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Go with the C7 GS. You will not be sorry. I have owned a C3, C4, C5 a C6 Grand Sport and now a 2019 GS convertible. Each generation was leaps and bounds better than the last. I really loved my 13 GS. We bought it new and put 48,000 miles on it. I wasn't looking to trade but the deal was too good to pass up.
I was in the same boat as you except I had a C5 Z06. Debating if I should jump up to a C7. I loved my C5 and had no intentions of moving up. But my wife new I liked the C7 and so did she. She talked me into getting a new C7 but I wanted the Z06. So I ended up getting one. I don’t know if I made a mistake yet or not. I drove it home from the dealer December 2018 and stored it for the winter. I will see how hard it will be just to break my new corvette in. You can always go back to a C6 if you don’t like having the C7. It does happen. Good luck on your purchase.
I had a '08 Jetstream Metallic Blue A6 3Lt. Loved it. Traded it in on a '17 Grand Sport A8 2LT. It is a night & day difference between the two cars. Handling, braking, and acceleration are phenomenally better. Plus the interior/electronics are vastly improved.
Had a C5 and 2 C7's currently in a 17 GS. Like the car and all the others but the C7 GS rides rough with the big tires and MRC and does not have the room in the cabin and cargo area as the C5 or C6. Like the GS look and the power.
I have owned Corvettes since 1972. I started with a 69 BB roadster 4 speed for 3 years, went to a 71 LS6 BB coupe with auto for 12 years, then an 86 coupe with 4+3 for 10 years, a 97 C5 for 6 years, an 03 Z06 for 6 years, an 08 C6 Z06 for 6 years and have been in a 2015 C7 Z06/Z07 3LZ for the last 3.5 years. The C7 has been the best of all of them. Each one surpassed the previous car (there was a huge drop in HP from the 71 to the 86 but the 86 was better overall), the 97 got the horsepower back and handled even better than the 86. However, the C7 is just so much better in every facet it is impossible to compare to the previous cars.
Think about it this way: If you go to a C7 GS you will approximate the power of the C6 Z06. The LT1 has an identical power and torque curve through 4000 rpm as the LS7 used in the C6Z. The C7 will weigh more but they seem to get the power to the ground pretty well and out handle the C6 chassis. The C6 interior was nice in 2005 but was really dated when the C7 was introduced. The C7 interior could stand some small changes to bring it closer to the current state of the art but it isn't that far off. The seats are the best seats in a Corvette since the early C4 cars (84 through 90) and far superior to the flexible, wobbly C6 seats that didn't provide lateral support when going around a corner. The C6 seats don't hold you in the car as well as some sedan and SUV seats do.
I came from a base 2012 C6 to a z51 C7. Personally after driving the C6 for 80k miles and now the C7 for 20k miles I can say I much prefer the C6 to the C7. The seats in the C6 were more comfortable the cockpit area felt more spacious. I don’t get a thrill out of the dash layout of the C7. I prefer the simplicity of the C6 instrumentation. As for performance realistically none of these cars can be used on the street to their full potential so it doesn’t really matter.
For some reason I have never truly bonded with my C7 the way I did my C5 or C6. It’s simply a personal thing. We are all different. Hell I have never warmed up to the styling of the C7. It’s doubtful I will make the 30k mark with it.
When someone has the C6,C7, “what should I do”problem, they are smart to come to the forum but would be better served to not ask the actual question. There are biases in both sub sections but the op has lived the C6 and can rest his case. Simply peruse the C7 section for common complaints and accolades . I haven’t bothered making a comparison but I will say this. The C7 is a better car but the 6 has it’s advantages.
Lot of waffling here, he should get the C7, he will love it.
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I never presume to know what someone else should buy or love. I simply provided a decision matrix for him to use if he see fit. It would be a shame if he bought a C7 based on your whole-hearted recommendation, and when the C8 came out, wished that he had waited.
2007 3LT....wonderful car. Loved it until..... The C7 was introduced. Light years better and I loved it until..... The Grand Sport was introduced. Phenomenal car in every right. I doubt I will move to a C8 though....unless I want a divorce....lol Good luck with your decision. Although it shouldn't be a difficult one to make.
The only things I dislike are the outdated infotainment system, the plastic center console and the horrible cameras.
The cameras are pretty bad... They almost make the car feel old. Would have been nice if Chevy upgraded those for 18/19 model years to match their competition.
I never presume to know what someone else should buy or love. I simply provided a decision matrix for him to use if he see fit. It would be a shame if he bought a C7 based on your whole-hearted recommendation, and when the C8 came out, wished that he had waited.
True your matrix provided much although he never mentioned a C8 (C6 to a C7 Grand Sport. Should I?) that was his question, lol! Thanks
Not an exact match, but we went from a C6 Z51 to a C7 Z51.
Overall, the C7 is better.
Steering, handling, and ride (MRC on ours) have all improved. Interior is nicer.
The C7 is somewhat more track-focused than the C6, which may be slightly better or worse for you.
Having said that, the C7 also has a good share of "WTF were they thinking?" items, things that for me were just right on the C6 and now just wrong on the C7. What's annoying is that the great features of the C7 did not require these annoying changes:
Bigger on the outside but smaller on the inside.
Less visibility.
Two-finger-only door handles.
Only one trunk cubby.
No gas door release in trunk.
Hard plastic trunk wheel wells that scratch easily.
Complexity of electronics more than offsets usefulness of added features.
Etc.
As I said, overall the C7 is better and nicer. If someone stole our C7, we'd buy another and not a C6. Just be prepared for some annoyances that didn't have to be there.
Thanks for your input. I appreciate the different perspectives and in some case the comparisons too. As far as waiting for the C8, well I would never buy it until its been in its 3rd year of production.
......Reposting the initial question to stay on track (and intention) of my thread....
Hello Everyone,
Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
Yes, the last two years I've been thinking about selling my 2008 Artic White manual C6 coupe to purchase a 2017 to 2019 C7 Grand Sport. The C6 has been incredibly reliable and needless to say I have added my touch to it since I bought it from a Corvette crazy gentleman in the Pittsburgh Pa area. He kept it immaculate and in a heated garage. My only hesitancy is that having owned the 2008 since 2011, I know it very well and like I said earlier has been a joy since I've acquired it. Never a problem - ever. Then again, its for weekend spirited pleasure driving, etc.
I'd like to hear how your ownership has been for everyone with a C7. Grand Sport input is a plus and if you moved up to a C7, from what generation you did so. Prices are well in my budget too.
I get it. A C7 forum and what do you think I'd hear from everyone. Go for it !! Don't hesitate !! etc etc. Tell me whole-heartedly what is it that gets your gears turning about the C7. Oh, BTW, die hard manual driver. Why should the paddle-shifting preference over M7.. Fast shifting is a given, not a good enough reason because of course it is.
Thanks everyone !! Greater weather, here we come!!
03-21-2019, 07:56 AM
