Corvette C7 Convertible | Page 3 | FerrariChat

Corvette C7 Convertible

Discussion in 'American Muscle' started by jimmyb, Mar 3, 2013.

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  1. joker57676

    joker57676 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #51 joker57676, Mar 27, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2013

    You can also build your own engine too, Bob, but that's a rather pricey option, IMO.


    Mark

    Edit: Says its only for Z06 and ZR1 Vettes so may not include the new crop coming out.

    http://www.chevycorvette.com/engine-build-experience
     
  2. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    I just emailed the guy at the Ohio Dealership this morning. Let's see how long it takes for him to be back to me.

    He says no cars sold over MSRP in his ad. They are taking pre-orders on Stingrays now. The option list is online but no pricing for anything yet from GM. I don't understand what LT1, LT2, and LT3 mean. Is that the model differences?

    7 speed manual appears to be standard.
     
  3. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    Corvette C7 - C1 Reviews, Performance, Parts For Sale - CorvetteForum.com has a wealth of info and many contributing dealers that sponsor and advertise. They will even let a Ferrari owner participate.
     
  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #54 TheMayor, Mar 27, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I check out that forum and found this poll pretty interesting.

    Over 50% would choose the DCT box over the manual if offered. Right now it's a slush box auto.
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  5. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    I am surpised it's such a small majority. I think you'll find the typical Vette owner is 80% automatic. I don't get it either, at least for a slushbox. I expect GM will introduce DCT transmission technology in the C7 - it is time for that technolgy to be produced at a reasonable cost. I bet it comes on the performance variants first, then trickles down.
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #56 TheMayor, Mar 27, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2013
    Forum guys are usually more "in to it" and hardcore. I do agree most Vette's (aside from high performance models) are autos. That's how I see them in resale anyway.

    Think that the race car team uses paddle shift technology has won over some of the hard core guys to DCT.
     
  7. opencollector

    opencollector Formula Junior

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    It's 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. They are trim packages. Most optional equipment isn't available a la carte. It gets lumped into one of the packages, Japanese-style.

    LT1 is the name of the Stingray's engine (as well as an earlier engine used in C4s, and LT-1 was a hi-po 350 used in C3s 40 years ago).

    Then there's Z51, the go-fast package, available with any trim level. I believe on the C7, Z51 can be had in FE3 (conventional dampers) and FE4 (magnetorheological dampers) sub-variants.

    There are two very different seats available this time around. I don't know how one would choose without sitting in them first.

    I look at the gearbox situation the other way around. It seems like no small irony that Corvette is one of the few big-league performance cars still available with 3 pedals.

    65% of 2012 C6s built were automatics, but in terms of the driver-facing interface, 100% of 2012 Ferraris were, too. Both are heavier than their manual counterparts, and both can be rationalized as offering faster shifts (faster than anybody in the case of the DCT, and faster than almost anybody in the case of the torque converter).
     
  8. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    If you buy the Z51 package, is that a waste of money at resale? Is it really a big difference in performance?

    I wonder if people just want a cheap used regular Vette. It seems to me that Vette buyers are pretty price sensitive where F buyers like to load them up or look for options more when they go looking.

    I would go for manual. If they came out with DCT, I would do that but no slush box. My guess is maybe a couple of years they will move when it gets cheaper.

    I think from my experience with the 458, you have to do magnaride. If it works nearly as well as that, it's terrific.

    I find it funny in the Vette forum they are really impressed this car has a self locking convertible top (no manual latches anymore). My 2001 Maserati spyder has that -- and an F1 box in the rear -- and a 390hp twin cam V-8 -- and Skyhook electronic dampers. Shhhhh...Don't tell them! :)

    I am generally excited about this car but I think the only color that works with the rear is the metallic gray.

    Thanks to everyone helping a US car buyer rookie. :)
     
  9. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
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    You should by a Tesla.... :)

    Kai
     
  10. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    I'm glad it's working out for you Kai! The Santa Monica dealership is just down the road from my LA office and I see a lot of them.
     
  11. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    A racing paddle shift box is generally not DCT. It is straight cut gears, dog rings and the clutch never disengages at all. The engine management software cuts torque on up shifts and rev matches downshifts as the gear is changed. This is spectacular on track but noisy and a bit rough on the street. At least this is how it works on the Hewland sequential boxes with which I am familiar.
     
  12. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Yes, I agree it's not the same but the idea that a Vette can have a paddle shift and work well has been proven on the track -- and I think that has helped convince some that the DCT is the future and desirable.

    Same for Ferrari.
     
  13. k wright

    k wright Formula 3
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    Slush box is not how I would describe the current Camaro ZR1 automatic transaxle. It has perfect software and a fluid clutch with lock up.

    It is a very nice transmission. If this is what is in the new Corvette, bravo. The best of the semi-automatic transmission plus a smooth clutch that will outlast the typical disk clutch.
     
  14. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
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    I cannot speak to what they will do with the performance models of the C7 but with the C6 they were only available in manual. Keep in mind to some people the vette is their Ferrari it is their dream car and like some Ferrari owners cars it gets driven 200 miles a month and yes price is important. 20K in options does not sound like a lot on a 250K car on a 55K car it is. I do not think dealers even know all the options (or the costs) on the new car but I bet the price goes up fast when you start adding them. From what I heard coupe and convertible production starts at the same time. The guy I have you gets a lot of good things said about him of the corvette forum so you might want to give him a call.
     
  15. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Thanks. We may change this thread to the "Quest to buy a C7 convertible" thread. :)
     
  16. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    I disagree. I have never driven a torque converter coupled transmission I liked and more importantly, there is only a single means of torque transmission, the hydraulic converter that always has some slip to it. In contrast, as I understand it a dual clutch transmission has two clutches that positively connect their drive shafts to the engine, and one clutch disengages as the next clutch engages the next gear in up and down shifts, minimizing the loss of drive torque to the driven wheels. A comparison I would make is the Porsche "Tiptronic" and PDK. I don't think anyone would say any amount of software would make the former acceptable in a modern sports car.

    Now I'll confess I have not driven the ZL1 and so by some miracle I might prefer the auto to a manual, but I did drive the automatic CTS-V, since that is all the dealer had and I was more than happy to wait as long as it took to get a 6-speed.

    I admit the DCT technology is just plain better than I can do it on track, but even then I partially miss the control of knowing exactly how the car will feel with throttle input based upon my personal selection of gear.
     
  17. opencollector

    opencollector Formula Junior

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    The Stingrays you read about in magazine tests will no doubt all be Z51s. The non-Z51 setup is generally only for folks who really can't stand a firm suspension, and in my opinion the Z51 suspension isn't even that firm.

    On the C6 it was a super-popular option that included different springs, shocks, anti-roll bars (you should see the skinny rear bar on the non-Z51 C6... on the non-Z51 C7, there's no rear bar at all), bigger brakes, different gear ratios (on the manual), and some extra coolers. Not a terrible deal for $1500 or so.

    As I understand it, you have to get Z51 on the C7 in order to get magnetic shocks (FE4).

    Most Corvettes seem either to be loaded (3LT + everything) or stripped (1LT). Options depreciate much more than the base car. Z51 may be an exception, but I don't know; I never sell cars.
    All modern street torque converters have a lockup clutch. There's no slip once it engages.
     
  18. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #68 TheMayor, Mar 28, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wow... Fchat is a world of knowledge even for a non F car. Thanks. I didn't know this.

    My first impression was to get the ZR-1 package with magnaride. You sort of get the best of both worlds but I wondered if in resale anyone would care.

    I don't have pricing information yet so it's sort of difficult to plan. On F cars, the options are soooooooo pricey you have to be careful you don't over price the car in the used market and throw literally thousands and thousands out the window at resale.

    But, sounds like a convertible 3 LT with ZR-1 package (but I think it's not available on Convertibles), manual box, and magnaride for me. If I use the 2013 configurator, without Zr-1 it's about 70 grand, which is a bargain IMO.

    I think the only color that works is the dark gray but I worry about a black interior in Vegas. I'm not sure I like the brown with it. The metallic red may work also but the back then has this giant painted black areas... ugh!

    Wow I would love to black out those 4 giant, gaudy trumpets sticking out the rear too. Well, no car is "perfect". :)
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  19. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

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    Does this feature work at any time other than cruise? I thought lock-up was limited to low rpm, light throttle cruise for fuel economy. It sure does not feel like the trans is locked up when I drive students' auto trans cars on track. I can manually select a gear and with throttle inputs the tach will move and engine RPM change even though speed changes are not proportional. On track, it is important to know how throttle modulation will affect rear wheel torque and it always feels to me that there is a slushy connection. And then there is the heat factor - I can generally overheat an automatic transmission in just a few laps on track.
     
  20. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    If the auto trans was as good as DCT, there would be no market for the DCT because the auto trans is a lot cheaper and lighter.

    So, obviously, there are differences and advantages to DCT over it. That's why I would choose DCT if it was an option (it isn't) and then 7 speed manual as second choice.
     
  21. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Ah, so I figured out what I want is the Z51 package, not Zr-1 package. Zr-1 package is not for convertibles but Z51 is.

    I'm slowly learning this GM nomenclature ---but it sure is confusing!

    Ok...

    convertible, Z51, magnaride, 7 speed manual, 3LT
     
  22. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
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    Today's Automotive News article about Corvette sales outlets & demand:

    Demand for the 2014 Corvette Stingray is expected to outstrip production.

    Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130401/RETAIL07/304019967/1-in-3-chevy-dealers-can-get-corvette-at-
    Follow us: @Automotive_News on Twitter | AutoNews on Facebook
    Mike Colias
    Automotive News
    April 1, 2013 - 12:01 am ET

    DETROIT -- Fewer than one in three Chevrolet dealerships will be eligible to sell the 2014 Corvette Stingray when it begins rolling off the assembly line in late summer.

    Last week, General Motors notified about 900 of its roughly 3,000-plus Chevy dealerships that they have met the requirements to sell the redesigned Corvette, a GM spokesman says. Those dealerships can begin ordering 2014 Corvettes in the next few weeks.

    GM is limiting allocation to its highest-volume Corvette dealers because it expects demand for the seventh-generation sports car to outstrip production. GM wants to get that limited number of Vettes into the hands of dealers that can best turn them. Those 900 dealerships accounted for 80 percent of Corvette sales in 2012.

    Other Chevy dealerships won't be allocated the sports car until at least six to nine months after its launch, the spokesman says. It's unclear whether GM will open Corvette allocation beyond the initial 900 stores during the 2014 model year.

    While Corvette is a low-volume model for most Chevy dealers, many lament being left out of the launch of the Stingray. They say the car has star power that generates showroom traffic.

    To be eligible to get the Corvette, dealerships had to sell at least four Corvettes during 2012.

    "Chevrolet provided dealers with guidance and requirements early in 2012 so dealers would know well in advance whether they would likely receive Corvette models during the initial six to nine months after launch," Russ Clark, Chevrolet marketing director for performance cars, said in a statement.

    Stores eligible to order the Stingray still must meet several requirements ahead of the late summer launch.

    For example, they must have Corvette Stingray specialists in sales and service.

    And those sales specialists must complete a 1 1/2-day training session at the 2014 Corvette Stingray Dealer Sales Academy at Sprint Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nev. The cost is $2,000 per attendee, excluding travel expenses.

    "The Corvette Stingray provides a great opportunity to attract new customers to Chevrolet and your dealership," says the letter, signed by Chevy sales chief Don Johnson and marketing head Chris Perry. "This is a once in a generation opportunity to demonstrate Chevrolet can deliver a beautifully designed, well-engineered, class leading performance car."


    Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130401/RETAIL07/304019967/1-in-3-chevy-dealers-can-get-corvette-at-launch#ixzz2PDTRd9jH
    Follow us: @Automotive_News on Twitter | AutoNews on Facebook
     
  23. GoonOnFire

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    #73 GoonOnFire, Apr 1, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    One full week of waiting for any response from the dealer in Ohio on the Vette forum site.... so far---NOTHING.

    Resent another email today.

    What the heck is it with sales people??????

    Look idiots... when someone is asking to buy a car from you, at least send them a thank you note back, even if you don't have any information.
     
  25. bcc

    bcc Formula Junior
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    Did you guys see this? According to the 'report' the C7's lifespan may only be 2 - 4 years. Supposedly they're accelerating the C8 development in order to meet corporate/federal guidelines on fuel economy....Not sure how accurate this is.....

    C8 Corvette Coming Early
     

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