Landru

On a chance you've not seen this oldie-but-goldie video before?
Take a few minutes & watch.
Might lend a little clarity re Z06 vs GS.

As for reliability?
Only anecdotal, but my '08's been superb.
Over 57K a bad headlight ballast only issue.
Other than that, its been prefect.

Teeth jarring torque when wanted, really long legs through gears up to 7K & when operated rationally 28 MPG cruising/Interstate driving. No kidding.

C6 Z06 be it '06 thru '13 are simply special, so drive one before deciding & see for yourself.

TXGS507

I too am in Dallas... Happy to take you for a ride.
Mine is an 08Z.. just rolled over 25K miles... VR Kaotic cam, Fast 102, NW 102, ATI balancer, AHP ported heads, long tubes, BB Fusions. Its a screamer!! Very reliable and a thrill to drive. Conversely, I have a few friends here in Dallas w GS's that are blower cars.. VERY QUICK.... Cannot go wrong with either.

Macattack

I have a Z and love it, however a GS with a blower would be a nice alternative. Better ride, removal top, tons of HP, lots of fun either way. I think your problem deciding between the two is a good delimma!

Les

I watched that video countless times as I waited to buy my new Z06.

Landru

So did I, Les. Took a couple years from intro, more than worth the wait.
Damned funny commentary by a humbled, albeit smug, Brit who was compelled to be honest.
Even bookmarked it for those times a good smile's needed.

Didn't matter my Z06 would never be driven like that either, incapable.
But owning one that could did and to that end, mission accomplished. C6 Z06 is a very special one-off Corvette.

itomh

I went through the same process as you did. I lost many nights of sleep if I should purchase a GS or Z06. I think my Avatar shows the outcome. As you, my heart longed for the Z06, I test drove both every chance I had, but in a nutshell, the GS is not a Z06. You can drive a Z06 like a GS, but can't drive a GS like a Z06. I purchased a 2008 Z06 with 23K on the ODO with Akra Evo already installed. Drove it for two months then fixed the heads and added headers while I was at it. Haven't looked back since!!

RedZ4me

here's a question, if you purchase the GS, will you say " I should have .........." ??

ferraf

I've had he GS's, Stingray, and lately the Z06's. The GS is fantastic. If you're looking for a little more power you could get the GS and upgrade the headers, Cat, air intake, and get a good tune and you'll love the car for years. Add $3k-$4k to the GS and you have a nice 500hp+ ride that will sound great.

As another member said if you want a lot more power the Z06 is a great solid platform to add even more power if desired.

IMXCITD

Life is short....get the Z06!

C6Z06Silverbullet

Z06 for sure is the way to go

camirocz

I had a 2007 Z06 then a 2011 Zr1 and now a supercharged 2012 4lt grand sport.Bang for the buck a stock c6 Z06 is the best car you can buy.Of course i am talking in the price range you are looking at.It is very fast feels lighter than any other vette out there and handles very well.

Jaybird29

Z06. I mean its more than likely the last 427 NA engine that GM will produce, and the fact that its lighter than most other cars even today makes it very stiff competition in a straight line even against the higher HP cars today. Of course there is not much competition when going around the curves.

Les

You and I were on similar time schedules for getting our Z06s. Yes, well worth the wait! Prices had settled down nicely by then too. And yes, he couldn't help but to heap praise on the car whether he wanted too or not. I even pulled a couple of fellow car enthusiasts into my office to watch the track part of it. I still enjoy watching it to this day.

Frankie15

Exactly how I felt regarding getting a GS vs a Z06. I upgraded to an 08 Z06 from my base model this past weekend. The wide body looks great on both cars, but at the end of the day, a GS is just not a Z06 .

I only briefly considered a GS. I knew that I eventually would think, "I wish I got the Z06". I'm sure the GS is a fantastic car and I mean no disrespect to GS owners. Z06 was just the one for me.

Go with the Z06! (and get the heads done if they haven't been done).

2FastCorvette4U

Z06 hands down.. Once the heads are fixed the only other thing you will need to get is a Tick clutch master cylinder kit which will save you from the clutch pedal getting stuck issue which is also another common issue that isn't talked about much.

The C6Z will be the last NA big displacement V8 motor made for the Vette. Personally these things many years down the road will be worth some good money.

hey32g

I may take you up on that. Thank you. I'm in Plano.

Btw, we just moved here from San Antonio. Where are some good driving roads around here? I guess I was spoiled with the hill country right out my back door.

hey32g

Thank you all for some great advice. Ugh! Gotta think on it all.

MTPZ06

Drive them both and I think you'll make up your mind real quick.
Only reasons not to go Z06 is if you want an Auto trans or a Vert.
If its just a Vert, you can consider the 60th anniv 427 convertible. Essentially a GS with an LS7.

hey32g

I've been AWOL deciding on a car. Thanks again for all the input. I've decided to go with a Grand Sport. I test drove both and they're both phenomenal cars. The Z06 is beyond comparison, but I decided since nearly all my driving will be on the street and not much on track, the Grand Sport was a better fit. I just felt the Z06's performance capabilities are far beyond street driving and I would rarely use what's there, and if I did, my wife would be bailing me out.

Btw, I've found my Grand Sport and by this time next week it should be in my garage! Can't wait.

2FastCorvette4U

Before you pull the trigger on that GS, I am curious if the recent multiple threads of “ dropping valve “ issue was the main culprit to sway your decision.