C8 Corvette Stingray or a C6 Z06 and C6 ZR1: Which to Buy?
C8 Corvette Stingray is the hot, new sports car, but the two C6 performance models won’t depreciate.
Production of the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has not gone as planned for General Motors. First, there was a work stoppage due to a labor dispute late in 2019. Shortly after production got flowing in 2020, the Bowling Green plant was forced to once again stop production due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The facility is up and running now, but they are way behind schedule. That has led to long waits for the folks who ordered a C8 and in some cases, they are rethinking their purchase.
One of the people who ordered a C8 Corvette Stingray, only to wait a very long time, is “Cbrcr99”. He is growing impatient and he has realized that he can buy a pair of C6 performance models. For the same amount of money, the OP could get either the C8 Stingray that he ordered or both a C6 Z06 and a C6 ZR1. Unsure of what to do, he turns to the community to see what other Corvette lovers would buy in this situation.
C8 or a Pair of C6s?
When the OP first shared his dilemma with the CorvetteForum community, he included the following detail.
Hello my order has finally come up on a c8. It has been a long 18 months since I put down the first deposit. My question is this: for essentially the same amount of money I can purchase a low mileage c6 zo6 and c6 zr1. What is the better purchase. I very much like the looks of both generations and I do not track my cars.
It should be noted that the OP made this post in the C8 section. As a result, the replies are overwhelmingly in support of the newest Corvette, but there are some interesting points made to support the pair of C6 models.
As for the pricing information, the C8 Stingray – especially in convertible form – a heavily-optioned car can easily creep up on the $100k mark. When you take into account the additional dealer markup, many C8 buyers will pay in the six-figure range. On the other hand, in looking around the C6 Corvettes for Sale section, there are multiple sets of C6 Z06 and ZR1 models that could be purchased for around $100,000.
We don’t have any details on any of the cars being considered by the OP, but the two-to-one buying scenario is legitimate.
C8 Crowd Loves the C8
This question was asked in the C8 section, so many of the people who replied either have a mid-engine Stingray or they are waiting for theirs to arrive. In other words, there is a bit of C8 biased, but their points are perfectly reasonable. The C8 Stingray is one of the hottest cars on the market right now.
The first person to point one way or the other was “Dvilin”.
I would definitely get the C8, C6 has seen it’s days of glory.
“919cw313” pointed out the fact that C8s are selling for a premium right now, often for higher prices than MSRP plus dealer markups. That means that someone who buys a C8 now is very likely to make money on it if they sell within the next year or so.
C8, at least for now. If you change your mind in a few months, you’ll at least be able to break even, something very uncommon with new cars obviously. There will always be C6s around to buy, and their prices are too high right now anyway.
“Z0HS1CK” points out the aging interior of the C6 along with what he considers to be an undesirable manual transmission.
C8 all day.
If I ever by some miracle, some strange odd never ever before seen, reasoning to downgrade from a higher generation to a c6, it’d be a c6 zr1. I always said they are the best sounding stock Corvette ever. At least for now until we hear the Ferrari c8 z06 458 Italia edition lolz.
But if given the choice with a c8 or a c6z, c8 all day.
C8 or c6 zr1. I honestly would pick a c8 stingray.
C6 is too old, shitty interior, and the manual is god damn dead.
C6 Corvette Fans Speak Up
The first person to speak up in favor of the C6 pairing was “CorsoZ06”, who pointed out the financial advantage of the older Corvettes.
Buy a C6Z06 & ZR1 now since they are pretty much bottomed out, then save your pennies for 4-5 years and pick up a 2020 C8 for $0.65 on the dollar. Then you have all three.
While the C8 is selling for a premium right now, the production rate will eventually pick up and prices will level out. As time goes on and more C8 Corvettes are on the road, the value of these cars is likely to decline to below what the owners paid for them. On the other hand, the C6 Z06 and ZR1 prices are likely to hold steady. They are aging, but still sought after models.
Next, “Chubbs6350” was the next to speak up in favor of the C6 Z06 and ZR1.
Get a z07 equipped Z06 and a zr1, then buy a c8 when the prices go down and there’s more available or get a c8z
Finally, “JMB” provided a thorough breakdown of his though process between the two options. Ultimately, he listed the upsides of the C8 and both C6 models. He has only good things to say about the older Corvettes.
It really depends on what you like driving….if you absolutely love driving a manual transmission like me then there is no decision to be made since the C8 only comes with an auto trans (DCT). Driving the C8 will be more like driving a very well refined Cadillac literally when compared to the C6’s because both C6’s that you’re looking at are the LAST Generation of Corvette that truly has the absolutely raw Sports Car driving experience due to the relatively ultra light chassis when compared to the bloated C7 & C8.
As mentioned, the interiors are far superior on the C8 but it really boils down in my mind to “the driving experience”….if you want a true Sports Car raw brute driving experience where you feel in complete harmony with the vehicle by being able to control the shifts, feel the road and have “the intake/exhaust roar” that cannot be duplicated by the C8 then there is no choice but to go C6!
If you are more concerned that someone might not compliment your car because it is brand new or looks “different” then buy the C8….just remember, the C8 is still a “Plain Jane”…..the “real C8 Performance Car” won’t be available until the Z06 comes out! If you were vascilating between a C8Z vs a C6Z & ZR1 I could understand the consternation but to debate about a Plain Jane? There shouldn’t be any debate! Good luck on your decision!
As of right now, the OP is looking to go with the C8 Stingray, but if you have input on the decision, click here to check out the entire thread.
Photos: GM Media
