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Let’s say you are looking to “upgrade”. C6 ZR1, 427, or C7
Have had my C6 for little over 5 years, pretty much a garage queen that we drive on trips and when out on town. Other than that just a short drive here and there.
Got A6 with paddle shift so wife could drive it but she has only driven in 3-4 times since I bought it. Did surprise me one afternoon at my office back in spring when she pulled up in it
Have looked at couple C6 ZR1’s with low mileage and also like the 2013 427’s as well . Actually have found a ZR1 in CRM which I really love.
Other option is going from C6 to C7
Curuious to thoughts on these options, end of day may just keep what I have since it is not driven a whole lot . Main thing that does concern me with ZR1 or 427 is manual IF wife ever wants or NEEDS (to drive me home ) drive it
Have not driven C7 but have sat in a few, 2 of my clients went from C6 to C7 and are happy
Probably could teach wife to drive a manual for just in case if I had to
Really like the ZR1's, but it a whole different car in regards to maintenance costs.
To just narrow it down to the brake calipers, they are carbon fiber, and go for over a Grand each when they have to be replaced (can not be resurfaced). Also, keep in mind that the ZR1 is build dam near race conditions, so brake pads and even rotors, will be an item that tend to wear out in say 40K.
As for ride, even with it having F55, still stiffer than that of a base ride, so keep that in mind since it can be a back breaker on less them smooth roads.The Z06's are also a very stiff riding car, so no joy on rough roads.
Lastly, the ZR1 runs a dual disc clutch, and unlike the standard disc OEM clutch, as the ZR1 clutch wears, it becomes harder to press the pedal down.
So most of the ZR1's you will find, is not that someone is trading up to move into a C7 so much, but that they are over their head in maintenance costs of the car, and when you do find one, it does need some work. Brake and rotors are huge one, as well as the clutch on it last legs and needing to be replaced too. As for higher mileage ZR1's of say close to 100K, plan it being time that the TVS-2300 super charger needs to be pulled apart to change it ball bearings before it starts to eat the blades as well.
Trust is, if your looking for more sporty C6, but not looking to race it instead, then GS model would be a good upgrade to look at. It really a Sheep in Wolf clothing for the most part compared to the Z06 or ZR1, but it at least looks the part when not pushed instead.
My vote would also be for a C6 Grand Sport. It has the Z06 styling and brakes but not the Z06 LS7 head problem and you can get it in an auto (I still recommend the manual as this will have a handbuilt, dry-sump LS3, and its a manual).
I also prefer the styling of the C6 GS over the C7. Another thing I don't like about the C7 is that it has a digital guage cluster whereas the C6 GS has all analogue guages.
For me, a key factor of a corvette is opening the roof in some way. So the z06 and zr1 are not really interesting to me. A 427 is the only other c6 I would want after owning my ce gs.
Truth be told, I suspect that if something happened to my car, I wouldnt end up in another corvette, at least not a modern one. I might end up in q 69-72 chrome bumper car, but would probably move on to a porsche 911 or something else. The c7 doesnt appeal to me, it's too electronic and has too many integrated driver aids, it doesnt feel like really driving to me. It just feels too much like an old man poser car to me. So that's my answer, itd be a 427, or moving on to a different car. My GS is my ultimate c6, and my 3rd c6 si I've been through a few of them, haha.
I agree with the previous posts regarding the Grand Sport. I also think a C7 is a serious option for you. The GS will be a huge difference in looks and feel when driving; however, zero difference inside. C7 will be a completely different experience in every aspect. You should drive both. If a mechanical connection to the car is not important to you, stick with the auto. I do miss my manual C6s - kudos to Chevy for keeping the stick alive.
I currently have a 12 GS. My next car will be a C7 GS. I really think the extra styling on it works over the c7 stingray. Now that the used ones are coming down in price, I would take that over a 427 or any other C6.
[QUOTE=Dano523;1598338673]Really like the ZR1's, but it a whole different car in regards to maintenance costs.
To just narrow it down to the brake calipers, they are carbon fiber, and go for over a Grand each when they have to be replaced (can not be resurfaced). Also, keep in mind that the ZR1 is build dam near race conditions, so brake pads and even rotors, will be an item that tend to wear out in say 40K.
As for ride, even with it having F55, still stiffer than that of a base ride, so keep that in mind since it can be a back breaker on less them smooth roads.The Z06's are also a very stiff riding car, so no joy on rough roads.
Lastly, the ZR1 runs a dual disc clutch, and unlike the standard disc OEM clutch, as the ZR1 clutch wears, it becomes harder to press the pedal down.
So most of the ZR1's you will find, is not that someone is trading up to move into a C7 so much, but that they are over their head in maintenance costs of the car, and when you do find one, it does need some work. Brake and rotors are huge one, as well as the clutch on it last legs and needing to be replaced too. As for higher mileage ZR1's of say close to 100K, plan it being time that the TVS-2300 super charger needs to be pulled apart to change it ball bearings before it starts to eat the blades as well.
Trust is, if your looking for more sporty C6, but not looking to race it instead, then GS model would be a good upgrade to look at. It really a Sheep in Wolf clothing for the most part compared to the Z06 or ZR1, but it at least looks the part when not pushed instead.[/QUOTE . That's some bad info. #1 Most of the for sale ZR1's are mint low milage and have NOTHING TO DO with over their head maintenance costs.#2 Brakes are carbon ceramic not fibre and will stay clean and last a lifetime unless you are tracking daily. #3. A ZR1 will ride as nice or nicer than any C6. #4. Clutch will also last a lifetime unless abused.
Well, for me, truth be told, yep - C6 ZR1. Dayum they are badass. That’s my all-time dream car. For the Op, based on his comments, the GS and Stingray or C7 GS make the most sense.
You can not go wrong with any of the cars you mentioned so go with the one that puts the biggest smile on your face. From my perspective I have owned 6 Corvettes over the past 40 years or so including a 2011 C6 and a 2015 C7 Z51. I sold the C7 to buy a garage queen 2013 Anniversary 427. I like the look of that car and 505hp without a turbo/super charger. C7 has an upgraded seat and electronics but not a fan of the large rear. If you buy used it becomes all about condition and how the car was maintained IMO. Of all the Corvettes on the road the red C6 GS pictured as posted above by Spaceme1117 is hard to beat. Good luck.
C6 ZR1 doesn't sound like it would fit your wants, plus there's a lot more to ownership/maintenance compared to an LS3 or LT1, you'd be happiest with a C7 or C6 GS imo.
If it were me? I'd love a Zr1, and I'd daily drive it. And for that reason, I couldn't buy a Zr1. Too many people find them to be too idealized to daily drive, and I would feel bad taking one off the market. So next up would be a Grand Sport with front Z06 fenders and a Heartbeat supercharger on top. Basically making a Zr1 without the Zr1 nameplate. And yes, i'd still daily drive it.
But that's kind of MY way of doing things. I daily my C6, drive it back and forth to work, carpooling my wife. She and I enjoy driving it, so we take any excuse to drive it. In fact ,we loaded up our grocery run last weekend with the Corvette. I've got almost 100k miles, and my paint has a couple scratches. To me, the car is more fun to be driven, so I take the depreciation hit. Therefore, getting a legit Zr1 is probably not ideal for my needs, since I'd depreciate it pretty hard. But a supercharged LS in the gorgeous Z06 body is practically the ideal sports car for me.
11-14-2018, 08:36 PM
Let’s say you are looking to “upgrade”. C6 ZR1, 427, or C7
