Z51 Package Worth $5000?? Base Corvette C8 vs Z51 Corvette C8 Comparison! 

Lots of people were asking for a comparison between the Z51 and Base model C8 and so here it is! After driving both we can say there's definitely a difference in the feel of suspension, steering and brakes. The Z51 gave us much more confidence in corners and at higher speeds. Looking back now, I wish we got the Z51 package but the $5000 price point is definitely no small fee..

I’ve ordered a 2022 C8 and did not opt for the Z51 package. I did have the Z51 package on my 2015 C7. My bottom line is the Z51 package is not worth the additional expense for daily driving. Now that being said if you are planning on doing serious track days then I believe the Z51 package is a MUST have option.

I have a 2lt z51 car..love it,but the 2lt package is very important, because you get all the electronics, rear view monitor, lane change outside mirror, better sound system more climate control options, and heads up display.

Great video guys, I know I made the right decision adding the Z51 package to my list of options. I have a 2000 FRC Z51 and it is a better handling car than the non - Z51 C5. It was great to see your genuine reactions when comparing cars. Cheers !!

I just put down a deposit on a 21. I’m definitely going Z51 2LT magride. I wanted to steal it for 60k but changed my mind. Great content.

I’m 66 and an old time car guy. My Z51 3LT came in last week. Despite my history and research, I was stunned by this car. I have always HATED Corvette. But I knew this car was a sea change. I could not be more impressed. Z51 passed $5 grand a while back but is worth every penny.

Love your videos. This one was particularly interesting....seeing your expressions when discovering the differences. I have a 2LT non Z51 on the way. You almost convinced me I should have gone Z51. Almost!

Your genuine reactions sold me the Z51; thank you for the video! Got my 2023 HTC with Z51+Magride, enjoying every second driving it.

Buttery base suspension is a plus for me and my worn out back lol, good vid for this reason, also base= one less gear shift in the 0 to 60

I made a comment about the Z51 on your channel before and I said it's no brainner , it's totally worth.

Great video! Coming from an Audi TTS, the base c8 felt floaty to me and I didn't like it. I want a sports car to be composed and a little firm, but still comfortable. That's why I I'm getting the Z51 with mag ride.

Also I know on the C7 you can adjust the steering wheel firmness as it's electronic. Perhaps you can get yours to feel the same.

My opinion: Get the Z51 if you're going to track the car. If you're not, don't shell out the 5k unless you are high enough income that it doesn't matter, and you want the best. The base Stingray should be more comfortable for daily driving, and it still handles extremely well for spirited driving on public roads.

I appreciate the honesty you guys showed. Becoming a fan!👍

I recently purchased a lightly used 9k miles 2021 non Z51 C8 coupe with 3LT, GT2 seats, Mag ride & performance exhaust. After my purchase I had the dealer install the Z51 front lip & lower rear spoiler and the radiator screens. I can honestly say this video is right on point with regards to the handling of the non z51 C8 vs the C8 z51. For whatever reason the steering on my non Z51 C8 is not precise and the car tends to float with no direct feedback unless in track mode. So now I am looking at options that range from replacing the current Michelin Pilot All Season 4 tires with the Michelin Pilot Sports 4s to see if that improves the handling and may also opt for the Z51 adjustable shocks since I have no intention of purchasing another C8 just to have the Z51 package. Now, I do not plan on tracking the car since I have been there and done that previously with a Porsche Boxster Spyder along with competition go karting. However, I do like to do some spirited driving and really expect more from the handling of the non z51 C8 based on all the positive reviews from the supposed media experts :) at Road & Track and Car & Driver that raved about the C8. Any positive feedback you can provide on possible solutions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I’m looking forward to a magnetic ride comparison. I’m glad that the 21 model gives non z51 owners the choice to go stock and magnetic ride. Currently debating between the two.

Again I need to emphasize that most non Z51 owners opt for the NPP so the difference is really $3500.Better brakes, better handling, ability to lower the car easily (a must wheel gap is atrocious) and many other options this is a no brainer for a driving enthusiast . Drop the painted calipers and coloured seat belts that do nothing for performance your down to $2000 extra!

Thanks! I want the smoothest ride so the non-Z51 is good for me.

Wow!! you can literally see the differences in the videos. The base bounces more and the steering. Having said that unless I planned on doing track days I'd still buy the base

u guys should compare & test drive your C8 base 1LT to a C7 base 1LT side by side , and point out the differences in steering feel , handling etc...

Thanks dude, 2 massive thumbs up.....

Great video. Very helpful as I was torn on which to choose.

I wanna see a z51 vs non z51 track test and comparison.

Good video. To be clear though, neither car had the mag ride option, right? I'm thinking if the base model had mag ride, it would be much more similar to the Z51 when the mag-ride equipped base model is put in either sport or track, in terms of the suspension feel. The mag ride is only a $1900 option, as opposed to the Z51 package which is now $6000. Obviously there is more to the Z51 package than suspension feel, but just saying you can now make the suspension feel similar with the $1900 option. Additionally, the mag-ride option allows the car to be lowered without having the Z51 package.

Happy I didn’t do the Z51 because I’m going to rip out the suspension for coilovers anyways and the spoiler is terrible. I did add the front lip and side rocker extensions (painted carbon flash) though. With the R compounds I can put on the stock wheels with the money I saved I’ll smash a Z51 at the track.

C8 Z51 vs C8 Base….Z51 will get you around the racetrack faster than base C8…true performance is measured and extracted at the racetrack, cornering capbilities, braking, lateral grip, Handling…Z51 benefits from ELSD and a shorter Final drive ratio, better tires and extra radiator for heavy duty cooling meant for the track and of course revised suspension for track use, and most important bigger rotors and calipers

Z51 is a must for better handling you wanna feel the road and the corners at higher speed with out z51 you can’t drive the same way

great video! loved it

One of the best videos ever !!

I’m trying to choose between the 2LT and Z51 package. So the Z51 is the highest? **exclude Z06 and ZR1**

Here in Toronto Canada the Z51 is an $8K option....I'm just going to get the base and add a super charger to it for that price!

Hummm, I am definitely getting mag ride on my non z51. Wonder how that would compare to z51 w/o mag ride. Not paying $5k for tighter steering could be to the tires. If you had the same tires maybe the same steering?

I still don't beleive its worth it unless you take your car to the track.

Not worth $5,000. Had a z51 C7, with mag ride it rode like a brick, unless you track it routinely, save the money.

At 5:10 bad friends would just peel the sticker off and not respect your desire to keep the car new as long as possible!

Only 1/2 inch less rotor sweep, silver five open spoke wheels are the lightest wheels and Standard for C8 Stingray lighter exhaust system the Z51 only has 5 more Horsepower, loads more weight, 2LT is the best way to go. 14 speaker Bose Sound System, PDR, camera mirror, wireless charging, same number of modes as Z51 and the Z button on the four sided steering wheel, steering and brakes can be changed to suit you. My Mode is like building your own C8 as is the Z Mode. No blind spots and HUD and cross traffic and rear monitors keep you safer then just the side view mirrors! Now in 2021 the C8 Z51 only makes your wallet $6,000.00 lighter!

No, Z51 IS a waste of money unless you track a lot. You guys were mistaking LT2 features for Z51 -- the mirror and heads up display, speakers, phone charger, seat adjustments. You did mention modes, but I would like to know if they were the same settings because even they can be customized per mode. That goes for brakes, suspension, and steering. Even Tadge J. Said the differences are negligable unlessyou track the car. Plus, the rear spoiler ruins the lines of the car IMOP, summer Tires are not as safe in the rain, the front spoiler negates the 2 inch front lift $1500. And the smoother ride on the base model is better unless you splurge for the mag ride $$$. Ps you can and should buy an aftermarket camera/mirror system If you don't go LT2.

It’s worth it if you TRACK your car. If you never plan to track your car you will NEVER use the package for what it was designed for. Best bang for your buck upgrade if you are going to actually use it. If not it’s a waste of money. Get Mag ride on your non-Z51 trust me it’s night and day difference than non-mag ride/non-z51 base model.

Nice transparent roof!!

Thanks! Gave it a like

Great review so what the bottom line? For a daily driver, weekend “cruiser” not track days…is the performance it or should you just ad the mag level control option? Want to take my wife comfortably on weekend drives, she hated the Ferrari course ride…..and we want to enjoy this amazing car. Thanks.

Did you compare touring mode at all? I know you mentioned SPORT and track, but what about touring? How would you compare the them to each other? Does Z51 Touring = Non Z51 Sport?

Yes....

Simple decision if you want a car that sounds gay don’t get the package but if you want a car that sounds absolutely mean and pops when you shift gears absolutely the package is worth it. Z 51 all the way

Getting a Corvette without the Z51 is like marrying a supermodel, but not consummating the marriage. You don't have to track it to enjoy it. The Mag ride ups it a notch! Without these options it's a Buick.

I’m getting the z51, it’s better for resale

Hey there. Ty for sharing. So I was watching and I’m trying to figure out what to order on my C8. Did both of them have mag ride or just a mode adjustment?

How often would you be pushing those limits on street, to justify the z51 package if your not tracking the car?

Looks much clean and better without wings

Seems the more the guy in the black shirt talk, the owner of the base model contemplates why he didn't get a Z51

I wish you would run the Stingray head to head with the Z51 using launch control on both. 5 hp is not enough to handle the extra weight of the Z51 package.

Do recommend the Mag Ride along with the Z51 package or not?

Brenk if Speed got a recall on his Z51 brakes that makes them manual if the by wire system fails!

Well consider this as well, Did he get the magnetic ride suspension for a few extra thousand?

How about "THE" forbidden under-steer? This viewer could see the base model rocking from corner to corner. Very informative video!!! Thanks...

C8 Sting Ray Z51 with a 2LT trim is almost $20,000 more the the base Sting Ray C8 for 20k more it would make no since if you didn’t feel a difference from the base. The biggest difference is something you would never see unless the two cars were side by side on a long straight flat road. At just over 180 mph the Base C8 would pull along side the Z51 and pass it!

I had the z51 on my c7 i’m ordering my c8 without it

Very helpful

Cheer up! You look so depressed. Look on the bright side, you saved yourself 50 $100 bills. You could go on a vacation.....deep down in Mexico....hehe

How about skipping the z51 on a 2021 and just doing mag ride

Is the acceleration the same, don't really care about the extras but I noticed the different gear ratios in the Z51?

I plan on buying a C8 by the end of the year. I may buy used if i can find a good deal. The question is if i don't EVER plan on doing track days is the Z51 package worth it? Also I'm pretty sure your insurance wont cover a "track day" accident. Imagine still making $1,000 a month payments on a totaled car. So if I'm NEVER going to do a track day is the Z51 package with it? but it does seem like you get a lot for only $5k Yeah I'm torn, I'm sure i'll decide before i buy

i wonder how to hack the software to tighten the steering assist...

How would you build a z06

How’s this for an idea everyone drive your Z 51 not in Zoom mode and then you will know you made the right decision. If you don’t have a 51 well trade it Lol.

Have you guys tested the mag ride yet?

Anyone else notice that that’s NKuch?

SAD when someone does NOT know the difference between NATURAL DIPPED and NOT Dipped !!!

its stiffer spring rates

Interior is Natural not Natural Dipped (everything is Natural).

I ordered a base model also, and for 1 reason and 1 reason alone,,,that damn ugly spoiler!@!!

non z51 looks better imo

I don't track my car so I save the extra $5k for something else. ehhehehe .. .That is my take on it.