GS vs Stingray
 

So my 2016 1lt non Z51 lease is almost over (Great car only 23000 miles) and I am starting the process of leasing a new 2018 Grand Sport. Both are A8.
Due to the heavier GS how much slower is it then my Stingray? I would assume the GS might hook a bit better with the wider tires but it is heavier with the bigger rotors-calipers-electronic rear diff and all the extra coolers and dry sump.

Both cars are more than fast enough to get your license taken away until hell freezes over.

The GS handles better, is more luxurious, and definitely looks better

Unless you really like the looks or are going to track the car, the stingray is more car than you will ever use on the street.

How so?

The weight difference between Z51 and GS is pretty minimal.

A Z51 with a full tank of gas is pretty close to the weight of a GS with a 1/4 full tank. They both have the same coolers, sways, etc. It's just the GS's larger brakes, wheels, and tires that give it a few added pounds.

Consider the GS has stiffer spinngs, a huge front sway bar and one in the rear. The base car has softer springs a small front sway bar and none in the rear. The MRC does not make it ride as soft as the Base car. In fact I found in Touring my GS was not much different in ride stiffness than my none MRC 2014 Z51. It Sport it was stiffer. Now with the MRC update in Sport it is less harsh but NOT a soft ride.

Be ready to change brake pads as soon as you get it or like I did with my Z51 for too many months I was washing my wheels every ~200 miles or the brake dust from those racing type pads not only looked bad they were pitting my black wheels. Guess you just eat the cost on a lease. After I installed Carbotech 1521 street only pads (which I also have on my Grand Sport) I wash the wheels when I wash the car. 85% less dust and what is there does not pit the wheels!

Those wider tires also add to the road noise but it was loud enough in my C7 Z51 it did not make a big difference to my solution. I still have my radio playing >1000 songs in shuffle mode when I start the car. It's seldom off!

The GS is actually slightly faster even though a little heavier.

Get the vert and you don't hear road noise. ;)

Buy the one you want... If you don't care about the wide body, it should make the decision easy.. To me the GS is the only choice, the wide body to me is looks way better, but its what you like not the guys on the forum...

I don't have a z51

Yup... saw that AFTER I posted! Oh well -- left it in there as part of the weight discussion. :D

The GS is no more "luxurious" than the Stingray. Other than the aero bits and pieces that are optional for the GS but not the Stingray, all the other options, including interior trim packages, are pretty much identical.

I agree about the handling and looks, though. :cheers:

Even though the GS is a bit heavier than the Z51, it should actually be a bit quicker in acceleration because of the better traction afforded by the larger tires. Top-end will be slightly slower because the wide-body is less aerodynamic. IIRC, the GS weighs in about 100# more than a Stingray. More luxurious? I don't see how, as the interior and features are the same given the same options.

:iagree:

The only real choice is skinny or wide body. If the GS didn't exist I would have gone for a Stingray/Z51 and been just as happy.

GS accelerates slightly quicker due to bigger tires as mentioned. GS is a lot quicker on the track due to bigger tires and brakes. In C&D lightning lap the GS ran 2:47.1 the Z51 2:53.8. Of course, if you are just going to daily drive the car, all of this doesn't matter, and get what you like the best.


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...un-2-47-s.html

The GS is a better track car, if you are not going to track it then it comes down to wide body or not.

If you are going to lease then it probably come down to which model leases out the best. A 1LT GS is about $10k more than a 1LT base. IMO, the C7 GS looks wider than a stingray but not nearly as much as it was with the C6. The GS has much more aggressive wheels and tires but you have the associated cost that goes with them. Rougher ride and $1800 to replace them. Not fun when you go to turn in the lease and they say, sorry not enough tread left, $1800 please.

As for performance, the GS will handle better but you will not be able to use the performance limits on the street. If you are leasing I doubt you are tracking the car. Many will argue the base models make better daily drivers.

Any decent Corvette Clubs in Las Vegas? I have a 2016 Z51 3LT. I have a home in Sun City Summerliin as well as California. I would be interested in joining a Las Vegas Corvette Club, if one exists.

Isn't the cockpit volume the same between the GS, Stingray, Z06 and ZR1? Even though the body is wider on a GS, Z06, and ZR1 the car is not any more roomy inside. Something that is missed in all the conversation. You really have to like the wide body, which I do but don't get lulled to sleep that it is any roomier inside the cockpit.

Cabin is the same dimensions in all models. The GS and Z06 are 3.5 inches wider because the the wheel fender wells flaring out.