Glenmcp

If you wait long enough for a great deal, you never buy a car.

themonk

When news of the GS was first mentioned a lot of people in here said that it would be the demise of the Z51......I chuckled.

LT1 Z51

Same.

GM likes the 4 models. 5 once the ZR1 shows up.

MikeyTX

That would be nice. Otoh, the tire size for the Z would create fitment issues.

TBIRD57

curse you along with owners in florida and california,!

Foosh

Not if it was a narrow body w/ the LT4 engine and Z51 tires. However, I don't think that would be a functional combo, since the tires would clearly be over-powered, considering the Z06-sized tires often are too.

JNess

You can overpower the Z51 tires with the measly 460hp Stingray

themonk

I have 295 Cup 2's on my rear and 265 Cup 2's on the front, pushing the envelope but you might be able to get 305's on the back (stock Z51 rims).

Foosh

Yes, exactly my point.

Supersonic 427

I am surprised that Z51 is still around with the GS model being only $3200 more than a Z51 with mag ride. However, it is good that it is for those who prefer the narrower body.

Foosh

Why would anyone spend $3200 more for something that they think is less appealing? There are a lot of us.

Al@MatickChevy

We built a Non-MR Z51 for track use with the T1 kit and it turned lap times as fast as our GS. It was fitted with AP J hook rotors and hawk DTC-70/60's and has all of the stage 3 aero as well as 295/315 Hoosier A7's. That car was FAST! It goes to show that if someone is willing to put a little time and money into a car, it's every bit as fast as a GS. The times for both cars are compared on the same tires and brakes. Quite impressive really.

JerryU

Many appear to buy the Grand Sport because they "like the look!"

I bought mine because I wanted the wider tires! Had to get past the look of the Spates! That requires, for me, the Tadge post about why they use them versus making wider front fenders or integrating the shape in composite material. Aerodynamics! "Form Follows Function!"

I also added ACS wider front splash guards and Stage 3 winglets to my aero option package that help integrate the look of the Spats, IMO.

Side Bar:
My concern is not the Z51 vs Grand Sport choice as they both have HD supension etc. It's those who really should be getting a base Stingray and for whatever reason "like the look" of the Grand Sport and buy it!

Once they have it they find they are not happy with the ride from the stiffer suspension and large front and added rear sway bar (a poster recently asked if they could swap for base car suspension.)

Soon after getting they realize they are having to clean the brake dust after a hundred mile drive and are upset the solution is replacing the pads with ceramic. (I did when I got it home!) Some don't follow the manual to properly check oil level.

I'm reminded of when I got my 2014 Z51 in 2013 and folks bought it because they "liked the look" of the spoiler and larger wheels. The Z51 was only a $2800 option so reasonable for just those visual features for some folks. Same issues with performance as described above versus the base car. Recall someone saying "I won't use a watch to check my oil!"

Was glad when they offered the "Z51 Lookalike" option with just those external visual features for a bit less money.

Perhaps GM Needs a Grand Sport "Lookalike" option for those buying "just for the looks!"

Foosh

If you're talking about putting the wide-body on a base Stingray (no dry sump, no eLSD, no MRSC, no big brakes, less performance suspension components, no oil or trans/diff coolers, etc.) w/ just big tires, yeah I can see that might have appeal to some.

However, that would not likely be a wise marketing move.

Kevin A Jones

Being new to the C7 and after considering the Stingray, Z51 and GS, it was an easy decision for me, I went with the GS and seems it may have been a popular choice by production #s.
2017 Corvette Production - 32782
Base Stingray - 9120
Z51 Stingray - 4431
Grand Sport - 11958
Z06 - 7273

papillion

We took the Z51 option money and spent it on HRE wheels. The base suspension is a perfect daily driver. So discontinuing the Z51 is not an issue for the mild mannered DD crowd.

Woodson

For you.

LT1 Z51

Newer always sells more. It's called pent up demand. This is the reason GM has a staggered launch of various trims, because it keeps the factory humming.

That's economics, and really doesn't give you an accurate representation of the market. You have to take all sales between 2014 and now to make any sort of comment on popularity (and in all fairness you need to wait until the model is no longer on sale).

Foosh

Exactly, the whole reason for introducing "the next new big thing" in subsequent MYs is to create a sales bump. Then, the novelty wears off.

bigsapper

Hahaha. You funny.