Undecided
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Alice Texas
Undecided
Hello corvette aficionados. I have longed for a corvette since my childhood and now its about to come true. I will purchase a 2010-2013 Grand Sport or ZO6. I am not sure which. My question to you all is it worth the extra $ to get a ZO6? This will be a weekend driver. I plan on joining a club but will not racing it, maybe? 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
I think most would recommend the GS for pure street driving. It gives you the looks of the Z06 but with the removable top and auto trans if that's your pleasure. If you don't have a specific need, or just desire for bragging rights, for the Z06 there is no reason to get one.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,537
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From: Lombard, IL (Chicago suburbs)
z06 = extra horsepower, stiffer chassis (I think), less weight (aluminum chassis), but non-removable roof, no option for an automatic, no option for a convertible. 7.0L engine has a potential valve train issue that requires removing the cylinder heads.
If it were me, I would choose the 2012+ GS for the upgraded seats.
If it were me, I would choose the 2012+ GS for the upgraded seats.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Colorado
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Alice Texas
I think most would recommend the GS for pure street driving. It gives you the looks of the Z06 but with the removable top and auto trans if that's your pleasure. If you don't have a specific need, or just desire for bragging rights, for the Z06 there is no reason to get one.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Nazareth, PA.
St. Jude Donor '17
Having 2 Z06's why the hell would you buy a GS? No offense to the GS, which I own myself, but having a Z06 or 2, I certainly wouldn't buy anything less than another Z06 or ZR1. Just my .02 cents worth.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
2012 3(or 4)LT is a very nice street cruiser...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Alice Texas
I am very excited about being able to purchase a Corvette but I am a little overwhelmed at how many web sights and cars that are out there. So many to choose from. This sight has some very nice cars also but I am not sure where to start. I prefer buying one from an individual and not a dealer to avoid dealer markups. I have narrowed it down to a GS I believe.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Alice Texas
z06 = extra horsepower, stiffer chassis (I think), less weight (aluminum chassis), but non-removable roof, no option for an automatic, no option for a convertible. 7.0L engine has a potential valve train issue that requires removing the cylinder heads.
If it were me, I would choose the 2012+ GS for the upgraded seats.
If it were me, I would choose the 2012+ GS for the upgraded seats.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,257
Likes: 628
From: Tempe Arizona
St. Jude Donor '22-'23-'24
This 2011 GS I have now is my 4th Corvette and it is the slowest of the bunch. It is just frustrating driving this "slow" car after experiencing the previous three. As soon as my three daughters are done with college the first thing I am going to do is get another Z06. Until then I will just have to tough it out with this GS.
Ah.... First World problems.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 12,687
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From: Nazareth, PA.
St. Jude Donor '17
I decided to sell my Z06 when my daughter returned from Australia so I could do some home remodeling and to buy her a car. Since the Corvette was and still is my daily driver I replaced the Z06 with the GS. The GS is a better daily driver, since the Z06 really demands to be driven hard. The manual transmission & clutch set-up makes the Z06 a better weekend or track car like the OP is searching for.
This 2011 GS I have now is my 4th Corvette and it is the slowest of the bunch. It is just frustrating driving this "slow" car after experiencing the previous three. As soon as my three daughters are done with college the first thing I am going to do is get another Z06. Until then I will just have to tough it out with this GS.
Ah.... First World problems.
This 2011 GS I have now is my 4th Corvette and it is the slowest of the bunch. It is just frustrating driving this "slow" car after experiencing the previous three. As soon as my three daughters are done with college the first thing I am going to do is get another Z06. Until then I will just have to tough it out with this GS.
Ah.... First World problems.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
From: Alice Texas
I decided to sell my Z06 when my daughter returned from Australia so I could do some home remodeling and to buy her a car. Since the Corvette was and still is my daily driver I replaced the Z06 with the GS. The GS is a better daily driver, since the Z06 really demands to be driven hard. The manual transmission & clutch set-up makes the Z06 a better weekend or track car like the OP is searching for.
This 2011 GS I have now is my 4th Corvette and it is the slowest of the bunch. It is just frustrating driving this "slow" car after experiencing the previous three. As soon as my three daughters are done with college the first thing I am going to do is get another Z06. Until then I will just have to tough it out with this GS.
Ah.... First World problems.
This 2011 GS I have now is my 4th Corvette and it is the slowest of the bunch. It is just frustrating driving this "slow" car after experiencing the previous three. As soon as my three daughters are done with college the first thing I am going to do is get another Z06. Until then I will just have to tough it out with this GS.
Ah.... First World problems.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,257
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From: Tempe Arizona
St. Jude Donor '22-'23-'24
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,044
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From: Central MO
Let's face it - you can't even use the full potential of the GS on the road, much less the Z06. I wanted another convertible so my choice was made for me; my 12 Centennial Edition GS is the third Vette I've owned and it's staying in my garage for quite a while.
As far as it being slow like jdk541 indicated, I felt the same way but it's just because of the crappy non-linear throttle programming that GM put on the Vette. I bought a Vitesse throttle controller, tweaked my timing tables and tranny tune slightly, and eliminated most of the torque management and it's a whole different animal now.
Buy the GS and save some money. If you decide you want a faster car down the road you can add a supercharger, still be in the car for less than what it would have cost you for a Z06, and be as fast or faster than a Z06.
As far as it being slow like jdk541 indicated, I felt the same way but it's just because of the crappy non-linear throttle programming that GM put on the Vette. I bought a Vitesse throttle controller, tweaked my timing tables and tranny tune slightly, and eliminated most of the torque management and it's a whole different animal now.
Buy the GS and save some money. If you decide you want a faster car down the road you can add a supercharger, still be in the car for less than what it would have cost you for a Z06, and be as fast or faster than a Z06.