GT3 vs ZR1 - More observations...
09-30-2019, 02:37 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
GT3 vs ZR1 - More observations...
I've put about 1500 miles on my 2019 ZR1 and done multiple back-to-back drives, so here are my observations.
1. I am probably going to lose my drivers license because of the ZR1.
In my GT3 the bad behavior always seemed to occur on a deserted mountain road out in the middle of nowhere. My transgressions seemed to be more "controlled." In the ZR1 the devil on my shoulder just seems to win out at random times and places. I can't get on a freeway on ramp without blasting it, mostly because it is too exhilarating trying to keep things under control through 3rd gear. Fortunately my wife is okay being a chauffeur, so I rationalize this by telling myself "we will save a **** ton of money when this happens, because...no toys...no insurance...no tires." And that leads me to item #2.
2. The ZR1's rear tires are not long for this earth.
My GT3 can get 12k miles out of a set of Cup 2's, but I think the ZR1 rear tires won't last to 4k. Tires are going to be a real budget killer with this car.
3. My GT3 feels seriously under-powered.
You knew this was coming. It is really hard to go from 755 to 475 hp and not notice that. Not to mention the massive torque difference, which is 715 vs 335 or so.
4. The GT3 handles better.
It could be the weight. It could be the better suspension. But I can take corners much faster in the GT3 right now. Yeah, 3.5 years experience driving the GT3 vs 2 months in the ZR1 helps a lot, but the feel of the car in the corners is just better in the GT3. The steering feedback is also better in the GT3. I just feel a bit more connected to the road. Which leads me to...
5. I am an awesome driver in the GT3. I suck in the ZR1.
I am probably a lot faster in my GT3, mostly because it inspires such confidence. It is so precise and just feels easy to drive. The car makes me feel like the second coming of Lewis Hamilton. And I don't view the ease of which I can take corners as being a bad thing in the GT3. Speed is just fun with it. The ZR1, in comparison, instills no such confidence. It always gives you the feeling that it can and wants to kill you in a flaming wreckage. I didn't give taking the GT3 to the drags a second thought. Just showed up and let her rip. I have serious reservations about doing that in the ZR1. I don't know if I have the ***** to stay on this thing for a 1/4 mile. While the GT3 feels like it is on rails at speeds over 100 mph, the ZR1 moves around a lot more. Which leads me to the next point.
6. The ZR1 is scary.
I have only had it up to 130 but it was pulling hard the whole way. If you jump on it in 1st it seems to get traction for maybe 2000 rpm then it just breaks loose from about 3500 rpm to 6500 rpm, at which point you grab 2nd and it starts all over again. The shift from 1st to 2nd gives you that violent rear kick out that I've grown to admire. It also breaks loose a little from 2nd to 3rd, at which point the engine feels like it starts hitting the power band. Keep in mind I am over 100hp down at altitude. Yeah. Of course the rear doesn't feel super planted and you feel things starting to sway a little, which I hope an alignment and lowering will take care of. The drama surrounding this car is alarming and exciting at the same time, but I know the razor's edge that I am living on when I jump on this thing. My GT3 is totally tame by comparison.
7. The ZR1 gets a crazy amount of attention.
I thought the GT3 got a lot of attention, but by comparison the ZR1 gets 10x as much. I think a lot of it is that it is American-made, but everywhere I go I get waves, thumbs up, people coming over to see it, etc. If you are an introvert, this car is either going to bring you out of your shell, or you are going to hate it. And yes, like most cool cars, it is a sausage magnet.
8. Porsche obviously makes a better built car.
As you'd expect, the GT3 has better materials, better manufacturing tolerances, and it is just tighter all the way around. If Porsche quality is a 10, the ZR1 is a solid 6.5 to 7. For example, when I look at the leather and alcantara, the GT3 materials just look and feel nicer. Nothing that makes you think the ZR1 is cheap, but the gap is apparent. The same can be said about the paint, wheels, suspension, etc. It is all better in the GT3. Which leads me to...
9. The ZR1 is a screaming performance value at $130k.
That might seem strange to say given my comments above, but whatever the ZR1 gives up in material qualities it makes back 5x over in performance. These two cars are not even in the same league, and you guys know how much I love my GT3. The ZR1 is just another level of animal. Now that doesn't mean I am faster in the ZR1 anywhere, because I might not be. But the ceiling on the ZR1 is much higher, if you have the skill or ***** to see how high it goes. This is much closer to GT2RS performance for less than 1/2 the price.
10. The GT3 is still a masterpiece.
The one thing that always struck me about my GT3 is the level of love and obsession that went into it to make such a great car. Literally, every little detail was obsessed over, and I can just see it. My GT3 is really a marriage of design and awesome engineering. Like I said, it's a masterpiece. The ZR1 doesn't have that feel to it, but it is just as fun to drive. Maybe more. Nobody obsessed over every little detail. Instead, they took a Z06 and said "what can we do to fix all the problems that the Z06 had? Okay, let's add another 100 hp, give it better cooling and rubber, and throw a big *** wing on the back." It's a Z06 on steroids.
Given all this, which do I prefer to drive? I think it is too early to tell, tbh. As you'd expect, the ZR1 is getting more driving time right now. I am sure that will adjust over time. But they are such different cars. A ton of contrast. If I want to really explore the limits of the ZR1 I need to become a much better driver. I bet if I go out on our local track I am quicker in my GT3. But with lessons I am positive the ZR1 would be much quicker.
In any case, those are my observations so far. Both super fun to drive.
1. I am probably going to lose my drivers license because of the ZR1.
In my GT3 the bad behavior always seemed to occur on a deserted mountain road out in the middle of nowhere. My transgressions seemed to be more "controlled." In the ZR1 the devil on my shoulder just seems to win out at random times and places. I can't get on a freeway on ramp without blasting it, mostly because it is too exhilarating trying to keep things under control through 3rd gear. Fortunately my wife is okay being a chauffeur, so I rationalize this by telling myself "we will save a **** ton of money when this happens, because...no toys...no insurance...no tires." And that leads me to item #2.
2. The ZR1's rear tires are not long for this earth.
My GT3 can get 12k miles out of a set of Cup 2's, but I think the ZR1 rear tires won't last to 4k. Tires are going to be a real budget killer with this car.
3. My GT3 feels seriously under-powered.
You knew this was coming. It is really hard to go from 755 to 475 hp and not notice that. Not to mention the massive torque difference, which is 715 vs 335 or so.
4. The GT3 handles better.
It could be the weight. It could be the better suspension. But I can take corners much faster in the GT3 right now. Yeah, 3.5 years experience driving the GT3 vs 2 months in the ZR1 helps a lot, but the feel of the car in the corners is just better in the GT3. The steering feedback is also better in the GT3. I just feel a bit more connected to the road. Which leads me to...
5. I am an awesome driver in the GT3. I suck in the ZR1.
I am probably a lot faster in my GT3, mostly because it inspires such confidence. It is so precise and just feels easy to drive. The car makes me feel like the second coming of Lewis Hamilton. And I don't view the ease of which I can take corners as being a bad thing in the GT3. Speed is just fun with it. The ZR1, in comparison, instills no such confidence. It always gives you the feeling that it can and wants to kill you in a flaming wreckage. I didn't give taking the GT3 to the drags a second thought. Just showed up and let her rip. I have serious reservations about doing that in the ZR1. I don't know if I have the ***** to stay on this thing for a 1/4 mile. While the GT3 feels like it is on rails at speeds over 100 mph, the ZR1 moves around a lot more. Which leads me to the next point.
6. The ZR1 is scary.
I have only had it up to 130 but it was pulling hard the whole way. If you jump on it in 1st it seems to get traction for maybe 2000 rpm then it just breaks loose from about 3500 rpm to 6500 rpm, at which point you grab 2nd and it starts all over again. The shift from 1st to 2nd gives you that violent rear kick out that I've grown to admire. It also breaks loose a little from 2nd to 3rd, at which point the engine feels like it starts hitting the power band. Keep in mind I am over 100hp down at altitude. Yeah. Of course the rear doesn't feel super planted and you feel things starting to sway a little, which I hope an alignment and lowering will take care of. The drama surrounding this car is alarming and exciting at the same time, but I know the razor's edge that I am living on when I jump on this thing. My GT3 is totally tame by comparison.
7. The ZR1 gets a crazy amount of attention.
I thought the GT3 got a lot of attention, but by comparison the ZR1 gets 10x as much. I think a lot of it is that it is American-made, but everywhere I go I get waves, thumbs up, people coming over to see it, etc. If you are an introvert, this car is either going to bring you out of your shell, or you are going to hate it. And yes, like most cool cars, it is a sausage magnet.
8. Porsche obviously makes a better built car.
As you'd expect, the GT3 has better materials, better manufacturing tolerances, and it is just tighter all the way around. If Porsche quality is a 10, the ZR1 is a solid 6.5 to 7. For example, when I look at the leather and alcantara, the GT3 materials just look and feel nicer. Nothing that makes you think the ZR1 is cheap, but the gap is apparent. The same can be said about the paint, wheels, suspension, etc. It is all better in the GT3. Which leads me to...
9. The ZR1 is a screaming performance value at $130k.
That might seem strange to say given my comments above, but whatever the ZR1 gives up in material qualities it makes back 5x over in performance. These two cars are not even in the same league, and you guys know how much I love my GT3. The ZR1 is just another level of animal. Now that doesn't mean I am faster in the ZR1 anywhere, because I might not be. But the ceiling on the ZR1 is much higher, if you have the skill or ***** to see how high it goes. This is much closer to GT2RS performance for less than 1/2 the price.
10. The GT3 is still a masterpiece.
The one thing that always struck me about my GT3 is the level of love and obsession that went into it to make such a great car. Literally, every little detail was obsessed over, and I can just see it. My GT3 is really a marriage of design and awesome engineering. Like I said, it's a masterpiece. The ZR1 doesn't have that feel to it, but it is just as fun to drive. Maybe more. Nobody obsessed over every little detail. Instead, they took a Z06 and said "what can we do to fix all the problems that the Z06 had? Okay, let's add another 100 hp, give it better cooling and rubber, and throw a big *** wing on the back." It's a Z06 on steroids.
Given all this, which do I prefer to drive? I think it is too early to tell, tbh. As you'd expect, the ZR1 is getting more driving time right now. I am sure that will adjust over time. But they are such different cars. A ton of contrast. If I want to really explore the limits of the ZR1 I need to become a much better driver. I bet if I go out on our local track I am quicker in my GT3. But with lessons I am positive the ZR1 would be much quicker.
In any case, those are my observations so far. Both super fun to drive.
09-30-2019, 02:55 PM
#3
Good write up. Just for clarity as Im not into corvettes- by ZR1- do you mean the new body style or the race version of the last generation?
thx
thx
09-30-2019, 02:59 PM
#4
Race Director
Thread Starter
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Yippiekiaye (09-30-2019)
09-30-2019, 03:02 PM
#5
09-30-2019, 03:03 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Cool write-up! Thanks for sharing, if my C6 ZR1 disappeared, I’d likely pick up a C7 ZR1 to park next to my 991.2 GT3. But, at this time, can’t justify the price delta with how little I can drive either sports car and I still smile big winding out the LS9, so it works for me now.
Enjoy the C7 ZR1 in good health!
Enjoy the C7 ZR1 in good health!
09-30-2019, 03:44 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
I think what you're saying is..... my GT3 loves me and my ZR1 is trying to kill me. Excellent write up. There's never been a better time to be a car guy, or gal! Enjoy every mile!
-Dave
-Dave
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991C2S88 (05-23-2021)
09-30-2019, 03:53 PM
#9
Great write. Would love to drive a ZR1.
I would be afraid to own it though. I don’t have that much self restraint.
I would be afraid to own it though. I don’t have that much self restraint.
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basil2000 (09-30-2019)
09-30-2019, 04:48 PM
#11
You should post this in the corvette forum and see what they say.
I drove 991.2 GT3 and have ZR1. I also drove 991.1 GT3. I can say .2 is much closer to ZR1 once its above 4000 rpm. But down low, no comparison. Not even GT2RS will beat ZR1 torque. ZR1 dynos consistently 750+ torque at 1200 rpm and above. GT2RS has half of that and linearly increases to a max of 550. Big difference.
ZR1 pulls to 160 like GT3 pulls to 120. ZR1 will do 215mph which is insane speed. If you removed the wing, it will hit 220.
ZR1 runs out of full tank of gas flat out in 14 minutes.
ZR1 shoots blue flames in WOT (and these are not just short bursts you see other cars do but rather like a rocket ship).
ZR1 squeaks and rattles like a public subway (not kidding). If you drive it on track mode, give it 2,000 miles and rattles will come, they will come to the point you will not want to drive the car without music.
I drove 991.2 GT3 and have ZR1. I also drove 991.1 GT3. I can say .2 is much closer to ZR1 once its above 4000 rpm. But down low, no comparison. Not even GT2RS will beat ZR1 torque. ZR1 dynos consistently 750+ torque at 1200 rpm and above. GT2RS has half of that and linearly increases to a max of 550. Big difference.
ZR1 pulls to 160 like GT3 pulls to 120. ZR1 will do 215mph which is insane speed. If you removed the wing, it will hit 220.
ZR1 runs out of full tank of gas flat out in 14 minutes.
ZR1 shoots blue flames in WOT (and these are not just short bursts you see other cars do but rather like a rocket ship).
ZR1 squeaks and rattles like a public subway (not kidding). If you drive it on track mode, give it 2,000 miles and rattles will come, they will come to the point you will not want to drive the car without music.
09-30-2019, 05:29 PM
#14
Race Director
Thread Starter
Cool write-up! Thanks for sharing, if my C6 ZR1 disappeared, I’d likely pick up a C7 ZR1 to park next to my 991.2 GT3. But, at this time, can’t justify the price delta with how little I can drive either sports car and I still smile big winding out the LS9, so it works for me now.
Enjoy the C7 ZR1 in good health!
Enjoy the C7 ZR1 in good health!
Drove out to the Air Force Academy this past weekend.
You should post this in the corvette forum and see what they say.
I drove 991.2 GT3 and have ZR1. I also drove 991.1 GT3. I can say .2 is much closer to ZR1 once its above 4000 rpm. But down low, no comparison. Not even GT2RS will beat ZR1 torque. ZR1 dynos consistently 750+ torque at 1200 rpm and above. GT2RS has half of that and linearly increases to a max of 550. Big difference.
ZR1 pulls to 160 like GT3 pulls to 120. ZR1 will do 215mph which is insane speed. If you removed the wing, it will hit 220.
ZR1 runs out of full tank of gas flat out in 14 minutes.
ZR1 shoots blue flames in WOT (and these are not just short bursts you see other cars do but rather like a rocket ship).
ZR1 squeaks and rattles like a public subway (not kidding). If you drive it on track mode, give it 2,000 miles and rattles will come, they will come to the point you will not want to drive the car without music.
I drove 991.2 GT3 and have ZR1. I also drove 991.1 GT3. I can say .2 is much closer to ZR1 once its above 4000 rpm. But down low, no comparison. Not even GT2RS will beat ZR1 torque. ZR1 dynos consistently 750+ torque at 1200 rpm and above. GT2RS has half of that and linearly increases to a max of 550. Big difference.
ZR1 pulls to 160 like GT3 pulls to 120. ZR1 will do 215mph which is insane speed. If you removed the wing, it will hit 220.
ZR1 runs out of full tank of gas flat out in 14 minutes.
ZR1 shoots blue flames in WOT (and these are not just short bursts you see other cars do but rather like a rocket ship).
ZR1 squeaks and rattles like a public subway (not kidding). If you drive it on track mode, give it 2,000 miles and rattles will come, they will come to the point you will not want to drive the car without music.
