I didn't go for a base stingray, but I did go from a C6Z06 to a C7GS. Torque is pretty much the same but I do miss the top end rush that my Z had. Like someone else said, I don't miss it enough to go back. The newer ones are just much nicer cars to drive.

Not entirely true, the C5 had an option for 3.15 gears on the A4

From everything I've read here on CF......
Too much of a downward spiral to the base C7, from your experience/perspective. Forget the GS - that's flushing almost $11K down the crapper. The Z51 with MagRide is the undeniable sweet spot in performance and $ value. You'll thank me. 👍

That said, I am wondering if there's just too many things, ergonomically and otherwise, whereas you won't bond or care for the whole C7 enchilada?

A satisfied C6ZO6 devotee, is likely to reject the C7, based on a Top Down assessment. Trouble is, you're then out the coin.....

Good luck - either way.

Here in the real world, it's $3200 more for the wide body, bigger brakes, aero etc. from the Z06. Jesus Joe, I don't even know you and I'm already sick of seeing you crap all over the GS without actually understanding what you're getting for the money...

I owned one of those. Special ordered an early 2014 Stingray, 3LT, Z51, NPP, M7. Best value at the time. Then they came out with the Grand Sport. Which is now the sweet spot for many reasons. It's also been selling more than the Z51 since the Grand Sport came out. The wider tires front and rear are usable, the fronts are the same width as the rear of a Z51. The Brakes are bigger. You get better brake cooling, better aero and the Z06 suspension. All for just 3200 dollars more.

He is just lost in yesterday, 2014, and 2015 when Z51 was the killer deal. Now its the Grand Sport.

I would not expect some one who thinks 87 octane is recommended for the Stingray or who thinks 25,000 miles is good for an oil change to understand. I think he is in his own little world.

I had an 08 ZO6 manual, Now have an 18 auto. I wish I had my z back. I still thing the C/6 body style is so much nicer than the 7.

I went from a Lingenfelter C6 to a C7 Z06. Way back when, I have a previous post talking about my dealership experience. After making the decision to move into a C7, I went to the dealership, hopped into a Automatic Black C7 Stingray. After jumping on the freeway and rolling on the throttle - I looked over and said THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR ME. We went back, pulled the Z06 out (which was manual) and I learned 2 things instantly - The Stingray was not enough power for me and I had to have the Manual. Although we did not agree on THAT specific Z06, that test drive meant everything. I highly encourage you to drive BOTH before this large purchase as we see all to often on this forum where buyers are happy for the first 3 months, then want to upgrade. just my 2 cents

I would say test drive always. These cars come in so many different permutations that you need to know what you're getting, and whether you're going to be happy with it.

Is he ...crazy?

Went from a 2002 C5 Z06 to a 2006 C6 Z06 to a 2017 GS.
The GS has almost if not as much power as the C6 Z06 in my opinion because of how it handles power despite having ~40-45 HP less. But what you gain in comfort (seats), convenience (media and other features like the PDR, rear camera that my 2006 didn't have), interior quality, and especially the handlign makes it worth it. As one of the car magazines said when the C7 came out, "if I had tried that in the C6, I would've been wrapped around a tree." It's true! This thing grips like crazy, esp. the GS wider rear and tires. Well worth it.

Agreed. I had a modified 2002 Z06 (heads/cam/full exhaust/tune). I have a 2019 GS Vert now and it is day and night. The GS puts the power down and has incredible grip. I never drove a C6 Z06 but I know they are known for how they pull stronger and stronger all the way to redline, which is nice but I think you would still be happy with the LT1 power curve. It produces nice torque down low but will still pull pretty hard to 6k.

I owned a C6 Z new for 7 years. Personally ,I would have never traded that for a C7 non wide body Vette. IMO they look anemic. Like something's missing with that car. Now a wide bodied C7 ,that's a different story.

:iagree:
Just got back from doing some back road driving in my new (to me) 15 Z51 M7 (w/ mag ride and comp seats). Over the same roads that I've driven my 13 GS with mag ride over previously, the C7 felt like it wasn't even breaking a sweat. The C6 (and C5) have always felt to me (on street and road course) like the rear end was uncommunicative, and at anything beyond 8/10ths like it was always on the edge of letting go. With the C5/C6 you had to really just trust that car was going to stick because it wasn't going to make you comfortable about it. The C7 is totally different, very communicative and way better to put the power down coming out of corners and handle mid corner corrections much better (like when you come in to hot and realize it's a decreasing radius corner). I'm sure a lot of this is due to the eDiff, but whatever it is, it just works.

The comp seats in mine also play a big part in making the car "feel" like it handles better as I'm not constantly sliding around like I was in my 13 GS, or having to brace a knee against the door. They hold almost as tight as the C4 sport seats in my 91 ZR-1, which are the most aggressive seats I've seen in a Vette (and honestly anything short of a full on race seat). They are also very comfortable, I spent about 2.5 hours on them for the first leg, and a good 2 hours for the after lunch leg, and did not feel beat up at all once I got out of them. Having said that, it is critical to make sure you adjust them correctly, not what you think is correct, but actually correctly per HPDE standards like Spring Mountain gives:
1. sit in the seat, and push the clutch in all the way
2. adjust the seat forward, and the front of the seat bottom up, until the clutch is on the floor, and there is about 3-4 inches between knee and the underside of the dash
3. tilt the seat back so that with arms extended over the top of the steering wheel, the wheel should cross at the wrist (or just below wrist closer to the elbow)
4. the height of the steering wheel should be set so that your hands are at about shoulder height, when at the 9 & 3 positions
Almost EVERYONE that hasn't been through an HPDE event with a good instructor will set their seats wrong, typically reclined way too far or with the seat to far back. This leads to strain on your body that will show up quickly if you drive the car beyond 30-60 minutes.

As to power between C6 Z06 vs C7, it really depends on whether you wrung every rpm out of the Z06. The LT1 actually feels stronger than an LS7 below 5500, and it's only on the upper end that the LS7 has an advantage. Even there, it's not like the LT1 is a slug, it pulls hard all the way to the rev limiter. I'm perfectly happy with it and my 13 GS had a blower and was mading about 800HP, and my other current Vette, a C4 ZR-1 with a 391 cubic inch LT5, makes over 600HP.

Last point, if your wife is anything like mine, she'll like the C7 way better. Mine drives a stick, so I didn't have to worry about the auto, but she's already commented on the heated/cooled seats and separate climate controls for her side.

I think Im going to wait and see what happens with the C8. Right now its too much money for a car I don't like as much. Maybe it would grow on me but I think Id have to get into a grand sport and I can't do that right now.Im afraid now Im not going to like the C8 as much either but we will see.