Corvette popularity in future generations
02-27-2019, 09:26 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Corvette popularity in future generations
I was reading an article a while ago about Harley Davidson exploring different concepts as they delve into the future to be competitive in the marketplace in the US and around the world. The demand for the low riding, loud sounding, chrome equipped Harley is not what it used to be as the younger generation is being brought up with light streamlined crotch rocket machines and electrification at their doorstep! Hence the reason why Harley is taking orders for their new Livewire electric motorcycle. The article basically said as the old "die hard" Harley owners slowly fade out into Buick territory what is it going to take to keep Harley on track with its new generation of Harley owners? My reason for this post... do you think we need to worry about this with the future of the Corvette? Can this happen? Will it happen? Is it already happening?
I'm 63 years old and grew up with 57 Chevys, souping up cars for the street and drag strip, and always the desire to own a Corvette!!! When one drove by I would stop in my tracks and stare at it as it drove by. In my mind it just didn't get any better than that!!! I can tell you I just retired from teaching high school automotive technology for 28 years and many of the students coming through my program had no idea what a 57 Chevy was and many times confused a Corvette with a Camaro. However, everyone of them could tell me in great detail what a Subaru WRX or Honda Civic was and the modifications that are popular on them. I hope the day doesn't come where the two cars I just mentioned are the dream of the future car enthusiasts and a Corvette is just something they remember hearing about their grandparents owned.
I'm 63 years old and grew up with 57 Chevys, souping up cars for the street and drag strip, and always the desire to own a Corvette!!! When one drove by I would stop in my tracks and stare at it as it drove by. In my mind it just didn't get any better than that!!! I can tell you I just retired from teaching high school automotive technology for 28 years and many of the students coming through my program had no idea what a 57 Chevy was and many times confused a Corvette with a Camaro. However, everyone of them could tell me in great detail what a Subaru WRX or Honda Civic was and the modifications that are popular on them. I hope the day doesn't come where the two cars I just mentioned are the dream of the future car enthusiasts and a Corvette is just something they remember hearing about their grandparents owned.
Popular Reply
02-27-2019, 10:37 AM
Each have had their enthusiast followings. And I’ve been active in each and every make and model’s community. Part of the fun and pleasure is meeting like minded people of diverse backgrounds and age. No matter which brand, make, and model, I’ve found car enthusiasts to be generally welcoming of others.
Except Corvette owners.
Don’t get me wrong. THIS community has been very accommodating of my BMW obsession. And I find other Corvette owners to warmly welcome other Corvette owners. And unlike Porsche owners, who tend to truly be elitist sometimes, Corvette owners don’t tend to look down upon you if you own an older, cheaper Corvette (probably because older Porsche’s are not cheaper, but quite the opposite).
From my outsider perspective, Corvette enthusiast population seems to be far more “homogeneous” than just about any other make and mode. BMW ownership, for example. Young. Old. Male. Female. White. Brown. Yellow. Same with Subaru, Hondacura, etc. Sure the population may be skewed one way or another (younger, Asian, whatever) but you’ll find 45 year old white guy in an Integra or a 24 year old Indian in a BMW quite often.
In my experience same can’t be said of the MAJORITY of Corvette ownership. It’s mostly white, conservative, old. I’m Asian, and I know of no other Asian in my huge circle of acquaintances that would EVER dream of owning a Corvette. Not because there’s anything wrong with the car, but the stigma that’s associates with said ownership.
It’s real.
So to OP’s point? In that regard Corvette is very much like Harley Davidson. The ownership and demographic of each are in lock step with the brand image each portrays. As old, conservative, white males start to get older and die out, they’re not managing to bring in a younger and wider audience to supplement said shrinking demographics, because, well...Most people can’t look past the middle aged, suffering from mid-life crisis, middle manager with self esteem issues and balding skull image that’s associated with HD ownership.
And when old, white, semi-retired white folks with disposable income that’s been fans of the Corvette since they were old enough to not wear diapers for the first time decry that the square tail-lights on the car or lack of flip-up lights or no more push-rod V-8 or mid engine design as sacrilege and “un-Corvette,” as if they’re some sort of progenitor of what IS Corvette? Well, just like the struggles HD is facing, the shifting demographics and buying habits of those that are in the prime of their purchasing powers will leave the brand and the make exactly where HD is finding themselves, but all too late, IMO.
02-27-2019, 09:47 AM
#2
Instructor
Corvettes were never for kids. Honda's, Subaru's, and even Camaro's are for kids. Corvette's are refined and VERY expensive. The only evolution I see possibly necessary would be electrification. And, as an owner of an all electric car, this is not as big a tragedy as everyone makes it out to be.
Also important, Corvette's are not bothersome to other people. They are, for the most part, polite cars.
Which brings up to Harley bikes. Harley bikes are a different sort of phenomenon. They are the embodiment of the "f-you" mentality that was cool in the 60s-90s. Yes, being a giant douche on a loud obnoxious machine is going out of style. I won't miss them running up and down mainstreet making my ears bleed while trying to enjoy conversation with my family on a restaurant porch. I won't miss the mini-heart attacks as they pass me on the freeway. And most of all, I won't miss the late night and early morning wake up calls as the tear up and down our neighborhood streets.
Full disclosure: The guys in my neighborhood that own them, do a preety good job at being gentle on the throttle in the off hours. But I still hear the freakin' things.
Also important, Corvette's are not bothersome to other people. They are, for the most part, polite cars.
Which brings up to Harley bikes. Harley bikes are a different sort of phenomenon. They are the embodiment of the "f-you" mentality that was cool in the 60s-90s. Yes, being a giant douche on a loud obnoxious machine is going out of style. I won't miss them running up and down mainstreet making my ears bleed while trying to enjoy conversation with my family on a restaurant porch. I won't miss the mini-heart attacks as they pass me on the freeway. And most of all, I won't miss the late night and early morning wake up calls as the tear up and down our neighborhood streets.
Full disclosure: The guys in my neighborhood that own them, do a preety good job at being gentle on the throttle in the off hours. But I still hear the freakin' things.
02-27-2019, 09:59 AM
#3
Pro
Pretty sure it was a design goal of the C7, to modernize and evolve the look into something a younger buyer would prefer. The average age of a Corvette buyer is 61, and that's up from 54 a decade ago.
I think the C7 was a success to some degree, it certainly evolved the look into something more sleek and "European". I also believe car enthusiasm in the younger generation has waned, stuff like Uber, Lyft, and the thought of impending driving automation has weakened the idea of owning any car, much less an impractical gas sucking sports car. Plus, driving is expensive, between insurance, a car note, and gas/repairs, it has to provide a ton of value to be worth it. Tesla seems to have created a lot of hype among my generation though, even with their faults. Electric torque and power is very interesting, it's the "cool" car to have at the moment.
Corvette will have to evolve, just as it always had, the nameplate is too important to ever discontinue, but stuff like electric motor systems/hybrid systems will most definitely seep into the Corvette. The C8 will give us an idea of where GM is going, but it's certainly going to be something very different from the C7.
I'm turning 25 in a week, and the stigma of owning a Corvette is definitely apparent. People my age see a Corvette as an old man mobile, going 55 in the right lane, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hair white as snow. Growing up, I was never too interested in Corvettes, the only reason I even considered one was the Y body platform. Finding a lightweight V8 sports car with a decent suspension setup and good weight balance is hard, being a Corvette is just a byproduct. Parts are cheap, initial purchase price is cheap, and they perform great. I've got friends with Challengers and 5.0s, but the bulk of them are into Japanese/German cars. Corvette certainly doesn't mean much to them...
I think the C7 was a success to some degree, it certainly evolved the look into something more sleek and "European". I also believe car enthusiasm in the younger generation has waned, stuff like Uber, Lyft, and the thought of impending driving automation has weakened the idea of owning any car, much less an impractical gas sucking sports car. Plus, driving is expensive, between insurance, a car note, and gas/repairs, it has to provide a ton of value to be worth it. Tesla seems to have created a lot of hype among my generation though, even with their faults. Electric torque and power is very interesting, it's the "cool" car to have at the moment.
Corvette will have to evolve, just as it always had, the nameplate is too important to ever discontinue, but stuff like electric motor systems/hybrid systems will most definitely seep into the Corvette. The C8 will give us an idea of where GM is going, but it's certainly going to be something very different from the C7.
I'm turning 25 in a week, and the stigma of owning a Corvette is definitely apparent. People my age see a Corvette as an old man mobile, going 55 in the right lane, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hair white as snow. Growing up, I was never too interested in Corvettes, the only reason I even considered one was the Y body platform. Finding a lightweight V8 sports car with a decent suspension setup and good weight balance is hard, being a Corvette is just a byproduct. Parts are cheap, initial purchase price is cheap, and they perform great. I've got friends with Challengers and 5.0s, but the bulk of them are into Japanese/German cars. Corvette certainly doesn't mean much to them...
02-27-2019, 10:04 AM
#4
Team Owner
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Pretty sure it was a design goal of the C7, to modernize and evolve the look into something a younger buyer would prefer. The average age of a Corvette buyer is 61, and that's up from 54 a decade ago.
I think the C7 was a success to some degree, it certainly evolved the look into something more sleek and "European". I also believe car enthusiasm in the younger generation has waned, stuff like Uber, Lyft, and the thought of impending driving automation has weakened the idea of owning any car, much less an impractical gas sucking sports car. Plus, driving is expensive, between insurance, a car note, and gas/repairs, it has to provide a ton of value to be worth it. Tesla seems to have created a lot of hype among my generation though, even with their faults. Electric torque and power is very interesting, it's the "cool" car to have at the moment.
Corvette will have to evolve, just as it always had, the nameplate is too important to ever discontinue, but stuff like electric motor systems/hybrid systems will most definitely seep into the Corvette. The C8 will give us an idea of where GM is going, but it's certainly going to be something very different from the C7.
I'm turning 25 in a week, and the stigma of owning a Corvette is definitely apparent. People my age see a Corvette as an old man mobile, going 55 in the right lane, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hair white as snow. Growing up, I was never too interested in Corvettes, the only reason I even considered one was the Y body platform. Finding a lightweight V8 sports car with a decent suspension setup and good weight balance is hard, being a Corvette is just a byproduct. Parts are cheap, initial purchase price is cheap, and they perform great. I've got friends with Challengers and 5.0s, but the bulk of them are into Japanese/German cars. Corvette certainly doesn't mean much to them...
I think the C7 was a success to some degree, it certainly evolved the look into something more sleek and "European". I also believe car enthusiasm in the younger generation has waned, stuff like Uber, Lyft, and the thought of impending driving automation has weakened the idea of owning any car, much less an impractical gas sucking sports car. Plus, driving is expensive, between insurance, a car note, and gas/repairs, it has to provide a ton of value to be worth it. Tesla seems to have created a lot of hype among my generation though, even with their faults. Electric torque and power is very interesting, it's the "cool" car to have at the moment.
Corvette will have to evolve, just as it always had, the nameplate is too important to ever discontinue, but stuff like electric motor systems/hybrid systems will most definitely seep into the Corvette. The C8 will give us an idea of where GM is going, but it's certainly going to be something very different from the C7.
I'm turning 25 in a week, and the stigma of owning a Corvette is definitely apparent. People my age see a Corvette as an old man mobile, going 55 in the right lane, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hair white as snow. Growing up, I was never too interested in Corvettes, the only reason I even considered one was the Y body platform. Finding a lightweight V8 sports car with a decent suspension setup and good weight balance is hard, being a Corvette is just a byproduct. Parts are cheap, initial purchase price is cheap, and they perform great. I've got friends with Challengers and 5.0s, but the bulk of them are into Japanese/German cars. Corvette certainly doesn't mean much to them...
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02-27-2019, 10:05 AM
#5
Team Owner
Not sure where the furure lies for the Corvette, it has been around a long time but no doubt it's faced with some real challenges. I believe the C8 will be a huge factor on the future of the Corvette. There is no doubt the C8 will have to attract a new demographic of owners or it could be doomed.
02-27-2019, 10:15 AM
#6
Drifting
Thread Starter
Pretty sure it was a design goal of the C7, to modernize and evolve the look into something a younger buyer would prefer. The average age of a Corvette buyer is 61, and that's up from 54 a decade ago.
I think the C7 was a success to some degree, it certainly evolved the look into something more sleek and "European". I also believe car enthusiasm in the younger generation has waned, stuff like Uber, Lyft, and the thought of impending driving automation has weakened the idea of owning any car, much less an impractical gas sucking sports car. Plus, driving is expensive, between insurance, a car note, and gas/repairs, it has to provide a ton of value to be worth it. Tesla seems to have created a lot of hype among my generation though, even with their faults. Electric torque and power is very interesting, it's the "cool" car to have at the moment.
Corvette will have to evolve, just as it always had, the nameplate is too important to ever discontinue, but stuff like electric motor systems/hybrid systems will most definitely seep into the Corvette. The C8 will give us an idea of where GM is going, but it's certainly going to be something very different from the C7.
I'm turning 25 in a week, and the stigma of owning a Corvette is definitely apparent. People my age see a Corvette as an old man mobile, going 55 in the right lane, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hair white as snow. Growing up, I was never too interested in Corvettes, the only reason I even considered one was the Y body platform. Finding a lightweight V8 sports car with a decent suspension setup and good weight balance is hard, being a Corvette is just a byproduct. Parts are cheap, initial purchase price is cheap, and they perform great. I've got friends with Challengers and 5.0s, but the bulk of them are into Japanese/German cars. Corvette certainly doesn't mean much to them...
I think the C7 was a success to some degree, it certainly evolved the look into something more sleek and "European". I also believe car enthusiasm in the younger generation has waned, stuff like Uber, Lyft, and the thought of impending driving automation has weakened the idea of owning any car, much less an impractical gas sucking sports car. Plus, driving is expensive, between insurance, a car note, and gas/repairs, it has to provide a ton of value to be worth it. Tesla seems to have created a lot of hype among my generation though, even with their faults. Electric torque and power is very interesting, it's the "cool" car to have at the moment.
Corvette will have to evolve, just as it always had, the nameplate is too important to ever discontinue, but stuff like electric motor systems/hybrid systems will most definitely seep into the Corvette. The C8 will give us an idea of where GM is going, but it's certainly going to be something very different from the C7.
I'm turning 25 in a week, and the stigma of owning a Corvette is definitely apparent. People my age see a Corvette as an old man mobile, going 55 in the right lane, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, hair white as snow. Growing up, I was never too interested in Corvettes, the only reason I even considered one was the Y body platform. Finding a lightweight V8 sports car with a decent suspension setup and good weight balance is hard, being a Corvette is just a byproduct. Parts are cheap, initial purchase price is cheap, and they perform great. I've got friends with Challengers and 5.0s, but the bulk of them are into Japanese/German cars. Corvette certainly doesn't mean much to them...
02-27-2019, 10:37 AM
#7
Each have had their enthusiast followings. And I’ve been active in each and every make and model’s community. Part of the fun and pleasure is meeting like minded people of diverse backgrounds and age. No matter which brand, make, and model, I’ve found car enthusiasts to be generally welcoming of others.
Except Corvette owners.
Don’t get me wrong. THIS community has been very accommodating of my BMW obsession. And I find other Corvette owners to warmly welcome other Corvette owners. And unlike Porsche owners, who tend to truly be elitist sometimes, Corvette owners don’t tend to look down upon you if you own an older, cheaper Corvette (probably because older Porsche’s are not cheaper, but quite the opposite).
From my outsider perspective, Corvette enthusiast population seems to be far more “homogeneous” than just about any other make and mode. BMW ownership, for example. Young. Old. Male. Female. White. Brown. Yellow. Same with Subaru, Hondacura, etc. Sure the population may be skewed one way or another (younger, Asian, whatever) but you’ll find 45 year old white guy in an Integra or a 24 year old Indian in a BMW quite often.
In my experience same can’t be said of the MAJORITY of Corvette ownership. It’s mostly white, conservative, old. I’m Asian, and I know of no other Asian in my huge circle of acquaintances that would EVER dream of owning a Corvette. Not because there’s anything wrong with the car, but the stigma that’s associates with said ownership.
It’s real.
So to OP’s point? In that regard Corvette is very much like Harley Davidson. The ownership and demographic of each are in lock step with the brand image each portrays. As old, conservative, white males start to get older and die out, they’re not managing to bring in a younger and wider audience to supplement said shrinking demographics, because, well...Most people can’t look past the middle aged, suffering from mid-life crisis, middle manager with self esteem issues and balding skull image that’s associated with HD ownership.
And when old, white, semi-retired white folks with disposable income that’s been fans of the Corvette since they were old enough to not wear diapers for the first time decry that the square tail-lights on the car or lack of flip-up lights or no more push-rod V-8 or mid engine design as sacrilege and “un-Corvette,” as if they’re some sort of progenitor of what IS Corvette? Well, just like the struggles HD is facing, the shifting demographics and buying habits of those that are in the prime of their purchasing powers will leave the brand and the make exactly where HD is finding themselves, but all too late, IMO.
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02-27-2019, 10:44 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
I think GM's goal will be to try and maintain or further push the Corvette to the younger demographic. The C7 was designed in part for this. I think future generations will continue this trend.
Yes, Corvettes aren't cheap and I'm sure the average age isn't going to drop from 60 to 40 but they want those 35+ year olds who consider BMW, AMG, Audi to consider a Corvette where in the past they normally wouldn't.
Just like most people now who grew up loving Corvettes because they saw one when they were a kid and now bought one at 50, GM needs to keep that going. No 10 year old is going to look at a C5 or C6 and go wow in todays age, but a modern, stylish Corvette that caters to todays generation just might make them fall in love and purchase one when they are also 50.
As for me, I'm in my mid 20s and I have never liked the C4, C5 or C6. I love the C7. GMs push towards targeting a younger audience and captivating a younger generation is working, I'm proof. GM finally made something that doesn't look outdated after 3 years. It looks great both inside and out. This car really hit the mark for me and if GM keeps this up for future generations then I'm sold and will keep buying Corvettes.
I'm not a badge snob. I don't care if its a Chevy a Kia or a Ferrari. I just want 4 things from my sports cars. A modern, stylish exterior, a nice sporty looking interior, a good exhaust note and 2 seats. I don't care if it goes mid engine, AWD, hybrid or whatever else it needs to keep up with the modern era. As long as it meets those 4 criteria I will always consider it.
Yes, Corvettes aren't cheap and I'm sure the average age isn't going to drop from 60 to 40 but they want those 35+ year olds who consider BMW, AMG, Audi to consider a Corvette where in the past they normally wouldn't.
Just like most people now who grew up loving Corvettes because they saw one when they were a kid and now bought one at 50, GM needs to keep that going. No 10 year old is going to look at a C5 or C6 and go wow in todays age, but a modern, stylish Corvette that caters to todays generation just might make them fall in love and purchase one when they are also 50.
As for me, I'm in my mid 20s and I have never liked the C4, C5 or C6. I love the C7. GMs push towards targeting a younger audience and captivating a younger generation is working, I'm proof. GM finally made something that doesn't look outdated after 3 years. It looks great both inside and out. This car really hit the mark for me and if GM keeps this up for future generations then I'm sold and will keep buying Corvettes.
I'm not a badge snob. I don't care if its a Chevy a Kia or a Ferrari. I just want 4 things from my sports cars. A modern, stylish exterior, a nice sporty looking interior, a good exhaust note and 2 seats. I don't care if it goes mid engine, AWD, hybrid or whatever else it needs to keep up with the modern era. As long as it meets those 4 criteria I will always consider it.
02-27-2019, 11:10 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2015
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In general I believe all muscle and sports cars will go by the wayside gradually over the years. Being around teenagers and younger people, they are just not interested nearly as much as us older guys and gals are. In fact a lot of them don't even have, nor want drivers licenses. My grandson and granddaughter and their friends have absolutely not interest in the cars. My son has a Z06 manual. I taught them to drive it, being a stick and all. Still no interest. Just text for a Uber! 
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02-27-2019, 11:33 AM
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
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C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Everything has to evolve or become extinct. Cars just have to do it quicker. One bad model cycle can nearly kill the whole line.
02-27-2019, 11:53 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
The C7 definitely attracted a whole new generation of corvette owners (myself included). I'm sure whatever the C8 is will disenfranchise some but attract others.
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02-27-2019, 11:58 AM
#13
Average age of buyers buying new from dealer is going up because that's the demo with the disposable income. That won't change any time soon. GM's not trying to attract 20 year olds, but trying to steal some of those 35-50 year olds with money buying other marques. From what I've seen of the C7 they did a very good job with it.
C8 will be awesome and things will go on. I'm 37 and on my 5th Corvette FWIW.
C8 will be awesome and things will go on. I'm 37 and on my 5th Corvette FWIW.
02-27-2019, 12:24 PM
#14
I dunno man. The ratio still seems disproportionately high:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...full-time.html
Almost 50% of C7 owners are RETIRED. Compare to other makes and models that require moderate disposable income, I suspect it'll be closer to 25% if not less. For example, NONE of my Porsche owning friends are close to being retired. I don't know of ANY Porsche owners in my circle that's retired, nor do I know of any BMW owners in my circle (except 1) that's retired.
Maybe I just don't know a lot of retired people, but it seems 50% of owners that are retired doesn't bode well to "attracting new generation of buyers" IMO.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...full-time.html
Almost 50% of C7 owners are RETIRED. Compare to other makes and models that require moderate disposable income, I suspect it'll be closer to 25% if not less. For example, NONE of my Porsche owning friends are close to being retired. I don't know of ANY Porsche owners in my circle that's retired, nor do I know of any BMW owners in my circle (except 1) that's retired.
Maybe I just don't know a lot of retired people, but it seems 50% of owners that are retired doesn't bode well to "attracting new generation of buyers" IMO.
02-27-2019, 03:42 PM
#15
ORCA is right. Engine options: 8, 6, Electric would help.
If the C8 tanks our Vettes value will also tank......It better be GOOD. But it is in the right direction with a Mid-Engine, they could add "wing doors" at the factory for an upcharge of
less than $ 1,350. a car to compete with the real exotics. JMHO.
The imports are cheap, have a plethora of matching parts, great economy, has a back seat for friends to party (if there are no subwoofers there) and available at every used car dealer
in the world, lot's to choose from. The Vette is usually only expensive, very part specific, the economy of a Truck, limited seating and not as much to choose from out there.
We better have a Road and Track favorite C8 review......
If the C8 tanks our Vettes value will also tank......It better be GOOD. But it is in the right direction with a Mid-Engine, they could add "wing doors" at the factory for an upcharge of
less than $ 1,350. a car to compete with the real exotics. JMHO.
The imports are cheap, have a plethora of matching parts, great economy, has a back seat for friends to party (if there are no subwoofers there) and available at every used car dealer
in the world, lot's to choose from. The Vette is usually only expensive, very part specific, the economy of a Truck, limited seating and not as much to choose from out there.
We better have a Road and Track favorite C8 review......
02-27-2019, 03:52 PM
#16
02-27-2019, 04:17 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
I dunno man. The ratio still seems disproportionately high:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...full-time.html
.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...full-time.html
.
02-27-2019, 04:20 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
02-27-2019, 04:23 PM
#19
I've been a Corvette fan my entire life, but the sentiment above is what I often heard about the C5/6... i.e. we know they perform, but we don't care because we want a nicer interior. This doesn't apply to me as I valued performance on track over anything, but I guess I'm not the norm.
02-27-2019, 05:12 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
And when old, white, semi-retired white folks with disposable income that’s been fans of the Corvette since they were old enough to not wear diapers for the first time decry that the square tail-lights on the car or lack of flip-up lights or no more push-rod V-8 or mid engine design as sacrilege and “un-Corvette,” as if they’re some sort of progenitor of what IS Corvette? Well, just like the struggles HD is facing, the shifting demographics and buying habits of those that are in the prime of their purchasing powers will leave the brand and the make exactly where HD is finding themselves, but all too late, IMO.
I think that the real question is whether younger buyers will ignore the old-guy stigma and see the real plus qualities of Corvette. I'm not sure. I've got a C7 (cheaper than many pickups); I might buy a C8 if it doesn't bust the budget, but that would probably be my last Corvette. (I'm 69.)
If it dies out, it dies out.
Stuff changes. Adapt or die.