Grand Sport - I Love The Look, Will I Love The Ride? Exhaust Too Loud? Golf CLubs?
12-02-2023, 11:06 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Grand Sport - I Love The Look, Will I Love The Ride? Exhaust Too Loud? Golf CLubs?
The Grand Sport convertible looks so very sharp to me. I loved it at first glance back in 2010.
My wife and I recently sold our Saturn Sky, a convertible we used for touring out in the farmlands.
If we buy a 2010-2013 Grand Sport, will the ride be noticably harsh for back roads? If it is rough for touring, what if we get one with the Magnetic Ride Select? Will that make enough difference?
About the NPP Dual Performance exhaust system. Can that be disabled on-demand while driving, for a quiet touring experience?
I fear of buying a GS, only to learn that it is torture driving out in the country with my wife, top-down, trying to have conversation and listen to music.
One last question. Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
Thank you, especially for detailed answers.
My wife and I recently sold our Saturn Sky, a convertible we used for touring out in the farmlands.
If we buy a 2010-2013 Grand Sport, will the ride be noticably harsh for back roads? If it is rough for touring, what if we get one with the Magnetic Ride Select? Will that make enough difference?
About the NPP Dual Performance exhaust system. Can that be disabled on-demand while driving, for a quiet touring experience?
I fear of buying a GS, only to learn that it is torture driving out in the country with my wife, top-down, trying to have conversation and listen to music.
One last question. Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
Thank you, especially for detailed answers.
Popular Reply
12-02-2023, 11:32 PM
Safety Car
The Grand Sport convertible looks so very sharp to me. I loved it at first glance back in 2010.
My wife and I recently sold our Saturn Sky, a convertible we used for touring out in the farmlands.
If we buy a 2010-2013 Grand Sport, will the ride be noticably harsh for back roads? If it is rough for touring, what if we get one with the Magnetic Ride Select? Will that make enough difference?
About the NPP Dual Performance exhaust system. Can that be disabled on-demand while driving, for a quiet touring experience?
I fear of buying a GS, only to learn that it is torture driving out in the country with my wife, top-down, trying to have conversation and listen to music.
One last question. Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
Thank you, especially for detailed answers.
My wife and I recently sold our Saturn Sky, a convertible we used for touring out in the farmlands.
If we buy a 2010-2013 Grand Sport, will the ride be noticably harsh for back roads? If it is rough for touring, what if we get one with the Magnetic Ride Select? Will that make enough difference?
About the NPP Dual Performance exhaust system. Can that be disabled on-demand while driving, for a quiet touring experience?
I fear of buying a GS, only to learn that it is torture driving out in the country with my wife, top-down, trying to have conversation and listen to music.
One last question. Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
Thank you, especially for detailed answers.
12-02-2023, 11:32 PM
#3
Safety Car
The Grand Sport convertible looks so very sharp to me. I loved it at first glance back in 2010.
My wife and I recently sold our Saturn Sky, a convertible we used for touring out in the farmlands.
If we buy a 2010-2013 Grand Sport, will the ride be noticably harsh for back roads? If it is rough for touring, what if we get one with the Magnetic Ride Select? Will that make enough difference?
About the NPP Dual Performance exhaust system. Can that be disabled on-demand while driving, for a quiet touring experience?
I fear of buying a GS, only to learn that it is torture driving out in the country with my wife, top-down, trying to have conversation and listen to music.
One last question. Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
Thank you, especially for detailed answers.
My wife and I recently sold our Saturn Sky, a convertible we used for touring out in the farmlands.
If we buy a 2010-2013 Grand Sport, will the ride be noticably harsh for back roads? If it is rough for touring, what if we get one with the Magnetic Ride Select? Will that make enough difference?
About the NPP Dual Performance exhaust system. Can that be disabled on-demand while driving, for a quiet touring experience?
I fear of buying a GS, only to learn that it is torture driving out in the country with my wife, top-down, trying to have conversation and listen to music.
One last question. Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
Thank you, especially for detailed answers.
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12-03-2023, 12:07 AM
#5
Advanced
Ride quality is relatively smooth. Is it as smooth as a Cadillac? No, but it is a very nice ride. I must stress the "relatively" part. Several people i have given rides to are suprised on how smooth it rides.
The exhaust sound is also relative.. but a stock NPP exhaust is probably the best of quite when you want, and loud when you want.
The exhaust sound is also relative.. but a stock NPP exhaust is probably the best of quite when you want, and loud when you want.
12-03-2023, 12:21 AM
#6
Big mistake taking advice from people on a forum. Unplug and go drive a few, then make up your own mind.
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12-03-2023, 01:10 AM
#8
Race Director
As you give advice, literally from the forum....
OP ride is fine on country roads...In fact that is where its best. Never had a vert so can't say but no clubs fit in the back with the targa top stored...but two will with spare room in a coupe..
12-03-2023, 05:33 AM
#9
Team Owner
Can two sets of golf clubs fit in the trunk of any C6 convertible with the top stowed away?
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cadyshac (12-03-2023)
12-03-2023, 09:23 AM
#11
Race Director
Corvette is going to ride better than your sky did. It isn't the hardcore track weapon suspension you're thinking, it's very compliant. Honestly I think it's too compliant, I wish it was stiffer. I keep my mag ride in sport all the time and it's still too soft. Not enough to do anything about it, but it's noticeably softer than my c4, that most people consider to be "brutal and punishing stiff" but is just fine for me.
Similarly, the exhaust on the c6 is too quiet stock. You can get a bit more volume by pulling the NPP fuse (if equipped) to leave the valves open, but it's still too quiet that way IMO.
Wind noise and the radio will be the obstacles to having a conversation with the top down while driving.
Similarly, the exhaust on the c6 is too quiet stock. You can get a bit more volume by pulling the NPP fuse (if equipped) to leave the valves open, but it's still too quiet that way IMO.
Wind noise and the radio will be the obstacles to having a conversation with the top down while driving.
12-03-2023, 09:24 AM
#12
12-03-2023, 10:04 AM
#13
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thank you all for your input.
One clarification, any C6 "must be a convertible" either automatic or manual works. A coupe won't meet our pleasures. We used to ride motorcycles in our younger days. We appreciate 4-wheel motorcycles today.
So the ride of a stock GS isn't so bad. That is encouraging. I assume the Z51 suspension should be avoided. Our restored Saturn Sky with new OEM shocks rode like a Go-Kart, a very stiff suspension for the size and weight of the car. It was so stiff that the interior & top squeaked along with the hood. I addressed all of that during the restoration process, but some of the hood squeak returned just prior to selling the car.
Mr. D, your picture says it all concerning golf clubs. Thank you for that. A tight fit still works. Our Sky could not carry much of anything, just a couple of over-night bags. We love to head out to distant golf courses for cheap green fees and the country drive. We wanted to do that with the Sky, but was not possible without a trailer or a creative hitch-mounted container. I do have a question for you. Do you think two overnight travel/duffle bags could be stored in the trunk with the clubs? We are familiar with the C5 which had a large center bottom compartment. There was also room around the trunk opening in the right and left sides.
I understand how the NPP exhaust opens above a certain RPM. I was hoping there was a way to keep the baffles closed on-demand. At the same time, as long as we are pleasure driving, it would not be loud. We appreciate a quiet exhaust, not a performance exhaust. We want to hear eachother and the stereo with the top stowed.
We hope to test drive a GS soon. The price of a GS convertible is hard on the budget which erodes the excitment. We are also very particular about colors, narrowed down to the blue you see to the left, with a light gray interior. There is a blue/gray about 2.5 hours away. The holidays are busy, maybe we can find a day to drive out to see it. Like you say, go test drive one. I don't want my wife to experience the wrong GS. The right colors would gain my wife's favor quickly. She is one of those people who has to see it to feel it.
We could fall back on a standard C6 conververtible for affordability and availability, but I really love the stance of the GS. I am holding out for now. There is no rush to buy.
One clarification, any C6 "must be a convertible" either automatic or manual works. A coupe won't meet our pleasures. We used to ride motorcycles in our younger days. We appreciate 4-wheel motorcycles today.
So the ride of a stock GS isn't so bad. That is encouraging. I assume the Z51 suspension should be avoided. Our restored Saturn Sky with new OEM shocks rode like a Go-Kart, a very stiff suspension for the size and weight of the car. It was so stiff that the interior & top squeaked along with the hood. I addressed all of that during the restoration process, but some of the hood squeak returned just prior to selling the car.
Mr. D, your picture says it all concerning golf clubs. Thank you for that. A tight fit still works. Our Sky could not carry much of anything, just a couple of over-night bags. We love to head out to distant golf courses for cheap green fees and the country drive. We wanted to do that with the Sky, but was not possible without a trailer or a creative hitch-mounted container. I do have a question for you. Do you think two overnight travel/duffle bags could be stored in the trunk with the clubs? We are familiar with the C5 which had a large center bottom compartment. There was also room around the trunk opening in the right and left sides.
I understand how the NPP exhaust opens above a certain RPM. I was hoping there was a way to keep the baffles closed on-demand. At the same time, as long as we are pleasure driving, it would not be loud. We appreciate a quiet exhaust, not a performance exhaust. We want to hear eachother and the stereo with the top stowed.
We hope to test drive a GS soon. The price of a GS convertible is hard on the budget which erodes the excitment. We are also very particular about colors, narrowed down to the blue you see to the left, with a light gray interior. There is a blue/gray about 2.5 hours away. The holidays are busy, maybe we can find a day to drive out to see it. Like you say, go test drive one. I don't want my wife to experience the wrong GS. The right colors would gain my wife's favor quickly. She is one of those people who has to see it to feel it.
We could fall back on a standard C6 conververtible for affordability and availability, but I really love the stance of the GS. I am holding out for now. There is no rush to buy.
Last edited by Ron Dittmer; 12-03-2023 at 10:30 AM.
12-03-2023, 10:26 AM
#14
Safety Car
Thank you all for your input.
One clarification, any C6 "must be a convertible" either automatic or manual works. A coupe won't meet our pleasures. We used to ride motorcycles in our younger days. We appreciate 4-wheel motorcycles today.
So the ride of a stock GS isn't so bad. That is encouraging. I assume the Z51 suspension should be avoided. Our restored Saturn Sky with new OEM shocks rode like a Go-Kart, a very stiff suspension for the size and weight of the car. It was so stiff that the interior & top squeaked along with the hood. I addressed all of that during the restoration process, but some of the hood squeak returned just prior to selling the car.
Mr. D, your picture says it all concerning golf clubs. Thank you for that. A tight fit still works. Our Sky could not carry much of anything, just a couple of over-night bags. We love to head out to distant golf courses for cheap green fees and the country drive. We wanted to do that with the Sky, but was not possible without a trailer or a creative hitch-mounted container. I do have a question for you. Do you think two overnight travel/duffle bags could be stored in the trunk with the clubs? We are familiar with the C5 which had a large center bottom compartment. There was also room around the trunk opening in the right and left sides.
I understand how the NPP exhaust opens above a certain RPM. I was hoping there was a way to keep the baffles closed on-demand. At the same time, as long as we are pleasure driving, it would not be loud. We appreciate a quiet exhaust, not a performance exhaust. We want to hear eachother and the stereo with the top stowed.
We hope to test drive a GS soon. The price of a GS convertible is hard on the budget which erodes the excitment. We are also very particular about colors, narrowed down to the blue you see to the left, with a light gray interior. There is a blue/gray about 2.5 hours away. The holidays are busy, maybe we can find a day to drive out to see it. Like you say, go test drive one. I don't want my wife to experience the wrong GS. The right colors would gain my wife's favor quickly. She is one of those people who has to see it to feel it.
We could fall back on a standard C6 conververtible for affordability and availability, but I really love the stance of the GS. I am holding out for now. There is no rush to buy.
One clarification, any C6 "must be a convertible" either automatic or manual works. A coupe won't meet our pleasures. We used to ride motorcycles in our younger days. We appreciate 4-wheel motorcycles today.
So the ride of a stock GS isn't so bad. That is encouraging. I assume the Z51 suspension should be avoided. Our restored Saturn Sky with new OEM shocks rode like a Go-Kart, a very stiff suspension for the size and weight of the car. It was so stiff that the interior & top squeaked along with the hood. I addressed all of that during the restoration process, but some of the hood squeak returned just prior to selling the car.
Mr. D, your picture says it all concerning golf clubs. Thank you for that. A tight fit still works. Our Sky could not carry much of anything, just a couple of over-night bags. We love to head out to distant golf courses for cheap green fees and the country drive. We wanted to do that with the Sky, but was not possible without a trailer or a creative hitch-mounted container. I do have a question for you. Do you think two overnight travel/duffle bags could be stored in the trunk with the clubs? We are familiar with the C5 which had a large center bottom compartment. There was also room around the trunk opening in the right and left sides.
I understand how the NPP exhaust opens above a certain RPM. I was hoping there was a way to keep the baffles closed on-demand. At the same time, as long as we are pleasure driving, it would not be loud. We appreciate a quiet exhaust, not a performance exhaust. We want to hear eachother and the stereo with the top stowed.
We hope to test drive a GS soon. The price of a GS convertible is hard on the budget which erodes the excitment. We are also very particular about colors, narrowed down to the blue you see to the left, with a light gray interior. There is a blue/gray about 2.5 hours away. The holidays are busy, maybe we can find a day to drive out to see it. Like you say, go test drive one. I don't want my wife to experience the wrong GS. The right colors would gain my wife's favor quickly. She is one of those people who has to see it to feel it.
We could fall back on a standard C6 conververtible for affordability and availability, but I really love the stance of the GS. I am holding out for now. There is no rush to buy.
Also, just like in the Sky, the ride quality can also be improved by installing a thicker/stiffer tunnel plate so that the body is more rigid and the suspension functions more efficiently. Elite Engineering makes a thicker and insulated tunnel plate.
You can also improve ride comfort a couple of ways; heat insulation for the center tunnel and sound insulation kit for the interior. Both cut down on heat significantly, and the sound kits cut down on road noise.
As for the NPP, there is a module you can purchase that allows you to manually the system using the mirror controls on the drivers door panel. It is this called the Dash Logic: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-play.html
https://www.palmerperformance.com/st...products_id=76
The controller plugs into the OBD port under the console and allows you to put the NPP into the factory setting where it is automatic, have the valves always open, or the valves always closed. It also has many other useful functions.
There is a forum post where someone did some wiring of their own so they could use a 3-way switch to do the same thing.
Get the GS. The better brakes and wide body styling are excellent.
12-03-2023, 10:29 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
I will give the unpopular response here? And suggest NOT getting the GS unless you are overly fond of the extra track oriented bits.
The GS is essentially a Z06 without the z06 questionable problems. (Engine and aluminum frame)
If you don’t need all the track oriented bits, save the money and get a base. IE: if you are worried about exhaust sound, comfort, etc, it already sounds like a widebody car may not be in your best interest.
It’s really a waste of an extremely capable car and more expensive maintenance for functionality you may not want nor will use to their advantage.
I can tell you I drive my GS hard everytime I drive it. I can garuntee that I am not remotely capable of seeing 7/10 of what this car is capable of doing, let alone on public roads.
The GS is essentially a Z06 without the z06 questionable problems. (Engine and aluminum frame)
If you don’t need all the track oriented bits, save the money and get a base. IE: if you are worried about exhaust sound, comfort, etc, it already sounds like a widebody car may not be in your best interest.
It’s really a waste of an extremely capable car and more expensive maintenance for functionality you may not want nor will use to their advantage.
I can tell you I drive my GS hard everytime I drive it. I can garuntee that I am not remotely capable of seeing 7/10 of what this car is capable of doing, let alone on public roads.
12-03-2023, 10:41 AM
#17
Drifting
Thread Starter
PMPerformance, I realize the car is designed for another driving purpose, but I really love the look of the GS convertible. It is that simple. I do all my own work on cars, and we will be putting on only 2000 miles a year so I am not worried about cost of tires and maintenance. Our garage is heated in winter so it would be very well preserved off season.
The fall-back plan would be to buy a standard C6 convertible, 2009-2013 to get the Hands-Free phone feature.
The fall-back to the fall-back plan would be to buy a C5 2004 Commemorative Edition as my wife loves the blue/gray color scheme that much.
One thing I failed to mention earlier. My wife loves heated seats, anticipating she will love them even more in a convertible. So we are also locked into a C6 with 3LT option group. The C5 has no heated seats and no Hands-Free Phone, hence at the bottom of the pecking order.
The fall-back plan would be to buy a standard C6 convertible, 2009-2013 to get the Hands-Free phone feature.
The fall-back to the fall-back plan would be to buy a C5 2004 Commemorative Edition as my wife loves the blue/gray color scheme that much.
One thing I failed to mention earlier. My wife loves heated seats, anticipating she will love them even more in a convertible. So we are also locked into a C6 with 3LT option group. The C5 has no heated seats and no Hands-Free Phone, hence at the bottom of the pecking order.
Last edited by Ron Dittmer; 12-03-2023 at 10:51 AM.
12-03-2023, 11:40 AM
#18
Instructor
The GS convertible is an awesome automobile . The ride ( with non runflats) is excellent . Listening to the radio and talking is fine at 55 and below-not so much at interstate speeds . The NPP exhaust is calm / mellow unless you prefer it not to be (above 3000RPM or with Mild to Wild ). I can't see how you could go wrong buying one . I've not owned a C6 base , but the upgrades on the GS are a definite plus-good luck on your purchase !
12-03-2023, 12:07 PM
#19
Team Owner
Do you think two overnight travel/duffle bags could be stored in the trunk with the clubs?
12-03-2023, 04:01 PM
#20
Drifting
Thread Starter