[GP86]

I remember being a young lad and I was mesmerized by the 1996 Corvette Grand Sport that I saw around town. The owner drove it almost everyday. It had been my ambition to own one just like it some day. It had blue paint, a white stripe, and red hash mark on the fender. I loved this color combination. After just reading a "first drive" article on the new C7 Grand Sport I'm reminiscing over the car that I forgot I always wanted.

I have taken delivery of the 2017 2SS that I ordered with everything I wanted on it. I've uploaded its picture below. I absolutely love this car. I drive it daily today and I expect to continue to do so for awhile. But I cannot help but wonder, what would it be like to daily drive a C7 Grand Sport? I have never driven a C7 (or any other) Corvette before so I have no idea how it really compares to the Camaro. I know it's faster but is there anything that makes it more livable than the Camaro? What are you really getting for an extra $20,000+?

[Richard0nee]

Love the C7's! My co-worker has a 2015 C7 Stingray and I have driven it multiple times. The C7 feels identical to the SS in terms of raw power pulling to redline. It feels a tad quicker, more nimble as it should since it weighs 150-200 lbs less. At the drags it's def. close enough where it's a drivers race IMO with the slight edge to the Vette.

It also handles well, very similar to the SS but then again, I didn't hit the corners at high speeds to truly test it. The Alpha chasis is an excellent chasis!

Maybe I'll get a Vette down the road for that sports car feeling.. But as of now, perfectly happy with the good ole V8 LT1 muscle car

[GP86]

According to the article I read on Autoblog, the C7 Grand Sport is around 500lbs lighter than the 2SS Camaro (~3250 vs. 3750 lbs). That is a huge difference! Plus or minus some small margin of error still puts it close enough to 500 lbs. As far as performance goes I think there is no doubt the GS will whomp all over the 2SS Camaro. I still wonder what it's like to the everyday driver between the two cars.

I guess what I'm saying is.... someone buy a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport and let me drive it.

[SpeedIsLife]

Originally Posted by GP86

I guess what I'm saying is.... someone buy a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport and let me drive it.

For science and the greater good, you see...

[clanky]

Originally Posted by GP86

According to the article I read on Autoblog, the C7 Grand Sport is around 500lbs lighter than the 2SS Camaro (~3250 vs. 3750 lbs). That is a huge difference! Plus or minus some small margin of error still puts it close enough to 500 lbs. As far as performance goes I think there is no doubt the GS will whomp all over the 2SS Camaro. I still wonder what it's like to the everyday driver between the two cars.

I guess what I'm saying is.... someone buy a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport and let me drive it.

This isn't exact what you are looking for, but I have a 2016 hyper blue 2ss 6speed and daily drive it. I have a family member who owns a 2016 C7 Z06 (they don't daily drive it). I have driven it quite a bit nearly as much as they have. There are some pro's and con's to each. For one I have two little ones, they don't fit in the hatch part of the vette as easily.. at least not without the wife throwing a fit. The Vette is a showstopper for sure and of course the power is insane... Grand sport I would believe would be much closer although like you said it is a good bit lighter.

Either way the Vette will handle better obviously, is it worth it? That depends on you really. I love my camaro and if I had to pick between it or a new corvette it would be hard choice for a second car. As for a daily driver? I would pick and did pick the camaro. IMO the Vette is much much more enjoyable on nice and pretty days out especially when the top is off. I know there are some people who daily drive their vette's i'm not saying that, but it isn't something I would do. Also I cringe when I drive the Z06 and I see a speed bump, or a _pebble_ too big up ahead. (The Grandsport has the same ride height correct yea?). Dunno if this helps or answered your question any or just me rambling on anyways that's my .02

[CapeCruisin]

GS!

[bpang1234]

Performance-wise the C7 Grand Sport would be faster in most contests of speed.

Convenience-wise the Camaro has it beat...it's got more room in terms of the back seat and you have to do less of the "work arounds" that you have to do with a pure sports car such as the ride clearance issues someone else posted. Also, it is a much cheaper car so you don't feel "as bad" about parking it next to another car or doing any of the other things people do to be anal about their sports cars.

So is the performance worth the "inconvenience" as measured against what you are gaining in performance? That is only a question you can answer.

I think I would get the C7 GS if I had no children.

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by GP86

According to the article I read on Autoblog, the C7 Grand Sport is around 500lbs lighter than the 2SS Camaro (~3250 vs. 3750 lbs). That is a huge difference! Plus or minus some small margin of error still puts it close enough to 500 lbs. As far as performance goes I think there is no doubt the GS will whomp all over the 2SS Camaro. I still wonder what it's like to the everyday driver between the two cars.

I guess what I'm saying is.... someone buy a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport and let me drive it.

Does a new C7 GrandSport weight less than a Z51 model? The Z51 Stingray weighs in at 3444 lbs. A 2SS Camaro weighs about 3750 but a 1SS weighs around 3670lbs. The corvettes have increased in weight over the years. I used to have a 2002 Z06 and it only weighed 3120 lbs.

[Zeke.Malvo]

Another plus of the C7 is that it has a more usable trunk than the camaro.

[TransAmx2]

Originally Posted by raptor5244

Does a new C7 GrandSport weight less than a Z51 model? The Z51 Stingray weighs in at 3444 lbs. A 2SS Camaro weighs about 3750 but a 1SS weighs around 3670lbs. The corvettes have increased in weight over the years. I used to have a 2002 Z06 and it only weighed 3120 lbs.

I see the listed 2017 GS weight to be 3,428 to 3,487 lbs, which makes sense, it has the bigger rims, tires brakes, spoiler and air dam, then has some weight saving features, so they are close to the same.

I'm curious how a 1LE will compare to a Z51 or GS, it gains the bigger rims, tires and brakes but has to pay the 200lb+ tax for having back seats. Should be very interesting, It's constantly amazing me how much performance we are seeing in today's sports cars. A 2016 V6 camaro would destroy the 1996 Grand Sport the OP was drooling over years ago, and the SS will beat the V6 and the 1LE is very likely better still...and Z28 and ZL1....