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Happy Thanksgiving! I'm a proud owner of a Shark Gray 2015 2lt Z51 Stingray Coupe 7 speed manual with Z06 ground effects with 24,000. I don't know a ton about cars, just love driving this car. So here's the question and I'm sure it's been discussed before but please gimme your opinion...
I was offered a great price to sell this car, about 5K above Carvana or KBB. I could replace it with a 2019 GS 2lt AT with 10,000 miles for an extra $17K. Is it worth it to upgrade to the Grand Sport? It's 4 years newer and has half the miles but besides the amazing look of the rear and wheels am I really getting anything worth the extra money? Or should I hold on to my car? It seems like even though it's the last year of the front engine Vettes that there are so many GS out there that it likely won't become collectible or appreciate in value. My head says keep my current one, my heart says get the new one. Grateful for any insight!
I would keep what you have, I would not want an AT after owning a M7. The GS really does not offer you anything outstanding that you are missing with your Stingray. Plus you would be buying a used car and who knows what problems it may have or had. Definitely nothing worth 17k in this move in my opinion.
If I only used my head to decide I would never own any corvettes. It's an emotional decision because it's entertainment. This is my favorite hobby and these cars give me a lot of fun. Your case is not an easy decision because you already have a pretty nice Z51. You didn't mention if yours has mag ride or NPP but the Grand Sport does. Those are two options that I love. The wide body totally makes the car look badass, so I gotta have that too. I came from a C5 Z06 so the decision to go with a 2019 GS was pretty easy. If you love the Grand Sport, I would go for it. You only live once. And you can always make more money.
Edit: Whups, I missed the automatic transmission (thanks to the 2nd post). No way would a trade yours for an auto GS. Never. A manual, definitely.
I spent a lot of time earlier in the year looking to move into a 2LT or 3LT GS from an 3LT Z51. With a lot of patience, I was able to get the price difference to about 12k, but still couldn't justify it. The only way I'd spend 17k extra would be to move into a Z06 and even at that, I'd have a hard time.
I'd never move from a manual to an auto unless I gave up on manuals completely. At that point, I'd shoot for a C8.
Although I preferred a manual, I once bought an auto Corvette because it was a beautiful car at an excellent price. Always regretted not waiting for a manual.
I spent a lot of time earlier in the year looking to move into a 2LT or 3LT GS from an 3LT Z51. With a lot of patience, I was able to get the price difference to about 12k, but still couldn't justify it. The only way I'd spend 17k extra would be to move into a Z06 and even at that, I'd have a hard time.
I'd never move from a manual to an auto unless I gave up on manuals completely. At that point, I'd shoot for a C8.
And the Z06 would not be $17k extra, much more.
And agree with your thought process on the auto trans and C8.
I appreciate your thoughts. This whole process started because Vroom offered me too much for my car.
Same thing that got many of us looking too.
I actually feel like the price difference between the GS and the Z51 is larger than it has been in the past....although I haven't looked in 4 months. It's all about the money in the middle at the end of the day.
Yeah probably a bit more depending on how patient you are. Back when I was looking, I was sitting at about 55k-58K trade for my 3LT Z51 and found some 1LT Z06 around 70-72k. Matters not now as I upgraded my daily driver instead lol.
Then you also have to worry about cracked wheels. I would love a wide body, but to me I would rather S/C my car and make it what I want. Bad thing now is that you sell high, and turn around to buy high. Lack of manual is a no deal for me
I'd struggle to trade a history I know for one I don't. Aesthetics aside, M7 v A8 seems like the only significant functional factor and that's a matter of personal preference. For me, the value proposition would have to be very good. Unless you think it's a great deal, I'd stick.
The only reasons I was willing to pay the extra money was because the car is newer and it seems like prices are going to stay high for a bit. So I thought by 2024 (when my C8 is supposed to be ready) the depreciaition might not be too bad on the C7. But, the wonderful Corvette Community has spoken and the consensus seems to be keep the M7 Z51 over the A8 GS.
Logically it isn't worth the extra 17k. Sounds like you are transmission agnostic. If you are, the trade up to the Grand Sport isn't much of an improvement over your car the way you have if fixed up. Now if it had an extra 190 HP, as in Z06, that's a different story. This is all from my perspective. Power is a priority with me. So I wouldn't be trading up to get the same HP. But if you like the looks of the GS, etc. Go for it!
It all depends on if you want an auto or a manual transmission. I would wait for a manual transmission and a Z06.
Also look in your wallet and see if you really want a GS.
Z51 to GS, NO! Not much difference between a GS and a Z51. $17k and a A/T NO, not even if it had a 7M! Put some 265’s up front, some 305’s on the back and lower it on the stock bolts if you haven’t already. Z51 to Z06 YES!
Just looking for your opinion
