ColoradoGS

In so many of these C8 threads people are like "Ferarri this" and "hypercar that". Suggestions of "well if the C8 isn't XYZ I'm gonna buy a McLaren!" Story time.

I went to the supermarket today at lunch in my grocery getter--a 2017 Grand Sport. I parked in the back of the parking lot (as one does) and when I came out there was a guy crouched down behind my car taking pictures with his phone. As I walked towards my car he stood up and asked "Is this your Vette?" I can say with confidence that being able to say "Yeah, that's my Vette" after years of dreaming never gets old no matter how many times someone has asked.

We talked about Corvettes for a bit before he went back to his car where his wife was hiding in embarrassment. His favorite thing about Vettes? The performance you get for the dollar. We talked about how I've wanted one my whole life and finally was able to pull the trigger. He was like "one day, dude, one day". And that's the thing. A Ferrari could never make him feel like that. Sure, it'd be cool to see one and he'd probably take a picture of it too. But he could never ever imagine actually owning one. He can realistically dream of owning a Corvette one day. That's the difference. GM could shock me but I'd bet pretty strongly the C8 is going to be the same as the C1 though C7 have been. An attainable sports car with great performance and a "reasonable" price. Yes, a Ferrari will have a better paint job. Yes, a Porsche 911 Turbo S will have a better 0-60 time. Yes, a McLaren will have more carbon fiber and exotic styling. But 95% of all Corvette buyers won't care because those cars are just cars they see in videos and on Jay Leno's Garage. The Corvette is the one they can save for and one day have someone taking pictures of it in the grocery store parking lot.

Oh and what angle was he taking pictures from? Straight from behind of the tail lights. I guess that angular, droopy, waterfall, definitely non-round design by the no-skill designers left on the Corvette team isn't as hideous as some people here report it to be.

CorvettoBrando

Amen.

smithers

It does seem like people have suddenly forgotten that Corvettes have always been priced in a way that made them realistically affordable to common people. There seems to be an expectation that GM has suddenly said "to hell with that" and decided to abandon their current market and make it a car most people won't be able to afford (that $100k+ range).

Chances are high that this car will basically be a Corvette with the engine in the middle. And that's fine. But most people seem to have this idea in their heads that going mid engine means it is has to look like a LaFerrari and cost $150k+(or even worse the hope that it's a halo car like the Ford GT). But there have been plenty of cars over the years that were both ME and affordable. There is no reason the C8 can't do the same.

fasttoys

ColoradoGS

I am with you, I know many say GM moving to an ME is not the normal course but I disagree with them. GM has been talking about going to an ME for 30+ years. I am very confident they are NOT changing their main foundation which has always been attainable, Performance car with innovative technology for the price point. I feel they will follow the same as they did with the C6 & C7 with a modest price bump throughout the ME line up. (ME base, Z51, Z06, ZR1)

Quick points:
For many 65K plus sports car is not truly attainable depends were you fall on the pay scale. I have friends buying a 30k car would be a dream because of priorities, circumstances or just being frugal & on the other side buying a new Ferrari every year is no big deal.
Ferrari owners have dreams just have more disposable income and at one time could have owned a few Corvettes and just decided to move to their next dream car.
Was driving a Mclaren pulled into a gas station and over the loudspeaker I hear what kind of car is that & I will trade you. I tried to pay at the pump but it would not work. Walked in for a water & to pay and was asked by a few people what kind of job do I have and how do I afford a car like that. There are two sides of all stories which can make car ownership a pain in the A. I am not a guy that buys a car to show off, I buy the car I like and the brand name is irrelevant to me.
Corvette has done an incredible job to attract some of the 1% earners to the brand.
I saved up and purchased my first Corvette when I was 22 years old 1980 L82. (man I was a broke)
Because I was so car crazy I moved my car dream to own many of the brands (Porsche, BMW, Audi, Alfa, Lotus, etc)
I have been waiting on the ME list since 1/2016 after selling my C7 Z06. The entire time I never thought it was going to be a halo car and feel the price won't be far off the previous generation. Time will tell.

capevettes

Well said. Corvette is and always will be the American dream car. These are exciting times.

John T

NY09C6

People some how associate mid engine to exotic super car and assumed that had to be the case with the new corvette.

cv67

Oh I bet it could...and then some.

ColoradoGS

You missed my point--sorry if I wasn't clear.

The Ferrari could certainly out do the Corvette in "wow" factor (especially if driven but even if just standing still). But it wouldn't give the guy the same rush because he knows he will never, ever own one. It's the attainable part of the Corvette that makes it special to so many people.

pietro c7

Latterlon

If Tadge had his way and/or the recession had not interfered with budgets, we would have had a mid engine Corvette for years now, and the thought of going back to a front engine layout would be considered absurd. They are going to produce a wonderful car bred with Corvette DNA and race heritage, and it will be especially good value for money.

A more extreme example is the Porsche Cayenne, or Panamera. Porsche is a great engineering company with motorsport heritage on track and off road. The thought of them making an SUV or sedan seemed preposterous to some, but the result was a class leading vehicle that, surprise, drove like a Porsche.

Just as Porsche's non GT cars opened a broader sales base for the brand, the same will happen with the mid engine Corvette, and hopefully severely lower that average owner's age (sixty something?).

RonnieC6Z

Just so you know, I have owned over 40 cars, only one at a time, each my daily driver. They include Porsches, Ferraris (plural) Viper, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Nissan 300ZX, and you name it. And I have also owned 11 Corvettes, my current a C7 Z51 convertible, which just happens to be my favorite car that I have ever owned. Of course, looks are subjective, and I think my C7 is more attractive than any current Ferrari. (I think the last truly beautiful mid engine Ferrari was the 360, and front engine Ferrari was the 599) If GM does what I think they will with the C8, it will be a grand slam home run, a steal for what it costs, and first and foremost, a Corvette.

Ghostnotes

I think the progression to mid engine is GREAT and at the right time in its evolution.

ExRedRacer

My sentiments exactly. Great story...

ltomn

While this makes a lot of sense, it is not the case with me and, likely, a lot of others. I have never owned a Corvette and haven't pined for one while owning a lot of BMW's, Mercedes and Audi's. My attraction to a ME Corvette comes from the clear observation that it is going to be a cutting edge car with contemporary technology at a price point that I'm comfortable is going to be a veritable deal compared to other mid engine cars. It is a deal even at $150,000 given the accoutrements that are known to be going on it. All this suggests is I'm not the typical Corvette devotee. I'm a car nut looking for the latest and greatest at a good price.

Mjolitor 68

solotronics

Exactly! The Corvette has always been about world class performance at an attainable price point. It's pretty weird seeing people complain about how the A8 C7 transmission isn't as good as like a McLaren or 911. Those cars are 2x+ the price of a Corvette of course the transmission is better! I think the C8 looks amazing and guess what, other people my age think it looks good too and I think the C8 will attract a lot of buyers who would otherwise consider a 911, Aston, or Jag. Seeing the leaks of the new car I would much rather buy a C8 than a 911!

I can't wait to trade in my C7Z for a C8 or C8Z. GM knocked it out of the park on the design of the new car

LIStingray

That is 100% false - few buyers of the Cayenne and Macan, if the hadn't previously owned a Porsche, bought a 911 or Cayman/Boxster. What the Porsche SUV's have done is made a boatload of cash for Porsche, which has allowed them to stay in business - without the SUV's, Porsche would have folded during the last recession.

ArmchairArchitect

To take the title of this post literally, the meaning of corvette is actually a lightweight, maneuverable battleship.

Jimbob26

Owning a Corvette is a lifestyle choice. I have a couple of friends who are "Porsche" guys and they don't think the Corvette is exotic enough, or maybe they are out for the status. One friend who has a 996 Porsche Turbo had his dad tell him - "Sell the Porsche and buy a real sports car - a Corvette". Gotta like it. My Corvette is fun, beautiful, and after 5 years (this October) I still think of it as a brand new car the way it makes me feel. There's nothing wrong with the other marques,, and everyone has a personal preference. That said, I can't believe the McLaren and Ferrari are better engineered than the Corvette, and they are certainly not as reliable. Porsche may be the exception as I think Porsches are some of the best engineered and built cars around. I used to own one, and my Corvette is way more fun, better looking and way faster. Maybe someday I will own a Porsche, but it would be a Turbo S and my Corvette will always be with me. Or, maybe a ME C8. Either way, the Corvette is a preference, and a smart one in my opinion.