== Crazy is claiming GM doesn't recommend 87 octane. Then claiming '14s are less reliable - as you do! 
C7 or save for C8
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 85
As the owner of a first-year C6, I'd 100% tell you to wait at least 3 years after intro before dropping any $$ on a new GM product.
Nothing. But. Problems. From. Day. One.
Now, I also bought a first year Toyota that to this day has been trouble-free.
Nothing. But. Problems. From. Day. One.
Now, I also bought a first year Toyota that to this day has been trouble-free.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I've had a "first year LS1 engine Trans Am (1998) and a first year C6 (2005). Based on my experiences with those cars, I will not buy another first year model. This has nothing to do with quality (I would argue that first year cars now have higher quality) and everything to do with one-year only parts.
It seems that GM is so intent on just getting a new car out, that there a number of things they would like to do but don't have cycles to get them done, so they go on a "to do" list for future introduction as part of the product road map. An example is the 2005 C6 had a one-year transmission/differential. The Trans Am had a one-year PCM....good luck getting an aftermarket tune....didn't happen!
So I waited for the third model year this time and bought a 2016 C7 Stingray and I have not regretted that decision one bit.
There is another factor with rear mid-engine vs front mid-engine cars and that is utility. With our current Corvettes there is quite a bit of storage space. It is possible to carry multiple suitcases for extended trips/vacations, etc.
From what I have seen, that is not the case with rear mid-engine cars. There is very little room under the front hood and so the car becomes a toy for day trips rather than something that can used all the time. That's a deal breaker for me.
It seems that GM is so intent on just getting a new car out, that there a number of things they would like to do but don't have cycles to get them done, so they go on a "to do" list for future introduction as part of the product road map. An example is the 2005 C6 had a one-year transmission/differential. The Trans Am had a one-year PCM....good luck getting an aftermarket tune....didn't happen!
So I waited for the third model year this time and bought a 2016 C7 Stingray and I have not regretted that decision one bit.
There is another factor with rear mid-engine vs front mid-engine cars and that is utility. With our current Corvettes there is quite a bit of storage space. It is possible to carry multiple suitcases for extended trips/vacations, etc.
From what I have seen, that is not the case with rear mid-engine cars. There is very little room under the front hood and so the car becomes a toy for day trips rather than something that can used all the time. That's a deal breaker for me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 806
Likes: 190
I used to buy 1st year models of vehicles I liked but I always found myself upset and ready to trade up when the special models came out. This is pretty much the performance car life cycle.
1. First year = newest on the block / own the car an entire generation cycle ... but very little if any discounting.
2. Middle years = new models/new options but steeper depreciation curve when the discounting starts.
3. Later years = best discounts / all models and options but will be old news when the new model is shown.
Any more I try and buy in the middle. Even with my 17 GS, I kinda wish the ZR1 was available when I ordered it.
If I was choosing between the C7 and waiting on the C8, I'd buy a C7 now and trade in a few years.
1. First year = newest on the block / own the car an entire generation cycle ... but very little if any discounting.
2. Middle years = new models/new options but steeper depreciation curve when the discounting starts.
3. Later years = best discounts / all models and options but will be old news when the new model is shown.
Any more I try and buy in the middle. Even with my 17 GS, I kinda wish the ZR1 was available when I ordered it.
If I was choosing between the C7 and waiting on the C8, I'd buy a C7 now and trade in a few years.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,080
From: Guelph, Ontario
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
C8 sounds like a very juicy option ME N.A. sounds good too me. If you can't wait a C7 GS is a great looking and great handling N.A. option and apparently the ZR1 is the perfectioned C7 if you have the $ for it, probably would become a collector prized item. If you have the patience wait for the change you can always look back if you dont like what you see.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 11,905
Likes: 2,148
C8 sounds like a very juicy option ME N.A. sounds good too me. If you can't wait a C7 GS is a great looking and great handling N.A. option and apparently the ZR1 is the perfectioned C7 if you have the $ for it, probably would become a collector prized item. If you have the patience wait for the change you can always look back if you dont like what you see.
OTOH, the Z06 will likely dominate the initial ME car (which will probably be a base model).
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,954
Likes: 274
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
The C7 is a VERY capable and fun car to have and drive as is.
I plan to keep the one that I have (Z06) and drive the wheels off of it while I take my time in considering the C8 and the options variants that will come with it.
I plan to keep the one that I have (Z06) and drive the wheels off of it while I take my time in considering the C8 and the options variants that will come with it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 655
Likes: 114
From: Orange County, Southern California
I've had a "first year LS1 engine Trans Am (1998) and a first year C6 (2005). Based on my experiences with those cars, I will not buy another first year model. This has nothing to do with quality (I would argue that first year cars now have higher quality) and everything to do with one-year only parts.
It seems that GM is so intent on just getting a new car out, that there a number of things they would like to do but don't have cycles to get them done, so they go on a "to do" list for future introduction as part of the product road map. An example is the 2005 C6 had a one-year transmission/differential. The Trans Am had a one-year PCM....good luck getting an aftermarket tune....didn't happen!
So I waited for the third model year this time and bought a 2016 C7 Stingray and I have not regretted that decision one bit.
There is another factor with rear mid-engine vs front mid-engine cars and that is utility. With our current Corvettes there is quite a bit of storage space. It is possible to carry multiple suitcases for extended trips/vacations, etc.
From what I have seen, that is not the case with rear mid-engine cars. There is very little room under the front hood and so the car becomes a toy for day trips rather than something that can used all the time. That's a deal breaker for me.
It seems that GM is so intent on just getting a new car out, that there a number of things they would like to do but don't have cycles to get them done, so they go on a "to do" list for future introduction as part of the product road map. An example is the 2005 C6 had a one-year transmission/differential. The Trans Am had a one-year PCM....good luck getting an aftermarket tune....didn't happen!
So I waited for the third model year this time and bought a 2016 C7 Stingray and I have not regretted that decision one bit.
There is another factor with rear mid-engine vs front mid-engine cars and that is utility. With our current Corvettes there is quite a bit of storage space. It is possible to carry multiple suitcases for extended trips/vacations, etc.
From what I have seen, that is not the case with rear mid-engine cars. There is very little room under the front hood and so the car becomes a toy for day trips rather than something that can used all the time. That's a deal breaker for me.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 4,150
From: Bergen county NJ
1963 to 1982 corvettes didn’t even have a trunk opening...
Maybe you guys are right ....historically the trunk in corvettes don’t even have a trunk to open..
We are all screwed with the upcoming c8...
Maybe you guys are right ....historically the trunk in corvettes don’t even have a trunk to open..
We are all screwed with the upcoming c8...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
C&D has been at the forefront of those rumors and predictions; they haven't been right yet.
can pretty much guarantee the C7 will have a 2021 production run; and a 50-50 chance of a 2022 full production year as well.
If... IF the mid engine is an additional model; then the C7 and the mid-engined Corvette could both be produced at the same time.
I can't see how they can make/sell a 8 cyl mid-engined Corvette (and no, not talking about a lil Pontiac Fiero/Fiat X1/9 type buzz box) for less than $89,000 base price. If it were the only model Corvette, their yearly sales would reduce to 5-8k per year.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,375
Likes: 3,923
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17