C7 Competitors
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
I couldn't have said it better.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 109
I don't think the OP was implying that the Camaro, Challenger and Mustange are competitors to the Corvette. He offered them as examples of cars in the same class as each other that were designed to compete against each other in the marketplace. He was asking for examples of equivalent competitors to the Corvette in the Corvette's class.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
The chart in post #7 shows the only "mass-produced" competitors, which is the two-seater, luxury sports class. Yes, I know the 911 has miniature seats in back, but it is essentially a two-seater.
The Viper is not included because it has essentially become a niche model, with only a handful of sales, and must be custom-ordered.
The Viper is not included because it has essentially become a niche model, with only a handful of sales, and must be custom-ordered.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 442
From: Jupiter FL
The ST and RS are obviously not corvette competitors and the only ones who going to recognize what you have are Subi Wrx and Golf GTI/R drivers, to the rest of the world it's just a Focus.To me that was part of the fun but WWD (wrong wheel drive) was an issue on a built ST.
If I ever find a deal on a RS I'd sneak own into the garage,
As a stable mate not a replacement.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Yes, the F-Type is a stunningly beautiful car.
I owned it for two years with no maintenance required except oil changes. It was an everyday experience to see someone hanging a cell phone out the window for a photo, or having people gathered around it in a parking lot.
For me, it was only about missing a true manual transmission.
I owned it for two years with no maintenance required except oil changes. It was an everyday experience to see someone hanging a cell phone out the window for a photo, or having people gathered around it in a parking lot.
For me, it was only about missing a true manual transmission.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 431
From: MI
Upon rereading the OP, I agree. I have seen more than one post on this forum from people trying to decide between a Mustang or a Hellcat. I have never understood that. As, I said earlier, those cars are a completely different class.
I don't think the OP was implying that the Camaro, Challenger and Mustange are competitors to the Corvette. He offered them as examples of cars in the same class as each other that were designed to compete against each other in the marketplace. He was asking for examples of equivalent competitors to the Corvette in the Corvette's class.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 315
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
The new Camaro might not be considered a true competitior to the C7, but I have to say I'm seriously impressed with how the Spring Mtn guys got around the track with it. With an equal driver, its probably not much slower than the C7 on a road course.
We also did the Karl Chevrolet Iowa Speedway Corvette event, and the "pace car" driver was impressive in a new LT1 Camaro. The Iowa Speedway Camaro even had Cooper Zeon RS3-S tires on it, which I figured for a low buck UHP tire. Those Coopers can't be too shabby if it's possible to run em like that guy did. He was flying.
We also did the Karl Chevrolet Iowa Speedway Corvette event, and the "pace car" driver was impressive in a new LT1 Camaro. The Iowa Speedway Camaro even had Cooper Zeon RS3-S tires on it, which I figured for a low buck UHP tire. Those Coopers can't be too shabby if it's possible to run em like that guy did. He was flying.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Welcome Timeless, and I do recognize your screen name. I love the C7 and happy to be back in a manual, but as you know I also loved the F-Type. I'm also loving how much better the C7 handles w/ 400 fewer lbs. The difference is immediately noticeable.
According to the head of the Corvette program, they've "fixed" the overheating issue in the Z06, but only time will tell. Many never had the problem, and it seemed to show up only on the track.
According to the head of the Corvette program, they've "fixed" the overheating issue in the Z06, but only time will tell. Many never had the problem, and it seemed to show up only on the track.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 137
From: Ahead of You :)
St. Jude Donor '14
while it's not competition from a sales volume standpoint the GT-R is a good challenge versus a Z06 for similar pricing. You can buy 2015-2016 (back during those times) for 88-95k which is what a nicely optioned Z06 would go for. The 2017 are a bit overprice but helps keep resale value up nicely.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 170
Likes: 9
From: Chicago IL
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
The OP said Camaro, Challenger, and Mustang are in the same class, which is a true statement. He did not say Corvette was in that "pony car" class, which we all agree it is not.
His question was what class does the Corvette fit in and what are it's competitors. That was answered above (post #7).
His question was what class does the Corvette fit in and what are it's competitors. That was answered above (post #7).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 479
From: Bonita Springs Florida
Cross shopping, the Alfa 4C is about as close as I could come for the money. However, after sitting in one and reading the road tests, the C7 offers so much more for the $ spent and the dealer network.
Base Cayman (new one is actually very nice for the money) is probably the closest competitor. Naturally, it's not as fast, but still respectable numbers. Couple of real downsides (IMO) is the lack of storage space. Cayman has decent storage, but not the wide open rear deck the Vette offers. Also routine maintenance costs are insane compared to the Chevy. Optioning a base Cayman to meet what a stock 1LT offers costs you about $8K more.
Just my $.02
Base Cayman (new one is actually very nice for the money) is probably the closest competitor. Naturally, it's not as fast, but still respectable numbers. Couple of real downsides (IMO) is the lack of storage space. Cayman has decent storage, but not the wide open rear deck the Vette offers. Also routine maintenance costs are insane compared to the Chevy. Optioning a base Cayman to meet what a stock 1LT offers costs you about $8K more.
Just my $.02
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
Welcome Timeless, and I do recognize your screen name. I love the C7 and happy to be back in a manual, but as you know I also loved the F-Type. I'm also loving how much better the C7 handles w/ 400 fewer lbs. The difference is immediately noticeable.
According to the head of the Corvette program, they've "fixed" the overheating issue in the Z06, but only time will tell. Many never had the problem, and it seemed to show up only on the track.
According to the head of the Corvette program, they've "fixed" the overheating issue in the Z06, but only time will tell. Many never had the problem, and it seemed to show up only on the track.
I need to decide between a '16 GTR and used 997.1. I threw out c63s coupe after learning it was the same weight as the Jaguar.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,013
Likes: 9,774
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I consider Porsche, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lambo to be competitors.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 309
Likes: 48
From: AZ
As a daily driver, Corvette C7 also has almost normal curb clearance to avoid scraping parking lot front curbs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 798
From: East Lansing, MI
The chart in post #7 shows the only "mass-produced" competitors, which is the two-seater, luxury sports class. Yes, I know the 911 has miniature seats in back, but it is essentially a two-seater.
The Viper is not included because it has essentially become a niche model, with only a handful of sales, and must be custom-ordered.
The Viper is not included because it has essentially become a niche model, with only a handful of sales, and must be custom-ordered.
It always has been very low production and expensive when compared to Corvette, I believe.
