I’m looking to purchase a c7 vette sometime later this year leaning towards a GS or a z06 just looking for some good advice as I start searching for the right car and most desirable options. Thanks in advance

 

GS and Z06 come with the same standard equipment and the same body. The only difference being the supercharger and a few small aesthetic details (smoked taillights, carbon flash rear ducts for the Z06). In terms of options they both offer the exact same ones and the same trim levels so all you need to do is decide if you want 650 or 460 horsepower to determine which model.

In terms of options, I'm a fan of the competition seats and the ground effects package (stage 2 aero) as well as the carbon fiber instrument panel. Bonus points if your getting a colour that compliments red, then I'd also recommend the red seat belts. I think these options make the most dramatic change to the cars overall look.

Extra bonus points if you go for the 3LT/3LZ trim level you should also option the full suede interior package as well as the coloured stitching. This brings the interior to a level much more appropriate for a car that costs as much as it does and finally makes the Corvette feel like the interior wasn't quite so compromised to get you the performance per dollar.

I went from an automatic 2LT Grand Sport with quite a few nifty options like two tone adrenaline red seats and transparent roof to a manual 3LZ Z06 with the full suede package and red stitching and competition seats. I don't miss my transparent roof because if the weathers nice I just take the targa off anyway. I much prefer competition seats, they are just as comfy as the standard seats and they look so much better. The standard leather also feels pretty average, the same as you'd get in a 30k car. The suede really helps to give it a more premium feel. The carbon fiber steering wheel that is included is also a nice bonus.

In my opinion if you can afford both, get the Z06.

 

Thanks for the info I think I can afford either and am leaning toward the z06 but if a GS is available closer to me with the right options and colours I will seriously consider it. How important is the Z07 package with the ceramic brakes

 

In my opinion, if you are not tracking the car it is not important. The only benefit CCB's have over the steel rotors on the street is that they produce far less brake dust so you won't have to clean your wheels every day. The steels are cheaper to replace and provide great stopping power. The Z07 package is only worth it if you think being able to say you have a Z07 Z06 is worth anything. I struggled with this as well, I loved the idea of being able to say I had a Z07 Z06 but decided I'd rather spend 8k on a higher trim level and options rather then something I'd honestly see little benefit from on the street, and honestly I probably wouldn't see much difference on the track either since I'm not a pro.

They also don't hold value so it isn't worth it unless you really want them. I wish GM offered the Z07 suspension and tuning without CCB's, I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.

 

Thanks I highly doubt I will ever track my car and I’m sure the standard brakes will be quite adequate so I’m guessing it might be an option that isn’t really a deal breaker or maker either way. Is the brake dust issue bad or just a minor inconvenience

 

Not a whole lot of difference between the GS and Z06 with the exception of the super charger resulting in an additional 190 HP. So mostly depends on how much you value the additional HP at approx $74 each. The Z06 of course has more straight line power/speed, however many consider the GS as the sweet spot as a result of the exceptional marrying of power-handling-braking which gives it an edge over the Z06 on the track.

As far a trim levels (1LT-LZ, 2LT-LZ, 3LT-LZ); it all depends on how much you value the features in each package. Keep in mind though that you run the risk of having to deal with leather dash cracking/shrinking issues with the 3 LT-LZ package. Many threads on the issues in this forum.

1LT Trim/Equipment Package:
A nicely equipped sportscar including 8” touchscreen, Bose AM-FM 9 speaker stereo, 3 month Sirius/XM,MP3, MyLink, OnStar, 4G LTE, 8” HD driver info screen, leather power GT sports seats, power break set/release, power locks/windows, active handling, dual-zone AC, keyless access/start, power tilt/telescopic, leather wrap steering w/flat bottom wheel, cruise control, tire pressure monitor, driver, passenger and side airbags, carbon fiber hood, Bremo 4-piston disc brakes, rear view camera, coup- body color painted carbon fiber roof panels, convertible- power soft-top which can be lowered remotely.

2LT includes (adds $4500):
Adds a few necessities including everything found in the 1LT plus: Console and door panels in interior color, Lumbar/wing adjust, Heated/vented seats, Seat emblems, front camera, 10-speaker Bose® premium audio system, Universal Home Remote, Auto-dimming mirrors, Memory Package, Head-Up Display, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with one-year subscription, Enhanced Theft-Deterrent Package, Luggage shade/cargo net

3LT includes (adds $9745):
Everything found in the 1LT and 2LT plus: Navation, PDR upgraded leather.

Good luck in your search.

 

Not really a problem as you can just swap out the OEM break pads to the low-dust brakes. Sure beats paying $8000 for the Z07 package.

 

How are you going to use it?

If it's just going to be a street car, GS or Z06 are overkill, and more expensive. Even Z51 isn't a necessity for street use. You almost never can safely approach the limits of any of these cars on the street.

You can spend an arm and a leg on a C7, and everything you buy will be nice, but you also can get a base car and have about 95% of the same experience for a lot less.

(1LT automatic owner here. Mine cost less than a pickup truck.)

 

Heads-up display was most important for me. 2LT package provides that and quite a bit more.

 

its in the 1LT/1LZ package on the GS/Z06 as standard.

 

HUD comes as standard in the Z06 1LZ package, however I don't believe it comes in the GS 1LT package unless it's new to the 2019 model year.

 

Correct, it is only standard on the Z06 and ZR1, not the GS or Stingray, you need 2LT at a minimum for those.

 

I agree just recently got heads up display in my 2019 high country truck and it’s a pretty nice option

 

Don’t mean to be a smartass here but a Toyota Prius is enough of a car if your going to follow all the rules of the road but obviously that’s not what I’m considering and I might go for a stingray as well that why I’m here getting opinions but for me I have been waiting long enough I’m thinking I’m going to get the one I really want and just save a little longer to get it

 

The Corvette goes from Street Cruiser Stingray, to race car in a box. Z06/Z07 was top dog race car in a box, then the ZR1 was introduced in 2019. Chevy don't ask you if you want to save $10k and opt for steel brakes in a ZR1, it is Chevy's top dawg racer in a box. It comes with ceramic brakes only. plus all the stiffened suspension parts and mode tunings of the electronic bits that are present in the Z07 package of the Z06.

As you've said, you are not here for Prius practicality. You want the fire-eater vette. At least a Z06, and with the Z07 package if you can find one. It was the (second) best C7 race car in a box that Chevy could make.

But, with the Z06/Z07 package, you can have your cake and eat it too. It will be more powerful than the first years C8, and the price savings over a ZR1 will allow you to buy BOTH a NEW Z06/Z07 AND a new Prius and have MORE POWER, and practicality too. I traded a C7 Stingray Z51 for a new Z06/Z07, and now that the party's almost over, i'm very happy with Chevy's second best racecar in a box.

 

Of course, to each their own, however I find HUD displays distracting and a waste of $ when a vehicle has a fine dash/control set-up like the C7. Most of my friends, including my wife, used their's for a few weeks until it's novelty wore off and haven't used it since.

 

GS for sure , wait till the C8 dropps , C7 prices are plummenting .

 

I always use it and can not imagine not having one now.. I believe everyone that has a HUD uses it all the time but they just do not think about it... you don't think about your windshield washers every time you climb in the car?? not until you turn them on

I think that most people who say they do not like a HUD is just because they do not have one...

 

Well.... You don't mention anything about you. If you're young, plan to use it as your only car, and live in crimeville, you should probably talk to your insurance agent. You might not be able to afford a Z06.

As for use, if you aren't going to a track, even a base stingray is overkill. Yes I have a Z51, and for 99% of the time the car is bored to death. Not me, the car. It is SO capable that it's not even funny. By the time the car is having fun, you are going at GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL velocities. The question of 460 or 650 Hp is just for bragging rights. The base car is faster and quicker than 97.000367% of all other cars. Any C7 is good. And people that say the GS is "better" street car are fooling themselves.Yes it is faster on a road course, but the real world isn't that. The only things that stop a C7, Z51, GS, Z06 in the real world are how much risk you want to take of going directly to jail. They are all FAST, and nobody goes driving around at 10/10's. Blind corners, off camber gravel in the road, school buses, kids, other morons going the other direction. You just don't know. Hell most C7 never drive 5/10's, and still scare themselves. Yes they are that capable.

If you are thinking used, get a 2016 or later. Basically get the newest car you can afford. But 2016+ has things (carplay or android auto) that the earlier cars don't.

I thought the 3lt was a waste of money for some more leather... That's me... It included NO other equipment, just more leather for about $3,000. And it seems that there are not just a few owners saying the 3lt dash leather is failing...

If I seriously wanted luxury I'd have bought an Aston Martin.

 

I have a 19 GS 2LT with a bunch of optional equipment. My previous was a 16 Z51Coupe 2LT. I find myself using the HUD 99% of the time and rarely looking at the dash. Now with the GS, I only look at it occasionally to monitor tire pressure. HUD is one of those must have items if you have ever had it in the past.

I was was never interested in a package higher than 2LT because I didn’t see the value in the extras. 2LT mainly gets you HUD, cooled seats, front cameras, rears cargo shade and net, a year of free Sirius and a better sound system. All things which were important to me.

I upgraded to the GS because I love the wide body and Z06 goodies, but didn’t need the 650HP for street driving. 460HP is more than enough to control and get yourself in trouble with.

I have several classic cars which are quick as hell, but there is nothing more refined than a C7 for the money. And the GS gets you the low, wide look that screams performance and produces endless thumbs up!