Hello all. I've been noticing some great deals on new C7s. I was originally of the mindset of just waiting and getting a 2021 C8 but some of the prices ive seen are hard to pass up on. I'm mainly looking at the Grand Sports and have seen several listed under $60k. Right now my thought is buy a C7 GS now and wait 3-4 years to buy a C8 GS (provided they come out with one) unless i like the C7 so much i decide to keep it.

What i need to know is what to look for in a new C7 GS. Any issues or things to avoid? Not sure if i want to go with the auto or manual. Any issues with either transmission?

This will not be a daily driver....

FYI my current car I'd be trading is a paid off 2018 Camaro SS 1LE with 5k miles. I'd have to finance the difference. (Or most of it anyway) I'm thinking my car plus $25k for a 1LT GS. Sound about right?

Current car...

 

FYI, Kelly Blue Book says it's $27-30K (https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/camaro...30|true#survey)

 

KBB value means very little but thanks.

 

Assuming the newest fluid for the A8 solves the problems that some have, either the A8 or M7 would be good.

Also hit and miss is the possible problems with the top of the line trim 3LT (and 3LZ?).

The last known problem are is the wheels getting bent and or cracks.

Lots of posts here on the forum with info about all of the above.

 

2LT is the best bang for your buck IMO, unless options don’t really matter to you.

 

I've owned a 6th Gen SS 1LE (and a ZL1 1LE). Both cars are amazing!

I traded my ZLE for my current Grand Sport and it's a much better daily car IMO. It also feels significantly faster than the SS 1LE (mostly due to gearing, weight, and 335 wide tires haha). You have chosen wisely.

As far as issues, very little. The wheels are crap on C7 wide bodies (just like the regular ZL1) and I'd personally only buy a C7 in manual, but they are pretty solid cars.

Regarding features, mine has none. Seriously, ZERO feature 1LT and I'm quite happy with it. 2LT with PDR would be ideal in my opinion, but my budget and the availability of what I wanted when I bought kept me where I am at.

Keep us posted on what you do. NICE SS 1LE!

 

So, I was in the same exact boat not too long ago. I had a 2018 Camaro SS 1LE with about 6500 miles on it. I had a deposit down on a C8 Corvette but after pricing came out, I just couldn’t pull the trigger on the car, especially when the pricing was way too close to a current generation Z06. My thought process was, if I was to part ways with my 1LE, which was a hell of a machine, it needed to be at least a Grand Sport or Z06. I had a harder time justifying the GS purchase but the Z06 made a little more sense, so I went that way.

Grand Sports are great cars and when transitioning from a 1LE, it’ll feel like literally the same car but a bit lighter. When I drove one, that was my impression and therefore, I couldn’t justify the swap. As far as auto vs manual, it’ll be largely opinion based but, I went from the 1LE, which we both know is manual only to an A8 Z06. I’m glad that I went with an A8 for this car. It felt as though the purchase of this transmission was a bit of a roll of a dice but, will keep the gap a bit tighter between the performance if this generation compared to the next. Also, with a trans tune, torque converter, etc., that’ll change the manner of its shifting to better suit performance driving. Or, just get a range device and don’t worry about AFM and the shudder associated with it (that’s the overall consensus beyond fluid changes).

Good luck either way. I miss my 1LE on a daily basis but, I’m glad I stepped into at least a Z06. It was the most justifiable swap comparatively. And since my Z06 is my daily while I’m in the states, I didn’t think that a ZR1 made sense, either. It’s just a bit much for daily purposes.

edit: Oh and I got $35k for my trade in. Don’t listen to the low ball quotes.

 

Facts of Law:
Class Action Lawsuit on bent rims on Grand Sport and Z06
Class Action Lawsuit on A8 transmission
(four other CLA's on Z06 alone)

takeaway: GM has veered away from customer assistance to "So sue me" when things go wrong.

the above noted, I am v happy with my Z06 purchased this year, since it will be no more forever in current configuration.
I've had no problems with bent rims or A8 (as there is an aftermarket fix called RANGE that keeps the A8 running suweet and trouble-free). The prior c7 Stingray Z51 also trouble free, encouraged me to get the Z06.
(though I do cringe a bit more when I hit a pothole)
I also only buy 1lt/1lz vettes, I like them and the comfort level of both the Stingray and Z are fine in base form.

Since you are in the Chebby family, you know the GM mantra. So go for it.

 

The C7 is a great car and the GS is a good choice. As noted above, there have been some issues but remember, not everyone has the problems and at least in the case of the A8 transmission, the newest fluid change may have solved the shudder problem.

 

Find a new C7 you want and get a price. Not that hard. We're not used car dealers here. Just trying to be helpful. That's all. It's up to you to find the car you want.

 

Go ahead, get and enjoy the C7 now and the C8 later. Btw, it's NOT illegal to have more than one Vette at a time (as many of us will attest to).

 

Thanks so much for all of the replies!

Has Chevy at least covered the bent wheels under warranty?

Sounds like I'll just go with the manual since the Vette seems to have the same auto shudder issues the Camaro does. Its not my daily driver anyway.

Any of you have any luck scooping up a GS for under $60k?

I plan on hitting a couple dealers this week to do some test drives and crunch numbers. Wish i could afford a Z06 but it would be a bit of a stretch for where i want my payment to be. I like paying my cars off in a year or 2. The Z06 would be more of a long term payment that i dont want.

 

Chris
the wheels are covered if you purchase the wheel and tire warranty but you are at their mercy if they crack or bend waiting on a replacement. Could be weeks or months
‘I would go manual but that’s just me
my GS is a 1LT - no HUD, no memory package, no heated seats, no PDR and I bought it a year ago for 59k
same car today, same dealer is running about 54k

 

All great info. Thanks!

 

Just got home from crunching some numbers at my local Chevy. Seems we are about $8k-$9k apart. Offering me $32k for my trade and still want $64.5k for a 1LT GS....

Going to be passing by Stingray Chevy in my travels next Friday. They are a much bigger dealer that seems to have a ton of Vettes. They have about 10 of them advertised around $55k.

 

If you are willing to roll the dice on the gs/z06 despite rim issues, consider the 1lz z06 a strong contender.

If you can find a used 2lz within a few k price of a 1lz go for it but a 1lz is a sweet bargain as your only loss would be adjustable seat bolsters, homelink visor, memory seats. Heated cooled seats barely work on the c7.

I got the nav and pdr on ny 17 z06. I don't regret loosing the amenities listed above from my c6 as I found I rarely relied on them much.

 

$64.5k is not that great. MacMulkin has them for around $58k. Low on the trade, high on the buy. Nothing new here.

 

My thinking exactly. Trying to get closer to $34k for my trade and hopefully just under $60k for the GS. That would leave me $26k left to pay.

 

Well today was the day!! I've always wanted a Vette but kept finding myself choosing the Camaro for the better value. Not today. I finally own a new Vette!

Brand new 2019 1LT GS.

 

CONGRATS!
Nice looking ride sir! Welcome to the lowly 1LT GS Club...
We can help ya start spending that mod money, just ask us!
First ya need a 2LT drivers visor so you can control the garage door opener and the Mild2Wild controller....and maybe a different front splitter.
The list goes on and on....
Again...congrats!