). I bought a Vette because there wasn't a better performing car for the money out there.
C7 Corvette
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
The lines are to sharp for my taste, I guess that is why I love the C5 design.
But as they say, I wouldn't kick one out of the garage ;^)
I hope the Vette survives these changing times but if it gets pulled from production that may actually create a pent up demand like what happened with the Camaro. I just hope Chevy doesn't do what Ford did to the original T-bird ;^(
But as they say, I wouldn't kick one out of the garage ;^)
I hope the Vette survives these changing times but if it gets pulled from production that may actually create a pent up demand like what happened with the Camaro. I just hope Chevy doesn't do what Ford did to the original T-bird ;^(
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 47
From: Mill Creek Washington
Then it's possible that the Corvette may not survive to see a C8.
I've said this in other threads but it bears repeating. The demographic of the new Corvette buyer is aging and disappearing in numbers that aren't being replaced by younger, financially successful owners who aspire to a Corvette. Instead, these younger people lust after the BMW M series, the 911/Cayman/Boxster, GT-R, Audi RS. Living in a Microsoft neighborhood and just a mile from their North campus, I see the high end vehicles being driven and Corvettes are not among them. And when I got mines, I was asked why I didn't replace my BMW, or go the route of the other vehicles I mentioned. I wasn't asked how the Corvette drove and what technologies it had.
The Corvette suffers from an image problem among the younger, financially capable buyers who will be in the market for this kind of car for the next few decades. It is perceived as being owned primarily by the gold chain set who need the wider seats to accommodate their wider selves, who don't use the performance of their car, and who pamper it like a megabuck exotic when owners of these other way more expensive cars are driving them all winter long in all kinds of weather. Whether or not this is true isn't the total point - it is the perception and that perception becomes reality in the eyes of this demographic.
I've said this in other threads but it bears repeating. The demographic of the new Corvette buyer is aging and disappearing in numbers that aren't being replaced by younger, financially successful owners who aspire to a Corvette. Instead, these younger people lust after the BMW M series, the 911/Cayman/Boxster, GT-R, Audi RS. Living in a Microsoft neighborhood and just a mile from their North campus, I see the high end vehicles being driven and Corvettes are not among them. And when I got mines, I was asked why I didn't replace my BMW, or go the route of the other vehicles I mentioned. I wasn't asked how the Corvette drove and what technologies it had.
The Corvette suffers from an image problem among the younger, financially capable buyers who will be in the market for this kind of car for the next few decades. It is perceived as being owned primarily by the gold chain set who need the wider seats to accommodate their wider selves, who don't use the performance of their car, and who pamper it like a megabuck exotic when owners of these other way more expensive cars are driving them all winter long in all kinds of weather. Whether or not this is true isn't the total point - it is the perception and that perception becomes reality in the eyes of this demographic.
Up until a couple of years ago I did a lot of traveling and Corvette's have a very strong presence everywhere I went. Actually Mustangs and Camaro's also have a much, much stronger presence than they do here and I see a few of those running around up here. I've spoken with a number of reps recently from GM and I keep hearing a similar sentiment with regards to GM vehicle sales specifically with Corvette and Camaro in the PNW. GM's take based on what they have told me is that the PNW is very pro imported cars. I get that. There is a lot of money in the PNW and imported cars are a status symbol. It's more important for people to let others know that they are special and buy what that feel best represents that. Owning an American car in the PNW has the opposite effect IMO. I even had a rep at SEMA two weeks ago suggest that not only is the PNW pro import but actually anti-American. That is a truly sad statement if it were true. If any of this is true regarding perception of Corvette in the PNW how do you change that? You can't do it with marketing. People will just look at it and laugh suggesting that it's lie's to get people to buy inferior cars. The general populace has to come around and realize that the Corvette is in fact high tech, while offering the best value for performance compared to most any other sports car available.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 6
From: Redmond WA
After getting it and putting some miles into it, it's a dang good driving vehicle, and a much more integrated performance car than the major car mag reviews give it credit for. Yeah, the interior is not up to the quality of the other, sometimes less expensive vehicles, but for someone wanting performance, there's very few cars out there at any price that match it. And I say that from having driven practically all of the vehicles that I've listed as competitors.
So, how does GM improve the image and get performance drivers to give the Corvette a look? Because I think once they do, it becomes a contender for the money. I've "converted" a few neighbors already who have driven my car and were quite impressed with the overall vehicle, and did more than just give lip service to saying that they'd now consider it for a next vehicle (not that they'd be trading in their Porsches any time soon).
Originally Posted by NW94Z
I even had a rep at SEMA two weeks ago suggest that not only is the PNW pro import but actually anti-American. That is a truly sad statement if it were true. If any of this is true regarding perception of Corvette in the PNW how do you change that? You can't do it with marketing. People will just look at it and laugh suggesting that it's lie's to get people to buy inferior cars. The general populace has to come around and realize that the Corvette is in fact high tech, while offering the best value for performance compared to most any other sports car available.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 47
From: Mill Creek Washington
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 47
From: Mill Creek Washington
The C5 to C6 redesign was considered so mild by many that the C6 was often referred to as a C5.5. Granted in previous generational changes the differences were often drastic but if the last upgrade is any indicator the C7 may be a slightly tweaked C6 with new styling cues taken from the latest Corvette concept. That doesn't mean under the skin the car will not be much improved or changed to stay current with existing technologies. Maybe GM is listening to everyone complain about how utterly terrible the Corvette interior is and more of the development costs are going here instead where it belongs like powertrain and styling? Then we can all sit in a wonderfully finished interior while the rest of the worlds sportscars hand us our rear ends and wave as they drive past. Wouldn't that be ironic?
We're still over a year away from this car being unveiled and that's if it's not pushed back again. I'm not sure than anyone has ever gotten official spyshots this far out from release for the Corvette. I suspect in the next three months cars in camouflage winter testing will come to light like they did for the C5 and then over the spring and summer additional pics will be snapped as the test fleet grows and grows as development approaches it's peak.
Until I see pictures of the actual sheetmetal these renderings were derived from I think it's hard to say just how accurate this leak is. I recall the early C6 renderings didn't do the final car justice.
We're still over a year away from this car being unveiled and that's if it's not pushed back again. I'm not sure than anyone has ever gotten official spyshots this far out from release for the Corvette. I suspect in the next three months cars in camouflage winter testing will come to light like they did for the C5 and then over the spring and summer additional pics will be snapped as the test fleet grows and grows as development approaches it's peak.
Until I see pictures of the actual sheetmetal these renderings were derived from I think it's hard to say just how accurate this leak is. I recall the early C6 renderings didn't do the final car justice.
Looks like the rendering may be relatively accurate but the camo is pretty thick. Roughly a year to go to the unveiling. I think we'll see some leaked pictures of a car without camo sometime in the fall.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
Don't tell Ian, but I'm looking into actually having my tires chrome plated. Can't wait to pop that on him.Where did this whole dark wheel thing start anyway? Seems like a sort of Star Wars or NASCAR thing to me, but I may be wrong. My daughter reminds me I usually am.
For that matter, why do so many (younger?) people like them (Yes, Joe, I consider you a younger person). Now why Poodle Girl likes them is deserving of a story. I figure in dog years she has to be nearly 150 years in age. Do you suppose maybe that dark wheels don't show dog pi** as much as chrome or polished wheels?
Where is Young G this weekend. He's been a bit quiet.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 215
From: WA
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
For that matter, why do so many (younger?) people like them (Yes, Joe, I consider you a younger person). Now why Poodle Girl likes them is deserving of a story. I figure in dog years she has to be nearly 150 years in age. Do you suppose maybe that dark wheels don't show dog pi** as much as chrome or polished wheels?
How else would they get the average corvette buyer to notice them sitting in the lot
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
Ask Keith, he has black wheels on his z06 and I think he has a couple years on me.... Seems like most of the high dollar mopar cars sold at barret jackson ( that I've seen) have black wheels.
Are you watching the auction on a color TV Ian?
How else would they get the average corvette buyer to notice them sitting in the lot
Are you watching the auction on a color TV Ian?
How else would they get the average corvette buyer to notice them sitting in the lot
