Back after 24 years - Riptide Blue Metallic C8 Stingray - NJ

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Jun 1, 2026 | 12:58 PM

KFresh

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: Jun 2021

Posts: 12

Likes: 28

Back after 24 years - Riptide Blue Metallic C8 Stingray - NJ

Hey everyone,

I'm finally back in the Corvette community after a long hiatus. More than 20 years ago, I was an active member here when I owned a 1999 Nassau Blue Metallic C5 Hardtop. I ended up selling it in 2004 to buy an engagement ring.

Looking back, trading that C5 for an engagement ring was a terrible trade-in deal. The marriage ended up getting lemon-lawed years ago, whereas that C5 would still be incredible today. Lesson learned.

Fortunately, life is all about major upgrades. I'm happily back in the Vette game thanks to the ultimate garage and life upgrade - my amazing fiancée, who insisted I get another Corvette.

I just picked up a 2025 Stingray 2LT Z51 Coupe in Riptide Blue Metallic with full-length white dual racing stripes and under 2,000 miles on the clock. A totally different car that somehow still feels the same as sitting in my C5.

The car is nicely optioned and includes:

Z51 Performance Package
Z51 Performance Suspension with Magnetic Selective Ride Control
Front Lift Adjustable Height with Memory
GT2 Bucket Seats
Engine Lighting
Battery Protection Package
PPF on the front

It’s great to be back on the forum.

A few pix attached below.

Cheers!

Jun 1, 2026 | 04:18 PM

kkupec02

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2021

Posts: 5,133

Likes: 208

From: Bristol, Connecticut

welcome!!

Jun 1, 2026 | 05:17 PM

1bdvet

Team Owner

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 53,782

Likes: 5,623

From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990

U.S. Air Force

St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26

NCM Sinkhole Donor

Welcome back, and love the color, and your wife sounds like a keeper, have fun cruisin together!

Jun 1, 2026 | 06:48 PM

Vetteman Jack

Administrator

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 368,340

Likes: 24,779

From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

MO Events Coordinator

St. Jude Co-Organizer

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

NCM Sinkhole Donor

CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran

Congrats on your C8 and moving this over to C8 General.

Jun 1, 2026 | 07:20 PM

ArizonaZ06

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 2,428

Likes: 1,199

From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ

The C8 has brought a lot of past C5 owners back. Your new C8 Coupe looks awesome!!

Last edited by ArizonaZ06; Jun 1, 2026 at 07:21 PM.

Jun 1, 2026 | 08:10 PM

RobWilson

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 2,979

Likes: 281

From: Tulsa OK

Welcome back! Congratulations on the C8!

Jun 1, 2026 | 08:15 PM

patton

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 3,551

Likes: 738

From: panama city beach florida USA

St. Jude Donor '09

more than 35 years of corvettes , i took 15 years off for porsche now back to torque in a new 25 e .......and i left new joisey 3 years ago for florida

Jun 1, 2026 | 08:21 PM

Kevin93

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 839

Likes: 185

From: North Wales PA

Welcome back - from another long-hiatus guy!

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Jun 1, 2026 | 09:56 PM

gunnerjuju

Drifting

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 1,542

Likes: 54

nice car

Jun 1, 2026 | 10:43 PM

#10

Jimmers467

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2026

Posts: 112

Likes: 119

From: NW Pennsylvania

Welcome back. Love the car. The stripes really make it pop and stand out!

Jun 2, 2026 | 03:48 AM

#11

449er

CF Community Team

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 14,150

Likes: 7,434

From: Pittsburgh

2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

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Congrats on your new ride, don't forget to wave!

Jun 2, 2026 | 04:48 AM

#12

DonC7

Racer

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 409

Likes: 522

From: State College, PA

2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

Congratulations, and welcome back!

Jun 2, 2026 | 04:14 PM

#13

FRAZIER74

Intermediate

Joined: May 2026

Posts: 31

Likes: 1

From: California

Welcome Back & Congratulations on your C8. Beautiful color and love the stripes!

Jun 3, 2026 | 07:08 AM

#14

Radley

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 2,769

Likes: 378

From: Pensacola, FL

Welcome Back!

Jun 3, 2026 | 07:26 AM

#15

HOGSONTHEROAD

Advanced

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 89

Likes: 22

From: Eastlake Oh

Congrats. Love the color combination. Welcome...

Jun 3, 2026 | 03:34 PM

#16

Riptide Mike

3rd Gear

Joined: Jun 2026

Posts: 3

Likes: 2

Riptide Blue is the fastest color. Enjoy the heck out of it and wishing you many years of happy, safe journeys.

Jun 3, 2026 | 03:47 PM

#17

Hopper12

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 2,786

Likes: 2,328

From: Central UT

Your C8 looks great! And congratulations on the upcoming marraige too - that part of your saga remids me of a bumper sticker I saw some years ago "Got some new scuba gear for my wife. Sure was a good trade". Best, Paul