Notices
C8 Stingray/General Discussion The place to discuss the next generation of Corvette including the Stingray.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Wheel Design

First Drive

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 9, 2023 | 04:49 PM
  #1  
DESERTFLYER's Avatar
DESERTFLYER
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 13
Default First Drive

Picked up a new Stingray a week ago today in Columbus, OH. It's now at home in Tucson with 2400 miles on it. Awesome machine. All broken in and ready for anything. Surprisingly, it seems higher in front than my C-7. It doesn't drag going in and out of the driveway and some other high spots that I frequent. The only disappointment was the noise at highway speeds. Hard to hold a conversation. Maybe cuz the cockpit is closer to the front wheels, than a C-7, which was very quiet. Super machine though. Love it.
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2023 | 05:10 PM
  #2  
Exia's Avatar
Exia
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 1,334
From: Kingston, Ontario
Default

Congrats.

The nose isn't higher, its just shorter which means the approach angle is better, thats why you don't hear the deflectors under the car rubbing like you did on the C7.

As per highway noise I found my '21 quieter then my C7. Lots of tire noise as always but less of everything else in the C8 cabin compared to the C7, at least thats my experience. Even my '23 Z06 sounds quieter inside the cabin minus tire noise and the exhaust.

Maybe give it until after your break-in and see if things improve.
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2023 | 07:13 PM
  #3  
Ron_Attleboro_MA's Avatar
Ron_Attleboro_MA
Melting Slicks
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2,203
From: Massachusetts
Default

My 2024 2LT HTC Non-Z51 is much quieter than my previous 2017 Grand Sport.
Maybe you have a Z51 and summer tires that do make more road noise. And you might have a coupe, not sure if they are louder with engine noise.
I am impressed that I can't hear cars going by in the opposite direction.
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2023 | 10:00 PM
  #4  
GR8C8's Avatar
GR8C8
Pro
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 615
Likes: 441
From: Bay Area, CA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by DESERTFLYER
Picked up a new Stingray a week ago today in Columbus, OH. It's now at home in Tucson with 2400 miles on it. Awesome machine. All broken in and ready for anything. Surprisingly, it seems higher in front than my C-7. It doesn't drag going in and out of the driveway and some other high spots that I frequent. The only disappointment was the noise at highway speeds. Hard to hold a conversation. Maybe cuz the cockpit is closer to the front wheels, than a C-7, which was very quiet. Super machine though. Love it.
Congrats! Nice drive. I agree that the C8 has decent clearance. I have only scrubbed once, and that was because the intersection had a dip and most cars would have scrubbed with the same approach speed. Now where are the pics of your car?!
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2023 | 11:50 PM
  #5  
C5racecar's Avatar
C5racecar
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Army
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1,860
From: Oregon
Default

C5 C6 C7 were bottom breathers. They have that big air deflector below the radiator. My C6 would always drag that on the driveway. C8 no deflector, no drag.

I don't really notice the road noise on my C8 Z51. Sometimes I listen to the motor, sometimes music, sometimes my wife. Sometimes listening to the motor is better than listening to the wife. Just kidding. We love to travel in the C8.
We drove from Maryland to North Carolina, then home to Oregon. 4000 miles. My only complaint is the Z51 non mag has a rough ride.

Last edited by C5racecar; Nov 12, 2023 at 02:10 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2023 | 07:44 AM
  #6  
Radley's Avatar
Radley
Melting Slicks
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,733
Likes: 377
From: Pensacola, FL
Default

My C8 is quieter than my C7, but the C7 was a Grand Sport, and the tires probably were the reason for the difference.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 04:03 AM
  #7  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,065
Likes: 24,731
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Congrats on taking delivery of your C8 and thanks for the review of how the car has been so far.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 05:44 AM
  #8  
wayback's Avatar
wayback
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

M
Congrats on the C8.
Interior noise seems weird. My 23 Coupe is much quieter than my 16 C7 even after I lined the rear wheel wells and hatch with soundproofing material.
There is tire noise on the C8, more on certain road surfaces but overall much quieter than my C7.



As suggested, it might be the tires? I have a non Z51 coupe.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 07:01 AM
  #9  
449er's Avatar
449er
CF Community Team
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 7,402
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Congrats on your new ride, don't forget to wave!
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 07:06 AM
  #10  
combatninja's Avatar
combatninja
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Default

Check those cold tire pressures. Dealerships seem to have an odd obsession with filling them to 35psi cold which makes the Michelin runflats very 'buzzy' and coarse over certain road surfaces like old chip sealed roads in particular. Michelin ZPs still stink for NVH in general but taking them back to 29psi chills them out.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 09:55 AM
  #11  
DESERTFLYER's Avatar
DESERTFLYER
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 13
Default

That's a thought. Tire pressure at delivery was about 34 on all four. At highway speeds, about 38. Some road surfaces much quieter than others, The interstates are awful.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 01:59 PM
  #12  
combatninja's Avatar
combatninja
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Default

34psi cold is much too high. Take them down to 29 and it will be like you changed to a completely different tire.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 02:42 PM
  #13  
ArizonaZ06's Avatar
ArizonaZ06
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 1,179
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by DESERTFLYER
Awesome machine. The only disappointment was the noise at highway speeds. Hard to hold a conversation. Maybe cuz the cockpit is closer to the front wheels, than a C-7, which was very quiet. Super machine though. Love it.
Lower your interior sound, increase performance and longevity by replacing the hard Run Flats.

3.5 years and 21K C8 miles, have never have needed a RF. Prefer a cell phone if needed, wife does not want to drive my C8.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 05:11 PM
  #14  
seafordguy's Avatar
seafordguy
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 499
Likes: 389
Default

Noise can fluctuate a lot depending on highway surface. It’s REALLY noticeable in the C8.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2023 | 09:27 PM
  #15  
Greg00Coupe's Avatar
Greg00Coupe
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,275
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Default

Big tires = big noise. Usually concrete roads are terrible. We have a stretch of road locally, not sure what they did to it…..worse road I’ve ever driven on. When I shop cars I aLeah’s go to that road for test drives.

My c8s had way more tire noise than my c7 Z, my favorite corvette ever. Never heard any tire noise! Corsa extremes with X pipe solved that issue.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 08:04 AM
  #16  
billclerm's Avatar
billclerm
Burning Brakes
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 767
Likes: 233
From: Ontario Canada
Default

Congratulations on your new c8 ..lets see some pictures
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 08:21 AM
  #17  
DESERTFLYER's Avatar
DESERTFLYER
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 13
Default





Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 01:56 PM
  #18  
combatninja's Avatar
combatninja
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Default

That white looks cool with body color accents and the low profile spoiler.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To First Drive





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:25 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE