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Help me reason through this.. I have a 2008 base C6 Z51 M6 car which I love. Machine Silver with ZR1 wheels, lowered on stock bolts with black out marker and taillight kit. The car currently has 53K miles but looks and drives like a new vehicle. I am the second owner and it has been garaged its whole life.
My dilemma is I can't quit thinking about jumping into a GS. With prices now in the low to mid 30's, the wide body styling (which I love), and the allure of the car being a "special model" Corvette I'm finding it hard to do the rational thing and keep my base C6 which is nearly paid for. I am either staying where I'm at and throwing some bolt on's on my base C6 or spending another 10-15K for a GS for that wide body look.
I would love a Z06 and they can be had for the same money but I feel as if I would miss being able to remove the roof which I do frequently in my current car. I understand that the GS isn't any faster (in a straight line at least) than what I have, but my goodness those looks!
It is difficult for me to tell someone what to do with their money, I can only tell you about my own motivation.
In 2010 when the first photos of the "new" Grand Sport appeared, we owned a C5 convertible which we both loved. But when those first photos came out I instantly fell in love with the looks of the Grand Sport and knew instantly that I had to have one....someday. In 2013 we very nearly bought a new 60th Anniversary Grand Sport, but the cost was just too much. But we did make the decision to start looking for a used Grand Sport we could afford. She wanted Cyber Gray, I wanted a convertible. One month later we found the perfect GS in Indiana and had it shipped to us. We love everything about the Grand Sport.
I still miss the Bowling Green 2000, but no way would we go back!
Help me reason through this.. I have a 2008 base C6 Z51 M6 car which I love. Machine Silver with ZR1 wheels, lowered on stock bolts with black out marker and taillight kit. The car currently has 53K miles but looks and drives like a new vehicle. I am the second owner and it has been garaged its whole life.
My dilemma is I can't quit thinking about jumping into a GS. With prices now in the low to mid 30's, the wide body styling (which I love), and the allure of the car being a "special model" Corvette I'm finding it hard to do the rational thing and keep my base C6 which is nearly paid for. I am either staying where I'm at and throwing some bolt on's on my base C6 or spending another 10-15K for a GS for that wide body look.
I would love a Z06 and they can be had for the same money but I feel as if I would miss being able to remove the roof which I do frequently in my current car. I understand that the GS isn't any faster (in a straight line at least) than what I have, but my goodness those looks!
What would you do?
I don't see the point in spending another, 10-15k on a glorified base model ( grand sport) but for a z06 its understandable.
I, too, had a base C6 (2005) that I purchased with 4k miles on it. After putting an additional 60k miles on it, I was faced with the choice of purchasing a C7 or a 2013 Grand Sport (new). I decided on the GS because I didn't want to be facing the "base body vs wide body" choice a couple of years down the road.
Fortunately, the dealer discounted the $67k MSRP price by $16k (I guess to clear the lot for the new C7s). I'm happy with my choice and looking at the wide body is very satisfying. The bottom line for you seems to be the "bottom line", specifically, the money. If you've got the money, do it. You'll be glad you did.
I was faced with the same decision. My 07 had 66K on it but had been modded slightly and made lots of power. I found my 13 Grand Sport and jumped on it. Great decision! The GS is geared a little lower so it feels just as fast, the Bluetooth works, Navigation, connects to my phone for Pandora. The center console is padded, steering wheel is nicer, seats are a lot better, passenger side is power, and it has NPP so I get rid of my Magnaflow drone. And, the paddle shifters work in D as well as S. Love the Grand Sport!!
For me when I saw the 2010 sales brochure and I saw the New Grand Sport, I knew I would make that my first Corvette, I bought a new one in February 2011. One of the first in the Buffalo area. The looks at cruise night that summer are undeniable! !
I say go for it if you can get over the fact it's the same car just bigger brakes wider body/wider wheels and tires etc.
You already have the ls3 so you're half way there.
The reason why I said you should is because I finally realized how outdated the c6 is. Especially a base c6 exterior wise. Theres a c6 base that's parked on a main st by my town and it looks great. But I'm sure people drive and walk past it not caring. I pulled up to the bank in my GS. It's lowered with black wheels and parked and I had everyone stare. Some dude said nice car, pointed to his young son and said look cool car right? And the other c6 qas just across the street parked lol.
I had the same car it was just a GS.
The GS looks more aggressive obviously which draws attention. It resembles super car like looks imo. The GS/Z/zr1 is the only corvette that can compete with the c7 and of course the c7z in looks.
Last edited by Z0HS1CK; 02-17-2016 at 06:38 AM.
Reason: Spelling
I had a 2000 c5 convertible & wanted to upgrade to a c6 in 2014... I looked at all the factors & I'm so happy I bought my 2011 GS rather then the 2013 conv base model or the 2007/2008 Z06....... Someone stated an over Glorified base model above.... Well I will take that as it was only made from 2010-2013 for the c6 model. Comes with Big breaks/suspension & wide body already of the z06. With the ability to take the roof off & even tho many have been sold... I like to feel I have something kinda rare because it's limited year run... No valve dropping aswell..... So it's your money & really do what you feel.... That's the best way to go about it... (What you like vs what others has no weight)
I say go for it if you can get over the fact it's the same car just bigger brakes wider body/wider wheels and tires etc.
You already have the ls3 so you're half way there.
The reason why I said you should is because I finally realized how outdated the c6 is. Especially a base c6 exterior wise. Theres a c6 base that's parked on a main st by my town and it looks great. But I'm sure people drive and walk past it not caring. I pulled up to the bank in my GS. It's lowered with black wheels and parked and I had everyone stare. Some dude said nice car, pointed to his young son and said look cool car right? And the other c6 qas just across the street parked lol.
I had the same car it was just a GS.
The GS looks more aggressive obviously which draws attention. It resembles super car like looks imo. The GS/Z/zr1 is the only corvette that can compete with the c7 and of course the c7z in looks.
I had a 99 C5, then moved to a 2005 C6....now with what will probably be my last ...a 2012 GS. Like has been said above....I get more looks and comments on the 12 than either of the two previous....but most importantly, the wide body look, the performance improvement and overall "feel" of the car are what I want!
Buy what you can afford. I looked at the GS when I bought mine, but settled for the LS3 base coupe. I like the GS looks very much. Have no complaints with mine either, and this is my 2nd coupe.
Wow this thread just warms my heart......it's so nice to hear all the accolades for the best Corvette ever.....and don't forget OP.....if you get the 6M you get the hand built side oiler LS3 which is very cool when you see the name of the guy who built it attached to your engine. I say go for it....and I'm buying for all those GS guys on here at Hammy's so come on over.......
If the GS will make you happy, you should buy it. To most people outside of the Corvette world it's just another Corvette. People who have previously answered allude to the stunned adulation of folks walking down the street because their cars have a couple of additional gill slits and fender extensions. Correct me if I am wrong, but the GS is mechanically a base car with Z06 exterior features, bigger brakes and a dolled up interior. If that's worth $10K-$15K, go for it. I had an old guy comment this week on what a beautiful car my '09 base car is. This was unsolicited and he didn't know that I was about three paces behind him and I was the car's owner. The general public doesn't know and doesn't care.
02-16-2016, 11:58 PM
Ditch my base C6 LS3 car for a GS?
(What you like vs what others has no weight)
