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New Z06's are getting almost sold out. Grand Sport there are tons left. I would find the best deal on a Z06 be glad you did. For what I paid for a 2017 Z
about what a new GS costs.
Granted from a private owner but they are out there. Save down the road.
No, they are not almost sold out. Nationwide there are about 2500 available right now and I believe dealers are already taking orders again for Z06's.
The reason why there are more GS's out there is because dealers order way more of them because they sell way more of them than Z06's.
I don't blame you for buying a used C7, I did too, but you can't compare used to new pricing. I am sure he could find used GS's as well and save some money. You can definitely buy used Z51's and save money.
The mirrors are the widest point of the cars and that is the same no matter which model you choose. Garage doors are not an issue if you can go straight.
I still stand by mt statement, the Z06/GS rear fenders are the widest "FIXED" dimension of the C7. The side mirrors are not "fixed" as they can be extended which makes them wider than the Z06/GS rear fenders or can be folded back for storage in which case they are narrower than the Z06/GS rear fenders.
Edited to add below 2017 C7 specifications from 2017 C7 sales brochure. Notice the overall width for the three c7 models :
SPECIFICATIONS
STINGRAY GRAND SPORT Z06
WHEELBASE 106.7 in./2710 mm 106.7 in./2710 mm 106.7 in./2710 mm
OVERALL LENGTH 176.9 in./4493 mm 177.9 in./4519 mm 177.9 in./4519 mm OVERALL WIDTH 73.9 in./1877 mm 77.4 in./1966 mm 77.4 in./1966 mm
HEIGHT
48.8 in./1240 mm coupe
48.9 in./1242 mm convertible
48.6 in./1234 mm coupe
48.7 in./1237 mm convertible
48.6 in./1234 mm coupe
48.7 in./1237 mm convertible
STEERING WHEEL DIAMETER 14.2 in./360 mm 14.2 in./360mm 14.2 in./360 mm
TURNING CIRCLE:
CURB TO CURB 37.7 ft./11.5 m 37.7 ft./11.5 m 37.7 ft./11.5 m
STEERING ROTATION:
LOCK TO LOCK 2.57 turns 2.57 turns 2.57 turns
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 09-29-2017 at 11:05 PM.
$ is a consideration when the choices vary widely in price. If there price between your options is close, I'd say go for what will make you happy in the long term (i.e. No Regrets). Some say the gs and z51 are more for the track but it comes down to what you think it's for and not the 'idea police'.
But, be careful... Drive it like it's made for and the self-appointed 'opinon(h)aters' will be all over you. But, ignore them and fill your ears with the sound of the exhaust, your eyes with the road ahead, and mind on the joy of the car and never look back unless someone is trying to gain on you ...
Originally Posted by stevenschwartz
Hi Folks,
Newby here - just starting to think about buying my first Corvette. So like many I will be deciding between a Stingray and a Grand Sport. I am not at all sure the difference in performance will matter that much to me - this will be a daily driver and a road trip car, not taking it on the track.
Here is my financial thinking. If I get the stingray, I would definitely add the magnetic ride option. That still leaves the car about 8k less than the grand sport.
On the other hand, if I add both magnetic ride and Z51 package, then I'm pretty close to the grand sport, and I may as well go for that. So for me it's Stingray with just suspension option or Grand Sport. This thinking valid? If so what do you think I should do?
Bought a 2017 Stingray coupe. Liked it. Ran across a pretty decent deal on 2017GS convertible so we did it. The Stingray was off the lot, 1lt, and a coupe. The GS also off the lot with 2lt, magnetic ride, carbon flash badges, carbon hood stripe and side skirts, etc. After the trade the dealer priced the Stingray for more than I paid for it. While we liked the Stingray we love the GS which in part may be due to the 2lt and magnetic ride control. The Stingray was our first Corvette. It is all a matter of personal choice and what your heart and mind really want. They both will make you happy but perhaps in different ways. Good luck and I hope you truly enjoy which ever one you choose.
Steven, welcome to the forum. Here's my comparison of the Mag Ride. My '07 C6 had Mag Ride, and it rode very nice. My non Z51 C7 without rides better, and is very comfortable on long trips. I understand the mag ride has been improved in the C7's, but IMHO it's not necessary on a base car. I use my car the exact way your want to use your's, and have been very happy with my decision.
As far as buying the Stingray versus the Grand Sport that's one tough decision that I'm glad I didn't have to make when I bought.
Good luck on your decision. The only bad decision you can make is not buying an option for either that you know you want. You certainly don't want to driving down the road thinking "I wish".
Last edited by Rebel Yell; 09-26-2017 at 02:44 PM.
I have a Z51 M7 2lt with Nav, PDR, and Mag Ride Control. The rear fenders of the GS don't bother me, but I just can't stand the look of the Spats.
I'm probably as close to a GS as you can get (for less $$$) and I don't track my car, so i don't need the wider tires.
if you live in a climate or expext to drive below 40 degree the summer tires start to get squirrely. Currently there are no runflats in z-06 or Gs sizes. You can get plugs and a air source but to me it is a pita. Some people weill tell you they do not get that slippery but why take the risk ditto the possiblity of a flat in no where usa.
The fact that the OP is looking for a road car and has no aspirations to go to the track, I would say look at the non-Z51 Stingray and get one with a nice option package. You will save a lot of money on the price of the car (and lots of gently used ones out there) and with maintenance and costs. They are likely the most comfortable car for the streets too. I say this as a Z51 owner, but I do occasionally track my car and I just prefer a more track focused setup.
I owned a 2008 C6 and traded it for a 2009 Z06, I also owned a 2015 Stringray w/Z51 and then traded it for a 2016 Z06. In both cases the next year GM came out with a Grand Sport. Had they been available, I would have bought the GS. I think in the GS you get all the benefits of the Z06 except the engine (the wide body makes a big difference in terms of looks) and frankly 435HP is plenty for a daily driver! There will also be more demand for the GS over Stringray should you sell it. I haven't kept up with the rebates and discounts, but my guess is that in todays market you can buy a GS for what typically would be the price of a Stringray. That makes it a no brainer for me - get the GS.
You also get some nice options included in the GS package that are not included with the Stingray, NPP exhaust (a must), larger wheels/tires, Mag-Ride, just to name a few. Also drive both.
NPP exhaust is absolutely available on a Stingray (and is fantastic - don't leave the dealership without it!)
Also - love my 2LT stingray and don't miss any of the other 'extras' - particularly for the fairly steep difference.
You can claim there’s “more demand“ all you want for it over the Stingray, but the numbers don’t lie.
I specifically wanted a Z51 Stingray. There’s a lot of guys who actually prefer the narrower body of the C7.
It’s not like how it was with the C6 generation.
In the end, they are all great cars. There’s too many arguments on here over options/ models. In the end you will have to decide what fits you best, but do not be swayed by blanketed statements such as “ I wouldn’t own one without this or that†there’s a reason someone still does.
Last edited by ssidekickbp; 11-01-2017 at 12:08 AM.
I have ‘14 Z51 without the magnetic suspension, which I consider sufficient for spirited driving and for the ocassional track day, but if you are more of a track rat then go for the performer GS.
For regular street and road driving, even the stock Stingray non Z51, non magnetic suspension would also be OK. It’s just a matter of choice.
I didn't really consider the GS, as the wide body doesn't mean much to me, the price difference between the GS and Z51 is significant, and can't get all-season tires for the GS.
As my DD, and daily FUN car, the 7M, 3LT Z51 with mag ride and performance exhaust was the perfect answer for me. I put my extra money into more interior features with the 3LT, rather than exterior features - but to each their own!
If I were to consider an upgrade, it'd be Z06 all the way, but I couldn't deal with the gas station every two days.
Got an awesome price on a 1300 mile trade-in on a Z06. Low mileage lightly used vettes are easy to find, and a great way to save $.
There is already a lot of great info but one huge thing to consider is that as a daily driver (possibly your only vehicle or main vehicle) the stingray will give your more ground clearance at the front end (a better approach angle) for getting in and out of parking lots, speed bumps etc.... I love my GS but my C5 allowed me to go more places with it. There are many places i cant go with my GS but then i take my Lexus if i cant take my GS. My approach angle is about 6 degrees. I have to take the long way to get to the highway because of some speed humps.
Tires were also talked about too. That is big. When i needed new tires i had to order the rears. They were specially made for me and that was in the winter. Luckily i didnt need them as my car was parked for the winter. You arent suppose to drive in near freezing weather with the summer tires it will ruin them and traction is aweful.
Good luck.
Look at my post in #66. So much for hating the spats and loving my Z51. I ended up switching to a GS about 3 weeks ago. Took my other half to look at it and ended up getting it. No regrets. I love it.
If you're even thinking about getting the GS, get it because you'll always say to yourself," I should've gotten the GS". Trust me on this.
2" on each side is not a problem. Like someone said, the mirrors are the widest. It's not like you're gonna get out and fold your mirrors back before you pull it into the garage.
What sold me was pricing out a new Z51 to get close to the options of a GS. There wasn't that much difference in price.
^^^
Felt the same way about "Spats” when the Z06 was introduced! Reminded me of my CJ5 Jeep!
However, when I got my September 2013 built C7 Z51, felt the tires were a bit anemic! 25 more hp than my C6 Z51 with the same width tires! And with variable cam timing, ~50 more ft-lbs of torque at low rpm, needed more tire, IMO!
This post by Tadge made me feel better! "Form Follows Function" and this is the reason for spates vs fatter front fenders-Aero!
"All Corvette exterior features and surface shapes are designed for maximum performance and great aesthetics. Around the front wheel openings, both the C6 (Z06, GS and ZR1) and C7 (GS and Z06) feature what you are calling spats arcing down the forward edge. These features create high pressure on the front/top and low pressure on the back/underside resulting in down force and evacuation of hot air from the wheel opening. The aerodynamic studies for both C6 and C7 independently proved their value. To work, they need to be a very specific shape - specifically a sharp break in the surface where the spat meets the fender. I have been asked many times why we couldn't just form that shape from the front fender so it would be all one painted piece instead of looking "tacked on". We looked at that and decided it looked pretty bad when painted bright colors. Your eye is immediately drawn to that feature and it does not look integrated or graceful. Naturally the question is, "If it is so important, why don't we see it on the C7.R race car?" The reason is that the race car sits so low to the ground it can take advantage of even more efficient aerodynamic features such as an "underwing" that sits beneath the front splitter."
PS: Have no need for a supercharger and prefer an NA engine so when the Grand Sport was introduced, had to have one! Sold the Z51 C7!
Consider getting ASC front Splash Guards. They are wider and deeper than those from GM ones and help keep pebbles from flying back. I also have the Stage 2 aero package and replaced the Stage 2 Winglets with Stage 3. Helps integrate the Spats better, IMO.
I love my 014 Stingray, but, if I were buying a Corvette today I'd go with a Grand Sport. First off, both the Standard and GS's are beauties. But, all the stuff you pay extra for on the base or Z51 is standard on the GS. However, I'm not so keen on the splitter and side skirts. I see these as an item that will get scarred and pummeled with stones and road objects along with making parking more of a chore. The tires will cost more to replace but then again, you will get a bit more on a trade in. The final point is right now if you don't load them up with all sorts of useless options you can get great deals on one so why not? Just my opinion.
A Stingray is $10,000 less than a Grand Sport. A Stingray with Z51 is $5000 less than a Grand Sport. However, if a Z51 is equipped with Mag ride, it is only $3200 less than the Grand Sport. For that $3200 you get the wide body, bigger brakes, the FE6 suspension and the 2" wider wheels and tires. Whatever way you go....the C7 Corvette is a great car!
Last edited by Supersonic 427; 11-01-2017 at 11:40 AM.
09-26-2017, 12:39 PM
The tires will cost more to replace but then again, you will get a bit more on a trade in. The final point is right now if you don't load them up with all sorts of useless options you can get great deals on one so why not? 
Just my opinion.
