First Drive
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 361
Likes: 220
From: Wisconsin
First Drive
Got mine, C8 HTC, 2 weeks ago. Upper Midwest so salt everywhere but we now had 2 inches of rain, figured time for the first drive. 25 miles to get some idea of what I waited for over a year. All the hype and huge waitlists sold me on this car, guess I’m still on the fence. I had a beautiful 2019 C7 GS with a M7, I’m not sure I made the right choice.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 361
Likes: 220
From: Wisconsin
A little clarification, the DCT is phenomenal and can shift faster than I can but rowing your own gears is engaging. It’s also pretty quiet but it was 28 degrees outside so windows up, hope I get warmed up to It.
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Give it some time. Hopefully with more time behind the wheel you will find the car more engaging and up to the expectations you had when you ordered it. If not, you can always sell it for more than you paid for it unless you paid over MSRP.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 767
From: Pleasant Township, OH
When I get this car into the twisties, I actually don't miss my 3-pedal Z06. The transmission is still under my control, but the paddle shifts are so fast, I can make a mid-corner downshift and it does not upset the chassis at all.
You just need to get it on a nice twisty road and you will find out that a C7 GS, IMO, cannot hang with a C8 in the acceleration or handling departments..
Last edited by THX_ZORA; Mar 28, 2022 at 09:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 2,399
Congratulations. Hopefully it works out for you. I understand how you feel. I had a DCT in an M3 and got bored with it in less than a year. Went back to an M7 Z06. I’m giving a C8 a chance as well. Nothing to lose in giving the C8 a shot.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 314
Likes: 94
From: Chicago Illinois
I had a 2017 GS M7 and my new C8 Z51 makes that car feel like a dinosaur . I was a tad nervous about letting my M7 go , but the new DCT will make you forget all about the old car .
Its AMAZING !
Its AMAZING !
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
I’ve owned just about every Corvette imaginable, and my new 22 C8 puts them all to shame. It’s not even close and I’ve only driven the car 65 miles. I can tell after 500 miles, this thing is going to be a beast. The refinement, fit and finish and the way it drives are second to none.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 73
From: Walnut Creek CA
I get where the OP is coming from. I've had my C8 HTC for exactly 2 months and one day have just under 600 miles on it.
My prior Corvette was a 2005 C6.
Don't get me wrong, I would agree that the C8 is a better car in every way imaginable than my C6, but a lot of what most people would consider its drawbacks compared to the C8 made it perhaps a bit more interesting.
I think its a bit like appeal of the gentleman vs the badboy or the lady vs the tramp.
Its not just about the transmission (DCT vs Manual).
Where I live there is a freeway curve with an expansion joint in it. In the C6, the first time I hit that curve and the rear end stepped out a bit, it really startled me, and after that I used to look forward to hitting that joint and the feel of the rear end jumping out. In the C8, its a non event. So that drive is a little less interesting. now.
In the C6 being a bit aggressive with the gas in 2nd gear with the steering wheel turned a bit would cause the car to slide, with the C8, the car accelerates with no drama.
I don't regret buying a C8, but I do perhaps wish I was wealthier and could have afforded to keep the C6 as well as get the C8.
My prior Corvette was a 2005 C6.
Don't get me wrong, I would agree that the C8 is a better car in every way imaginable than my C6, but a lot of what most people would consider its drawbacks compared to the C8 made it perhaps a bit more interesting.
I think its a bit like appeal of the gentleman vs the badboy or the lady vs the tramp.
Its not just about the transmission (DCT vs Manual).
Where I live there is a freeway curve with an expansion joint in it. In the C6, the first time I hit that curve and the rear end stepped out a bit, it really startled me, and after that I used to look forward to hitting that joint and the feel of the rear end jumping out. In the C8, its a non event. So that drive is a little less interesting. now.
In the C6 being a bit aggressive with the gas in 2nd gear with the steering wheel turned a bit would cause the car to slide, with the C8, the car accelerates with no drama.
I don't regret buying a C8, but I do perhaps wish I was wealthier and could have afforded to keep the C6 as well as get the C8.
Last edited by AgCorvette; Mar 29, 2022 at 01:24 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 321
Likes: 231
From: Cave Creek, Arizona
Got mine, C8 HTC, 2 weeks ago. Upper Midwest so salt everywhere but we now had 2 inches of rain, figured time for the first drive. 25 miles to get some idea of what I waited for over a year. All the hype and huge waitlists sold me on this car, guess I’m still on the fence. I had a beautiful 2019 C7 GS with a M7, I’m not sure I made the right choice.
I have said before Z mode and paddle shifters just don’t cut it.
good luck, I hope you love it
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 361
Likes: 220
From: Wisconsin
Refinement
I’ve owned just about every Corvette imaginable, and my new 22 C8 puts them all to shame. It’s not even close and I’ve only driven the car 65 miles. I can tell after 500 miles, this thing is going to be a beast. The refinement, fit and finish and the way it drives are second to none.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
I get where the OP is coming from. I've had my C8 HTC for exactly 2 months and one day have just under 600 miles on it.
My prior Corvette was a 2005 C6.
Don't get me wrong, I would agree that the C8 is a better car in every way imaginable than my C6, but a lot of what most people would consider its drawbacks compared to the C8 made it perhaps a bit more interesting.
I think its a bit like appeal of the gentleman vs the badboy or the lady vs the tramp.
Its not just about the transmission (DCT vs Manual).
Where I live there is a freeway curve with an expansion joint in it. In the C6, the first time I hit that curve and the rear end stepped out a bit, it really startled me, and after that I used to look forward to hitting that joint and the feel of the rear end jumping out. In the C8, its a non event. So that drive is a little less interesting. now.
In the C6 being a bit aggressive with the gas in 2nd gear with the steering wheel turned a bit would cause the car to slide, with the C8, the car accelerates with no drama.
I don't regret buying a C8, but I do perhaps wish I was wealthier and could have afforded to keep the C6 as well as get the C8.
My prior Corvette was a 2005 C6.
Don't get me wrong, I would agree that the C8 is a better car in every way imaginable than my C6, but a lot of what most people would consider its drawbacks compared to the C8 made it perhaps a bit more interesting.
I think its a bit like appeal of the gentleman vs the badboy or the lady vs the tramp.
Its not just about the transmission (DCT vs Manual).
Where I live there is a freeway curve with an expansion joint in it. In the C6, the first time I hit that curve and the rear end stepped out a bit, it really startled me, and after that I used to look forward to hitting that joint and the feel of the rear end jumping out. In the C8, its a non event. So that drive is a little less interesting. now.
In the C6 being a bit aggressive with the gas in 2nd gear with the steering wheel turned a bit would cause the car to slide, with the C8, the car accelerates with no drama.
I don't regret buying a C8, but I do perhaps wish I was wealthier and could have afforded to keep the C6 as well as get the C8.