Cosmo Kramer

After doing a lot of internet researching, I can't decide between a C6 GS or a C7 Z51. About a year ago, I attended the Ron Fellow class and got hooked racing. At Ron Fellows, I drove a C7 Z51 M7 car and loved it. Will a C6 GS M6 perform the same, better, or worse. At this point, styling is not the issue - I'm focusing on performance and value. A late model C6 GS M6 is about $5K cheaper than an early model C7 Z51 M7.

For the record, I've owned about 14 Corvettes from a '70 350/350 to my current car a '17 GS A8 convertible, but have always just driven on the street - no track driving.

Vet Interested

saleen556

Cosmo Kramer

Vet Interested........I did post this question in the C7 section, too. Please, be more specific as to why you would go with the C7? The C6 GS has wider tires and six piston front brakes and is only 30 hp less than the C7.

quadracr

I have a 2011 GS and my wife has a 2016 Z51 with the race seats and race pak. Hers feels more like a race car with the seats and the capability to video the track as you're driving. It also has a different feel to it from a power standpoint. It feels like it has a ton more HP but in reality it's not much. With that being said I love my C6 GS and with a few bolt ons and a good tune, I feel it would beat it.

With a C6 you would have money left over for performance goodies that would increase your fun as your experience grows.

jbc1995fb

Cosmo Kramer

Because my current car is a convertible, it can't be used on the track. Additionally, for the track, I prefer a manual. I would be selling my '17 GS.

FAUEE

The question is how good you are.

The electronics in a c7 are massively better than in the c6 at making bad drivers go fast. Someone unskilled will not be faster in a c6 gs than a c7.

People will tell you, "ask in c7". Thats dumb, ask in the road racing section. Im going to tell you what we will say, so its a moot point. NEITHER. Both cars are WAY too much car to really learn on. Are you financially prepared to put it into a wall and pay out of pocket to fix it? Or have someone t bone you and you have to pay to fix it? Then you have the cost of consumables... brake pads, rotors, tores, wear and tear, fluids, it all adds up.

Beside the cost of total loss, the cars are just too fast, too capable, and too electronic to really LEARN WHAT YOURE DOING. You will learn more in a competent but not fast car in a season than in 10 years with a car doing a lot of the work for you.

My advice is to buy something less expensive, spend the money on making it reliable and safe, then put the rest into track time. 6 speed C4 are CHEAP right now, and work great on track, plenty fast enough to keep up and outrun people when you learn to drive, and consumablea are a lot cheaper. Miatas are the go to for most track people due to being cheap to buy and running costs are low. A lot of people run s2000, 350z, and people are moving to the frs and brz for similar reasons. You could liely find a c5 to make into a track car, but its almost too much to really learn on.

Full dis losure, i was in your shoesand bought a c4, and dont regret it at all. My c6 GS can be my nice toy, and if i run the c4 into a wall, throwing it all away is cheaper than fixing my c6.

Cosmo Kramer

Fauee........Thank you. Your response is thought provoking and educational. The difference between what I sell my '17 for and what I buy, would be used for track time, repairs and consumables. At Ron Fellows, I had no problem driving WFO.

FAUEE

Take from it what you will. A lot of people get their first hit of speed and want to jump in head first, thinking that all they need is a fast car and they can live out their dreams. Its not that simple, and it gets way more expensive than you think way faster than you expect. A good helmet alone can be a grand. Hotels for an event can cost as much as the entrance fees. Stuff breaks, you lose track time and next thing you know youve got a 2500 diesel, an enclosed trailer, and all your spares and tools and a place to sleep in the trailer.

Or, you get a taste of pain early and never go back. Its amazing how quickly 5 grand in damage to a car out of pocket will turn people off to the sport.

Garry in AZ

From the original post, it sounds like you are looking for a car for casual, fun track days, not actual sanctioned competition. If that's the case, I agree with FAUEE. I've been driving cars on road course tracks for the better part of 25 years, and I believe you can have just as much fun in a well sorted Miata as you can in a new McLaren. You also learn more quickly about chassis setup and smooth driving in an underpowered car. Sure, your lap times are not comparable, but if your goal is to enjoy driving at the limit, and improving your skills as a driver, you'd be better off in a much cheaper car, either to fix and maintain, or to wad up and write off. It's also a lot more fun when your driving progresses to the point that you can pass the guy in the McLaren with your Miata!
If you are determined to trackday a Corvette, your best bet would be a C5 Z06. Much easier on the wallet, tons of aftermarket support, and you won't be waving many cars by on the straights. But I'd still start with a Miata, or even a 10 year old 3 Series Bavarian Money Waster,.

449er

Wise words, FAUEE, no one ever thinks about the consumables/hotels/tow vehcle and or a crash, something to think about

Cosmo Kramer

Gary in AZ.........You are correct - my intent is to (hopefully) spend about 50/50 between track and street. And, no, I have no interest in getting into sanctioned racing. As a hobby, I am light duty Corvette mechanic. Headers, clutch, brakes, that kind of stuff, I'm comfortable fixing myself. Replacing an engine? No. Body work? So-so. I also do machine detailing and have gotten pretty good at removing scratches and bringing abused paint back to new. Replacing body panels, however, is not my forte.

FAUEE.........Auto racing is not a poor mans sport. But, then, what is? That said, you do bring up some valid points.

Racing at Ron Fellows was the first time I ever said to myself in a Corvette: "Gee, I wish this car was faster."

S.C. vette

sleepy88

Have you considered going with a rebuilt titled car since you plan is to use it for track days? That would save you even more money.

Andysherman

Agree with many here that an older vette would be a better choice for this purpose... and the real reason I'm replying, as a fellow Seinfeld fanatic... my older dog is named Kramer, & the younger girl is Lanie...

Bowtie Jim

I asked a similar question about a month ago and also posted in the C7 forum
i got a lot of responses with good points on both
I'm still torn between the two of them

Chris J

My choice would be the C6 GS. In my opinion that is one of the best Corvettes every produced. I had to make the same decision when I bought my 13 GS, that or a 15 Z51. For me it was fairly easy as I have never cared for the looks of the C7 and like I said the wide body C6 is my favorite Corvette, well the 63 split window is as well but that's a whole different animal. Drive both and do what feels right for you, because there isn't a bad Corvette it all comes down to what you like and how much you want to spend. The 13 GS I have is the best car I have ever owned and I plan on having it for a LONG time.
Best of luck with your decision
CJ

Spaceme1117

I say go with the C6 GS. I think it is more of a driver's car. I like its looks better also. And if I am not mistaken the C6 has good old fashioned analogue gauges. I really don't care for the digital instrument cluster in the C7.

TXGS507

C7Z51 for me... I wouldn't even have to think about it if I were buying.