HELP z06 vs Grandsport
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
HELP z06 vs Grandsport
HELP - ISO.
Need to decide between a z06 or GrandSport. Will be a daily driver (3 times a week I expect) livability a factor. I have not driven the GrandSport so I can't compare, and I have not worked on the GrandSport either. Ideally not shooting the moon: $$35K price max, 45k miles max preferred (30,000 is even better). Color doesn't matter, will be wrapping it in company styling. Timing not an issue. I am doing research for the next cold season or next fall so will be a 2019 purchase preparing for seasonal and generational price drop.
Opinions are welcome. I am not particular on a year.
Facts and information also welcome.
Thanks CF!! you guys are the best!!
Need to decide between a z06 or GrandSport. Will be a daily driver (3 times a week I expect) livability a factor. I have not driven the GrandSport so I can't compare, and I have not worked on the GrandSport either. Ideally not shooting the moon: $$35K price max, 45k miles max preferred (30,000 is even better). Color doesn't matter, will be wrapping it in company styling. Timing not an issue. I am doing research for the next cold season or next fall so will be a 2019 purchase preparing for seasonal and generational price drop.
Opinions are welcome. I am not particular on a year.
Facts and information also welcome.
Thanks CF!! you guys are the best!!
#2
Drive a grand sport! Make it a low mile 2012 to 2013. You can find lower mile Grand Sport Vettes well within $35k depending on options. Of course you’ll always hear “Too bad it’s not a 427 cid.” And it’s an accurate statement.
The Ls3 needs longtubes, tune and sticky tires to hang with a stock ZO6. Comes down to driver at that point. I am well satisfied with my GS. Might roll 56k miles tomorrow morning on some north bound farm to market roads.
The Ls3 needs longtubes, tune and sticky tires to hang with a stock ZO6. Comes down to driver at that point. I am well satisfied with my GS. Might roll 56k miles tomorrow morning on some north bound farm to market roads.
Last edited by 2012widebody; 09-01-2018 at 09:51 PM.
The following users liked this post:
american18us (09-01-2018)
#3
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2016
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 8,055
Received 2,682 Likes
on
1,408 Posts
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
At least you have a long time to figure it out...
#5
Advanced
Thread Starter
#6
Advanced
Thread Starter
Drive a grand sport! Make it a low mile 2012 to 2013. You can find lower mile Grand Sport Vettes well within $35k depending on options. Of course you’ll always hear “Too bad it’s not a 427 cid.” And it’s an accurate statement.
The Ls3 needs longtubes, tune and sticky tires to hang with a stock ZO6. Comes down to driver at that point. I am well satisfied with my GS. Might roll 56k miles tomorrow morning on some north bound farm to market roads.
The Ls3 needs longtubes, tune and sticky tires to hang with a stock ZO6. Comes down to driver at that point. I am well satisfied with my GS. Might roll 56k miles tomorrow morning on some north bound farm to market roads.
#8
Racer
You really need to drive them. You have plenty of time so that should be workable
#9
If DD, and not going to be a track use car, then GS with F55 option so you can run the car is softer tour suspension setting for DD type driving, but have the option of setting the **** to Sport to firm up the suspension for times that your going to push the car hard
The Z06 is a track purposed road course car for experienced drivers, and has a hell of lot stiffer ride to begin with that may not be ideal for the car as a DD driver.
The Z06 is a track purposed road course car for experienced drivers, and has a hell of lot stiffer ride to begin with that may not be ideal for the car as a DD driver.
#10
Advanced
HELP - ISO.
Need to decide between a z06 or GrandSport. Will be a daily driver (3 times a week I expect) livability a factor. I have not driven the GrandSport so I can't compare, and I have not worked on the GrandSport either. Ideally not shooting the moon: $$35K price max, 45k miles max preferred (30,000 is even better). Color doesn't matter, will be wrapping it in company styling. Timing not an issue. I am doing research for the next cold season or next fall so will be a 2019 purchase preparing for seasonal and generational price drop.
Opinions are welcome. I am not particular on a year.
Facts and information also welcome.
Thanks CF!! you guys are the best!!
Need to decide between a z06 or GrandSport. Will be a daily driver (3 times a week I expect) livability a factor. I have not driven the GrandSport so I can't compare, and I have not worked on the GrandSport either. Ideally not shooting the moon: $$35K price max, 45k miles max preferred (30,000 is even better). Color doesn't matter, will be wrapping it in company styling. Timing not an issue. I am doing research for the next cold season or next fall so will be a 2019 purchase preparing for seasonal and generational price drop.
Opinions are welcome. I am not particular on a year.
Facts and information also welcome.
Thanks CF!! you guys are the best!!
#11
Racer
Gs
I have a 2013 GS with 13K miles. Although the other mentioned models have their uniqueness and great features, for ease of maintenance and drivability I would go with the GS. If you can get one without the dry sump oiling system you wont have to worry about the dealer oil changers making a mistake doing an improper drain/fill procedure. Good luck with your search be picky and get what you feel is the best car for the mileage and money. Most take great care in these cars so good ones will be available with lots of upgrades.
#12
Melting Slicks
Easily a Z06. Mine is HCIE and I daily drove it for almost a year. No issues daily driving a Z06. You will easily get more biased responses here for the GS as this section is the base/GS discussion. Just the same, I doubt anyone would recommend the GS on the Z06 section.
I had a base before my Z06 and never once considered a GS. Sure, the LS7 has a major issue with the heads but it's an easy and not a super expensive fix. If you get one off the forums (like I did), chances are they will have already performed the fix.
Expanding on my last point, you will have to budget in the cost of getting the heads fixed if you don't buy one with it already done. Depending on if you're doing this yourself, this can range from $2000-$5000. This is something you must do and not something you want to take a gamble on. 2 grand for the fix is much better than $15k for a new LS7. See if you can fit this into your budget. 35k for a Z06 and having to fix the heads is going to push you closer to 40k.
I like all of the extra features that comes with a Z06 over the GS. 7K RPM redline, carbon fiber front fenders (prefer the design of the front fenders more on the Z06 too), aluminum frame, balsa wood floorboard, and of course the LS7.
The only thing the GS has over the Z06 is the removable roof. Have the roof off is definitely nice in the cooler days, but I had more troubles with my removable top in my last C6 than I would like. It would creak no matter what I did to fix it. It was embarrassing to have people in the car. Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. The LS3 in the GS is also more boost friendly. Go with the GS if you plan to supercharge it.
Dont get me wrong, the GS is a fantastic car and you can't go wrong with either one. The Z06 is just the superior car. I know I would regret not going with the Z06 if I got a GS. Best of luck in your decision!
I had a base before my Z06 and never once considered a GS. Sure, the LS7 has a major issue with the heads but it's an easy and not a super expensive fix. If you get one off the forums (like I did), chances are they will have already performed the fix.
Expanding on my last point, you will have to budget in the cost of getting the heads fixed if you don't buy one with it already done. Depending on if you're doing this yourself, this can range from $2000-$5000. This is something you must do and not something you want to take a gamble on. 2 grand for the fix is much better than $15k for a new LS7. See if you can fit this into your budget. 35k for a Z06 and having to fix the heads is going to push you closer to 40k.
I like all of the extra features that comes with a Z06 over the GS. 7K RPM redline, carbon fiber front fenders (prefer the design of the front fenders more on the Z06 too), aluminum frame, balsa wood floorboard, and of course the LS7.
The only thing the GS has over the Z06 is the removable roof. Have the roof off is definitely nice in the cooler days, but I had more troubles with my removable top in my last C6 than I would like. It would creak no matter what I did to fix it. It was embarrassing to have people in the car. Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. The LS3 in the GS is also more boost friendly. Go with the GS if you plan to supercharge it.
Dont get me wrong, the GS is a fantastic car and you can't go wrong with either one. The Z06 is just the superior car. I know I would regret not going with the Z06 if I got a GS. Best of luck in your decision!
Last edited by Frankie15; 09-02-2018 at 09:51 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Apollo29 (09-03-2018)
#13
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2017
Location: Prosper TX/Austin TX
Posts: 10,814
Received 8,768 Likes
on
4,218 Posts
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
In your price range you’re going to find ‘06-‘08 Z06s compared to ‘12-13 Grand Sports. The Grand Sport is a nice compromise between the Base & Z06 - LS3 & targa top of the Base, wide body, suspension and brakes of the Z06. The GS is easy and relatively inexpensive to mod to match the power of the Z06.
The ‘12-13 GS will also have nicer/more comfortable seats than the ‘06-08 Z06. The 6 speed manual GSs have a hand-built LS3 with the dry-sump oil system (as mentioned in a previous reply). I don’t know why you’d take it to the dealer for an oil change anyway when they’re so easy to do yourself. Two drain plugs on the oil pan & I drain the two oil lines. New filter & fill with 10.5 qt of fresh oil - $60 DYI.
Frankie doesn’t like the fenders on the GS, where as I don’t like the fenders on the Z06 - too easy to mistake for a Base
The ‘12-13 GS will also have nicer/more comfortable seats than the ‘06-08 Z06. The 6 speed manual GSs have a hand-built LS3 with the dry-sump oil system (as mentioned in a previous reply). I don’t know why you’d take it to the dealer for an oil change anyway when they’re so easy to do yourself. Two drain plugs on the oil pan & I drain the two oil lines. New filter & fill with 10.5 qt of fresh oil - $60 DYI.
Frankie doesn’t like the fenders on the GS, where as I don’t like the fenders on the Z06 - too easy to mistake for a Base
Last edited by JABCAT; 09-02-2018 at 09:29 PM.
The following users liked this post:
h8snow (09-09-2018)
#15
Melting Slicks
BTW, I think you have one of (if not the best) looking GS on these forums. Car is stunning .
Last edited by Frankie15; 09-03-2018 at 08:44 AM.
#17
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2017
Location: Prosper TX/Austin TX
Posts: 10,814
Received 8,768 Likes
on
4,218 Posts
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
#18
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2017
Location: Prosper TX/Austin TX
Posts: 10,814
Received 8,768 Likes
on
4,218 Posts
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified