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After being able to spend some very meaningful time behind the wheel of my C8, I thought it would be interesting to compare it to my last few cars for those who are interested.
I have spent hundreds of hours on the track in all of my cars but this is my “street only” comparison for the time being. However, I had the opportunity to push the car pretty hard on some back roads and I have a pretty decent sense of its capability relative to my most recent cars
One other comment… I’m brand agnostic unlike many on this forum I’ve owned a number of BMW M cars (2 M3's, an M2 and M4), a MB C63 AMG coupe, a Porsche GT4 and a C7 Z51 (not all at the same time!). I’ve also spent time behind the seat of a number GT3 and GT3RS’. I only say this because I have had the great fortune to have lots of different (and very fun) cars to compare the C8 to and I don’t really have a brand loyalty bias. If I did have one, it might be BMW anyway So, my view is as unbiased as it can be. My history would suggest I own the C8 for a couple of years and then will try something else (variety is the spice!) so I don’t have a lot of skin in the game to bias me.
First, let me say that I absolutely love the look of the C8. It really does have an exotic appearance and, in my very subjective opinion, is the very best-looking Corvette ever made. I also think it is a much better-looking car than the GT4 which, for the record, I think is a very nice-looking car!!! I have the black 5 spoke wheels and they are “OK” ish. If the economy ever recovers, I’m definitely replacing them.
Interior
My car is a 3LT black interior with competition seats, carbon fiber trim, red belts and red stitching. In my mind, the interior of the C8 is one of the single biggest improvements over the C7. It is a very meaningful improvement in quality and design inside. My wife has a 2020 X5 and it has an awesome interior and the C8 is every bit as good. It is, in my opinion, nicer than the interior from a quality, design and fit/finish than the GT4. Huge, huge win Chevy!!
I love the competition seats! They are beautiful to look at and hold you very, very snuggly. I would compare them to the sport bucket seats in the Porsche GT cars but they are easier to get in and out of. Super comfy too and the padding is not at all overly firm. The only caveat is they are narrow on the seat base through your hips and thighs. If you are a bigger person, they will be too tight. I’m 5’10” and 175lbs and they are perfect for me. I’m super happy with them! My wife, who is a very fit 5’6”, doesn’t love them... she’s small and fits not problem but doesn’t like how restrictive they feel.
Interior ranking: 3LT C8 > GT4 > M4 > M2 > C7
Performance/power
The C8 is fast. It is by far the fastest car I’ve owned in a straight line based on my very inaccurate butt dino. I would suggest it is faster than the 991.2 GT3 on the street because there is SO much more torque available all of the time. The car feels WAY faster than the GT4. The pull from a stop is surprising and it also pulls very well at highway speeds. This is, as we know, a very fast car. I can’t imagine what the Z06 will be like… it will be insane.
This was a surprise to me. I expected it to do well here but the C8 is better than expected. It feels WAY lighter than it is. It feels WAY smaller than it is.
The C8 and GT4 have a lot of similar handling characteristics (surprise!!!). However, the C8 feels more planted and turns in faster. The steering weight is nice and the car’s ability to change directions is really strong. The car turns in so well it is surprising. It is also very easy to place the front wheels exactly where you want… much more so than the C7… partly because it turns so much more aggressively but also because you almost feel like you are sitting on top of the front wheels. I have pushed the car very hard and have had no sign of understeer at all. My GT4 did have some understeer noticeable even on the street on aggressive driving. Given where and how I was driving, IMO there is no way anyone will experience understeer on the street. I have to believe the car was improved since the early press cars released where understeer was reported.
My subjective feeling is that the C8 has better overall grip and stability than the GT4 and, most surprisingly, feels like it has a way more stable rear end. I am very, very impressed with the C8 in terms of steering response, turn-in, and the overall feeling of being planted. The C8 will make many drivers feel like heros. The GT4 was an easy car to drive fast and the C8 is easier… that’s impressive given it has 110HP more.
The ride quality of the C8 is very impressive too! In track mode, it is no more harsh than the GT4 in sport mode. In either sport or touring mode the C8 rides WAY better than the GT4 or C7. If you want it to cruise along in comfort, you can. If you want to dial it up, you can. Mag ride is really well done.
I will be shocked if I’m not way faster on my home track in the C8 compared to every other car I’ve taken there… and I bet I’m faster than I was in the 991.2 GT3 too, or if I’m not, it will be neck and neck.
My GT4 and C7 were both MT’s (obviously) and my M4 (and M3’s) were a combination of DCT and MT. I’ve also driven a GT3 PDK extensively.
My early impression is that GM did an amazing job with their first crack at a DCT!! It is, subjectively, every bit as fast and responsive as the Porsche PDK and it is smooth in D mode (although I only use manual mode). I always preferred BMW’s DCT to Porsche’s PDK because it felt more mechanical and connected to me. The PDK felt more muted, albeit every bit as fast if not faster.
People can say I’m nuts but I think the C8 DCT has characteristics of both the BMW DCT and the Porsche PDK and I think I prefer it over either. In Track mode, it is sharp and super-fast. In Touring mode it is smooth and clean. I’m not saying the DCT in the C8 is, in fact, “better” than Porsche’s PDK but I do prefer its character more. I will also say this, sometimes the “character” of a DCT is more than just the transmission… it’s the way the transmission, engine, exhaust, etc. all integrate to create the experience. The C8 does THAT very well.
Great job by Chevy on the DCT. It won’t necessarily satisfy diehard MT fans but for those who like both transmissions (like me) or for those who are coming from another DCT or torque converter auto, you will be very, very happy with this transmission.
The C8 sounds really great and I love the engine behind the driver’s ears. With the windows open, the exhaust sounds great! However, with the windows up, the interior is too quiet. This is the biggest flaw I’ve found with the C8… it is so well sound proofed that it is too quiet inside with the windows up. I like a sports car that you can tell is a sports car by sound. The C8 only feels like this to me when the windows are both down. A louder exhaust is definitely in order… but here is the issue… on the outside, the C8 is decently loud and enough so it bugs my wife On the inside, it’s too quiet. If I buy an exhaust that is louder inside, it will be REALLY loud outside! I would put the C8 on par with the C7 overall… I like the sound of the C8 better but I liked the interior sound of the C7 better.
The GT4 was, and still is, the best sounding stock car I’ve owned.
In terms of NVH, the C8 is almost Lexus like inside with windows up I’m not joking. If that’s your thing, it will impress. I wish it were a bit less so.
Lots of other things I could compare but what’s above are the big ones. It’s not fair to compare technology as the C8 is new and, therefore, better.
The one thing I worry about with the C8 is the brakes. They perform very well on the street. However, with reports that replacing the pads will confuse the car and the e-brake stuff worries me a bit for track use. Hopefully it is OK.
I can’t really conclude until I can spend a weekend at the track when comparing the various cars but, for street use, the C8 is an absolute home run. I really couldn’t be happier with the car and it is a meaningful upgrade to the GT4… which is an awesome car in its own right!
If I listed my cars in order of personal preference and overall capability/fun factor it would be...
Great, great post. My car is specced similar to yours with the exception of body color accents and GT2 seats. I'm still under 500 miles, so haven't yet experienced full power delivery, but I have had it on Mulholland for an extended stint and I agree 100% with your observation of how light and small the car feels. If all the cars I've owned (including 360 Modena, R8 V10, M3 CS, V12 Vantage, GT350, 996 TT, GT-R), from a weight/size stnadpoint this feels similar to my Lotus Evora S (albeit with 145 more HP). Handling wise it thus far feels similar to a 458, which I've not owned but have driven. I also agree with your observation on transmission, engine, exhaust integration. To me downshift throttle blips and upshift exhaust cracks give the LT2 a much more exotic sound than I was anticipating, especially in the lower end of the rev range. The burly V8 sound comes on in the mid rev range, and makes for a nice sonic transition. And I think you're right about it feeling faster than a 991.2 GT3 in street driving. That car needs to be a 4000+ to start pulling in earnest.
Thanks again for the write up. Like you, I'm pretty we'll blown away thus far.
We, the general public are left with expert opinion. Some experts WANTED the C8 as a almost ran to secure other brands HIERARCHY in the world of sports cars. That aint happening this time around in ANYONES wildest imagination. I will take this a step further and predict that a C8 that is lightly prepped is beyond a MANTHEY RACING GT4 car available in Germany for track use. I also believe it could be made so for boat loads of less money once the aftermarket guys are up and running.
Great, great post. My car is specced similar to yours with the exception of body color accents and GT2 seats. I'm still under 500 miles, so haven't yet experienced full power delivery, but I have had it on Mulholland for an extended stint and I agree 100% with your observation of how light and small the car feels. If all the cars I've owned (including 360 Modena, R8 V10, M3 CS, V12 Vantage, GT350, 996 TT, GT-R), from a weight/size stnadpoint this feels similar to my Lotus Evora S (albeit with 145 more HP). Handling wise it thus far feels similar to a 458, which I've not owned but have driven. I also agree with your observation on transmission, engine, exhaust integration. To me downshift throttle blips and upshift exhaust cracks give the LT2 a much more exotic sound than I was anticipating, especially in the lower end of the rev range. The burly V8 sound comes on in the mid rev range, and makes for a nice sonic transition. And I think you're right about it feeling faster than a 991.2 GT3 in street driving. That car needs to be a 4000+ to start pulling in earnest.
Thanks again for the write up. Like you, I'm pretty we'll blown away thus far.
Terrific writeup. Thanks. I ordered the GT2 seats. I was afraid of the comp seats being tight in the hips and shoulders. If it fits you tight at 175, it would be too snug for me at 205. That was my biggest complaint on my C4.
"The C8 sounds really great and I love the engine behind the driver’s ears. With the windows open, the exhaust sounds great! However, with the windows up, the interior is too quiet. This is the biggest flaw I’ve found with the C8… it is so well sound proofed that it is too quiet inside with the windows up. I like a sports car that you can tell is a sports car by sound. The C8 only feels like this to me when the windows are both down. A louder exhaust is definitely in order… but here is the issue… on the outside, the C8 is decently loud and enough so it bugs my wife On the inside, it’s too quiet."
Same experience, I had my IPOD on and couldn't even hear the exhaust, yet when I pulled into the driveway my wife said it vibrated the whole house..
Also miss not having ceramic brakes, I hate the brake dust...
"The C8 sounds really great and I love the engine behind the driver’s ears. With the windows open, the exhaust sounds great! However, with the windows up, the interior is too quiet. This is the biggest flaw I’ve found with the C8… it is so well sound proofed that it is too quiet inside with the windows up. I like a sports car that you can tell is a sports car by sound. The C8 only feels like this to me when the windows are both down. A louder exhaust is definitely in order… but here is the issue… on the outside, the C8 is decently loud and enough so it bugs my wife On the inside, it’s too quiet."
Same experience, I had my IPOD on and couldn't even hear the exhaust, yet when I pulled into the driveway my wife said it vibrated the whole house..
Also miss not having ceramic brakes, I hate the brake dust...
This will be a challenge!! The exhaust isn't all that quiet... it is that the interior is too well sound proofed. Some who want to just cruise around in the car will like that. Some who want a more visceral experience won't like that. To get it loud enough inside with the windows up will mean a REALLY loud car on the outside
I'm sure Carbotech will have low dust pads out very shortly
I’d be surprised to read a review in any car magazine or blog that is this well written. You compare cars that real world people like me (us) have or have had. I’m worn out on comparisons with McClaren, Ferrari, Lambo, etc. thanks!!
Great write up thanks!! I have been seriously considering a GT4 but your review gives me pause.
Lack of a manual transmission is a big ding against the C8 for me, especially since I just "got good" at it recently (heel toe reasonably well, so rewarding) but I have to try driving it before writing it off.
Great write up thanks!! I have been seriously considering a GT4 but your review gives me pause.
Lack of a manual transmission is a big ding against the C8 for me, especially since I just "got good" at it recently (heel toe reasonably well, so rewarding) but I have to try driving it before writing it off.
If you want a MT, the GT4 would be amazing. It is a great car... full stop. If the manual mattered THAT much to me, I wouldn't be giving up much buying one. I do prefer my C8 but if I really wanted a MT then I'd be very happy with GT4.
I’d be surprised to read a review in any car magazine or blog that is this well written. You compare cars that real world people like me (us) have or have had. I’m worn out on comparisons with McClaren, Ferrari, Lambo, etc. thanks!!
I enjoyed the write up as well...and appreciate the time spent in doing so, but let’s not pretend that these are cars are what ‘real world people’ can own. The GT4 is easily over $100k esp. with taxes...many C8’s are over $100k with taxes as well. People with enough disposable income to afford a 2nd or 3rd car that is $100k are not your average real world people. They are top 10%ers...and higher. Just saying...Closer to the people who own Ferrari’s and McLarens than people who can’t.
If you want a MT, the GT4 would be amazing. It is a great car... full stop. If the manual mattered THAT much to me, I wouldn't be giving up much buying one. I do prefer my C8 but if I really wanted a MT then I'd be very happy with GT4.
A ding against the GT4 is it's long gearing / lack of low end torque / perceived slowness especially off the line and putzing around town. You have to wring it out to get anything. While that is fun, and the GT4's engine sounds incredible, I really enjoy the combination of monster TORQUE and a MT in my current 04 Z with 550whp and 4.1 gears it is an absolute beast around town, traction limited in the bottom 3 gears, and that makes it quite a hooligan....
I've enjoyed high-strung cars before (S2k, RX8) and they do have their appeal, though the attention they get is sometimes 'where is all the noise coming from... that slow thing?'
Still there is an appeal of owning a GT4 for a few years and taking very little depreciation, and it's so meticulously made, feels like quality
04-04-2020, 03:04 PM
My review... C8 vs GT4 vs... warning long read :)
it is an absolute beast around town, traction limited in the bottom 3 gears, and that makes it quite a hooligan....