I posted this in the C4 section and am interested in opinions here, as many of you traded up from C4s and have lived with both.


I'm trying to decide between these two Vettes:

1996 Doug Rippie DRM480 (383, coilovers, gears, etc.) Grand Sport (one of two in existence), 18K miles
or
2003 Z06 head/cam/headers, etc. perfect condition - approx. 25K miles

I presently own the GS, thinking about getting rid of it for the Z. Both cars are of approx equal value.

I've had 3 C4s and am really itching for something newer/better. My wife says do it, but some of my Vette friends say I'm crazy because the GS will retain its value and is within 25 - 30 HP of the modded Z.

I know it's a matter of personal opinion, but as enthusiasts, what would you do? Thanks.

 

I say keep the GS and buy the Z06. Best if both worlds.


Seriouly I think the GS would be a keeper. The value on that car would increase faster.

 

If I had the bucks I would in a second.
I wouldn't be in this dilemma if I hadn't recently spent some time driving a friend's Z06. Ample legroom, stiff chassis, no rattles, etc. - the improvements are considerable.

 

I own a heads/cam 525hp 04 Z06 and love it, but its a hard decision with that GS of yours ! It sounds like a sweet ride !

Good luck on your choice !

Toque

 

Yeah tough decision. Owning both a C4 (ZR1) and a C5 (1999 coupe) they really are a night and day difference. In your case though I would keep the GS and save up for the C5. That GS will really keep its value. You may regret it down the line if you did sell it. Sounds like a really nice car.

 

Keep the GS. I saw 5 Z06's coming back from church today. The only GS that I saw this year was at the Corvette Museum. I personally think that the GS has a nice mystic that a Z06 does not.(Flame suit on) Don't get me wrong, I love the Z06! It just sounds like you are asking a parent to name their favorite child.

Good luck with whatever decision that you make....

 

I'm not sure but I almost know for a fact that you WILL regret
selling the GS down the road

So,, what to do.... I don't know,, I think it's something only you can decide.
How do you feel about the C4,,,, T
he Z is a better car all around IMO....

Decisions decisions decisions

 

 

I would keep the GS and save for a C5. The GS's are very rare, yours even more so. They always get a ton of attention wherever they go. They are fast and gorgeous.

I had a cherry 96 C4 that I traded for my heads/cam/headers 03 C5 and would do again in a second, but a modded GS? I would keep it.

Good luck

 

I would hold on to the GS. Sweet car!

 

keep the GS, buy the Z06..if possible...if not keep the GS

 

I would keep the GS, and save up for the ZO6 later.

 

 

Let's face it, the C4 GS is over rated but since Chevy Marketing only built 1000 of them, a group of people are trying to make everyone think they are special. Afterall the C4 wasn't a very good series of Vettes and to help sell a few more at the end of the model run, marketing added a few items not much different than going to the forum sponsoring vendors for eye candy. Not even a special engine was dropped into the GS.

In general, the GS will hold its value for a while, but in a few more years, what will make it so special? BUT you have a modded GS that because of those mod's may not be as valuable down the road.

You know that the C5 in any version, is a far superior sports car to the GS. If it is value you are worried about, forget the Vettes, call a broker or play the lotto. If you want to enjoy driving a fine sports car, go with the C5.

I think you said it best, you are itching for something better.

 

100%

 

I could go through your entire post and pick it apart, but instead I'll leave it at this...You have NO CLUE what you're talking about.

 

I love the GS. I'm trying to decide on a GS look-a-like (except in red and 1995) with mods or a C5. Maybe you can hold out a bit and get a early C5 and keep the GS? You can find a nice early C5 for 15-20 grand now. So it's not a Z but still have two great cars then. If I had your situation I would probably hold onto the GS. It's only going up in value. A C5 is going to go down, not as bad as other cars. And a Z would go down, maybe not as fast as a regular C5 but it is going down.

 

Originally Posted by pjbracing
Let's face it, the C4 GS is over rated but since Chevy Marketing only built 1000 of them, a group of people are trying to make everyone think they are special. Afterall the C4 wasn't a very good series of Vettes and to help sell a few more at the end of the model run, marketing added a few items not much different than going to the forum sponsoring vendors for eye candy. Not even a special engine was dropped into the GS.

In general, the GS will hold its value for a while, but in a few more years, what will make it so special? BUT you have a modded GS that because of those mod's may not be as valuable down the road.

You know that the C5 in any version, is a far superior sports car to the GS. If it is value you are worried about, forget the Vettes, call a broker or play the lotto. If you want to enjoy driving a fine sports car, go with the C5.

I think you said it best, you are itching for something better.



Actually, I agree for the most part! The C5 was made to be superior to the C4 in virtually all areas (except hp stock for stock against the ZR-1), and it is as far as I've seen... but lets face it, the C4 was awesome for its time!

However, I would keep the GS and wait for the C7 due to the "collectibility" of the vehicle. However, the GS should have been fitted with the LT5 or been the only corvette with the LT4.

 

I pretty much agree with this. The C4s weren't great cars and while the GS was as good as any of them, their appeal is due more to scarcity rather than excellence (the ZR1s were definitely the Alpha-C4s)
I do like the unique look of the GS, maybe I just need to stick some white stripes and black Motorsports on an EB Z06.....
Thanks for the opinions!

 

So pick it apart. I don't think you can. Any opinion on value is pretty subjective but the facts remain, the 1996 GS is nothing but marketing bling limited to 1000 of the last year model series production run.

As for credibility, would you trade your Z06 for the GS?