I was in the same boat as you when I was looking for my Vette; kept asking myself and others "should I go with a Grand Sport or Z06?". I ultimately decided on the Z06 (2019 2LZ) and have had absolutely zero regrets. Was it more expensive then what I was originally thinking of getting and paying? Yes. I was actually just looking to get just a base Stingray (no offense to those owners ) but after researching more and talking with people on here I eventually got talked into the Z06. Now I'll never have to wonder "what if" had I gone with the Stingray or GS. However, that was/is my mindset. Everyone is different. Some are perfectly happy with a Stingray or GS. In my opinion, and since this would most likely be your last Corvette, I would say go with a 2017 or newer Z06. Just doing a quick search on Cars.com and there look to be a handful of 2017 Z06's in the high $60k/low $70k price range with less than 20k miles. Lastly, keep in mind regardless if you go with the GS or Z06 you're going to love it!

Matt

 

I guess I won't likely be welcomed back to the C7 world anytime soon but I did end up buying a Corvette with pretty much everything I was looking for except for the C7 Z06 badge. I'm happy for all the C7 Z06 owners and all I can say is you bought your cars at the right time. From when I started looking at very affordable C7 Z06's at the start of this summer, by August I just wasn't willing to lay down $70K to $80K (or more) on a 2015 to 2019. I certainly have nothing bad to say about the C7 Z06 other than I was either unable to afford what I wanted and/or unwilling to pay what people were asking.

For those of you who might give a hoot, I ended up ruling out supercharging a C7 Grand Sport which in most cases were selling for Z07 money. So what did I buy? You might remember, at this point in my life, I had a number or reasons for neededing an automatic. If you would have told me I would have ever found a C6 Z06 with a factory like M6 to automatic conversion and a naturally aspirated 427 that makes C7 superchager-like power, I would have laughed.

What I bought was a 2006 C6 Z06 with 3500 miles. Soon after breakin mileage this new car was sent to Lingenfelter for its 616Hp engine package. Soon after the original buyer had his Lingenfelter package he sent the car to RPM to build and install their stage-7, 4L60 automatic conversion into his new 2006 Lingenfelter Z06. It wasn't long before the stories about the LS7 heads manufacturing defect started to surfaced. The car went back to the tuner as the 616 Package only addressed the heads springs and retainers. This time the heads were machined, resurfaced and upgraded in accordance with Lingenfelters 630 Hp package. New valve guides, hollow stainless exhaust valves, and a trunnion upgrade kit which upgrades the rockers for higher stability and stiffness were added. So for a minimum of $20K less than I could buy a pre 2017 C7 Z06 and a minimum $30K less than I could buy a 2017 and later model year C7 Z06 I have a naturally aspirated Lingenfelter 427, with 3500 original miles and a RPM "built" automatic C6 with C7-like horsepower and torque. Granted, I'm not going to run away from any C7 Z06's but for those who don't know how to get their C7s power to the ground I'm going to win a few battles.

All kidding aside, at face value, I wanted a C7 Z07. I never thought I would have found the car I bought from an original owner who, BTW also installed, Phadt coil overs, a carbon fiber GM high rise hood, and CCW forged wheels. The former owner was a great guy who was building the car to drag race. He didn't finish his dream before he retired and needed to sell his C6 Z06 in order to have room for his other very "high-end" Corvettes which includes a C6 ZR-1, a C7 Z06 and will soon include a C8 Z06.

 

No pix of either the C6Z06, the "best-in-the-country" C4ZR-1, or, the automatic C6Z06 #threadfail

 

Get the front cameras. Skip multiple tops.

 

Getting what you want is such a personal issue. I've owned two C7. A 2016 Z51 3LT and now a 2017 GS 3LT.
I like Cameras for parking,
I like HUD
I like black interiors
Both have been A8. Had the triple flush no more shuddering
I hate the AFM and suggest a Range device to eliminate going from 8cyl to 4cyl
Almost any C7 color is good, I like Yellow, but many really nice colors
I do not like convertables
I like having only one top. I do not like transparent top- to hot and noisy
I've had a couple of C6 Z06's and liked them, but I am not a fan of superchargers so have avoided C7 Z06.
I like a lot of stuff so 3LT has a lot.
I like memory seats
I like wide body look, but regular is still nice
I like chrome or aluminum wheels

Pricing is regional and very dependent on condition
Good luck

 

I'm late to this thread, but my solution would have been to teach them to drive a manual, lol.

My 15 year old can drive a manual, and in fact, he just bought his first car, a manual 1987 Porsche 944.

In all seriousness though, good luck, it's a nice dilemma to have!

 

Did nobody read that he said he got a car?
Congrats OP! Sounds nice.

 

If you really want a wide body get a Z06. The GS is an expensive wannabe.
I was going for a GS a couple years ago. Couldn’t justify the cost vs a Stingray.
Extra weight, more expensive tires and crappy wheels. And, you get the same motor in the base car.
Very happy with my Z51 Stingray.
And most people can’t tell the difference between a wide body and the base car.

 

You're very happy with your Z51 Stingray.
Is it unthinkable that GS owners are very happy with the same motor in their GS?

 

Spring for the Z06 if you get one. You will always wish that you had in the back of your mind. I originally picked up a c7 base (z51 but still base) and always regretted it, esp when someone else was in a Z. Swapped it out and its a much better car all around, not to mention looks much better.

 

I didn't say the best, I said one of the best. There are a lot of great C4 ZR-1s. None in any better condition than mine but a few with upgrades that go well beyond the 500+ Hp LT5 I had. Regardless of how unique they may be, you really want C4 ZR-1 and C6 Z06 pictures posted on your C7 forum? I don't think so...

 

If people are reading your story, they prolly wanna see a pic or two too. Those cars were once the top dogs. They coulda been referenced as pix for #throwbackthursday(tuesdayedition)