course. I live in Canada so these things are slightly hard to find. Cheers
I have a bought new 2017 C7 with stickshift, commuting everyday. You are incorrect about the brakes, the are made by Brembo. My base stingray (non z51) stops 60-0 in 90ft! #1 in the world. (18 front /19 Rear) Smaller diameter wheels have less unsprung weight and rotational mass. My rear stock tires are 285 but I've replaced them with 295, and lighter non runflat light Michelin Pilot 4S, which yields 10 more wheel hp.
@@carsunlimited5279 my last one 1996 bought new i kept 18 yrs,,,6 speed manual, all the racing suspension and engine but i drove it gently,,,,oil gas tires brakes batteries,,,,never replaced belts or rotors,,,,and no parts,,,recharged AC twice,,,88k mlles total,,,the C7 i just bought is manual shift im gonna check brakes, and recharge AC,,,,other than that i only expect oil tires brakes....batteries every 3 yrs. I do oil every 6000 miles on my cars and replace alllll filters at that time. Costs a bit but not much and keeps things reliable. Fuel pumps and injectors suffer with trash,,,no trash,,no problems. If you dont drive hard, clutch will last 150k or more. Tires for these things are expensive as they are on all sports cars,,,,,but then mud tires on my f250 4wd diesel truck are costly also,,i recently sold sl65 amg mercedes,,kept it 6 yrs,,,608 hp, 36 valves 24 plugs 24 ignition sets, 2 turbos, 4 aftercoolers, $357 oil changes $5200 plugs and ignition at times, $3600 brakes when needed,,,nice but at over $240k for a new one, i dont need another. C7 at 455hp will outperform it. Ive had sl 550 merc and supercharged 320 also,,.. no more
@@carsunlimited5279 i never had any issues with the previous two i owned.The last one i bought new 1996 and kept it 18 years. i replaced tires, oil, brakes and filters. New filters in everything every 6000 miles when i did oil changes. Cost me no more than any other car would. I didnt race them, didnt drive hard, just the same as any other car. Ive had cars that i drove well over 200k and never spent anything other than that. I have bought a couple of used cars that later had bad engines or transmisisons,,,,i reworked them at home with transmission and engine overhauls on my own jeeps and one buick,,,but doing it mysel didnt cost much and did engine jobs over fri and sat and i was back on the road to work monday morning. Dont see any reason why a C7 should be any different,,i expect 200k at least. I would expect AC needing recharge every 7 yrs or so but thats a small cost
@@carsunlimited5279 things break because they are under designed, or that you overstress them Corvettes are noted for being tough and well engineered.Ive had 2,,,before the C7 the last one was 1996 bought new,,,,racing suspension, loaded with alllll extras, kept it 18 yrs. Crossed MT years ago,, averaged 107 mph for 307 miles, got 22 mpg,,, thats efficient travel,,,and rpms were very low ,,,Replaced tires brakes batteries oil and filters. never broke anything, never left me stranded,manual shift,,,,george strait on the radio,,,,what else can you ask??? Affordable, reliable and i took care of it,,,,didnt race or act an idiiot,,,since then ive had 320 sc supercharged mercedes sport, then SL500 ,,then SL 65 AMG v 12 twin turbos,, 608 hp 36 valves 4 aftercoolers, 24 plugs and igntion coils,,,,$375 for oil changes, $5400 ignition and new plugs, i didnt do brakes but they are $900 per wheel when you need to ,,,kept it 5 years,,,,,cadillac XLR V eaton roots type supercharger,,,430 hp 2006 75k miles, i have it for sale now,,,,oil batteries tires brakes alll affordable ,,,black and now for sale,,,C7 is more affordable than any of these, and stronger running,,,
im sick and tired of manual cars. nothing fun about shifting through a million gears from stop light to stoplight in traffic after a long tiring day. Maybe a manual as a weekend vehicle would be cool
The interior build quality of a C7 isn't great. Just look at the center arm rest in any C7 and it's probably all dented and wrinkled. The dashboard will crack too and the center air vent above the infotainment will buzz while driving. Just too annoying for me to deal with. Every C7 is out of warranty so have a mechanic check out the car before you buy it. Insurance for Corvettes is also typically more expensive than other v8 sports cars. I had one company tell me a few years back when I was considering buying a C7 that they don't insure Corvettes at all. Right now for the same money as a preowned C7, you can get a late model Camaro SS with a warranty and still get the fantastic power and sound of the LT1 engine. Yes it's heavier car but if you can find a SS 1LE, the car is so good I don't think you will care. I stopped looking at C7s and bought a SS 1LE and I'm really happy with it.
I wouldn’t expect the Camaro interiors to hold up much better in a few years. I can see why someone would rather get a new Camaro if they are really in it for the LT1 and a warranty but Vettes are special man!
@@ProfessorDrives Back in 2012 I bought a preowned 2011 Grand Sport with a manual. The LS3 engine is a special one. What power that car had. Problem was it's very light and low to the ground but what fun it was to drive. I really had to watch for anything in the road that the front could hit. I could slide the back wheels out any time I wanted (and sometimes when I didn't). Interior wasn't great but the sound of the engine made up for it. If you can work on these cars or know a good corvette mechanic, I would easily take a C6 GS over a C7.
A stingray is under 500 hp , front engine , and under 60k new its not a super car. You dont even know how many gears the car youre reviewing has. Great car, great value , shlt video.
