Former GS Vette owner
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,599
Likes: 12,854
From: Virginia
Hello all,
I want to reach out to those former C7 owners who had the 7-speed manual and see what everyone's opinion might be regarding going to the C8. Now that the market is finally coming back to reality I started looking at them again. I will be honest I do miss my C7 GS and I recently test-drove an Artic White 23 2lt C8 with 2600 miles and Velocity Yellow Tintcoat C7 Z06 w 13k miles manual in mint condition and these 2 cars are 2 different cars obviously. I felt right at home with the Z06 even though I had never driven one before as I was very much at home. and felt engaged with the car which is why I like the manual. This is a 9-year-old car that was very well kept in mint condition as it looks still brand new interior and exterior.
The C8 on the other hand made me feel very uncomfortable I guess since it is a new design and the gt2 seats were tight around the lower shoulders since I have broad shoulders which I hear will get better as I get more seat time. I drove both cars on the same road for about 15 mins each.
I am interested in the color (Amplified Orange Tintcoat) 1LT C8 which will be delivered in a week or 2 the Mgr reserved it for me without a deposit and said he wanted me to see it in person. Not sure what would be the best road to take so please let me hear your opinions. Are there any concerns about buying a 9-year-old Z06? Am I better in the long run to stick with the C8? Thanks!
I want to reach out to those former C7 owners who had the 7-speed manual and see what everyone's opinion might be regarding going to the C8. Now that the market is finally coming back to reality I started looking at them again. I will be honest I do miss my C7 GS and I recently test-drove an Artic White 23 2lt C8 with 2600 miles and Velocity Yellow Tintcoat C7 Z06 w 13k miles manual in mint condition and these 2 cars are 2 different cars obviously. I felt right at home with the Z06 even though I had never driven one before as I was very much at home. and felt engaged with the car which is why I like the manual. This is a 9-year-old car that was very well kept in mint condition as it looks still brand new interior and exterior.
The C8 on the other hand made me feel very uncomfortable I guess since it is a new design and the gt2 seats were tight around the lower shoulders since I have broad shoulders which I hear will get better as I get more seat time. I drove both cars on the same road for about 15 mins each.
I am interested in the color (Amplified Orange Tintcoat) 1LT C8 which will be delivered in a week or 2 the Mgr reserved it for me without a deposit and said he wanted me to see it in person. Not sure what would be the best road to take so please let me hear your opinions. Are there any concerns about buying a 9-year-old Z06? Am I better in the long run to stick with the C8? Thanks!
I also have broader shoulders and experienced the same pinch points as you with the G2 seats, so went with the GT1 which work better for my body type.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 646
From: manalapan new jersey
Hello all,
I want to reach out to those former C7 owners who had the 7-speed manual and see what everyone's opinion might be regarding going to the C8. Now that the market is finally coming back to reality I started looking at them again. I will be honest I do miss my C7 GS and I recently test-drove an Artic White 23 2lt C8 with 2600 miles and Velocity Yellow Tintcoat C7 Z06 w 13k miles manual in mint condition and these 2 cars are 2 different cars obviously. I felt right at home with the Z06 even though I had never driven one before as I was very much at home. and felt engaged with the car which is why I like the manual. This is a 9-year-old car that was very well kept in mint condition as it looks still brand new interior and exterior.
The C8 on the other hand made me feel very uncomfortable I guess since it is a new design and the gt2 seats were tight around the lower shoulders since I have broad shoulders which I hear will get better as I get more seat time. I drove both cars on the same road for about 15 mins each.
I am interested in the color (Amplified Orange Tintcoat) 1LT C8 which will be delivered in a week or 2 the Mgr reserved it for me without a deposit and said he wanted me to see it in person. Not sure what would be the best road to take so please let me hear your opinions. Are there any concerns about buying a 9-year-old Z06? Am I better in the long run to stick with the C8? Thanks!
I want to reach out to those former C7 owners who had the 7-speed manual and see what everyone's opinion might be regarding going to the C8. Now that the market is finally coming back to reality I started looking at them again. I will be honest I do miss my C7 GS and I recently test-drove an Artic White 23 2lt C8 with 2600 miles and Velocity Yellow Tintcoat C7 Z06 w 13k miles manual in mint condition and these 2 cars are 2 different cars obviously. I felt right at home with the Z06 even though I had never driven one before as I was very much at home. and felt engaged with the car which is why I like the manual. This is a 9-year-old car that was very well kept in mint condition as it looks still brand new interior and exterior.
The C8 on the other hand made me feel very uncomfortable I guess since it is a new design and the gt2 seats were tight around the lower shoulders since I have broad shoulders which I hear will get better as I get more seat time. I drove both cars on the same road for about 15 mins each.
I am interested in the color (Amplified Orange Tintcoat) 1LT C8 which will be delivered in a week or 2 the Mgr reserved it for me without a deposit and said he wanted me to see it in person. Not sure what would be the best road to take so please let me hear your opinions. Are there any concerns about buying a 9-year-old Z06? Am I better in the long run to stick with the C8? Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 602
Likes: 408
From: Texas
When I was looking at cars over a year ago, I went to drive a used 2020 GT350R and they also had a 2019 C7Z and a 2022 C8 Z51 on the lot. After driving all 3, the C8 won hands down for its modern looks and mid-engine / DTC refinement. It was not the fastest, but it ticked all of the “sports car” boxes, and after coming from a previous 2018 GT350 and 2000 Viper GTS, I really wanted something newer with a full warranty.
I did not buy the used C8, but I immediately started searching for a new C8 vs a used C7Z mainly for the new technology. It only took me a week of searching, but I found a 2023 2LT Z51 with lots of extras for MSRP (unheard of at the time) that was pretty much what I would have ordered, so I bought it. I have the GT2 seats and they fit me and my wife without issues.
I did not buy the used C8, but I immediately started searching for a new C8 vs a used C7Z mainly for the new technology. It only took me a week of searching, but I found a 2023 2LT Z51 with lots of extras for MSRP (unheard of at the time) that was pretty much what I would have ordered, so I bought it. I have the GT2 seats and they fit me and my wife without issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,040
Likes: 4,609
Are there any concerns about buying a 9-year-old Z06? 
Am I better in the long run to stick with the C8?
Am I better in the long run to stick with the C8?
None whatsoever. The C7 Z06 M7 is your calling.❤ I would act on that one before someone else does.
The c8 ?? Ah, you can pick up one of those later on......😉
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 299
Likes: 131
From: Raleigh, NC
When I was looking at cars over a year ago, I went to drive a used 2020 GT350R and they also had a 2019 C7Z and a 2022 C8 Z51 on the lot. After driving all 3, the C8 won hands down for its modern looks and mid-engine / DTC refinement. It was not the fastest, but it ticked all of the “sports car” boxes, and after coming from a previous 2018 GT350 and 2000 Viper GTS, I really wanted something newer with a full warranty.
I did not buy the used C8, but I immediately started searching for a new C8 vs a used C7Z mainly for the new technology. It only took me a week of searching, but I found a 2023 2LT Z51 with lots of extras for MSRP (unheard of at the time) that was pretty much what I would have ordered, so I bought it. I have the GT2 seats and they fit me and my wife without issues.
I did not buy the used C8, but I immediately started searching for a new C8 vs a used C7Z mainly for the new technology. It only took me a week of searching, but I found a 2023 2LT Z51 with lots of extras for MSRP (unheard of at the time) that was pretty much what I would have ordered, so I bought it. I have the GT2 seats and they fit me and my wife without issues.
Last edited by Grand_Wish; May 14, 2024 at 07:47 AM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 299
Likes: 131
From: Raleigh, NC
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,048
Likes: 3,390
I can believe that given the short time I was in the car. It felt rock solid and was very comparable to my 19GS I use to own minus 185hp. What a rocket ship....lol.I have to determine if I will be happy not rowing the gears and looking forward to having a warranty and not worry. Things happen so I get that with any car. Good to know she's still holding up well.
I can't imagine what your car would be like after camming it!!! Holy cow!
Thanks for sharing!
I can't imagine what your car would be like after camming it!!! Holy cow!
Thanks for sharing!
That was my goal weeks leading up to going to the dealer. But then when i got there, since GS's were still new to the market, they only had automatic GS's on the lot and i didn't know that. I didn't want to go home without a car since i traveled 2 hours so i then saw z06's on the lot, which costs more obviously but i saw the color combo i wanted and it was a manual. But it was at the front door as if someone bought it but come to find out someone just finished test driving it so i said i wanna test drive it too lol. So i test drove it, loved it, and then bought it.
To be honest, SR's are great. But after i rented one it just felt very bland. Plus with the z06 and ERAY out, the standard body doesn't look that appealing IMO. Especially in stock form.
The only gripe i had with the SR was that it was more refined but the tradeoff is power. When you want more power, it will never come.
Something like a C7Z. It's tame when you want it, then when you want to put car lengths on people you can, because the power will be there for you.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 496
From: Glenelg MD
Traded up from my C7 GS to a C8 just a few months ago... overall it was a solid decision, but I do miss some things on the C7 (like the manual tranny). The C8 feels more planted in turns, but the C7 was significantly easier to deal with at very low speeds (like creeping on the highway when there's an accident or construction... the C8 has a speed up / slow down resonance around 6mph that tranny doesn't know how to get out of until you hit the brakes or the gas). On that note, the C8 has greater difficulty idling while creeping at a few miles an hour because of the slipping DCT... you can give it a touch of gas, the revs will increase (1k rpm?), but the car doesn't go any faster. Minor, but an annoyance if you're in slow traffic a lot. Average maintenance costs on the C8 are higher, again, mainly due to the DCT. Overall, the C8 feels slightly more refined, more like a high-performance car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 157
From: Springfield MO