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CF is popular with racers because it is light and strong. CF is popular with Corvette owners because they want to look like racers. Most of the CF stuff you see is just for cosmetics.
Working in the Aerospace business for over 40 years, I was not impressed nor did I opt for the CF dash. Actually, CF structural components were never finished to this level, they were actually rough!
Besides there were 3 other finishes in the cockpit already, didn't want a 4th. If the CF replaced all the black finish plastic, it probably would have cost over $6,000. I definitely don't think so.
Who has a chance to look at it. With all the crazy drivers on their cell phones.... My eyes are on the road!
I look at my CF roof, side skirts, splitter, hood vent and grill bar cover only when it's parked!
I'm with you, don't even turn my cell phone on when I drive the Vette! Never activated blue tooth. Never had an accident with another car in over 50 years of driving (looking for wood!) Attribute that to luck and looking all around me all the time. Today it's very difficult. When I come up to a red light, I slow, look in my mirror well before the stopped car in front and go slowly in case the person behind me gets a "phone beep" as they get close, etc, etc.
Some folks "have to look" at their phone when they hear a beep, it's a conditioned response! They can't help themselves - they "must look" to see who left that useless message- could cause them to be into your rear!
Like Pavlov's Dog, Unfortunately Some Folks Just Have to Look at a Beeping Cell Phone. It's a Learned Conditioned Response!
I like cf especially in applications where it saves weight. I would love to have cf wheels but cost prohibitive. Fortunately I like the appearance of the black plastic in the cabin so I'm not tempted there.
I think Exposed Carbon Fiber is the new chrome. With the C7 Corvette, you have the choice of exposed weave or painted Carbon Fiber components. They both weigh the same, one just has specially manufactured pretty weave carbon fiber. The painted carbon fiber components are just as light, but the carbon fiber underneath does not look like the pretty weave exposed carbon fiber. Like others, my OCD would kick in and I would want all the components to match the pretty weave which gets pretty expensive for non performance mods. I've seen a few C7s where the exposed carbon fiber bumps up next to painted Carbon Flash and I'm not a fan of the look.
All cars have the same roof. Just a difference of clear coat or painted.
They are both carbon fiber. The visible CF (which I have) cost more because it has to have the cloth laid carefully to look uniform. It is then clear coated. When the C7 came out, it was indicated the hood and roof are made from CF but were not designed to look good and came in primed to be painted. The mfg also used a faster, patented manufacturing process. It was also stated that if the optional visible CF roofs did not meet the GM QA standard they could be painted.
When I got my September 2013 built C7 it was indicated by an insider they were constrained because they were not meeting GM QA standards. Delayed my deliver a few weeks. You can bet the manufacturer only got the painted CF roof lower price if they had to be painted! They were often constrained off and on for more than a year!
Thanks everyone. Good to know that it's just visual and I'm not missing out on anything. Happy for those who find it visually appealing.
Don't miss the point of why many of us added side skirts, made from whatever. They stop rocks from marking the GM plastic, which will discolor and look bad after a short while!
I would not have added side skirts for "looks!" However once started adding Carbon Fiber parts became adictive!
I see CF for everything - skirts, plenum covers, consoles, you name it but wondering why so popular? It's not anymore aesthetically pleasing to me so is there some other reason everyone is going with it? 4 weeks into being a corvette owner so likely many more dumb questions to come. Thank you in advance for your patience.
I like the 3D look of carbon fiber with a clear coat if done correctly. We opted for the exposed carbon fiber roof but I passed on carbon fiber everything else. To me it cheapens the interior, and the splitter and skirts are too vulnerable to lay awake at night worrying about a rock chip through the weave.
I like the weight savings of CF but not the "look" of it. I think it's hilarious that my C7's painted roof is CF but the unpainted one is a $2000 option. Kinda makes you go WTF?
Originally Posted by ersatz928
Similar for me : "What am I missing with all the black wheels?"
I love black wheels because they don't show brake dust five minutes after cleaning them. I had CCW SP500s on my C5 and finally sold them because I got so sick of keeping them presentable.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
Originally Posted by juanvaldez
CF is popular with racers because it is light and strong. CF is popular with Corvette owners because they want to look like racers. Most of the CF stuff you see is just for cosmetics.
12-09-2016, 07:26 AM
I look at my CF roof, side skirts, splitter, hood vent and grill bar cover only when it's parked! 
