flynnstone

I've had a '21 C8 for about 2.5 years now, and only have about 12k miles. First 2 years were relatively problem free (had to replace the main cluster/display) and the radio/screen under warranty. I just had the dreaded Transmission light pop up last week, and its reporting low fluid pressure, and starting to shift funny. The dealership this week opened a case with GM engineering, and they're going to be either replacing the valve body or entire DCT. I do have the extended GM Platinum warranty for another 6 years as well, but these repairs have me questioning whether i'd be better off with something different.

I've always loved the C7 Z06, and if i sell the C8, I would get a Z06 in 7spd/manual/modified... something to have fun with on weekends. I'm curious if people have gone backwards, from the C8 to C7 Z06 and been happy with the decision, or regret it?

23/C8Z

I had a C6 and 2 (new) C7Zs. I could not go backwards after owning this platform. I just can't.

Had I never drove a C8 and then owned a C8Z? Sure. You don't know if you never had it.

I wish you luck in your decision. There's an old saying - the grass always looks greener.......

24RiptideBlue

I have never owned a corvette before the C8… German performance was my passion but I have always liked the C6. Much simpler car but with a great engine, manual transmission available. Onstar is probably long dead…. And immensely tunable. A manual C6 with a supercharger and you have a fun car.

Vetteman Jack

Do what makes you happy. The C8 is a very capable car, but there is nothing at all wrong with the C7 Z06.

Dale06

I had a C7 Z06. It was a beast and I loved it. Now I have a 24 SR. I do miss the power of the Z06, but I have a better car. I do wish I could have bought a C8 Z06, but the 2-5 year wait and $30-50000 over sticker made no sense.

flynnstone

that’s kind of where I’m at. Spending double to go from a c8 to a c8z doesn’t make sense to me. I’d rather go the exotic route and grab a Huracan or GT3.

snork

have both, its not going backwards, theres much more smiles per mile driving the z06 m7

Waterline

I am actually researching the C7Z now. I really like the C8, but don't trust it at all. Every time I drive the C8, I always have a feeling of fear that it is going to crap out on me. Must be from all of the horror stories on the forums. I bought a new C6, Z51 6M coupe in 2008 and actually kept it 7 years. No problems at all and sold it with the original battery and tires. It had about 32,000 miles. The only reason I sold it was I didn't think it was going to be trouble free much longer. I sm reading the C7Z forums here and am not getting a warm fuzzy feeling. Lexus LC500 in my future? Maybe so.

24RiptideBlue

GT3’s are awesome awesome cars… 500HP and a 9,000 rpm redline with the best dual clutch in the industry. The Huracan is fantastic as well but you can drive a GT3 around without starting a parade. The Huracan not so much 😉

24RiptideBlue

Big fan of the LC 500 and also like the IS500…. The LC is obviously nicer inside and out but it’s $30k more than the IS500 and they both have the same V8 485HP and are bullet proof.

Z0HS1CK

I still have my C7Z after acquiring my C8Z. They are 2 totally different cars obviously. Even moreso with the engine in the new z06.

Personally i could see myself going down from a stingray to a C7Z. Both have low end torque but the C7Z is a monster. I learned to appreciate it more once getting my new z06. With the new z06 you need to be high in the revs, at least 5k+ to really feel it like you would at say 2-3k rpm in an LT2 or LT4.

GS583

I am another that went from a C7Z Convertible to a Stingray HTC. I am one of those guys of a certain age (75). The Z is an exciting car and I am glad I had the opportunity to own one but found that its' capabilities were excessive on the street and I don't track my cars. The SR is not as fast but is quicker. For me the SR is a better matchup. It may not work for you depending on your wants/needs.

Red rag

I’ve thought of this situation too. The C8 is just so refined and so damn sexy. The one thing I could never get past going backwards is the interior and technology. I love my C8 incredibly just wish it had a little “raw” feedback. They tell me this is a good “problem “.

ZEEEE06

You need a C8Z.

jipper

If you drive mostly in the city the C8SR is going to be a much better overall experience - it was designed for the 0-80mph sweet spot, over 80 it gets walked by cars with more top end HP...not a bad thing since the vast majority of people are driving under 80mph (highest legal driving speed limit on 99% of US roads - few exceptions in remote spots)

The C7Z06 sounds so much better and has a manual, which makes it a lot of fun, but really struggles to put down the power below 40....its a much more raw car and can get squirrely very easily but when you are at 60 and drop it, you can fly up to 120 in the blink of an eye.


The question is what are you driving it for, how do you drive it, what's important to you? As stated above in another post, the interior on the c8 is a big improvement over the c7 (just as the c7 was over the c6).


I looked hard at a 2016/2017 c7z06 m7 for months before i switched to a c8...just couldn't get comfortable paying 70K plus for a car that would be approach 8years old and that I wouldnt be able to really use the power for the majority of my driving (since i rarely drive on the highway).

MikeFloyd

My wife did. She (and I) never really fell in love with the C8 HTC. We sold it and bought a 2016 C7 Z06 convertible which we both love. Not knocking the C8 it just wasn't what we wanted.

john91498

Nope...

jipper

can you elaborate why? Very curious

3sACROWD

I have a 2003 C5 Z06 and a 2023 Stingray. I'm glad I can keep both. They are totally different driving experiences. The Z06 requires more driver engagement and you "feel" what the car is doing. The SR is so refined and competent that while enjoyable, is a bit numb. I've had my Z06 for 13 years and it still captures my attention when I see it in a parking lot. That speaks volumes since I've always been a bigger, better, best type person who would change cars every couple of years to get the newest technology. It also has 324k miles (bought it with 167k miles) on it which means I've had plenty of seat time in it.

Take a C7 Z06 for a test drive and make the comparison yourself instead of basing on others opinions. Also don't let all of the reported complaints paralyze you. Yes, you'll have some and if under warranty can be repaired without further financial investment from you. The C5 platform has had plenty of issues and yet my car has been very reliable. I'd put gas in it today and take a 4k mile trip without hesitation. Remember that these forums are a concentration of enthusiasts that will raise any and all issues (including horror stories) they are experiencing. Not every car will have these issues. Go to any brand forum and you'll find the same. Good luck with your decision.

AHP

I own and track both a C7 Z06 M7 and a C8 Z51. I bought the C7Z after I had the C8 specifically because I wanted another manual transmission for the track. I certainly wouldn't consider it going backwards, just a completely different direction. The C8 is an immensely better road car/cruiser for the casual enthusiast. It's more comfortable, refined and a bit easier to live with day to day from a usability perspective, IMO. It's also more dynamic in that it goes from a soft and smooth cruiser in Tour mode to snappy and taut in Track (with mag ride). The C7Z on the other hand is a sledgehammer and has a raw brutality about it. It's a much more visceral and physical experience; obviously due to the manual trans. Aside from low speed rear grip, it has more of everything -- torque, brakes, sound and not to mention a mature aftermarket.

They are VERY different in nearly every way so my best suggestion is to drive a C7Z and see how you feel about it. The only downside is the gearing is great for the track but really long for the street so you need a lot of space to bang through a few gears to stretch its legs. The C8 is more fun light to light in that regard.