C6ROLLER

Drive a 370Z, I heard that makes your vette feel a lot faster after you're used to the hp

wlean99

sat in a 370z last year at the jac javits car show in nyc, couldn't get the seat back far enuff,knees hit dashboard.:

69 L46 4 Speed

We bought the GS Drop Top because we like the wide body look and the car had to be a convertible. No Z06 convertible = No Z06 for us. Just that simple. The HP was not an issue.

As for wanabee's. There is absolutely no Z06 envy here.

haljensen

If by wheel flange you mean brake rotor then yes, the same width. The flared F & R fenders are the only wider parts.

Greater stress? Theoretically yes, more stress but the Z06 has used those dimensions for 8 years and I've never read of a problem because of the backspace/offset.

The C6 GS is $6-7,000 more for less performance, more weight, flared fenders, a fake scoop and wider tires compared to the C6.

stp357

It's not that simple Hal. There is a lot more to the differences between the wide body and the base. As far as wannabes, I had my sights set on a Z06 until I read about the possible valve issues. I also realized that I don't "need" 505hp, so I went with the GS. And I don't feel like I settled. The GS is perfect for me!

ruxvette

Must be cool to be you, Hal. I have an '05 vert (with Z51) and an '11 GS vert. Quite honestly they street drive very much the same. I love looking at my silver '05...clean lines, etc. I also love looking at my ssb '11...less performance, more weight, flared fenders, a fake scoop, wider tires and all.

icntdrv55

I'm not trying to stir up sh-t storm here--just wanna learn all I can. I kind'a understand what haljensen is getting at if the main buying criteria is drag strip ET or top end MPH. Wider/heavier/fat tires equates to slower in those two areas. To be honest, I have found that the fat tires with the Z51 suspension and competition alignment specs from the factory makes the GS a handful to drive on our winter-heaved, crappy roads, probably more so than the base model. As a first time Vette buyer, I looked at the base, the GS, the Z06 and the 427s. My main criteria was that I wanted a convertible, so out went the Z. After looking for several months (I was buying late in the '13 MY so inventory was limited) I found a GS with NPP and F55 for about $10K under MSRP and that's what I ended up with. I did seriously lust over the 427 model, more out of the nostalgia from being a teenager in the 60s who always wanted a BB Vette, but I couldn't justify the nearly $8-10K pop for the LS7.

I guess I'd be the first to admit that, as far as the wide-body goes, I chose style over substance if maximum performance is the sole criteria, but I willingly paid the extra surcharge for the GS body (as did many buyers over the last few years). 'Course, when it comes time to pay the piper for them big ol' fat tires at replacement time, I may sing a different tune….

zero11

Bottom line on all these different models g.m brings out with very little difference is making money.I'm sure you will see more models of the c7 in the future.

haljensen

I really hate to bust your bubble again but the 427 isn't a big block. Matter of fact it isn't a 427 except for GM's advertizing expertise.
The current LS7 "427" is the same basic block as the LS3 376 Cu In, just bore and stroke differences. It also isn't 427 Cu In, it's should round up to 428.

GM Advertizing/Publications really plays games with the truth.

Space Frame? No, it's a variation of the Perimeter Frame that started with the C4.

427? Explained above.

Transaxle? No, the C6 uses a seperate transmission and differential.

z edge

I love my "base" car, though I don't feel there is anything "base" about a car that is both somewhat expensive & bears the name corvette. I would be happy if people just simply called it a corvette coupe and left it at that....however...I see this is now happening with the new C7; ive seen the new Stingray referred to as "Stingray base" or "Stingray Z51"...you get the idea.

Honestly if I would have waited 6 months to pull the trigger back in 2009 I could have gotten a GS or widebody car. That would have probably been my choice, but since I bought my car 5 years ago pre-bash we didn't even know there was going to be a GS model coming out from what I recall. The GS looks great but so does my coupe, and also it runs pretty good too.

Everyone should just enjoy the beauty of the machine that you have and don't knock the other guy and we'll all get along just fine. Most people (aside from car freaks) wouldn't know the difference anyway.

Hameister

You hit on an important point. Except for Corvette fanatics, no one else even knows/sees the difference.

For the past 4 or 5 months now, people have come over to my car, and said..."is that the new Stingray?"

When I said no, it's the previous body style, they'd say..."oh, well this is nice too."

The last few times is was asked that question, I just answered, "yes it is." And they'd say..."wow, it is really beautiful, I haven't seen one before."

They look all around and ask a lot of questions.

The only people who argue over narrow vs. wide body, black vs. chrome wheels, auto vs. manual xmissions, etc. are us idiots here.

2013 427

The perfect answer to the issue of wanting a convertible plus the performance of a Z...

icntdrv55

haljensen: I do know this, including the displacement of the LS7, so no bubbles were burst. The BB I was referring to was the 427 from the 60s.

z edge

Yup

z edge

that car looks fantastic

blittle

OK….. I started this thread….and I thank you all for the input and the general commentary! I owned a 99 C5, then the original C6 .. the 05 and now the 2012 GS …… loved 'em all!!! Did not know for sure just how much "wider" the the wide body is , but you guys have answered that…. Did notice this today….. crusing at 65mph (A6), punched it….literally could feel the front end lift just a tiny bit as the beast pushed up to 85 in about 2 seconds……my 05 did NOT do that…..I think all that torque applied to those big a@# tires are the difference…plus of course, the greater HP of the 2012 vs. the 05! Thanks again for a great discussion…….enjoy those Vettes….skinny, wide whatever!

23/C8Z

absolutely INSANE AUTOMOBILE..

I love those wheels.. i wish someone near me had them so i could see how they'd look on my skinny '08

2013 427

Hey thanks! I'm really pleasd how well the Xpel film turned out on the car. It shines up just as well as before I had it installed.