LS3 over LS2 is it worth it?
09-20-2017, 09:44 AM
#41
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Those numbers seem realistic. My 2000 C5 was getting 293 rwhp stock.
09-20-2017, 09:54 AM
#42
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by Randy_in_MD
You might be right about both.
Another interesting tidbit is that I don't recal private messaging you the question and you could have just as easily skipped over the thread as respond to it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your input.
Another interesting tidbit is that I don't recal private messaging you the question and you could have just as easily skipped over the thread as respond to it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your input.
09-20-2017, 10:24 AM
#43
LOL. Sounds like your typical forum thread filled with bias. "I have an LS-3 so my motor is better than you LS-2". And on the other side..."I have an LS-2 and while the LS-3 has a little more HP, it really isn't that much better". Bottom line to OP. Find yourself a car that you absolutely love and don't worry about if it has an LS-2 or LS-3. They are both great motors and you won't be disappointed in either one....just be sure it doesn't have black wheels !!!!!....
.......Good Luck !!!......
.......Good Luck !!!......
The following 2 users liked this post by windyC6:
Randy_in_MD (09-20-2017),
Signal_20 (09-20-2017)
09-20-2017, 07:29 PM
#44
I got a 07 with a LS2, when I was looking the asking price for 08's seemed to be about 4 to 5k higher in the Chicago area then the 07's. I wasn't really concerned with price, just the overall quality of the car. The 30hp difference is small any C6 is still fast today due to its weight, the new challengers are nice, strong hemi motors but they are heavy cars and I have no problem whipping newer ones with my old 07.
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-20-2017)
09-20-2017, 07:53 PM
#45
Race Director
I'd pay the extra $1500 for the 2008 over a 2007 buying preowned.
I paid 5 grand more in 007 for a 2008 ls3 model and I still believe it was the right choice.
The LS3 not only has 36 more hp with npp exhaust..(not available on 2007) the steering wheel and center console not to mention the better manual transmission.
JMO
I paid 5 grand more in 007 for a 2008 ls3 model and I still believe it was the right choice.
The LS3 not only has 36 more hp with npp exhaust..(not available on 2007) the steering wheel and center console not to mention the better manual transmission.
JMO
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-20-2017)
09-21-2017, 01:53 AM
#46
jobberone
I don't see that small a difference in HP as something I'd personally worry about. Until pulling the LS1 FI motor out of mine I ran on low boost as 600+ RWHP didn't really drive much different than 800 RWHP on high boost. Of course it would be faster at the track because I'd run down my car on low boost. Off the line they both were about the same.
You won't have the same problem off the line with a stock LS2 or LS3 but you aren't going to feel much difference in the seat of your pants. The LS3 might win by a car length driven the same in the 1/4.
If you spent money on DRs then the LS2 would be faster than a stock tired LS3.
I agree with some who say go with the car you like the best including what it feels like to you when you punch it. That's important but so is resale, color, vert or now, manual or auto, etc.
Buy the car you like. You can always modify it later if it's not fast enough for you. And there will always be someone faster than you no matter what you got.
You won't have the same problem off the line with a stock LS2 or LS3 but you aren't going to feel much difference in the seat of your pants. The LS3 might win by a car length driven the same in the 1/4.
If you spent money on DRs then the LS2 would be faster than a stock tired LS3.
I agree with some who say go with the car you like the best including what it feels like to you when you punch it. That's important but so is resale, color, vert or now, manual or auto, etc.
Buy the car you like. You can always modify it later if it's not fast enough for you. And there will always be someone faster than you no matter what you got.
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-21-2017)
09-21-2017, 06:43 AM
#47
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I guess maybe my original question was similar to me asking myself if the Titleist driver with the 460cc head is good enough or if should hold out for the newer driver with the 500cc head. I'm not a good enough golfer for either of those to make a difference in my game.
09-21-2017, 07:29 AM
#48
I guess maybe my original question was similar to me asking myself if the Titleist driver with the 460cc head is good enough or if should hold out for the newer driver with the 500cc head. I'm not a good enough golfer for either of those to make a difference in my game.
Not much input I can add because basically everything stated above is 100% correct to a point. Just 3 weeks ago I was in the same boat when I bought my first vette. I was between getting the ls2 or the ls3. I ended up going with the 09 ls3 because if im spending the money I want the newer and better but also the 08+ came with better tech which also was nice. I test drove a few ls2 vettes and a few ls3 vettes and I was just a little more pleased with the ls3 and the better upgrades. I payed about $2500 more but I think it was totally worth it. If you're a speed guy and want HP then spend the money now and get the ls3 but if you just want a vette, get what's cheap.
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-21-2017)
09-21-2017, 06:14 PM
#49
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It's not that I "just want a vette" I've had umpteen vettes. I currently have a C5. I'm looking for something with a little more umph. There is a 2007 LS2 with manual for about $21000. There is also a 2009 LS3 auto for about $25000. That's my delimma
Last edited by Randy_in_MD; 09-21-2017 at 06:14 PM.
09-21-2017, 06:39 PM
#50
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 10,683
Received 4,714 Likes
on
2,999 Posts
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It all depends on what you are interested in and how you plan to use it. I drove several years and model C6s before I settled on my 05 LS2. The reasons:
I couldn't tell the difference between an LS2 and LS3 (I did test drive a few Z06's and the power increase was noticeable).
I wanted a Vert with auto trans so the Z06 was out right away.
Though price was not an obstacle, I wanted value. It's a once in awhile weekend car for me so I wanted more car for less. I went with my 05 that was essentially in show room condition with super low mileage (A bonus was that the vette had probably 10k worth of mods already installed that I didn't pay for).
I was done chasing HP. The LS2 and LS3 are considered bullet proof but by todays HP standards, they don't compete. I don't see the point in trying since I don't street race. 400 HP is more than enough for me around town. I can't use it all.
Nothing wrong with either motor but if it's the latest, greatest that I was after, I would have passed on a C6 altogether.
Of course, if price, condition, miles and equipment are all the same, buy the latest model.
Good luck in your search!
I couldn't tell the difference between an LS2 and LS3 (I did test drive a few Z06's and the power increase was noticeable).
I wanted a Vert with auto trans so the Z06 was out right away.
Though price was not an obstacle, I wanted value. It's a once in awhile weekend car for me so I wanted more car for less. I went with my 05 that was essentially in show room condition with super low mileage (A bonus was that the vette had probably 10k worth of mods already installed that I didn't pay for).
I was done chasing HP. The LS2 and LS3 are considered bullet proof but by todays HP standards, they don't compete. I don't see the point in trying since I don't street race. 400 HP is more than enough for me around town. I can't use it all.
Nothing wrong with either motor but if it's the latest, greatest that I was after, I would have passed on a C6 altogether.
Of course, if price, condition, miles and equipment are all the same, buy the latest model.
Good luck in your search!
09-21-2017, 06:42 PM
#51
For that price it would make sense to go with the ls2 unless there was a particular package in the 09 that the 07 doesn't have that you want. At this point it's preference. Like the others have said, that the difference is a little more power and some slight upgrades.
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-21-2017)
09-21-2017, 07:33 PM
#53
the manual trans will be more fun!!! Unless you drive in stop and go traffic a lot. When I was looking it was a manual or nothing.
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-21-2017)
09-21-2017, 07:40 PM
#54
Pro
On this one the ls2 with the manual tranny for sure! A manual was a must for me but after owning all those vettes over the years it's probably not a big deal to you
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-22-2017)
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-21-2017)
09-21-2017, 08:43 PM
#56
Actually, 30 HP isn't that big a diff in a 3,200--3,500 pound car. Maybe one car length at the end of the 1/4....and that depends on the driver. I say that the LS-3 drivers that brag about having more HP are just trying to make up for their small.....well....you know.....HEE HEE..
09-21-2017, 08:47 PM
#57
I got a 07 with a LS2, when I was looking the asking price for 08's seemed to be about 4 to 5k higher in the Chicago area then the 07's. I wasn't really concerned with price, just the overall quality of the car. The 30hp difference is small any C6 is still fast today due to its weight, the new challengers are nice, strong hemi motors but they are heavy cars and I have no problem whipping newer ones with my old 07.
Same agreement see my post earlier today.
09-21-2017, 09:11 PM
#58
Racer
if you are not going to race the car, no it is not worth it.
But...if you are going to race it, then yes, I think it is worth it, assuming the difference is $2-$3K...I am not sure where the break even point is though.
But...if you are going to race it, then yes, I think it is worth it, assuming the difference is $2-$3K...I am not sure where the break even point is though.
The following users liked this post:
Randy_in_MD (09-22-2017)
09-22-2017, 07:00 AM
#59
Race Director
I would go higher mileage and get pricing in the high teens as opposed to the two you mentioned.
I'm not a fan of garage queens. From my experience the rigorous validation process that GM does during testing based off of my experiences, 3 new corvettes and my present 2008 c6 z51 m6 with npp ...and 113k miles I put on it...I would search out higher mileage version that were well cared for and offer you a lower price.
These cars again just based off of my experience have excellent reliability and low cost of ownership.
Good luck in your search. Both the ls2 and ls3 are excellent drivetrains. The price differential should really be about 1500 a year at this point...(from 2007 to 2008)
For 1500 dollars you might as well go for the ls3 with the options you want. Like I said before.,....I wouldn't be afraid of well cared for mileage and get a lower price than what you posted.
I personally think 21 to 25 grand is higher than needs to be paid.
Hell at 28 grand I'd be picking up a c6 z06 with high mileage if the roof came off...
My suggested final price target on a higher mileage 2008 c6 z51 m6 with npp exhaust would be 17 to 19 grand as we enter the winter months...
A few grand one way or the other doesn't matter much....if buying private look at the owner as much as the car....to decide if this is the car for you...
Does the owner seem responsible or a wack job beating the **** out of his car.
good luck, have fun shopping and welcome to corvettes.
The following 2 users liked this post by JerriVette:
buckmeister2 (09-22-2017),
Randy_in_MD (09-22-2017)
09-22-2017, 07:24 AM
#60
Sleeper VW
I like the sleeper approach. (Icecap's) In some ways it's more fun. Everyone knows the Vette is fast...In 2006 I bought a VW GLI , modded it, and regularly destroyed Mustangs & other cars up the mountain..