Pick a purchase (Z06 versus Grand Sport)
#41
The Consigliere
Member Since: May 2006
Location: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
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If you want the Z after driving both, just budget 3k additional to yank the heads and have them done. That way you eliminate that potential issue right out of the box.
#42
Safety Car
In my ideal world, the GS would have the 427 as an option. I love the engine, I hate convertibles. The targa roof is ideal to me. Even so, Z06 is the obvious choice here.
#44
Instructor
If you found a 2009 z06 with 10 k on it and new Michelin's for under 50 grand........BUY IT !!!!!! I have been looking for over two months for something like that within 500 miles of me and can't find anything close......
#45
Cruising
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Member Since: Jul 2013
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The verdict is in….I am going with the Z06.
Having 43 responses to my initial thread post was very impressive and a much more overwhelming response than I could have ever imagined. Just proves how passionate Corvette really owners are. I greatly appreciate the insight and very thoughtful pros and cons discussion points made for both cases. Admittedly, I love the Centennial color scheme and options package put together for the GS. In my opinion, the best of performance, appearance and comfort combination offered for the C6 Corvette, at least on paper. Perhaps I’ll be kicking myself later…. Time will tell….
For me the Z06 was the best choice. The car is in excellent, like new condition. The 427 option is no longer available for the C7, at least not yet. Clearly, first thing I am doing is going through the car from front to back to make sure she is healthy. I grew up in a race engine shop and still have family connections for addressing the engine. A good friend has a low mile running LS7 core from an 2008 car with low miles that could be obtained for a spare to modify or for parts. Having a warranty is potentially huge. The 3 36 is clearly gone and the 5 100 has a little time left. The GS being a 2012 clearly is less risk from the warranty perspective. However, the price is well below book for the Z06, it’s what I personally wanted, no offense to those with Base and GS models…. I will load some photos to the page, once I figure out how to do so. Now the fun begins.
Thanks again.
Having 43 responses to my initial thread post was very impressive and a much more overwhelming response than I could have ever imagined. Just proves how passionate Corvette really owners are. I greatly appreciate the insight and very thoughtful pros and cons discussion points made for both cases. Admittedly, I love the Centennial color scheme and options package put together for the GS. In my opinion, the best of performance, appearance and comfort combination offered for the C6 Corvette, at least on paper. Perhaps I’ll be kicking myself later…. Time will tell….
For me the Z06 was the best choice. The car is in excellent, like new condition. The 427 option is no longer available for the C7, at least not yet. Clearly, first thing I am doing is going through the car from front to back to make sure she is healthy. I grew up in a race engine shop and still have family connections for addressing the engine. A good friend has a low mile running LS7 core from an 2008 car with low miles that could be obtained for a spare to modify or for parts. Having a warranty is potentially huge. The 3 36 is clearly gone and the 5 100 has a little time left. The GS being a 2012 clearly is less risk from the warranty perspective. However, the price is well below book for the Z06, it’s what I personally wanted, no offense to those with Base and GS models…. I will load some photos to the page, once I figure out how to do so. Now the fun begins.
Thanks again.
Last edited by bigcat29; 08-20-2013 at 05:49 PM. Reason: error
#46
Intermediate
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Had them both ... loved my 07 Z06, but experienced valve problems, among other issues. I took it to the dealer for repair ... recieved an 11 GS to drive and ended up trading the Z for a new GS.
Bottom-line, not much difference between these cars, but I would not buy a used Z06 without a warranty. Good luck.
Bottom-line, not much difference between these cars, but I would not buy a used Z06 without a warranty. Good luck.
#48
Team Owner
#49
Team Owner
valves which didn't show as well as the stocker's on Katech's test and they were chastised by the forum self named guru's for the poor SS
showing
esp with a certain cam we won't mention.
At least check the guide's first!
#50
Safety Car
I have a GS. You should look at what kind of C6 the 43 responses have. I'm willing to bet most have a GS or base. My opinion is that the LS7 engine has had dropped valve issues since it was first made, while the LS3 is a rock solid powerhouse. The top comes off the GS while roof is fixed on the Z06 if that matters. Most people will never use the power of a Z06. If you plan to regularly do competitive racing or 1/4 mile runs then the Z06 would be a better choice.
...choose wisely.
...choose wisely.
#51
Race Director
The verdict is in….I am going with the Z06.
For me the Z06 was the best choice. The car is in excellent, like new condition. The 427 option is no longer available for the C7, at least not yet. Clearly, first thing I am doing is going through the car from front to back to make sure she is healthy. I grew up in a race engine shop and still have family connections for addressing the engine. A good friend has a low mile running LS7 core from an 2008 car with low miles that could be obtained for a spare to modify or for parts. Having a warranty is potentially huge. The 3 36 is clearly gone and the 5 100 has a little time left. The GS being a 2012 clearly is less risk from the warranty perspective. However, the price is well below book for the Z06, it’s what I personally wanted, no offense to those with Base and GS models…. I will load some photos to the page, once I figure out how to do so. Now the fun begins.
Thanks again.
For me the Z06 was the best choice. The car is in excellent, like new condition. The 427 option is no longer available for the C7, at least not yet. Clearly, first thing I am doing is going through the car from front to back to make sure she is healthy. I grew up in a race engine shop and still have family connections for addressing the engine. A good friend has a low mile running LS7 core from an 2008 car with low miles that could be obtained for a spare to modify or for parts. Having a warranty is potentially huge. The 3 36 is clearly gone and the 5 100 has a little time left. The GS being a 2012 clearly is less risk from the warranty perspective. However, the price is well below book for the Z06, it’s what I personally wanted, no offense to those with Base and GS models…. I will load some photos to the page, once I figure out how to do so. Now the fun begins.
Thanks again.
You'll love the car.
Last edited by FrankTank; 08-20-2013 at 10:37 PM.
#52
Race Director
Another forum scare. I would no way automatically pull the heads and add SS
valves which didn't show as well as the stocker's on Katech's test and they were chastised by the forum self named guru's for the poor SS
showing
esp with a certain cam we won't mention.
At least check the guide's first!
valves which didn't show as well as the stocker's on Katech's test and they were chastised by the forum self named guru's for the poor SS
showing
esp with a certain cam we won't mention.
At least check the guide's first!
It's not a risk worth taking with the LS7...have the proper valve-train inspection done, and be prepared to do some type
of fix if a problem is confirmed. Doing nothing and hoping one's LS7 is unaffected is not the prudent answer, IMO.
Too much money involved...
#53
Safety Car
But get the inspection done BEFORE you buy.
#54
Drifting
Had them both ... loved my 07 Z06, but experienced valve problems, among other issues. I took it to the dealer for repair ... recieved an 11 GS to drive and ended up trading the Z for a new GS.
Bottom-line, not much difference between these cars, but I would not buy a used Z06 without a warranty. Good luck.
Bottom-line, not much difference between these cars, but I would not buy a used Z06 without a warranty. Good luck.
Not much difference???? Ur right.... 7 liters is the same as 6.2 liters....aluminum chassis weighs the same as a steel chassis......having the original C6 widebody is the same as GMs marketing scheme to increase its sales to buyers who think there's no difference between the 2 models ...it's like having a choice between an average looking woman or a model with a killer body..... They both have fun holes to plug, which one would you take if given a choice ??. lol.....Some may call me a zo6 elitist..... I AM....
Last edited by msnbound; 08-21-2013 at 01:49 AM.
#57
Race Director
Had them both ... loved my 07 Z06, but experienced valve problems, among other issues. I took it to the dealer for repair ... recieved an 11 GS to drive and ended up trading the Z for a new GS.
Bottom-line, not much difference between these cars, but I would not buy a used Z06 without a warranty. Good luck.
Bottom-line, not much difference between these cars, but I would not buy a used Z06 without a warranty. Good luck.
one engine has 70-75 more HP, that alone is huge... IMO
Last edited by FrankTank; 08-21-2013 at 09:00 AM.
#58
Melting Slicks
I've been pondering this alot lately. If you have to spend $3k on the LS7 to make it risk free, you can spend $3k doing cam, headers, and tune on an LS3 and get more than 505 HP/440rwhp easy. Can't take the top off a Z06 which is a deal breaker in my opinion.
#59
Team Owner
Another forum scare. I would no way automatically pull the heads and add SS
valves which didn't show as well as the stocker's on Katech's test and they were chastised by the forum self named guru's for the poor SS
showing
esp with a certain cam we won't mention.
At least check the guide's first!
valves which didn't show as well as the stocker's on Katech's test and they were chastised by the forum self named guru's for the poor SS
showing
esp with a certain cam we won't mention.
At least check the guide's first!
#60
Team Owner
I sure feel better after spending $5225, out the door, for new PRC heads. Not happy about spending the money, but at least now I can go on a multi thousand mile trip to remote parts of the country without worrying about dropping a valve and then be a thousand miles from home, trying to get a new engine installed, or having my Z06 flatbedded a thousand miles to my home(wonder what that would cost, on top of a new engine?).