foundvettelifeisgood

Looking for 2012 or 2013 convertible GS or 427. Looks like the 427s are $10k more. Is it worth it? Probably have to do the heads on a 427, and I'm not sure I want to get into that. Is the 427 far superior to the GS?

Please chime in.

919cw313

Can’t answer if it’s worth to you, but yes it is definitely a far superior car.

JABCAT

I wouldn’t say it’s a far superior car. It has a different engine (70 more hp) and a couple other differences (wheels/tires & hood). Everything else is pretty much the same i.e. suspension and brakes.

From a cost perspective the wheels/tires is $3k & the carbon fiber B92 hood is $3k, so there is $6k of the difference. The remaining $4k would account for the power output difference.

FAUEE

The 427 holds value better than a run of the mill GS vert. Its faster... but reality os a GS vert is faster than you can really use on the street anyways.

At the end of the day its a personal choice. If you have the money, its worth it. If not, it isnt.

KingCorvette93

I would not go out of my way to get a 427 over a GS because:

• GS power is enough for day-to-day use
• Significant price difference, which can be used to maintain and even improve a GS... This is the fun part!
• Probably better gas mileage (marginally)
• Probably less insurance (marginally)
• More GS around, so you can pick and choose from a variety of colors, options, and ownership history (However, by nature, 427 cars are probably pretty well cared for!)

If money is not a concern at all, and you want the "power and prestige" then the 427 is worth seeking out. If balance and value is important to you, then GS all day!

Whatever you do.... GET A MANUAL TRANSMISSION!!

captain vette

the 427 is the holy grail of the C6 gen. If you can find a good one go for it! That’s a no brainer for me. Good luck from a GS vert owner!

Oh Boy

Well lets take a look at that. The 427 does 0-60 in 3.7-3.8, 1/4 mile in 11.7-11.8 and a lateral acceleration of 1.04.
The GS vert does 0-60 in 4.0-4.2, 1/4 in 12.2-12.4 and roughly the same lateral acceleration.
The interiors and options can be identical. Frames, suspension, brakes and cooling are identical.
Better car, sure, far superior, I don't think so.

R&L's C6

What if he doesn't like to shift, like a lot of folks.

KingCorvette93

I think not liking to shift if you're a "car enthusiast" that owns a sports car is silly. I understand that a lot of people don't like to shift... but its pretty misguided, if you ask me. It is objectively more engaging and communicative.

If its between an automatic or a manual in a Honda Accord (or similar), I get it; manual is more engaging and communicative, but there's not much to engage or communicate! But with a Corvette? I think not liking to shift perhaps stems from having not driven manual enough to really enjoy it, or know how to do it well. Like fine wine, it is an acquired taste... and a good one at that!

(Getting off topic, so I will leave it at that.)

saplumr

What’s different about the hood?

Callaway DrDon

Check out the Callaway 427 anniversary vert currently listed on Ebay........nice looking car

Oh Boy

Carbon fiber?

rjacobs

Its basically a zr1 hood without the cutout. The center is raised.

FAUEE

I will add, you're probably not going to ever see another 427 equipped corvette. If you want an open roof, the 427 vert is the top of the line.

TorchRed427

Front fenders are carbon fiber also.

i do agree with Fauee that you may not see another 427 again. Days of the larger displacement naturally aspirated engines are coming to an end.

owc6

Having owned an a LS2, LS3, LS7, and an LT1, I can say that the LS3 is my choice for LS engines for street use ( I do not track).

I think I would choose the GS. The only reason I bought the Z06 is because it fell into my lap (new) at bargain basement prices (new at below at what KBB was pricing them at used 20,000 miles). I was actually in the market for a GS at the time. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every one of the 70,000 miles I put on it. Only $18,000 in depreciation . Can't complain there one bit.

However, after owning a couple LS3s, they are amazing engines. The entire time I owned the LS7, I worried about it (vaguely, in the back of my mind).

Having said all that, has the valve guide issue been dealt with on the car you are looking at?

JABCAT

The hood is carbon fiber & the same as the ZR1 without the window. It’s the best looking hood on a C6 imo. I added it to my GS.

pickleseimer

Floor panels are also carbon fiber on the 427.

K-Spaz

A friend of mine who's had a 10GS for 4 years, drove my 427 last summer. It took him about 1/8 mile till he wanted one.

I LOVE my car. Another forum member drove it this weekend and while yea, the roads were cold so it was just a commute, he was pretty well blown away with the difference. That said, the GS is an awesome car and I'm certain I'd be thrilled to have one. It so happened I found a 427 at a good time and jumped on it. And while yes, the LS7 is just a few more HP, it's the torque that is so impressive over the LS3. Then too, there's no substitute for those 427 badges on the hood on an otherwise de-badged car. It's subtle, but pretty badazz at the same time.

As to the fuel economy question above, I find it is negligible even from my LS1 to the LS7. It's more about how you drive, not what. To me, the fuel economy is nothing more than a fun thing to experiment with. If I cared about that I'd be driving a focus. But, mine does get around 29 highway and does about 19-21 avg mixed mileage even with some in town driving. I'm not gonna complain about that.

K-Spaz

Hood and fenders are CF on the 427.

It's gonna be a long search finding a 427 w/auto trans.