Comparing the Latest Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro
It used to be that Corvette was always on top performance wise, while the Camaro trailed behind. Now that certain specification gaps have closed, however, there's reason to really think about the way these two American icons relate to one another.
1. The Tides are Turning Between Corvette and Camaro
It used to be that Corvette would get all of the best toys to play with first as Chevrolet's halo car, and the top performer at GM (and often all of Detroit). It's been Chevrolet's favorite child almost since the star, after all, and with decades of success to show for it, that practice made perfect sense. Camaro was always seen as the Corvette's little brother, but fast forward to recent times, however, and the Camaro has been outselling the Corvette at a five-to-one ratio. The Corvette may have a higher MSRP, but surely the Camaro makes more money for the company overall at the end of the year. Everyone's got their own favorite, but where do the two stand today?
2. Many Corvette and Camaro Specs are Neck-and-Neck
It is popular to look at the Camaro/Corvette comparison like a sibling rivalry; they're both share some DNA within the same family, but they'll each do whatever's necessary to come out on top of the other. Interestingly enough, when Hennessey Performance tested the 2017 editions of the Camaro ZL1 and Corvette Z06 side-by-side, they found negligible difference in speed. While the Corvette's lightweight design and handling would probably give it the edge on tight racetracks or roads with lots of twists and turns, it's remarkable how close together they are. While the Corvette is designed exclusively as a sports car, the Camaro offers more versatility as a daily driver, with four seats and storage space.
3. There's a Major Price Difference
Corvette and Camaro appeal to different market demographics, and the biggest distinction between the two lies in their price. Although there have been exceptions, Corvettes have always been more expensive to start. While the MSRP for a base Corvette in 2017 is $55,500, the base Camaro for 2017 is priced at just $27,000, or $37,000 for the V8 powered SS. If Corvette's are typically around $20k more to buy, it is little wonder why Camaro has been schooling them with sales as of late. One interesting exception was during the sudden surge in Camaro popularity after the first Transformers film came out. When the fifth generation Camaro's returned it was significantly pricier than before due to pent up demand, and by 2009 a mid-trim Camaro was actually more expensive than its C6 'Vette counterpart. As it stands now, the Corvette is back to being the more expensive proposition.
4. Insurance Costs
Insurance costs also factor into many purchases. A new Camaro is reported to have an average yearly insurance cost of around $1,340. By comparison, the same site estimates the Corvette to cost 35% more, at around $1800. While this obviously depends on the initial value of the cars, and the driver, Camaro is commonly the cheaper route. This is especially true when you factor in Camaro's comparable specifications on the road.
5. They Have Their Own Design Philosophy
The Camaro is still a "muscle car" to many, a term which immediately brings to mind the American car culture of the 1970s. While the Corvette has chosen to keep pushing itself onward as a cutting edge design philosophy, constantly evolving its look, and barely ever playing the retro styling card. The Camaro hues closely to the style of the original 1967 version, updated for the 21st century, much like the Ford Mustang retro design, playing to those who have grown nostalgic for that 1970s rule of cool. The C7 Corvette's width and contours still show some C2 Sting Ray influence, but it's just a nod back to the past. Even with the thoroughly modern C7, from all reports the new C8 Corvette is going to be a great leap forward, even farther.
6. An Alternative Within the Chevrolet Family
Some found themselves disappointed with the (perceived) underperformance of the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport. In many such cases, Chevy customers found a willing alternative in the Camaro line, specifically the 2017 ZL1. The fact that Chevrolet can compete with itself in this manner is actually helpful for the company on the whole. There's a lot of brand loyalty involved with performance car buyers, and offering a similar, but different, car like the Camaro means a customer can buy within the family they know, taking their loyalty along with them.
For help with service of your car, check out the how to section of CorvetteForum.com.