Atari_Prime

Revisiting this. Someone above commented that the C8 looks like a 30 year old Ferrari. Well, not quite, maybe 10, but is that a bad thing? Ferrari's are generally considered to be some of the prettiest cars in existence.

I'm more curious which one it makes more sense to buy. Take the two examples above, the C8 v. the F430.

Performance: The C8 will very likely have a HP advantage over the F430, but the F430 will likely weigh less. Handling, they will be about par. Winner: C8.

Price: The price of a new C8 v. a used F430 will likely be about the same at between $75-110k depending on options and such. Winner: Tie.

Bells and Whistles: While the F430 has plenty of bells and whistles, it is getting older, so a newer car would have plenty more. Also, Ferrari is not exactly known for its electronic components. Winner: C8.

Warranty: Easy, the C8 will have one, the F430 doesn't. Winner: C8.

Reliability: Even the most reliablie Ferrari is probably more unreliable than the most unreliable Vette. So, this one seems like a no brainer. But let's keep in mind that Corvette has a track record of first year models with significant issues. I'm looking at you 68', 84', and 97' (remember the rear glass flying away issue?). Also, the C8 is a dramatic design shift, there will likely be a few bugs. Despite all this, I would still give the C8 a significant edge. Winner: C8.

Parts: LOL, don't think we need to really go here. GM parts v. Ferrari. GM is going to win that price war every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. Winner: C8.

Resale Value: The Ferrari wins pretty easily here, because Ferrari. Almost every Ferrari model increases in value over time. Even the lowly, but great, 456 will likely start climbing in value soon. The F430 probably still has a few $ to drop in value before going back up but not much. The C8 will be produced in numbers that will result in values going down reasonably quick. Also, all Vettes go down in value and take a long time to go back up. Even the modern leader of value retention, the 96' Grand Sport, is only holding value and not increasing. And unless a car is ultra rare, it is almost impossible for a new car to go up in value immediately. The only major monkey wrench is that if you want to drive the car, the value of the Ferrari will be impacted significantly. You could probably drive a 250 GTO a million miles and it would still hold the same value, but an F430 is not so rare. The current estimate is $1 in value is lost for every mile driven. True to a degree, but even if you put 150k on the F430 it's value would still be in the $20-30k range. So, value, unsurprisingly, goes to the Ferrari. Winner: F430

Wow Factor: The C8 will get lots of attention, but much of that will be because it is new. After a few years, that attention will fade. Partially because the design is somewhat conservative, but also because a newer crazier model will have come along stealing its thunder. Ferrari will always be Ferrari. They are rare, and they always command attention. Winner: F430.

Winner: Ultimately, to each his own. If you want a daily driver, the C8 is likely the way to go. If you want something that will be fun to drive on the weekend, either car will do the trick. If you want to make some money off your car, or at least not lose much money when you go to sell it, Ferrari. For me, I think I would go with the F430.

jma242

I don't see much wow factor in the F430 anymore. I actually bought my C7 GS instead of one because it looks more modern.

As for resale value of the F430, sure it will go up, after it drops 200K+ in value lol. Look at an almost 20 year old 360 with prices bottoming out over the last two years..The F430 is pretty close to bottoming out, and the 458 can be had in the mid 150K range now.

There is no guarantee that modern cars are going to go up to original value unless you want to wait 3 - 4 decades.

danm1

Not bad for a mid engine car, only problem is, I never saw a mid engine car that appealed to me aesthetically. The body lines and geometry of mid engine platforms always looked awkward to me, short nose, big *** end. More of the same here , at least in the rendering. I'll be staying in my C7 GS.

BMadden

The F430 is the worst looking Ferrari in the 308-488 range IMHO. The 308/328 body style still looks great, the 355 is absolutely gorgeous, the 360 isn't great(but still better than the 430) and the 458/488 are obviously awesome. The 430 is the one car in that entire run that I've never really liked so if the C8 takes a lot of styling cues from it I don't think that's a good thing at all.

corvette312

No matter what type of rendering, it still looks very exotic.

VETTE-NV

I like it without the spoiler.

Darion

So much better!

PC

At least to us, lol.

Shaka

Just saying.

John T

John T

CorvettoBrando

Credit to original artist, and Shaka on his changes. I am holding out hope that there will be a side intake like he's describing. I've sketched as much months ago. I'm not confident that we'll see it, do here's my alternative, with the revised front end, using a very crude MS Paint edit. Side intake angles are probably off, but it's the best I can do. Front, I believe, more closely resembles what we saw on the leaked front fascia photo from the pain shop. Side whiskers might be carbon instead of body-colored...

C7nut

The one thing in common with all the renderings has to be the shape of those unsightly side scoops. IMO, it just takes away from the overall appearance.. I'm hoping the openings will be tightened up on the real deal.. Not being familiar with ME's, where would the gas tank be located in a car like this?

Shaka

All mid engine cars and even the C7 has it's gas tank/s (split) located where the Cg does not alter on it's longitudinal or lateral axis when empty or full. Check the dwgs and photos above for gas cap behind the door and above the scoop.

Atari_Prime

Comments like this are baffling to me. If anything, more sidescoops are needed on cars in general. At least on a mid-engine car they are functional. An engine's got to breath. From my perspective the issues with the C8 are very different than that of the C7. The C7 was controversial. The Vette community was split on whether the Camaroesque taillights qualified as 'Corvette' and the entire car is filled with very hard edges. It is very mulletlike with the business style conservative front end, while the rear, party end, is much more dramatic. The C8 is not creating near the same level of controversy except for the mid-engine layout. It seems to be far less divisive, which could be good or bad. It's starting to feel that GM realized they were already making a dramatic change to the car, so they decided to keep the styling a bit conservative all around. It will be nice to see the car with the wrapping off (soon). Look for a nice view of the engine through the rear glass. The final headlight design should make heavy use of LED tech, somewhat similar to the Buick Avenir triple headlight design. And look for the rear taillights to vaguely resemble the current generation (which I feel is unfortunate as the C7 taillights are the ugliest design piece on a Corvette since the 88' base wheel...but to each his own). The lack of controversy though could result in less attention meaning less sales, were it not for the mid-engine aspect that will grab all the attention and drive sales through the roof. If the base model comes in priced less than $75k, look for sales to be the highest since 1984.

Tom73

jr3

The C7 looks better..... That render looks like a Pontiac Fiero kit car.

C7pimp

cool story bro

vetteman41960

I think this looks great. I am ready to cut GM a check and have the c8 parked next to my 458 and my Callaway SC 757.

I don't understand the kit car comment at all. Look aggressive low and wide like a well design mid engine car should look.

But that just my opinion. If this car comes in with a base price of 75k it will sell like hot cakes.

I am hoping the the spyder version will offer either a 4.2 TT DOHC or a 5.5 Na with at least 550 hp and a true DCT. This configuration would put out similar performance to today z06 with much better handled and driving dynamics.

I can't wait. I hope in 100 days or so we will see the real deal and be able to take delivery in late 2019.

Boscosz28

jivor

That last render looks nice, except for the wickerbill spoiler from the C7. I like the hood here.