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I don't own a C8, but having heard so much about how it is more "refined" than the C7, I'm not sure I'd like it.
My C7Z was more refined enough, compared to my C5, that I felt a bit "disconnected". Car felt a little numb. Really liked the feel and feedback of the C5.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Jan 11, 2022 at 10:35 AM.
Gorgeous stable of Corvettes...and a gorgeous "stable". Too bad those solar panels take away from the charm. I too have a similar styled house with a huge South and West Facing wrap-around porch. I would consider the benefits of solar power but I absolutely refuse to deface the front of my house with a collection of unsightly solar panels. I'm not saying that as knock on your decision as the benefits would be nice. To each his own. Again, beautiful line-up and home.
If you want to drive stick, then no. Otherwise, yes. In every way. Having said that, the C7, especially the Grand Sport and Z06 variants, were stupid fun and so versatile. The C7 still looks great IMHO…
BUT I do love my C8…
I have one of the Chamberlain Air Stations too! I caught them on closeout at Home Depot for $30 and wished I had bought several.... Mine has had a compressor shoot craps and had to buy one from eBay, but its pretty handy to have.
Yes. It's absolutely better. I was always a manual transmission guy, so I was hesitant on going to the DCT auto with the move from C7 to C8, but I'm a convert now. It's a fantastic car.
Yes. It's absolutely better. I was always a manual transmission guy, so I was hesitant on going to the DCT auto with the move from C7 to C8, but I'm a convert now. It's a fantastic car.
So I will keep my manual ‘66 C2 and trade in my C7 so that I still have a manual to drive. Thanks!!
If you plan on traveling with actual luggage, then a well-kept C7 is the one to buy.
I agree with this. I had the Coupe in C7 and it has TONS of rear room for luggage. I posted elsewhere I could not fit my airline overhead bag in the rear trunk. It did fit in the Frunk. We used softside Vera Bradley duffel bags for my wife's stuff in the rear trunk.
I agree with this. I had the Coupe in C7 and it has TONS of rear room for luggage. I posted elsewhere I could not fit my airline overhead bag in the rear trunk. It did fit in the Frunk. We used softside Vera Bradley duffel bags for my wife's stuff in the rear trunk.
I made the decision to purchase a C8 once I figured out how I could keep my C7. I get asked all the time which is better or which I like better. My answer is neither one is better than the other to me. Each do what they are built/designed for really good and really are two different cars. 2019 C7 Z06 and 2020 C8 Z51 spec’d as close as possible.
C7 Z06 an exciting and enjoyable driver with more of a muscle car feel.
C8 Z51 a refined and enjoyable driver with more of a sports car feel.
Biggest mistake I’ve made is getting rid of my c7z. Miss the m7 and raw power. The c8 is more refined but that’s not what I want in a sports performance car. Should have kept it and added the c8.
In my opinion, they are very different cars. My C7 was much more raw, unrefined and loud (I added a Corsa Extreme Exhaust and X-Pipe), it felt like a dragstrip car. The C8 feels like it was built more for the track. The C7 felt faster (due to being so rough and raw) but isn't. The interior on the C8 is a vastly huge improvement over the C7. The amount of attention (wanted or not) that the C8 draws makes the C7 seem like a Toyota Corolla.
Agree w everything here except c7 seeming like a Corolla kn crowd comparison. My C7 garnered its fair share. To add to this, when pushing it I used to feel like my C7 was actively trying to kill me. It’s a handful to drive at or near the limits. However, that made a smooth run feel really rewarding. Plus the M7 was just beautiful with that honking, glorious V8 lifting the front end. It’s like it was daring you to push it.
The C8 is easier to drive at or near the limits but to me not as rewarding. It’s far smoother than the 7, more refined, quieter and the doors have a more solid thunk to them. If you have an automatic C7 there is no question the 8 is better. I hated the slush box in the 7 and the C8s is a legit dct. They really are almost too different to compare.
One big or 2 little no problem. Hauling the push cart could be an issue. Mine folds quite compactly and fits (barely) in the frunk. Most of them will need to go in the passenger compartment…
Was apprehensive since the C8 was my first DD in 63 years without a 3rd pedal. Took about a month driving in Manual Mode, about the way I drove my 2017 M7 C7 Grand Sport in our rural area, to discover Z Mode! Drive that way much of the time. Like my M7 GS, which I seldom drove past 5th gear (don't use an interstate,) the C8 doesn't go into 6th until about 72 mph. It shifts up and down at higher rpm than Sport. I have Ride set for Sport so don't have the harsh Track ride. Don't even have to downshift for turns. Just apply the brakes aggressively and it will downshift 2 gears and rev match each in the blink of an eye.
Big advantage for me merging into a 4-lane divided highway from a stop sign at the end of the rural road I live on. It shifts out of 1st by itself at redline! Hit the rev limiter a few times in Manual Mode as it hits redline at ~34 mph in 1st in the blink of an eye and the upshift paddle is out of position in a 90 degree turn! I use the downshift paddle occasionally for a slower speed turn but then it stays in Manual Mode for 10 seconds and have to remember to pull the upshift paddle! In Z Mode it's smart enough to shift itself even after it downshifts 2 gears!
Even with the wider rear tires in my GS, occasionally would lose traction merging into traffic. Never with the C8! Traction along is worth the change. Don't look back on 62 years driving ONLY a standard shift as a DD! Technology moves forward, and so does this 80-year-old (for some things!)
I’d be biased to simply say the C8 is “better” than the C7. I add that it is a shortsighted point of view as well.
I’ve had two C5s, two C6s, and two C7s prior to my current C8. All are enjoyable cars to own and drive, even in stock form (all my cars were stock).
The C5 was a radical and welcome departure from the previous generations of Corvette. C6 was really more like “C5.5”, but the changes Chevy made to the platform made sense. C7 is where I’d argue the platform should have gone after C5, but of course, much of the technology in the C7 didn’t exist or was not prevalent in 2005.
All of the above said, the changes made to Corvette from the C5 to the C8 are intended to appeal to younger generations, hold the older generation in place, and market the platform internationally. Corvette had to evolve to be “more Ferrari/Lamborghini” while not compromising its American heritage. I think Chevrolet succeeded.
I say all of the above to say that the C8 is not “better” than the C7, just different in a satisfying way for most of the people likely to buy a C8.
I appreciate the “rawness” of previous generations of Corvette, but it’s not just hyperbole or marketing to say that the C8 is “the car Zora wanted to build”.
The C8 is the radical departure from previous generations that the C5 was. Not better, not worse, just different in a satisfying way.
I don’t miss my C7 only because my C8 is different in all the surprising ways that matter to me and how I drive my car.
Some say the car is too refined compared to the C7, but that’s what I like about the C8. The way this mid engine car drives just makes for a better driving experience and it’s hard to describe it to someone who hasn’t driven (not ridden in, but driven) both cars.
If I could, I would have both my old C7 and my new C8 in my driveway. However, since I can only have one, I’ll take my C8 every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
C8 does all of the “supercar things” well. It’s not going to give anyone the “raw race car feel” that some people want. Heck, even with the NPP, some feel the exhaust note is not loud enough. I beg to differ, but to each his own, my opinion is my own and there is a reason exhaust options are limited and expensive for the C8.
I scare my neighbors’ kids when I start my car up, especially when I cold start it. The C8 is not so refined that it doesn’t feel and behave like a sports car should. It’s just does the “sports car thing” smoothly and that’s why I love my C8.
Last edited by Chemdawg99; Jun 12, 2022 at 12:49 PM.
