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Did Chevy miss the mark on customer base with the C8?
I was watching a YouTube video which had clips from many of the engineers and design staff for the new C8. In every one of the clips each of those folks stressed "on the track" regarding handling traits and performance and no mention was made of the cars use on the street. Does "on the track" really matter that much to the average owner? I know there are some folks that do regularly track their Corvettes but I sincerely believe that it is fewer than 10% and possibly much fewer. I am not talking about a random autocross or other low speed event but true track rats. So will the move away from a traditional "grand touring" Corvette by having reduced luggage space have a long term effect on sales once the new got to have it now wears off? I do not use mine as a daily driver but I do pack up and take vacations and attend events in my Z06 convertible. I find it has enough room for my uses very admirably and the performance far outstrips anything I am comfortable doing on streets and highways. And before anyone comes back with the he can't afford it, the C8 base would be at a price point below my Z06. The C8 is surely going to be a fantastic handling vehicle but the advantages of a mid engine design may not offset the compromises required.
The C8 is surely going to be a fantastic handling vehicle but the advantages of a mid engine design may not offset the compromises required.
I don't see any compromises, I just see the best sports car value in the history of the automobile. Of course they talk about track performance, how excited would people be if they talked about how well it handled following a Lincoln Continental to the opera?
The C8 is surely going to be a fantastic handling vehicle but the advantages of a mid engine design may not offset the compromises required.
I don't see any compromises, I just see the best sports car value in the history of the automobile. Of course they talk about track performance, how excited would people be if they talked about how well it handled following a Lincoln Continental to the opera?
I don't see any compromises, I just see the best sports car value in the history of the automobile. Of course they talk about track performance, how excited would people be if they talked about how well it handled following a Lincoln Continental to the opera?
I was watching a YouTube video which had clips from many of the engineers and design staff for the new C8. In every one of the clips each of those folks stressed "on the track" regarding handling traits and performance and no mention was made of the cars use on the street. Does "on the track" really matter that much to the average owner?
I believe it does. Even if the owner doesn't used the capability, most will have partly made a decision based on the performance in car magazine tests etc. It's a "car enthusiast" thing.
Originally Posted by GS583
The C8 is surely going to be a fantastic handling vehicle but the advantages of a mid engine design may not offset the compromises required.
I'm not seeing much in the way of compromises. If the slightly reduced luggage space is a problem, leave the blender and the microwave at home.
Last edited by Warp Factor; 08-15-2019 at 05:05 PM.
The vert has a drop down partition that when the top is up has almost as much space as the C7 coupe if you are not stacking into the rear viewing area. With the top down I can get 2 carry ons and quite a bit of soft (duffel bag type) storage in there. I have read the C8 can have 1 carry on in the frunk and a couple of soft bags in the rear as long as you leave the top on. If the top is in the rear compartment according to folks that have seen it there is little to no room for much else. I will reserve judgement until such time as I see one in person.
And I am aware of tight loading spaces as I used to own a C4 convertible.
Lots of bench racers like to brag about 0-60 times, hp figures, top speed, and Nurburgring times... so yes... track performance matters to those who don't track it.
Lots of bench racers like to brag about 0-60 times, hp figures, top speed, and Nurburgring times... so yes... track performance matters to those who don't track it.
I suppose we have to wait until money starts to change hands to see who is "buying" the C8.
My assumption is that you are asking something like, did the C8 expand the buyer market, specifically reduce the average age of the buyer?
A poll of the Forum members will NOT answer that question. Money in dealers hands is the only valid answer.
On the other hand, given that the Corvette C8 Designers (Tom Peters words) "Were Trying To Make The Next Bedroom Poster Car", they may have missed that one???
A more interesting question is how many of those who are too young to buy a C8 are taking selfies with the C8 at every opportunity? And snapping it every time they see it on the road?
Last edited by Kodiak Bear; 08-16-2019 at 05:09 PM.
I was watching a YouTube video which had clips from many of the engineers and design staff for the new C8. In every one of the clips each of those folks stressed "on the track" regarding handling traits and performance and no mention was made of the cars use on the street. Does "on the track" really matter that much to the average owner? I know there are some folks that do regularly track their Corvettes but I sincerely believe that it is fewer than 10% and possibly much fewer. I am not talking about a random autocross or other low speed event but true track rats. So will the move away from a traditional "grand touring" Corvette by having reduced luggage space have a long term effect on sales once the new got to have it now wears off? I do not use mine as a daily driver but I do pack up and take vacations and attend events in my Z06 convertible. I find it has enough room for my uses very admirably and the performance far outstrips anything I am comfortable doing on streets and highways. And before anyone comes back with the he can't afford it, the C8 base would be at a price point below my Z06. The C8 is surely going to be a fantastic handling vehicle but the advantages of a mid engine design may not offset the compromises required.
They've learned that many new Corvette buyers get their buttons pushed citing Track performance, 0-60 time, skid pad values, Top Speed, horsepower, torque, etc. Virtually none of their buyers ever Track their cars. However, many routinely break the law on public streets and highways in their Corvettes. There's also an endless number of keyboard stat warriors; that wage war with stats over the Internet with their keyboards. Those are just harmless Corvette buyers that never will achieve the stats they quote. If you're getting the picture now that selling the fantasy of "Tracking" to non-Tracking Corvette buyers is all GM is doing, you're right.
It all adds up to what you want. It will be a great GT car and a fun track car. For the road there are benefits that carry over from the track. Handling, breaking and acceleration to name a few.
Nope, Chevy hit the nail squarely on the head.
08-15-2019, 04:15 PM
Did Chevy miss the mark on customer base with the C8?
