Looking to get back into the Corvette world after selling my 2016 C7. Budget is around $65K, and I’ve been going back and forth between a well-optioned C7 or a C8. Most of the C8s I’m finding are 2LT/3LT cars, but it seems like they either have the front lift without MagRide, or MagRide without the lift.

I’ve come across a one-owner 2023 2LT Z51 with front lift (no MagRide), priced at $60K. Original MSRP was $86K, but it has 53K miles, which concerns me a bit. It could also signal that it's a trouble free vehicle that has done well. I’d look into a GMPP warranty if i could even get one, but still a little uneasy with the mileage given some of the issues I’ve been reading about.

In your opinion, what’s the more valuable option to prioritize—MagRide or the front lift? And would you be concerned about those miles on a C8?

Thanks!

 

Frankly, neither option is crucial. I have magride and like it. Depends if you need front lift. I don't have it and wouldn't order it on a new one, but thats me. Better options to have are 2lt, GT2 seats and performance exhaust (unless going aftermarket).

 

FWIW, I have both front lift and MRSC on my C8.
* Front lift: how is your driveway? local roads to/from gas stations, shops, etc. You will best know if you need it or not. A few members here will chime in that you do not need it if you know how to drive.
* MRSC. Nice to have albeit some folks think/feel you do not need it.

Mileage: how were those miles accrued? Mostly freeway/streets? Scheduled maintenance done? Also check if car has a "BRANDED" title. Best of luck.

 

Thanks, was leaning more MagRide, Z51 or not, and take it or leave it on the lift. Have seen lots of folks rave about them but I really dont think i need it. Thanks for the tip on the seats and exhaust

 

Yeah, not sure on how the miles were accrued, i was leaning Mag before lift, so Thanks for the info. Definitely not branded title. I have seen a few of those and that was a first for me. Honestly I generally buy new vehicles but testing the water on used here

 

I have mag ride and no lift on my 24 stingray. If I were ordering another, I’d do the same. I personally would not buy that high mileage. But that’s just me.

 

Have a ‘20 3lt Z51 no lift with 23,000 miles with no issues

have not had the need for a lift

my ‘29 had 2 Camers and 5 modules the C8 has 5 Camers and 28 modules; if possible I would get an extended warranty!

looking at a used Older C8 check to see if maintenance is current Ie, DCT filter changes, fluid changes and the most important the DCT fluid change every 3 years or at 44,500 miles which will run u $900-$1400

 

It all depends on your situation. I have Z51 with front lift and Mag-ride.

Front lift was optioned for my driveway. My only regret with front lift is my ability to adjust the ride height without an aftermarket collar. I probably would have been fine with no front lift but if I adjust ride height then I would scrape on my driveway unless I pulled in and backed out at the perfect angle. I did this with a lowered Supra and it was a pain at times. Now that we have 4 vehicles with 1 of 3 kids driving I didn’t want to deal with it.

Mag-ride: Love it! There is such a huge difference between touring, sport, and track settings. I did test drive a non mag-ride Z51 before my purchase and wasn’t disappointed. But I came from bimmer M world and like the ability to adjust damper settings with the touch of a button.

 

Thanks all for the comments. One note on the carfax on DCT. Fluid/filter changed at 7000, Fluid changed at 20,000 and Fluid flused/Changed at 39,000 almost exactly a year ago. Car has 53,000

 

Although the vehicle appears to be up on maintenance at 53k miles Id pass. Plenty of lower mileage C8s available. My 22 doesn't have mag ride but does have front lift. I like it but not sure Id pay $2500 for it if ordering new

 

I agree on the high mileage, you should be able to find plenty of lower mileage cars with the options you want. The ride height control is really nice, but it depends on your driveway and where you normally drive your car. I don’t have the mag-ride, but purchased my car that only had 1,032 miles. There are a bunch of cars for sale with low mileage, you just have to be willing to look and be ready to jump when the right car comes along. Good Hunting

 

I would be staying away from a C8 with this many miles. You could look into the availability of a Protection Plan, but I suspect (based on other posts on the forum) it going to be expensive, and might require and inspection. There are "certified" cars - but that would not sway me.


I'm really not sure which option I would prioritize. I have front lift and I do use it. And I have scraped when I misjudged a dip in a service station exit, and failed to use it. Which brings me to a point - the front lift only works if the driver recognizes the issue and activates the lift. Meaning that if and when you recognize an issue, you have the option to avoid it, or approach in a way that avoids the scrape (when that is possible, its not always).

I also have mag-ride. I think if I were looking at used cars, I would need to test drive one with and without magride to see if the difference is important to me. It offers two things - from my perspective. 1) it provides the real time adjustment of shock damping. I do not know if I would be able to tell the difference between a mag ride with suspension set to Tour, and a non-mag ride car. But most report that the main advantage (if not on a track) is going to be realized with spirited driving - or "canyon carving". Most of my driving is on back roads with curves, hills, and bumps, but I don't think its nearly aggressive enough to realize a magride advantage. It might feel different but I have no basis for comparison. 2) It allows you to set the suspension stiffness - Tour, Sport, or Track. Track is too stiff for me (and most) in street use. I generally just use a suspension setting of Tour. But sometimes I find that just a touch bouncy on certain roads, and I will switch to Sport. And yes, most report a big and noticeable difference among all of the settings. I think if I were looking at used cars, I would need to test drive one with and without magride to see if the difference is important to me.

 

First off, I have front lift on my 3lt, and no mag ride, which I know is great option to have! For me and my simple mind, I love the front lift, I realize it does not lift that high to be a great benefit, but my drive has a slight angle to it and with location setting, way too cool to be dismissed. BTW I have bottomed out more once sending bad vibes my way Just my option, good luck, there is no WRONG decision

 

Lots of great feedback to help with the decision. I think the Mag/lift combo if available would be a nice choice, but the lift, for me, would be a "just nice to have". As tempting as the higher mileage C8 seems to be, I will continue looking for something with lower mileage. They are definitely available for sure. I've owned 2 C6's, and a C7 and thought I would buy another C7 but these C8's just keeping pulling me in!

 

I will offer up my two cents on the used car purchase. I did a few versions of the Stingray just to get a feel for the cost of a new car, and to get an idea of what the options are composed of and maybe how it all looks. I was doing 3 versions: what I felt I could afford if I was willing to get a loan, which I'm not down with that. What I'd get if someone else was giving me the car. LOL! Then what might be the most prevalent on the used market.
Then I had to have a very realistic discussion with myself about how much cash would I be willing to part with in order to buy the best used C8 that I could find. JMHO, I don't buy toys with borrowed money. I'm 73 & retired so my money priorities are different than most people, especially those that are younger & working! LOL
I was in no hurry. I had my budget range. Then I just did the usual web search: carfax, tempest, carvanna, you name it I was on it. TBH, I wasn't even looking for a C8! I was shopping to replace my '90 ZR-1 with a similar car. Then I migrated to C5's and then to C6's and C7's! LOL
My '21 TR 3LT, Z51 fell out of the carfax site into my lap, and the car's content intersected with the extreme upper limit of my budget.
No, I do not regret spending all my budget on my C8. Yes, I still miss my ZR-1, but 'RED" makes it less every time I drive her. LOL

Tom

 

Great story and very similar to mine. I have done most everything you have done starting my search for a C6, moving to a C7 and driving a few older versions for sale locally. The C7’s are still sweet but I personally think the used market is pricing them a little too high for the newer versions. I have scoured all search engines and now it seems used C8’s offer just a better overall value proposition. Thanks for the reply.

 

Ur welcome!
All of us that like the third pedal have noticed that the 7MN C7's are basking in the "last of the manual corvettes" glow.
JMHO, I doubt that glow will wain anytime soon. It has even been my observation that the 5's, & 6's that are manual cars have held steady or even gone up a bit.
I will confess that I do miss the manual as I've never had a vette, until now, that didn't have 3 pedals! LOL I miss the whine of straight cut gears, like even my ZR-1 had straight cut gears in 1 thru 4 as it was derived from a truck transmission. LOL My '72 LT-1 had an M22 so it was just a symphony of mechanical music. I was younger, much younger, so the gear whine was drowned out by the factory side pipes! No way I'd even put up with that car now! LOL

Tom

 

My first C8 was a base non Z51 car. Second was Z51 with mag ride. Third I went back to the base non Z51 car. I don't need the lift, the C8 is at a decent stance and the lift is just another item to go wrong. With mag ride you get 3 selections. one being track. No one drives on the street with track. Thus you are getting one more selection then a car wo mag ride. The base car is such a sweet ride with the standard suspension. You should drive each to see what floats your boat. Now if I were to track my car I certainly get mag ride for the track feature. Since your looking at higher mileage cars....... nothing wrong with that....... eliminate those 2 options and eliminate replacing or maintaining them down the road.

 

My advice would be to buy the newest model year with the lowest mileage that fits your budget....also, don't buy any used C8 without some kind of warranty