Those of you who have had both a C7 and a C8: is the C8 significantly better than the C7? Is it worth trading a C7 in for a C8?

 

YES !

 

The only response you're going to receive in this forum is that the C8 is light years better than the C7. It's honestly better to find someone with a C8 who will take you for a ride or even let you take it for a spin.

 

I'm glad someone has finally asked that question

 

I had a 2019 C7 that I absolutely loved. When I ordered my C8 I really wasn’t ready for it because I wasn’t finished enjoying my C7. I figured it would take a long time to get the C8 so I ordered it.
My C7 with a M7 transmission was a blast to drive. I put 18 thousand miles on it before I turned it into my dealer. I turned it in 4 months before my C8 came in only because I got stupid trade in money for it.
After getting a couple thousand miles on my C8 I can honestly say it’s a much nicer car than my C7. The C8 looks and feels like a more refined vehicle. The interior is definitely a step up even though the C7 was a really quality interior.
The handling and overall feel of the C8 is superior. It feels like an exotic car where as the C7 is a little rougher around the edges.
Performance wise the C8 is smoother and the engine responds better.
The C7 is awesome but the C8 is better in every way except cargo space.

 

I had a 2019 GS with M7. C8 is even better than C7 which was a vast improvement over earlier gen.

 

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.

 

See, those are the kind of comments that make this forum a clown show at times. I can't go for a single drive in my Torch Red C7 Z06 without people staring at it, giving me a thumbs up or taking pics of it. I know the attention the C8 gets is even more insane, but to say the C7 is the equivalent of a Corolla just makes you look stupid.

 

Loved my C7 enough to keep it 7 years and 70,000 mi, but it doesn't even come close to holding a candle vs. the C8.

I thought I would miss the manual transmission since this is my first sports car without one, but honestly I have barely even given it a second thought.

 

If you plan on traveling with actual luggage, then a well-kept C7 is the one to buy.

 

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.



The Z at home.

 

I had a 2019 Z06 Convertible with 7 speed that I was going to keep forever. Then I got rear ended. The damage was minor, but it was damage. So I traded on a C8 HTC.
Although I miss the 7 speed with 650 HP, the C8 is a different animal. It handles so much sharper. It is as quick as the Z06 from 0-60. Quicker on curves. Just not as fast in the upper speeds. I'm waiting on my 2nd C8 now. Love them all.

 

I wish I could have both.

I prefer my C8 for the most part, but:

• I occasionally miss the M7 tranny -- however, the dual-clutch 8-spd is REALLY good and probably better for 95% of my driving, and
• I have had to be more clever packing stuff into the C8 (though, if you like the top down the C8 HTC has a bit more luggage space than a C7 Vert and (practically speaking) more than the coupe when you stow the targa panel in the hatch)

Clear advantages for the C8 are interior, handling (mid-engine FEEL is so special), HTC, stoplight launches and NVH. Looks are subjective. I'm probably a minority of 1 but I rate the looks as: C8 HTC > C7 Coupe > C7 Vert > C8 Coupe. That's how much I hate the rear window design of the C8 Coupe!!!

As to whether it is worth trading in your C7 -- that's as much an emotional choice as anything. The C7 is a great car and the '22 C8 HTC is NOT "rationally" worth 2X a well-optioned 2015 C7 with 40K miles and a couple years remaining warranty (my situation). But, you only live once, and the C8 will put a huge grin on your face every time you see it in your garage, start it, drive it somewhere, park it, do the "lookback," answer questions from random passersby who are simply gob-smacked by the thing, etc. And it appears it will hold its high value for a while...I probably have another year to decide if I want to unravel the whole thing and get back into a C7 for relatively little in lost funds (I HIGHLY doubt that is happening ). BUT -- If you are ordering TODAY, the situation might well be different in a year.

 

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…

 

Not if it’s a convertible.

 

All equally a blast to drive!!!

 

I here ya. Fortunately, I’m very blessed. I was able to keep my M6 ‘17 Camaro ZL1 and still afford to add a C8 to the stable. Two different cars and two different driving experiences. There’s just something about a 650 HP supercharged engine mated to a manual transmission that’s hard to give up.

 

C7 or C8 they are both huge head turners and a pleasure to look at.

 

I had 2 C7's and now a C8 all auto's but to be honest I preferred my C6 but it probably comes down to manual or auto for you, can't go wrong whatever you do.

 

I think the best advice is for you to take a long ride in a C8 and then make a decision. I have done this more than once with my friends C8 and have decided to keep my 2019 Z06 M7 Convertible. The C8 to me looks good from certain angles, does handle superbly, and the interior has a nice look to it. Performance is good and what I would call controlled when compared to the Z.
For those that have owned a Z or driven one know the power and sheer thrill of flat out acceleration of the street beast is hard to explain and very difficult to give up no matter how good the C8 may be.