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Currently in the market to order a new Z06 for the wife and I to enjoy on mountain roads and occasional track use.
I am surprised to see that the C8 platform has no handles for a passenger…?? None at all. As far as I can tell all previous generations had at least a good handle on the door. And the C7 has a door handle and one on the center console.
Fortunate to have found a good dealer to work with on a new order at a fair price. He has an allocation for me right now. But I’m on the fence as I’ve been reading that there will be an interior update with the upcoming 2026 MY to be released in April/May….and it MAY have an integrated grab handle potentially.
I’m just here to rant. ; )
Happy motoring folks!
this is what i learned from Ron Fellows. Have the passenger move the seat to where they can put there feet on the front panel below the glove box. My mom does that and she said it helps alot.
I did a lot of high speed track days in my C6 Z06 in 2006-07. I used a device called "CG Lock" which allowed you to tighten the seat belt around your waist as tight as you wished and then you closed a tab that kept the seat belt locked in that position. It helped tremendously in staying stable in the seat. I also used one for a passenger if I took them on a few hot laps. I saw an ad for them a couple of years ago but don't know if they are still made.
There is no major interior/exterior update for the c8 in 2026, The next update is 2029, when the c9 comes out, that’s what reliable GM sources are putting out there. Now, they could add some minor equipment add ones or upgraded like they did for the 2025’s, like the new splitter and spoiler but no major updates.
if you want one, now is a great time to pull the trigger with all the discounts going on. Go for it!
There is no major interior/exterior update for the c8 in 2026, The next update is 2029, when the c9 comes out, that’s what reliable GM sources are putting out there. Now, they could add some minor equipment add ones or upgraded like they did for the 2025’s, like the new splitter and spoiler but no major updates.
if you want one, now is a great time to pull the trigger with all the discounts going on. Go for it!
I hear that! I’m torn….. talk about a first world problem.
I'd never suggest making a decision based on what GM may or may not do. Go ahead and get the car; then, if a newer version has a grab-handle, simply trade for one.
I did a lot of high speed track days in my C6 Z06 in 2006-07. I used a device called "CG Lock" which allowed you to tighten the seat belt around your waist as tight as you wished and then you closed a tab that kept the seat belt locked in that position. It helped tremendously in staying stable in the seat. I also used one for a passenger if I took them on a few hot laps. I saw an ad for them a couple of years ago but don't know if they are still made.
You can also move your seat back an inch or so from your normal driving position, fasten the belt, and then move the seat forward to the normal driving position. As I remember this is what they recommend at Spring Mountain.
This is an interesting thread. If someone asked "could the decision to purchase or not purchase a new C8 Z06 come down to ..... grab handles?" I'd say not in a million years but here we are.
Full disclosure, wrestled with "no manual option" for 6 weeks before I placed my order.
Pull the seat belt all the way out, latch the buckle, and allow the belt to retract. Your seatbelt will be locked. You can pull the belt as tight as you want and it will stay that way until you release the buckle.
This is an interesting thread. If someone asked "could the decision to purchase or not purchase a new C8 Z06 come down to ..... grab handles?" I'd say not in a million years but here we are.
Full disclosure, wrestled with "no manual option" for 6 weeks before I placed my order.
There is no major interior/exterior update for the c8 in 2026, The next update is 2029, when the c9 comes out, that’s what reliable GM sources are putting out there. Now, they could add some minor equipment add ones or upgraded like they did for the 2025’s, like the new splitter and spoiler but no major updates.
if you want one, now is a great time to pull the trigger with all the discounts going on. Go for it!
Your "Reliable GM sources" would NEVER let on to any future trade secrets such as this to you, even if they knew better. Doing so could TANK current sales in favor of waiting on the anticipated update model. in short, .. your reliable GM sources carry ZILCH value.
this is what i learned from Ron Fellows. Have the passenger move the seat to where they can put there feet on the front panel below the glove box. My mom does that and she said it helps alot.
Exactly. Have your passenger push on the firewall the same way you use the dead pedal.
Actually when I did the ride along with mu instructor at Fellows I used the grab handle on passenger door. Worked just as "oh ****" handle should but no grab on left.
Exactly. Have your passenger push on the firewall the same way you use the dead pedal.
No doubt an idea that I’ve used myself! Not sure it will work for my wife who is ‘elf sized’ LOL
In all seriousness though, a car that has the capabilities of the C8 (especially the Z06 which is what we are looking at) should absolutely have at least one grab handle for the passenger.
Maybe it’s a generational thing…with the legacy vette owner (read boomer gen)not really driving them as much as the younger generations. Look at the car hobby…it’s blown up with track events, autoX events, road rallies, more and more high performance driving schools and even racetracks with homes/condos/garages etc…creating a new type of ‘country club’.
We intend to put some G-forces through this thing! ; )
I’m leaning towards waiting for the 2026 and look forward to any infotainment screen / technology updates and hope they incorporate a handle into ‘the wall’…while also not completely burying the HVAC controls in a menu system. It will be great when all the controls are activated by voice!
Figure I’ve waited this long for my Z…I’m willing to put if off a little bit longer to make sure I’m getting the latest tech as I intend to keep the car.
Actually when I did the ride along with mu instructor at Fellows I used the grab handle on passenger door. Worked just as "oh ****" handle should but no grab on left.
Really?! It’s such a small ‘pocket’ handle. I’m talking about a ‘proper’ GRAB handle. Like on all the sports cars the C8 competes with. And like what the C7 had!
I'd never suggest making a decision based on what GM may or may not do. Go ahead and get the car; then, if a newer version has a grab-handle, simply trade for one.
LOL. I hear ya… I’m just not willing to take the $-hit if that happens! I’m holding out and betting they’ll only make improvements on the 2026 MY.
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