It’s time to stir the pot again with another dose of Corvette C7 rumors, this time with a report from Popular Mechanics. PM’s own Colin Mathews found himself conversing with several insiders at this past August’s Woodward Dream Cruise, where he was able to gather (or at least attempt to verify) several C7 rumors that have been circulating. Here’s the latest:
Internally known as “Y1XX,” Mathews reports that the C7 will find its way to market sometime in the middle of 2013 as a 2014 model, which might be slightly further off than some expected. When it does, PM tells us to expect the previously rumored 5.5-liter next generation small block V8 engine mated to either an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. To note, there was no word on the rumored long-stroke 3.0L V8 in development. Currently, Corvette Racing is using a 5.5-liter small block V8 (dubbed the LS5.5R) that pushes out 485 horsepower. That number seems in line with PM’s statement that the base model C7 will exhibit numbers similar to today’s Z06, while the next generation Z06 will be closer to what we currently see in the ZR1. Sounds delicious, but what about the interior?
Well, another insider chirped out that the C7 will shame the interior of the current model, displaying the latest and greatest navigation system and instrument panel, if anything else. The skin of the C7 is expected to be something special, with “Ferrari-style quarter windows for the first time since the C2,” coupled with angled tail lamps, rather than the more traditional rounded off ones. As one designer told Mathews: “the C7 will knock the current Vette out of the water. It won’t be an old guy’s car anymore.”
That last bit — if true — may be the most evolutionary feature of the entire car.
Source: Popular Mechanics
Comments
the engine and quarter window info are correct, the drawing is not close to the c-7
Looks like a CHICK. The Vette (c-7) needs Eye Liner and a Bra. This car looks FEMALE.
Hence it’s not the “real” C7… which is, in fact, here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/chevrolet/corvette/2014-corvette/
I’ll keep my Black C-6 L-3 COUPE until the C-8 comes out.
Meanwhile, I’ll be saving up for a 2016/2017 C7 Stingray.
Until the insurance companies decide to give younger drivers better rates on a Corvette (read “NEVER”) It will always be an old guy’s car. Imagine the response of your local insurance broker if you walked in at 17 and asked what the rates would be on a new Z06. That wouldn’t change much at 25, and by 35 are you really young still?
i hope 35 is still young i am much older than that and I am still young.
How many people under 35 are buying $60,000 cars of any type? I guess they are saying they want people under 60 because it is very rare to have a person under 35 buy a $60,000 two-seater of any brand. In any case the new Corvette looks to be great and I plan to be one of the first with a new C7!
//well over 35
///well under 60!
So what, your like 55? Well Under 60, yeah right
52 just turned. That’s YOUNG
Sheetmetal is for young guys. The old guys need more fiber ( glass )
I dig the c5 and C6 corvettes. THis is my third and I enjoy each one. I guess I could laugh about being suggested that I’m an old guy driving this vette..but think of it this way…I was young when I bought my first one..
The only problem with owning corvettes is that after you own one..its pretty tough to not buy another.. the dam things are so fast…handle so well….look so dam sharp…very few cars compete..
I’m sure the new C7 interior will be beautiful but quite honestly as a corvette buyer I’ve never been dissatisfied with the interior. Sure I had a DSVette D shaped Sport steering wheel covered in Alcantara installed and I love it…as well as a new Heads UP Display for kicks…but I really did it more for the gentlemen who drove from texas to Carlisle in 2 and a half days straight…
Now that i did the HUD..I dig it but its not that important to me compared to the thrill I get when I take the vette up and around the mountains for a fast run.
I also reprogramed the PCM recently so it offers better throttle response.. from corvettes of westchester tuner and its making me laugh even harder as I can more easily access the 436hp and 428 lb/ft of tq..and thats what vettes are all about..
Good looks….and awesome total performance..
JMO and I can’t wait to see the C7 release in 15 months..
If GM offers it up with a base interior and hot engine…(and MCT 8 speed) that be enough to get me drooling for a new vette. I’ve heard it’s a stunningly beautiful design that truly dates the very nice looking C6!
I couldn’t agree more. I’m allready planning my NEW one that’ll hang with the 06.
I’m glad someone is concerned that the current Corvette buyer is matching Buick for age. I hate to say it, but (almost) every time I see a Corvette, I see someone much older (easily 70+) who are reliving the glory days of America’s Sports Car. It also may be the first time they could afford one or their wife would let them buy one.
I love the C6 and think it’s hands down the best GM car on the road. The interior is serviceable, but not befitting the great mechanics. That said, couldn’t bring myself to buy one. At least not in L.A. where the Corvette doesn’t get much respect and the insurance would be insane.
Somehow, the current Corvette equation needs to be shaken up and it needs to become fresh and cool for a new generation. That’s a tall order, particularly when you have to satisfy the current Corvette enthusiast. I can’t wait to see the C7 and what GM does with it.
What is an “old” man? I hope it’s not me at 42. I love the Corvette and can’t wait to see the C7. From the (very) little information I can find online, it seems like the new Corvette is going to make some newer, younger fans without leaving the “old” fans of the car out in the cold. Can’t wait.
(By the way, I’m not fat, bald, poorly dressed or wearing gold chains. That stereotype is what’s getting “old”.)
Ah, my friend. Come with me to Palm Springs, California and I will show you why the stereotype still exists. You’re only 42 — I bet Chevy wishes you would buy a Corvette now, before you qualify for Medicare (assuming it still exists in 23 years). It will be a slick trick to bring in younger buyers while still satisfying the old guard.
Ford has a similar challenge with the upcoming next-gen Mustang, although, like the Camaro, the pony cars still speak to younger buyers. J Mays has promised a completely modern car, not a retromobile. Sure it will have Mustang styling cues, but Ford needs to get it right. Ditto for Corvette designers.
52 and hardly old…I’ve heard all the excuses over the years why people love the corvette but don’t buy one…and most of the time its nonsense..
One trip…one journey on this earth so you might as well make the most of it..(as long as its financially sensible etc)
Just for the record New jersey has among the highest insurance rates in the country and for the past dozen or so years..my new corvette to insure is less than you would think..
Under 800 bucks a year for insurance is chump change..
Corvette owners take succh good care of their cars….the insurance companies realize that and charge accordingly..
the C7 will rock…most kids want four doors for some crazy reason…..I think its what their mommies and daddies told them they would help them pay for.. (joking!)
If it looks anything at all like that rendering then I will forever stick with the C6. That thing above is hideous. Wouldn’t go near it. And I’m 34. Chevrolet should take a leaf from Porsche. Evolutionary styling, revolutionary performance.
Bought first vette at 24, now 52 and have always owned at least one. Porsche “evolutionary styling” please, same body for fifty years.
50 is the new 35! Can’t wait for the new C7 to release!
thanks for the laughs!
Old Man Brownie! @ 52 you bastards!!!!!! (Joking)
She’s 55!!!
Image: http://i51.tinypic.com/k0su3b.jpg
[img]Image: http://i51.tinypic.com/k0su3b.jpg%5B/img%5D
Nice JB! Nice!
PS: can we get some link love from that wonderful forum where your’e an Editor in Chief? 🙂
http://www.crossedflags.com is the site I’m having a blast on. We also do a cool automotive enthusiast web broadcast and we admire your efforts on GMauthority podcast!
“Old man” is simple. It’s priced out of reach for really young guys (teens and twenty-somethings) and the guys in their 30’s and 40’s are dads who need a SUV to haul around the kiddies. It’s only when you get into your mid fifties that you’ve got the cash and no longer have the need for a back seat full time that you’re able to buy something like a Corvette.
But have you ever noticed? Nobody ever says a Porsche is an “old man’s car”, but the guys driving them are the same age as Corvette owners.
Good point. Perhaps the same could be said of the Mercedes-Benz SL series roadster.
I wouldn’t go that far to say that the age demographic for a Porsche is directly in line with a Corvette, but that’s not really the point here. Kids pay more attention to the likes of Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, etc. than Corvettes because, well, they’re sexier.
Well, as a Corvette owner, I’ll be damned if I think a flipping Audi is sexier than my Vette, As for a Ferrari, sure. Add $100k to the price of a Corvette and it can get sexier too.
Personally, I think only Porsche is a reasonable comparison, It’s somewhat more expensive sure, but I think the demographics are very similar.
And finally, I don’t know that anyone really cares what kids think. Chevrolet isn’t trying to market a Corvette to the high school crowd. If they were, it would be cheaper than a Camaro.
Nobody said anything about high school kids. But look at Buick, they’re attracting younger buyers, but not because they’re targeting kids. They’re simply targeting younger, semi-successful young adults, rather than centenarians. That’s good the ‘Vette is hotter in your eyes over an Audi… but most would not agree.
According to Porsche spokesperson Gary Fong, the average age demographic for Porsche is 45-55 with an average annual income of $200,000. 45 years old isn’t exactly Baby Boomer territory, which is the main demographic of the Corvette.
I think that the Corvette demographic depends on where you live. Here in the heart of LA (Santa Monica, West LA, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Sunset Strip, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, Hancock Park), people still have money to burn and they don’t burn it on a Corvette.
Just drive around or go to any entertainment industry haunt (or a Lakers game) and look around. You will see lots of Mercedes, particularly AMG models. The SL is a dime a dozen here. Expensive BMWs Ms and Audi S-variants (or the R8) are common. A Bentley CGT or CGTC is considered a “sports car” and is very common. So is any Aston Martin.
What’s interesting is that the demographics for the above models is all over the board. It’s not uncommon to have “kids” driving an M3 (you know, high school graduation gift or something to drive while attending USC). The “older” guys (30s – 60s) drive an SL or 6-series. The S5 tends to skew much younger. Bentleys tend to be 30s – 50s.
The Italians are well represented too. Speeding Lamborghinis or Ferraris are much more common than you’d think. The demographics are all over the place, and the vast majority own a stable of cars, not just one exotic. From young rap stars to the old money gentleman with a garage full of these things.
Porsche sports cars also are all over the place. You tend to see younger guys (30s-50s) and an occasional hot young woman (and they are always hot) drive the Boxster/Cayman. The 911 skews older, but that too will surprise. I see many younger executives (30s – 50s) working in the legal, financial or entertainment industries driving the 911 in addition to the older (60s – 70s) people who no longer have a brood of kids or who are on their 3rd wife. Any woman driving a 911 is young and very hot – don’t ask me why.
As far as American sports cars, the Mustang and Camaro are both popular. Mustang tends to skew younger, while Camaro is a bit older. The more expensive the version (Boss 302, Shelby GT, SS, etc) the older the driver.
Corvette? Well, you just don’t see that many. And the ones I do see are driven by an older demographic (60s – 80s).
None of this is scientific, it’s just my observations from living in the center of this for my entire life (and I’m 51).
Nice, Todd. Very well-written and an interesting perspective.
LA is one of the trend-setting locations of this country, one from which many trends (fashion, tech, etc.) originate and then spread across the country. As such, LA is a bit ahead of the “curve”. I just hope that the Vette will again become appealing to the trend-setting folks, which would — in turn — make it more appealing for the rest of the nation.
I disagree. A trend is the last thing the C7 should be. A trend by its definition is something that come and goes in a cyclical fashion. The Corvette has been around for almost sixty years because it isn’t trendy. It’s a solid car with a heritage and loyal fan base.It’s not for the kind of people who jump from one thing to the next like trying the newest flavor at Starbucks.Those people are the sheeps of the world.
Nothing would turn me off the Corvette more than to see some idiot like Paris Hilton thinking the Corvette was suddenly the new “it” car.
Very interesting, M. I agree with you — but do you think that a ‘Vette should be “cool” among the young kids? Obviously, they’re not the ones buying the cars. But have a look at a brand like Apple. Cool with the kids, cool with the adults, and useful all the while. What do you think?
It’s the same here in Detroit. Only elders buy a Corvette. If a younger person buys it, it’s not for the curb appeal, it’s for the underrated performance.
Well, the next-gen is supposed to cure whatever lack of curb appeal the current-gen may have. Although to me, it’s got plenty.
I just hope that we never lose sight of the Corvette as a “working man’s” sports car. Even in ZR1 trim it’s the most affordable 630hp car there is, and that’s a good thing. If I can spend half the money and eat a Ferrari, why not? Long live the Vette, it may have issues (I agree with Jeremy Clarkston on the rear bumper) but above all, you get real speed and handling to match or beat anything you encounter for a great deal less.
What is wrong with a plastic bumper? I think all cars should ahve plastic bumpers, it’d be insanely cheap to replace.
Most cars do! Plastic is light, easily pliable for manufacturing, and — when the time comes to replace the bumper after an accident (as it happens for 1/3 of ALL cars in the U.S), it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s also easier to install than carbon fiber or (gasp) metal!
I wonder what he’d say about the small panel gaps immediately under the Camaro’s headlamps.
Clarkston is becoming a rich, spoiled, and stuck-up brat with bad teeth. Not a car guy.
And I think you’re probably right Todd. In LA the cost of living is a lot higher so wages tend to be higher as well. That $50K corvette just isn’t that expensive in LA. I would say however that when you’re talking about AMG Mercedes, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Lamborghini’s or Ferrari’s you’re way outside the Corvette’s demographics financially. You can’t touch any of those for $40K; some of them you can’t touch for a hundred, forty thousand.
I find it interesting that people keep comparing Corvettes to much higher priced cars…and then saying that people don’t buy Vettes, they buy….Bugattis or whatever. No, I’ll happily concede that if you’re looking for a quarter million dollar car, you’re probably not looking at a Corvette.
I agree Rob, and I don’t even think you have to go to the ZR1. C’mon, what is anyone really going to do with the 505 hp of a Z06? If that’s not enough for you, you better be driving somewhere that all the cars go in the same direction and guys are waving checkered flags.
Agreed. Even the base LS3 is more than enough.
My favorite place doesn’t have any “lanes” or stop lights — salt flats 🙂
Hoping to make it out there in the next several months
Yep. That’s on my “bucket list” too Alex.
Interestingly enough…the area of NJ that I live in is relatively snooty so most aspire and own maserati’s, ferrari’s and porsche’s as sports cars…and yet the few guys up and down the block from me who enjoy those mentioned above always give me a thumbs up if they see me cruising in the vette especally with the roof off..
i’d suggest that the corvette is a very well respected sports car and its just a bit boldly styled that some feel its not a good match for themselves. its less expensive and yet often times it offers superior performance. Many chose the euro chic styling of the more traditional sports car because they feel the vettes too loud a styling statement even if they love the look..
I could be wrong…yet thats my interpetation… When your goal is to buy a sports car that says you’ve made it…the two or three times more expensive Maserati Grand Sport coupe thats been out a year or two now…or the Ferrari or the Porsche 911 turbo says it better ..
As well it should since its much more expensive. What I love about the corvette beyond its performance and styling…is that its maintaince routine and costs are so minimal.
Its really very nice to just have to change the oil ever 8k miles when the computer Driver Information center tells you to…Otherwise its wash, wax and check the oil from time to time.
That alone makes me smile just a little bit bigger every time I hammer this bitch down some mountain pass. Knowing that the car can take more than I can ever dish out and not even break a sweat.
I’ve autox’ed, drag raced down at englishtown and done driver events at pocono raceway and believe me guys…the cool part about a vette is that its more capable than the best of us.
Active handling set in competition mode and all of a sudden you Mario Andretti personified and you don’t have worry that the car will ever get away from you. The technology in all the various supercars today is amazing and as the euro set catches up with also lower maintaince intevals and mantaince costs.. more and more enthusiasts who have the coin …can make the choice to drive these cars everyday..
why have a third car when these cars can do it all. After years of having three cars..I’ve moved to just two so that I can enjoy driving the car of my dreams everyday..(I only stay home the first day of each of the snow storms we had last year and its no big deal)
The vette offers excellent versatility in that its inexpensive enough that if it needs to be replaced its not so heartbreaking.. and I park it with the roof off most anyplace I want for the same reason..If it disappears….its no big deal to buy a new one.
Can’t wait for the C7 to release. I expect it to be a tenth or two quicker in acceleration per model and be styled beautifully both inside and out. Should be a winner for sure.
Boy! You really nailed it on one thing JB, yes it is more capable than most of us. It’s the first car I’ve ever owned that I truly believe is better than I am. I’m just not good enough to really make the car work and that’s a humbling realization.
Whats really great about the corvette is that with active handling in competition mode…anywone can take the vette ot its limits on the track and in everyday driving…the active handling makes this truly a vehicle that can be an everyday driver.
Corvettes a lot of fun and for the guys driving around in the POS econo hatch or whatever are the ones who try and rag on the vette..
The guys who drive and enjoy Masterati’s porche’s (SP) ferrari’s..they know the reason enjoy owning them..
When the only person you need to please is yourself when owning a sports car…then the vette rules!
To own one is to know what I’m talking about..
Hammer that throttle…take the car on mountrain roads? It doesn’t get much better than a vette…
Want to stroke the dash? then their are better sports cars for sure.
JMO
Well-put, JB. Well-put indeed.
But I sense that many sports car buyers are looking for the sex appeal value-add (or benefit, if you will) as well. Currently, the Vette is a bit lacking on that front.
I spent a good 2 weeks with a C7 Grand Sport. It’s tons of fun.
I think the people leaving age comments and dogging the vette have never owned one or there just plain stupid. I am 29 and have owned a C3 and a C5 I was going to get the C6 but I decided to wait for the C7 and if you think high school kids can’t afford them well most can’t but the ones that can are still stuck in the fast and furious movie throwing tons if money into a honda civic and those people that say a porsche is sexier than a vette ur an idiot that POS looks like a V.W. Bug on steroids ugly as hell and those of you that say you can’t have a vette if you have kids well your wrong there to I have 3 kids and I love having the vette and me and my wife take it when we want to go somewhere alone and get away for a little while. And last the mustang is a womans car its heavy and sluggish any man in a mustang is either driving there wifes car or they can’t get laid so they got that car and the camaro is a sexy poor mans vette if you can’t afford a vette the next best thing is a camaro if you have to spend more than 140k on a car your compensating for something get real guys and if you have never owed a vette them please shut up.
Alright, for starters — saying that the Stang is a “woman’s car” is like saying that the ‘Vette is an old man’s car. The Stang is lighter and faster than the Camaro in every way… those are facts.
I think it’s fairly established that the reason the Corvette has the reputation for being an “old man’s” car is simply because older individuals usually have the money to spend on a $50,000+ vehicle, whereas younger guys do not. There’s nothing wrong with that — it’s just a matter of demographics. Just like a Porsche is bought by “older” people with more discretionary income.
Now, here’s my question to you: did you buy your C3 and C5 new or used?
I never said the camaro was faster I said a camaro is a poor mans vette if you can’t afford a vette the camaro is a nice second pick. And the stang is a piece of junk. Anyway to answer your question seeing that I’m only 29 no I didn’t buy my C3 new but my C5 yes I got it new. And if you plan on any thing and work for it you can have it I have the money to buy any car I want out right but I will wait till the C7 I might even wait till the vettes anniversary addition and go to kentucky so that I will have the very first ZR1 made of that year
But you also said that the Stang is a woman’s car — which is hilarious. Call me a Ford fan if you want, but you need to give credit where credit is due: the pony car that was never discontinued and thus enjoyed decades of engineering refinement is anything but a piece of junk!
Coming back to my earlier question: did you get your C3 and C5 new, or were they used?
Man’s car ? Woman’s car? I think the bottom line is once you drive a corvette …and then you buy one…its hard to go to antoher product..
I first drove the Corvette C5 back at an invitation of GM called the ride of a life time.. I really was not thinking of buying a corvette or any car at that time…I had such a good time driving that car that day…(with the advancement of active handling which back in the summer of 1998 was quite impressive)
I drove home that day and thought to myself…That was a lot of fun and I’m going to buy one..
Well just as I was rolling to my 39th year on this planet..I was like I have to own that wild @ss sports car..ordered one up on the phone …and ever since…no other vehicle I test drive compares to the same year corvette….So lo and behold..I just keep buying new corvettes..
After three different models and they are all fantastic…I’ve aged from 39 and a day (hence celebrating my 40th birthday with a new car such as a RED C5 coupe!) to over 52…
When a vehicle completes its mission to his cliente base as well as the corvette does…it tends to carry a repurchase loyalty that continues for decades…
Its that great of car yet it will also tend to appear the buyer for the most part is older.. Really what it is….is that once you start buying corvettes you usually can’t settle for anything else..
For the YOUNG GUYS who buy them….it tends to be their first one so they like everyone else who buys their first corvettes tends to keep them in the garage when its rainy etc…
Once a person gets older they wake up or at least I did and decided…screw saving the car for the next guy…Enjoy it now…hence why people tend to see older people..(if 52 is considered old which is another entire discussion for another day)
Bottom line.. young guys tend to save their vettes for beautiful day driver whereas older guys are like…its a fantastic sports car which will probably outlast me on this earth! LOL
As we age we continue to buy corvettes ….and hence that continues to raise the average age of corvette buyers by the very nature of life…
the cars too good not to repeat buy the new model..
Happy thanksgiving guys and thanks for the forum to discuss such car related topics.
Looking forward to the next podcast too. Been missing them lately …so get back to work on the next one for itunes download pronto (if you could) ;).
JB
I always say your only old when you stop living life to the fullest. And I just hate when people try to compare a $100k car to a car that is any where from $200k to $600k and then maintenance is one of the lowest cars on the road and those other cars are just crazy how much they cost to do regular maintenance $500 for an oil change is crazy but you are right when you fall in love with a car you stay with it. And happy thanksgiving to you to
True, the ‘Vette is in a class of its own… for now.
But at $50,000+ for a new one, I doubt Corvette owners have trouble paying for maintenance… as long as it’s not $500 for an oil change! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ill give ford this they make strong trucks. And I have driven a stang and I talk from my own experiance I thought it was junk and I have worked as a car sales man a long time ago and if you knew what the resale was on a stang you would shake your head its one of the lowest resale cars I’ve seen buy it is junk in my opinion and to your question I got my C3 used and my C5 new. And I will be in kentucky to watch my C7 get built and add my own touch to it maybe I can see you there and there is no stang that will touch my ZR1 I have made more money in the last 2 months going to the track than most make working 6 months
I completely agree and with that said is why I will always and for ever own a vette and not have a car that costs as much as my house and I get more enjoyment from my vette than most owners that own a lambo or porche or any other car $200k plus. Have a blessed day tomorrow ill be back for more great convo friday if you would like. And ill end it with GO COWBOYS LOL
So is there any true info of what the C7 will look like or what changes there will be
C4-C6 lines were just a little soft, making me a fan of C3 for its flowing crisp lines that followed the C2. I “m excited from what is shown here for the C7, style, technology & performance. I really do not mind the quarter windows, its different, and may trend well for the C7. I’ll wait to C’ what makes final production.
i always wondered why the Vette is Always teased for being an “old mans car”. i was just at the International Auto show here in Tampa, and when looking at a C6 Z06 (my favorite by the way!) i noticed how there was never a shortage of young guys such as myself (34) and younger (teens – early 20s) ogling the Z06 and ZR1.
all of us knew the stats like the back of our hands, and many who didn’t where blown away by the hp figures, and execution of the overall package. i also notice an acute lack of hate in regards to the interior.
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again. ANYONE who complains about the Vette’s interior isn’t in the market for one anyway and is just trying to justify why they are buying European or Japanese instead. the Vette is about all out performance for the dollar with a bit of brash American Style. you don’t get all that go fast Raw Dog kick ass ability AND a suede lined interior with English cow leather at the price Vettes go for. IT’S ONE OR THE OTHER. and people who pick Vettes don’t care to explain how much more expensive the Alcantera on the dash is when they just got spanked in a race.
I’ve been in C6 vettes, and the GTR as well as a few Porches and even a Ferrari. the Vette is what it is. a $50,000 car with $100,000 performance. the so called “low rent interior” puts a smile on my face. because it’s a sign that the engineers put money where it was needed. never mind the Vettes interior is hardly “low rent”. if you think a Vette has low rent interior, but a GT-R or Supra doesn’t you’re on crack. if you don’t like the styling say so. but don’t make sh#t up. can it be better? sure especially now that the gear head mags have made a point to regularly gripe about it. and the so called auto “elitist” find that’s all they can complain about, sure for the C7 step the Vette’s interior game up GM. But mark my words; i guarantee they’ll complain about some other “cheap feature as if the whole car was terrible just because of it. Its a Vette and that’s how it’s ALWAYS been.
As long as there is something from Europe or Japan to compare it against, no matter how much faster and better driving it is, it will AWLAYS be criticized harder because it’s low brow American. the Corvette has no pretension of being other than what it is; a Blue Collar Supercar!
Thanks for the comments jzEllis, but based on those comments, I’d hazard the guess that you don’t own a Corvette. I do. And I don’t think you understand all these complaints.
I can live with the low buck switches and cheap carpets. What I can’t live with are no side-bolsters to hold my fat ass in place when I’m in the curves and worse, the cheap as hell latches on the seat backs that break and release the entire seat back to go flying backwards.
Yes, I certainly understand and agree with you regarding the Corvette being a $60K car with $100K performance and I certainly want to keep that. They can keep the suede interior, the contrasting stitching and the two tone dash. But the hardware that holds it all together and the things that the driver needs to safely put the car through its paces needs to be top notch and they are far from it right now.
I agree about the cheap seat latches. A well know issue with ALL GM sports cars. My 05gto front seats have the same issue. Although my interior is better than the Vettes by a few miles! Heck a few of my friends with e36 m3s and one with a new (at the time) 09 BMW 330i complain how much higher quality the Austrailian GTOs interior is vs theirs.
Honestly the only gripe I have about the newer Vettes is how unsupportive the seats are. That said I figure if u can afford a Vette than u can afford to install racing seats. When I get mine that’s the first thing modded next to the exhaust. Corvettes are WAY too quiet!!
Well my friend, unlike you (I suspect), I am an old codger of 60. I don’t need racing seats, but I do need supportive standard seats. If they can put them in a Miata, they can put them in a Corvette without breaking the bank.
Believe me I feel ya. The awesome seats are one of the reasons I bought my GOAT. I honestly feel GM did what they did with the weak, non performance seats because most owners don’t even come close to the limits of the Vette and have no intention of ever doing so.
Some one earlier was talking about foreign sports car owners vs the Vette. And just from my experiences and observations, it’s true. Except for younger guys driving used Vettes you NEVER see older guys beating on their Vettes. Yet with Porsches BMWs MIatas or just about any other “sports” car with young or old drivers; they get used and used hard.
With the Corvette, it seems more like a “lifestyle” demographic surrounds the car. Car shows, club meets, visiting the Bowling Green plant. You know leisurely relaxing type activities. Almost none of which involves actually driving the car hard. Not saying there aren’t hardcore enthusiast, I know 2 out in VA with wide bodied 600+hp c6s who were more than happy to make us young guys look like slow pokes.
Let me assure you Jz, that the only reason you don’t see old guys “beating on their vettes” is because you haven’t driven Ga. 400 in Atlanta very often. There you will see at least one well kept black one…if you can keep it in sight.
I bet! makes me wish I was in Atlanta still, I might have to start prowling GA 400 to catch a glimpse of your beast.
One thing is for sure, among hardcore go fast guys, foreign or domestic driving, the C5-C6 Vettes are respected. The bang for the buck performance can’t be disputed. And from Lemans, to the street, the winning record of the Vette is nothing to sneeze at.
I’m 52 Own my c-6 and am a Microsoft Tech. I just mutured (until I got my Vette, now)but feel 30, and will retire when I’m 80 and will be driving my Vettes until I DIE.
That’s the spirit! 🙂
What is the definition of an “old guy”? When I was in my teens dreaming of owning a Corvette, it was anyone over 20… in my early 20s, it was anyone over 25… in my 30s, it was someone older than 40 or even 45… now in my mid 40s, it’s someone over 60. I think the older I get, the older “young” is. Someone mentioned the insurance companies above. I think the key driver of who can a Corvette be reasonably marketed to is price. I for one, do not want the car to be de-contented. So, if we keep asking for more performance (world-class) a better interior, etc, etc, the price point will stay the same (with efficiencies and sharper pencils) or go up. Here’s to making more $ earlier in our careers so that younger people can afford Corvettes. If that doesn’t work, I am all for offering less optioned Corvettes to lower the entry point or providing some of the capabilities in lesser vehicles as entree to the brand (read Camaro or other small RWD offerings). Note that Prosche has a much higher starting point for the 911, but pulls this off with a price range of almost double to go all the way up to the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. I’d love to see a ~$40k FRC with a manual tranny, 400HP V8, and zero options, all the way up to a >$100k ZR1. To expect a Corvette below $40k to get to a much younger market, seems to ask for Corvette to be something it isn’t.
I never understand the arguments centering around the Corvette. In 84′ Gm produced the first production car to pull 1g. and critics said it rode too rough. Today the seats totally offset the unbelievable performance of current models. I own a ZR1, the cars like driving an F15. Its’ capabilities leave my driving skills as well as 99.9% of other drivers in the dust. If you guys ever learn to drive the Corvette to its’ potential you might begin to understand how good American engineering is. Sports cars are about speed and handling and Corvette rules. If you are after seats and drink holders get a Rolls. Being slow is not sexy(even with wood trim)! Buy American, buy the best. Regards,T.
Everyday I drive my used vette I vow to buy the new one. My C-6 is just the best coupe ever. I’m PROUD to BUY American even if Florida has few unions. Chevy Apple Pie and my Vette, could be a song. One day I’ll take my present one down for a Birth Certificate in Kentucky. My buddy Randy Conklin (The biggest Vette Fan EVER) got me this right before he passed. He Sure knew his Corvettes and Friends.
There is certainly a lot to know about this topic. I really like all the points you made.