C8 Convertible...?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
If not 60s, definitely 50s, correct? The C7 has brought more younger people to corvette, but, and I am guessing this is probably true for all expensive sports cars, the majority of buyers are more than likely successful people, at least in their 50s, with kids out of the house and disposable income.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 4,257
From: NC
Except in a few isolated cases where a Corvette has been won as a prize or received as a gift, any logical person would say that a Corvette owner is also a Corvette buyer.
Based on my observations, most buyers/owners of new Corvettes(C7) are over 60, and when I see a younger driver, he is usually in an older Corvette(C5 and C6) that he most likely purchased used.
That would tilt the age limit for owners/buyers of C7's upwards(over 61).
jimmyb, if you want to argue "links" then start your own research firm to prove Strategic Visions is wrong. For me, I believe them vs you. I didn't do the research, I just posted what Strategic Vision reported.
There are several links that said exactly what I quoted, these being a couple of them. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/corve...ive-david-lamb https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-...173431426.html
Based on my observations, most buyers/owners of new Corvettes(C7) are over 60, and when I see a younger driver, he is usually in an older Corvette(C5 and C6) that he most likely purchased used.
That would tilt the age limit for owners/buyers of C7's upwards(over 61).
jimmyb, if you want to argue "links" then start your own research firm to prove Strategic Visions is wrong. For me, I believe them vs you. I didn't do the research, I just posted what Strategic Vision reported.
There are several links that said exactly what I quoted, these being a couple of them. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/corve...ive-david-lamb https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-...173431426.html
I am 61 years old as a Corvette OWNER in February 2018.
I gave you the info, as did MaryAnnB. I suggest you take this pearl of wisdom:
"There are lies, damn lies, and statistics"
Or, maybe I should have had the good taste to DIE a year after my 2014 purchase to keep the demo where YOU seem to think it should be and remove one of the hundreds of complaints you have about the C7's "failure".
And finally...What is it with you? All you do is post BS gloom and doom articles by people NO ONE has ever heard of and certainly have ZERO credibility in the car industry or anyone here. How did you even find this David Lamb clown? And all yahoo does is regurgitate the same type of crap that someone like David Lamb posts. And Lamb's article....yep, Corvette's struggling so bad that GM invested $800+ MILLION DOLLARS in the Bowling Green plant and is developing a mid-engine car. Yes sir, that David Lamb has got it all figured out. AND YOU BELIEVE HIM! Are you SO desperate to be right that you want the Corvette to DIE? Speaking for EVERY C7 owner on this site, we are SICK of you and your petty, jealous negative comments. You're a little old to have posting ability suspended for stuff like this, don't you think? I guess you'll never learn.
Last edited by jimmyb; Feb 25, 2018 at 07:03 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
You are right, of course. You can achieve the LOOK without really doing it, i.e.: Having a motorized retractable top. I would maintain that it is not just the "look and feel" that is the issue here. Part of the attraction of modern convertibles is "doing it." To push a button and have the top retract and disappear somehow so that it turns a hardtop into a vert is COOL! It looks good to watch it. It feels good to do it. It is a phenomenon to behold, a happening, a ritual. Doing it while the car is in motion is even cooler. People stop what they are doing and stare when they see it. That's what I want and that's what I will pay extra for. So I'm hoping it happens.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 175
I don't think that is true - there are lots of very successful people in their 40's that have their lives sorted out, and in addition to buying that second home, have expensive extra cars and boats. In fact, in finance, guys in their 50's are working their way out, and guys in their 60's are rare. The people you see in their 50's buying sports cars are usually professionals - accountants, doctors & lawyers.
Last edited by Paulchristian; Feb 25, 2018 at 02:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
You are right, of course. You can achieve the LOOK without really doing it, i.e.: Having a motorized retractable top. I would maintain that it is not just the "look and feel" that is the issue here. Part of the attraction of modern convertibles is "doing it." To push a button and have the top retract and disappear somehow so that it turns a hardtop into a vert is COOL! It looks good to watch it. It feels good to do it. It is a phenomenon to behold, a happening, a ritual. Doing it while the car is in motion is even cooler. People stop what they are doing and stare when they see it. That's what I want and that's what I will pay extra for. So I'm hoping it happens.
I would be in the minority, then, but I buy them used and drive them almost every day. I love the practicality of the targa, though I do wish they had worked out the aero so you could enjoy it over 45 MPH or so...
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
Except in a few isolated cases where a Corvette has been won as a prize or received as a gift, any logical person would say that a Corvette owner is also a Corvette buyer.
Based on my observations, most buyers/owners of new Corvettes(C7) are over 60, and when I see a younger driver, he is usually in an older Corvette(C5 and C6) that he most likely purchased used.
That would tilt the age limit for owners/buyers of C7's upwards(over 61).
jimmyb, if you want to argue "links" then start your own research firm to prove Strategic Visions is wrong. For me, I believe them vs you. I didn't do the research, I just posted what Strategic Vision reported.
There are several links that said exactly what I quoted, these being a couple of them. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/corve...ive-david-lamb https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-...173431426.html
Based on my observations, most buyers/owners of new Corvettes(C7) are over 60, and when I see a younger driver, he is usually in an older Corvette(C5 and C6) that he most likely purchased used.
That would tilt the age limit for owners/buyers of C7's upwards(over 61).
jimmyb, if you want to argue "links" then start your own research firm to prove Strategic Visions is wrong. For me, I believe them vs you. I didn't do the research, I just posted what Strategic Vision reported.
There are several links that said exactly what I quoted, these being a couple of them. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/corve...ive-david-lamb https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-...173431426.html
Seriously? I didn't realize that the limited view from your old C6 Z06 (I know you love to mention the car you have in almost every post so there you go) was the basis for an informed observation. That first link you posted has about a much basis in fact as the rest of your crap. How long did it take you find SOMETHING that even remotely confirmed your point of view?
Based on your BS misuse of the numbers regarding Genesis sales on a previous thread (which you never responded to when called out) , nothing you say can really be taken seriously. Too many personal agendas on your table.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 83
You really don’t think that gets “so what” after a while? Again, going with the removable top and rear window approach, are you saying in the Vette-buyer demographic more would prefer the extra money, weight and complexity of the automated approach?
I would be in the minority, then, but I buy them used and drive them almost every day. I love the practicality of the targa, though I do wish they had worked out the aero so you could enjoy it over 45 MPH or so...
I would be in the minority, then, but I buy them used and drive them almost every day. I love the practicality of the targa, though I do wish they had worked out the aero so you could enjoy it over 45 MPH or so...
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars BRAND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
Last edited by MaryAnnB; Feb 25, 2018 at 03:11 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2,689
From: Pacific Northwest
We all hope GM gives convertible lovers 100% of what it is that you want!
However, one of the above major assessments do not fit the actual production records. For the 2017 entire production year, based on GM stats, of all the convertibles (SR/GS/Z06’s),
* 775 were 1LT/1LZ interiors (14.3%);
*2,359 were 2LT/2LZ interiors (44.5%);
*2,286 were 3LT/3LZ interiors (42.1%).
Summary = 58.8 % of all 2017 convertibles did not have the top, 3 level interiors.
Regardless, for all who love a true convertible, best of luck in GM producing you the exact ME convertible of your dreams.
Source of above and below statistics, with thanks to, is CorvetteBlogger.
However, one of the above major assessments do not fit the actual production records. For the 2017 entire production year, based on GM stats, of all the convertibles (SR/GS/Z06’s),
* 775 were 1LT/1LZ interiors (14.3%);
*2,359 were 2LT/2LZ interiors (44.5%);
*2,286 were 3LT/3LZ interiors (42.1%).
Summary = 58.8 % of all 2017 convertibles did not have the top, 3 level interiors.
Regardless, for all who love a true convertible, best of luck in GM producing you the exact ME convertible of your dreams.
Source of above and below statistics, with thanks to, is CorvetteBlogger.
Last edited by elegant; Feb 25, 2018 at 03:36 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
TARGA is NOT CONVERTIBLE.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars AND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars AND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
Oh, and I never said Verts are same as targas — I’ve driven both and am well aware of their many differences. But, I was specifically, and obviously, responding to the notion of a “manual” ME vert which would look and function identically to a push-button non-canvas ME vert absent the mechanical bits which I assure you would not cost “$50” nor be trivial as to weight and complexity — just like the Ferarris that have been shown as an example. How about you let the poster I questioned do the answering next time and drop your attitude, okay?
Last edited by Rapid Fred; Feb 25, 2018 at 03:43 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 175
TARGA is NOT CONVERTIBLE.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars BRAND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars BRAND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
This is my second vert with the auto retract. No, it never gets old. The extra weight is negligible. Besides, I'm not trying to extract another tenth of a second in some speed contest. Complexity is part of the beauty of it and I don't mind the extra money. I believe a vert costs +$4K right now. I'm sure a lot of that is for the mechanism. I have no idea why a substantial (though minority) of the "corvette demographic" buys convertibles, but they do and I suspect part of the reason is how they work. And I'm part of that "demographic," so one way or another, it's factored in. I'm guessing you don't have a vert, but who knows? YMMV, of course. I'm just saying that looks alone are only part of the equation.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
TARGA is NOT CONVERTIBLE.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars BRAND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like COUPEs.
CONVERTIBLE crowd do not like manual labor.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars BRAND NEW.
CONVERTIBLE crowd get their cars fully-loaded (no bickering about $50 options).
CONVERTIBLE crowd would like to get the best Convertible Corvette there is (Stingray, Z06, ZR1).
Many people we know who bought Convertible Corvettes, including us, are in this category.
Many years we contacted GM about making Z06 Convertible. GM realized where the money is actually coming from and that they could have sold us Z06s instead of the base mode, so they made the whole C7 platform Convertible from ground-up.
Now we have Stingray, Z06, ZR1... all in Convertible. GM can and does make more money off of us.
They are not silly, so it will be the same with C8. What is there to discuss about Targas?
The reasoning on statements above is simple. Those of us who buy Convertibles are in it for the fun. We are not racers, we are not pros. Entirely different crowd than those who love and use the car for its engineering marvel.
You have a pretty hardcore vision of it so I'm probably better off talking to a wall, but there's no reason to pigeon hole all convertible lovers into the specifics of your extreme little fantasy.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
This is my second vert with the auto retract. No, it never gets old. The extra weight is negligible. Besides, I'm not trying to extract another tenth of a second in some speed contest. Complexity is part of the beauty of it and I don't mind the extra money. I believe a vert costs +$4K right now. I'm sure a lot of that is for the mechanism. I have no idea why a substantial (though minority) of the "corvette demographic" buys convertibles, but they do and I suspect part of the reason is how they work. And I'm part of that "demographic," so one way or another, it's factored in. I'm guessing you don't have a vert, but who knows? YMMV, of course. I'm just saying that looks alone are only part of the equation.
The coupe looks much better than a vert with the top up. I think the C6 vert looks better than the coupe with the top down but I don't think that's the case with the C7.
I got sick of seeing the wear wrinkles in the top of my C6 vert and the mechanism was pretty clunky and noisy, not exactly the "cool" show you like. It was pretty rickety.....almost embarrassing on an $80K car. Maybe the C7 is better, but after briefly owning a 550SL, with it's silent, precision mechanism (now that was show!), I chose a coupe for my C7. Nothing could follow the Mercedes roof engineeering display.
Having said all that, there are days when I miss the convertible, but many more days when I don't.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
I got sick of seeing the wear wrinkles in the top of my C6 vert and the mechanism was pretty clunky and noisy, not exactly the "cool" show you like. It was pretty rickety.....almost embarrassing on an $80K car. Maybe the C7 is better, but after briefly owning a 550SL, with it's silent, precision mechanism (now that was show!), I chose a coupe for my C7. Nothing could follow the Mercedes roof engineeering display.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
We've had kind of opposite experiences! I had a 500SL that worked fine--until it didn't and it was God-awful expensive to repair, which I had to do twice. The C7 mechanism is much smoother than the SL500. I suspect both models improved: C6->C7 and SL500->SL550. The wrinkles in a black top aren't really noticeable, but I had to learn to keep the top up when not in use, i.e.: Don't store it down. I rejected a Kalahari colored top for this very reason.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 4,150
From: Bergen county NJ
To many the Ferrari 488 spyder is a convertible.
I am sure GM will protect its 25 percent of corvettes and continue convertible models
Is the top fabric or not...that is to be determined at a later date...
I just want the option of an open roof..either targa or convertible...
I don't care which.
Money is no object on that capability of my next corvette...
Open air motoring is when I get most of my tan each year...
I enjoy driving up in the mountains and seven lakes in the corvette with the roof off ...
Just a wonderful driving experience...
Just seems the lift off and push a button fold back solid roof like the Ferrari 488 seems more likely...
I am sure GM will protect its 25 percent of corvettes and continue convertible models
Is the top fabric or not...that is to be determined at a later date...
I just want the option of an open roof..either targa or convertible...
I don't care which.
Money is no object on that capability of my next corvette...
Open air motoring is when I get most of my tan each year...
I enjoy driving up in the mountains and seven lakes in the corvette with the roof off ...
Just a wonderful driving experience...
Just seems the lift off and push a button fold back solid roof like the Ferrari 488 seems more likely...
Last edited by JerriVette; Feb 25, 2018 at 07:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 175
Overpriced AND overengineered...
Last edited by Paulchristian; Feb 25, 2018 at 06:09 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
This is my second vert with the auto retract. No, it never gets old. The extra weight is negligible. Besides, I'm not trying to extract another tenth of a second in some speed contest. Complexity is part of the beauty of it and I don't mind the extra money. I believe a vert costs +$4K right now. I'm sure a lot of that is for the mechanism. I have no idea why a substantial (though minority) of the "corvette demographic" buys convertibles, but they do and I suspect part of the reason is how they work. And I'm part of that "demographic," so one way or another, it's factored in. I'm guessing you don't have a vert, but who knows? YMMV, of course. I'm just saying that looks alone are only part of the equation.
As to me, I’m a coupe guy but I like open air motoring and I agree a vert does that better. Not here to debate THAT, no minds are ever changed anyway. I’ve had a few verts; not Vettes though.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 26
From: SC
I saw a great solution for a new targa top. Wish my C7 had it. But, according to the moderaters, we are not allowed to mention competitive products or post pictures. So, I’ll just say it’s a split roof. But, not a T-Top.
