Exactly...hence why I've ceased to give much credibility to what most car magazine editors/writers have to say on subjective/personal opinion type matters.

 

Let me use the Vette vs Camaro ZL1 comparison you used above to illustrate how I would approach my consideration of those two cars: In terms of strictly performance, both cars meet my personal minimums. So I have to continue with my personal assessments (like I said, once a minimum performance standard is met it's the other assessments that make the difference for me). In terms of looks I personally much prefer the Vette, both exterior and interior. I'd assess how each car delivers the "driving experience". That is, how does each of the controls (steering, brakes, clutch, shifter) feel individually in terms of weighting and feedback, and how balanced are the controls when they are assessed as a whole. That is, does the same level of feedback and balance exist amongst all the controls when considered as a unit? How are the sight-lines from the driver's seat? How good are the seats? What is the quality of the materials? How's the fit and finish? And many other subjective considerations. And of course I have to decide if the money difference is worth it for these subjective differences.

But without question, I would not sacrifice many (any?) subjective qualities that I'm personally looking for just to gain a small advantage in acceleration times, braking distance, skid pad numbers, or lap times someone else driving the car may be able of recording. I don't track my cars, I don't street race, (and I was raised not to brag), so the specific performance metrics are not nearly as important as how the car drives and looks (etc; the subjective stuff) once my minimum performance standard is reached.

 

The more I read about the C7 the more I get the impression because of its base pricetag it shouldn't be expected to compete with luxury interiors from the European automakers.

That's just flat out ridiculous what about the C63 AMG that retails at around 65k base? Or the GT500 Mustang that has a superior interior to the C6 Corvette let alone its intended competition the ZL1 Camaro not even including the fact that its more powerful than any of these vehicles.

Let's not forget the new Dodge Viper coming out. (I'm sure diehard Corvette fans will come up with some "Screw it its my good ol Vette" excuse on why it probably won't compete there.

Corvette is GMs Halo car and honestly if they cant even integrate the newest generation Cadillac level interior into a C7 Corvette than exactly why should someone who isn't an enthusiast buy this vehicle over anything else? The GT500 has more power and full leather and Nav interface the Mercedes C63 AMG has an amazingly superior interior to either of them and 451 horsepower out of the gate without an upgrade package that I believe only costs around 5 grand to up the horsepower even higher. IF they are that desperate to keep the car at a 50k base price for the first year or longer lets face it this is a comparative downgrade when taking into consideration competitive auto companies and what they are releasing in the same time frame.

If its not even as good as a CTS V in regards to performance levels power and let alone interior whats the point of a redesign to begin with? If all this car has going for it is a new body and fuel efficiency than really lets face it it should officially be touted as what its really going for a "poor mans sports car that can appeal to young adults" Chevys Halo car isn't even interested in competing anymore it's become initially a TBird not anything that can compete with GT Mustangs or Vipers or CTS-Vs or Base AMG coupes like the C63 or BMW...

And to think they would taper off a performance version in this competitive climate... It's a wonder this company needed the government to bail them out with such a stunning lineup and competitive approach.

 

You have no idea what the C7 base price will be.

Everything about the car is conjecture.

 

Well - if you are not an enthusiast - a sports car enthusiast that is; then the question is moot.

If you are a sports car enthusiast then the reasons abound (both subjective and objective) especially compared to let's say a 63 AMG..

For example it could be stated that objectively the corvette is purpose built sport vs a 63 AMG which is a "sporty" very fast sedan born out of a family car platform.

Could go on..

Interiors - subjectively - I have seen and sat in plenty of C class and seen 63 AMG interiors and I don't buy the superior argument..
If interior design is an architecture then the C6 lay out fundamentals are IMHO more pleasing. Yes - at entry level parity the merc offers a bit more shiny plastic ornaments but the point is that plastic abounds in a 63 AMG as well. Once we go beyond the "shiny thing"...

 

What I expect and want is an interior of at least another car they make. The CTS that starts at 36k.



If they can do that with a car that starts at 36k and tops out at the high 50s (this isn't even the cts-v, pretty much the same interior for a much cheaper car) then there is absolutely no reason why they couldn't do it with a C7 that will probably start at the 50s.

 

The AMG overall looks classier and seems more comfortable "I havn't sat in one so I'm going off photo's perhaps you could give me your imput on overall comfort level and leather quality"

As far as the C7 goes I'd like to see improved leather lining and a CUE equiv and I would be thrilled no need for all of the functions but a full blown futuristic looking LCD interface for the entire vehicle and perhaps the addition of and hopefully the addition of an optional dvd player although I see that as unlikely and perhaps out of character for the Vette.

Really I hope they just restyle the CUE technology add a view exclusive Corvette APPs in there and take out what they don't want carried over from the Cadillac CUE this would make it look sporty yet have a next generation feel this car is in desperate need of.

Anyone who has seen the CUE notices how overwhelming it is from a sensory standpoint its an EXTREMELY attractive interface on style front and wasting that technology by not including at least an equal into the C7 would be a huge generational mistake since they simply cant go back and add on an entirely new HUD like that post release...

Add an improved leather interior and the vehicle would take off.


There is no reason why the Corvette should have the same interior as a 35k 2007 CTS and there is DEFINITELY no reason why anyone should be arguing against it unless they are cheap or obsessed with keeping cost down and the nostalgia feel of the brand thick.

I get the impression alot of people are still living in the C5 days and are not really impressed with the technology and the reality is its part of the industry now and not going anywhere obviously at the price the Cadillacs are going at right now it cant be that expensive to install something on the same level into a Corvette and improve the hideously oldschool dashboard and cheap looking wheel.

 

To OP, it doesn't matter if it has best interior if the exterior is bad.

 

 

In an attempt to keep Chevrolet and Cadillac clearly separate, targeting different incomes and tastes, will GM limit what Corvette can do to improve the Corvette interior?

This is a marketing problem you face selling a car that is priced from $45K to $130K at a multi-brand company like GM. Sure, some will buy a Corvette simply because it is a Corvette. But when attracting new or younger buyers, someone considering a $50K sports car accepts things that another person spending $100K will not.

Cheers,
JB

 

Your logic is flawed in the fact that Cadillac is marketing its "luxury" vehicles at a lower price than the base Corvette right now outside of its SUV.

The entire design structure most users are suggesting makes little sense how can something be a Halo car of GM when it costs less and looks cheaper and is slower than CTS-V?

They should just slap another 10k on it and actually make a competitive base car and if the local gas station attendant or 17 year old cant afford it that's a shame but its design shouldn't revolve around keeping it affordable to lower the middle class by scraping off 10k at the expense of keeping it competitive against the GT-500 and other vehicles that are clearly outclassing it in horsepower and luxury features around the same price including its own CTS-V

That or just release a ZR1 out of the gate which may not be the best idea considering it will spread out initial sales thinner.

It also ruins the brand for prospective buyers looking at a Z06 or a ZR1 as now they are running an old C6 while Joey Bubblegum who saved up his allowance and paper route money has the "new cool looking C7".

Regardless most young people as far as I'm aware are not spending 50k plus on a vehicle right now so 10k isn't a deal breaker what is a deal breaker is when you have a GT500 that's superior in addition to a newly improved Dodge Viper a C63 AMG and a CTS-V to choose from all of which do what the Corvette does in almost every aspect better except excite over the hill good ol boys who obviously are more content with tinkering with a smelly 15 year old C5 in their garage opposed to buying a new sports car...

 

Just a reminder to all: GM did have the Corvette turned luxury with wood, thick leather, and a nice chrome center watch...

It was called the XLR remember? Where is it now?

We can try to "load" the corvette to heart's content but the market already settled this argument: the battle between the luxury roadster and the sports car has been won by the sports car.

 

Valid point but the market has already spoken as well by offering up suitably superior competition within the same market...

If we used everything GM failed as a company at including the XLR than logic withstanding it shouldn't even be making cars right now also 320 HP didn't exactly make the XLR something to be proud of in regards to what else is out there...

It's a realistic expectation to expect an equal tech package from whats included in a 35k "Luxury" car if you can even call it that.

Noone is asking for unicorn leather covered seats and a gatling gun on these things having a CUE equiv and FULL Recario leather not Shamwow lined ricer seats though is just a no brainer unless ofcourse GM is so scared to invest in its own product it plans to tinker off inferior cars and garner safe low risk profits for the next ten years instead of competing with Ford and Mercedes car against car...

 

Probably get flamed for this but this in my humble opinion, maybe if we bring back the old days of the C1 and C2 with pot metal components, painted sheet metal, cheap thin plastic, with flash chrome, rubber, iron bolts that rust, and real vinyl seats and trim with chrome platic ***** and all mechanical meters with plastic wood and metal steering wheels everybody will be happy. Don't forget that cheap carpet with NO heat shield under it. Would people like this better, after all we now call these cars classics and some of these older Corvettes sell for much more, in many cases then a new Corvette. Back when these cars were new, you would care less about the interior, it was all about the engine, and look of the exterior, as long as you had a shifter, gas and brake pedal, and an AM radio, you were happy. Oh yeah back then a lighter and ashtray was needed too. You could care less about electronics, leather, Air Conditioning, controls on steering wheels, cruise control, HUD, power seats, etc. It WAS A SPORTS CAR THAT WAS MEANT TO PERFORM.

For years, Mr. C5, Dave Hill, puposely stayed away from MANY of the gadgets now on the C6, because he felt it watered down the heritage of the Corvette being a Sports Car. Dave stated this many times in public when asked about steering wheel controls for radio or cruise, or a nav system, he felt this was for the Caddy XLR not the Corvette. Dave retired, new people took over, changed the C6 interior and this is what we got now, a Corvette interior more like a Caddy, is that the way we really want to go?

The point is this, its all progression of the interior since the first Corvette in 1953, and you will see less metal, less vinyl, and more plastic and leather, to me the Corvette interior has progressed along with the times. This was done without losing Corvette's original concept, a SPORTS CAR build for speed and performance, and FUN!

I own a 63 SWC and a 02 Vert, and you can see immediately the C5 has a much nicer and comfortable interior. Plastic is being used because its LIGHT, METAL is heavy, simple isn't it, more metal less performance and more gas.

Sure improvments can and I am sure will be made, but if you really want to understand the progression of the interior, look at the older Corvettes, they look nice, but are not as nearly as comfortable or easy to clean as the newer C6 or C5s...remember Corvette has alway meant to be a SPORTS Car, not a LUXURY SPORTS CAR. It was modeled after many of the MGs that had wooden seats at the time....I hope they don't go overboard and miss the entire point of the Corvette heritage, PERFORMANCE AND FUN, LUXURY is not even mentioned....

It's PROGRESSION regardless of what you think. The C7 will have improvements, but don't go looking for BMW or Mercedes interiors. I would be happy to just see more supportive seats of better quality that does not wear out on the uper side of the seat on the drivers side, better FIT on the parts that don't squeak, and better placement of the dash to the driver.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That is OK but nothing more or less than most any other car. I guess I am not seeing anything there that I want in my Corvette; certainly not the 'wood' finished plastic.

 

Would caution as to the picture vs reality compare. Kind of like the picture of your microwavable meal vs reality...

I have already shared my C class experience somewhere on the forum and to make it pertinent to this thread I will say that the static aesthetics of the merc interiors are elegant, the seats are great looking and the leather is very good but (for my taste) downright uncomfortable/hard to the back.

 

I would be looking for a unique interior with a CUE level LED interface equiv perhaps less luxury options with the sporty styling of a CTS-V and more leather...

The problem is that in the performance end of things you can drop 10k more and get 200 more horsepower from a GT500 Mustang right now with a nicer interior or the same horsepower for 10k more with a vastly superior interior in a C63 AMG Mercedes not to mention that they have a GM option with over 100 more hp and a superior interior in the CTS-V

Again who knows what the new Viper is going to be throwing out there.

My biggest issue is that releasing a C7 will immediately depreciate the appeal of owning a C6 ZO6 for status/performance buyers while not offering anything to replace it with. All around its a very underwhelming vehicle in regards to base horsepower and if its interior cant even match a 30k V with some upgrades given how old that technology is than honestly its an inferior vehicle compared to its competition on paper.

 

"Again who knows what the new Viper is going to be throwing out there."

Don't expect much from Chrysler, as Chrysler has ALWAYS had very cheap interiors ALWAYS.

I remember seeing people frying eggs on the door sills of the older Viper models after making several track runs. MANY of the Viper people complained about the HEAT, even from the floorboards of their cars.

I don't expect much at all of any improvement for the new VIPER.

Ford, I have to admit is doing a much better job with their interiors, and their sales have improved.

I expect to see some upgrades in the C7, but I don't expect to see an Audi interior or even a Caddy interior. I expect to see a high end Chevy interior....heck my new Cruze interior is nicer than my C5....so Chevy has improved.

 

So does that make the V GM's new Halo car than when the C7 releases?

It's faster by around 100hp and has a superior interior and infotainment system...

Now were hearing GM may also axe the CTS-V Coupe as well next generation...

Honestly it seems to me they are still severely injured from their financial issues and its affecting their ability to compete with a varied and substantially equal lineup. They offer Cheap/Affordable/Gutted Super Car "

Oh well we will see I still pray for a XTS/V crossbreed like interior with CUE like technology and perhaps some of the "Help I've fallen asleep at the wheel and can't wakeup features" cut back. It cant be that expensive to install considering the base price of the new Cadillacs being released this year and honestly the LCD screens would really compliment a new revamped C7...

Honestly they should just raise the base price around 60k if need be and actually make a car worth buying.

 

"Faster by 100hp"?
There ya go again with that 'more horsepower all by itself ALWAYS equals more performance' thing, just like in the other threads/posts.
You DO know that these 'more powerful' cars also weigh SUBSTANTIALLY MORE than a Corvette, right?
A Bentley turbo has more horsepower than a Corvette Z06 so based on that alone it's also a better overall performance car?
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