C8 vs the competition
Pro
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 551
Likes: 263
There's lots of people saying there will be buyers remorse for guys buying the base or even Z51 car. For a lot of us this is the most car we can afford and are elated about it. Maybe in 5 or 6 years I will afford mods (turbos or supercharger) to get more performance. But I don't see myself in a $125-150k car. For me this car eclipses everything within my price range by a country mile. Basically my dream car. Would I love to have a McLaren, YES!, can I afford one? NO!
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,180
From: Central Illinois
There's lots of people saying there will be buyers remorse for guys buying the base or even Z51 car. For a lot of us this is the most car we can afford and are elated about it. Maybe in 5 or 6 years I will afford mods (turbos or supercharger) to get more performance. But I don't see myself in a $125-150k car. For me this car eclipses everything within my price range by a country mile. Basically my dream car. Would I love to have a McLaren, YES!, can I afford one? NO!
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 986
From: Scottsdale Arizona
There's lots of people saying there will be buyers remorse for guys buying the base or even Z51 car. For a lot of us this is the most car we can afford and are elated about it. Maybe in 5 or 6 years I will afford mods (turbos or supercharger) to get more performance. But I don't see myself in a $125-150k car. For me this car eclipses everything within my price range by a country mile. Basically my dream car. Would I love to have a McLaren, YES!, can I afford one? NO!
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
Buy what you can afford and enjoy it...because at the end of the day these are all ‘toys’ that depreciate...not investments for retirement...but investments for enjoyment! Cheers!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,083
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Sounds like your mind is made up. 
The 718 GT4 looks bad ***. 414 hp, 3100 lbs, 8K redline. Runs the same 7:28 that the C8 was rumored to run at the ‘Ring.
Best of all, it's a manual transmission.
Power, weight, size all are about the same as a C5Z.
Not surprising it’s a lot more money than the C8. Looks like a lot more fun too.
The 718 GT4 looks bad ***. 414 hp, 3100 lbs, 8K redline. Runs the same 7:28 that the C8 was rumored to run at the ‘Ring.
Best of all, it's a manual transmission.
Power, weight, size all are about the same as a C5Z.
Not surprising it’s a lot more money than the C8. Looks like a lot more fun too.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 154
Likes: 232
From: Las Vegas
There's lots of people saying there will be buyers remorse for guys buying the base or even Z51 car. For a lot of us this is the most car we can afford and are elated about it. Maybe in 5 or 6 years I will afford mods (turbos or supercharger) to get more performance. But I don't see myself in a $125-150k car. For me this car eclipses everything within my price range by a country mile. Basically my dream car. Would I love to have a McLaren, YES!, can I afford one? NO!
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
My car's getting built during week 02/03 - so it's not much longer now.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 489
Likes: 272
Point is that Porsche is giving you several options 300HP, 350HP, 394HP, 414HP, 4 and 6 cyl engines, manuals, PDKs, large brakes, lighter weight, etc all at a price point right on top of the C8.
I prefer the C8, but to say that the C8 has no competition is patently ridiculous. The Porsche 718 is right on top of the C8 from a price/capability/road circuit performance point of view.
Last edited by baron95; Jan 15, 2020 at 07:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 2,261
The Cayman/Boxter 718 GTS 4.0 six cylinder 394HP will start at ˜$87K - so only $30K more than a base C8. But it comes with a manual transmission, huge brakes (not the C8's toy binders), more interior room, and is 500 lbs lighter than a C8.
Point is that Porsche is giving you several options 300HP, 350HP, 394HP, 414HP, 4 and 6 cyl engines, manuals, PDKs, large brakes, lighter weight, etc all at a price point right on top of the C8.
I prefer the C8, but to say that the C8 has no competition is patently ridiculous. The Porsche 718 is right on top of the C8 from a price/capability/road circuit performance point of view.
Point is that Porsche is giving you several options 300HP, 350HP, 394HP, 414HP, 4 and 6 cyl engines, manuals, PDKs, large brakes, lighter weight, etc all at a price point right on top of the C8.
I prefer the C8, but to say that the C8 has no competition is patently ridiculous. The Porsche 718 is right on top of the C8 from a price/capability/road circuit performance point of view.
I agree the 718 is nice but getting old too and let's face it, not doing well at all in the market place and I suspect that is because it has a pretty bad cost/value proposition. And now that the whole Porsche collection business has gone on the wayside...there is not much left going for it competitively. C8 has competitors no doubt but not this one IMHO.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,966
Likes: 514
The Cayman/Boxter 718 GTS 4.0 six cylinder 394HP will start at ˜$87K - so only $30K more than a base C8. But it comes with a manual transmission, huge brakes (not the C8's toy binders), more interior room, and is 500 lbs lighter than a C8.
Point is that Porsche is giving you several options 300HP, 350HP, 394HP, 414HP, 4 and 6 cyl engines, manuals, PDKs, large brakes, lighter weight, etc all at a price point right on top of the C8.
I prefer the C8, but to say that the C8 has no competition is patently ridiculous. The Porsche 718 is right on top of the C8 from a price/capability/road circuit performance point of view.
Point is that Porsche is giving you several options 300HP, 350HP, 394HP, 414HP, 4 and 6 cyl engines, manuals, PDKs, large brakes, lighter weight, etc all at a price point right on top of the C8.
I prefer the C8, but to say that the C8 has no competition is patently ridiculous. The Porsche 718 is right on top of the C8 from a price/capability/road circuit performance point of view.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 2,479
720s is a smoking hot good looking car. It’s my favorite Mac far and away. I’ve never driven one but have been in one for a spirited ride and oh ya she is amazing. Looks and performance. I’ve always been Corvette and Ferrari as my favorites but the 720s is a bad boy too.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 1,641
From: North Texas
McLaren, Ferrarri, etc., have one big advantage in that their premier cars aren't based on a formula that allows a base spec car to be sold for a profit at $60k. Even if you have a C8 ZR1, it may be $200k, but it is still saddled with the compromises baked in to allow the base car to be sold to a wide audience. What Chevy has put together with the C8 is pretty impressive. Best car on the planet? No. Best car on the planet for someone without lots and lots of disposable income? IMHO, very likely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,877
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That's just it, I get a brand new car for $63,295 (as configured) with full warranty and no stories, or a used car with miles and "help" breaking it in by who knows who. To get a 911S for the same money, I would be looking at a ten year old car and that just isn't in the cards. Turns into a deal breaker for the 911S to me.
The price difference between a 992S and C8, $50K+, is so dramatic that it's hard to rationalize paying the extra dollars, unless $50K is insignificant to a buyer,
Race Director
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From: ►SICAMOUS◄
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,877
Likes: 531
McLaren, Ferrarri, etc., have one big advantage in that their premier cars aren't based on a formula that allows a base spec car to be sold for a profit at $60k. Even if you have a C8 ZR1, it may be $200k, but it is still saddled with the compromises baked in to allow the base car to be sold to a wide audience. What Chevy has put together with the C8 is pretty impressive. Best car on the planet? No. Best car on the planet for someone without lots and lots of disposable income? IMHO, very likely.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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I see virtually no resistance to the fact that it's a ME platform. I do see resistance to the one they designed and built based upon the boxes GM felt it had to check. You either like or you don't but that's not because it is ME. I'm all for ME, I just don't like this one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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GT4s are not really competitors other than price. Its 911 Carrera S, but that car is over 140k compared to 3lt trim levels and your still getting less car. So roughly two C8s for one 911, and the 911 is still less of a car. The C8 would crush the European market. The most relevant comparison is going to be the head to head for the next 5 years at least. Porsche has no excuse for such pricing, and technically will be the loser for it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,877
Likes: 531
I see virtually no resistance to the fact that it's a ME platform. I do see resistance to the one they designed and built based upon the boxes GM felt it had to check. You either like or you don't but that's not because it is ME. I'm all for ME, I just don't like this one.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Why I love mine! When I was shopping for a sports car, I was torn between the 911 Turbo (996) and the C5 Z06. After doing a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis, C5 Z06 was the clear choice.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Jan 16, 2020 at 10:16 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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The DCT is so far ahead of the A8 tranny it’s not even funny...it’s like whip cream to *****. All those A8 owners who used to defend it will have to finally admit it was garbage compared to the DCT.
How can you make such an absolute comparison about a transmission that you've never driven? I never owned a Corvette with an auto, but I've driven a friend's auto and it was the best auto I've ever driven. So unlike you, I'll wait until I drive a C8 before I make comparisons.
My only real concern for Corvette going forward is WEIGHT. I get that the car is a lot cheaper than much if it’s competition, but you’re also giving up 300-500lbs depending on the comparison
For the last 50 years Corvette's competition has been a Porsche 911 and the C8 doesn't change that.The C8's curb weight is about 150 lbs and not 300 lbs heavier than a 992S. Can't wait to see these cars go head to head at a track like Watkins Glen. My guess is that the cars are so close that the driver will make the difference. I know that the Corvete has a 50 HP advantage, but Porsche has been known to understate the HP of their cars.
How can you make such an absolute comparison about a transmission that you've never driven? I never owned a Corvette with an auto, but I've driven a friend's auto and it was the best auto I've ever driven. So unlike you, I'll wait until I drive a C8 before I make comparisons.
My only real concern for Corvette going forward is WEIGHT. I get that the car is a lot cheaper than much if it’s competition, but you’re also giving up 300-500lbs depending on the comparison
For the last 50 years Corvette's competition has been a Porsche 911 and the C8 doesn't change that.The C8's curb weight is about 150 lbs and not 300 lbs heavier than a 992S. Can't wait to see these cars go head to head at a track like Watkins Glen. My guess is that the cars are so close that the driver will make the difference. I know that the Corvete has a 50 HP advantage, but Porsche has been known to understate the HP of their cars.