No C8 for me - Can't warm up to mid-engine
#21
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Wife had a Fiero V6 for years. It was a good little car and handled well. And the power to weight was nice too!
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#24
Le Mans Master
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I am a convertible guy and don't think the C8 will look that good in a convertible. Not in the market for another Corvette until next year. Once I see the real C8, the price, colors, horsepower, then I will decide. If GM puts big rebates on C7's I will either buy a Grand Sport or a ZO6 convertible for my next Corvette.
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#27
I would not say I hate mid-engine cars as I have driven a Porsche 911 and ridden in a Ferrari. They were fast and their owners loved them. It's just not my thing if it's my personal vehicle. I am confident GM will make a good looking car but I want my engine in the front. Those that disagree with me I respect your opinion and your preference. For some reason the only car I felt differently about was the VW bug I bought when I got married and we had little money.
Last edited by Drive-C7; 09-21-2018 at 05:15 AM. Reason: Spelling
#28
Team Owner
I would not say I hate mid-engine cars as I have driven a Porsche 911 and ridden in a Ferrari. They were fast and their owners loved them. It's just not my thing if it's my personal vehicle. I am confident GM will make a good looking car but I want my engine in the front. Those that disagree with me I respect your opinion and your preference. For some reason the only car I felt differently about was the VW bug I bought when I got married and we has little money.
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#29
good point - you are correct. I guess what I am saying is mid-engine or rear engine it's still behind the driver and it's not my thing. I have read all about the advantages of mid-engine and thought about this a lot. I also do my own maintenance which is a minor consideration as access to the motor might br tight. That's not a deal breaker as much as engine location. Thanks for the feedback.
#30
Team Owner
good point - you are correct. I guess what I am saying is mid-engine or rear engine it's still behind the driver and it's not my thing. I have read all about the advantages of mid-engine and thought about this a lot. I also do my own maintenance which is a minor consideration as access to the motor might br tight. That's not a deal breaker as much as engine location. Thanks for the feedback.
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#31
My question is I have heard some folks say that had a regular C7 and went with a Z06 were not happy. The Z06 is such a hand full that it takes very carefull driving not to lose control. Having looked at this forum for years there was at least a couple of people who sold there Z06 and went back to a Z51 which offered better "drive ability" in every day driving.
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#32
I have never driven a Z06, but this post confirms what I have been speculating about after driving my 2017 Z51 for two years. The car is so off the hook fast that I find myself wondering how I would ever unwind a Z06 on the same roads; I'm not sure I could do it, or that I'd be so restricted in how hard I get on the car it might make it less fun to drive. One of the fun things about a sports car is wringing out, i.e. driving it as hard as you can on a given stretch of road. I can do that here and there with my Z51, but barely, the car is almost too fast for public roads. I just fear that ratcheting that up to the Z06 level WOULD make the car too fast. If that's even possible, but I think it is, because there are times I feel that way about my current Corvette.
#33
Burning Brakes
I have never driven a Z06, but this post confirms what I have been speculating about after driving my 2017 Z51 for two years. The car is so off the hook fast that I find myself wondering how I would ever unwind a Z06 on the same roads; I'm not sure I could do it, or that I'd be so restricted in how hard I get on the car it might make it less fun to drive. One of the fun things about a sports car is wringing out, i.e. driving it as hard as you can on a given stretch of road. I can do that here and there with my Z51, but barely, the car is almost too fast for public roads. I just fear that ratcheting that up to the Z06 level WOULD make the car too fast. If that's even possible, but I think it is, because there are times I feel that way about my current Corvette.
That said, I love power just as much as the next guy but if I am being realistic with where I drive then my money is better spent on the Grand Sport and use the savings to add more options that I will enjoy such as the convertible top, etc. Dont forget lower insurance premiums and better gas mileage as well.
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
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#35
Same here. If you like to wind out the gears it is very difficult to do it in any Corvette on public roads. The best cars for being able to wind out gears and not risk jail time are the Miata and Subaru/Toyota twins. If you look at the gearing of the M7 in the Z06 you will see first gear is good for over 60mph. So, if you wind out first you are pretty much done on public roads unless you are on a highway on ramp. 2nd gear will take you over 90mpg. All of this has to happen in controlled bursts. It is a constant exercise of restraint even in a base Corvette. The Z51 and Grand Sports have the shortest 1st - 3rd gearing available, which will increase torque and let you wind out the gears a little bit more on public roads.
That said, I love power just as much as the next guy but if I am being realistic with where I drive then my money is better spent on the Grand Sport and use the savings to add more options that I will enjoy such as the convertible top, etc. Dont forget lower insurance premiums and better gas mileage as well.
#36
Melting Slicks
I personally like M/E cars.Handling is generally better.
Many times ( not always) the first year of any model tends to be the mostproblematic and the last year of any model is usually the best.
I'm happy with the C7 for a couple more yrs.
\db2
Many times ( not always) the first year of any model tends to be the mostproblematic and the last year of any model is usually the best.
I'm happy with the C7 for a couple more yrs.
\db2
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#39
Burning Brakes
Yeah, I think since this is such a major design change GM will need more time than usual to work out the bugs. I am all for moving the technology forward but this is a completely different car. If they can strike the balance of being a super car that is still somewhat practical and cost effective to maintain like previous gen Corvettes then great but if this C8 winds up costing arm and a leg to maintain like all the other exotic mid engine cars then forget it. I will just go buy a Camaro with a M6 and just figure out how to see out of it. :-)
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#40
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If you don't want the new car, don't buy it. I wouldn't buy the first year of this radical a switchover myself, I'd wait a couple years. It is still Chevrolet.
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