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So I’ve wondered what made everyone’s decision to go for the Grand Sport over the zo6 besides the obvious money difference.
I had a chance to drive both and couldn't see the need for 650hp on the street, the z06 is impressive but seemed like a little too much. Plus the insurance was less on the Grand Sport.
I wanted the best handling Corvette I could get and actually preferred the Z06 because of its power, but given the over heating issues with it, not to mention two class action lawsuits against GM, I decided on the GS. Happy with it.
I cared about the price difference, but not enough to deter me from the Z06.
I track my car regularly. I didn't want to deal with the clusterfuck of cooling issues on the Z06, nor did I want 650hp on the track even if it could stay cool.
I got a stingray and a few months later, the GS was announced. Rather than go widebody, add all the cooling, and brake upgrade on the stingray, I just upgraded.
I added an 8 year 100k warranty and look forward to running endless track days for nothing but the cost of fuel, tires and brake pads.
I wanted the wide body and didn’t want to deal with the cooling issues of the Z06 so I went with the grand sport and adding a A&A kit. Was a slightly cheaper initial investment as well.
Money was not a concern. I drove them both and liked the GS better. I'm sure I would get myself in trouble with the power of a Z06 and for the most part that extra 190 hp is unusable on the street. GS is the perfect car for me, looks, power, gas mileage, and comfort.
Katech's 427 GS is my ultimate C7, PERIOD, so I'd take the GS and start saving for that package. Also FWIW I think the GS has the edge over the Z06 looks wise.. there's a few small details that make it look more proper.
Last edited by StancyPants; 03-20-2018 at 07:11 PM.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Originally Posted by StancyPants
Katech's 427 GS is my ultimate C7, PERIOD, so I'd take the GS and start saving for that package. Also FWIW I think the GS has the edge over the Z06 looks wise.. there's a few small details that make it look more proper.
Traded in my ‘16 M7 Z06 coupe for a ‘17 A8 GS Convertible. I bought the Z because I thought I might want to track the car, but never did. Love the “wide body look,” but found the extra 190 horses was overkill for street driving.
I wanted a big normally aspirated engine, period.
Every manufacturer seems to be going the blower and turbocharger route these days just not my cup of tea.
Unfortunately, in 2014 when I bought my C7, neither a Z06 nor a Grand Sport was available. I love my Stingray (with a NA V8) and I'm going to keep it, but if those other models had been available, I would have chosen the Grand Sport. All the looks and handling of a Z06 w/o the complexity and lower fuel mileage of a Z06. I have no real interest in going over 200 MPH. I like the windy roads.
I had a 2014 Stingray and found the power more than sufficient for the street. I have driven friends Z06's, and with the very tall first gear, it isn't traffic friendly on the street and 0-50 mph (1st gear for both cars), a Z06 is only marginally quicker until the tires start to spin.
So when it was time to replace the 2014, I really liked the widebody look and didn't want to live with the Z06 M7 compromises (less of an issue if you buy an A8), didn't need the extra 190 hp (that is only useful about 70 mph), and so the GS became a no-brainer choice for me.
03-18-2018, 10:03 PM
Unfortunately, in 2014 when I bought my C7, neither a Z06 nor a Grand Sport was available. I love my Stingray (with a NA V8) and I'm going to keep it, but if those other models had been available, I would have chosen the Grand Sport. All the looks and handling of a Z06 w/o the complexity and lower fuel mileage of a Z06. I have no real interest in going over 200 MPH. I like the windy roads. 
