I’m on the fence with these two cars.

The Z06 is a special car which may or may not be duplicated again in the future.

The GT 55 is also a special car with many comforts yet still can rip.

who has driven them both?

pros/cons of each?

looking for some real world experience of the two as both would be a ton of fun.

I would not track either car but rather driving through national forests, car shows and dinners.

 

An Eray is a better comp/choice much less harsh riding than the Z yet still tons of power from the V8 and front electric motor (no plug in crap here) wide body of the Z, the plus AWD and monster AS HP tires.

The ER is an amazing vehicle and checks all the boxes except for the FPC wail of the NA V8, but the ER has its own distinctive sound, it’s a bargain at $150k fully loaded. Only trouble is Chevy dealers/service which can be inconsistent at best unless you’re lucky enough to live by a very large corvette dealer that has many specialist c8 techs. Another thing is no loaners from what I’m told, hard to believe for a vehicle of this magnitude.

Watch some of the ER reviews on YouTube, the car is VERY impressive.

 

I would love to hear more opinions on this as I, too, am considering both of these exact cars!

 

The first thing you will notice is the weight difference. The Z feels more agile, turn in is much sharper. The ride is stiffer in the Z but the glorious sound the Z makes is just awesome.

The gt is more comfortable and feels more luxurious. the 4 wheel steering is definitely a plus. If you were to go on a 500 mile road trip you more than likely would choose the gt. Did i mention the sound the Z makes...the Z will make the hair on your arms stand up.

Both are great cars. If you desire a convertible the Z is where it's at.

 

Own the GT63 and the C8Z- driven the the ERay to some extent....

Id take the Z all day every day. Its just the more dynamic, aggressive car and of course the sound is unbelievable. Ive had much faster cars (Plaid, Turbo S) from a dig and if one is all about the "feel" and sheer dynamics of a high reving flat plane that actually can launch- the Z is the car. I have had more smiles in a year with the Z than probably 90% of my other cars that Ive owned. But Im a 9/10ths driver when its applicable so the Z makes sense for me. The GT55 wont compare as even the 63 cant compete with the Z in regards to performance and driving involvement.

Weight goes to the Z
Sound to the Z
Steering to the Z with light non AWD front end
Trap speed to the Z
Dig to the GT63 on a repeat street basis (un prepped)
On demand street replies to the GT63 but only if you are caught in the wrong gear in the Z
Cockpit- GT63 is more luxe but the Z has done a good job here with its centric feel.
Looks- Oh this one is tough. The Z has all the edges and the GT has all the curves. The GT is classy and elegant yet has some aggression to it while the Z has limited optical subtlety.


Value- they both suck now and have large deprectiation curves but the GT63/55 is literally dying on the vine with solid deals to be had compared to MSRP.
These are my opinions based on ownership. With that being said, I would get the Z over the 63. This measured after my same exact canyon runs with both cars. While I love to line up on the street and have a dig win, thats not my fave thing in driving. I love the higher reving rpm range and V8 wail of the FP Crank. The GT63 has a great grunt all its own though, but its not in the same ballpark. On the track the Z trumps of course.

 

Good information and appreciate the feedback. I live 10 minutes from the largest Chevy dealer in the US and have been talking with them about just ordering a 2026 Z06 as I like the cockpit updates to the car. I am also talking with my dealer about ordering a GT55 but can't get pricing as they don't know how tariffs will impact prices. They showed me their orders for 2026 and everything was listed as $7,777,777. Don't want to order a car not knowing the price, so Z06 has the advantage at this point.....

 

You are by Classic I see ...

They are huge but the best Z06 dealer is https://www.macmulkin.net/

Ive only heard good things about them. I dont foresee a large bump in pricing with the Z06... the factory churns these things out and the supply has exceeded demand.

 

Yes, Classic is very close! I've not done business with them before, but they are huge.....have at least 10 Z06 in stock.....none meet my specs. I will most definitely check out Macmulkin......appreciate the heads up!

 

If youre looking pure performance z06 no question. That thing is a absolute freak of nature.

If youre looking all around id say gt55/63. You wont get near the z06 performance even with the GT63. So it all boils down to what you value more. Performance and speed - z06/ also very fast but not z06 fast, but comes with luxury, and unmatched quality/design inside and out - AMG GT

 

Just get both.....I couldn't decide either but I now have 1 for each mood..priceless

 

Z06 is by far the best performance vehicle you can get at that price point. Also thinking of adding one to the collection soon, which year did you get and what are your thoughts so far?

 

Ive done the same---

I got the Z 14 months ago and the GT in March...

Both compliment each other in ways that make me sleep well at night.

 

I have had it 2 years. Absolutely love it and as vic stated they compliment each other. It's one of the few cars I have owned with no desire to change exhaust. Mine is a convertible and the sound is just intoxicating. I have 10k miles and it's never been to the dealership for a problem. I honestly have zero complaints or concerns with it.

 

I'm sorry, but the Corvette is butt ugly. It is out of proportion. The rear of the car is too wide compared to the front. Coming down the road, you see this car coming toward you, and it looks all out of proportion with its fat rear. It is by far the ugliest car in its class. I had a Z06 on order but cancelled it once I saw how out of proportion it is.

I could not bring myself to drive the 'Edsel' of two-seat sports cars.

Whoever was the lead designer on the Corvette should be fired.

 

How does it go, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but based on the buying public you are in the minority which is OK. There are some cars I feel the same about and I am in the minority

 

So which one did you end up getting?

 

As one who has driven all the MB GT coupes from 2016 to the current GT 63 2 door, I purchased a '21 C8 Stingray and 3 C8 Z06s (I currently own 3 C8 Z06s). Hands down if one is looking for performance the C8 Z06 runs circles around the GT63. I put my money where my mouth is by currently owning 3 C8 Z06s that I track with about 40 track days a year. If you are looking for a "grocery getter" the GT 63 may be a better pick but if you are looking for track performance the Z06 (IMHO) is the way to go!

I will add--I am interest in the GT63 Pro but none really available unless one is at the $277k price point for the collectors edition--which is not for me. Really looking for the GT 63 Pro at around $200-225k. Not really sure what MB's strategy is with the MB GT63 Pro. I am a long standing MB customer but MB seems to have lost their way. I have example of example how so many of us MB loyalists are going other places for cars instead of MB. It is sad MB has lost it's engineering touch (IMHO). Loved my '19 S63 but my '25 S63 AMG E Performance has been nothing but trouble.

 

2 very different purpose built cars that both do their jobs very well. I love my gt63 and also love my c8z06

 

Completely agree! I have lots of experience with the GT Rs and the GT63 coupe at the track. Since I am a track rat that is my point of view at least for these cars. My daily S63 AMG E Performance is the daily driver that I am trying to love but likes check engine lights and seems to have been at the dealer more than in my garage!

I guess my issue with the current MB Coupes is that they moved away from the AWESOME GTR to a more tame GT63. As you stated they do things differently/well for what they are built for. My problem is I got used to a GTR for the track and the GT63 is no GTR!

 

Every time I get in my GT63 I appreciate it for what it brings and every time I get in my Z I just grin for days:

 

If I recall, you have some P cars in your stable too right? How does the Z06 compare to those? I’ve been agonizing over a GT4 RS vs a Z06, which obviously is such a better value compared to the Porsche.

 

You can see what my fun factor is like with 3 C8 Z06s! I grin for weeks every time I take the C8Z06 to the track. I was not a Corvette guy before the C8 generation but I am now. I owned a 21 C8 Stingray I put 13000 track miles on before retiring it in 23 when I purchased the 2 23 C8 Z06s with a third purchase in 24 for a 24 C8Z06. Absolutely love these cars—they are made for the track.

 

Yes I have a 2022 992 GTS that has been slightly modified with a tune and exhaust. Its still not as wild/crazy as the C8Z and while the GTS sounds good; its not remotely as rewarding to hear. The GTS does drive well with the PDCC and its overall chassis dynamics but the C8Z can not be beat with the N/A engine and the mag ride. The turbo (slight) lag in the GTS can be felt at times if Im not in the right rpm range and driving in auto mode. The GTS is a looker still to me and very much a fun car that would still lose out to the C8Z. I have zero seat time in a GT4 RS but can only imagine its more dynamic that the GTS and that will narrow the gap in driveability if you are pushing the car in the bends and curves. The GTS is slower than the C8Z but can outlaunch it as I get more wheelspin on colder tires with the C8Z. Both are rwd though.

I do still think the Porsche steering has just a slight bit more feel and road feedback but its close. Braking is equal and so is the characteristics of the dual clutches they both have. I actually like the C8Z cabin equally to the GTS and Chevy has upped their interior game here. Fit and finish goes to the GTS though as the Chevy had a few paint issues I had fixed but nothing I really will ever be mad about. I love driving both cars as I swap them but if I can only drive one; its the C8Z. The sound, the sound, the sound.

For the price and now the discounts, the C8Z cant be beat. I threw a Kline exhaust on it to get even more of that brilliant sound.

My GTS

 

funny…. Talk about proportions I think the GT kinda looks like a shoe Z06 is a work of art. It was molded from 458. You do realize the Z06 is 4 inches wider than the base stingray. Bang for buck it’s , the absolute best performance bargain in the supercar category and I’m an AMG guy! 👍

 

I love it, the C8Z comparo thread revival. I just got my 2nd C8Z; an HTC!! I love the car, the looks, and the way it engages my senses: