brapril714

I currently have a 2013 3LT base, paid off. I want to go the wide body route but can't decide which is better financially. Convert or sell and buy a Grand Sport? I'm assuming Grand Sport will always be worth more than base with kit. Give me your thoughts.

choppychop

Do you enter the car in shows?
In my opinion dont waste all that $$ on the front end parts( over $5K). Keep the car... its paid for!
Add a wide booty. Mine is multi trophy winner.
(The sales tax you'll pay on a GS will buy wide rear fenders)

JerriVette

Sell and buy the grand sport ..or do the rear widebody...it's not expensive and an easy modification as suggested above.

If you decide to move to a grand sport I might even drop a year or two to backwards to minimize the extra cost of the grand sport.

Honestly I don't think the wider fenders are worth it. I found by putting 19/20 inch c7 z51 rims and tires on my narrow body z51 2008 c6 I was able to create a much more contemporary look. I'm glad I stayed with the narrow body myself.

Is it quite as nice as the wide body? Probably not but the 19/20 inch black rims cost me a grand ..and the new Michelin tires non runflats mounted balanced cost less than another grand.

I get tons of thumbs up with these black 19/20 rims...I'd consider that on your paid for narrow body...just something to consider.

Good luck...deciding

billyboy47

Back in 2015 I traded my 013 base car plus $10 grand for a 012 GS CE. Would I do it again? Only because the 3LT car had the $4900.00 CE options which included the F55 suspension and a few other options I wanted. But more important, It was the WIDE BODY which even my wife understood why I made the trade. If you have the extra cash laying around and you can afford it, do it. If not, stay with the base and throw headers on it and "bigger wheels" like the above post had suggested. Either way, it's a corvette and you can't go wrong.

pagosawingnut

There are plenty of us that like the base model as is. If you want a wide body, sell your base model and move up to the GS.
Each to their own but I'll never understand why so much money is spent to upgrade the look or the horsepower when the amount spent would upgrade a base model to the Z06 or the ZR1 in some cases. Just my .02

Brandon619

Choppy, your Vette looks awesome with the rear wide body conversion. I've been tossing around the idea to just do the rear or complete wide body conversion. Did you add a bigger rim in the rear or add spacers to existing wheels?

FAUEE

A wide body converted base depending on where you sell it may bring less than a regular base car (trading it in for example), whereas a low mileage GS will always be worth more than the equivalent base car.

A lot depends on what you can get for your car, and what your plans for it are. GS running costs are much higher than base cars, between brakes and tires. If you get a stick, you have a dry sump oil system to contend with.

Resale wise, the smart choice is to trade.

COMMANDER2OOO

Sell the base, and get the GS.

ForceFedC4

I do not trust anybody or anything touching my cars other than me, and even then I only trust the guy behind the tools 50%. Definitely couldn't handle any body shop touching my car for any reason.

That being said, If I had this choice - I would get rid of the base and get the GS or Z.

If you are after resale value, your body kitted base vette isn't the way to do. Get the GS.

hrt vlv

Keep the base and get a GS. May as well have two while the pants is down Two as good as one anyday

AK Drop Top

If the car is a convertible, 2008 or better with a 4LT interior that you are happy with, then go wide body if you like the look. I think it would be less expensive to go this route than to lose money on the sale of your car, and paying the price for new. Unless you found a smokin deal on one set up the way you invisioned now.

But if you do convert use only GM body parts, and go for the CF!

Bruze

OP: I hope you realize that hardly anybody out there knows the difference between regular and wide bodies except other C6 owners and maybe some other Corvette owners.

brapril714

I won't do it unless I can pay cash for the difference, do not want a car payment for a toy. I think GS as the top has to come off vs Z06. Fun decisions.

GrandSportRob

Sell it & get a GS. You also get bigger brakes & a more track ready suspension than just the wide fenders. Dry sump if you get a manual. I've had my GS for almost 4 years & love it!

JerriVette

Just put some c7 z51 19/20 inch rims and call it a day. Sell your old rims to recoup part of the cost.

1000 bucks for the rims

Biggus Blockus

Get the real thing. Get the GS. I traded my 06 convertible for a 11 GS 3 years ago and don't have a single regret. Just find the right GS!

brapril714

I went and looked at the local one I was eyeing. Had to walk away, 13k difference was to much. Both are 3LT and equipped the same.

Sky High

Except of course the op. I could never drive a converted car, That's why I sold my '12 base and bought a '13 GS
Just my opinion but for me it's the real deal or nothing.

billyboy47

The amount it would have cost me to convert as opposed to trade up plus pay a little extra to get a GS was a no brainer.

choppychop

Some of us prefer "built, not bought".
I NEVER run across another car like mine.
505 HP Custom Vette, multi trophy winner.
Grand Sports are nice, but I would go Z😁6 or ZR1 if buying a wide body.