Boring??
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,523
I saw this thread made it to the CorvetteForum Facebook page and it made me revisit my comments and I stand by what I said and sold the car. I had fun, and it’s an absolute stunner to look at but at the end of the day; for me it’s about three things
1. No third pedal. I need one. Dying breed but it adds enough dynamic for me.
2. Back seat. I have kids. 10 and 2. I can’t use the vette as much as I would want, especially in the snow belt. I’ll revisit a corvette when the youngest is bigger. Still love the brand and what it stands for and I’ll probably go C7Z06.
3. Rawness. The car is so meticulously refined for me. It’s an incredible car but unless you’re pushing it it’s pedestrian. And at the end of the day that’s a good thing, right? The car is just too good.
For those enjoying their C8s and saying I’m a nut job I get it. The car is gorgeous and perfect for some. Just not me.
what a time to be alive as a car guy. I’ll just get a manual V8 SOMETHING before the EV world drags so many into soulless computers on wheels. I like to do my own wrenching so it’s probably project car time so I can build something and hopefully involve the kiddos and teach them.
anyone selling a Nova? Ha!
1. No third pedal. I need one. Dying breed but it adds enough dynamic for me.
2. Back seat. I have kids. 10 and 2. I can’t use the vette as much as I would want, especially in the snow belt. I’ll revisit a corvette when the youngest is bigger. Still love the brand and what it stands for and I’ll probably go C7Z06.
3. Rawness. The car is so meticulously refined for me. It’s an incredible car but unless you’re pushing it it’s pedestrian. And at the end of the day that’s a good thing, right? The car is just too good.
For those enjoying their C8s and saying I’m a nut job I get it. The car is gorgeous and perfect for some. Just not me.
what a time to be alive as a car guy. I’ll just get a manual V8 SOMETHING before the EV world drags so many into soulless computers on wheels. I like to do my own wrenching so it’s probably project car time so I can build something and hopefully involve the kiddos and teach them.
anyone selling a Nova? Ha!
#2 Seriously? You couldn't figure that out before you bought it? Need to question your analytical abilities.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 153
Likes: 77
#3 there's certainly truth to. I guess it all depends on what you want. #1, I thought I might feel that way, but the DCT shifts so damn fast I find driving in manual mode and shifting with the paddles acceptable.
#2 Seriously? You couldn't figure that out before you bought it? Need to question your analytical abilities.
#2 Seriously? You couldn't figure that out before you bought it? Need to question your analytical abilities.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 214
From: WESTERN NEW YORK
you see, being young and having kids is part of my life and I wanted to take advantage of getting a new car at sticker. I kept my C5 with my eldest daughter for five years because I had so much fun with it. I utilized the same logic with this car. if it were good at the other things I would have kept it, but it wasn’t. So it’s gone. Thanks for offering your thoughts on my analysis though.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,523
you see, being young and having kids is part of my life and I wanted to take advantage of getting a new car at sticker. I kept my C5 with my eldest daughter for five years because I had so much fun with it. I utilized the same logic with this car. if it were good at the other things I would have kept it, but it wasn’t. So it’s gone. Thanks for offering your thoughts on my analysis though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,832
Likes: 1,682
From: Rochester New York
The C8 Corvette is fast, drives and handles great and does everything well! However, with the DCT (automatic) to me, is on the boring side! Yes the transmission shifts fast and crisp in both automatic or manual mode, but there is a loss of the fun factor without a do it yourself manual transmission. I agree with the OP and I think that is the reason most trade or sell their C8's for something else.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 96
From: Oceanside CA.
I will get hung, shot and tarred and feathered on this forum for saying this but if you want a modern do everything car try the 2024 Tesla model 3 performance. Seat of your pants acceleration and handling. Hard to believe with no exhaust and no shifting but great road feel and handling. Also a great road car. As a V8 junky Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought an EV could be the answer. My experience is the M3P is everything I hoped the C8 would be but the C8 falls short.
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CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,226
Likes: 2,878
From: Charlotte N.C.
Everything is a trade off. If I could go back to my modified 1992 with zero miles I'd do it in an instant. If I could get a 1966-7 coupe in really good condition optioned right for less than I paid for my house I would.
That said I am really happy with my C8 Z-51,power, handling, the way it drives is awesome. I even like the DCT and all the crazy electronics it has. My ****les are that the seats just are not that comfortable for me and it's too low at it's highest position, the side mirrors are huge blind spots, and the fear of a DCT issue has me staying close to home though I'm planning on a drive to Florida soon. Costs are also an issue, things like oil and DCT fluid I do myself but the costs for things like when did air filters start costing $100 and batteries. Tires this size have always been pricey.
But I like the car.
That said I am really happy with my C8 Z-51,power, handling, the way it drives is awesome. I even like the DCT and all the crazy electronics it has. My ****les are that the seats just are not that comfortable for me and it's too low at it's highest position, the side mirrors are huge blind spots, and the fear of a DCT issue has me staying close to home though I'm planning on a drive to Florida soon. Costs are also an issue, things like oil and DCT fluid I do myself but the costs for things like when did air filters start costing $100 and batteries. Tires this size have always been pricey.
But I like the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 200
From: Atoka, TN
I understand what the OP is saying. I do like my C8, but there are things I miss from my C6’s and C7’s. With my C7, I did the HRPT and found it was the perfect touring car. With the C8, I’ve had it on 2 separate long trips (1K miles round trip). The C8 did well except for the luggage part. The rear trunk gets hot. At least with the C7 all of my luggage was in one place and could use larger bags.
The C7 felt more rowdy when beating on it and you could use a Diablosport or a Range device to keep AFM turned off. I guess I could have my C8 tuned, but with the cost of parts if they void the warranty, it’s smarter to suffer with AFM. I’m sure next summer my C8 will be tossed in favor of a C6 or C7 Z06.
The C7 felt more rowdy when beating on it and you could use a Diablosport or a Range device to keep AFM turned off. I guess I could have my C8 tuned, but with the cost of parts if they void the warranty, it’s smarter to suffer with AFM. I’m sure next summer my C8 will be tossed in favor of a C6 or C7 Z06.
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,652
Likes: 7,722
From: NJ
The C8 is very refined.
too refined for so many looking for the rawness of prior gens.
I agree with this.
But, we look to the past through some rose colored lenses more often than we admit.
Theres a way to fix that.
Get a C8 Z06 and drive it the way it was designed. You can do it without going to jail but you need to be in manual at all times.
the trade off for me is ride quality. I feel like I'm driving a cross between. A 911 turbo and GT3 in the Z06. The ride quality is close to the turbo but the handling is closer to a GT3. Amazing.
when I rented a C8 Z51 I was impressed by the platform but was underwhelmed with the on the move performance vs my prior modified C6 and stock C7Zs. The Z06 remedied that. Albeit to the tune of 134k with tax. Ooph. My new C7Z stickered at 100k was had for 86k out the door what? 91k? Without factoring in inflation the new corvette with an actual soul is a **** ton more. Tough to swallow.
then Factor in insurance premiums vs a C7Z it costs me about 600 more per year. Crazy what this hobby costs the average middle class person
. First world problems.
too refined for so many looking for the rawness of prior gens.
I agree with this.
But, we look to the past through some rose colored lenses more often than we admit.
Theres a way to fix that.
Get a C8 Z06 and drive it the way it was designed. You can do it without going to jail but you need to be in manual at all times.
the trade off for me is ride quality. I feel like I'm driving a cross between. A 911 turbo and GT3 in the Z06. The ride quality is close to the turbo but the handling is closer to a GT3. Amazing.
when I rented a C8 Z51 I was impressed by the platform but was underwhelmed with the on the move performance vs my prior modified C6 and stock C7Zs. The Z06 remedied that. Albeit to the tune of 134k with tax. Ooph. My new C7Z stickered at 100k was had for 86k out the door what? 91k? Without factoring in inflation the new corvette with an actual soul is a **** ton more. Tough to swallow.
then Factor in insurance premiums vs a C7Z it costs me about 600 more per year. Crazy what this hobby costs the average middle class person
. First world problems.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,226
Likes: 2,878
From: Charlotte N.C.
Comparing your modified Z06 to a stock C8 Z51 I could see why you'd want more. But the stock-ish C6 Z51 I had was more of an everyday sedan than either my modified C4 or current C8 Z51, but at the time, when I ordered the C6 I was looking for more of an every day sedan Corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 3,612
From: Commerce Texas
When I walk out to the garage I look inside and ask myself, "Do I drive the fun car? Or do I drive the fun car? The car on my right is my '23 C8 Z51, the other is my 36-year-old 328 GTB Ferrari. Then, sometimes I just take the 2020 Chevy Trax. 
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 2023
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From: The E-Ray prophet
And that's how you know C8 should have never been offered in Cacti...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,923
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From: Columbus OH
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 668
From: Kilmarnock Va
Hello! I've put down 1000 miles in my C8 and while its an incredible grand tourer, it feels like it's soulless compared to prior corvettes and muscle cars I've had. Scat Pack, ZL1, SS 1LE...
Anyone else get this feeling? I just cant shake the feeling that its missing something.
Anyone else get this feeling? I just cant shake the feeling that its missing something.