toddhale010

The question is in the title. My reason for asking is simply due to having such a hard time deciding between the two. I have absolutely no reason to need the Z06 other than I've always liked high HP in everything I do and it has always cost me more but I smile a lot. That being said I'm also in a situation where the money is coming out of our bank account and the extra $ for the Z could be sitting there for other purposes if I just buy the GS. I've driven both but very limited to actually getting to drive it like it was mine and the GS is very impressive and it's truly all I need. I see on here where most say if you can afford it get the Z06 but I'm having a hard time justifying it. If we were financing the car there would be very little difference in a payment and I'd probably get the Z and that is a horrible reason to do it. In this situation I feel like having a GS equipped like we want and extra $ in the bank is more important than having the extra HP that I'd rarely get to enjoy. Please be honest, how many times has your GS not been enough?

Sub Driver

Do you want the real performer or the less expensive imitation?

Marcho Polo

LOL!

rangda

For me it was a non-decision, I couldn't afford a comparable Z06. And the car is a ~300 day / year daily driver (it's my only vehicle) so I wasn't willing to stretch for a 1LZ Z06 vs. a 2LT GS.

KenHorse

When they came for the base C7, I said nothing...
When they came for the Z51 C7, I said nothing...
When they came for the Grand Sport C7, I said nothing...
When they came for the Z06 C7, there was no one left....

CandyRed77

When I was ready to get my C7 I had the choice between ordering a 2017 GS 1LT or getting a "left-over" 2016 Z06 1LZ for about $4k more.
I ended up ordering the GS for the following reasons:
- I wanted to do Museum Delivery
- after seeing it, I completely had my mind set on Sterling Blue, a 2017 only color
- most logical reason: I put a lot of miles on my car, a lot of roadtrips etc... and I just felt more comfortable with a NA engine for longevity, than a supercharged one...
In either case, there is no wrong answer, you'll end up with an amazing car!

dvilin

Tough decision as we all know 460hp is always going to be enough and in most cases more than enough. Myself I wanted the supercharged 650hp for those times when you can experience the 650 lbs of torgue and the power of the supercharged lt4 engine. You really have to own one to fully understand why owners of the beast have no regrets with their choice.
I should add that previously to my current 2019 M7 Z06 convertible I had a 2015 M7 Stingray convertible. Never owned a GS but have experienced the difference between the two power plants.
Good luck in your decision either way you will have one fine machine.

John01SS

KenHorse

I've sometimes wondered if there are any high mileage Z06s out there.....

Scoobydoobydoo

Answer this simple question. If you were to buy the GS will there be a time when you'll regret not getting the Z? I went through the same decision and bought the Z because I knew in the back of my mind I'd always wish I bought the Z

TJC333

I bought a 2017 Grand Sport new two years ago. My first Vette however I have had many other GM sports cars. I love the car however I am seriously considering trading it in for a 2019 Z06/Z07. When I ordered the Grand Sport I had no track day experience. Only a little auto-cross experience. I have tracked the Grand Sport five times and really enjoyed it. Plus when I ordered the Grand Sport I heard there were overheating problems with the Z06 on the track. I found out later they fixed that by the time the 2017s were introduced. If I knew then what I know now I would have ordered the Z06. While the Grand Sport is a great track day car the Z06 will be even better.

JerryU

No question the GS is what wanted. If desired could buy a ZR1 and get the max hp. But no place to use it!

I had a 2014 Z51 and from day 1 felt the tires were a bit anemic. Heck they were the same width as my C6 Z51 with more power and more important greater low end torque with the variable cam timing the C6 did not have. Proved right, it was definitely traction limited. Heck the wife's BMW SUV had wider rear tires that the Z51!

However so is the Grand Sport with 335 versus 285 rear tires, traction limited. The Z06 just blows them away quicker! If you get a ZR1 they limit the enginer power in a M7 1st gear as it uses the same Z06 ratio's. Tremic rates the Z06 max torque slightly below the Z06 capability.

Now for those that think we're posers, get a real performer! My 3000 lb ProStreet Rod has the 502 cid engine set back with a 4 bar link rear suspension on a very ridged tubbed TCI chassis. Now it has some real tires on the 53% weight on the rear. But even those sticky Mickey Thompsons will break lose with excess rpm off the line. As far as a thrill, with only positraction on that 9 inch Ford rear if one tire is on a lower traction area of the road it will turn 90 degrees quickly in that direction giving you 1/2 second max to lift or your off the road!

KenHorse

For under 8 grand, one could correct that....

eagleye

Nope, Happy with the GS I ordered and it is all I need.

Guitarking1

Nope. For me, I simply knew that the majority of use in my GS would be congested city driving sitting at red lights and bumper-to-bumper traffic. It was the same reason why I passed on a M7 on this go round of a Vette purchase.

Don't get me wrong, I love the power, but I'll never track my car. And as I've gotten older, I'm much more sensible on how I drive.

Maybe when I retire in a few months and actually drive the car more since I'll be free of my chains to a desk, I could regret it then.

TXshaggy

GoatHead

Very happy with my Grand Sport. Plenty of power on the street and on the track, no over heating problems, not too much torque at the low end, and overall safer than Z06 due to less torque. On a track day, everyone look at the car says it is the Corvette to buy.

NashvilleGrandSport

My GS with options (exposed CF roof, hood, skirts, PDR, Heritage Pkg. and chrome wheels, etc.) was right at base Z06 money. No regrets for the many reasons already stated. I drove a Z06 first and that sealed the decision to go with the GS. Just too much for the street IMO and not what I wanted or needed.

kennyjames21

Get what you want, but unless you drag race, when will you use the extra hp the z06 offers? And if you want the most HP possible in a vette, the z06 isn't the right choice anymore either...

For me the GS has been more than enough 100% of the time I've owned it as I only drive it on the street and I'm not drag racing dodge demons. I bought the GS over the stingray based almost entirely on looks as I prefer the wide body appearance. So for me, the GS was the right choice and I have zero regrets. If I was chasing horsepower, and I had purchased the Z06, I'd regret not getting the ZR1 (although that rear spoiler ruins that version for me...).

But as others said, whatever version you choose, you're going to have a great car.

toddhale010

Yes I am that guy that's always going to wish I had the extra power but I'm trying to be realistic with our use for the car. We are purchasing this to drive and enjoy taking trips every chance we get so for the price difference we could take some extra trips.