I once did a 360 in my '69 C3 in a heavy rainstorm and ended up bashing in the front end against a guard rail. Admittedly my 69 did not have any of the electronic safeguards of my C7. Nevertheless, I vote for maximum safety when driving in your wet part of Canada. If that means a narrower tire, I would go for that. A crash in a Corvette is something you never forget.

 

Since there are now several posts on this thread about tire size and hydroplanning, agree that there maybe an advantage for narrower tires in heavy water on the roadway. At this same time, with the weather mode on our C7's and the incredible "rain channels" in C7 Michelins that funnel the water away so well (developed and learned from the C6.R's racing in the rain), on our recent road trip we had zero problems at 50+ MPH even with water ponding on the highway in our 285/335 shod PSS Z06. Car did not once slide a fraction of an inch.

However, the reverse is true of Cup 2 shod Z07's, for I personally know of two wrecks with Cup 2's in the rain, both on new Z06's less than one hour old. Hope anyone considering the Z07 package on their new Grand Sports thinks carefully about that choice...

 

This is very good indeed to know about the wet weather behaviour of the stock rubber on the GS/Z cars. Thank you. That you live in the Pacific Northwest also lends your experience (IMO) a lot of credibility, too. You know rain.

And I can't say I'm surprised at all about the Cup 2s. "What the Lord giveth with one hand...", obviously, the price to pay for all that stupendous dry weather grip is severely reduced rain sipes in the tires. I wouldn't dream of driving a car sporting those rollers in anything but sunny with zero chance of rain weather. That is one of many reasons why I know if I get a GS, I won't be ticking the Z07 box.

 

Think the OP is looking at the wrong issue! I believe in "Form Follows Function" so the "wide body" looks fine IMO! GM did not make the rear wider to "look better" they needed to stuff wider tires under the car!

I like the wider tires, in fact many of us were surprised the C7 used C6 width tires! Give credit to Michelin for making a very grippy tire! With the added power in the C7 versus the C6 would have expected wider tires. My Z51 tires do look a bit anemic to me! In fairness my ProStreet Rod with it's 8.2 liter engine has the equivalent of 420 section width rear tires!

I'll replace my 2014 Z51 with a GS for the wider tires NOT the appearance. No fender or center stripes for me. For my 2018/19 GS also hope they will invest in new fender molds for it and the Z06 so they can eliminate the front spats! They remind me of my '74 V8 CJ5 Jeep Renegade where I accepted that approach as a way to deal with wide tires! :money:

 

Think the OP is looking at the wrong issue! I believe in "Form Follows Function" so the "wide body" looks fine IMO! GM did not make the rear wider to "look better" they needed to stuff wider tires under the car!

I like the wider tires, in fact many of us were surprised the C7 used C6 width tires! Give credit to Michelin for making a very grippy tire! With the added power in the C7 versus the C6 would have expected wider tires. My Z51 tires do look a bit anemic to me! In fairness my ProStreet Rod with it's 8.2 liter engine has the equivalent of 420 section width rear tires!

For my 2018/19 GS also hope they will invest in new fender molds for it and the Z06 so they can eliminate the front spats!

Agreed. To me those are the worst part of the widebody models.

 

Wide. It matches ME!

 

Thanks CO_2016Z06 for that video. Well done and glad you posted it!

Also far from in love with the front fender spats. They do look much better when sanded smooth, painted carbon flash metallic, and cleared. Have had five folks (probably way more than that) tell me, "while I do not like the factory spats, yours look much better, fit the rest of the carbon flash metallic pieces on the car" (or similar). The factory spats do not look great (IMO) especially because they are the only piece on the car that is textured plastic, and as such take away from the exotic look of the Z.

Thanks Jerry U for your "Form Follows Function" comment. right on point! Every vent and grille on the Z06 is functional, is needed for cooling and/or aero -- just like on a race car. And we all get to choose whether we want that functionality or prefer the regular StingRay's cleaner body lines. I said from the very beginning, when we just knew/saw the StingRay, that I personally aesthetically preferred the non-Z-51's lack of any spoiler -- as it showed the gorgeous lines of the taping rear cabin-to-rear deck swoopiness. A friend has such a car, with no exterior options save its chrome wheels, in Cyber Gray and it is a beauty.

However, when I am was driving in the torrential rain on this last trip, with water flowing down the road, I was especially glad (really happy) my Z's BIG rear spoiler, resulted in a rooster tail that was designed to, and functioned, to have the water flow up from it, curving forward in a 180 degree arc and coming right down on top of the rear window and the rear fenders right over the centerline of the rear wheels, e.g., YEAH functional downforce at highway speeds!

 

I love the Z51 and Stage 1 Z06 spoiler more so than either the full aero (as in the raised tips and the clear wickerbill section) or the spoiler-less look. However, I'm glad I got lucky with the GS being revealed - this is one badass car.

In full agreement on the fender spats - while the rest of the car looks beautiful, these bits being in unpainted plastic do not go well with the rest of the car. Your carbon flash painted ones look great. I was thinking of going that route and then I got the Carbon Fiber APR spats to match the C7Carbon Carbon fiber side skirts on my future GS. The price difference wasn't much once I got a smoking deal on those carbon fiber spats.

 

To Elegant's point above if you have ever had the rear valance off and the aluminum plate covering the exhaust you would see that this machine is a high performance rolling heat exchanger! It has to be in order to get the performance out of it. Took a nice bit of engineering to make the most of the available air flow!

Not for everyone but I run the 345 rear and the OEM front size Nitto Invo which are just plain outstanding in the rain as I found out last week. Not a RF though and still hook up my added HP pretty well.

 

Had them both, liked them both. Just like my twin G-daughters, can't love one more than the other.

 

As far back as I can remember, and more often than not, I can look at a woman and find something attractive about her: smarts, eyes, smile, hair, how she carries herself, etc.). As for me, the same can be said of the C7 platform. Like Jerry U said, form follows function. I see and understand the beauty in all the Stingray variants. So, if I had Jay Leno's money.....

Oh, and Elegant, I especially enjoy your take on things. Always a pleasurable and thought-out read. I too would probably had ponied up for a GS. But hey, I still love my base C7 and who knows maybe with time....

 

The more I read the more I feel I am back in 2010 when the C6 Grand Sport came out. Seems like the same arguments. I say, buy the model you like. They are all Corvettes.

 

Well said/totally agree, Stan0324!

And anyone want to bet against the same thread in the middle of the C8 run? Or its usual, every generation, cousin-thread variants, coupe vs. convertible, this color vs. that one, etc?

Almost said the other usual one, automatic vs. manual transmissions, but with AEB required by 2022, do not think the C8 is going to offer a manual trans option.

 

I know this topic gets recycled in one form or another on bloody well every car forum in existence, and I'm sure it happened with the C6 GS, and things will happen again with the C8. Again, I'm not trying to make a case for everyone... I'm just externalizing my thought process to see what's inside, and I enjoy all the feedback you guys provide. I think that's the purpose of car forums: a place for people to share their passions about a make, model, anything.

Just in case people think I'm dead set on a Stingray and not a GS, Mike Furman just posted this picture up in his thread in the photos section:

Drool! "Winning!"

 

I know this topic gets recycled in one form or another on bloody well every car forum in existence, and I'm sure it happened with the C6 GS, and things will happen again with the C8. Again, I'm not trying to make a case for everyone... I'm just externalizing my thought process to see what's inside, and I enjoy all the feedback you guys provide. I think that's the purpose of car forums: a place for people to share their passions about a make, model, anything.

Just in case people think I'm dead set on a Stingray and not a GS, Mike Furman just posted this picture up in his thread in the photos section:

View attachment 58945

Drool! "Winning!"

Well Spectre, I think you're in serious trouble because I believe that's a Z06 not a Grandsport. LOL
Its a great looking car though and who ever gets it is going to be having a lot of fun.

 

I have a white chromed out base 2014 M7 coupe... Right now my dream corvette would be a white M7 coupe GS with a blue stripe and red hash marks. Details would include black interior, emblems, and wheels with grey calipers!

 

Go for it.......talk to Mike.

 

I also own a Z51,1lt, Black/black 7 mt.Got 27,000 miles on the clock. I was so in lust for a 2nd Z06. However the difference from 2002 Z06 and todays Z06 is so much more LUST! I actually talked my stealership to let me have it for a morning short drive. Slowly all I really figured I just needed carbon graphite simple screw on flares front and rear. Sure seems very hard to purchase these you all know where I can get some (flares)?

 

Never did like the Z06 or the Grand Sport look ,too busy .

 

Nice to read your post as I own a Z51. Sir, on the lot there were two black on black vets one Z06 and my Z51. I kinda didn't want to admit out loud wow a Z06 but I knew something was missing for me it was money. I have had the best and safest high speed runs ever with my Z51. All I want is some carbon fiber flares and I am complete. As time rolls by this is my choice and without a doubt probably the best car I will ever own.

 

As far as performance sports cars go, the z51 is most likely the best value proposition. As for as looks, any of the C7s will do……my opinion. Let’s face it until you get serious about the buy, all C7s will look alike. This is true for most competitors as well. Really, how often do folks point to a Porsche and say “That Carrera S is the best-looking of the Porsches”

Esthetics is an important buying criteria when choosing between brands but not necessarily with-in the brand. Splitting hairs, for me the GS is a little better looking but I’m not sure there is enough of a difference in the other attributes to warrant the difference in price.

Finally, when you’re in the Vette’s cabin there is no difference. I plan to be behind the wheel more often looking out …… then looking at!

 

Finally, when you’re in the Vette’s cabin there is no difference. I plan to be behind the wheel more often looking out …… then looking at!

Not only that, but when seen head on, the base, Z51, GS, and Z06 do look pretty much the same unlike the C6 where just one quick glance would be enough to know that one is a base and one is a GS or Z06. Even the front fenders are way more alike in the different C7 models than in the C6.

That's another thing I like about the C7.

 

Just my humble opinion of course but from the first time I laid eyes on a wide body C7 I didn't like it. I thought it looked like GM's attempt at a last minute, second thought design. For me, the rear wheel flares take away from the C7's sleek good looks, and I especially dislike the look of the Z06 spoiler and the Jeep Wrangler style front fender flares. The only reason I'd ever consider the wide(r) body is if I bought a Z06 and my goal was to track the car (wider tires and Z06 suspension are probably are a benefit on the track), otherwise the Stingray body style definitely gets my vote. But as always, styling is totally subjective and personal. Each to their own.

 

Wide is part of what makes a car looks sporty, not to mention the also wider fender vents and air intakes in the rear. If you are in for the lust and can afford it get the GS.