Williamsrm

Sorry if this was covered before but I would like your opinion on the primary differences between a c6 and c7 gs.
I have a 2012 gs m6 that may be looking at changing to a c7 if the differences are significant enough.
My 2012 has low mileage so this should not be a consideration.
Appreciate your feedback-

joeybsyc

Seriously? There are so many updates and improvements in the C7 that even if it was a base model C7 it would be an upgrade.

dashotgun

don't have a gs but did have a z51 convertible C6 and now a C7. Teh refine power and performance of the C7 is not a subtle difference it is MUCH better then the C6. The quality, comfort and visuals of the C& is also much better.

davidtcpa

There are many changes from a C6. As a former C6 owner, almost every change was better. Here are a few of my favorites.


More horsepower
7 speed manual or 8 speed auto
Interior
Electronics


You will enjoy it for sure. I am not sorry for upgrading.

mksz51

MANY C7 owners previously owned a C6. I doubt you'd find one that would choose to revert back to a C6.

owc6

As similar as they are (both being Corvettes), the difference is like night and day.

The C6 is a raw, seat of the pants experience compared to the sophistication that the C7 brings. The C7 will beat the pants off of the equivalent version of the C6 in both power and handling, but the C6 will feel more powerful, which may be more fun given most of us will never see a track, so what it feels like may be more important than actual performance numbers.

The styling is purely personal, and the C6 is a beautiful curvy looking machine; the C7 has a more modern/angular/exotic feel to it.

There is no comparison on the interior quality, and upgraded technology foo-foos.

GM'er

I also owned a '12 GS and now a '17 GS.

Biggest difference is the technology. Front cameras, backup camera, improved nav radio.

The new tires and traction control system improvements are also noticeable, working in conjunction with the new drive mode switch.

I also notice a big upgrade on the steering. I think the new electric unit gives a more precise feel.

Also a big upgrade in the HUD (now color).

Also get options like ventilated seats, and a full power convertible top (if you are looking at a vert).

You will also get side skirts standard now on a GS.

Not to mention the increased power, and updated looks both inside and out.

dbirdhouse1

My lovely bride gave me permission for one last Vette swap as I am within two years of retiring. I had a '12 Torch Red GS Conv with 3lt and a 6 MT, very low miles. I really thought it was my last.

But, as I drove it I found it to be more of a GT type car, not quite the handler but still a blast to drive (also very, very low to the point of crunching as part of my background noise listening to plastic meet road).

Enter my latest and last; 2014 Torch Red Z51 7MT 1lt conv. Very, very different; much more of a sports car; tighter, more precise in handling, braking, etc. Feels like a larger Miata (in a very good way). Feels much lighter on it's feet. And I haven't even mentioned interior quality/features.

As I went from a fairly loaded vehicle to a more "basic" one I do miss the heated seats and the NPP (surprisingly don't miss the HUD much at all) and therefore the price difference was relatively small.

Hope this helps, you can't lose in any case.....

Randy G.

We had a C6 Z06 and now have a C7 Z51. The biggest difference for me is the refined interior that doesn't look so cheap. And, as siad in the posts above, the updated electronics by itself is a selling point.

RobWilson

Drive your '12 GS over to test drive a '17 GS. That way you can compare them back to back. Only you can determine if the changes are significant enough for you to spend your money on moving to a C7. I love my ZR1, and loved my '08 convertible before that. My '16 Z06 is the best car I have ever owned.

patentcad

I found that on a short test drive you can't appreciate how much superior the C7 really is. Superficially my old C6 and the new C7 felt quite similar to me (I test drove a C7 when I bought my 2007 C6 two years ago). I traded up on faith that all these Corvette lovers and automotive writers weren't raving about the C7 for nothing. And they weren't, the big differences hit me after owning/driving the car for a week. The C7 is significantly easier to drive fast, for me the biggest overall improvements have to be the suspension and the interior. The suspension keeps the tires on the pavement far more reliably on uneven pavement, and makes things like passing somebody on a two lane country road less of a white knuckle experience.

The C7 also feels considerably more powerful to me than a 60 hp increase in power would warrant. If a 10 year old C6 was 85-90% of supercar mojo, my new C7 Z51 feels like it's 95%, and FAR more refined in every respect, steering, suspension/ride, interior, handling.

Let's face it boys, for the most part we're not the one percenter + Ferrari Lambo crowd, most of us are just hard working joes who made enough money as we approach retirement to buy our dream car. Frankly I've loved Corvettes so long that even if I could afford a Ferrari, a Z51 C7 or Grand Sport would probably do it for me. Even a Z06 strikes me as overkill. I don't really need anything faster than a C6 or C7 Corvette to get my own ya ya's out. These cars are off the hook, a C7 is just a bit MORE off the hook.

That being said, as much as the C7 styling has grown on me, the C6 styling is more classic. My pal thinks that in 5 years a C7 will look as dated as a Members Only jacket. Hey, who knows? I love the look. He drives a Porsche, to irritate him I always pronounce it 'porsh' and once in a while I ask him why he hates America.

direct007

Other than the better, tighter ride, handling, interior materials and quality, electronics, LCD displays in dash, improved infotainment, great sound system, aggressive exterior looks. There's really no difference at all.

trynt

Within the past decade I had a C5, C6 & C7 and I'm a skeptic by nature, but I was genuinely surprised how superior the C7 was.

patentcad

Yeah, it surprised me too. Not that it was better, that it was THAT much better, I didn't think it was possible for Chevy to make a car that was so much better than the C6.

23/C8Z

I came from a 2008 C6 to a 16 Z06..both loaded.

No comparison on interior upgrades.. if the C6 didn't have the "green screen" HUD or the archaic Nav/stereo i would have said the C6 aged very well.. that's the biggest difference to me.

Power is obvious but no so much between the LS3 and LT1. my 08 used to take one friend's C7 and lose by a car in the 1/4 (top end).

Exterior styling is just a complete Evolution. to me the C7 looks like the C3 went to outer space and returned with superior aerodynamics lol

I loved my C6 had it 3 years. bought from original owner and took great car of it. If i didn't have the urge to buy a brand new one so i felt that sense of accomplishment i wouldn't be "embarrassed" to still drive it.. the C7(Z) is just so superior and i could afford it so i did it.

you only live once. life is short never know what tomorrow will bring

ExRedRacer

Well stated!

I'd add to that the increased Get-Up-And-Go factor in the 460 hp engine.

Foosh

As far as I'm concerned a base C7 is an upgrade over a C6 Z06. The latter might be a slightly better track car, but the base C7 will deliver far better performance to anyone other than a very experienced track rat.

Supersonic 427

I had a few C6's ranging from a Base '12 Coupe to a '12 GS Convertible to a '13 427 Convertible. As much as I loved my 427 Convertible....I believe that my '16 Convertible is a better car! It is called Technology! The C6 = 10+ year old technology!

patentcad

(30) 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2:53.5

(31) 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2:53.8

The two cars were about the same on a four mile racecourse that Car and Driver has been using to compare cars for over a decade, times above. I think the C7 above had the Z51 package.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...d-more-feature

The C7 Z06 ran very close to the fastest time recorded on that track there were only three cars faster:


(1) 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder 2:43.1

(2) CONCEPT CAR 2016 Lexus RC F GT Concept 2:43.2

(3) 2016 Dodge Viper ACR 2:44.2

(4) 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2:44.6

A C6 Grand Sport was about 4 seconds slower than a stock Stingray:

(49) 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 2:58.8

A C7 Grand Sport was considerably faster:

(9) 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 2:47.1

Foosh

Patent,

Thanks for the data illustrating the advancement of the C7.

While I suspect that time was probably for a C7 Z51, and my comment was about the C7 base being nearly equal to the C6 Z06, it would take a very experienced driver to utilize the extra power of the C6 Z06. With the C7's much more sophisticated stability control systems, it's easier for the average driver to take advantage of the C7's capabilities.