Is the C4 half the Corvette a C8 is?

Why or why not?

Anyone have the data that shows a deep comparison on size, weight, braking, structure, times, space, etc? It would be nice to see a side by side comparison list to show the evolution of the car.

 

Yes. Simple math. C8 × 1/2 = C4

 

I was getting at the price point is a tad more than a c4 was back then according to inflation value. I was hoping someone had the specs of a 1984 even z51 vs the 2020 vette.

1984 C4 was like $22,000.
2020 C8 is like $60,000.



Performance vs performance for the similar price point I'd say there is NO comparison and I see people trying to do that.

 

I am not at all surprised to see, in adjusted dollars, that a C4 is about the same price as a C8. Keep in mind, when the C4 came out, it was the C8 of its day. It was the more-bang-for-your-buck domestic super car killer. The C4 and C8 should never be compared without putting on your historical glasses on. The C4 was king in its time, all hail the new king!😀👍

 

36 years of evolution gets you

+290 horsepower(495 vs 205)
+200 lbs weight(3400 vs 3200
-4 seconds 0-60(2.9 vs 6.9
and probably 35mph trap speed(125 vs 90)

 

 

When you compare vs its peers, the c8 is a real dud vs the c4. Throughout the c4 run, it was always one of the fastest cars on the road, let alone at its price point. The C8 is fast, but there are other cars similarly priced that are just as fast.

Even at the end of its run, only Viper and Supra Turbo (which both cost more) could hang with it outside of a handful of exotics. Now, the Gt500 will have the C8's number. The M2, M4, M5, various AMGs, etc all have no problems hanging around it. Maybe not beating it, but being right there with it. Heck even a mustang Gt isnt that far off it.

But at the end of the day, who cares? If you like the c4, great. You like the c8, great, go buy one. Theres no reason to try to compare them, the world is a different place now. Nowdays, almost any car is just a YouTube troll with a Tesla away from being "embarassed". Cars are more for being seen in than driving now.

 

That is actually an interesting point of view seems to be overlooked.

 

Lest we forget the comparison is the "base" C8 car. What happens to the M cars, the GT500 and the others referenced, when the performance options are added to the C8 (yes we are talking $20 k plus, but still a killer).

 

That^^^^ depends on the average driver. In that light, I'm not at all sure I agree w/ you.

Based on no more data than you or I have on the C8 platform (as yet), I don't see how the cars and their drivers you mentioned can stick with the kind of track performance the mid engine platforms have shown in races like the La Manns (type) competition - certainly NOT any Mustang (or the like). Far as drag racing goes, as Corvette owners, we all know the Vette, tho formidable, is NOT best suited to be a drag racer, per se'. And, the C8 especially is not designed around 1/4 mile competition. (If it was, it would weigh less, have a straight axial rear end, etc., etc.).

The C8 is built to be a formidable road course beast, similar to the Ferrari or the Ford GT40s and their ilk. And, as such, the C8's capabilities (on the road course) track are without a doubt beyond maybe 80-90% of what will be averagee C8 drivers driving ability or capability to explore the C8's performance envelope. Unless one pushes the car to its limits, it is hard to compare it to Mustangs or Demons or Camaros, et al in terms of stand-out superiority.

Consider this: I'll never forget the day our local "FBI" (ZR-1 Corvette club) was invited to the local AUTOBAHN track to take some laps with other Corvette clubs attending, led by an HPDE driver in front of the pack, driving in a mildly aggressive clip.
I was following a C7 through the curves with my ZR-1, and that C7 clown was braking down to 35 mph for the curves...35 mph!! And, he wasn't the only one either!

And too, from my observations of Corvette drivers over the years, the majority of us C4 owners (included) don't come close even to what the C4's capabilities are.

So, when those ppl that brake to 35 mph for a sweeping curve (present company excepted), I don't pay much attention to comparisons of the mid-engine platforms to the likes of Mustangs or Camaros, etc, because how can someone that only drives a Vette about as aggressive as one would drive a Caravan be able to comment on the handling difference between a pre-C8 Corvette to a mid-engine C8 platform??

Perhaps the only way to judge is to see how the new platform performs against others on various venues. I'm excited by the C8. My take on it is, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!

 

Love the new C8. Mid-engine layout will make it handle differently than our C4's. Much better performance and refinement as expected since the C8 is forty years ahead of the C4 design curve. I see very little similarities between the two generations. My gut feeling is Chevy decided to go a completely new direction with the C8. It sure looks like it may be a resounding success. I sure am hoping so. May buy one after the initial year of production. Sure is enticing!

 

Paul, I agree whole heartedly. Cars have been at a performance level for decades that even the average "good" driver, with some experience cant use them to their full capability. So to the buying a C8, truly he will be no faster because he will brake too much, or more likely he will brake in a corner and spin the thing.

Unfortunately, since no racing series are realistic of the cars anymore, only things like Lightning Lap will be feasible to see ACTUAL performance differences.

When Randy Pobst gets his hands on the C8, it will certainly be fast. But the average retired guy isnt going to be any faster in it than they would be in a older gen. That wont matter, they will just put around them anyways, never taking them above 3500 rpm anyways. They will just complain about how much dust the pads make, how loud and expensive the tires are, and how "GM should be able to design a car that gets more than 10k out of tires".

 

So a car with more power, better traction, better braking more aerodynamic with a faster transmission and a better more BALANCED handler won’t be any faster for even your average driver than an older gen like a C7 or C6 because “they will brake too much?

.it’s basic physics really and this is just your usual FRONT ENGINE bias and C8 and mid-engine HATE just talking with no facts to back up FAUEE

 

C4 is the better car

 

I think he is just pointing out that reaching the limits of the C4-C7 are already far beyond the driving skills of the typical Corvette owner. Putting these same dudes in a car that has even higher limits is not going to make them any faster. It's like suddenly going from your 50 year old ex to jumping into bed with a 22 year old runway model is not going to make you a better f*ck. In fact, in both situations, C8 and model, you are probably just more likely to have an...accident! 😁

 

Have you ever driven a mid engine car? It's not some inconcievably better thing that takes a not great driver and magically makes them fast. Quite the opposite actually. They're twitchy, the rear end goes out and is very hard to get back, if you do any turning while braking, you're gonna lose it.

The point is that all that extra power, balance, etc will be wasted on the average driver. They will not be faster because they lack the skill to go faster. My first autocross I got my *** whooped in my gs by a miata. It's not as much about the car in a lot of cases, it really is the driver.

 

Not sure I can agree with your analogy...at least until I have some first-hand DATA to do a comparison!

 

And confidence. Or maybe the confidence comes with skill? Either way I agree.

 

I think in time the C8 will be like the c4 in the fact that it brought a new platform and new tech to the Corvette name.

 

I'm anxious to see the C8 at Nürburgring and Lemans.