Corvette Novice - C6 vs C7

[Fats25]

Aside from what I have seen on old model corvettes on Gas Monkeys, I know nothing about them! In fact all my model knowledge has come from here:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette#S...

I live in UAE, and really fancy adding another car to the garage - and I fancy a 2 seater convertible.

Have been looking at Porsche, Mercedes, Maserati and even BMW, but I think with a F150 Raptor and a Camaro SS in the garage already, I should stick with the American theme for now. I am thinking it will be a 6-12 month ownership experience, and then I will look to move on and try some other marques whilst I am here in the desert. The Raptor is just too good to replace with something else, and letting the Camaro (Which is my wife's) will be difficult for her to swallow.

So budget is max AED200k (approx £38k), and as above looking to not lose too much from the experience. This money is really a rainy day slush fund that I am going to enjoy for a bit of pleasure.

Have seen these two to compare:-

http://tnydu.biz/DOtJ2P
http://tnydu.biz/DOtGlz

The difference in asking price is around AED45k (£8.5k) - and is anyone's guess as to which one I will lose more on over here. The dealer sold one (C6) is actually being sold by my next door neighbours dealership - so may be a deal there - and certainly any issues will be looked at. The C7 is private and under warranty.

So can anyone educate me which one to go for and why, and what to look our for in particular?

Thanks in advance.

[Dr Gitlin]

The C7 is a massive leap forward when it comes to the interior. It's still not Porsche quality but it no longer looks like st and the bits you touch all relatively good quality. The exterior styling is also a lot better in my opinion, but that's subjective.

[jeff m2]

C7...just for the power sunroof
The lid on a C6 is a pain in the butt.

Mileage seems a tad high on both cars.

[z06tim]

C7 is a pretty big leap forward from C6 in all areas.

C6 has a lot of evolutionary content from the C5 which came out in 1997, in particular a body structure that is heavily based on the original steel hydroformed frame. C7 is all new with a pretty advanced aluminium structure that gives a lot of gains in a lot of areas that you should feel when driving. C6Z06 has a different ally frame - not as stiff as C7, hence C6Z06 does not have a removable targa roof. Anyway, you are comparing C7 to a 2013 Grand Sport.

I would also consider that the 2013 GS is pretty much the best of the C6 breed. All Vettes typically improve each model year.

I would say go and see each, and sit in them, because they do feel quite different in the cockpit. I would find it hard to justify the extra £8.5k for the one year newer car, but if you "want" a C7 that sounds fair for the big leap in the design.

Mileage to me also looks higher than I would expect for cars coming from the UK or US, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is typical for UAE.

Edited by z06tim on Thursday 2nd June 12:31

[Fats25]

Thanks for the feedback. Just trying to do the man maths now!

With regards to mileage remember these are KM. 17k per year on average for both, which I would say is average. I do around the same in the F150, and my wife does slightly more in the Camaro.

[z06tim]

17000km a year is pretty high when you look at this:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Chevrolet/...

[Fats25]

z06tim said:

17000km a year is pretty high when you look at this:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Chevrolet/...

I see what you mean - but they seem to be in US, and I guess used as second cars? In Dubai they are just every day workhorse cars, so the mileage is as I would expect.

[jeff m2]

Fats25 said:

z06tim said:

17000km a year is pretty high when you look at this:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Chevrolet/...

I see what you mean - but they seem to be in US, and I guess used as second cars? In Dubai they are just every day workhorse cars, so the mileage is as I would expect.

That link was Troy MI, a bit snowy up there for four Months a year so definately not an only car
If you look at Mileage and prices from Texas & Florida it'll be very different, I don't know any Guy Vette owners who just own a Vette, a few wives use them as daily drivers in the Summer.

I'm not sure they qualify as a work horse, not sure I'd haul half a yard of sand in it, but they are not all that special in the US, they are a high volume car. Drive for 15 minutes you are gonna see half a dozen 6s & 7s.(and 2 C3s if its sunny).

[GW65]

jeff m2 said:

That link was Troy MI, a bit snowy up there for four Months a year so definately not an only car
If you look at Mileage and prices from Texas & Florida it'll be very different, I don't know any Guy Vette owners who just own a Vette, a few wives use them as daily drivers in the Summer.

I'm not sure they qualify as a work horse, not sure I'd haul half a yard of sand in it, but they are not all that special in the US, they are a high volume car. Drive for 15 minutes you are gonna see half a dozen 6s & 7s.(and 2 C3s if its sunny).

I'm in the UK rather than US, but my C6 is the only car I own and has been since new (8 years, 55k miles). I guess it depends on lifestyle - I don't need to tow anything and if I need building materials I get them delivered so a Vette works as an only-car for me...but wouldn't for others.

[PH XKR]

C6 feels very old compared and c6 seats are terrible in anything but driving in a straight line, loved my z06 considering a c7 at some point

[C6NL]

C7 has less interior space and both seat types are narrower compared to the C6 seats, having bolsters is only good when you fit in between them.

[PH XKR]

I guess they are designed for a new younger slimmer market?