Kevin A Jones

I agree. To contribute an informed opinion here as to if the GS package is worth the $10,000 one needs to know exactly what the package includes, same when comparing the $5000 difference between the GS package and the Z51 package. Not sure many do.
Here's the components of each:

GS Performance Package features ($10,000): Specific front fender inserts; Z06 style grill; wider rear fenders; front splitter; rocker skirts, additional brake cooling vents and wickerbill rear spoiler; GS CUP-style wheels; Michelin super-sport summer only tires (P285/30ZR19” front, P33525ZR20” rear); 6-piston front and 4-pison front Bremo brakes; Slotted brake rotors; Magnetic Ride Control and Electronic Limited-slip differential; NPP exhaust, Dry-sump oil system; Rear differential cooler; transmission cooler.

Z51 Performance Package features ($5,000): Performance brakes; Black painted calibers; Slotted brake rotors; Dry sump oil system; Z51 performance package, specific shocks, springs and stabilizer bars; NPP exhaust; performance gear ratios, Electronic Limited-slip differential; Rear differential cooler; transmission cooler and Areo package.

village idiot

I honestly wouldn't get a C7 without mag ride. If you're going to get Z51 and mag ride, it's damn near the same price.

Skid Row Joe

Quite right.

The OP's already disclosed his financials. It's not up to us whether or not he makes the right move financially.

Each of have posted/ing our opinions. Many of us believe that the $10,000.00 GS up charge is not worth it.

If it was worth it, I'd of bought one. It isn't.

There's only one reason that makes sense in buying one. You gain a slight edge in street racing or track racing the car. That's it. The rest is throw away trash talk.

I'm also noticing most of the members here telling you about how fast their GS is, has never raced anyone in their life. Telling you how fast their GS is using only their computer keyboard, is as close to racing as they're going to get. Lol!

village idiot

except it has mag ride, better aero (and options for more, plus CCB option), bigger iron brakes, 2pc rotors, more cooling, no ugly shredder/braces grille, and bigger wheels and tires.
and tires that are each 40-50mm wider is a really big deal.

saleen556

Texas1

2cnd Chance

Avanti

Isn't to me. In fact, half the crappola that comes on the base cars I could, and would prefer to, do without. But, to each his or her own.

JerryU

Thinking of adding a wide body kit is foolish! You'll pay more than a Grand Sport and have wide fenders, wide wheels, large tires and have none of the HD features!

The only benefit is you'll have softer suspension. However you'll pay more money in the long run and have poor resale! Dumb move IMO.

Forget the Z51 as now you'll pay $3000 more for a GS once you add MRC! It was a good choice when the GS was not available.

I bought my Grand Sport for perforce, having had a 2014 Z51. I did not buy it for looks and can't see how anyone could say the front spats look great! Look at the Kerbeck inventory, >200 cars in stock. Many base coupes some 2019 for $51,500. Also many Grand Sports but much more money. No Z51 since today not a logical financial choice or for resale.

VENOM ACR

I love Z51 owners who say a GS is just a Z51 with a wide body lol please get informed.

Zjoe6

mdiiulio

^^ This is by far the best advice of this entire thread. I highly suspect you aren't tracking due to your budget alone, so who cares about the GS performance bits. I can still pull 1G sustained in my base coupe with the beefier sway bars ($300 add on). It's more than capable for street driving.

Step 1) Get a coupe w/o Z51
Step 2) Have money left over

kennyjames21

Heh, yeah I even forgot some of the added benefits like improved cooling. Like I've been saying, if you want to spend the least amount of money, get a base stingray and you're all set, its a great car. But if you're thinking z51, especially if you're getting mag ride, unless you don't like the wide body look, you'd be nuts not to spend an extra $3k and get the GS.

robertbruce

I ordered a 2014 Z51 and it was not $25,000.00 more than the basic Stingray.

Deweyox

Smart move paying cash. A youngster with a brain. LOL. Save a few more thousand and get what you want. You're young. I didn't get mine the way I wanted it until I was 57 and I could pay cash and all my family responsibilities have been fulfilled

kennyjames21

Getting back to the original post..

It sounds like you really like the look of the widebody. If this is true, you may end up regretting not getting a GS and you don't want to regret such an expensive purchase.

Forget about the idea of making a stingray a wide body, you will end up spending almost as much or more than it would cost to simply buy a GS, and you won't have any of the added improvements a GS offers.

You're not going to get a new GS for $50k, so unless you can find more money, you may have to settle for a stingray. But as others have mentioned, you will probably not notice any difference in performance, and they certainly don't look vastly different from a GS, they are still AWESOME cars. And dude, you're 24 and looking to buy a $50k car, if this is a big problem for you, you're in really good shape, lol.

JerryU

I bought an early 2014 Z51 since it was the HD option available for 2 years. But was somewhat disappointed that it had the same width tires as my C6 Z51 with more power and even more importantly more low end torque with the LT1 variable cam timing! I was traction limited.

When the Z06 came out thought that tire width is what is needed but I prefer a NA engine and don't need the power (have a 502/502 BB in my 3000 lb street rod if I want fast 0 to 60 time! )

When the Grand Sport came out, thought that was the sweat spot! Was hoping they would get rid of the Spats but I can live with what looks a bit like my old 'CJ5 Jeep! Sold the 2014 and bought the Grand Sport- love it.

When Tadge posted an answer to the question "Why Spats," (i.e.aero reasons) made me feel better as "Form Follows Function!" But not great!

PS: Oh yes there are those larger 6 pistons per side front brakes:

saleen556

Kevin A Jones

​​​​​​​Obviously Uninformed as to the features of the GS or the Z51 packages yet very opinionated. I do like the look of the wide-body, however that's just personal preference, both wide and narrow body are beautiful designs.
If I'm impressed by anything it's the value of the GS package features. All one has to do is add the individual value of the 18 GS features and it becomes obvious it's quite a deal for $10,000. Heck, just adding the MRC
and NPP exhaust and you are at $6200 of the $10,000.

GTRSOLO

I prefer the GS, but when it comes down to it, chicks don't know the difference between a stingray and a ZR-1 and isn't that what it's really all about?