C8 and the future of the Corvette
11-29-2017, 07:45 PM
#61
Burning Brakes
OP, fun thread. Thank you.
I am 30, and did the same in 2015.
I quoted it because I think it is true.
I was the same way when I was 15, couldn't wait to get my license. Cars were always part of my girl hunt. Not that I used my cars to get laid, but it never hurt that I drive a nice car. The model I date likes the c7. The irony is, I sold accounts, currency, and items in a video game to make the real life money to buy an 02 ws6 firebird in about 04, while I was in Highschool.
Anyways, back to the 2nd quote. Give your kids a c7 and I bet their interest in girls will change dramatically. Girls opinions of him might change too. Can you get laid gaming? Not sure. I used to game a lot and nothing ever became of it.
If the c8 has a completely self driving feature, I would be stoked. As long as you can disengage it at a race track. Could you imagine showing up to a new track and having tour vette teach you the line??
However, if they take the third pedal away I agree with the dude who is either eyeing or owns a 570s.
I am 30, and did the same in 2015.
This 30 something loves his Corvette. Go to any cars and coffee and plenty of younger folks like Corvettes just fine. Its a cost issue more than a design or concept problem.
I just had a conversation the other day with a 20 year old checkout kid at my grocery store commenting on my hat about Corvette was his dream car....
I just had a conversation the other day with a 20 year old checkout kid at my grocery store commenting on my hat about Corvette was his dream car....
It is not just cars these young guys have no interest in. Kids have no desire to learn to drive. I remember, as soon as I turned 15, I could not WAIT to get my license. To me a license and a car meant freedom, friends, good times, and yes GIRLS! Now fast forward to the present. Neither of my sons had any desire to learn to drive until they were in their 20s, and had no choice, since they needed to drive to get jobs and go to work. Like many others, they were content to make their "friends" on line. Actual social interaction meant little to them, and the opposite sex only mattered when they were on the other end of a game controller. I am afraid that the fast, sexy cars (and even faster sexier women) that us old guys pursued, have given way to digital anime figures wearing skimpy outfits in video games and as computer downloads...
Anyways, back to the 2nd quote. Give your kids a c7 and I bet their interest in girls will change dramatically. Girls opinions of him might change too. Can you get laid gaming? Not sure. I used to game a lot and nothing ever became of it.
If the c8 has a completely self driving feature, I would be stoked. As long as you can disengage it at a race track. Could you imagine showing up to a new track and having tour vette teach you the line??
However, if they take the third pedal away I agree with the dude who is either eyeing or owns a 570s.
Last edited by theplatinumog; 11-29-2017 at 08:42 PM.
11-29-2017, 08:40 PM
#62
Burning Brakes
This 30 something loves his Corvette. Go to any cars and coffee and plenty of younger folks like Corvettes just fine. Its a cost issue more than a design or concept problem.
I just had a conversation the other day with a 20 year old checkout kid at my grocery store commenting on my hat about Corvette was his dream car....
I just had a conversation the other day with a 20 year old checkout kid at my grocery store commenting on my hat about Corvette was his dream car....
Once you figure that out, I may read your entire post.
11-29-2017, 08:43 PM
#63
Burning Brakes
I haven't proof read anything, but I am just banging away on my cell phone. I imagine there are worse mistakes in my post. However, you are right. How disrespectful of me.
The following users liked this post:
Shaka (11-30-2017)
11-29-2017, 08:45 PM
#64
Burning Brakes
I fear that the corvette may be nearing the end of the line. Before I begin let me state that I own a c7 that is my 5th corvette, and I am not a troll. Consider the following:
1. The demographics are against cars like the corvette. When you look at
the Bell curve 20 and 30 somethings are not interested in cars like the
corvette.
2. Sales of all sports cars are trending down. Corvette sales have been
flat in recent years, and it appears that most buyers like myself are
repeat buyers; it is not enticing new buyers and expanding the market.
The c7 is a phenomenal bargain for the price, but in this day and age
how many people can afford an 80,000+ toy that is expensive to
maintain and is two seater with zero practicality.
3.Now we come to the elephant in the room--the rapid and almost
exponential electrification of the auto industry. Let's face it, the
internal combustion engine is a dinosaur that was invented 200 years
ago. The concept of valves, pistons, crankshafts, etc is rapidly
becoming obsolete and is being legislated out of existence. 500-1000
mile rapid charge batteries whether they be lithium air or otherwise
now exist in the lab. Hell, even a Tesla will out accelerate a corvette.
I realize there are those among you will say that the current draw
after a few hundred yards burns the battery out, but one can certainly
see the handwriting on the wall.
I know that the concept of an electric, automatic (self drive anyone?)
seems absurd but this seems to be the way things are going. I think the c8 may be the end of the line. GM may be able to extend things a bit with the e-ray, manta ray, etc., but at the end of a 7-8 year run I sadly
doubt there will be a market for a car like the corvette except for old guys like me. If the car still does exist it may be legislated off of public roads. Replies anyone!
1. The demographics are against cars like the corvette. When you look at
the Bell curve 20 and 30 somethings are not interested in cars like the
corvette.
2. Sales of all sports cars are trending down. Corvette sales have been
flat in recent years, and it appears that most buyers like myself are
repeat buyers; it is not enticing new buyers and expanding the market.
The c7 is a phenomenal bargain for the price, but in this day and age
how many people can afford an 80,000+ toy that is expensive to
maintain and is two seater with zero practicality.
3.Now we come to the elephant in the room--the rapid and almost
exponential electrification of the auto industry. Let's face it, the
internal combustion engine is a dinosaur that was invented 200 years
ago. The concept of valves, pistons, crankshafts, etc is rapidly
becoming obsolete and is being legislated out of existence. 500-1000
mile rapid charge batteries whether they be lithium air or otherwise
now exist in the lab. Hell, even a Tesla will out accelerate a corvette.
I realize there are those among you will say that the current draw
after a few hundred yards burns the battery out, but one can certainly
see the handwriting on the wall.
I know that the concept of an electric, automatic (self drive anyone?)
seems absurd but this seems to be the way things are going. I think the c8 may be the end of the line. GM may be able to extend things a bit with the e-ray, manta ray, etc., but at the end of a 7-8 year run I sadly
doubt there will be a market for a car like the corvette except for old guys like me. If the car still does exist it may be legislated off of public roads. Replies anyone!
11-30-2017, 09:03 AM
#66
Ouch
11-30-2017, 10:29 PM
#67
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
As soon as I find my glasses and cane, I'll go look for my tin foil hat.
The following users liked this post:
JerriVette (12-08-2017)
12-08-2017, 09:23 AM
#68
Race Director
Hmmm....you average 2 posts a month so I 'm pretty certain reading the OP was NEVER going to happen anyway. But your contribution is duly noted.
12-08-2017, 04:41 PM
#69
Instructor
Thread Starter
say in all sincerity you are a colossal smart *** whose attitude is not appreciated. I have no doubt that the vast majority of the forum community feels that it would be better off without people like you. So, you can take your attitude and stuff it where the sun doesn't shine!!
The following 2 users liked this post by Nobull:
JerriVette (12-08-2017),
Rapid Fred (12-09-2017)
12-09-2017, 08:08 AM
#70
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: One Hour From Boston!
Posts: 6,408
Received 4,684 Likes
on
1,862 Posts
I’m a member of the Les Paul Forum (in case you are unaware, the Les Paul is an electric guitar made by the Gibson Guitar Company). There are similiar posts there. Old timers (like me!) that fear that the guitar is doomed and the younger generation has no interest in guitar, and would rather be a DJ spinning discs. I think this is reflective of changing times, and people’s interests are changing. But that’s the way it’s always been, life 100 years ago was different, even more different 200 years ago, etc. If you look at history in terms of hundreds of years, and not just the last 50 years (or in this case, the last 64 years 
), then it becomes apparent that life evolves and changes, it’s progress and can’t be stopped. If the Corvette goes away, it will be because the younger generation has no interest, or are lacking the funds necessary to buy a Corvette. BUT IT WON’T MATTER, because us older people will be gone and buried, and there won’t be anyone around to care. Times change, it’s “normal” and has been happening since the dawn of time!
), then it becomes apparent that life evolves and changes, it’s progress and can’t be stopped. If the Corvette goes away, it will be because the younger generation has no interest, or are lacking the funds necessary to buy a Corvette. BUT IT WON’T MATTER, because us older people will be gone and buried, and there won’t be anyone around to care. Times change, it’s “normal” and has been happening since the dawn of time!
The following users liked this post:
RoketRdr (03-24-2018)
12-09-2017, 11:50 AM
#71
Very interesting reading all off these difference views. Couldn't afford my first corvette C5 until I was around the age of 53. Now on my 2nd C7 at the age of 65 and enjoying every bit of it. My thoughts are enjoy what you are doing today with all of your corvettes as a 100 years absolutely none of us will give a dam! I enjoy my corvette every day just knowing I am fortunate to own one. Enjoy my friends!
The following users liked this post:
JerriVette (12-09-2017)
12-09-2017, 12:04 PM
#72
Racer
Just go to a local car show and see the crowd and enthusiasm. Sports cars will always be around and desired. Yes especially the great American sports car our beloved vette! It may go thru changes but will always be the best all around sports car in the world!
12-09-2017, 01:33 PM
#73
Team Owner
12-09-2017, 11:57 PM
#75
It's curious that the cited "wave of the future", electric cars, that cannot survive in the free market without massive government subsidies, is seen as a viable alternative to gasoline powered cars. The Tesla often referenced as a game changer sports car in these forums is a glaring example of a car company totally reliant for its survival on the backs of taxpayers without which would cease to exist. The Tesla is a modern day Tucker more than likely. The irrational fear of "man made climate change" is the actual fuel source for such boondoggles. I could understand government subsidies at the university level for battery research, but subsidizing inefficient cars that few are willing to actually pay for is a total waste of money. The battery technology is simply not there yet. Elon Musk is a con man capitalizing on stupidity.
The following users liked this post:
RoketRdr (03-24-2018)
12-10-2017, 05:32 AM
#77
How wrong you are my friend. Once completely autonomous self-driving cars get here, probably around 2030- our politicians will quickly outlaw all non-self driving cars to protect us from ourselves. I would bet heavily that by 2035, there will be no non-autonomous cars on public roads.
Read his thoughts here: https://drivetribe.com/p/we-will-no-...T-W-1uftEQeENQ
Last edited by groovyjay; 12-10-2017 at 05:33 AM.
12-10-2017, 08:50 AM
#78
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Big Bend Country, TX
Posts: 29,114
Received 2,186 Likes
on
1,337 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Heh, the way C7 sales have tanked taking resale prices along with them, if the C8 doesn't happen, GM is going to have a problem on its hands. It's going to be interesting to see what other brand car BG will be assembling in the new plant.
12-10-2017, 09:05 AM
#79
Instructor
Camaro and mustang sales is fell off cliff as well, but the charger and Challenger is setting records.
Here is problem with c8, when you go to a configuration like that with mid engine you will lose core group because guys like me likes front engine,pushrod machine.
The Vette is a icon, but when it goes to midengine Configuration then it is more exotic than muscle.
Guys like me who pays the bills will not buy them,i f I wanted a mid engine car i would go Italian.
Look at Nascar as prime example when they tried to get away from core fans what has happened, it is failing.
If Gm wanted to do something it is simple and they have tooling in place, modify Saturn redline sky in a mini Vette, I used to own a redline sky and it was a hoot to drive.
Here is problem with c8, when you go to a configuration like that with mid engine you will lose core group because guys like me likes front engine,pushrod machine.
The Vette is a icon, but when it goes to midengine Configuration then it is more exotic than muscle.
Guys like me who pays the bills will not buy them,i f I wanted a mid engine car i would go Italian.
Look at Nascar as prime example when they tried to get away from core fans what has happened, it is failing.
If Gm wanted to do something it is simple and they have tooling in place, modify Saturn redline sky in a mini Vette, I used to own a redline sky and it was a hoot to drive.
12-10-2017, 09:09 AM
#80
Le Mans Master
