What he said! :cheers:There are probably similar threads floating around, but here are my thoughts.
First, Ford says the GT350 is as fast as a C7 Z51, but C&D was about a second slower in the GT350 in their comparison article. My guess is that the C7 is probably a little faster overall, but not by much.
I drove the C7 for three days at the Ron Fellows school, and it is an awesome car. It has a very sporty seating position, looks very good overall, is relatively light, gets very good fuel economy, and has as much luxury as you care to have. The targa top is a nice feature, but also can get lead to creaks and rattles. The car is very well balanced and easy to drive fast. The rev matching on the stick shift can be a benefit in certain situations (and is easily defeatable if you don't want it on) and the PDR track recorder is a great feature.
There were only a couple things I didn't love. First, the brakes are a bit weak for track duty according to several on the Corvette Forums. Second, the oil cooling left a bit to be desired, and finally the engine gets soft at the top of the RPM range. In daily driving I think it would be excellent, but on the track the feeling was noticeable and took away some of the fun. Overall it is an amazing car.
The GT350 is similar in speed (I think probably a little slower), isn't nearly as luxurious, has a more "normal" driving position, and doesn't get as good fuel economy. However, it is also less expensive, has a very racy feeling engine, has rear seats, and IMO the Recaro seats on the GT350 are better than the Competition seats on the C7. It also has better stock brakes, and better cooling as long as you have the track pack or a 2017 model.
I think the two handle a bit differently as well. I felt like the C7 was better balanced and was easier to rotate under nuetral throttle whereas the GT350 would push a little. However, add some trail braking and the GT350 rotates very well, even in very tight corners.
I really like both cars, and if the C7 grand sport had been available when I got the GT350 I might have gone for that. However, I love the simplicity of the GT350, I love the engine, I love the rear seats, and I love that I can keep it totally stock and have a great time at the track. I think the overall look is cleaner and more elegant than the C7 as well. I really wish it had the rev matching option and the PDR, but that's it.
Also, the C7 Z51 would have been about $10,000 more than what I paid for the GT350, and the GS would probably be another $5000 over that.
I think the GT350 is also more special not only because of the limited numbers, but also because of the engine, which I think will be the last of its kind (high revving naturally aspirated V8) at least in a relatively inexpensive vehicle. I think the SBC will stick around, but GM doesn't seem to be able to make a new LS7 equivalent. Ford will probably continue with the Coyote for the Mustang, but I due to cost and emissions, I think the engine will be optimized for a lower redline (7000 or less) and more torque. Eventually we will see turbo V6's that perform much better, but which may not be as engaging.
Really, I don't think you can go wrong with either car, it's more about which aspects you really want to optimize. I wanted the special engine, the rear seats, and the big brakes and extra cooling, which made the GT350 an easy choice. I figure the vette will still be around in 15 years, and by then I'll be old enough, bald enough, and have enough gold chains to really be ready for one.
-T
No it is not. I have driven on street and on track C7 Z51 with and without magnetic suspension/PTM, and the standard Z51 is actually a very well dampened car. I actually prefer it on track (though the difference is small).
So you're saying you wash it quite a bit?
Ive driven GTPP extensively (3 years of ownership) and GT350 a little and C7 Z51(1 year + of ownership), and many other sports/sporty cars on street and track.
526 HP is low on power?? :doh:
