imTraxx

I'm 20 and buying my first corvette within the week. Have two lined up but I'm on the fence. I've been in the market for 4 months and my research has been extensive. So out of these two, which is the better deal/which would you choose? Why? pros/cons etc.

1. 2008 Z06 3LT fully loaded. Black on black. Full bolt ons with HCI and receipts. Looking at 600whp and also has ADV1 wheels worth 6k alone. Car has 39k miles and is mint. I can get it for 41k cash.

2. 2011 Grandsport 3LT. Supersonic blue with black interior. Bolt ons and Vortech V2 making 660whp. 18k miles and mint. I can get it for 39.5k

So here are my thoughts. I love the idea of both. The Z06 is appealing because I love the cam lope and the idea of NA ls7 power. I feel it also holds resale better and has factory upgrades over the GS

The GS is appealing because of the color and the removable top. The idea of boost is awesome, and I've been told the ls3 could even be pushed to 750whp with head studs and e85. The lower miles, newer model year and things like Bluetooth are also a plus.

So power wise...is it true I'm pretty much maxed out at 600whp with the ls7 because of the thin cylinder walls? Is the ls3 a better bet if I decide to want a little more power like 750whp? I've also read that the GS goes around a 4 mile track 5 seconds slower than a Z06. What upgrades from tractors are making the Z perform so much better? Just the ls7 and less weight? How about a race. Would they be even because the GS weighs a tad more?

My primary use for the car would be to daily it whenever it's nice out. I'm not scared to put miles on my cars. Help me out here guys, I'm stuck!

Dan_the_C5_Man

If you feel neither car has "enough" power, then you might be better off with a GS. The Z is all about light weight and balance - braking and handling performance is just as important as engine power, it's not about bolting heavy power adders to the nose of the car (IMO).

AzDave47

What's your experience with high horsepower cars?

What do you intend to use the car for? You say daily, nice day car. You don't need 600-700 HP just to drive around on nice days.

How familiar are you with the shops that did the builds?

If they are well regarded then both cars are probably fine. Sometimes you get a very good build and the prior owner takes the hit in the wallet. Sometimes you buy other people's problems and have a money pit that doesn't work well.

Back in 2010 I was choosing between a new GS or a nearly new Z06. I have extensive road racing experience and wanted to play with the car on road courses. I chose the $4K less expensive 1 year old Z06 and am glad I did. This year my GMPP runs out and I'll have the heads redone and with it H/C/I.

Asking a question like this without giving some info on the car's likely use is like asking what are the best tires for the car. It depends on expected use.

LMB-Z

I have several questions: 1) the wheels on the Z06 are worth $6K? that means the car is worth $35K. why? An 08 Z 06 would be worth low to mid 40's with stock wheels. 2) You talk about track times and then say its a daily driver on pretty days. Are you going to track the car or daily drive it or both? 3) I don't think 600 RWHP is maxed out on a Z. I had a friend who had an 07 that made 745 RWHP. Why is hp such a big thing at 20 years old?

If I were in your shoes and had that problem, I would buy whichever one i liked the best. Good luck with your choice.

imTraxx

The use is mainly going to car shows and cruising with friends. I also like to do highway pulls and wouldn't mind trying out SCCA and going to the drag strip once ever few months. I've owned 5 mustangs (all coyotes) and the most powerful was 450whp. I can handle high power cars, but these are definitely quicker than what I have had.

LFZ

Get a GS...please.

olddragger

sounds like you have been around cars a lot. when I was 17 I had a 55 chevy with a dropped in big block etc.....so age doesn't come into this imho.
The GS took only SOME of the parts from the ZO6 and added them to the standard
corvette. You have to ask yourself why?
Since you have been involved with cars you should realize the importance of weight. it is not all about power. Right?
If you don't get the Z you will always wish you had. It is a very special car which will probably... never be seen again.

fueledpassion

You need to know your tendencies well before making this decision.

Do you always long for the "greener grass" on the other side? + 1 for the C6Z. The only other C6 cars that are more "rare" are the ZR1 and the 427.

Do you always end up tinkering and increasing power? +1 for the GS

Do you plan to track the car ever? (I know, you have no line of sight at this point, but what if you had 3 times as much disposable income as you do now...would you track your car in that case?) Chances are, if you are only 20 years old, in 5-10 years, assuming you have picked a career and stick to it, you will likely have 2-3 times as much disposable income in a short period of time. In that case +1 for the C6Z

The GS is a great first Vette option and since you are talking about a modded one, it'll be just as impressive as any H/C Z when it comes to power and acceleration. It just wont have that "Z06-505hp" badge on the fender, nor will it have the "mighty LS7". This goes back to the greener grass question. As far as I can tell, the GS trim was in response to people crying about not having a wide-body but didn't necessarily want more power or a bigger engine and certainly not the bigger price tag. People wanted to look like a Z but have a more street friendly car I guess.


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Given your taste in cars, I'd say the GS makes more sense. You can forge it, upgrade to an F1 charger and figure out how to make it hook and you're golden for 800+ rwhp.

And btw, while 450rwhp Coyote is no joke, a 660rwhp GS will be breath-taking in comparison. Also, 600rwhp NA is different from 600rwhp boosted. In many cases, the NA cars are able to do more work given the same amount of power. I have no idea why but the power curve seems more favorable in a NA setup given the same HP levels. I think the method of boost probably has more to do with this than anything else.

TonyD22

To me there is no question about it. 427. 4. 2. 7.

Z06 all the way bro.


If you want to take the top off and have the wide body, go for the grand sport. But if you want performance, get the Z. Its a beast in stock form.

Unreal

Grandsport

carpe dm

imTraxx

In all reality I will probably never "track" the car at a roadcourse or SCCA event. The drag strip is a possibility but once again my involvement in the car scene is more with cruising, going to meets, and a little street racing.

So it's safe to say my comment about the Z06 being quicker around a road course is irrelevant. I want the car to be fun to drive, have some serious power, and for it to be a good deal. Im just on the fence and would like to pick one up this weekend. I could go either way this point.

Mach2

Get the huffed GS now, you can get a Z06, especially one that's modified, later after getting used to the GS and it's power.

TRSCobra

GS all day. It's not like it's a 60's muscle car with drum brakes and terrible handling. For what you'll be using it for 99% of the time, the GS is a better fit. Plus it'll still out handle anything you've ever had.

olddragger

no road course work, mostly cruising, few street pulls. Ok then the GS will make more sense. You are not going to hook up ( traction wise lol) with either at low speeds with cruising tires. The GS will be the more comfortable beast. It will be quiet and smooth comparatively speaking. You may be a stranger to boost? If so educate yourself...it has its own parameter of needs.

smitty1966

My z06 has a supercharger and puts 650 to the wheels. I run 354/25/20 Invo on the rear. It will break the rears loose at 75 in fourth gear. Unless you are going to run really sticky rear tires, anything more is a waste.
The LS7 is a fantastic engine, there is a great article on CF about how it was designed, engineered and built. I would pick the LS7, especially if you can verify the heads have been fixed.

Unreal

Removable top, more reliable, more power, and newer/nicer overall car.

Nowanker

My favorite thing about the Z06 v regular C6: That the top doesn't come off. And therefore doesn't #$@!* rattle!
Buy whichever one makes you smile more... the differences are pretty insignificant on the street.

Unreal

If rattling is a concern, avoid a chevy.

Nowanker

Touche!