My Corvette finally arrived!

[mjannusch]

Well, it didn't actually arrive as much as I just bought one.

I had started the order process for one last year in about August and spec'd out everything specifically that I wanted. The dealer said they had allocations and everything was cool. We traded in our 2007 Eclipse Spyder GT as a down payment and the dealer put in the order to GM in early November. After the last few months of hassling the salesperson every couple weeks for a change in order status codes, and seeing it not go beyond the "order submitted by dealer" stage (meaning they didn't apply an allocation to it to get it actually produced), I got pissed off enough to go looking for another one sitting on a dealer lot.

Well, the dealer who we bought our first Avalanche from back in 2002 had one that was almost the same as what I ordered. The only changes are that it has the nicer leather package (3LT instead of 2LT), doesn't have the "carbon flash" side mirrors and rear spoiler, and has the transparent lexan roof panel instead of the body-color painted carbon fiber roof panel.

But... It ended up only being about $1000 more than my ordered car, I have it in my garage right now, and I don't have to dick around with the dealer who seems to have been obviously misleading me on what all was going on with the order.

For the first 500 miles or something like that it has an artificial redline at 4500 rpm or so, which then moves up to 7500 or whatever after that break-in period. I've already violated that a few times, just because I felt I had to. And because I believe in harder break-in to really seat the rings. This car really moves! I think I'd honestly be afraid if I had gotten a Z06 (650+ hp) instead.

[DCIV]

So very cool.


Coop

[Chris GTO TT]

Nice!

[TurboSinceBirth]

Awesome car. The C7 body style is growing on me. The C6s were the same way but I like those now. At least with the C7 they finally got a proper interior for a Corvette. Everything else was always cheap GM parts. How long are you going to keep away from modding it?

[Jeff V.]

Very nice, Matt. One of my favorite color combinations too. I hope it's everything you wanted and more

[alienviking]

Definitely one of my favorite colors. Nice choice!

[mjannusch]

[quote=""TurboSinceBirth""]Awesome car. The C7 body style is growing on me. The C6s were the same way but I like those now. At least with the C7 they finally got a proper interior for a Corvette. Everything else was always cheap GM parts. How long are you going to keep away from modding it?[/quote]
I liked the new body style immediately the first time I saw one on the road. Doesn't really look like anything else. I don't think I'll do any powertrain mods to it for a year or two, but I guess you never know. It seems pretty quick, though I'm trying to force myself to stay at least near to where their break-in redline is. Can't stop myself from making a few pulls here and there though!
[quote=""Jeff V.""]Very nice, Matt. One of my favorite color combinations too. I hope it's everything you wanted and more [/quote]
So, far it is living up to my expectations - which were pretty high. I haven't really found anything to complain about. The seats are very adjustable and comfortable. It has the magnetic ride suspension, so if you put it in Tour mode the exhaust quiets down and the ride is more compliant. Sport mode is usually where I've been keeping it where you get the full exhaust sound and a little tighter suspension but still the traction control (which does kick in quite a bit at lower speeds because of wheelspin), but lets it hang out a little more before the yaw control and E-diff kicks in.

Took the targa roof off, and it doesn't seem too bad as far as weight and bulkiness. If you were trying to swap it in the wind it might get a little tricky. A lot easier if the door is open when you do it, too. Just a little planning ahead and it isn't bad.

It has the 8-speed auto trans, and the shifts are very quick in Sport or Track mode. After the break-in I'll run it through its paces a little harder.

So far, a VERY fun car to drive. Gets at least as many looks as my Spyder did when it was new.

[Jeff V.]

I can't tell from the pictures....did you option up to the sport/race seats, or stick with the standard seats?

Even the standard seats are a massive improvement over anything fitted to the C5 and C6 though.

[ChargerX3]

Very nice car and sound choice. So jelly!

[mjannusch]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]I can't tell from the pictures....did you option up to the sport/race seats, or stick with the standard seats?

Even the standard seats are a massive improvement over anything fitted to the C5 and C6 though.[/quote]
Standard seats. We tried the Competition Seats and they weren't quite as comfortable for us, and for $2000 didn't seem worth it.

[DCIV]

alright.....now back to work on the spyder.


Coop

[jackhammer]

Enough about the vette, that garage(s) is sick!!

[J-Groove]

Beautiful!

Sounds like you made the right call, can't believe the first dealer was dicking you around like that.

Great choice, enjoy your 7.

-John

[mjannusch]

[quote=""DCIV""]alright.....now back to work on the spyder.[/quote]
I worked on it for a while on Sunday. Got the trans off the motor, motor on stand, front turbo and header off, valve covers off for Greg to coat, etc. Not really enough to post photos for.
[quote=""jackhammer""]Enough about the vette, that garage(s) is sick!! [/quote]
That was one thing I HAD to have when we built this house. The last place we were in had a double+ main garage, and a couple cobbled-together garages in the back - but the big one was set up more for a motorhome with a high-lift door only one vehicle wide so it wasn't set up well for working on stuff or storing different vehicles and lawnmowers, snowmobiles, etc. So the detached garage is 30x50 with two double doors on it so you can pull right in/out. Thinking about it, I probably should've done a door on the back side too to be able to drive through with trailers (Jetskis or snowmobiles), but not a big deal to not have that.
[quote=""Mike""]What year model? Looks like a Z51.[/quote]
2015 C7, Z51 performance package (big brakes, dry sump oil system, bigger wheels, bigger tires, performance exhaust, etc.), performance traction with electronic differential, magnetic ride suspension, 3LT option package with performance data recorder, battery maintainer kit, black leather interior, transparent removable roof panel, Z51 black powder-coated aluminum wheels (19" in the front, 20" in the back). I think that's all the options on it.

My wife was complaining that we didn't get the carbon fiber roof panel. I told her if she really wants it we can order it from GM for a mere $2999. I think she's actually thinking about it. Crazy, since the lexan roof is only 4 more pounds over the CF. I originally wanted the body-painted CF, but I like the transparent because it makes the interior feel more roomy with all the light coming in from above. The demo car we originally looked at had the visible carbon fiber roof, and it was sitting in the sun when I was playing with the roof and that fucker was HOT. As in burn your damn hands immediately hot. That's why I wanted the body-color painted CF roof. The transparent panel matches the black on the A-pillars really nice though. It is starting to grow on me.

Haven't driven it with the roof panel off yet - need a little warmer weather for that first. Rain all week this week, but I'm in Denver for work anyways - so hopefully that'll wash off some more sand from the roads. My street wasn't the best, and these tires pick up EVERYTHING. Should be better when I get home.

[alienviking]

Only thing though.. auto? Really?

[mjannusch]

It is quicker than even me rowing the gears. And then my wife can drive it.

[DCIV]

[quote=""mjannusch""]And then my wife can drive it.[/quote]

errrr.....I found your problem!


Coop

[alienviking]

HAHA Angel has said she will never drive my Vette if/when I get one.. and since she doesn't drive a stick I'll get that to make sure of it Plus - auto might be faster but I still prefer a stick myself.. then again I don't really race, so..