evoroadster

I am on Oahu, Hawaii and currently, with my wife, have a research lab at the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine. I am retired Air Force (1989) and repair vintage stereo equipment as well as build vacuum tube amplifiers. Our 3 dogs (all Labs) and yard work keep me pretty busy and we do plan on returning to the mainland within the next 5 years or so to retire. Twenty years in Hawaii will be enough, I miss the road trips we used to take.

I am going tomorrow to look at a 2017 Grand Sport, a 2017 Z51 1LT and a 2018 1LT. The GS is $62,400, the Z51 is $59,300 and the 2018 is $59,800. I am leaning heavily towards the GS but a newer year model is tempting. Any pitfalls I should be aware of? What would you do?

I currently drive a Porsche Cayman R or a Honda Ridgeline. I have autocrossed for 20 years or so mostly with a supercharged Miata. I no longer autocross due to a bad back and the Porsche was a replacement for the Miata. I am getting the new car itch again and would like to scratch it with a Corvette. It has been on my bucket list for awhile and now at 67 years old it is about time.

Thanks for listening and mahalo for any input.

Jeff T.

Welcome to the forum Daniel!

Awesome choices, let you heart be your guide!!

Thanks for your service!

Mahalo.

dahogan

For a better response you may want to ask your question in the C7 section. Otherwise, its never too late. Good luck

jehuds10

Welcome to the forum!

Vetteman Jack

Moved to C7 General.

dvilin

Tough decision, given those choices and prices I would go for the GS.

Ramler

I wouldn't be swayed by the newer year. Differences seem to be only colors and a few more channels of the PDR. Resale doesn't vary much with years. Personally I wouldn't buy a 1LT. You're missing too many goodies. Just make sure it is what you want and go for it. I'm a little older than you and just bought my 2nd GS. Went to Spring Mountain to learn just how great these cars are. You can't go wrong, just get what you like best.

1bdvet

Thank You for your service, and I enjoyed being stationed in Hawaii.
Welcome to the forum.

FX VETTE

Welcome to the CF!

Ed'sC7

XLF

Hello Daniel from the "Pays Basque"
You are in the same trip like me (I am retired and 66 years old)
My last car was a Boxster Spyder 981 and I switched on a GS 3 months ago
As I use to go on the track, the choice was obvious for me
If you like more informations on Why I went to Corvette, let me know

L8ter

Welcome to the forum!
2LT offers a few more creature features to enhance those road trips.
A few of my favorites:
:Heads up display, which is very nice to help keep you in check, when your driving a car that easily exceed the speed limit in a matter of seconds.
:Ventilated and heated seats to help reduce swamp butt, and warm the tush on cold mornings.
:Front cameras to help pull up close to, but avoid dinging the front end on those pesky parking blocks.

Good luck on your choice!

monicatomokc

Aloha!! I retired out of Hickam on 1 July 1993 after 24 years (last 5 at Hickam) and just retired from the FAA last Spring at the age of 68. We go back every February for 2 weeks at the Hale Koa, so maybe we've crossed paths!!

Anyway, a 2014 1LT Stingray is what I have and has been perfect for me. I wanted a few other things like the Universal Remote (HomeLink) that comes with the 2LT and 3LT that I added later. I would just look at whether the car you select has all the options you need/want. The GS wasn't out yet when I made my purchase and I wanted an M7 and an interior other than Black and went from there. So if the GS has all the "other" items that appeal to you, I might go for that. I like the wide-body of the GS and the wheels that go with it. So that might be something to consider too. Still the bottom line is whether it's the right color, interior, wheels, etc. to drive it home.

Good luck and Aloha!!

robert miller

Welcome to the forum, if I had it to do over I would have waited for a GS. I have a 2014 z51 & almost got it all done now making it look like a Z06. Robert

mtaxman

For sure go for anything with the 2LT - the heads up display was the driver for me.
2LT added $4,455 to the cost of my GS and should be about the same on a Z51.
As re. a 2017 vs. 18 check the sticker vs. offered price and try to make it apples to apples as far as option comparisons.
On the mainland now 17s are going for up to 20% off (before Loyalty?).
The GS has a lot of things the Z51 doesn't and the added value is generally worth it.
That said, it could be as simple as whether or not you like the wide body look vs. the Stingray narrow body.
Personal preference in the end.
Good luck shopping and thanks for your service.

Bob Beroza

So besides living in Paradise you want to be driving a Dream car.

evoroadster

Actually I am now kinda gun shy. Reading up on the transmission problems has me vacillating between go and no-go. My Porsche has been totally trouble free for the last 5 years. Do I have a cause to be cautious or is it more like the internet attracting/magnifying all the problem vehicles into one place? Regardless, I will be going today to check out the GS.

One other question; extended warranty. If available which one is recommended?

Another question. Can Homelink be added to a 1LT?

evoroadster

This will be my trade-in:

monicatomokc

As for the A8 transmission issues you hear about, I can't say much since I have an M7, but personally I wouldn't let that be a show-stopper. You'll hear just as many (or more) people say they haven't had any problems at all.

Extended Warranty: I bought the "General Motors Protection Plan" "Major Guard" with $100 deductible, good until 4/24/2021 or 56,000 miles, paid $2375.00. I'm one of those willing pay a little extra to get the "GM" extended warranty for ease of use, if/when the time comes. In 3.5 years of ownership, I haven't had to use either...yet, so obviously I've had no problems.

Adding "Homelink" is just a visor swap-out. Here's one thread on the subject:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-1lt-6.html

Good luck!! Maybe when I'm at the Hale Koa in February you can pick me up for run up the H3!!

RaceMic

No brainer: GS