It’s a valid question absolutely.

I originally planned a Z06 with the same build, the same spec in a Z06 came out to just over $160k. Also, while a Z06 at full tilt sounds nice, between max revs I hate the kazoo sound it makes. Also drove my neighbor’s Z06 and instantly noticed the lack of low end grunt. I don’t like having to wind out the car to the moon every time I want to push it. I was willing to accept all of that…until the GS came out with the LS6.

Basically the same car with loads more low end grunt, the V8 sound I miss from my other Vettes and 30k cheaper, it really won me over.

I’d rather have a full specced GS than a bare bones Z06. Having a CDL in FL means I get curb stomped for even minor infractions. I’d almost never wind out 8,600 rpms, I sold my 1k whp ZR1 and I almost never used that car other than to get a draggy pull between tunes.

The low end grunt of the LS6 is way more useful to
me. Not having to drop two gears and rev to 7,500 rpms to get nearly the same acceleration as dropping one gear and running to 4,500 rpms makes a lot more practical sense for me. If the new GS had the LT2 I would much more likely have stayed with my Z06 plan.

Plus, add in dual injection, forged pistons, rods and larger TB; should the itch to mod ever hit me again it’s nice to know those things are there over the LT2.

 

This is 100% how I came to terms with it. Plus that LS6…when I heard it, game over for me. Sounds like a true muscle car. Different opinions for everyone, many people like the FPC sound of the Z06.

I loved the Z06 sound at first because it was different on a vette. Sounds almost exactly like a 458 Italia which is still one of my favorite cars. Now that that it’s been out for some time, I’ve leaned back into missing my OG raw American V8 muscle sound. 💪

 

Thanks for responding. I appreciate your insight. What was giving me some pause was the discounted z06s on the lot and a family member with one as well. He kept telling me, “Come drive my z06! One time behind the wheel and you’ll regret ordering that grand sport!”

However, for most of the reasons you mentioned as well I think the grand sport is the sweet spot for me. I really like the low end torque and the deep growl the new ls6 makes.

 

I was in the exact same boat. I was expecting the new interior was coming in 25, when it didn’t come I figured it wasn’t coming at all. When it was announced that 26 was getting the new interior I fell in love with the update. I decided to wait for a discounted Z06 and I found some really nice deals for like 10k off.

The problem is, the spec I want usually comes in VERY loaded when someone else is building it. The main items on my list were carbon brakes, aero package, black with red accents. Usually finding those options meant there was a ton of other stuff I didn’t want tacked on as well. So a $160k spec car that I would have built, came to around $175k the way dealers were optioning them out. So even at $10k off the car is still pushing well over $165k and that’s not even getting down to the dealer adds. Plus tax and shipping I was looking at close to $180k out the door or even slightly more depending on the details. Ordering a new GS through MM, I save tons of money not only on the MSRP with a GS vs Z06, but I lose all the adds that a lot of dealers stack on, pay less on tax and I’ll get exactly the spec that I want in the end.

I’ve had a lot of very fast cars throughout my life (as we all have) and I’ll assure anyone that on the street, day to day and pound for pound, the Z06 will have nothing on a new GS. The GS won’t beat a Z06 but the Z06 won’t be sending any GS to bed without dinner. The GS will finish its meal and have room for dessert. Unless you’re in the Z06 sitting in gear at 6k all day waiting to pounce, you’re not pulling on a GS if he gets the jump at low speed and low revs over a short distance.

I’ve driven the Z06 WOT and the first thing I noticed was that I was checking my watch for when the “VTECH was going to kick in yo”. On a roll and doing hits for the YouTube fan club? Yeah a Z06 will edge a GS, but I’m not doing any of that and I’ll bet that when numbers come out the GS will be hitting 125 mph traps which is right on the tail of a Z06 which hits around high 120s to low 130s in good weather. Now, ZR1 and ZR1X? Different ballgame entirely.

 

That makes total sense and lol at the VTECH comment. I think I'm going to be very happy with my GS build and I'll have to take my family member up on a quick drag race when I get it and see what happens!

Also, I was torn on the color but I went black and red as well. Really looking forward to seeing my car in person. Thanks again for responding. It really helped with my decision.

 

Quick update to my prior comment. I couldn’t believe when someone told me a dealer was offering invoice pricing on the Grand Sport. Called Dave Smith Chevy up and sure enough that was the case. It’s a several hour drive and I’ll have to wait a bit longer but it will be worth it for the savings.

 

Glad to help, I’m not bashing on the Z06, it’s an amazing machine. The sound, the revs, it definitely has its place and I love the platform. It’s just that the GS really changes the day to day dynamic of the purchase.

Another easy way to look at it is: The Z06 power band is better on the track, the GS power band is better on the street. If it was 670 hp flat plane vs 400 hp cross plane, it would be a different conversation entirely, but with a massive delta of torque under 3k rpms between the LS6 and the LT6, the choice becomes more clear.

It’s not 460 torque in the LT6 vs the LS6 with 520, look at the delta at 3k rpms, it’s 175 ft lbs….