C7 impressions
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
That is the problem with forums, when people post their honest opinion others thing they are bashing. The fact is that neither the C6 or C7 are perfect cars. Perfect for an individual maybe. Both have their faults. I'm quite happy with my 13GS which I bought for about $62k fully loaded over a year ago. The C7 Z06 will be impressive but with an impressive price. I wouldn't be surprised to see GM introduce a Vette like car that is cheaper to fill the gap. Porsche/Caddy and other manufacturers do it all the time when their main product gets to be too expensive while most people's income levels have generally stalled especially when combined with inflation.
Faults of C6 - Steering can feel loose at times, seats can draw complaints for cornering fast, NAV system is antique
Faults of C7 - Less interior room, doesn't stick out as a Corvette like previous generations do (Sorry but a C7 can easily be confused with various cars from a distance, there isn't another car that looks like a C5/C6. Ride is rougher (that is from my friend who owns a C7
Both versions are generally efficient and are very fast. Both look great in their own way.
I personally have no issues with a C4. Most people that actually were driving back then remember there wasn't many good cars in the 80s in early 90s. Even the later C3s had pathetic levels of power for years. It is all part of the times. Enjoy your C6 or C7 while it is around because it might not be in the future. All new cars are getting stupid expensive anyway. Lets just look at Chevy. Cruze can cost high $20k range, Malibu tops $30k, Impala tops $40k, a Tahoe now can hit $70k. These are cars from GM's "value" division. Car prices keep climbing, even since 2008, while most people have not seen an increase in wages and house values fall. C7 basically costs about $10-15k (real world) more than a 13 C6 at least for now In 2-3 years some C7 owners will complain about depreciation because they bought high and would have to sell low. Heck, my friend even got $7k off sticker for his C7 now and that was not from a forum dealer. So deals are out there.
Faults of C6 - Steering can feel loose at times, seats can draw complaints for cornering fast, NAV system is antique
Faults of C7 - Less interior room, doesn't stick out as a Corvette like previous generations do (Sorry but a C7 can easily be confused with various cars from a distance, there isn't another car that looks like a C5/C6. Ride is rougher (that is from my friend who owns a C7
Both versions are generally efficient and are very fast. Both look great in their own way.
I personally have no issues with a C4. Most people that actually were driving back then remember there wasn't many good cars in the 80s in early 90s. Even the later C3s had pathetic levels of power for years. It is all part of the times. Enjoy your C6 or C7 while it is around because it might not be in the future. All new cars are getting stupid expensive anyway. Lets just look at Chevy. Cruze can cost high $20k range, Malibu tops $30k, Impala tops $40k, a Tahoe now can hit $70k. These are cars from GM's "value" division. Car prices keep climbing, even since 2008, while most people have not seen an increase in wages and house values fall. C7 basically costs about $10-15k (real world) more than a 13 C6 at least for now In 2-3 years some C7 owners will complain about depreciation because they bought high and would have to sell low. Heck, my friend even got $7k off sticker for his C7 now and that was not from a forum dealer. So deals are out there.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 347
From: yardley, pa 19067
I'm the proud owner of a 13GS for a year & a half. The narrow body, cylinder deactivation, & ugly rear just don't give me the "gotta have it!" feeling I got when I saw the Grand Sport. Its good that the C7 is bringing new fans to the Corvette family but I'm content with my GS & will be for many years to come....
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,608
Likes: 13
From: New Rochelle N.Y. 2013 Grand Sport
Faults of C6 - Steering can feel loose at times, NAV system is antique
Faults of C7 - doesn't stick out as a Corvette like previous generations do (Sorry but a C7 can easily be confused with various cars from a distance, there isn't another car that looks like a C5/C6.
Your right on there as I have seen numerous C7's on the road and always have to do a double take to see what it is. There is no mistaking a C6 from any distance.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 11
From: Virginia
Anything new in the auto world is going to be controversial.
Especially when GM finally makes a new model after 9 Years of the C6 model !
Also considering the fact that the C5 came out 7 Years before the C6 we now had two models that are very similar all things considered.
I liked the C5 when it came out but liked the C6 a whole lot more.
IMO the C5 and C6 may be similar, but, the C6 is a lot more car than the C5.
Again, that is just my opinion and not saying the C5 is not a great car.
Let’s face it, the C6 is 9 years old and except for yearly upgrades and improvements there was nothing substantial done to it aside from the Z06, ZR1 and GS models.
I personally wanted to see the C6 headlights upgraded at some point, not so much with the way they look, even though I never liked the way they look, but upgraded with new headlight Technology that’s been around for over 5 Years like a lot of other GM vehicles.
I want a C7 once used C7’s are available from the 3rd or 4th model year.
I personally like the so called base/narrow body C7 just the way it is.
I think it looks like a wide body without the bigger tires etc.
As far as what the C7 looks like,.. that will always be each persons Opinion of what looks good to them.
Everyone is different.
I just don’t buy into the heritage thing and I’m not hung up on “ what a Corvette should look like “ ..
I think it’s safe to say, .. or maybe not
.. every new Corvette generation since the beginning has been Very different in appearance from the previous model except for the C5 & C6.
By the time the C6 was getting long in the tooth after 9 years, many couldn’t wait for something new.
Well now we have the C7 and after 18 Months of it being unveiled, and thousands on the road with new owners, some are still not seeing what it is about.
Not saying everyone has to like the way it looks or even like it at all,..
That is not the point.
To me it’s all about 9 Years of advancement in Technology, Handling and Performance, Finally all put into a new Corvette and that it will only get better moving forward.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love how my C6 looks and drives and can’t wait to drive it every chance I get, but I really like the C7 and will get one at some point
Especially when GM finally makes a new model after 9 Years of the C6 model !
Also considering the fact that the C5 came out 7 Years before the C6 we now had two models that are very similar all things considered.
I liked the C5 when it came out but liked the C6 a whole lot more.
IMO the C5 and C6 may be similar, but, the C6 is a lot more car than the C5.
Again, that is just my opinion and not saying the C5 is not a great car.
Let’s face it, the C6 is 9 years old and except for yearly upgrades and improvements there was nothing substantial done to it aside from the Z06, ZR1 and GS models.
I personally wanted to see the C6 headlights upgraded at some point, not so much with the way they look, even though I never liked the way they look, but upgraded with new headlight Technology that’s been around for over 5 Years like a lot of other GM vehicles.
I want a C7 once used C7’s are available from the 3rd or 4th model year.
I personally like the so called base/narrow body C7 just the way it is.
I think it looks like a wide body without the bigger tires etc.
As far as what the C7 looks like,.. that will always be each persons Opinion of what looks good to them.
Everyone is different.
I just don’t buy into the heritage thing and I’m not hung up on “ what a Corvette should look like “ ..
I think it’s safe to say, .. or maybe not
.. every new Corvette generation since the beginning has been Very different in appearance from the previous model except for the C5 & C6.By the time the C6 was getting long in the tooth after 9 years, many couldn’t wait for something new.
Well now we have the C7 and after 18 Months of it being unveiled, and thousands on the road with new owners, some are still not seeing what it is about.
Not saying everyone has to like the way it looks or even like it at all,..
That is not the point.
To me it’s all about 9 Years of advancement in Technology, Handling and Performance, Finally all put into a new Corvette and that it will only get better moving forward.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love how my C6 looks and drives and can’t wait to drive it every chance I get, but I really like the C7 and will get one at some point
From an engineering standpoint, most of the change went into the more fuel efficient engine. Layout (mid-front) is the same. Suspension is the same (transverse composite leaf), accessory drives, rear trans, etc. It's hard to see how the claims of a radical difference in performance can be justified when so much is only incrementally better. Tires, I'm guessing, are making a difference at the expense of longevity.
But yes, its better and when the new trans comes out it will be even better. If you like the new electronics and the seats you still have to decide if you like everything $40k better, which is what it would cost me to move from my loaded 08 vert to the equivalent C7.
Frankly, since I don't track the car, the difference will need to get into the $20k range before I can justify the switch and that means a 14 3 years down the road, maybe.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 781
I was going to buy a C7 -- but after a looking at several coupes... my reason for going with a 2013 GS instead was three things. I am a tall guy and the C7 has less leg room due to the C7's wider console.. in fact it was uncormfortable just sitting there for a few minutes. second is the blind spot due to the ugly back window compared to a C5 or C6 Coupe. third - the Camaro like tail lights/ugly a** end of the thing. Just personal preference-- not that there is anything wrong with that.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
From: FL
I love my 2008 C6 Z51 Coupe.
I recently had a chance to drive a C7 convertible on the twisty roads around Monterey, Ca. What a drive!
The C7 feels... tighter, firmer. Steering feels quicker at slow speeds. This was the first convertible I've been in since my TR-6, and I was amazed that I and my co-driver were able to carry on a conversation, at speed. (not sure how this compares to the C6, but found it amazing)
The C7 seats are a huge improvement, but seem to have less total range of motion. I would need to have the back of the driver's seat bottom tilted/shimmed forward from the base.. somehow.. maybe 1/2".. to really fit me as well as my C6 fits me.
It doesn't feel much faster, or more powerful than my C6...
The stock tires on the C7 also add a level of ride quality over the stock tires from the C6...
The look of the C7 is growing on me, I guess. I still prefer the style of the C6.
Bottom line? Both the C6 and the C7 are great Corvettes.
But...
I wouldn't trade in my 2008 C6 Z51 for anything. ;-)
I recently had a chance to drive a C7 convertible on the twisty roads around Monterey, Ca. What a drive!
The C7 feels... tighter, firmer. Steering feels quicker at slow speeds. This was the first convertible I've been in since my TR-6, and I was amazed that I and my co-driver were able to carry on a conversation, at speed. (not sure how this compares to the C6, but found it amazing)
The C7 seats are a huge improvement, but seem to have less total range of motion. I would need to have the back of the driver's seat bottom tilted/shimmed forward from the base.. somehow.. maybe 1/2".. to really fit me as well as my C6 fits me.
It doesn't feel much faster, or more powerful than my C6...
The stock tires on the C7 also add a level of ride quality over the stock tires from the C6...
The look of the C7 is growing on me, I guess. I still prefer the style of the C6.
Bottom line? Both the C6 and the C7 are great Corvettes.
But...
I wouldn't trade in my 2008 C6 Z51 for anything. ;-)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
One thing that kills it for me is the "back window" thing. They made it look like it has a back seat. It went from America's Original Two-Seat Sports Car to looking like a family sedan -- a Camaro.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 21,631
Likes: 1,144
From: Below the bottom of Berby Hollow, NYS
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 171
From: Vancouver Island
I've seen quite a few 7's and to my eye it is immediately recognizable, theres no mistaking it for anything else and it looks like a Vette. GM obviously tried to both break away from the C6 styling but also include a few nods to classic Vette styling. From the drivers seat looking out over the hood it's a throw back to the C3. I like it. And I like the C6.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 33
From: Los Angeles CA
I too love the c6 & c7 . But I love my c6 more because I made it mine. I think if I had just kept it OEM I would have traded it in already.
I had a c4 and a c5 and couldn't wait to trade the c4 in on the vert I got.
I felt the c4 was so outdated compared.
I guess all have their own preferences but I really disliked my c4 after I test drove the c5.
I had a c4 and a c5 and couldn't wait to trade the c4 in on the vert I got.
I felt the c4 was so outdated compared.
I guess all have their own preferences but I really disliked my c4 after I test drove the c5.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
Likes: 17
Returning home yesterday from Indiana, I drove theough Champaign where Bloomington Gold is this weekend. Naturally, I saw quite a few vettes on the road, mostly C6's with a couple of C7's. I couldn't help but think how much nicer the C6's look...smoother, more sleek etc. I know the C7 crowd will label me a "hater". Can't someone just prefer a C6? Or they will say I can't afford one. Thats a joke. Or they will say that I can't accept change. Well, they might possibly be right. I don't accept change just for the sake of change. Long live the C6!
Last edited by C7Kevin; Jun 30, 2014 at 01:09 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 7
From: Bristol raceway area
Like many Corvette owners, i was anticipating the unveiling of the new C7. I had been thinking of possibly selling my beautiful '09 Coupe and buying one. When i got my first look at the C7 i thought "what were they thinking"? The entire rear end is horrendous. The interior reminds me of a C4. The car did nothing for me then and does nothing for me now even after seeing a few on the road. I didn't want to drive it and don't care how it drives because i knew i would not be interested in the C7 body style.
There was one car however that DID interest me and that was the '14 Camaro SS. Took the money that was to be the difference for the C7, kept my C6 and bought the new SS.
I'm very happy.
There was one car however that DID interest me and that was the '14 Camaro SS. Took the money that was to be the difference for the C7, kept my C6 and bought the new SS.
I'm very happy.