I took the C7 out tonight and was talking about trading it in on a c8. After lots of research there are a few deal breakers. First off the C8 is beautiful and has so many cool features. Here is why I won't buy one - also wonering if anyone else feels the same.

Deal breakers:

1. No manual. I think this was a mistake not to offer a manual
2. Very limited cargo space compared to the C7. I've gone on trips with large luggage and often take the C7 grocery shopping. The c8 has two very small areas for articles. To go away for the weekend make this car more challenging than the c7.

These two items are total deal breakers for me. I think the cargo is the one I couldn't look past the most. That said there is nothing like a 7spd tranny in a sports car.

Another very minor issue is that the motor looks like a PITA to work on. I guess if I get tired of the C7 - I'll look in a C7Z.

As a side note - most of the drivers I see with a newer corvette are in their 50's and older. I doubt many of us track our cars. I would bet it is 5% of less. Why not make a cruising version of the car. The only difference would be seats that have padding and don't hug you and the car would have a somewhat smoother ride. I love my C7 and it's great for day trips but if you want to go on a long trip the car is very uncomfortable. If the passenger seat could recline more and had more padding and softer suspension the car would be perfect.

 

The corvette is a sport car not a GT so that answers most of your questions. With your comment regarding the manual I suspect you never drove a good DCT with paddles...it is outstanding fun.

The lack of a big trunk in the back is a small bummer I agree (I like to take my folding bike in my C7 and this cannot happen in the C8) but a small price to pay for mid engine.

With what I said above I think GM should have kept the Front mid engine corvette around along with the rear mid engine.

 

So does this mean you will stay in the C7 forum and that we won't have to tolerate your anti-C8 rants again ?

 

C8 is not for everyone. Manual.........

 

 

The C7 Coupe has a trunk volume of 15 sq ft. The C7 Convertible has a trunk volume of 10 sq ft. The C8 Coupe and C8 HTC has 12.6 sq ft of combined trunk/frunk space. I’d call that comparable.

 

You would be surprised how fun the paddle shift is as I was with you few years ago and then I bought my first PDK Porsche TT and I was sold. The dual clutch paddle shift cars are much more fun then you will believe. I have two manual shift Corvette's to enjoy but I will be getting my C8 when production starts up again as my TPW was last week which puts me behind about 2 months. My only decision will be do I want a late 2020 and get the car I ordered wait a bit more and get a 2021.

 

Ok, as for the manual. IDGAS. With the C7 we got a 4 speed manual with 3 overdrive gears for fuel economy. It's not responsive in 5-7. (unless you have MEGA power with a Z06 or you added a SC) The shifter from the factory was really vague. If you think it's great, go drive a car with a really good shifter. The MGW, (or other) shifter assembly really helps the action, but it's still a pretty wide ratio 4 speed with 3 overdrives. At least the DCT won't ever (hopefully) randomly, balk at finding 3ed or 5th gear when trying to hustle the car around. (yes, even with the MGW it's sometimes balky, just not nearly as often...)

As for storage, it's just different. Yes the wife will not be able to turn around and find something without stopping, and you will have to get a bike rack. But, this isn't the car MY wife would ever agree to a multi day road trip in anyway. A weekend? sure, but no way would she agree to a full week or two. so even the C7 is out. It's just the reality of the woman I married. After 35 years, I deal with it. She would also have no problem letting ME go for two weeks. I've taken a 4 week, cross country motorcycle ride without her, and she had no problem with that. I'll keep her.

As an added bonus with the C8, I'll get to actually use the top off feature. Granted I'm paying $6,700 for the HTC but I'll get to put the top down when I go to, or come from, the golf course. WIth my C7 coupe, that just wasn't an option. The top does not fit with the clubs, so the roof always had to stay on. Yes, I could have bought a convertible, but IMO, (in my opinion) the coupe looks better. I'm completely sure that with the C8 HTC I'll be able to fit all my crap for a week in Myrtle Beach playing golf, and still have top down if I want too.

You don't want it? Great. There are plenty of other cars you might like. (although fewer and fewer are ever going to offer a manual transmission. It's just dying...)

 

move to C7 posting, troller

 

It never ceases to amaze me that people feel compelled to express unsolicited reasons why they don't want a C8 in the C8 section. As mentioned above, it belongs in the C7 hand wringers section.

I pity people who are so insecure with their purchase decisions that they need to justify said purchase by disparaging the alternatives.

Be happy with what you bought, but leave the adults alone to discuss progress and the future.

Same with the droning about the manual transmissions. Enough already. No one f#cking cares that the sole reason (yeah right) you won't buy a C8 is because there is no manual. Like candles, window fans, and outhouses, society has moved on to something better.

 

I don't understand........


For YEARS, Corvette enthusiasts were BEGGING for a DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission). Now that we have one....and a great one, at that-now you want a manual again?


Listen to the people who build the C8......THERE WILL BE NO MANUAL TRANSMISSION. So get over it, people. If that's a deal-breaker for you, I see a Prius in your immediate future!!!!

 

I spoke to one of the C8 design engineers at the Convertible reveal after learning about the C8 the previous week. The design engineer explained to me when I asked him about the availability of a manual Tx, he explained why it wasn't practical due to the engine's location. The linkage would have to be extremely long and feel very loose. It was a no-go option from an engineering design standpoint and he also said that the double clutch automatic won't disappoint. His explanation was good enough for me. It was the game change moment for me. I ordered one that afternoon - coupe that is - lol. I thought I was going to have to shell out another $7500 in options charge, but I was not impressed with the HTc's lines anything like the coupe's - JUST PERSONAL OPINION.

 

Mostly agree. BUT I'M GETTING ONE ANYWAY.

 

I was wondering the same thing but I went ahead and ordered one anyway. Now I am wonering when BG is reopening so my car at 3400 can be finished.

 

OP - the C7 is certainly an enjoyable sports car. If you like it, and don't have any particular itch to let it go for something else, you might as well keep it and continue to enjoy it.

 

Best Post Of The Day!!

Hopefully, traderfjp will take MagicAss with him.

 

Gee,,, the same two reasons I sold my C7 to get a C8.

Imagine that.

 

If 5th, 6th and 7th are overdrive, why would you try to "hustle the car around" into 5th gear? As to the C7 being not "for a week or two," that's not what I've read on here. Are you talking about suv-sized loading space for a week or two, or just taking the existing luggage which can't be fitted into each other better than say, soft-sided luggage?

 

A manual transmission is yesterday's technology that inexplicable Forum users pine for today. A weak link better laid to rest. And who cares how many people track their car? Most will spend more time in the garage than on the street. I do think the C8 might appeal to a younger demographic. The C6/7 was every bit the C1 I had in high school. Front engine long nose short rear bad boy V8. 50 years later, time are a changin'.

 

This is so true. Why would someone think that we care for their justifications to not get a C8? What compels somebody to feel the need to post about it? It's been known there's no manual for years, not exactly breaking news. Also has more cargo space than most mid engines. I surely wouldn't call them "two small areas" like OP.