ClothSeats

The C8 Corvette is going to be right up there among the best performers in the world. That is perhaps as it should be, but I was wondering if there was also a market for something a little less extreme. It seems that there are a lot of folks that would be happy with a sports car that is fun to drive during their normal routine. To me, that resembles more of what Corvette has been in years past. Maybe it is mid engine, maybe not. Maybe it is called a Corvette, maybe not. 400 HP or so. Manual tranny. 3,000 pounds. Different styling so it doesn't detract from the mainline Corvette. Tires that don't make you go broke when you need new ones. MSRP around $40,000. A car like that would still be lots of fun to drive. Let other cars (including the top of the line Corvette) compete for being the fastest. You don't need that because you will never drive it at the limit anyway. If you did, you could buy the mainline Corvette. Is there a market for something like this?

.Daniel.

Maybe a Camaro
GM, FE, V8 and manual

Foosh

I do expect to see a dramatically re-designed Camaro in the not-too-distant future. It will be interesting to see what direction GM decides to go with it.

C7nut

Sounds like you're describing the Saturn Sky...I loved that car, A rotten shame GM dropped such a fun car still in its infancy

ClothSeats

Yup. The Pontiac Solstice too. Loved the round nose on that car. Needed a bit more cargo space, though.

captain vette

There’s always room for something else, but let a corvette be a corvette.

Tyler_RN_EMT

This would be a breath of fresh air..... I feel like all we’ve gotten are mild facelifts of a car that was designed to look like an older version of itself already..... it has essentially looked the same for 12 years now and that was designed to look like a car from 50 YEARS ago.I will be so glad when this “retro” phase of car design is done..... it’s exhausting. GM ..... if you’re listening..... please look to the future and not the past for inspiration.

-Tyler

AORoads

I agree; it sounds good to those who want, have one or would like something slightly different. Trouble is, the market has an assortment already and they sell ok, not spectacularly. And GM's last take on it, the Sky/Solstice (most won't agree those were the same as what's being talked about here) wasn't a success.

The Camaro's been around awhile, and this style has had a supposed all-new design that is, to me, very close to the prior model. It could be a chance to change up a lot of things at Camaro but that would mean serious dollars spent to engineer and bring it to market. We will see. I don't know if the market is deep enough to be profitable with such a model, even with a big name (with lots of dealers) like GM and Camaro.

68roadster

They were cool looking but too heavy. Small convertibles can be fun on occasion. I had hopes they would be a Miata competition but not so much.

fatsport

Camaro could be so much better. My instructor at Roebling Rd took me for a couple laps in his ZL1- it was like riding in a cave. Why anyone would buy this to drive on the street is beyond me.

smithers

I’m pretty much against the idea of making several different vehicles under a Corvette brand. I think it would be a failure as any of the lower cars would always carry the “wanna be corvette” stigma with it. I think it’s better to just make a new car with it’s own name to fill any other niche.

GM should absolutely make something like a Subaru BRZ with some actual *****. Just don’t call it a Corvette haha

Easy Rhino

Buy a lightly used C7 instead if a ME C8 is too much. Lower tech and cheaper.

punky

Sounds like a Camaro is not the car for you. Base models of the Camaro are used in rental car fleets with great success. The general public does not seem to have any where near your issues with the car. I have driven late model Camaro SS and had no problem at all.

Foosh

I think Ford's announcement, that the only "car" they are committed to developing a new generation for is Mustang, was very significant. It continues to be very successful for them, and I think GM will do the same for Camaro. With a fresh, modern design, it could be well-positioned to be GM's only FE, sporty, 2-door, performance coupe.

rmorin1249

Would love to see GM or Ford make an "American MX5" with a 300 HP TT V6 selling for under $40K. Unlikely as there is a very limited market for 2 seaters but there really isn't much choice for those that want a fun car that doesn't cost more than $50K. The offerings from BMW, Audi, Porsche and Alfa are all pricey. I am concerned that if Corvette goes too upscale they will lose customers.

ClothSeats

Yes indeed. The Corvette is very desirable, and it is tempting for young guys to buy one even though they can't really afford it. That's none of my business, though.

jimmyb

I hope you are right. The high belt line/low roof styling was different and interesting 9 years ago. Now, it clearly hurts the car, sales wise. My dealer gave me one to drive a few years ago when my Corvette was in the shop, I drove the car 3 miles and thought to myself "How does anyone live with this car?"

To answer the OP, there is no market for a de-contented Corvette nor does it make sense to even explore it. If the C8 does indeed come in below $70K, how can you possibly take enough content out to LOWER the price $25K-$30K?

jimmyb

Won't happen. The Miata owns that category and it is NOT a big enough category to start loading it with competition. The Solstice/Sky could have/should have done it, except they were VERY disappointing cars, IMO. The target (Miata) was RIGHT THERE, and Bob Lutz and the boys gave us a car that weighed 400 pounds MORE, had a top that was ridiculous to operate (verses the Miata "one twist and throw it over your shoulder), and a trunk that made the Miata's look like an SUV. Other than that, the Sky/Solstice were just fine.

AORoads

I agree w. the basic premise of this thread-starter (and recalled Ford's stance on just the Mustang getting new-new). But, if it's to be the Camaro, it's gonna take a lotta money starting from the chassis up. I can't speak with any knowledge about the ATS frame as being usable nor what exactly the current Camaro is using that could be reused. The idea/concept of decent power (most buyers like "more" rather than "decent"), and less weight is both intriguing and going in the opposite direction of what is currently being offered. It's a tough bogey to hit the mark esp. when the issue of "design" is thrown in.. And it needs to be thrown in, imo.

sunsalem

Plus, it is a fine performer...around a track or at the Strip.