carriccp

Looking at upgrading my 3LT Z51 M7 to a widebody, but am not sure which direction I want to go. Contemplating these 2 cars...thoughts? Will be a fun car, not tracked and primarily driven to/from work and on times I can escape the kids.

Option 1:
2019 1LT GS A8
$56K (will upgrade to stage 2 aero, so price is actually $750 closer to the Z)

Option 2:
2015 3LZ Z06 A8
23k miles
Tires are good
$57,500

I'm not totally sold on the GS since it's effectively what I have now other than widebody appearance for $16k more, minus the creature comforts of the 3LT that while they are nice, I don't have to have. My DD is a Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock, so even a 1LT is pretty much equivalent other than the lack of seat heaters. The warranty on the new GS is nice to have, but I'm thinking the 650 hp would probably be nicer? Thoughts from those that have a Z or have driven both?

Z0HS1CK

That price seems high for a 15z with 23k miles. Where do you live?

I got my brand new z, 1lz for 68k.

But to actually pick 1, I'd go for the z. Try to get some extended warranty.

The gs is slow. You'll regret it.

The HACK

The GS is far more than just the sum of its parts. It is an incredible machine on track, far more capable than 90% of cars costing 2-3x its price.

And it still remains one of the only few Corvette to ever win a direct comparison against a Porsche.


And those that own the GS (like me) would tell you that if you can't go fast all the time with 460hp, another 200 isn't going to help. I fortunately get to drive my GS well past 100+ mph all the time.


Having said that. I'm not going to lie. When I bought mine, had a new Z06 with M7 been available on the lot for $65K? No brainer. No one ever says no to 200 more HP.

For the price(s) and options listed, I'd get the Z06, even though it's used.

SlowVet05

I went through a similar debate between a C6Z and a C6 GS a few years ago. The bottom line is...no one regrets getting the Z06 over a Grand Sport. The reverse is not true.

Z0HS1CK

I originally went to the dealer to get a 17 grand sport. But at the time they only had autos. No manual were in yet, I'd have to wait another month. The dealer being 2.5 hours away I wasnt going to go back. I started to look at z06. They had the one I wanted. Arctic white with carbon flash bits, black wheels and red seats (although black interior). And a manual.

It was an easy choice.

I would have been kicking myself in the *** If I got the grand sport.

Once you experience the immense power of the z06, anything else with lesser power feels like a turtle.

Get the z06.

fatsport

I’ve had both and I agree. The GS is a better track car, has better weight balance. Too bad it has crap gearing, felt like all I could use effectively was 3rd. 2nd is too short, 4th is too tall.
Z is far better on the street, absolute beast.
Combine them and you have the perfect vette, Poorsha is doing it.

wagoetzmann

Get a Z and don't look back ……….

fatsport

Why get a 15Z? I saw a new 17Z go for $60K.
Far less hassles. Does the 15 have a bumper to bumper warranty or is it expired? All that 3LZ stuff is great til it isn’t.

Road machine

Got to agree with fatsport here. A 15 Z06 is pretty long in the tooth at this point and the 15s had a lot of issues. I think that if you look there are a lot better deals out there than this 15 Z06. You have put this up as a binary choice between a new GS and an overpriced 15 Z06....I think you have a lot more choices.

ZO6 cracker

I jumped into a 19 Z06 from my 04 Z06. Did not take a test drive in a grand sport. Just road tested a Z. I had my answer. There are good deals out there just have to keep looking.

Z0HS1CK

Agreed.

Hell even my dealer I got my z from has 19z for like 73k new 1lz.

dollarbill

You are on the “Z” forum so most will say “Z”. The GS body and suspension is more or less the same as the “Z” it is just missing the motor. It is a great car. As an earlier poster mentioned, you should be able to get a brand new 1LZ for around 70 and that is where I would focus. The comfort of the interior is more than fine. You won’t have a PDR but unless you are a track type get a dash cam and you will be good. The seat memory won’t be there but with power seats it is not a big deal. The street cooling is great with the Z and the torque will be amazing. My 2c

Monkey D. Luffy

Monkey D. Luffy

If you can wait 6 months the price of both the Z06 and GS are going to drop like a rock!!

serpent

The goal for those interested in a C7 should be looking at 17 and newer, 2LZ or 2LT and up. Front facing camera would be awesome to have.

Bill Dearborn

As far as I am concerned you shouldn't be looking at anything less than a 2LT/2LZ. The 1LT/1LZ cars don't have good resale while the 2KT/2LZ cars have an optimum number of options that bring a nice resale value while the 3LT/3LZs don't bring that much resale compared to the 2s. One huge advantage of the 2L cars is you get the curb view camera which makes parking head on in a parking spot with a stop curb a lot easier, a lot easier. That can save a lot of money right there. I have a 15 3LZ Z06/Z07 and that option wasn't available until the 2016 MY and I surely wish I had waited a month before buying my car as I didn't realize how easy it was to damage the $2K splitter hanging on the front of the car when pulling into a parking spot.

With the 2L series cars the only thing you need to consider then are whether you want GT or Comp Seats and whether you want the PDR/NAV option.

As for Z06 Vs Grand Sport if you aren't ever going to the track go with the GS. The GS is a great track car but the Z06 is much better. It is quite the track monster and the HP difference means it can pull the Stage 3 Aero through the air better than the GS (GS Z07 doesn't get the center wicker in the rear spoiler) so you can get better down force accelerating off corners.

Bill

Z0HS1CK

Bill you forgot to mention that a z06 is also fun on the street which I assume the main usage for these cars. And the track being secondary.

How disappointing will it be driving your gs and you're accelerating merging on the highway and a civic type r with just an intake and tune is right on your *** matching your speed haha.

With a z06 he wont even come close to you. Just something to think about lol

The HACK

REALLY? Why the GS hate? Are you really THAT insecure that you have to put down a fellow Corvette to make YOU feel good?

460hp and 465 ft*lbs of torque in a 3,400lbs car is still faster than 99% of the cars on market today, and frankly, nothing to sneeze at.

I have enough respect for other cars, makes, and models to know "to each his own."

Attitude like this is what gives Corvette owners a bad reputation. Bunch of guys who sits around bench racing and wads their cars into the wall or a tree the first time they "step on it."

FFS.

carriccp

No warranty on the 15 Z06. I was looking at this one because it's fairly close to me and exterior wise exactly what I'm looking for (would ultimately prefer comp seats like I have now interior wise). I'll have to see if I can get the price down a little more if it's overpriced at what it's at now; they don't seem flexible. New (or newer) Z is out of the budget. If they won't budge, I'll just keep looking. I think I would probably kick myself if I spend the money to upgrade just for the widebody if I don't get the horsepower with it.

Z06_Ruff

To be honest you really can't go wrong with either choice. They are both great cars, but me personally would go with the Z. And as others have stated 17 2L/3L and up would be my goal.