GrandSport223

I'm sure this is been discussed on this form probably a few times and if so I apologize for not using the search feature. I've had my C7 GrandSport for a few months now and I put on over 1400 miles on her already. I really love this car. It gets a lot of attention and it's got great power and I installed a new K&N filter charger kit which now gives it even more Kik when you punch the throttle.

originally I wanted to get a Z06 but it was just out of my price range. In Canada the Z06 is anywhere from $20-$40,000 more than the regular C7 Corvette or grand sport. The guy who installed the filter kit was telling me his buddy just bought a brand-new Z06 and he took it for a drive and he said he was absolutely shocked with the kind of crazy horse power that the Z06 was putting out.

he was telling me it's a lot more car than the grand sport or regular C7 Corvette which of course makes sense I mean after all the Z06 is kicking out what? over 200 more horsepower right? So of course it would stand to reason it would be a much faster car.

I know watching the YouTube videos with guys testing the grand sport saying that many people prefer the grand sport over the Z06 because of the naturally aspirated 6.2 L engine that doesn't overheat like The supercharge z06 does and much less weight plus you don't have to wait for the boost to kick in.

so my question is for those who have driven both cars which do you prefer?

thill444

I can tell you how the will end.
Z06 owners will say they prefer the Z06
GS owners will say they prefer the GS.

Joy c7

We had a 14 base stingray loved it, Now have a 16 Z06 love it even more crazy power.

jcsperson

Or a GS owner (me) will say he wished a C7 Z07 had been in his budget, but a non-Z07 GS was a very nice consolation prize.

sTz

^^^ This.

It's not just the HP, but the matching torque. While I haven't driven a GS, I have driven a Stingray... and I own a Z06, which has never overheated. Yeah, I prefer the Z06

Steve Garrett

It's been discussed on this Forum a bunch of times.....

Supersonic 427

I too am a GS owner and very satisfied with the car. However, if I could have afforded a Z06.... I would have got one!

PS...Next question in a few months will be Z06 or ZR1?

23/C8Z

You're right except for someone like me who almost settled for a GS and upped the anty for the Z06 i would never try to justify a Z06 over C7 ZR1.

but the C7 Z06 is a great consolation prize lol

sparky973

Very true!

Z06 owner here says, z06 all the way! The 2017 was redesigned to fix any heat issues that 5% of people on the track were seeing (15-16's).

I'm not a track rat, so I could care less even if I owned a 2015 or 2016 about "so called heat issues".

KevinGS

I've driven both.

I prefer the Z06 on the street (it's simply more fun to me), once you actually have space to really dip deep into the throttle. And the sound is ridiculous.

But on a track, I prefer the Grand Sport, because you can race through turns with more confidence, hanging closer to the edge of grip...moderating speeds with the throttle. With the Z, it's much harder to hang near the edge of grip, as the throttle almost dares you to touch it in a turn. It can be exhilarating being on the edge of disaster, but it wears on you, quickly. The GS is simply more stable, and allows you to blast through turns with more confidence....with power slides easier to catch.

Having said that, the GS is a fine car on the street too, especially on back roads where all that grip is usable to a point. But for 'point and shoot', nothing beats the Z on the street in terms of pure excitement.

If you're able to own either car, and you love driving, you'll be a very fortunate car enthusiast indeed.

jabeasley1

Thill444 said it best. GS owners will swear by theirs as much as Z06 owners will swear by ours. I personally love all corvettes so this is my opinion only. 1st, you are already thinking about upgrading to the Z06 which so many people often do (hence you asking the question after only 1400 miles with your GS). Owners often purchase the Stingray or Grand Sport hoping to fulfill all their wants, then soon after the honeymoon wears off, they yearn for the Z06. 2nd, you often hear people state they do not need the power or it has too much power. That may be true but I PERSONNALLY like knowing it's there when I want it. We have amazing performance cars so who in their right mind typically says they DO NOT want more performance power from a performance based car. Just my 2 cents. If financially feasible, upgrade as this question about getting a Z06 may continue for years to come


Note* After many track events, road courses, and AutoX events, I have never had an overheating issue. I guess I am lucky because I drive the hell out of mine. 2015 Shark Gray Z07 M7.

dvilin

I own a regular Stingray but have driven both the GS and the Z06. All I can say is holy chit the Z06 is in another world and hopefully that will be my next Vette.

23/C8Z

Only way I would move to a non Z06 after having one is for a GS very. Now obviously a Z06 very would be better but budget wise I would be "ok" with "just" an LT1 vert lol.

love them all and they'll always be one nicer out or coming out. If it won't break you do it because Yolo.

lavla

Those Z06 wheels look incredible. They must be a pain to clean, though.

rtkelly

GS + twin turbo.

Always Red Dave

IMHO If I was going from my Stingray Z51 to a GS I would not make that deal because although the GS is better looking in my opinion having the same HP 460 as my Stingray Z51 I would stand still. On the other hand I am trading my Stingray Z51 for a Z06 because I get the looks and the power! That's my take do what you want of course!

Joy c7

We changed the brake pads out at 500 miles Powerstop Z26s much easier too keep clean.

Always Red Dave

^ I am waiting for the challenge of cleaning my Z06 wheels and they will be BLACk ! BRING IT ON!

OnPoint

Meh, swap out the pads. Life is too short to spend it cleaning wheels. LOL. Seriously, tho, I swapped pads on my Z06 in it first few hundred miles and happy camper.

OP - what you ask is a purely subjective, personal decision. Only you can decide what you want/like/prioritize over alternatives. Only general advice I can give you is buy the best Corvette you can comfortably afford, and then go have a ball with it.

My brother married a redhead. I chose a brunette. We're both happy campers.

2cnd Chance

That's right know yourself and what you like. The Z06 and Grand Sport are essentially the same car if optioned accordingly except for the additional 190 HP and $14,000. If you "can, will and are able to use" the extra HP go for it.