5 reasons why I chose the C7 Grand Sport OVER the Z06...
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- čas přidán 22. 06. 2024
- In this video I talk through why I chose to buy a C7 Grand Sport over the C7 Z06. I could afford either, so the decision was actually a bit more nuanced and complex. I figured I would share my thought process, to hopefully help anyone trying to decide between the two cars. Both cars are great, so you can't lose, no matter which one you pick!
00:00 - Intro/Background
02:32 - 1. Reliability
06:00 - 2. Looks
07:24 - 3. Balance
10:09 - 4. Fun
12:18 - 5. Money
Saving for the car:
$74k car? Here's how I got it. // Full details!
• $74k car? Here's how ... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I’ve owned 3 Corvettes and my C7 Grand Sport is definitely the overall favorite so far. The ride is great, the power is more than enough for most folks, and in my opinion(unlike a C8) it still looks like a Corvette.
Man this comment right here, I’m saving for a down payment on a Corvette & I’m looking at the Grand Sport, the C7 more or less bc the C8 just doesn’t do it for me looks wise
I feel the same way.
Good to know! I been looking to get a 2019 vette.
I'm a C7 z06 owner and there is too much power to be used on public roads. It is fun knowing you never have to downshift because the engine produces an immense amount of torque down low, you can literally out accelerate most cars in the highest gear vs other cars going flat out.
However though, the thing about the z06 is that yes it does have heat issues but mainly pointed out when you're on a track. You almost would never experience those conditions on the road. So if you're the type to not take your toy on the track, i honestly don't see a point in getting the grand sport.
Also, another thing to point out. While i said above the z06 has too much power to be used on public roads, the remedy is quite simple. Don't go crazy with the throttle.
It is much better to manage your right foot with a powerful car than to be frustrated having an underpowered car and knowing you need/want more.
The z06, the power is there when you want it, and totally calm when you don't need/want it. The grandsport has the power where you know you can reach to the fullest, but a disappointment when you know it's not enough. That's why people modify them. If going that route, might as well gotten the z06.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective.
You make good points about controlling the power, tracking the car, etc. Taken individually any one of those points isn't enough to determine which car to buy. The Z is a GREAT car, but when I added all the points together, that's why I decided the Z wasn't for me, and still isn't. I'm still excited to see them whenever I'm driving around, and have met a bunch of nice Z owners, so I am taking nothing away from them, but I wanted to explain why I picked my car over the Z, since I get asked why fairly regularly.
Have a nice evening!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle I totally understand. There is no right or wrong. Everyone chooses the car they desire. I should've pointed out that i also had a C6 grandsport. So while not a C7 grandsport, the platform was essentially the same. It wasn't enough for me. And i modified it. Cam, long tubes, a tune. It sounded INSANE. But it still wasn't enough lol. Then i just upgraded to the C7Z. I was pretty content lol. The power is ridiculous in stock form. I don't track my Z so i don't have to worry about heat issues but on the street, it's enough, maybe too much. Hopefully the C8Z will have this much power but it'll be able to put the power down better cause of the mid engine platform. Enjoy your C7!
@@theguy1224 That makes a lot of sense, especially if you were already modding it, and still not hitting what you were looking for in terms of power/performance. I fully agree with you that if I found myself spending money to mod it to get there, I'd way rather have it come from the factory that way, with warranty versus what a tuning shop could do for me, unless it was an older car and I wasn't relying on it for long drives. Also, not going on the track, it sounds like the Z is perfect for you. I'm personally VERY excited to see the C8 Z, with the flat plane motor. So far the spy vids have it sound similar to a Ferrari, but with an American growl mixed in. It's gonna be an amazing car!
@@theguy1224 I have a C7 z06 z07 m7, upgraded from a stingray because I wanted more power. At first I never thought I would want more power, then I got the DSC Sport controller and the car puts the power down much better and soaks up bumps better. The car is way less sketchy and it solves most of the complaints that people talk about how the car put the power down. So now I want a bit more power lol. So far just an intake, Corsa Performance NPP exhaust and tune which gave me about 30 wheel. Mechanic is trying to talk me into flex fuel saying E85 will add another 100. I'm considering it. Regarding the heat issue my Shop builds cars for the track and he said he can solve it with an extra radiator
@@MichaelGreco Yeah i wanted to get the DSC controller but i wasn't sure how that affected when you lowered the car on stock bolts. Usually they recommend installing drop spindles. My car can hook but it's still scary. 3rd and 4th gear are basically my money gears. Because the engine produces an immense amount of torque down low, you could be in 3rd at around 55 and put your foot down and you'll pass almost every car on the road. I use 3rd instead of 2nd from 60 when i roll race. Our gearing is so long, you can literally go from 60-145mph or so with 1 shift, 3-4 lol. It's great. The 2019 z06's got the bigger radiator. I would do that, but for the driving i do, i don't come close to running hot.
Great Points...I just picked me up a 2019 GS a few weeks ago..loving it😎👍🏾🔥💯
Congrats on the GS, fantastic car! :) Thanks for reaching out!
Well done. Unlike many car CZcamsrs you didn't repeat yourself. Also you did a good job of explaining why you purchased the Grand Sport over the Z06. I'm considerably older than you but managed to get my first Corvette in 2005. I ordered a new 3LT Z51 stingray with the 6 speed. Fast forward to 2020 and my wife finally said I could get another Corvette. This time I decided it was time for an automatic. I sold my C6 and found my dream car listed by a private party. It was a 2LT Grand Sport, long beach red metallic, chrome package, and kalahari interior. I believe it is the most beautiful Corvette especially the way mine is appointed.
Fred wishing you many fun filled days in your Grand Sport.
Hi Bill,
Thanks for reaching out, it's really nice to hear from you! Congrats on both the C6. as well as your new corvette! Both are awesome cars, and it sounds like you love them! I always enjoy hearing from people and what they love about their cars. With my current news videos (every other week, between C8 Z06 deep dives), I do a segment at the end sharing viewers cars. Feel free to send me a few pics if you'd like to see your car on the channel (fredsfullthrottle@gmail.com). It'd be a few weeks as there are a bunch of people ahead of you, but might be fun to see your car in a video. :)
Also, thanks for the kind words about my video! I try to make the best use of my viewers' time, minimize "dead air" and get to the point. It's been about a year since I aired that video, and I've been doing a lot more news and commentary in the Corvette space, specifically around the C8 Z06. My approach is to cite my sources, avoid speculation and rumors, and be up front and honest. You'd be surprised how well that approach has resonated with folks, as well as how unique that is. I am not trying to get the most views, or be "first" on anything, instead preferring to be accurate, truthful, and to the point. If you get some time, feel free to check out some of my newer videos if they interest you, I think you might appreciate that approach.
Anyway, thanks for giving me a boost this morning with your thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it!
Have a great day!
-Fred
Couldn't agree with you more. I purchased my 2019 Grand Sport manual M-7 when I found out the C8 wouldn't be available with a stick. I was concerned about the Z06 overheating on track days and was not convinced that the cooling system improvements that GM made to the ZO6 in 2017 went far enough to solve the overheating problems. I can't tell you how much I love my Grand Sport and I'm very satisfied with its performance. 460 horsepower rocks my world!
Hi Tim!
Congrats on the '19 GS first of all, what a great car! I agree with you on the changes, I didn't get a clear impression that it truly fixed the issues with the Z. For me, part of the problem was that they didn't fully admit (or at least at the time) that there was an issue. Reading through forums, people with the same issues were getting very different remediation and results from various dealerships, ie , there wasn't great consistency. To spend so much on a car, but have kinda wishy-washy remediation, was a big concern.
One aspect that really worked in their favor for me with the GS, is that the initial Press Launch for the GS was at a track down south (Road Atlanta I believe), in the middle of summer, and it was over 100 degrees. They had Oliver Gavin flogging the car, and they encouraged the press to "drive as hard as they can". This shows you the confidence they had in the cooling for that powertrain, and the cars performed flawlessly with something like 6-8 hours of journalists doing lap after lap in those cars. The fact that Chevy highlighted its hot weather performance (similar to what they later did with the Camaro ZL1) really helped me feel comfortable with the car.
I'm with you too man, 460HP is pretty darn fast, especially for such a relatively light car. Thanks for watching, and thanks for reaching out!
-Fred
😐
idk going from a 670whp c6z06 I sold it and got a c7z06 nothing interests me after having my built z06. the c7z is getting mods soon enough tho
Fantastic video 💯🤘🏼
Much appreciated! Thanks for reaching out and making my day!
-Fred
Great points. I bought a 2019 Grand Sport and I love it. It hits the sweet spot (looks, performance, and price).
That's awesome Dedric, congrats on a fantastic car!!! Have a good night!
-Fred
Great breakdown. I've been on the fence about a C7ZO6 and the new C8 1LT. It will be a "Sunday Driver" only. I like the look of both the Zo6 and Grand Sport. Your overview helped me a lot. Thanks!
Hi Jonze G,
Thanks for reaching out, and for the kind words! The Grand Sport has been one of the best cars I've ever driven, much less owned, and I still love driving it every time. Good luck on your purchase, and honestly no matter what you get, you'll enjoy it if it says Corvette on it. :)
Have a nice day!
-Fred
Great video 💯
Hi Gwapo Nolimits,
Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it!
Have a nice day!
-Fred
Fred,
It is now December of 23 and your video of 6 years past is still relevant.
I currently own a c8 stingray and am in the market for either an eray or z06.
Thanks
Clay
PS. Funny, with current day car prices 16,000 extra no longer seems like a huge deal. Now we have rims that cost that much.
Thanks Clay, I appreciate it! Agreed on all fronts!
That’s awesome, nice work and excellent video.
Thanks Randall, I really appreciate it! If you dig through the comments here, this video specifically stirred up a number of Z06 owners who are either very insecure about their own car, or feel "macho" or something by putting others down. It's nice to hear that most people actually listened to what I was saying and appreciate the perspective. There's nothing "wrong" with either car, but I wanted to share why the Z06 wasn't right for me.
Have a nice day, and thanks for reaching out!
-Fred
Thank so much for the message & inspiration. I appreciate it. I am pushing towards that goal. Just subscribed as well.
@@randallhill7979 Thanks for the sub! I will tell you, the car is worth it, and the payoff when you finally get behind the wheel makes all the saving, and the time waiting totally worth it. It took me 6 years of saving up the old fashioned way to afford the car, and I certainly hesitated when it came time to write a check for it. However, when I finally got to drive it (I bought in winter lol), all that time was easily well worth it. The car is a million smiles per mile, and I've enjoyed every moment in it so far (and plan to for years to come)!
Have a nice day and keep at it, you'll get there sooner than you realize. :)
-Fred
Thank you so much Fred, I truly appreciate the motivation and inspiration. I will make it happen.
@@randallhill7979 You got this man, I look forward to hearing when you do. I mean it, shoot me an email (available in my profile) or drop a comment on a video when you do. I'd love to hear the story and congratulate you man! :) Us car enthusiasts need to support one another, and I for one am excited for you!
-Fred
Nice's video never subscribe to any video before but you was so informative and on point great job.
I purchase a C4 in 1985 and beef it up and regret it and I was plagued with overheating issues never again the last thing you want to thing about is overheating on the road.
What a boatful Machine and a Awesome Ride.
Hey Calvin,
Thanks for reaching out, nice to hear from you! I appreciate the sub, as well as your kind words!
I agree, reliability for a sports car is paramount, and to me it just wasn't worth the risk to go with the Z, especially now since I'm doing more track events (several videos from the last 2 years in my backlog if you're interested, including drifting!).
I didn't know it at the time, that I'd be driving the car harder and harder, but I'm still glad, with zero regrets that I went with the GS.
I love the C4, saw a great steel blue one this morning actually!
Have a great day, and thanks for reaching out!
-Fred
Great job! I had a 15 stingray, mag ride and z51 so similar to the grand sport without the wide body and z06 bits. Loved it but wanted more power so I just traded it for a 16 z06 z07 with a manual. Love it. I was so focused on the power and the looks I didn't realize how much better than handling is what you get with your Grand Sport. It makes the stingray feel like a boat.
You really should look into the DSC sport controller it's absolutely unbelievable. You'll be shocked, how to do it and give the car a proper alignment. For the ZO6 it puts the power down way better and solves much of the complaints with the car. Second best mod I have done so far is the Corsa performance npp exhaust. And I would also really recommend getting the mgw short shifter. Feels so much better.
After owning a stingray and a ZO6 I can definitely see what the reviewers were saying about the balance of power. But honestly the DSC sport fixed that for me. Don't get me wrong if I apply too much throttle or lift up the clutch too you soon I could easily spin the tires all the way through first no problem. Definitely be annoying sometimes, I typically drive with traction control off in sport mode because I like to kick the rear end out once in awhile and I don't like the car to cut power when I don't want it to. I also think it makes me a better driver because I'm not afraid of the rear end breaking loose and I know how to react. But then again depending on how cool the pavement ends and how warm the tires are you have to be prepared LOL
Hi Michael,
Thanks for reaching out! Congrats on the Z with the manual! I'll have to check out the sport controller, that sounds like it improves the car significantly! I've had a few people suggest the short throw shifter too, so that probably makes it to my shortlist of things to try out! As you mention, pavement/tire temp matter a lot, and I've found the same that it wants to get tail happy in a hurry if the ground isn't warm, and especially if the tires aren't quite warm (even in a GS).
Have a nice day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle yep, DSC is awesome. You can even drive track on the street without jarring your teeth out.
For the MGW, check out HorsePower obsessed video, around minute 16 or 17 he shows reusing a rubber piece that no one else does. I ended up hearing a lot of noise coming through the shift area, like a whine/mechanical noise. Whatever it was I didn't like it. Only with music off windows up. I went back and used that piece and added some extra pieces of mass loaded vinyl good measure while I was in there and that fixed it. I had a shop to the original install but I was able to do this part myself. Apparently I'm in the minority with this problem though but I thought I would mention it
@@MichaelGreco Thanks for the tip about that piece, I wouldn't have known otherwise! I'll check out that video! Have a great weekend, and hopefully get out for a drive or two!
-Fred
I had an 08 Z06 that I sold in 2011. When I decided to get back into a Vette I was worried about the overheating on the C7 Z06, so I bought an ‘18 Z06, versus a ‘15 or ‘16, a few months back (needed a stick), but I have to admit that I thought about the GS. I just had to have a Z since I came from a Z. But I appreciate your perspective.
Hi Jay,
I gotta specifically thank you for a balanced and polite reply. TBH several (ok, many) C7 Z06 owners have flamed me in the comments (I blocked several), for my opinion/perspective. What's right for me, doesn't mean it's right for everyone, and they seemed offended and defensive about the car, despite me also loving the Z06. I just couldn't in good conscience pick the Z over the GS, based on what mattered to me. I think you're in better shape with a late model year, as I heard there were some tweaks that mostly (if not fully) address the heat soak issues. I bet you're loving the car!
I appreciate your reply, so thanks for reaching out. I'll be in the Z club soon enough, I have a reservation in on a C8 Z06, though am about 2-3 years out, so it'll be a bit of a wait. Currently trying to find a way to keep the C7 when I get the C8, but not sure if I can make that work financially. With enough time though, maybe I can.
Have a nice day, and thank you for reaching out!
-Fred
Fred I watched your video prior to trading in my 2014 Stingray on my 2017 Grand Sport. I just now watched it again after owning the Grand Sport 6 months I can honestly say I would make the same choice again. The power to weight ratio, overall looks and value definitely made the Grand Sport the best choice for me at least.
I am a corvette enthusiast and LOVE them all..(most of them anyway, lol)
I do a lotta track days and live in the south east where heat and humidity is BAD, so I went with the GS as well and have been super happy!! Having that extra 180ish HP with the Z06 would be sweet on the long straight at Road Atlanta though ;)
At the time that I bought mine, the Z06 was around 20k more...spec for spec
Hi Jason,
Thanks for reaching out, haha, I love *most* of them as well lol!
I hear you, and especially if you're further south than me, having the peace of mind of the cooling and lack of heat soak is a big deal. Totally agree on having that extra power would com in handy on some longer tracks, but it sounds like same as me you weighed what you were getting into. (the price difference also is "not nothing", which helped nudge me more towards the GS).
Thanks for sharing your perspective, especially as a track driver (and rider judging from your youtube pic), it's always nice to hear from people who are more talented/skilled than myself. Always great to hear from a fellow gearhead!
Have a nice day man!
-Fred
Just took delivery of a 4500 mile 2019 C7 stick Grand Sport today. Great sports car. Power-wise it's an animal. Crazy fast...no mods planned.
Awesome, congrats!
All good points. This is coming from a Z06 owner 👍🏼
Thanks ArcticZ1! The great part is that both cars are fantastic, and you can't go wrong with either one! Congrats on the Z too! Have a great day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle Thanks Fred! I agree they are all awesome 🔥
I have a 2017 Z06. Both are awesome cars - unlikely to make a bad decision between the two. In 2017 the overheating issue was resolved. GM also extended the warranty on the LT4 engine regarding this issue for an additional 7 years. I also have the Admiral Blue with the Red calipers! Awesome color combination! Two easy to install upgrades that will add horsepower - HallTech cold air intake, and Soler ported throttle body (Soler has the best engineering and performance data).
every Z06 engine is warrantied 7 extra years? What is GMs standard warranty? thanks I'm starting to look for one of these
Great video, I bout the grand sport great In manual. Definitely a fun car. looking to buy the z06 with with it. Since it’s also coming down in price. But I agree it has its flaws and allot of time when it comes down to consistency it lacks.
I agree I just got a C6Z and while I got the heads fixed, I put a cam in it which is what a lot of people do I also got headers and an intake.
Yes, the car is great. It’s fast as hell. It’s beautiful and sounds amazing, but I think I could’ve had just as much fun with a gs with headers and saved myself about $15k. I came from a headers intake LS2 which I absolutely loved but what I didn’t like was the way it looked compared to the widebody. I always tell people who want a Z to just get a gs it’s more than enough and you don’t have to deal with the heads issue.
600 wheel horsepower is way way way more than you need to have fun. It’s actually sometimes often maybe even too much lol.
I have a 2017 Grand sport. My engine was rebuilt last year and has forged racing pistons/ rings, stage one cam, LT4 supercharger, tune, AFM cold air intake, and upgraded cooling/ fuel systems. It's a lot!!!! I was forced to rebuild because the guy before me added a supercharger that started breaking the piston rings. I have to put sport cup 2 tires on their this spring. He has Pilot all season tires and omg!!!! If I'm going 80mph I can't floor it or I'll spin around! Wouldn't mind a stock one most days. It's fun though when someone pulls up next to you in a GS and has no idea you have 700hp. :-)
That sounds like an awesome car! haha, I'll definitely be the first to admit, that once in a while I do wish I had more power, but for most situations I'm not finding myself lacking too much. Congrats on the awesome car!
Thanks for reaching out!
-Fred
That color is so damn lush!
Thanks Drew, much appreciated! I love it in the sunlight!
-Fred
I've had two C7, a z51 and a z06. The widebody, suspension, and brake setup, etc are wonderful on these upper trims. This video did help make my decision too. Upgraded to a 2018 manual Z06 and having the additional radiator arguably makes the car run too cool. My heat map over the tachometer stays on until I'm hard enough on the car to get temps up. Granted, i've only owned this in cold months so I'm looking forward to how it acts in the warmer ambient temps. All that said, the Z06 is THE way. I hated the sluggishness of the LT1, using 10qts oil for under 500hp, and still losing to newish 5.0 mustangs that have any single mod done. I don't *have* to use the extra 200hp, but it's there when i do want to engage with it. I couldn't imagine the LT1 with additional weight and drag via aero. Would have stayed in the z51 on 305 width rear tires. Hellcats used to troll my LT1 and I had no room to mess with em. The LT4 makes you faster than 98-99 out of 100 other cars on the road around you. All these gripes mostly to say, the ONLY reason I'd skip the GS is the motor. For an LT1, i wouldn't even go back to my stingray and would settle for a camaro, saving the most money for aftermarket work.
I was hoping for a C8 Grand Sport but know they decided not to build one, so I decided to order a C8 Z06. Unfortunately, the C8 Z06 purchase will force me to sell the Grand Sport.
Now i know what supercar i want to buy :D
Hi Entity_Prod,
Thanks for reaching out! I definitely recommend it, though the Z is also a great car!
Have a great day!
-Fred
I just went from a 2007 base convertible, to a 2019 grand sport convertible. I also thought going to a grand sport 1st was the smarter move than just jumping to a Z06. It was hard to find and had to ship it but the drive is a HUGE step up and it's def enough fun and saving on the extra money than the Z06. For now lol
Hi Joe,
Thanks for reaching out! Congrats on the GS!! It's nice to hear someone who feels the same as I do. The GS is such a great car, taking nothing away from the Z, but the value for money is off the charts! I was out for a ride this morning and was smiling ear to ear!
Have a great day man!
-Fred
@Cogent Collectibles Yup, from a quick look on cargurus, it looks like Z's are down to GS prices. That wasn't applicable when I was making the choice 4 years ago, and even now if someone said they'd straight up trade me an identical spec Z for my GS, I wouldn't take that trade. The GS hasn't gone down in value, while the Z's have... Heck, 2LT's in my spec, with more miles are going for more than I paid OTD. Crazy!
It's all personal taste, but I'm happy with the last generation and maybe last ever front engine, naturally aspirated, manual, V8 Vette.
So I picked the 16 Z06. Boy did I make a mistake. Overheating and transmission issues. I’m selling it and getting a stingray. I’d get a GS if they made it in Laguna blue. Admiral blue is classy too. Nice ride
Hi Robert,
Really sorry to hear about the issues you've had, that stinks. I got a bit of flak from some people for this video, basically saying that I didn't know what I was talking about, and that I didn't buy the right car. But for every comment like that, I've had a number of people reach out with similar issues/concerns or experiences with their own C7 Z's. It's really unfortunate, because the Z is an awesome car, but I'd heard enough stories like that that it played heavily into my decision, and I listened to my gut.
Good luck on the Stingray purchase, I'm sure you'll love it!!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle iIt will be my 2nd Z51. They did change the Z06 to not overhead in 2019 I know for sure because they made new mods to fix it
That grand sport is just beautiful
Thanks Noah, I appreciate it! Totally agree, it's gorgeous, and I personally think the Admiral Blue Metallic paint was the best color they made for it (though they all look pretty good).
Have a nice day!
You from NH ? I think I’ve see this thing rolling on 93NB sometimes in the morning
Hey Benjii,
Yup, southern NH! Thanks for the sub, and nice to hear from someone local! Are you from NH?
I like getting up early and heading up to the White Mountains before everyone wakes up, to get first crack at the back roads without traffic. Last week's video, and next weeks are both from a recent drive I did up there!
-Fred
Nah I’m not I’m truck driver from MA and I do night shift I just go up to pembroke and come back in the am and When I’m Heading SB I see you sometime heading NB and every Time I look at the vet I be dammm ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰
@@benjiivlog7567 Awesome man, thanks for the kind words! Have a great night!
I love my 2019 GrandSport, great looks with more then enough power , I love power but let’s face it , speed limit is 70 mph and I like driving it , not just pedal to the metal all the time !
PS Best bang for the Buck 👍👍👍👍👍
Totally agree! :)
Made it a solid point to put “I could afford either” in the thumbnail😂😂😂
You're not wrong. You know how many people at first were like "It's because you can't afford the Z"? I got sick of it and changed the thumbnail. - Fred
I’m sorry, but I got a 19 Z06. Love it! I make sure I walk as many people as I can,when I drive her.
No apologies needed, the Z is a fantastic car! Keep on flexing that horsepower, for those of us that didn't get one!
-Fred
Excellent! the best C7 ever!
Thank you! I'm a big fan of all C7's, and think you can't really go wrong in picking one.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
Well done. I have a 2018 Grand Sport, daily driver. 5 wheels cracked though, South Carolina roads are sh&^&^T. Balance is true, I couldn't imagine having more than 480 HP (I have a Borla X-Pipe). If it wern't for the wheel problem this would be the perfect car. Thanks.
Hi Already Gone,
Thanks for reaching out, nice to hear from you! Sorry to hear about your wheels, definitely something in the back of my mind every time I drive. I'm sure it'll happen at some point, and I'll have to get some forged wheels.
Agreed on this being an almost perfect car!
Have a great weekend!
-Fred
I waited and bought the Grand Sport because of the wider look, the upgraded suspension and naturally aspirated engine. The car is fantastic. Hope the C8 Z06 is = or >.
Agreed, bro
I was feeling the same way. After a year and a half my feelings changed when a GT350 walked me😡. My factory warranty expires later this year soooo… I will be getting a supercharger with a cam installed as soon as it’s up!!! 🤗 Once I tune it, Z06’s lookout!!! 👀
That's awesome!!! I loooooove the GT350, what a fantastic car in all respects. I've low key had my eye on used ones for a while. It's not in the cards right now, but maybe someday! Congrats on the awesome car!
Thanks for reaching out purdeemc!
-Fred
I just sold my GT350 and have been shopping between the GS and Z06. The price variance is negligible at this point. You recommend go with Z06?
@@gagelight6939 WWhat did you end up going with
My favorite color!
You and me both! I absolutely love the color. If it's offered when I get the C8 Z06, that's the color I'll get. :)
-Fred
Why not save your self another $10k & go with a base Stingray with the same engine/hp as the Grand Sport. I personally paid the extra money for my 2017 ZO6.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! The biggest reason was that I planned to use the car on track. Since buying it I've been doing a growing number of events, from autocrosses, to car control clinics, and even taken a drifting class. Next step is trackdays! The C7 Stingray just didn't offer enough of the track features/cooling/brakes that the chassis of the Z06/GS offered. Separately (but also important to me), is that I liked the wider stance of the GZ/Z06. Money was not an issue as I could afford the Z or the GS, and really wanted whatever the best car for track use would be.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle And yes then your explanation makes sense. I don't track my ZO6 but the power when called for is intoxicating. So then you still have your GS?
@@cindykeselowski899 :) I try to *usually* make sense, but it doesn't always work lol. I know what you mean about that power just being addictive! I haven't driven a C7 Z06 yet, so I'd imagine it's quite a bit more forceful than my GS!
I do still have the GS. I've got a reservation in for the C8 Z06 now too, and I'm undecided if I'll keep the car. Realistically there's a good chance I'll trade/sell it just before I take delivery, but I'm hoping to build a separate garage in the meantime, so if I get that done first, I may keep it and have both cars!
Have a nice evening, and thanks again for reaching out, nice to hear from you!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle the C8 is amazing and the ZO6 should be unbelievable. But I'm not yet ready to part with my ZO6. Good luck with whatever direction you go.
@@cindykeselowski899 Thank you! I agree, it's gonna be hard to part with the C7, I'm hoping to find a way I don't have to. :) Have a nice day!
I love the color of the car
Thanks Tonio! I agree, it just pops in the sunlight, and up close it has a depth that the gloss colors just don't have. One thing that's cool about it too is that on cloudy/overcast days it looks almost like a non metallic dark navy blue, and when the light is going down the car can look almost black. It's sort of like a mood ring almost, and I love that it changes with the type of day/weather!
Have a great day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle what color is it?
@@toniosmith86 Admiral Blue Metallic (you'll see forum posts people refer to ABM which is the same). It's a heritage color that they made in the past (I think without the metallic finish). I'm trying to get together with someone in my neighborhood who has a C3 in AB, to see the similarities and differences.
Honestly, most average Joe's only care about having the wide body for the weekend parking lot car shows. Start your build from whatever point you like. There's a full aftermarket to fill the gaps. Funniest thing I discovered after joining the Corvette club...owners are to damn obsessed about mudguards.
Hi Jjbuu,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you're totally right, most owners may care more about the looks than the driving. I plan to drive the heck out of this car, and have started doing track related things (auto-x, skidpad, road courses), so for me the extra handling afforded by the Z chassis/suspension/tires mattered to me. I agree, everyone should pick what's right for them, which is what I was trying to get across. The Z is a fantastic car, hands down, it just wasn't right for me.
Haha, I haven't run into the mudguard obsession yet, though I am not a member of a Vette club yet, because I'm not a brand loyalist, and feel like I wouldn't fit in.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
C7 Grand Sport just needed to Come with at Least 50 More Hp!! 500-525Hp it Should've had!!
Haha, I mean I would never turn down extra power, but I can't say I've ever felt the car felt underpowered. I get what you mean though, and would have been happy with more.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle 460 is Enough but what is like a $10k Difference from Stingray to Grand Soort So the Grand is Supposed 2b an Upgrade & with Sport Cars it Shouldn't have been just about the Looks. Just a Little More Power but they "GM" Got Away with it because i think i'm getting 1 & Shall just Up the HP Some Aftermarket!
People always know what’s best for you but don’t apply it to their OWN life’s lol sick car bro this is my dream vehicle!!! Love the color
I have a 14 Z51 with a Supercharger. Like someone else said, the power is unusable on the street. You can't put your foot into at all, you'll be at 120 in 3 secs. I'm contemplating on selling it and getting a C6 Z06 or grand sport and mod it to 500 hp. The c6 is more fun to drive.
Thanks for reaching out, and sharing your perspective! Makes sense to me. I'm amazed how many in the comments have seemed to have their masculinity challenged if they don't have the most horsepower than the next guy. Lol, they all sound pretty insecure to me. I'm all about fun and enjoying a car, not dodging death at every turn or driving on a knife's edge so I don't spin out. I think your plan sounds good! I could do with a little more power, but not as much as the Z for the C7 platform.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle Don't get me wrong, the power is fun, but it's only good for the track. If you could put all the tech of the C7, in the C6, it would be the perfect Vette. It has to have a manual tho.
Aren’t the overheating issues mostly with the auto transmission?
Hi Ramon,
They may be more concentrated on autos, but I don't believe it's *only* autos. Also, back at the time when I was figuring out which car to get (2016), there was precious little information out there about the cause, GM hadn't acknowledged anything, and it seemed to be just "Z06's". I didn't want to get into a $90k money pit, especially when there wasn't any clear information/answers available. Now, years later the issues seem well enough diagnosed that it's easier to say it's just auto cars (though I'm not certain on that), but back when I was deciding, it wasn't clear.
I'm definitely happy I didn't go with the Z, even if it was mostly the A8 cars affected.
-Fred
The problem is, you can often find a Z06 that has much fewer miles over the grand sport, and the cost is only about $10k more for the 2019 model year. The overheating is not a concern in the 2017 or beyond, and only if you track the car. If you don't track the car, it's not an issue. I'm not sure why 99% of drivers would not get a Z06 at that cost.
Funny enough, supposedly you can fix the heatsoak issue in the z06 by tossing the oem supercharger and putting a procharger in it instead and make 800WHP in the mean time. Nice thing about the LT4 is it is all forged from the factory.
Ok, THAT is awesome, a solution that also adds power! Any idea why the procharger runs at a lower temp?
@@FredsFullThrottle one benefit I'd think is that the procharger isn't being used throughout the entire power band, it's only on the higher rpm's. It's something I'm considering for my track focused GS
@@neilxpeart Ahh that makes sense. Anything to keep the car running cool. Thanks for the info!
You forgot to mention better gas mileage. I got a stingray..traded for a Zo6 because i can’t find a GS in my area and the specs i wanted it.
That is an excellent point! It wasn't one of my core reasons, but I didn't have to pay the Gas Guzzler tax. The car gets the same (or similar) mileage to the Stingray due to the LT1.
Thanks for reaching out Xyooj Vaaj, have a great day!
-Fred
Both the Z06's LT4 and the LT1 are just as reliable, the heat issue is only on automatic transmission cars and only when tracking the car, and being that you drive a manual , it makes no difference. Cosmetically the Z06 and GS are a wash, they are basically identical, except for the hood being a bit taller, the vent in the hood being larger, and the vents of the fenders being different. A GS may be a bit more balanced because it does not have the added weight of the supercharger, but in everyday driving you will never notice it, and at a track you may notice the better balance, but the Z06 will still leave you in the dust because of all the additional power. And I can tell you for a fact that a Z06 is ten times more fun to drive, the ability to go sideways in 1st or 2nd gear on command, the huge rush of acceleration in any gear, is an incredible feeling that cannot be duplicated by the NA stingray, sorry. The ONLY reason one buys a GS over a Z06 is price, the GS looks the same, for a lot less, that is the only reason... BTW I own a 2016 Callaway Z06.
Hi 72442conv,
Thanks for reaching out! I could have guessed the very last sentence from your reply before reading the rest, that you own a C7 Z06. It seems a lot of Z06 owners take personal offence that I didn't want one over the GS. No offence was intended, and just because the car is right for you, doesn't mean it's right for everyone.
First congrats on the car, they're great cars. But, your comment is ignoring many of the points I made. You're painting wide strokes over each of the points that mattered to me, trying to diminish their importance. To *you* they may not be a big deal, but to me they are. You are welcome to believe that it's a money reason (it's not), but I laid out exactly why I picked the GS over the Z, and stand by them. I wouldn't take a Z in even trade for my GS, at any point in time since I got it.
I'm not alone in my assertions, reviews from Car & Driver, Road & Track, Head 2 Head, and many other publications all support the GS being the better balanced car. Certainly the Z will out accelerate the GS, I wasn't debating that. I also think your assertion on the track is a bit out of date. A lot of the trackdays I've been to the GS's are right there with all the other fast cars (as are the Z06's), and there isn't a huge difference in lap time or consistency. It's way more about the driver than being able to pull away on the straights. If you think having tons of power matters more on the track, then the Miata guys would like a word with you. Sure, for one or two hero laps, the Z06 might set slightly lower laptimes, but it's also more razor edge for throttle input and most drivers have trouble squeezing the most out of the car due to that Jekyll and Hyde power delivery.
Also, keep in mind that the heat issues weren't even officially acknowledged by Chevy back in 2017, and individual owners were struggling to find the cause, and a fix. Not a hassle I wanted to deal with, especially without a known fix at the time. Either way, I'm happy for you having the Z, and still think it's a great car, but it's not for me.
I do have a reservation in on the C8 Z06, so I'll soon have a chance to try out an NA Z for myself!
Have a nice day,
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle I have owned these Corvettes: 1985 Corvette L98 Auto, a 1999 Hardtop 6 speed, a 2002 Z06, a 2006 Z06, a 2009 ZR1, and the 2016 Callaway Z06 7 speed which I still own. After owning the ZR1, I cannot see myself ever driving a normally aspirated Corvette again. The 2009 ZR1 is a little faster than the 2006 Z06, and it really does not handle that much better than the 2006 Z06, as the Z06 was much better balanced and a lot lighter, but the fun to drive factor cannot even be compared. The supercharged LS9 is so much fun to drive compared to the LS7, it is like night and day. The instant toque of the supercharged engine is addicting, plus the drifts on demand at almost any speed are fun a hell. I got so addicted to the supercharged engines, that I refuse to even think of buying the new C8 Z06, I will need to wait till Chevy comes out with a ZR1 with a supercharged engine... That is how much more fun to drive the car is with a supercharger.
@@72442conv That's an impressive (and awesome) anthology of Vettes, congrats! If you have any pics, feel free to submit some to the email that's shared in any of my recent news videos if you're interested in me sharing them on the channel.
The comments you make here make a lot of sense to me. The amazing torque of the SC engines has to be something you gotta experience in person. As of yet, I haven't had opportunity to ride in a C7 Z06 (or the C6 ZR1 as you mention). The drifting on demand also sounds really fun. I learned how to drift on the skidpad at Lime Rock Park last year (this video has some footage of it at the end where i did more than a full circuit in one shot: czcams.com/video/qElG9_nzRbA/video.html), and it was a blast. Dry pavement would make that a lot harder in the GS, so I'm sure that added torque in the Z would really help.
One thing I'm curious about with the C8 Z is the final drive and the mechanical advantage on wheel torque that the low gearing will provide in the first 3 gears. Certainly the engine torque is way less, however the 0-60 numbers stated by Chevy are pretty decent, so I'm thinking they're gearing it in a way that it will still pin people back in the seat, even if it doesn't come with the added grunt from very low RPM. I'm excited to try out the car (hopefully soon) and share my impressions on the channel, as I continue to actively follow the development of the car.
I'm glad we could have a discussion on this, and actually talk things over. Frequently when I get comments from people who don't agree with what I put in my videos, they just tell me I'm an idiot, and I ban them. I don't have time or bandwidth to deal with that stuff. I'd way rather have a respectful discussion, even if we never see eye to eye, and at least accept that different tastes are what make the world go around. Thanks for reaching out, it was nice talking with you.
Hope you have a nice day,
-Fred
Exact color id get to ... Def wanted one since concepts were being leaked.. huge fan of the grand sport myself ..
:) Thanks John! Are you planning to buy one at some point? Admiral Blue Metallic is my favorite color I've ever seen on a car.
Have a nice evening!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle yes i have my eyes and ears out for one in that blue or white
@@johnsimms3693 That's great! Good luck man, I hope you find the perfect one soon!
@@FredsFullThrottle thank you my man.. hoping to be rolling nice like you , keep her clean brotha
@@johnsimms3693 You got it! When you get the car, feel free to send me some pics! Would love to see what you end up with, my email is in my channel about section. :)
Actually the z51 and the Grand sport are almost identical except the GS has a bit more gingerbread on it and slightly different wheel and tire size combo.
Plus its better with doing a supercharger on a grand sport.with a bigger thermostat
That's a good point, if I ever did go that route, the car has more potential (at least I think so), because I can choose components that will lower the odds of overheating. Thanks!
I just picked up a 2019 C7 grand sport convertible with all the bells and whistles over a C8. It was 20k cheaper and looks just as good if not better than the C8. The C8 looks good and drove nice, but it doesn't really look like a traditional corvette. It's more like an affordable Lambo or McLaren.
I'm with you, I personally like the look of the C7 better than the C8, something about the classic lines. Congrats on the GS!
Have a nice day Dennis!
-Fred
It is hard to believe the prices before covid and just before the C8's launched. I'm talking $65k for Z06's with 1500 miles on them right at the dealership. I'm sure GS's were in the mid 50's. So much car for the money.
@drewmorg yeah. I paid 75k for my low mile grand sport. It's nuts. Z06s with low miles are still going for 75-85k depending on what they have in them.
@@dennislang762 pain !!! I've been shopping online for corvettes all day an decent example C5's are even $20k now. I think I will just sit out of this game until things cool off.
@@drewmorg. its rough out there. I live in Maine. The prices here are horrible because the supply is so low. There's less demand but still enough for dealers to ask top dollar.
It all depends on what do you expect from the car. I dont necessarily agree with your points because they sound more like a personal prefrernce rather than an actual issue with the Z06. I own a Z06 and I can smoke a grand sport any time. The extra buck worths the thrill.
Yessir
Love it!
I own a couple of Ferrari's. I recently bought a C7 GS for a daily driver, I think the C8 is ugly. Corvette's traction control system is not very good. The shifting is extremely slow too. Those are the two reasons I didn't choose the Z06. I do like the wide body looks of GS and the power is as about as much as this version of the Corvette can handle. It cannot handle the power of the Z06 confidently. The 0-60 times reported are BS from my experience. It's probably a 4.2 or 4.1 car, but no where near a 3.5 as is often reported. The AFM system is pure garbage.
Thanks for reaching out, interesting perspective. For one, I don't think anyone would argue with you on the C7 Auto being "fast". Also, coming from Ferrari's, you're coming down market, and it wouldn't be reasonable to expect similar performance or polish from cars that cost a fraction as much. I got the manual so the auto isn't a concern, and I'm also not interested in 0-60 times (plenty of faster cars out there if I did).
The TCS is fairly intrusive (I agree), but think of the target audience, mostly people in their 50's-60's (or older) who remember the days of being "fast" in cars with a lot less power, and a lot lower limits.
When GM chooses to (like with the new C8 Z06) they can engineer on par with pretty much any brand given their deep pockets, but like you said, the car was already at its limits and they know their target audience.
Either way, I agree with you on the looks of the GS, and still think it's an awesome car. I love mine, and plan to hold onto it for a long time.
Is yours Admiral blue or Laguna? Beautiful ride They fixed the overheating issues in 2017 and up
Thanks Robert, Admiral Blue!
Fixed is sorta relative (from what I've read). It sounds like for on-road driving that's the case, but not so much for track driving. I know they added more cooling for the transmissions, and a better intercooler, but chatter online (as recent as this morning in "Corvette Track Enthusiasts" on FB) indicate that driven hard, many Z's limp mode after just a handful of laps. The consensus seems to be that you need to put a fair bit of money into track-ifying the car if you do HPDE's. More than a handful of people said the GS is a better platform for reliability if you are tracking the car. The Z is a great car, but it sounds like it gives many people pause if they plan on tracking it, even with Chevy's fixes.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle I saw one today just like yours supercharged in Boerne Tx. 26k miles for low $70s. Admiral blue coupe
@@robertmartin265 Sounds beautiful!!
@@FredsFullThrottle it’s on auto trader
Maybe in 5 years I’ll get the C8 Z06
my c7z06 in 110 degree weather stays at 235 max now that i tuned it and on e85 it stays at 225 in 110+ degree weather
Hey Edwin,
Thanks for reaching out. Depending on the year of the Z06, I know the later ones (like 2019) had some fixes put in to address it, but at the time I was buying (2017), Chevy hadn't made any changes, and was not commenting on the issue. That said, even the last C7 Z's have shown to have cooling issues with heavy track use in hot weather. With the C8Z unveiling last week, Chevy even mentioned it in a few of the interviews about the new car. Glad to hear your car has been running cool, it sounds like not everyone has had that same experience, though it's hard to say exactly why since there are so many variables. I've received a bunch of comments (I think some in this exact video) from other C7 Z owners with late model cars saying they have had lots of heat issues, so it doesn't seem consistent.
Happy driving!
-Fred
The ZO6 had a problem overheating in 2015 they resolved the issue in 2016
YMMV with that. Walking the pits at Lime Rock and Thompson during track events, I saw very few Z06's, and a lot of GS's. Ask anyone driving a C7 at a track event about the C7Z, and one of the first words out of their mouth is "heat soak".
"Resolved" is a strong word in the context of cars on the track. Forums are still full of posts about it, even on the newest C7 Z's. Either way, it wasn't satisfactorily resolved at the time I was buying, and that was just one of several reasons for me.
More power to those who that didn't matter for, but it did matter for me.
Reliability AND drivability
Haha, I could have made the video 10 seconds long and just said that. Spot on!
Thanks for reaching out!
-Fred
I have a c7 grand and it puts the 335's to their limit. What would more hp do? Nothing but break them loose more than it already does. It comes down to street car or track car. Which is it? You want a street car? C7 grand is the ultimate. Any more than that, then you no longer have a street car. You have a not public drivable, likely illegal track car.
Most of those crashes with the z06 is because they took off traction control, with traction control on you almsot never have a problem
I love my ‘19 GS M7. Some people like to say it’s a fake Z06. I don’t see it that way at all. They’re different cars and both can be fun. I think all C7’s are nice cars and I don’t ever put anyone’s car down. It’s a personal choice and for me, and obviously you, the GS was the right choice!
Hi Todd11 Lou!
Congrats on the M7 GS, such a great car! Thanks for reaching out, I agree with you. Anyone who's hung up on the Z vs GS thing is not only missing the point, but doesn't really know their stuff. I was at Lime Rock Park yesterday for a driving clinic, and after the clinic went down and watched the ongoing trackday. There were some GS's and some Z's there, and they appeared to be equally fast on the track, and both were laying down some seriously fast laps, passing many Porsches', Ferrari's, and other exotic track weaponry.
I agree with you, no sense in putting down anyone else's car, and anyone that does is a jerk and I don't value their opinion anyway.
Have a nice day!
-Fred
What’s da color again?
Admiral Blue Metallic
I’m finally fixing to get my 2017 c7 GS😊 I had a few problems with the police but I’m back and better.. thank u for the response
@@kirvynbravo6822 No prob! Good luck! I actually took the day off yesterday and put about 400 miles on mine up in the White Mountains of NH. It's all the car I could ever want. Fast, sounds great, handles on rails, comfortable for all day drives, and even reasonably fuel efficient. Perfect weapon for carving up quiet mountain roads! Let me know what color you get! - Fred
@@FredsFullThrottle I’m going with the color white with black racing stripes and red interior.. tbh I’m literally buying that car because it was the only one that I could find wit red interior 🤞🏽 thanks you for your help tho
It's a nice car but I guess I would have got a Z51 and saved some money
How do U know u wont like a ZR1 without test drivin it if ud of test drove that first ud want that & thant gs is slow lol that theway it works lol.
Hi Chris,
I know I'd like a Z06 or ZR1, I'm sure the power is a blast. There's no debate about that. However, if you listened to my reasons stated in the video, or look through my replies to a few Z06 owners in the comments, you'll realize that added power wasn't my end goal in the decision. It was the other factors that mattered more to me. The C7 GS isn't "slow", it just isn't as fast as a Z06 is at accelleration. On most tracks, their lap times are within a couple seconds of each other, and at least from my experience at the track, I see a lot more GS's in the lot than Z06's. Different strokes for different folks. Rest assured though, I have a reservation in on the C8 Z06, which will be faster and more reliably cooled than the C7 Z. Now the question is if I keep the C7 GS.
-Fred
That wtf hairstyle :D
ZR1????
The ZR-1 was a bit above my price range, but if I could have....I would have. Love that car :)
Have a nice day Michael!
-Fred
Are you trying to convince us or yourself?
Not trying to convince anyone of anything. I was stating the reasons I didn't get the Z06. If you read through the comments, a bunch of people picked the GS for similar reasons. I'm doing more track stuff these days, and the car has been rock solid in very hot weather, one of the primary reasons I cite in the video.
Feel free to not believe me, you wouldn't be the first skeptical internet commenter, but I have nothing to prove to anyone. I got the car that best suited my needs, nothing more.
Have a nice day
-Fred
Not very many gave a crap what you could afford I guess.
Sounds like you couldn't afford the Zo6 at the moment so you settled with the grand sport... That's nothing to be ashamed of ...Me personally they both are worth it... But I'll take Zo6 any day... I'm grabbing one this month...
Hi Full Bolt-ons SS,
Thanks for reaching out. As the thumbnail and the video both state, I could afford either. The GS is certainly not settling. You don't have to believe me, but that's the honest truth. It came down to the points I mention in the video. I'll put it this way, someone could offer me a straight up trade for the identical Z06, and I wouldn't take it (now or then).
It's nothing against the Z06, I think they're fantastic cars and that extra power is awesome, but it's not the right car for me. I was just sharing my thought process.
The heat soak/limp mode issues on track are an issue for me, especially since I've used the GS several times on track at various events. If I didn't do track, that would definitely change the conversation, but when I was buying the car, I knew that that was something I wanted to do. Without doing track work, I'd have probably gone for the Z06.
I have a reservation in on the new C8 Z06, and in many of the interviews that I've watched, Tadge and Aaron both cite the heat management issues for the C7 Z as motivation for them to really focus on the cooling so the C8 Z doesn't get too hot. That addressed my main concern, and so I have no issue moving up to the new Z. I'm hoping to keep the GS in addition to the C8 Z, my only blocker is if I can get a second garage built before then.
Congrats on your Z06 purchase, that'll be awesome! What color?
-Fred
So you like being slower. Got it.
Makes no sense
Agreed, with all 5 of those reasons, it just didn't make sense to get the Z.