No C8 for me - Can't warm up to mid-engine
#1
No C8 for me - Can't warm up to mid-engine
I have had my Z51 C7 since I bought one of the first convertibles in January 2014. I have 26,000 miles on it and still get compliments every day I take it out and stop someplace. I cannot warm up to the potential looks of a big scoop on the side of a car and the engine behind me instead of in front. I am probably old school but I just could not do it. I also want manual transmission which may be gone soon. Either I keep what I have or go with a new Z06 which I am considering before they are no longer available. 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. I am not a track guy just street driving. Any ideas?
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patentcad (09-21-2018)
Popular Reply
09-19-2018, 06:53 PM
No regular joe driver can even max out ANY sports car capability. Guarantee the avg Z51 base C7 driver will not be able to wring out 100% of the car's abilities (not knocking on vette owners, this is fact for all sports car owners....unless you are actually a very skilled track enthusiast/instructor) . So it's just about preference, style, etc.
#2
Pro
I'd hang on to what ya got, imho. I've got a bad taste about mid engine rides, might be a left over from the 914. Guess I could try out the Cayman or Boxster, but I'm way good with my C7. I've gone the supercharged route before and I felt I was just having to pay for beta releases and then having to load the tune, and it's at a limit I'm just not going to use on the street.
At any rate, good luck with your endeavor.
At any rate, good luck with your endeavor.
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Drive-C7 (09-19-2018)
#3
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Regarding the Z06. I have a Stingray and my son has a Z06, which I put about 2,000 miles on when he was overseas. After driving his Z06 for all those miles I wanted to throw rocks at my Stingray. I just absolutely loved the added power and torque. I would put it in sport mode and hammer it right down to the floor! Holy suhmoley! What a thrill. You have control of the throttle. Just learn the feel of it and keep the Stablitrak and Traction control on. Also when you want to get cute with it put it in weather mode and graduate up the scales as you go. His was a stick by the way and my Stingray is an Auto. It really has been a great car though. I have 77,000 miles on it. But I'll be getting a Z06 probably after I get more information on the C8 mid engine. Don't want any regrets. I'm always open to new technology. Even at that I don't see how they won't have a few bugs to fix on it. It is a new paradigm for them.
Last edited by joemessman; 09-19-2018 at 06:36 PM.
#4
Le Mans Master
I hear you. I drive a '12 ZR1. I will be buying the last year C7 GS, manual, coupe. The ZR1 is my twenty first lifetime Vette. Over the years my idea of a Vette was cool looks, manual, nice exhaust, short deck, long hood, etc. I, also, take road trips. And, need ample room for luggage. Not warming up to the new ME "supercar" with a DCT. The last year C7, manual wide body will be the keeper.
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Drive-C7 (09-19-2018)
#5
No regular joe driver can even max out ANY sports car capability. Guarantee the avg Z51 base C7 driver will not be able to wring out 100% of the car's abilities (not knocking on vette owners, this is fact for all sports car owners....unless you are actually a very skilled track enthusiast/instructor) . So it's just about preference, style, etc.
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#6
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I hear you. I drive a '12 ZR1. I will be buying the last year C7 GS, manual, coupe. The ZR1 is my twenty first lifetime Vette. Over the years my idea of a Vette was cool looks, manual, nice exhaust, short deck, long hood, etc. I, also, take road trips. And, need ample room for luggage. Not warming up to the new ME "supercar" with a DCT. The last year C7, manual wide body will be the keeper.
Last edited by joemessman; 09-19-2018 at 06:54 PM.
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Drive-C7 (09-21-2018)
#7
Burning Brakes
I have had my Z51 C7 since I bought one of the first convertibles in January 2014. I have 26,000 miles on it and still get compliments every day I take it out and stop someplace. I cannot warm up to the potential looks of a big scoop on the side of a car and the engine behind me instead of in front. I am probably old school but I just could not do it. I also want manual transmission which may be gone soon. Either I keep what I have or go with a new Z06 which I am considering before they are no longer available. 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. I am not a track guy just street driving. Any ideas?
So, I would either keep what you have or if you are itching to upgrade then get a GS vert with manual trans before they are gone...
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Drive-C7 (09-19-2018)
#8
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Never say never. I think we should wait and see. It's too early to pass judgment.
#9
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2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I've not liked every generation since the C3 until I warmed up to it. I've since owned a C4, C5, two C6's (one I still have), and a C7. I will get a C8 after it's been out a couple of years. I had a Ferrari F430 for two years and really liked the mid-engine layout.
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Drive-C7 (09-19-2018)
#10
My brother shows me his new-to-him 2015 Boxster S. I asked to see the engine. He replies “can’t do that, but there is a nice little trunk up front”. Really prefer being able to actually see the engine in cars like these.
Plus I’ll be way too old to even bother with a C8 (taking delivery of a C7 any day now and plan to keep it for a while). Also I stay away from the first couple model years of a car, especially when there is a major redesign. Prefer not to be an unpaid beta tester for the manufacturer. Just my personal opinion...
Plus I’ll be way too old to even bother with a C8 (taking delivery of a C7 any day now and plan to keep it for a while). Also I stay away from the first couple model years of a car, especially when there is a major redesign. Prefer not to be an unpaid beta tester for the manufacturer. Just my personal opinion...
#11
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I've no problem with mid-engined, but I wait to buy until the fifth year of any "new" model giving GM time to work out a few of the bugs... with the ME I suspect there are going to be a LOT of bugs!
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)
#12
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Plenty of current C7 drivers who at one time owned a C6 said the same thing about the new, upcoming model. I know this to be true from my own experience and remembering all the posts critical of the new 2014 Corvette that few had seen in person. "The horrible taillights!" Ugggh!!
I also remember the same conversations on this forum when we C5 drivers were seeing the C6 for the first time in pictures. "No more pop-up headlights!" Ugggh!
Now it's, "It's a ME car with little trunk space and it's shaped funny!" Ugggh!
History repeats.
#13
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I'd love a mid-engined supercar; but they have always been waaaaay out of my affordability range.
Fieros, Fiat X 1/9, are not supercars; it's a stretch even calling them a sports car.
Fieros, Fiat X 1/9, are not supercars; it's a stretch even calling them a sports car.
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)
#14
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
My main concern with the C8 is the tranny. Hopefully if it's a DCT, it's a good one and GM doesn't add AFM to the mix. The issues folks are having with torque converter failures is abysmal. Maintenance costs with mid engine cars tend to be higher but if the engineers did their job, accessibility for routine items like oil and filter changes should be OK. Time will tell. I am lukewarm, at best, on the C8 at this time.
Last edited by rmorin1249; 09-20-2018 at 11:33 AM.
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)
#15
Le Mans Master
Plenty of current C7 drivers who at one time owned a C6 said the same thing about the new, upcoming model. I know this to be true from my own experience and remembering all the posts critical of the new 2014 Corvette that few had seen in person. "The horrible taillights!" Ugggh!!
I also remember the same conversations on this forum when we C5 drivers were seeing the C6 for the first time in pictures. "No more pop-up headlights!" Ugggh!
Now it's, "It's a ME car with little trunk space and it's shaped funny!" Ugggh!
History repeats.
Not really. And, I have been around for generation changes since the C2 turned into the C3. This change to an ME is way, way bigger/different than any prior generational changes. IMHO, GM is changing the whole concept of what a Vette has been. Like I said I have owned twenty one of them. This thing with no manual will never "grow" on me. And, no, I don't like chrome wheels. I have black wheels on my ZR1.
#16
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I own both - a C7 with 76K miles and a 328 GTB Ferrari with 64K.... very different animals.... but the lovely part is that when I go into the garage in the morning I get to ask myself, "Do I drive the fun car? Or do I drive the fun car?"
Yes, the luggage space in the mid-engine Ferrari is much less than the Vette, but, hey, two cases of wine, two pairs of boots, a pair of sneakers, and a soft - 26" bag - will suffice for most trips.... and, if you have a take-down shotgun (i.e. Beretta o/u) there's room for that too.. by the way, I put the Yeti cooler in the passenger seat....
Yes, the luggage space in the mid-engine Ferrari is much less than the Vette, but, hey, two cases of wine, two pairs of boots, a pair of sneakers, and a soft - 26" bag - will suffice for most trips.... and, if you have a take-down shotgun (i.e. Beretta o/u) there's room for that too.. by the way, I put the Yeti cooler in the passenger seat....
Last edited by 4thC4at60; 09-20-2018 at 01:43 PM.
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#17
Burning Brakes
I have had my Z51 C7 since I bought one of the first convertibles in January 2014. I have 26,000 miles on it and still get compliments every day I take it out and stop someplace. I cannot warm up to the potential looks of a big scoop on the side of a car and the engine behind me instead of in front. I am probably old school but I just could not do it. I also want manual transmission which may be gone soon. Either I keep what I have or go with a new Z06 which I am considering before they are no longer available. 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. I am not a track guy just street driving. Any ideas?
I have no regrets and appreciate that getting my Z06 near the end of the run got me some factory improvements.
So, as much as I enjoyed the Z51, I would not go back.
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)
#18
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I had a 2015 Z51 7M and loved it. I reached the point that I was thinking about adding mods to get more HP …. just because. I mentioned it to my wife and she pointed out to me that it may make more sense to trade the Z51 in and put the mod money down on the Z06, which has the HP. So, I basically ordered a 2019 Z06 7M same colors and options. It has a pretty significant HP bump, but if you are smart enough to learn how to handle 460HP you are most likely smart enough to learn how to handle 650HP.
I have no regrets and appreciate that getting my Z06 near the end of the run got me some factory improvements.
So, as much as I enjoyed the Z51, I would not go back.
I have no regrets and appreciate that getting my Z06 near the end of the run got me some factory improvements.
So, as much as I enjoyed the Z51, I would not go back.
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)
#19
Team Owner
I absolutely love my 2019 M7 Z06 Convertible. It is a blast to drive and can be a handful. Coming from a 2015 C7 Convertible the difference is like night and day.
That being said not sure if the ME is in my future or not. All depends on looks, power, and cost. We shall see.
That being said not sure if the ME is in my future or not. All depends on looks, power, and cost. We shall see.
#20
Burning Brakes
I don't have any ownership experience other than my C7, but I did have drive experience of the C5 and C6 and heard the same thing during my shopping. The difference in driveability was night and day for me and I had to go with the C7. I'm not gonna bash any C8 variant (for those who subscribe to an FE C8) because of the drastic changes from C5/C6-->C7, if driveability counts for anything.
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Drive-C7 (09-20-2018)