FE over ME Corvette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,385
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From: Orlando FL
FE over ME Corvette
Assume for a moment GM, at some point, continues to make a front engine Corvette. How many current and new owners will choose the traditional front engine design over the new mid engine Corvette? Food for thought, GM has asked that we call the new ME car "Next Generation".
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Jun 13, 2019, 09:29 AM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: The GREAT STATE of IOWA!
They jury on the ME is going to be out for at least 2 years. We'll be swamped with the oohs and aahs of the press, and of those who actually buy the first run, but the real test is after some serious miles get put on them by about 25K owners.
On paper it sounds good, but the looks are terrible.
On paper it sounds good, but the looks are terrible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,074
Likes: 1,041
From: The GREAT STATE of IOWA!
They jury on the ME is going to be out for at least 2 years. We'll be swamped with the oohs and aahs of the press, and of those who actually buy the first run, but the real test is after some serious miles get put on them by about 25K owners.
On paper it sounds good, but the looks are terrible.
On paper it sounds good, but the looks are terrible.
Racer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 354
Likes: 100
From: Central Florida
I am enjoying my C7 and won't be looking for a new car anytime soon, but I DO know that my next car will be one of three options:
- used C7 Z06 (that'll be all that's available in a few years most likely)
- 2020+ GT500
- C9 (who knows, maybe they'll release a FE Corvette again one day)
What I'm NOT in for:
- C8
- used C7 Z06 (that'll be all that's available in a few years most likely)
- 2020+ GT500
- C9 (who knows, maybe they'll release a FE Corvette again one day)
What I'm NOT in for:
- C8
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,070
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From: Wendell NC
St. Jude Donor '19
I am personally still on the fence about which model I'd prefer. The ME model brings a whole new level to the Vette but breaks the tradition of the FE model. Tough call for me at this point.
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Safety Car
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From: Margate, FL
This is the biggest bummer. I understand this is the world we live in now, but the move to ME is a massive change in Corvette's long history, so they could have held onto the past a little longer by continuing to offer three pedals. Not sure how much development dollars that sucks up. I'm sure they considered it but anytime the bean counters win we all lose. Next up the V8 will die 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
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I still think the Corvette sells in the numbers it does because of the relatively low base price, and practicality just good enough for daily driving application.
So I think after the initial rush, whether the Corvette can maintain the kind of sales numbers it has in the past will depend on whether it can retain those two qualities. I think both factors are still somewhat TBD, right?
Maybe they've found a way to really cram the motor forward and have a nice size rear trunk. We'll see.
I have no doubt it will be an amazing performer for the price as always.
I love manuals and that would definitely be my choice, and I think it is a mistake to drop them. I doubt it will impact sales much though. The number of people who will flat out not buy the car because it doesn't have a manual is probably not many at this point and dropping further every year. I think they could gain sales down the line if it became the only car in the entire worldwide performance envelope that still offered a manual. It could be that.
The targa I consider to be a "convertible" already, but I'm sure they could engineer a power top down the line if there is demand for it.
So I think after the initial rush, whether the Corvette can maintain the kind of sales numbers it has in the past will depend on whether it can retain those two qualities. I think both factors are still somewhat TBD, right?
Maybe they've found a way to really cram the motor forward and have a nice size rear trunk. We'll see.
I have no doubt it will be an amazing performer for the price as always.
I love manuals and that would definitely be my choice, and I think it is a mistake to drop them. I doubt it will impact sales much though. The number of people who will flat out not buy the car because it doesn't have a manual is probably not many at this point and dropping further every year. I think they could gain sales down the line if it became the only car in the entire worldwide performance envelope that still offered a manual. It could be that.
The targa I consider to be a "convertible" already, but I'm sure they could engineer a power top down the line if there is demand for it.
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For me, it is way too early to decide which one I would go for. I like my 2014, but the C8 could turn out to be one heck of a car. I prefer to wait until the C8 is actually out, people have had a chance to put some miles on it and see how the performance/reliability are before saying I would not own one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,230
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From: Colorado
This should probably be over at the C8 section. That said, I think the 2022 C8 will probably introduce the Z06 version and have fixed the 2020/21s bugs. FE will be a fond memory and many Corvette owners will be butthurt for awhile. Wait until they introduce an electric FE 
and a (TT or supercharged) bad *** V8 mid. Let's call that one a ZR1. I mean hell, it's still June and we're still speculating, might as well go big.
and a (TT or supercharged) bad *** V8 mid. Let's call that one a ZR1. I mean hell, it's still June and we're still speculating, might as well go big.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2016
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I think you wiil see a manual after the first or second run. There are still.many people who will only accept manual. One time a few years ago I bought an automatic sports car. After a few months I hated it. No fun felt like driving the family car.