ColoradoGS

Chrome wheels is easy. You offer a variety of wheels and people are happy. It is true a few people won't buy a car because it "has a chrome wheel options for old farts" but I doubt that is a lot of people. Just like some people won't buy the car if it starts as $65K because they want exclusive and rare. GM typically aims to please a wide audience so that means chrome wheels and a reasonable price.

The hard decisions come when it isn't feasible to just engineer both options. Manual or automatic? Auto only. Coupe or convertible? Both--but the convertible looks to be a hardtop spyder and the area behind the passengers likely won't be completely open. Front-engine or mid-engine? There could still be a surprise a few years out but looking like ME only. C7-amounts of cargo space or less? GT sports car or track focused sports car?

All of these decisions are hard because it isn't easy to do both--Corvette designers have to pick. That's where I see most of the demographic change of Corvette buyers will come from. What do you mean no manual? It isn't a real convertible? What happened to my Corvette hood and rumbling V8? My wife and I take road trips--where do we put our luggage? One of these probably doesn't push a lot of traditional buyers away but all of them? We'll have to see. The plan would be for people who can't make the leap to be replaced by a new (younger?) demographic.

Oh and by younger I don't mean Corvette's will be predominately purchased by people in their 20's. But the median ago of buyers is going up. Either GM rides that until the average Corvette buyer reaches "I can't drive anymore" age or they bring in new 40-50 year old buyers to at least keep the median age constant.

rsvette12

I respect others choice to do whatever they want to their cars but you will not find many exotics with chrome wheels on them they just dont look right imo - sure you can find some but not the majority - but C8 in its current state wont have an exotic exterior so knock your self out

GM should sell lambo looking corvettes at corvette prices problem solved

bigterpsfan

NY09C6

They also do not buy Porsche or Ferrari either. It has to do with budgets, not chome wheels.

aj98

OTOH, I was 34 when I bought my C5 (new),,,and 48 when I bought my C7.... so I was a young punk, now more of the old fart,,,,

And yes I like 5 spoke (non-split) chrome wheels

NY09C6

I was also early 30's. But it is not as common as older people and has nothing to do with wheel finish.

JDSKY

I currently have the machined on my C7 but can appreciate chrome or black wheels and cannot understand why anyone really cares if GM offers 3 wheel options. Worried that will raise the price of all cars or something?

Michael A

The point being missed is the Corvette needs to shed its "old fart" image. Porshes, Ferraris, and McClarens might have buyers just as old as Corvette buyers, but they don't have an "old fart" image. Chevy needs to get rid of anything on the car that is going to promote the Corvette as an "old fart's" car. Just because fake convertible tops, white wall tires, and luggage racks would also sell, doesn't mean Corvette should offer them as factory options. You have to draw the line.

Blinging up the car on your own is a different matter. If chrome wheels, chrome bezels around the taillights, and fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror are your thing, I'm sure the dealer would be more than glad to accommodate you.

ArmchairArchitect

Spot on 100% regarding the Corvette image and that very much "cheapens" the brand by offering tacky items like chrome wheels.

DaveFerrari458

I guess if you have to ask then.....

pietro c7

Stunt

No homey chromies for me thank you. Brushed aluminum all the way.

JoesC5

I doubt that the peeling is the chrome's fault.

The original chrome on the bumpers of my 1964 Corvette is not peeling and neither is the chrome on the wheels of my 2009 Corvette.

Polished wheels typically have a clear coating applied to prevent aluminum oxide from forming but the clear coat doesn't hold up well. The clear coating on the wheel of machined face wheels on my 20 year old daily driver has areas of stains.

JDSKY

Removing a wheel option is hardly going to change the stereotypes surrounding the car. If what other people think really bothers you pick another brand of car. A lot of young men seem to enjoy the Miata .

StevieB

They should offer any finish wheel that anybody wants. What's the big deal?
I personally think that black wheels look like you are driving around on the spares until you can get the real ones back on
I have seen people say that a black car with black wheels=sinister

StevieB

Kids, and I’m referring to people for the most part in their early-mid 20’s are like lemmings. Whatever most of the other guys have is the cool way to go. They haven’t developed what they like in the long run. When I was 20 I liked POPCORN CEILINGS and RUST (orange) colored furniture. Stupid artwork with little light bulbs on a bridge or some junk.

As people mature they develop what THEY REALLY LIKE, not what everybody else likes. As far as I’m concerned, who gives a **** what is in fashion at any given time. Get what YOU LIKE, not what everybody else thinks is cool.

NEXT CASE

purple heart

Before I bought my 2016 Stingray Conv., the 2 years prior I was in a 2014 F-TYPE jaguar. It had black wheels and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER on to infinity AGAIN!!! You can wash you car, dry it off and take it out for a cruise (1-4 miles) and by the time you get back home, the car is still clean and the wheels are FILTHY! I never saw anything like it! Anything but black.

my 02 cents

K-TownMike

Chrome is tacky as hell. I can understand not liking black, but for the love of god go with brushed, polished or painted.

Michael A

As I said, Porsche and Ferrari don't have an "old fart" image, and young people aspire to own those cars. As those people gain wealth as they get older, they end up buyingt them. Chrome wheels contribute to the "old fart" image.

bebezote

whatever it comes with.. as long as the car is hot... never kept original wheels on anything but the dually... everything else is sky hi jacked 12" or pull the wheels for a rack back of garage and order what you want... wheels ain't much .. order some COR or asanti's and your set