Lately I have been peeking in on the C8 forum. I know, naughty, naughty. I have always disliked that style, but my backbone is weakening and the prices on the used models are starting to get into strike range for me.

As I look at them more, I am finding that I can justify the look of those hideous side intake scoops. I saw an arctic white that did not have a ridiculously large wing and I actually could see myself driving, enjoying, and well........ gulp, loving it. Just because I may love a new 'Juliette' does not mean that I do not still love my 'Old Bessie'

Of course I have not had this major change of heart discussion with the 'finance' manager yet, so it may be a while longer before I could make said change. Maybe i will come to my senses before then, unless the prices keep getting lower.

Please help me......

 

Hopefully you will come to your senses soon. Keep peeking in on the C8 forum. Be sure to read all the post about the transmission problems. After that long and discouraging news move on to the other quality issues. Finally take a ride and a good look at your C7 then smile and call it a day.

 

I looked at them before buying my C7GS 7spd. I came from a C5Z.

C8's I could afford were out of warranty - not that risky given all the electronics etc
I'm not in love with the back end view (unless center exit Z06)
I don't think I could give up a manual in a fun car even though the performance is all around better
I like to tinker and C8 aftermarket is ridiculous. C5 wasn't bad, C7 is getting worse but C8 no thank you.

 

I doubt the C8 has more issues than C7s. Most people only post when they have issues and we read those posts and assume the worst across the board. Had i relied solely on forum posts I wouldn't have bought my C7.

I say if you want a C8 then go for it. Hopefully the finance manager will allow you to keep your C7, can't have too many vehicles in the stable.

 

If I wasn't adamant about having a stick shift, I'd be trading my C7 Z06 in for a C8 Z06 or E-ray.

 

Ohhhh. Don’t feel guilty. I’m always looking. Even did a test drive (arctic white, of course). Prices make it very tempting but I’m sitting tight, so far. Lol

 

I'm sure the C8 is a fine car - I just am not tired of my C7 at this point. I like the C7 styling better and although the C8 is undeniably a better performer, the C7 offers plenty of fun times.

 

X2

The C8 is no worse than the C7 was from a QC standpoint. A lot of guys bring up the C8 transmission as an example, but it's a miniscule amount that suffer from issues. Not to downplay those who have experienced problems, but it's a little ridiculous to say they're issue prone.

That said, I await another thread in this section about triple flushes, torque converter shuddering, and torque tube issues

 

To me, I have to have an HTC! I do not have a problem with the esthetics or the automatic transmission.

I was looking at a '23, '24 or '25. I did my due diligence, checked out the Forum, UTube, and magazine's.

It was the tranny issues, parts availability, heated trunk, the puddle that develops behind the rear window on the HTC, and the fact that I could get a GMPP Platinum Extended Warranty on my trouble free C7, that made me stay. jmho

 

The new C8 is the best supercar for the dollar.

 

Nope, my C7 is my last Vette. They stopped giving the manual tranny option thereby taking away my option to by them. Yes, the C8s are faster but I don't really care. The C7's fast enough for me. Hell, if I get on it, by the time I hit third gear, I'm illegal! And just can't warm up to the new (copied) styling.

 

We use our car (C7Z coupe) for road trips among other things. Last trip was almost 4k miles to upstate NY in October 25. We had friends make the trip in their C8s. It just wasn't as easy for them although I had to have a rear wheel welded on the trip.

What's keeping me in the C7 for now:

1. Still like the look better.
2. Luggage space. About 30% more usable luggage space and it doesn't get hot.
3. Interior space - The shelf immediately behind the seats provides a place for drinks, snacks, tissues, cameras, radios, etc. In the C8 most of that stuff would go in the frunk which means a stop for access.
4. Head room - I'm 6'4" with a long torso and the C7 seems to have at least another inch and probably more head room.
5. I have 4 more years of warranty, and the car is paid for. Although I keep thinking that C7 parts, especially the electronics, are going to get harder and harder to find.

The C8 has a lot going for it. It handles well. It launches hard. Weight over the rear is nice in rainy weather. Better tech. I've looked, too, and have driven some friends C8s. Easy for my wife (5'2") to see over the front fenders/hood. She doesn't like driving the C7. You have to have a nice wide parking place to get in/out the those deals, especially the wide bodies.

Keep looking and evaluating.

 

OP, you ask a question that ultimately is one only you can make. But you asked for personal opinions so I'll provide my experience.

• We've had 4 vettes: 2 C3's and 2 C7's. Still have one of the C3's - a '68 L71 tripower roadster and I'll hang on to that one for a while.
• Sold the first C7 ('15 Z51) to get a '17 GS. Really liked them both and the GS the best.
• Took multiple 3-4k roadtrips in both C7s, both coupes. Tons of luggage room and very fun to drive.
• After about 5 years with the GS, decided to sell it and get a different car until the eRays came out. The different car is of a foreign variety and we do like it a lot.
• My wifes car is a '20 CT6-V Blackwing. That car rocks and they didn't make many of them. We've used it for some road trips and REALLY like it.
• Time came for our eRay allocation and we just couldn't do it. I/we don't like the C8 body style as well as the C7. In our opinion the C7 (especially wide body) is a 9+ and the C8 is a 7; don't like the front end especially, but not a fan of the rear either.
• Knowing what we know now, we might have kept the GS (but we do like the car that replaced it).
• Not loving the C8 styling was a show stopper for us. No matter how quick it is or what a great value now, if one has to 'settle' for the styling that's a 'no' for us.

Probably doesn't help, but you asked. Best, Paul

 

Are the C8 gas tanks still blowing up?

 

I am a manual only person since i was 17 and 42 now. Almost swapped to dodge cummings for a 6speed Deisel vs my new Durmax....

But tech changes and Ihave had all the others. All the other cars I want to play with (Lambos, R8s, McLaren's if money allows are not sticks either) so one day its coming either way.,..
I had a 824RWHP C7Z M7. clean as hell exposed carbon hood , CCB brakes. BUT it kept pissing me off randomly in between making me smile and the C8's kept catching my eye..... My work made me go back in the office ever day. So I said only one way to find out. sold the C7Z, picked up a C8. Custom wheels, lowered on springs and cups, and exhaust. This was the test. Before I built or started playing with boost and one needed to know how Ifeel about it.

I have had a year in Feb.... and I like it...... I do miss rowing, but I have other sticks C2 and C3.... I do like the quick out the hole shots in traffic and very exotic feel around town... Also all the new tech is nice car to drive all the time. I also think playing with some boost and being on the more front edge of figuring them out is fun vs just copy and repeat cam/blower/fuel= fun. I want a Z for the sound but they o suck on torque. also this is the slowest car i have had in 10-15 years haha. I have DD a stick 600-800 rwhp car for over a decade. So at a 70mph kick it lame haha. BUT driving around town running arrons, redlights, work traffic, its like a fancy go cart, that grabs looks everywhere./... even if its a base model crossplane V8 C8 ha. what would be great is a Blower, heads cam C6Z and a C8 haha.

 

I prefer the looks of the C7 but your wheels solved one of the major gripes for me about the C8. I do love Riptide Blue and Roswell Green....but keeping my C7. I've only sat in the C8 still have not driven one.

Added a low mileage C5 to the stable when i paid off the C7 a few years back so im good (i think).

 

Nothing is wrong with you, or a C8.. but then again, there is certainly nothing wrong with that C7!!

I would rustle up the C8 reasoning that it would be for my wife. I would love to drive one around but the C7 Grand Sport M7 is the Corvette for me!

The other day I saw a C8 and the guy did not even wave to me... I think that says it all basically.

 

Thank you all for the comments and opinions. Many of the pros and cons are well taken, especially about a place to put the tissues. Seriously thanks.
This is what I am dreaming of.

 

I still have my C5, I also pop in on C6, C7, and C8 forums. There is nothing wrong with you. I’m also the original owner of my C5, 2004 coupe, auto with RPM stage 2 diff, 3.73 gears, stall converter, headers, and tuned. My 15 year old might be taking my daily driver ford, I’m not getting rid of the C5, I love the C8’s, I don’t like the tranny issues of either the C7 or C8. So, I’m stumped. I’m also not going to buy a 10 year old car, I’m going to buy something I really like, buy the longest warranty I can and hang on to it. Now the new 6.7 liter Grandsport coming out sounds nice, but is probably out of my price range. Maybe get a 2019 C7 A8, and drop it off at LMR for a cam swap and 3200 stall converter, tune out the AFM or DOD, what ever it’s called is another option I thought of.

But the C5 is staying. I’ll daily driver it, I’ve kept it nice/mint this long. It’s got almost 100,000 miles on it, I’m not dumping it for 10 or 15k, it’s worth more to me then that.

 

Me too. And like you, I don't like the styling as well as my C7, but the upcoming Grand Sport has me interested. Probably won't happen because we drive our C7 on road trips and there is more room for both passengers and luggage in the C7.

Doesn't hurt to look.

Oh, and the "vibe" and people in the C7 section are much better