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After waiting a couple of weeks to pick my 2024 C8 Stingray from the NJ dealer, I finally ended up there on Wednesday of last week. The plan was to pick the car up and start driving it to its new home in North Carolina.
Started driving Wednesday afternoon and headed towards Charlottesville VA. About 250 miles. Some freeway, some back roads. Spent the night in VA and started the second day by jumping on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Afton VA. Headed down for about 50 miles to Humphrey's Gap, VA. Then down to Buena Vista and slowly south to Charlotte. About 100 miles before getting to our destination, at 500, the Tach (redline) changed to display full range.
This was a great time to drive the Blue Ridge mountains. Weather is nice and the leaves are turning. We drove with the top down/off and is was cool but not cold.
The car is a base 1LT with Magnetic Ride Suspension and Black, 20 spoke rims.
Some things we like, so far:
This car is beautiful
We are really happy with the Grey, Black wheels and Red interior
It really drives well. Can't say we pushed, but the miles of slightly brisker driving were very entertaining and rewarding. The mid-engine dynamics and balance are very evident
Magnetic suspension rules -- Sporty when needed but magic carpet plush when asked to be
Coming from a 2016 Camaro SS, this C8 is MUCH easier to get into and out of. It was extremely comfortable for a 350-mile day, for both driver and passenger. Seats are supporting for road driving, but not restrictive
Visibility is surprisingly good
We LOVE the rear view camera mirror. it is a gamechanger
The Mrs. found it very easy to drive. She likes it more than the Camaro
We are pretty happy with the lower spec Bose sound system. We don't seem to miss too much. At any rate, the car is not very quiet
Everything else
What I could use as separate options (but didn't want to pay for the 2LT to get):
BSM
Front camera -- Not used to the length/width yet
Adaptive cruise control, which does not exist, anyway
Already installed my Uniden R8 , with the suction cup, and a mirror tap I got from Amazon (3 taps for $12. Easy to install and works as advertised). Decided to order the Blendmount, for better positioning and stability. Also Installed a Proclip phone mount with a Ram X-Mount phone holder (pic below). So far so good.
This is our first Corvette. Looks like definitely not the last.
Congrats! Nice write up. Just crossed 700 miles myself. Like you 500 mi break in was covered on the drive home. Mine is a 1LT as well. Having BSM on my other cars, I found I can live without it. I am surprised to hear it is easier to get in and out of than your Camaro, coming from a Mustang and BRZ, I find the c8 a little more difficult to exit. Getting in is easy enough. Maybe it's because I am excited to drive it and not so much when getting out of it
Congrats! Nice write up. Just crossed 700 miles myself. Like you 500 mi break in was covered on the drive home. Mine is a 1LT as well. Having BSM on my other cars, I found I can live without it. I am surprised to hear it is easier to get in and out of than your Camaro, coming from a Mustang and BRZ, I find the c8 a little more difficult to exit. Getting in is easy enough. Maybe it's because I am excited to drive it and not so much when getting out of it
Seems to me like it's easier to get in and out of, compared to the Camaro.
BSM is nice to have. That said, visibility is good and I can live without it.
Picked up my HTC on Wednesday at the National Corvette Museum and also had a 600 mile ride back to my home in Mississippi. Two day trip mostly Highway and had a similar experience. Love the car and still getting use to how the mid-engine setup handles. I will say that it took about 400 mile for the transmission shifts to smooth out.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
OP - congrats on your new C8 - the gray looks great. And thanks for sharing your thoughts on the car so far. Hope you’ll continue to enjoy the heck out of the car.
Congratulations on the new car. Your drive must have been very enjoyable. Photos posted look great. The black wheels disappear into the abyss and adaptive cruise control sucks donkey.
10-22-2023, 11:57 AM
2024 Stingray -- first 600 miles
