Looking at a new C8 purchase just to own a mid-engine ICE supercar before I become carbon neutral - I'm 76.

I currently have a C6 3LT ... and am thinking a base C8 1LT would be fine - I wouldn't track and actually would use it mostly around town and some drives with the corvette club. I do like some of the 2LT features - like the front cam and blind spot / traffic warnings .... but mirrors have worked fine for 55 years - have not swiped anyone yet.

Any opinions would be appreciated - especially if you are disappointed in your 1LT choice.

thx

 

IMHO the 2LT is the sweet spot. GT2 seats and front end lift finish up the build.

 

Don't get a Z51 car. No need for the Mag-ride either. You will be amazed at the comfortable ride and yet still handles unbelievable.
There are plenty of dealers with cars on the lots at below MSRP.
Are you settled on a Coupe or HTC?
What color exterior and interior.

Have you checked Ciocca, Coughlin, MacMulkin?

 

The features in each of the trim pkgs are significantly over-priced for what you get. Look through each and determine what are necessities, and what are just "nice to have", then determine if the cost is worth it to you.

Not a mid-engine sports car, but my new M2 is a ~500 hp sports coupe. A comparably-equipped Stingray would cost almost $25k more than my new M2 based on the trim levels alone. Both have the same base MSRP.

Putting the engine behind the passenger has nothing to do with interior options, but GM really went nuts with increased pricing for many features that are standard in most other cars.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Been talking with Ciocca - just sld the C6 so have cash ... they list everything at msrp ... not sure how firm they are. Coupe in Sea Wolf Grey ...Black Int ... are desired colors.

 

I have a 1LT. You do have to be careful backing out of parking spots with the blind spot in the Coupe. I use the rear view mirror cam which is standard on all MY2024 now (finally getting used to this). No problems during lane changes. As you mentioned, mirrors work. You don't need Z51, so you can save quite a few $'s there. But I would totally spring for Mag-ride.

If I were to have built out a touring car, I would have gone 2LT w/GT2 seats and mag ride. But I wanted mine as visceral as possible. Even so, this is a very civilized car. Even with Z51.

 

I bought mine from:
Paul Masse Chevrolet, East Providence RI, Corvette Sales: Dave Wellington Jr 401-529-7884
They have 7 1LT Coupes with $1000 off MSRP.
They also have 2LT's and 3LT's, and free allocations at MSRP.

I seen Rick Conti, Coughlin Chev. Ohio, yesterday's video showing many on the lot.

Ron

 

well normally all those c8 that are advertised for 1-3k under msrp are super optioned cars unnecessary for me, I haven’t seen a 1LT under msrp yet, I know lots of people( usually the ones that have the 2lt) will say that is the best and so on and maybe to them is true but those options are pretty expensive 7k from 1LT to 2lt to me it’s not worth it I have a 1LT with the only option being the seatbelts and the HTC and love it no regrets some will say get the NPP exhaust and almost did but decided to spend 200 more and got an MBRP that sounds and looks way way better

 

I checked and it looks like all are advertised at msrp not under

 

As others have stated 2LT is the sweet spot with GT2 seats. Personally I would recommend the MRC. Mirrors are not just fine on this car IMO. After I got accustomed to the review camera, about one day, I can't imagine driving without it. The field of view is fantastic.

 

I just got confirmation that ALL C8's in current stock are $1k off MSRP. (text message directly from Dave )
My wife and I visited last week and seen the sign on the windows, $1000 off MSRP.
I got to see my first Cacti-Green. Indoors it looked great.

 

I would definitely get the performance exhaust. Unless you want the heads up display and the better stereo not much else I would recommend.

I took delivery of my coupe last month and got 2LT, performance exhaust, yellow calipers, body colored trim and forged wheels. I'm 76 too and I figured the kids are doing OK so maybe it's my turn. 😁

 

Had to look up the M2. Within 10% on HP, but otherwise simply no rational comparison.

I'm looking at an Apple iPad Pro or a winery vacation in San Jose type of thing, a custom hardtail Harley or a full set of dental veneers. That's not a rational comparison. I can't see someone going back and forth between these two vehicles, their needs and desires will tip them to one in seconds. It won't be the $X premium on the C8 painted calipers versus included on M2 that drives the decision.

It appears to be a great looking very capable sports coupe, but the number of buyers cross-shopping an M2 versus a Stingray must be a very SMALL group.

The upcharges are limited production/limited commonality with other vehicles, not the midrear engine. 1,000 of M2 parts apply to tens of thousands of non-M 2, 3, M2, M3, X3 vehicles. An extreme economy not available to Chevrolet.

 

I’ve got a 2024 HTC with 3LT and Z51package and came from a C7 coupe. The visibility and lack or blind spot detection were a problem in the C7. But the blind spot detection and rear camera make the C8 way safer and easier to operate in my opinion. At 73 and having neck issues, it’s hard for me to turn my head as far as I’d like to look behind when changing lanes. The rearview camera can be adjusted, and I use the wider angled view. With that and blind spot detection I change lanes without worrying. Now on the HTC, I lose the rear camera with the top lowered and have to use the mirror—cutting down on visibility a bit. Still, the blind spot detection is helpful.

the 2LT comes with those safety features. So if safety is a concern, I’d recommend the 2LT. I’ve test ridden a 2LT without mag ride and thought it was very smooth— but I was on a smooth road. But when roads are bumpy, I’ve found that mag ride in Tour mode really smoothes things out. So it depends on where you might drive if you’ll benefit from mag ride. As for more open exhaust and that 5 extra horsepower, I love hearing the pipes. But that doesn’t matter to some.

As for the Z51 package, again it’s very personal. It’s a liitle quicker and handles a little more tautly, and the brakes are a little more sensitive even for daily riding. But if you’re mostly touring and won’t be pushing the car, don’t bother with it.

Whatever you decide you’ll love this car!

 

Back that up....

 

I recommend going to test drive used ones now that there are a lot available, dealers still won’t let new ones off the lot. That will give you a feel for how much value z51, 2lt, and mrc is to you personally. I was able to test drive a 2lt htc non-z51 w/mrc. It convinced me I could live without the 2lt, but absolutely need z51 and mrc and surprisingly made me pick the htc which wasn’t even on my radar.

 

2LT is the preferred choice. Z51 is another popular package. I skipped both because I wanted to stay as close to the base $69,995 price as possible. I have a 1LT coupe with no options. I really wanted a base trim Z06 but the time is not right for me so I'm greatly enjoying the base Stingray 1LT for the time being.

 

73 y/o on Corvette #16, 2023 coupe. 1LT, zero options and zero regret.

 

I'm 70 and 3LT with performance exhaust, black tips, front lift, mag ride are the minimum. At 76 go for the gusto man! Don't save your inheritance use it!

JT

 

I did with my comparison above