Always been a Vette Guy. Have owned several over the years. Wife and I have been looking at a possible C8 ( We are currently Vette’less😳, I had an Airplane accident a few years back and had to sell the last two C5’s, back wouldn’t allow Me to get in or out of them). Have looked at a few C5’s recently and a C6. We Finally saw a C8 today. We are going to go with a C6 or a C7(most likely) Was hoping an in Person view would have been a better experience. We didn’t see the hype over the C8. What are we missing? Looked like a spaceship.

 

The C8 is more refined than a C7 and makes a better Grand Tourer with the exception of more room in the C7 coupe.

 

Get whatever you like.

 

C8 more refined, quieter inside, has more tech, looks better, will get more looks, has a fresher warranty, the DCT, the list goes on and on.

From your post. it seems you're a corvette enthusiast. Embrace what GM gave us with the C8. It's the best generation by far, and we only got the base car. We're not getting any younger. Get something you'll enjoy having.

I didn't like the C7 when it first came out. In fact there was like 2 months straight, after i saw the C7 in person the first time when i said it looks ugly, the tail lights are horrendous (i still think the tail lights are horrendous). Less than 18 months after getting a C6, i traded it for a C7Z.

Usually people don't like change. And often try to protect what they currently own by using aimless justification in doing so.

Fact is, cars are evolving and evolving fast. Before you know it, we'll be discussing battery packs in our C10 corvette.

Get the latest and greatest. Go for that C8.

 

It’s called the future, this is what it is and going to be more of it in all cars!!! Not just the C8, I love my C8 couldn’t be happier

 

Supposedly the C8 is easier to get in and out of compared to C7. Maybe owners can weigh in on this.

 

Having owned both, the C8 is light years ahead as far as overall vehicle is concerned.

 

Very simple the hype is......Mid-Engine.

Drive one and you'll get it.

 

OP - the C8 would likely be easier on your injured back than the C6 or C7. They smoothed out the ride a good bit in the C8 over those two. So given that, you might try to get a ride in one before you decide. You might just conclude the C8 is the best route for you and your back.

 

Not understanding how you could have missed the hype over the C8. Man, it's all I can think about.

 

Get what makes you happy, and you'll get pleasure in owning. I think any corvette is something special, as it represents some of the best performance of it's time. They all come with compromises of some sort, and everyone sees something different in them. I think there is a lot that makes the C8 such a "big deal" when compared to the previous generations. Not the least of which is that it represents what the original designer of the Corvette wanted his creation to become: a mid engine, high performance car, able to compete with the best in the world. It also addresses perhaps the most criticized aspects of the earlier generations: perceived interior quality. And it represents quite the technological step forward, putting the base car nearly at the performance level of the previous generation Z06, with 150 less horsepower (at least until the limits of the laws of physics take over.. )

Now the styling is certainly subjective. There are definitely elements that I'd love to see changed (styling should never be based on golf club capacity..what a ridiculous design criteria), but as someone who daydreamed about some of the early "super cars" in the 70's and 80's, you can see styling elements that bring back fond memories, and also elements of modern cars that cost nearly as much, and more, than many peoples homes, all starting at $60K. And honestly, is there anything wrong with a personal "spaceship"? LOL.

There's plenty of ways to see the C8 negatively, but you can find plenty of negative things about previous generations too. People didn't like the C6 because it didn't have hideaway headlights. The C7 committed further styling blasphemy with it's tail lights. I suppose there were some who felt that when the C1 added the V8 (gasp!) it was a terrible change from the original. The C8 is simply what it is: the most advanced corvette ever made, and sold to the public. It's not perfect, but it's a damn fine car, and if I were you, perhaps worth another look. But in any case, I hope you find a corvette that you will enjoy, no matter what generation it comes from...

 

Not an owner yet but i have sat it one as soon as my local dealer had one, he called me over to check it out (i guess so i can order a C8 from him lol).

Car is definitely easier to get into, even though the driver area "seems" smaller. Hard to explain. But yes it's easier to get in and out of. Everything is just better on the C8 over the C7.

 

I’d suggest you test drive a c7 and try to sit in an 8. If I was near you, you could drive mine. I’m pretty certain the c7 is easier to get in and out of. The rocker panels and frame rail seem wider in the 8. The rides are similar.

You say the 8 is like a spaceship and it is compared to the prior models. If the spaceship turns you off decision made. Doubt your looking for a standard but I miss shifting more then I expected.

Folks defend getting z51 which is rarely used, but seem content to have an auto when a manual adds so much more experience every second you drive the car.

If you go for a prior model check out the c7z......it’s nothing but a street legal race car.

 

To all that responded Thank You! I see the good that most are pointing out. I also see some of the same thoughts I had on the C6 and C7. We haven’t 100% decided on what to do. The one thing I do know is I miss is My Vette’s!!! When I had My Airplane accident in ‘07 I had a 2003 Z and a ‘04 CE Vert. Both 6 speeds. Hard to get in and out of and all I could do was be a passenger. Couldn’t shift gears anymore. Both were sold😢😢😢😢
After several surgeries and spine shots I am back to flying. So the standard is no problem (except wife needs an auto)
We have ramped up Our search on the right Car. Before deciding 100% I will drive a C8 first. Thanks to All!!! And Happy New Year!!! ( I hope!!🇺&#127480

 

Comparing the C7 to a C8 is like comparing a C6 to a C7. They DO NOT compare!

 

I owned a C7 convertible manual. Got rid of it in a year.

I don't see myself doing that with the HTC C8 I have now.

'nuf said.

 

And that's a problem why?

 

Well said!!!

Another well said!!!

What we have now is revolutionary. It's like when the i-phone first came out. People were like wtf, what is this. I like my blackberry better. Or my old school flip phone motorola razr phone.

Now, every single person has a smartphone, whether android or i-phone.

The C8 is the i-phone of corvette history.

 

That's true.
One looks like a car made for a transformers movie and the other is a timeless classic

 

OP. Nothing was as comfortable to sit in for me at least than the C5 or C6 seats. They were like a sofa cushion new. The problem with them was the seat bottom would be cut into by the wire of the frame and become flat. Easily solved with a ballistic pad and new foam (did it in my at the time 4yr old 08). The C7 is OK. But the C5 and C6 were way more comfortable to ride in and drive on bumpy road. But you give up alot over the C7 for every other area. The C8 even more so. But the seats in the C8 were as tight if not tighter than the C7s. Gotta be that way for all the track driving we don't do lol.

Look at it this way. It's a great dilemma to have.