I wanted a Corvette every since I saw one in 1962 when I was 12 years old. I have owned 5 Corvettes since I started my engineering career in 1980.
I always bought 2-3 year old cars to save money. Now I am retired, I sold my C6, and my C8 should be here in a few months.
It is going to be a big hit to our savings, but my wife insists on buying a new C8 because it will be a once in a lifetime experience.
We plan to pick up the car in Washington DC, and drive to Oregon. The road trip of a lifetime.

I have been telling friends and family about my new car and I have found that several people have kind of turned cold. To me the C8 is the most stylish, modern, beautiful, and cost effective sports car in the world.
It is on Ferrari or Lamborghini level, for the bargain price of 80K. I get the idea they are jealous, or think I am a fool for spending so much money, when I could buy a Prius for 35K.
They will probably never understand this is a lifetime adventure for me. Anybody else experience this, how do you explain it to someone that has never owned a Corvettte. ?

I don't try to explain it. Doesn't matter what other people think as long as what I'm doing makes me happy and isn't against the law. As long as it's financially achievable and wouldn't severely impact my existing quality of life, do what makes you happy.

I don't care what other people think. I only care about how it makes me feel, and oh boy does this car make you feel. I have never had a vehicle where every single time I get done driving I think "that was a fun experience". You will have people walking up and talking to you or taking pictures or asking to see it. You will also have haters but those are easy to brush off. Regret is not a word I associate with purchasing one of these. If this is your dream don't let anyone or anything stand in your way.

You seem very emotionally invested in this purchase and, if you come across that way to others, it can put them off. What I'm saying is that most are not car guys and have little interest in someone's hobby. Those that have gone cold might be tired of hearing about your dream?

I'm sure some do. But no one in my family or circle of friends seem to fall into that category. Jealousy is an ugly beast.

Nothing to explain, my money, my choice, my passion.

Just don't take it to your high school re-union unless you were voted "Most likely to succeed"

Sounds like a futile endeavor like trying to turn a lifelong generational Christian into a Muslim or my parents onto crypto. Not being a car person is one hurdle, not being a Corvette person is another. Some Corvette diehards aren't convinced by the C8. For the non-Corvette car people, some love its objective superiorities being mid-engine and have no brand loyalty (me), some follow brand loyalty and exclude Chevy, some think its edgy lines are all over the place and call it a kit car or want manual only. Very polarizing within the Corvette community and the general car community so it's going to have a lot of haters and a lot of lovers. Hard to make converts from one to the other. So I'd just chalk it up to personal preference and enjoy what your friends can't understand.

Just want to add I'm of a younger generation. Though it's still polarizing even among us, it's gotten more relevant in other facets of car culture than any past Corvette ever. The last car to cause a stir like this was probably the Nissan GT-R. I know people who love the C8 and who hate it (sometimes out of envy/personal insecurity). I'm not going to waste any energy on the haters and you shouldn't either. If it's got haters, it must be doing something right.

I haven't come across negativity yet but I've only had it for six days ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Some people don't like to see people doing better than they are.

My Own Business, by the late great Chuck Berry

If I go buy a Cadillac convertible coupe
And all I got at home to eat is just onion soup
It's my own business, it's my own business
If I would rather ride around
In my own Cadillac convertible coupe

It’s been my experience those doing better than me made better choices than I did…. Good for them, jealousy is weird to me.

I couldn't care less what other people think about my car.

go enjoy it.

If they don't understand after they see your C8, then they never will. Not your problem, don't take it on. BTW, if you want to add to your Lifetime Adventure, consider picking your C8 up at the NCM in Bowling Green, KY instead of DC. They will treat you like royalty, prep the car like nobody else can, & you'll know more about you new steed than any typical salesman can tell you. Plus you get to visit the National Corvette Museum, which is Mecca for Corvette people. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

If people resent my C8 then I’m glad I shook them off like a bad case of the fleas. Big moves and purchases in life help you find who is really your friend and who is just trying to pull you down into the crab bucket. I have met many new friends whilst having the C8 and they all share the passion for speed.

who cares what others think about your purchase. it's your money, buy what you like. People who aren't into cars will never understand any of us car guys. I'm telling you when you see your car at the dealership, you'll love it. When I actually went to pick up my car 2 months ago, I almost cried tears of joy as I was so happy with the purchase.

Excited for you and your wife. That cross country trip in a new C8 will be wonderful! You do you my friend!

When you have something nice like a Corvette, it’s best to maintain a low profile. I would keep my thoughts to myself except around other Corvette guys. People get jealous of everything from cars to houses to bicycles to fancy clothes or watches. It’s a bad part of human nature.

I’ve been waiting FOREVER for a C8, resent NO!

Remember, the best revenge is living well.

Life is WAY too short to worry about what other people think.