2008 M3 to 2011 Corvette Grand Sport

[TRZ06]

So, I have made the switch.

I am loving it.

They are so very different cars. Here are some observations.

1. The M3 is easier to drive fast (until you get really used to the Vette) and build your confidence. The Corvette is a car you man handle more then the M3

2. the Corvette generates a much higher handling limit. You take a tight turn in the Vette and it is completely flat, sharp, direct, and you can run faster and deeper in corners, where as the M3 leans and is a little wishy washy (I said a little, not a lot)

3. I went with the LT3 interior, very nice, not low scale at all. Corvette has come a long way in the interior department since I had my C5 Z06.

4. Power is awesome, I so missed the low-end torque that the M3 just didn't have. The Corvette is completely comfortable from 1500 RPM and up.

5. Gas mileage: So much better then the M3. In 6th gear @ 80 MPH, the tach sits at about 2000 RPM and gets about 25 MPG

6. The shifter: I always hated the shifter in my M3, the Corvette shifter is now a joy to row thru. It is smooth, direct with no slop or rubbery feeling, and short direct throws, OH and it does NOT grind 1st to 2nd either. IMO the only tranny to get in an M3 is the DTC.

Both are great cars and serve different purposes. The M3 more refined, a jack of all trades but a master of none. The Corvette more raw (but less so then the C5 Z06), a world class handler, with plenty of power and torque. The Corvette feels like and IS a sports car, the M3 is a sporty car.

So here are the specs....

2011 Corvette Grand Sport
Cyber Gray exterior
Ebony w/ light gray 2 tone interior
LT3 Interior package
Nav.
Magnetic Ride Control
LS3 Dry sump oil system
Two tone leather seats
heated seats
HUD
Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires
275/35/18 Front
325/30/19 Rear

Paid $2500 under invoice.

[5erman]

ouch, not sure if I would by a final year C6 when C7 is around the corner but nonetheless its sharp.

What is the Hp/Torque?
How does it compare acceleration wise (not just low end torque as I get that it is much more) but overall?

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by 5erman

ouch, not sure if I would by a final year C6 when C7 is around the corner but nonetheless its sharp.

What is the Hp/Torque?
How does it compare acceleration wise (not just low end torque as I get that it is much more) but overall?

It is 436 hp and 428 tq.

It is stronger acceleration wise to the M3, however in the current weather with temps. in the 40's and 50's, traction is an issue with the amount of torque this car has.

In this kind of cold weather gobs of torque is not your friend. That is the one circumstance where the M3 excels because of the low torque numbers.

Ask me this again in June/July time frame.

As far as the time frame, I didn't have a choice. The M3 was turned back in to BMW last Wednesday under the lemon law due to a severe case of the idle valve.

[powertrip]

Gorgeous man, congrats .

[5erman]

Enjoy man-it looks really sharp. I am one of those who is not a vette hater, I think they build ridiculously awesome cars and all it a fraction of the cost of what others do. And they actually look really hot too. I think the interior was lacking for so long but bmw is going downhill and vettes are going up and I am not surprised at all if the vette is just as nice or nicer than the M interior.

I am sure you will love it. The zo6 sounds like a fun car but for a DD I think you made the right choice.

Also they make a supercar performance wise AND they provide 25mpg on the highway-that is ridiculous! Imagine if they could charge 200k per car, what they could do with the money-scary

[templarklimek]

gotta respect the Vette. slowly but surely it has become a world class sports car. and I hope chevy continues to offer the V8 and manual option.

my only issue is the size of the Vette. It's big but not in an obese sense just a bigger car than an M3. I'm not looking forward to 6TT in next M3 so Vette' may be in the running in the future.

Would you post some interior shots? Also, what kind of mod options do you have?

Congrats!

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by templarklimek

gotta respect the Vette. slowly but surely it has become a world class sports car. and I hope chevy continues to offer the V8 and manual option.

my only issue is the size of the Vette. It's big but not in an obese sense just a bigger car than an M3. I'm not looking forward to 6TT in next M3 so Vette' may be in the running in the future.

Would you post some interior shots? Also, what kind of mod options do you have?

Congrats!

Here are a couple I just took with my iPhone, so not the best, I will try to get more in better lighting.

[vladinecko]

Can you post more pics of the interior? I'd love to see the upgrades.

Corvettes have always been my dream cars and that's why I never got one. But I just ordered an M3 which has become my dream car about 10 years ago so a vette just might follow...

Congrats!

[Maseroche]

That's a beautiful 'Vette! Congratulations and hope you'll enjoy it.

[uhn2000]

Damn nice looking..

[Rshane]

Congrats, that is a beautiful Vette, I really like the color. You are right, the interior has come a long way. I remember my 89 L98 Vette with it's Delco radio and plastic interior from hell that rattled when I drove over pine needles.

The only thing that I don't like about the Vettes is their seats. I really wish they would put something better in a car of this caliber. Oh well, easily solved with aftermarket seats.

Congrats again, and try not to burn through too many sets of tires.

[Kobaiyashi]

Thanks for sharing your observations. Love the exterior look of the vette; gotta get myself to a dealer to test drive one of those things!

Also, I share your gripes about the M3 6MT tranny. But, as my first ever stick, I can't help but love it.

All the best.

[kaykay]

Great Vette, congrats!

You should have gotten the ZR1

[Glop]

Originally Posted by Rshane

You are right, the interior has come a long way.

Congratulations on the new car! Hope you have fun in it, that's all that matters. However I still think they have a long way to go on the interior, it still looks like an upgraded much cheaper car inside. (And personally, I don't find the exterior appealing either but I totally get that this is more a matter of personal taste). It's a monster of a car though

[5erman]

Originally Posted by kaykay

Great Vette, congrats!

You should have gotten the ZR1

Helpful post. The zr1 is over 100k. The GS is under 55k. Not really in the same ballpark.

And I hate to say it but that interior actually looks no different than the c5. Those seats have no support STILL!!!! what is with them and companies putting non supportive seats in these horsepower race cars. I just do not get that.

The steering wheel looks to big and thin. With nicer seats and a nicer steering wheel, drop the 2-tone interior, it would look pretty nifty inside.

I LOVE the outside plus it is really light too-enjoy!

[Kyoshi71]

LOVE THOSE WHEELS!!! The interior set up looks fantastic.

The car looks beautiful. Good Luck

Way to go GM!

[BimmerM]

Congrats, that's an awesome car, I had a 2002 Z06 as well as a 2006 C6 and miss that rumble and torque. You will absolutely love it!!

I wouldn't mind getting another Z06 (ZR1 way too pricey ) but no room in the garage and now that I have a family that's out of a question being only two seats.

I still love Vettes though!! Congrats again!!

[PKL]

Nice write up but I would rather have the BMW every day of the week.

[Race_Doc11]

Awesome.....I still miss the Vette, I drove it for 5 years and always loved it. I'm thinking to get the Grand Sport as well....Best of luck

[Kurohouou]

The Corvette is still in my mind the best sports car you can buy in America. Never liked the Viper. I do think they still need to improve their interior a lot. Granted like you said its a big step up from the C5 days. But it does use a lot of bits from lower end cars still. I really hope the C7 takes big leaps and bounds in the interior department, cutting out chrome and replacing with carbon fiber maybe or some other more sporty less tacky bits. Also they need to develop parts specifically for the Corvette and stop using the parts bin. I look at the picture you posted of the door and I wonder if its out of a Malibu or a Corvette I just think Chevy could do better in this regard.

But enough about the interior, everything else about the car rocks, I love the smaller body style the C6 brought, I hated how large the C5 looked, I hope they continue the trend to reduce and lighten in the C7. And the engine, well that's hands down the best engine built in America as well! one of the best in the world actually. If you want a all out sports car on the cheap (relatively) that's the car to get. But I think for me and most here, they love the refinement and the luxury BMW has to offer in addition to the performance. But no doubt a fun car, enjoy!

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Kurohouou

The Corvette is still in my mind the best sports car you can buy in America. Never liked the Viper.

Agreed.

Congrats to OP. Always liked the Corvettes. Any mods are you thinking?

[double eagle]

I switched from driving a 06 Vette for 4+ years to the '08 M3 for one important reason - build quality. Too many squeaks, creaks, and rattles from body flex and road noise from the Goodyear F1 Eagle run flats. And, then there were the three recalls with the removable roof panel. My '73 C3 driven in the 70s was much quieter.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the new ride. Perhaps I'll return to the "Save the Wave" gang with the C7.