2010 Corvette Grand Sport

[VelocityC6]

Originally Posted by syr74

First of all suspensions are delicate and finicky things, simply swapping shocks for a softer ride is likely going to take a somewhat unsorted stock Z06 and make it pure misery. Also, I'm talking about sticker price, not rebated, out the door price tags. If I can get 15 grand off of a Z06 but will have to pay close to sticker for the GS then all that really tells me is that my assumption is correct, the GS is a better package.



That GM made the Z06 is fast as it is is admirable, but the old saying holds true....it isn't just how fast you go but rather how you go fast. In the transformation to Z06 the Vette's handling didn't get better, just faster, and there is a difference. The Z06 is the most poorly sorted of all existing Corvettes, that isn't a smear just fact.

Lol, you can go ahead and continue to believe the Z06 is the worst handling. Clearly you haven't owned a couple C6 vettes to make a legit comparison as I have.

Unfortunatly with the GS you don't get the unique 427 ci LS7, you don't get the aluminum frame and the weight savings, you don't get to own a historic Corvette. It's the complete package that made the Z06 a supercar when it debuted.

On the other hand the GS is a parts bin special in alot of ways, it's gets the LS3 shared among a host of GM products, it gets the widebody from the Z06/ZR1, it gets 98% of the suspension tuning the Z06 has (a little softer). No increase in HP, no weight savings in fact it's the heaviest vette). GM saw a chance to sell the widebody look without the performance, that is what a GS is.

GS is being discounted already 5-7k off msrp.......perhaps that tells you something too. No 2006 Z06 was discounted like that a couple months into production, in fact most to all were market well over MSRP.

[2003vette]

Yes, the GS is around 100-200 pounds more then the the current line up of Vettes. I do like the GS tho, Im considering buying one in the future...unless a Z06 comes by my dealership for under 60 k... All depends.

Benefits of a z06 : lighter, unique engine, better looking stock wheels, aluminum frame, and race suspension.
Cons: no targa top, suspension IS NOT for everyday driving, and rarer parts for the LS7.

Benefits of a GS : Z06 look with shark gill sides, better breaks then standard, different Gear Ratios(according to GM), and z06 size wheels
Cons: Metal frame, heaviest corvette in the line, and same stock engine in all GM cars that feature ls3.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by VelocityC6

Wrong, there are new Z06's starting at 60K, the GS's I've seen start in the lower-mid 50's. They are alot closer in price. If someone wants a softer ride, the shocks can be switched out for cheap.

But that defeats the purpose of the Z06, it's rawer and more race-car like. I came from a modded Z51 and the differance between the two cars is night and day. To say the Z06 suspension is poor is a joke, yep it rides a bit harsher but it's superior to the Z51 I had before. It's not for everyone, some just want an automatic, the looks of a Z06, and could care less if there was 505hp or 250hp. For me and many others who bought a Z06, no way I would go back to anything short of a ZR1.

Incentives and rebates are different than the MSRP that GM creates. Also, it is not simply an appearance package. Z06 brakes and suspension have essentially split the difference in performance between the base Corvette and the Z06. Also, the engines are hand built at the same facility that makes the LS7, LS9, and LSA with 'select' parts implying that they produce a bit more power than a regular LS3.

I also chuckle when I hear about the styling complaints. To just about everyone, it will look like a Corvette and they won't have a clue what model. Few can tell the difference between a Z06 and a base model. And anyone that can tell the difference will be able to differentiate the Grand Sport from either. First clue would be the hash marks, followed by the wheels.

[zebra]

only the coupe with manual trans gets the 'special' ls3 because of the dry sump & it makes the same power as the rest. also, the hash marks are optional

[syr74]

Originally Posted by VelocityC6

Lol, you can go ahead and continue to believe the Z06 is the worst handling. Clearly you haven't owned a couple C6 vettes to make a legit comparison as I have.

So now having driven them isn't good enough, I must own one.

Originally Posted by VelocityC6

Unfortunately with the GS you don't get the unique 427 ci LS7, you don't get the aluminum frame and the weight savings, you don't get to own a historic Corvette. It's the complete package that made the Z06 a supercar when it debuted.

It's 20k cheaper on the sticker and presumably wont suffer from the same fussy handling that the Z06 does. I'm also trying to figure out why the Z06 is somehow super-historic and the GS isn't. GS is a better deal, no plainer way to state it.

Originally Posted by VelocityC6

On the other hand the GS is a parts bin special in alot of ways, it's gets the LS3 shared among a host of GM products, it gets the widebody from the Z06/ZR1, it gets 98% of the suspension tuning the Z06 has (a little softer). No increase in HP, no weight savings in fact it's the heaviest vette). GM saw a chance to sell the widebody look without the performance, that is what a GS is.

Would I like to have the performance of the Z06? Of course, Would I pay another 20k and suffer through the handling/nvh maladies the Z06 still suffers from for that? No. The ZR1 looks to be a result of understanding what went right and what went wrong with the Z06 package dynamically speaking. Obviously I haven't driven one yet, but it looks like the same lessons learned and applied to the ZR1 are being applied here.

Originally Posted by Velocity

GS is being discounted already 5-7k off msrp.......perhaps that tells you something too. No 2006 Z06 was discounted like that a couple months into production, in fact most to all were market well over MSRP.

Wow, way to try and spin this in your direction. Z06 never moved particularly well and could be had with huge rebates six months into production despite being touted as the bargain supercar of the new millenium. Further the used car market for the Z06 was surprisingly large surprisingly quickly. And all opf this occurred when the C6 was nearly hot of the presses, the basic design is much older now.

If I were ever to consider a Z06 Corvette it would be strictly for the 427ci mill and aluminum backbone, the suspension would be completely revised before the week was out.

[Ranger 75]

It is clear that Velocity has a lot more money than I can come up with. The reason I want this is because it is the best Corvette I can afford.

[VelocityC6]

Originally Posted by Ranger 75

It is clear that Velocity has a lot more money than I can come up with. The reason I want this is because it is the best Corvette I can afford.

Well if your considering a new GS that sells for between 53K-64K+ brand new, you're better off then I am financially! I can swing something in the mid 40's which is what I did with both vettes I've had.

Nothing wrong with buying a GS, it's a great car as all vettes are.

[VelocityC6]

Originally Posted by syr74

So now having driven them isn't good enough, I must own one.



It's 20k cheaper on the sticker and presumably wont suffer from the same fussy handling that the Z06 does. I'm also trying to figure out why the Z06 is somehow super-historic and the GS isn't. GS is a better deal, no plainer way to state it.



Would I like to have the performance of the Z06? Of course, Would I pay another 20k and suffer through the handling/nvh maladies the Z06 still suffers from for that? No. The ZR1 looks to be a result of understanding what went right and what went wrong with the Z06 package dynamically speaking. Obviously I haven't driven one yet, but it looks like the same lessons learned and applied to the ZR1 are being applied here.



Wow, way to try and spin this in your direction. Z06 never moved particularly well and could be had with huge rebates six months into production despite being touted as the bargain supercar of the new millenium. Further the used car market for the Z06 was surprisingly large surprisingly quickly. And all opf this occurred when the C6 was nearly hot of the presses, the basic design is much older now.

If I were ever to consider a Z06 Corvette it would be strictly for the 427ci mill and aluminum backbone, the suspension would be completely revised before the week was out.

So you were able from a test drive, be able to feel how "fussy" the Z06 handling is? Like I stated, I owned the Z51 car for 2 1/2 years, I've had the Z06 for 6 months. Night and day in the cars solidness and handling, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt pushing the car the moment I bought it. The lighter weight, wider tires, suspension tuning all come together to form my factual opinion that it's a better handling car then my former. Ask the folks who've made the switch if they regret it and want to return to a base C6......crickets

Since you seem to not be aware of Corvette history I'm not gonna further the "historic" nature of the C6 Z06. It's a great Corvette in a long line of great Corvettes from the past

You do realize the GS used 99% of the same exact suspension found on a Z06? The GS will be just about as "fussy" as a Z06, perhaps a little less cause it doesn't have the hp. People who've taken delivery report it's noticeably more firm over the old Z51 setup. Till they offer magnetic ride as on the ZR1, the GS will feel very similar to a Z06

[syr74]

Originally Posted by VelocityC6

So you were able from a test drive, be able to feel how "fussy" the Z06 handling is? Like I stated, I owned the Z51 car for 2 1/2 years, I've had the Z06 for 6 months. Night and day in the cars solidness and handling, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt pushing the car the moment I bought it. The lighter weight, wider tires, suspension tuning all come together to form my factual opinion that it's a better handling car then my former. Ask the folks who've made the switch if they regret it and want to return to a base C6......crickets

My Z06 ride wasn't a test drive, and the Z06 is less well sorted than the C6 Z51, no plainer way to state it. Z06 will go 'round a corner faster, but the Z51 driver is far less likely to feel like he cheated fate in the process. Driven at it's limit the Z06 is a bit of a widow-maker, it doesn't always do what you tell it to, even GM's own factory driver declared that he did not wish to make another full speed pass on the Ring after setting his fastest lap. That speaks volumes.

Since you seem to not be aware of Corvette history I'm not gonna further the "historic" nature of the C6 Z06. It's a great Corvette in a long line of great Corvettes from the past

I'm familiar with all the Vette monikers of the past, the 63 Z06 and later ZR1 and ZR2 cars, the Grand Sport racing effort....etc, etc.

You do realize the GS used 99% of the same exact suspension found on a Z06? The GS will be just about as "fussy" as a Z06, perhaps a little less cause it doesn't have the hp. People who've taken delivery report it's noticeably more firm over the old Z51 setup. Till they offer magnetic ride as on the ZR1, the GS will feel very similar to a Z06

Nope. We don't have to go any further than spring rates to find completely different values, and that of course means that shock valving is different too. Those two simple changes are huge and completely change the character of a suspension, and I am sure the differences don't stop there.

I'll have to drive a GS to be certain it is a better sorted car, but to be blunt I find it difficult to believe they didn't improve on the Z06 here even if it is technically a lesser car.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by zebra

only the coupe with manual trans gets the 'special' ls3 because of the dry sump & it makes the same power as the rest. also, the hash marks are optional

Technically, yes. But when the engines are hand built at the Performance Build center, and cars are a tick faster than others with the same motor and the engineers say they make the same power with a wink and a smirk ... that leads me to believe they are making just a little more power. But officially, the only difference is the dry-sump and build location.

You are right about the hash marks, for some reason I thought they were standard. Anyway, the side vents are another unique feature, and there will be Grand Sport 'verts for those that want them.

[CamaroScotty]

Originally Posted by VelocityC6

Well if your considering a new GS that sells for between 53K-64K+ brand new....

so be sure to get a good deal

[zebra]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Technically, yes. But when the engines are hand built at the Performance Build center, and cars are a tick faster than others with the same motor and the engineers say they make the same power with a wink and a smirk ... that leads me to believe they are making just a little more power. But officially, the only difference is the dry-sump and build location.

gotcha

Originally Posted by DGthe3

...and there will be Grand Sport 'verts for those that want them.

yep. even an automatic... just check out number 3's pics

[AZCamaroFan]

I like it. Something different. I like shark gills too, but they don't look as good as they could because they just tacked them onto the current fenders, instead of making new ones.

[JJ#48Racing]

I love the Z06, but if I were to actually buy I think I'd get a GS M6 coupe and put a TVS supercharger on it. It would weigh more, but I'd have a targa top, 100+ more hp, and have saved 10K including the price of the supercharger (using MSRP prices).