Disappointed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 2,020
I'm curious how this "friend" can afford such nice cars. Because clearly he is not very intelligent. How can you tell what a car looks like with a bunch of fake panels, covered in REALLY distracting camo, and interior spy shots that are low resolution and very blurred and cropped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 962
Likes: 353
I really think you are on to something here. The younger generation is too busy trying to survive to think about new cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 1,007
From: Brookfield IL
Originally Posted by mjross
I really think you are on to something here. The younger generation is too busy trying to survive to think about new cars.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,149
Likes: 477
From: NM
There are a lot of youth on here that own Corvettes. But out in the world there are tons of youth, especially in the last decade, that postponed getting their drivers license or never got one at all. Driving any car is not important to them at all. To me, this signals the death of the car culture.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 1,007
From: Brookfield IL
Originally Posted by Tom73
There are a lot of youth on here that own Corvettes. But out in the world there are tons of youth, especially in the last decade, that postponed getting their drivers license or never got one at all. Driving any car is not important to them at all. To me, this signals the death of the car culture.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 81
My local Lifetime Fitness serves a wealthy demographic and at any one time there are always Teslas, Porsches, King Ranch F150s, and tons of Jags, BMWs, and Mercs. Not a Corvette in sight...at least not after I sold my C6 Z06.
Despite all the praise car magazines throw at Corvettes, there are a ton of drawbacks to these cars that buyers are aware of, and this is all putting aside the horrible Corvette stigma that has developed over the past 2 decades. GM is very well aware of all of these things. Their priority is to make the Corvette cool again, find a younger demographic, and make more profit per car. If it just happens to be faster than the last gen, all the better, but that's a byproduct. Things like turbocharging, dual clutch transmissions, better interior, heightened driver engagement...this is what young people want. Not ancient burbling pushrods that sound like pickup trucks.
Despite all the praise car magazines throw at Corvettes, there are a ton of drawbacks to these cars that buyers are aware of, and this is all putting aside the horrible Corvette stigma that has developed over the past 2 decades. GM is very well aware of all of these things. Their priority is to make the Corvette cool again, find a younger demographic, and make more profit per car. If it just happens to be faster than the last gen, all the better, but that's a byproduct. Things like turbocharging, dual clutch transmissions, better interior, heightened driver engagement...this is what young people want. Not ancient burbling pushrods that sound like pickup trucks.
Last edited by TurboJunky; Jan 14, 2019 at 12:13 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 467
From: Colorado
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 3,929
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Everyone mentions "Corvette Buyers need to be younger" but the real issues are younger people cannot afford them. 99% of them at least. It's a Luxury to have one. And when you make such a radical change and creep the base price up into the now (probably) 60k something, AND change it to a mid engine car - you are now INVITING insurance companies to classify the car as an "Exotic" MARK MY WORDS the insurance rates will blow your mind.
And LOL, insurance rates are not based on some arbitrary "exotic" classification. They're based on actuaries who study/calculate accident rates for that model, safety features, cost of replacement parts, etc.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Jan 14, 2019 at 11:27 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 789
Likes: 212
From: Katy Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 962
Likes: 353
My kids are 33 and 30, living in a Chicago and LA. I should have their DNA tested because neither is into cars. Neither has ever wanted to drive my Corvettes. They Both have good careers and drive an Acura and a Prius. The older one could afford a Corvette, the younger couldnt, but both look at their cars as necessities, not assets or toys. Both use Uber almost as much as ther own cars. Most of their friends seem to be like minded about cars.
There are Gen Y and Millenials that appreciate cool cars, but not like Boomers did. Actually, the same can be said about housing.
I sure hope America’s fascination with the automobile, ICE or EV, doesn’t died, but car sales are down, including Corvette which has had a pretty poor sales year, and the manufacturers are making all their money on trucks and SUVs.
There are Gen Y and Millenials that appreciate cool cars, but not like Boomers did. Actually, the same can be said about housing.
I sure hope America’s fascination with the automobile, ICE or EV, doesn’t died, but car sales are down, including Corvette which has had a pretty poor sales year, and the manufacturers are making all their money on trucks and SUVs.
Car sales are down because people can not afford new cars anymore. Prices on some of these new cars can be literally breath taking when I think back to what they costed only a few years ago. People are being priced out of the market. It’s a new world!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 3,929
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
I’m here at Barrett-Jackson and be assured, the fascination with the automobile has NOT died. You can hardly move in this frickin place because of all the people, and this venue, size wise is mind boggling.
Car sales are down because people can not afford new cars anymore. Prices on some of these new cars can be literally breath taking when I think back to what they costed only a few years ago. People are being priced out of the market. It’s a new world!
Being a car enthusiast is very much a niche thing. Among my family, friends, and the general populace I interact with across the country/world, there are 3 categories: a) true car enthusiasts b) those who appreciate nice cars but aren't that into them and c) those that only see cars as a means of getting somewhere. Most people (of any age) fit into categories b) and c). And these two categories represent people who won't own a car in 50 years if there are alternative (less expensive, more convenient) means of transportation. Nothing wrong with that at all, and there's no need for any of us to be Luddites about it. There will still be great cars to buy for those of us that are true car enthusiasts. Lastly, no one here said the fascination with the automobile "died"...rather, it's diminishing. Not everything is binary, there's the in-between.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Jan 14, 2019 at 11:54 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 962
Likes: 353
The number of people inside a collector car auction building does not represent trends among the 325 million people in the US.
Being a car enthusiast is very much a niche thing. Among my family, friends, and the general populace I interact with across the country/world, there are 3 categories: a) true car enthusiasts b) those who appreciate nice cars but aren't that into them and c) those that only see cars as a means of getting somewhere. Most people (of any age) fit into categories b) and c). And these two categories represent people who won't own a car in 50 years if there are alternative (less expensive, more convenient) means of transportation. Nothing wrong with that at all, and there's no need for any of us to be Luddites about it. There will still be great cars to buy for those of us that are true car enthusiasts. Lastly, no one here said the fascination with the automobile "died"...rather, it's diminishing. Not everything is binary, there's the in-between.
Being a car enthusiast is very much a niche thing. Among my family, friends, and the general populace I interact with across the country/world, there are 3 categories: a) true car enthusiasts b) those who appreciate nice cars but aren't that into them and c) those that only see cars as a means of getting somewhere. Most people (of any age) fit into categories b) and c). And these two categories represent people who won't own a car in 50 years if there are alternative (less expensive, more convenient) means of transportation. Nothing wrong with that at all, and there's no need for any of us to be Luddites about it. There will still be great cars to buy for those of us that are true car enthusiasts. Lastly, no one here said the fascination with the automobile "died"...rather, it's diminishing. Not everything is binary, there's the in-between.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 467
From: Colorado
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 962
Likes: 353
That's a pretty good analysis, but I don't think it's diminishing, it's just advancing a generation. I love my cam-vibrating-loud-*** C7 just as much as a kid with a laptop and EcoBoost car. It's just a different way of exploiting the car for speed. I've seen a Ford Fusion spank the crap outa a cammed C6 Z06. Sounded like a loud silent fart, but yeah, pretty friggn impressive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 585
From: Texas
Have to disagree. It's the same argument as the vette being a "midlife crisis car". The fact is, I've wanted a vette since I was 14, but couldn't afford one till I got the family raised, the kids through college, and got the wife her diamond ring. finally, after 25 years of marriage, it's MY turn.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 1,024
From: AA/Metro Detroit
Define "young". Most "young" people I know are more into the EDM/JDM/Muscle cars/offroad trucks/jeeps than they are the Corvettes. That isn't to say that there aren't a few that do like Corvettes, but they're the minority of my car enthusiasts peers.
Brand loyalty only causes it to increase if you aren't drawing in a new pool of youth. Yes, the same people may continue buying Corvettes, but you need to replenish them with youth if you don't want your market to get old and die off.
An average ownership age of 61-63, as quoted above, there isn't much to get. The stats speak for themselves.
You either fell into some money, make a lot more than the average 33 year old, and/or prioritize yourself over your family. Yes, I fully understand the concept of putting your money towards what you want. No, most 33 year olds with a wife and two toddlers do not have the disposable income to have the value of a starter home on order for two Corvettes with two others (presumably not cheap salvage title finds) sitting in the garage. Speaking as a 32 year old in a two income, engineer and health professional childless house, tying up the better part of $200k in four cars is in no way a reasonable decision for my life, even if I could skimp on everything else and find a way to make it work. I really don't want a car which can be the only focus of my life, because every last dime is going to it. Its not "sad" that folks don't put their entire life into loving cars, it is common sense.
An average ownership age of 61-63, as quoted above, there isn't much to get. The stats speak for themselves.
I'm 33 and have had a used C5, used C6, and two brand new ordered C7's. If you prioritize what's important, and not buy a bunch of junk, or have to have the latest tech all the time, you can make it work. I'm also married with a 1 and 2 1/2 year old, so before anyone says " it's easy if you don't have a family" or such. If you want something bad enough, you can work your butt off for it and make it work no matter your age. I love cars though, so that's important to me. Sadly many people in my age group and younger do not.
Last edited by jefnvk; Jan 18, 2019 at 02:52 PM.