C7 Stingray Z51 Half-azzed review

RicerX

PEOPLES.

I drove my buddy's 2017 Corvette Stingray 1LT Z51 7MT. It was approximately 74 degrees outside with 20% humidity. We took the roof panel out. I took the car to my nearest available closed course that would legally allow me to go over 130 mph on it. I did so. It was precisely what I imagined 455 horses from MERICA would feel like.

The car did NOT have magnetic ride, and it was still great.

It felt very quick. Very nimble. I gotta say the front end felt like it significantly lifted upon full throttle, which felt a little weird. Maybe it's because of all the MERICA that goes to the rear wheels.

The rev-matching system was good, but it didn't feel as precise as the 370Z's rev matching. It was sufficient, however. It's a bit overdone in that there are two paddles (one on either side of the steering wheel) that switch the system on and off. I can see that as being a pain if you accidentally bump one in a corner or something. It might as well be a button (like the parking brake... dafuq is that sorcery even about?)

Seventh gear is intended to be an overdrive gear, and you can tell by how it's gated. You can rush through gears 1-6, but it takes a slower and more deliberate action to go into 7th. That's ok. I was going well over 90mph in 3rd gear, so I'm not sure what happens in 7th. Perhaps the car goes to plaid... the step past ludicrous speed.

The car wore 285s in the rear (Michelin PSS run-flats). Two things - die run flats, and this car could use more rear tire.

Seating position is everything you'd expect from a real sports car. The base seats were weird... I would spend the extra $1950 on a seat upgrade if I wanted factory seating with airbags and crap, or I would immediate source some better buckets from somewhere. The headrests felt like they were so far back it guaranteed a broken neck in the event of an accident. They were also fixed into the seat, so no adjustability was available. Perhaps they were designed like this to better accommodate wearing a helmet, but in my city, most vette drivers are too old to be allowed on a track, so I don't see what Chevy is seeing, but it doesn't mean they're wrong. Steering wheel is flat-bottomed, and the shifter has a great feel. I hadn't driven a manual sports car in two years (yay Q50 and babies... I miss my Z), and after I got out of the driveway and used to the clutch/throttle, I was able to get past 90% confidence rather quickly. The car is very easy to drive, but its capability will expose over-eager noobs in a blink, so don't be stupid... especially if it's a Z06.

Apple carplay is nice. It eliminates the need for navigation because you can just mirror your Apple Maps setup to the car and life goes on. The Bose system is better than my Q50, even though its setup is technically below Bose's "Centerpoint" offering. Whatever. Different levels of suck still suck... and Bose has that market cornered. Premium audio with an EQ that ranges on a scale of hot garbage to nails on a chalkboard.

The ridiculous part? On the drive back to my house from the steakhouse, we just cruised and got 32.2 MPG on the interstate. I guess that's what happens when going 75mph only requires the engine to spin at 1300 RPMs or so in 7th gear. The car practically idles down the interstate at highway speeds in top gear. Also, the exhaust is SILENT and there is no drone in the cabin. (Had the top back on for the drive back to the house as the skies looked willing to dump some water) The car I drove had 11,500 miles or so on it (well broken in), and it was QUIET. However, go past 25% throttle and the performance exhaust opens up, and the full wail of MERICA makes its presence well known. It's the perfect exhaust setup for a sports car.

The next ridiculous part? The trunk fits a lot of crap. You could fit the two bodies from the seats of the Z plus its cargo area into the Vette's cargo area. Well thought out layout. Also, the trick-*** nav screen will disappear into the console to reveal a box that holds a couple pairs of sunglasses behind it. FULLY SICK. It's amazing what you can do when you don't put a CD player into an infotainment system. I don't even know if my CD player in my Q50 even works and I've had it for two years.

Bottom line, if life could fit it, I'd get one. It makes me even more curious to try out the new Camaro, because I can fit carseats in those. The ZL1 has got to be an absolute monster.

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