Derekdo

In California with the strict smog laws, Z06. Out of the box it is a beast, and the resale will be better than a modded ls2/ls3. Especially if you don't care about a removable top.

My .02 worth.

bosco 08

Z06

cclive

I agree about the reviews of the Z06, but I think that a decent set of replacement shocks and a set of Michelin PS2s will take care of 90% of the problems

BSSN

-Because I didn't want a removable roof.
-Because I wanted an aluminum frame.
-The LS3 with a blower has whatever warranty you get from Edelbrock, if any. SC606 has 3/36. The LS7 is 5/100, and they are quite reliable.
-The Z06 will have better resale than a modded GS.
-How is a GS "better looking" than a Z06? Do you like the gills THAT much? Certainly it's not in the rims.
-The Z06 is a complete package designed from the ground up to be what it is. The GS is a base 'vette with rims and a body-kit.
-To get HUD in a GS, you need to go 3LT for 2011 and 2LT for 2012. The Z06 gets it at all trim levels. To me, this was the only item I needed beyond "base" equipment. Even a base 'vette is loaded out. I just wanted the HUD.
-The GS was made to look like a Z06. The Z06 IS a Z06.
-In my experience, the more prestigious the product you buy, the better a dealership treats you. Since I have all my stuff serviced at the dealership, this counts as a bonus for me. My service manager's opinion is "It's not just any corvette", and I got a personal tech, his cell #, and schedule maintenance through him. I like the VIP treatment of owning a more limited model vehicle.

HOXXOH

Put the whole $12K on an LS3 to get lower payments or a quicker payoff to keep the homefires burning brightly. Then mod as funds become available. Family first and personal fun when you can squeeze it in. You'll still have a lot of fun with a LS3 and get to continually look forward to the next mod. The Z06 would be an endpoint and a loss if you hit a financial bump in the road.

Just like the government, it's easy for us to spend your money.

cclive

Both the LS3 and the LS7 are really great, bulletproof engines...why would the LS3 be 'stronger'?

21inchguns

get a c6 Z51 - shop around sharp for a procharger - next throw on a SIC front end and a wide booty conversion and kill the competition. trust me - if u are on a budget you cannot argue that this route is cheaper and more powerful ...

sublime1996525

The reason the Z06 was given 3rd place was because of the harsh ride and because it was too loud. They stated it wasn't as pratical of a DD as the LS3.

BSSN

It has a stronger block. However, the LS7's block is just fine.

musclecar6

Z06 is hard riding unless you drive on mainly smooth roads( had an 08Z that I replaced with a 2010 GS 6 spd manual coupe with LPE TVS 2300 forged bottom end 650 supercharger package). Since you don't mind the solid fixed roof & firm ride( I did) then a Z06 is a great street supercar. A blown LS3/LS2 C6 is also a great fun street car as well & if you put on a Maggie or Edlebrock positive displacement blower, you will have instant right now full torque ear to ear sh%$ eating grin going as soon as you get even slightly into the throttle. Great choices either way you go.

WestPalmCorvette

All valid points
I have a GS 3LT NPP but if I could do it again I would have bought a Z06.
My roof panel makes annoying noises, I am aware ot the TSB, but really to me it is not acceptable that a 60K car has a removable roof panel that cannot be engineered better.
I'll get a C7 Z06 or ZR1 for my next car.

KneeDragr

Lets be honest about the facts, it was not a professional driver, it was a professional journalist who is a driving enthusiast, big difference.

But his findings may likely echo a lot of average people who take their car to the mountain roads or novice track enthusiast. The Z06 is not easy to drive fast in its stock configuration, and will bite you badly if you dont know what you are doing. Almost all of the people on this board who brag about how their Z06 is made for the track, would wrap it around a guardrail or toss it in the gravel trap if they ever drove it hard.

The new Z07 package apparently fixes those issues. Whether its the tires or the brakes, or the F55, something seems to have made it much easier to drive hard than the stock Z06. So if you are buying a new Z06 and you are inexperienced driving cars at the limit, definitely spring for the Z07 package if you intend to drive it hard.

redzone

And the only difference between Rosie O' Donnell & Jessica Alba is their body & face..............

boraxman

I would go with the super LS3 and a sleeper look.

Iceman427

Keep quoting those reviews and magazines. I've seen that review, and the Z06 got a "harsh" review, but was still faster hands down than the Z51 around the track.

This.

A Z06 is a far superior all around car to a base LS3; even with a supercharger.

Get a Z06. You will be much happier in the end.

Raazor

Mr. Hyde

I say that you opt for the Z06, but pay attention to the fact that the car IS difficult to drive at or near the limit. Mine still scares the crap out of me at times, and I've had it for 3 years. It takes a lot of time behind the wheel to learn how to properly drive a car with snap oversteer.
My Nitto INVO's helped quite a bit. My suspension is stock, and I plan on modding it sometime down the road.
Get the Z06 with the tough smog laws, I lived in Cali for 43 years, and don't miss those tough standards at all. In Washington, NO visual inspection, just OBD II. No CEL...PASS!

sranger

Obviously go with the Z06 if you don't care about the removable top...... The LS7 is one of the best engines ever made...

For me personally, I could not give up the open top so the E-Force would be better for me...

+ I Kind of prefer to be a little different.... A lot of Z06's around here.... A supercharged LS3 would be a little more unique...

Either way it will be a nice car....

bosco 08

I wonder what the resale value of a Z06 would be compared to a LS3 car with an E-force both being the same model year and similar options?


My guess is the Z06 would win that one also.

KneeDragr

Yes, if you buy cars for resale value, all stock is best.

But if this guy has a 600hp mustang, he clearly does not care about keeping the car stock.