My thoughts on the C8 Corvette

280z/300zx · 08-29-2019, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Rod 370 Z

I know this is a Z forum but I believe we all like nice sports cars so I thought I would open a discussion. I have owned 3 Corvettes in the past including a 2002 Z06. I bought that new for around $53K. C8 base price is set at $59,995 but I looked at the option sheet today. Oh my god you can take this car to well over $80K with the endless options list. At first I was a bit disappointed with the revealed look of the car but then I realized that a mid engine car has to have a shorter hood and totally different body line compared to a front engine car. So its growing on me "except for the tail lights" ... 2nd negative is auto trans only. Again I realize that a duel clutch auto trans shifts very fast but all of my sports cars and hot rods were manual trans. I like to shift my cars. 3rd negative, even with the Z51 option package its only 495 HP. Now that is nothing to sneeze at but compared to Boss Mustangs, 714 HP Challengers and the like its not up to par HP wise. I know they will come out with Z06, ZR's but what will that cost ??? I think GM has lost the purpose of the Corvette. It was always an affordable sports car that a working person could afford with a bit of effort. That being said I would like one but not in the first or even second year. I am sure there will be issues to cure on this new generation Stingray. Your thoughts please !!!

Going to look at it today. I will say this much. A lot of people are only focusing on the 495 hp number without taking into account the traction that will be gained from mid engine. It was already leaked the other day that the Z51 will run the 1/4 mile in 11.3. Thats C7 Z06 teritory. As a C7 Z06 M7 owner I can personally tell you that with 650hp the car is useless at full throttle on the street. You just can't utilize the power because traction is just not there. Even at the track I had to leave the nannies on just pull a decent time. With traction control off I ran a full second slower because I was spinning 1st and 2nd the whole way. Yes, you can change to drag radials but I like to run my car at the track the way I drive it on the street as my daily driver. Point is 495 hp with an 11.3 1/4 mile time will be more than plenty and more than most people can use. Anything more is just bragging rights.

That being said I agree about the disappointment in DCT only. I've been a manual only driver for 20 years now, since I was 17, and the thought of giving up a manual is difficult. I did go recently and test drive some other DCT sports cars to see if I could live with it and it doesn't seem horrible. Besides, I've still got my 5-speed 280z in the garage for the days I want to go old school. But I'm going in just 2 hours to the C8 event here in Vegas so once I see it in person I'll decide if I'll put a deposit down or wait.

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