C7 makes C6 obsolete
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 142
From: wolfeboro nh
Boy what a hoot. People want big improvements in the C7 & when Tadge comes out & says the C7 makes the C6 obsolete, some get all upset. What did you want him to say, no big changes for the C7. Then you'd say he was lying to you to prop up sales for the C6. Can't have it both ways. Sounds like " You can't handle the truth " !!!! The C6 is a fabulous car( albeit a little dated) & the discounts are huge right now, so now is a great time to buy a C6.
one of the most astute comments I have read on this forum lately. Thank you Sir! 
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 729
Likes: 23
From: Scarsdale New York
Actually, the C6 ZR1 will be faster but that doesn't mean it isn't obsolete in any number of other ways.
The frame of the C7, the interior of the C7, the electronics, the driving modes, etc., etc. of the C7 apparently, in Tadge's mind, do make those things in the C6 ZR1 obsolete.
The frame of the C7, the interior of the C7, the electronics, the driving modes, etc., etc. of the C7 apparently, in Tadge's mind, do make those things in the C6 ZR1 obsolete.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
As did the C4 to the C3, the C5 to the C4, C6, well, not so much.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 173
From: Ventura CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 256
From: Venice, CA
I am getting this feeling that there is almost a disdain for the previous Corvettes from some of the people on the C7 team.
Look at Ralph Gilles on Team Viper he always talks about making the new Generation more Viper and not pushing away from all the things that made it great. No "Pushing needles" past comfort zones or marrying it more to the corporate look, of lesser models.
Some of these guys on Team Corvette might need a refresher as to what the Corvette actually is and what it means to the car world.
Look at Ralph Gilles on Team Viper he always talks about making the new Generation more Viper and not pushing away from all the things that made it great. No "Pushing needles" past comfort zones or marrying it more to the corporate look, of lesser models.
Some of these guys on Team Corvette might need a refresher as to what the Corvette actually is and what it means to the car world.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 609
From: Houston TX
Boy what a hoot. People want big improvements in the C7 & when Tadge comes out & says the C7 makes the C6 obsolete, some get all upset. What did you want him to say, no big changes for the C7. Then you'd say he was lying to you to prop up sales for the C6. Can't have it both ways. Sounds like " You can't handle the truth " !!!! The C6 is a fabulous car( albeit a little dated) & the discounts are huge right now, so now is a great time to buy a C6.
one of the most astute comments I have read on this forum lately. Thank you Sir! 
The problem is not that Tadge has produced what appears on the surface to be a great next generation Corvette, and possibly delivered something that market will love (time will be the judge there...) it's that he is calling the current model, which is still on the shelves being sold new, obsolete. Read that again... The C6 isn't some long gone unavailable platform that is now replaced with something new...it is the current 2013 MY platform, and we are what(?), three whopping months into 2013? This is utter garbage...use all the semantics you want around what he may or may not have meant by "obsolete", the word has a specific meaning. Reasoning behind the comment doesn't change the fact that it was a completely asinine unprofessional comment to make about your current products.
For me? my C6 will never be "obsolete", even if there ever ends up being a C7 sitting right next to it sometime in the future.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 729
Likes: 23
From: Scarsdale New York
Gotcha. Well Tadge mentioned a lot of racing technology here with the C7, taking stuff from the race car and bringing it to the street. But honestly, a few months ago before the C7 was revealed, Tadge was always talking about race technology on the C6s, especially the higher end Z models. It was one of his huge selling points everytime he spoke about the car. To say the C6 will be obsolete when the C7 is revealed then is a little much. I highly doubt that the C7 will grow wings on the road and will take off into the air. I think it will be a while before the C6 becomes obsolete because it still looks very good and the performance is outstanding. Maybe when the C7Z models come out then he can use obsolete, but not with the base.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,099
Likes: 1,597
"Welcome to Acme Chevrolet - how can I help you this morning"?
"Well, I'm interested in purchasing a new Corvette" !!!
"Great!! My name is Tadge and I would be happy to help you with your new Corvette purchase" !!
Thanks, I've been looking forward to this day for a long, long time"
"OK, then lets get started. Are you interested in the all new 2014 C7 model Corvette that is coming out this fall or are your interested in the current 2013 model we have here now, and that is obsolete by comparison to the C7"?
"Uhhhhhh . . . . I don't know - I don't think I've had anyone sell me a brand new obsolete car before" ????
"Well, this is GM - we've done stupid stuff lots of times before so you can feel comfortable with us" !!
"Well, I'm interested in purchasing a new Corvette" !!!
"Great!! My name is Tadge and I would be happy to help you with your new Corvette purchase" !!
Thanks, I've been looking forward to this day for a long, long time"
"OK, then lets get started. Are you interested in the all new 2014 C7 model Corvette that is coming out this fall or are your interested in the current 2013 model we have here now, and that is obsolete by comparison to the C7"?
"Uhhhhhh . . . . I don't know - I don't think I've had anyone sell me a brand new obsolete car before" ????
"Well, this is GM - we've done stupid stuff lots of times before so you can feel comfortable with us" !!
Although he could have said it better, I have the utmost respect for Tadge. When I was having my little paint problem on my new C6 and was at the end of the line with GM, it was he who I finally got through to. He himself actually emailed, checked out what the hell was going on and followed through with it. How many guys in his position would take the time to personally get involved with a customer. When I met him in Bowling Green, he couldn't have been nicer or more sincere. So, he may have done a little faux pas, but his heart is in the right place when it comes to Corvette and its customers. JMHO
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
Likes: 11
I am getting this feeling that there is almost a disdain for the previous Corvettes from some of the people on the C7 team.
Look at Ralph Gilles on Team Viper he always talks about making the new Generation more Viper and not pushing away from all the things that made it great. No "Pushing needles" past comfort zones or marrying it more to the corporate look, of lesser models.
Some of these guys on Team Corvette might need a refresher as to what the Corvette actually is and what it means to the car world.
Look at Ralph Gilles on Team Viper he always talks about making the new Generation more Viper and not pushing away from all the things that made it great. No "Pushing needles" past comfort zones or marrying it more to the corporate look, of lesser models.
Some of these guys on Team Corvette might need a refresher as to what the Corvette actually is and what it means to the car world.
I wouldn't call it distain when they line up all generations of the Corvette to introduce the C7.
Neither Ralph nor the Viper has anywhere close to the success that team Corvette does over 60 years so I don't really think he can teach the Corvette boys much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Although he could have said it better, I have the utmost respect for Tadge. When I was having my little paint problem on my new C6 and was at the end of the line with GM, it was he who I finally got through to. He himself actually emailed, checked out what the hell was going on and followed through with it. How many guys in his position would take the time to personally get involved with a customer. When I met him in Bowling Green, he couldn't have been nicer or more sincere. So, he may have done a little faux pas, but his heart is in the right place when it comes to Corvette and its customers. JMHO
Thanks for your words, observations and experience Randy. Your opinion carries much weight with me. I am relieved to learn that on the flip side of the 'obsolete statement', there beats a warm Corvette heart.
So, I wonder if Tadge had any emails or phone calls from the Corvette Marketing Team regarding the existing C6 inventory that needs to be sold
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 256
From: Venice, CA
And you are just the guy to tell them.
I wouldn't call it distain when they line up all generations of the Corvette to introduce the C7.
Neither Ralph nor the Viper has anywhere close to the success that team Corvette does over 60 years so I don't really think he can teach the Corvette boys much.
I wouldn't call it distain when they line up all generations of the Corvette to introduce the C7.
Neither Ralph nor the Viper has anywhere close to the success that team Corvette does over 60 years so I don't really think he can teach the Corvette boys much.
GM was complacent and after the Viper was introduced as a lighter more powerful way way better looking car in 1992 they had to up their game. Also Viper started racing and Corvette knocked twenty years of dust to enter professional sponsored racing again.
The competition from Viper taught GM and team Corvette plenty. And thankfully it goes both ways making both Marques top sports cars.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,099
Likes: 1,597
Thanks for your words, observations and experience Randy. Your opinion carries much weight with me. I am relieved to learn that on the flip side of the 'obsolete statement', there beats a warm Corvette heart.
So, I wonder if Tadge had any emails or phone calls from the Corvette Marketing Team regarding the existing C6 inventory that needs to be sold
So, I wonder if Tadge had any emails or phone calls from the Corvette Marketing Team regarding the existing C6 inventory that needs to be sold
"The all new 2014 Stingray makes the C6 generation obsolete"
Last edited by R&L's C6; Mar 19, 2013 at 08:52 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Tolland CT
Basically if GM has done their job right the C7 should outperform the C6 or they have failed, to use the words obsolete might be a tad harsh and Tadge will probably regret that statement although in the end he may be correct. We won't know until we see the all the data on the car and regular folks (Non-GM employees) actually get to drive one. All I know is I can appreciate all the corvette models, the 63 Vette left an impression on me as a young child and still does but it obviously is basically obsolete from a performance standpoint when compared to any C6 but it doesn't erase my love for the car. I think his enthusiasm for the new car and his beliefs in the engineering savy/performance of the C7 resulted in a poor choice of words, nothing more....nothing less.
