RichKiss

Batman75

I like the looks of a base much more than a GS. When I see the fender extender/splash guards on a GS I think to myself, if I wanted mud flaps I would have chosen a dump truck.

dmk0210

Because the Z16 GS was a package to improve handling and braking, not speed. The Z06 was a package to improve both.

The GS is an evolution of the Z51 Gymkhana (autocross) package. They took the Z51 (with it's lower geared trans) and put the bigger brakes and wider Z06 tires on it. To fit the tires, they needed the Z06 fender flares. All for better tight technical tracks or autocross performance. It's as simple as that.

If you want to track your Vette, you get the Z06. If you want to autocross or run your Vette in tight technical roads, you get the Z51 or GS package. For everything else, you put your money into the other options on the base Vette.

If 430hp isn't enough in the LS3, a cam, headers and tune will get you Z06 HP. GM performance will gladly sell you the parts.


.

hmmmm16417

I would consider a base vette at the right price, but if I end up $30k+ I might as well go GS. I am very attracted to the GS convertible. However, I'm also attracted to my hard earned money lol

I have time, no hurry.

For now I'll just enjoy the harley vrod screamin eagle.

hmmmm16417

I did see a nice jsb GS vert 4lt , auto paddle shift, 25k miles .... absolutely love the look! But at $39k....its a bit steep imo

dmk0210

What year?

I got my '10 GS (convertible, 4LT, 6MT, 23k miles) last year for $34k.

cartop2

I owned a 2001 vert and now own a 2009 Coupe.
For my first Corvette, it had to be a convertible. Glad that I did it. The top was always down if driving in town, always up if on the highway. With the coupe, the top is always for the highway, and sometimes off in town. Taking the top off is not as easy as putting the top down, and on a C6 the top is operated by power (that may have been an option). I bought the 2009 new, and to go for the convertible would have been more cost difference than I felt I could spend. So, I made a choice, get a new coupe or get a several years old used convertible. With the new coupe, I chose the exact car that I wanted.
GS Vs base. Again, this may be a matter of styling preference and cost. If you really like the GS, don't settle for a base coupe. In regard to performance, you may have a preference. For me, not so much. I have never been able to max out the performance of the base coupe.
When I did my search, I looked at a lot of used C6 coupes. I had determined for reasons that mattered to me that I would buy nothing prior to 2008. Just a preference. Others love their older C6. Not slamming them, I just wanted some things that were in the 2008 and 2009.
Try to determine what you like the most. Which styling appeals to you the most. Are there things on certain years that you want. (One color of blue only comes in certain years, victory red is only on some years). Then determine what fits your budget and comes closest to meeting your list of wants. Be patient. Days after I bought my 2001 Navy Blue Metallic I came across another vert that made me wish I had looked just a little longer. But I still enjoyed the one that I bought.

hmmmm16417

I absolutely love the GS vert in blue with lt4. However, it seems it will be a bit pricey. I saw that someone recently sold a base vert (blue) that was a killer deal because he had Teo teenage daughters. Wish I could have snatched that one for the price. Maybe just a matter of me convincing myself to spend that much for a "toy"

I'm in no hurry, but .....

Choice #1 - 2010+ GS VERT Auto....color negotiable

Choice #2 - 2008+ base vert blue, auto, 4lt

Choice #3 2006+ z06

Choice #4 - 2008+ base

Choice #5 - 2006+ base w extremely low miles


My max budget would be around 32-35k for choice #1, but choice 2 would be 24-26k


I guess I'm still undecided, but all depends on the car.

Frustrating to see so many cars at so many different prices

Calgon, take me away!

mikeCsix

Having had both, the GS has a more "plush" ride. The springs are the same between the Z-51 and the GS, the GS has a Z-06 sway bar and GS specific shocks.

For me, I'm partial to the wide-body look and I like the higher performance features of the GS. I thought it well worth the money. That limits the OP's choices for the years 2010 - 2013.

hmmmm16417

The cars that make me say "oh hell yeah" are 40k+. My budget is absolutely no more than 33-35 and that's debatable . A local dealer has a 2012 ssb coupe w/ 11k miles for $28k that is almost tempting. But even though I'd like to have the newest one I can afford. ...I'm really attracted to a convertible GS 4lt lol. But I'm so cheap/frugal. Ugh

R&L's C6

Then don't settle for anything less, although with all the leather dash separations I read about on the forum I would look for a 3lt and save some money.

I made the mistake of purchasing a new 2011 base coupe with a manual transmission to save a few bucks when deep down I knew I wanted a GS convertible with an auto. After a few years I had no love for that car.....

csf

Yup, when I bought my 13 GS new I purposely bought a 3LT even though there were 4LTs available and I had the extra money, specifically because I never wanted to deal with the leather dash problems.

Not one regret with that decision.

pdac

Very nice car. How do you like the yellow? I'm in the market for a GS and the only one I can find that checks all of my boxes is in that yellow. I think it looks good in pictures but I'm on the fence. I've always had black, gray or white. I don't think I've seen the yellow in person but I'm afraid it will be a bit loud for my taste. The one I'm looking at has the gray wheels.

Gotta-Qik-C7

Personally I love V Yellow! So much so that this is my second C6 (2006 also) in this color. It's definetley an eye catching color wich can be a good or bad thing. People always tell me my car is the only car that wears yellow well! I say go for it!!

lspalding

It's good to see that you are getting a handle on your priorities. I knew I wanted an F55 vert and was shooting for '08. When the right 2007 came along I knew it was the one and I newer looked back. Sooner or later you will find the right one and it will speak to you. It's happened to me with all six of mine.

BlindSpot

Yeah, I can relate. I like the cleaner look of the base better than the GS. The GS is a nice car, but in my eyes appears to have a lot of "attachments" that don't flow all that well on the body lines. Too many "scoops, orifices, and openings" in a lot of awkward places. Kinda like the designers started with a base and said - where can we slap on stuff? You can see the base in a GS, but it comes across like an afterthought....lots of ornate, misfit add ons.

You like what you like and I can understand how many can migrate to the GS, but I am glad there is a choice, BC without it, I probably wouldn't have gone another Vette route.

My goal was a nice simple clean, fast sleeper in the vein of the old black wheeled Bel-Airs. No gimmicks, no unnecessary stuff....

hmmmm16417

I just hate how the price varies so much . I've come across so many in a specific price range that are opposite. Example. ...2006 vert auto 3lt w low miles....2012 base coupe manual 1lt.....same price. If I was to choose, it'd probably be the 06. Originally wanted 2008-2012...... but the newer ones that make me say "wow, nice! " are too much $$ lol. I don't want to settle and then wish I had bought different.

decisions decisions. ...

Ron Bellack

I've had my 12 GS 3LT Coupe , Inferno Orange/Cashmere Int. for 2 years . It currently has 9500 miles on it and the only problem I have is keeping the miles off it. You won't be disappointed with GS. Mines a paddle shift too.
Good luck in you search.

hmmmm16417

After much deliberation, I decided to cut back on the budget price and get a base. I actually purchased an 06 base 3lt vert, Lemans blue (my favorite color), Auto w paddle shift and all.options I wanted ....from a forum member. ...a budget friendly price and I love it so far. Can't wait to start adding things to make it "mine"

Patsgarage

Pics or it didn't happen.