Finding a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale: The Sweet Spot of the C7 Generation

Finding a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale: The Sweet Spot of the C7 Generation

You're looking at the used market, and you see it. That wide-body stance. The hash marks on the fenders. Finding a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale feels like discovering a cheat code for the automotive world. It’s the middle child that actually got all the attention.

I remember the first time I sat in a 2017 Grand Sport at a local Chevy dealer back when they were fresh off the truck. It felt different from the base Stingray. More aggressive. More purposeful. It basically borrows the chassis and suspension bits from the fire-breathing Z06 but keeps the naturally aspirated LT1 V8. You get the looks and the handling without the heat soak issues or the "lose your license in four seconds" terror of the supercharged engine.

Honestly, it might be the best all-around Corvette ever made.

Why the 2017 Grand Sport is the One to Get

When searching for a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale, you have to understand what makes the 2017 model year specific. This was the inaugural year for the Grand Sport in the C7 generation. Chevrolet took the 460-horsepower engine from the Stingray Z51 and stuffed it into the wide-body carcass of the Z06.

It’s wide. Really wide.

You get the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires—or the Cup 2s if the original owner opted for the Z07 package—and those massive 14.6-inch front rotors. It’s a track car you can actually drive to the grocery store. People often ask if it’s "enough" power. Look, 460 horses is plenty for 95% of people. It’s usable. You can actually floor it coming out of a corner without the rear end trying to swap places with the front.

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The Performance Specs That Actually Matter

Let's talk numbers, but not the boring brochure kind. The 2017 Grand Sport pulls 1.05g on the skidpad. In plain English? It sticks like glue. If you find a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale with the Z07 package, that number jumps to 1.2g. That’s supercar territory from a decade ago, available for the price of a loaded Camry today.

The LT1 6.2L V8 is a masterpiece of old-school pushrod tech mixed with direct injection. It sounds angry. It’s reliable. Unlike the Z06, which can struggle with cooling during extended track sessions in July, the Grand Sport just keeps going. It's a tank.

What to Check Before You Buy

Don't just jump at the first shiny Admiral Blue metallic one you see. There are things that go wrong.

First, the wheels. Specifically, the "cracking" issue. The OEM Z06 and Grand Sport wheels from this era are notorious for being a bit soft. They bend. They crack. If you're looking at a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale at a dealership, ask them to put it on a balancer. If the wheel wobbles, it’s bent. A lot of owners eventually swap these out for forged aftermarket wheels like Forgelines or Apex wheels. If the car you're looking at already has forged wheels, that’s a huge value add.

Then there's the magnetic ride control. It’s brilliant. It adjusts the dampers every few milliseconds. But, those shocks can leak. Look for oily residue on the shock bodies. Replacing a set of MagRide shocks isn't cheap—expect to pay around $2,000 to $3,000 for a full set including labor.

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Interior Trims: 1LT vs 2LT vs 3LT

  • 1LT: The "stripper" model. It’s fine, but you miss out on the heads-up display (HUD) and heated/vented seats.
  • 2LT: The sweet spot. You get the HUD, the better Bose audio system, and the seat heaters. Most 2017 corvette grand sport for sale listings you'll find are 2LTs.
  • 3LT: Luxury, but with a catch. The leather-wrapped dashboard is beautiful until it starts to delaminate and bubble. It's a common C7 gripe. If you see a 3LT with a wavy dashboard, walk away or use it to knock $2,500 off the price.

The Transmission Debate

Manual or Automatic?

The 7-speed manual is a joy. It has active rev-matching, which makes you sound like a pro driver every time you downshift for a red light. It's becoming the more "collectible" choice.

The 8-speed automatic (8L90) is fast, but it had some teething issues. There was a technical service bulletin (TSB) regarding a shuddering sensation caused by moisture in the transmission fluid. The fix was a specific fluid flush using a new Mobil 1 synthetic LV ATF HP fluid. If you're test-driving an automatic 2017 corvette grand sport for sale and it feels like you're driving over rumble strips at highway speeds, it needs that flush. Make sure it's been done.

Real World Pricing and Market Value

As of early 2026, prices have stabilized. You aren't seeing the COVID-era insanity anymore. A clean, sub-30,000-mile 2017 corvette grand sport for sale will likely run you between $58,000 and $65,000 depending on the options.

Special editions like the Collector Edition (Watkins Glen Gray with Tension Blue interior) command a premium. Only 935 were made for the US market. If you find one of those, expect to pay north of $70k. Is it worth it? For the color combo, maybe. For the performance? It's the same car.

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Maintenance and Ownership Reality

Owning a Corvette isn't as scary as owning a Porsche. Parts are available at any Chevy dealer. The oil change is a bit different because the Grand Sport uses a dry-sump system. It takes nearly 10 quarts of 0W-40 Dexros ESP synthetic. Don't let a "jiffy-lube" place touch it. They will overfill it or forget the second drain plug.

The tires are the biggest expense. Those Michelin Pilot Super Sports are wide (335s in the rear!). A full set will set you back about $2,000. And since the alignment is aggressive from the factory, you’ll likely eat through the inner shoulders in 12,000 to 15,000 miles if you don't keep an eye on it.

Your Pre-Purchase Checklist

  1. Check the Carfax for "Service Campaigns": Not just accidents. Look for the transmission flush if it's an auto.
  2. Inspect the front splitter: These cars are low. Very low. Check underneath the front "fang" for scrapes or cracks in the carbon fiber or plastic.
  3. The "Sniff" Test: Check the cabin for a sweet smell. Some C7s had minor issues with heater cores or coolant leaks near the firewall.
  4. Tire Date Codes: Even if the tread looks good, if the tires are from 2017, they are "dead." Rubber hardens over time. Budget for new ones immediately.
  5. Roof Panels: If it’s a coupe, check the weather stripping around the removable targa top. They can squeak or leak if they haven't been lubricated with Krytox grease.

Buying a 2017 corvette grand sport for sale is about finding a car that hasn't been abused but has been driven. A Corvette that sits in a garage for 10 years without moving is often in worse shape than one with 25,000 miles. Gaskets dry out. Fuel goes bad.

Go for the car with a solid service history and a clean wheel set. You’ll end up with a vehicle that turns more heads than a base C8, sounds better than almost anything on the road, and holds its value incredibly well.

Stop browsing national listings and start looking at specialized forums like the Corvette Forum or Bring a Trailer. The owners there tend to be enthusiasts who over-maintain their vehicles. When you find a promising 2017 corvette grand sport for sale, get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) from a shop that knows Corvettes specifically. A standard "all-around" mechanic might miss the specific C7 nuances like the torque tube health or the electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) calibration. Verify the title is clear and ensure the car has both key fobs, as programming a new one for a C7 can be a tedious process involving a specific sequence in the trunk lock. Once the paperwork is done, get an alignment done at a performance shop to save your tires, and then just drive the thing.