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Like everyone else has said, the C8 is a much better drivers car than my C7. The one advantage the C7 has over the C8 is the storage space. We were barely able to put two back packs in the frunk and two soft sided bags in the trunk for our 1900 mile trip home. We once put a Honda 2000 generator in the C7 in an emergency. I know that the total space is supposed to be be the same but the C7 space is more useful. That being said, everything is else is much better in the C8.
Like everyone else has said, the C8 is a much better drivers car than my C7. The one advantage the C7 has over the C8 is the storage space. We were barely able to put two back packs in the frunk and two soft sided bags in the trunk for our 1900 mile trip home. We once put a Honda 2000 generator in the C7 in an emergency. I know that the total space is supposed to be be the same but the C7 space is more useful. That being said, everything is else is much better in the C8.
I could pack a lot of stuff in my C6 verts and I thought they were great cars - but no way I would go back
Have you actually driven a C8 or are you just speculating?
Yes, although not hard (wasn't my car). You can also just look at the numbers the cars put out. A Z06 has much higher lateral grip then a C8 on corner entry and exit "how the car feels when you take a turn on a street" isn't a metric. You can go look up testing of both cars, a Z06 will handle better.
Yes the C8 is a good car and yes this is the C8 discussion but I feel like some people drink a bit to much of the koolaid to objectively compare the cars because its finally mid engine. The C8 is the better street car, is more comfortable, better interior and it will actually put the power down, but handle better it will not, although mind you, if your pushing the handling limits on the street your just asking for trouble.
I kept my 2014 C7 Z51 7 speed rag top and my 2020 HTC Z51 shares space in my garage. Bothe cars are great and both are very different. C7 is more 'brutal'. C8 is a ***** cat (a very fast cat, but much more civilized). Personally, I enjoy both and will keep both because they are totally different experiences. I love shifting my own gears, but I admit the DCT is fast, smooth and precise. There is just something special about grabbing a shifter and directly moving shafts and gears, vs pushing a button, that sends a signal to a computer, that signals an actuator to move a gear.... high tech, effecient, but not as much fun.... in my experience and opinion.
Al Engel. "Save the Wave"
Two questions, Al.
1) So what do you think of the square C8 steering wheel?
2) How does cargo volume compare? I really like the amount of space in my C7.
A C8 Z51 doesn't handle or corner better then a C7 Z06, maybe your more willing to push your C8 due to the fact you were scared of pushing the Z06 but it certainly doesn't handle better.
Driving in adverse conditions is a tire problem and a driver problem. I've driven in rain and below freezing in my Z06 on the stock tires, no issues. The all seasons on your non Z51 C8 should make it better but its hardly the cars fault you couldn't handle rain or snow in a C7.
Can you think of a way to express your opinion without being insulting? I thought Canadians were supposed to be nice???
For FSVERBODA.... squared off steering wheel is no problem, in fact I like it. Storage space in C7,with the top up and the dividing wall down, is greater in the c7 vs c8.....but, with the top down, C8 wins the storage race. We did a road trip to Cape Cod in the C8 with top down, two airline rollers in the trunk and two more duffels and loose coats / shoes in the frunk. Could not do that in the C7 with top down.
For FSVERBODA.... squared off steering wheel is no problem, in fact I like it. Storage space in C7,with the top up and the dividing wall down, is greater in the c7 vs c8.....but, with the top down, C8 wins the storage race. We did a road trip to Cape Cod in the C8 with top down, two airline rollers in the trunk and two more duffels and loose coats / shoes in the frunk. Could not do that in the C7 with top down.
Yes, although not hard (wasn't my car). You can also just look at the numbers the cars put out. A Z06 has much higher lateral grip then a C8 on corner entry and exit "how the car feels when you take a turn on a street" isn't a metric. You can go look up testing of both cars, a Z06 will handle better.
Yes the C8 is a good car and yes this is the C8 discussion but I feel like some people drink a bit to much of the koolaid to objectively compare the cars because its finally mid engine. The C8 is the better street car, is more comfortable, better interior and it will actually put the power down, but handle better it will not, although mind you, if your pushing the handling limits on the street your just asking for trouble.
So you're commenting on the handling of a car you haven't driven hard? I saw 1.4g in a C8 in some corners at Spring Mountain, not sure the old Z06 has MUCH HIGHER LATERAL GRIP, how much more? News flash, they don't make the old front engine cars any more, it's moot, GM has moved on and anyone that doesn't will be just left behind.
Here is my 2015 Z06 and my 2021 Stingray. I bought both of them new. I agree that the 2021 is better in every respect than my Z06. Ok I miss the hidden compartment behind my display in the Z06. I am still getting to use to the automatic. If someone said you have to give back your 2021 and go back to the 2015 Z06, I would be quite glum.
Last edited by SMFCPACFP; 06-07-2021 at 01:46 PM.
Reason: error
I waited 15 months for my C8 - I ordered a base coupe with NPP and Mag Ride. Well built car but it was just not for me - I sold it 9 days later. The seats were not comfortable, I found the outside vision atrocious and I missed rowing the gears.
So glad I held onto my 2019 Callaway Z06 M7 vert. That car is a keeper.
I am happy for those of you who love the C8. Some of us prefer earlier generations and that's ok too.
I had a C7 without mag ride and now have a C8 z51 with mag ride. The C8 in sport and track mode is definitely bumpier but I wouldn't consider it harsh. With the shorter nose, the C8 definitely corners and handles better and during spirited acceleration, you definitely feel the transfer of power from the engine to the wheels to the pavement faster.
Yes, although not hard (wasn't my car). You can also just look at the numbers the cars put out. A Z06 has much higher lateral grip then a C8 on corner entry and exit "how the car feels when you take a turn on a street" isn't a metric. You can go look up testing of both cars, a Z06 will handle better.
Yes the C8 is a good car and yes this is the C8 discussion but I feel like some people drink a bit to much of the koolaid to objectively compare the cars because its finally mid engine. The C8 is the better street car, is more comfortable, better interior and it will actually put the power down, but handle better it will not, although mind you, if your pushing the handling limits on the street your just asking for trouble.
I think they are just expressing the car feeling more nimble, balanced, accurate and quicker to respond.
Ultimate peak numbers on a track don't exactly translate into how a car handles in average brisk street driving.
I waited 15 months for my C8 - I ordered a base coupe with NPP and Mag Ride. Well built car but it was just not for me - I sold it 9 days later. The seats were not comfortable, I found the outside vision atrocious and I missed rowing the gears.
First time I've heard anyone say the seats were uncomfortable with regard to the base seats. What about them in particular was uncomfortable for you?
Regarding the visibility, I've asked several 1LT guys how bad it was, and the responses I got were it's fine/no issues at all. Just have to set your mirrors properly.
Regarding the visibility, I've asked several 1LT guys how bad it was, and the responses I got were it's fine/no issues at all. Just have to set your mirrors properly.
It's funny, I feel the visibility is completely fine. (1LT) I have intentionally tested it and as soon as a vehicle is no longer in the rear view, it's in the side view mirrors, and as soon as it leaves the side views I can see them next to me (all this is the order if I was be overtaken). I have worse blind spots in my 2020 GMC Terrain.
First time I've heard anyone say the seats were uncomfortable with regard to the base seats. What about them in particular was uncomfortable for you?
Regarding the visibility, I've asked several 1LT guys how bad it was, and the responses I got were it's fine/no issues at all. Just have to set your mirrors properly.
The base seats were way too tight on my shoulders - I found the the plastic shell too narrow.
My car was 2LT. In terms of visibility, I'm referring to the lack of vision over the shoulder. I was way too nervous driving the C8 no matter how I adjusted the mirrors. And backing it up as well.
This was my seventh Corvette. I know that the car is an amazing track vehicle but, in terms of the 99% of the driving it would get, it just didn't do the trick for me. I don't miss it at all.
But that's okay as i still love these two rides that are in my garage.
Here is my 2015 Z06 and my 2021 Stingray. I bought both of them new. I agree that the 2021 is better in every respect than my Z06. Ok I miss the hidden compartment behind my display in the Z06. I am still getting to use to the automatic. If someone said you have back your 2021 and go back to the 2015 Z06, I would be quite glum.
Nice comparison photo. From this angle the C8 looks more refined while the C7 has a brawny presence that is completely different. This helps explain why some people find C7 more attractive, I think.
A C8 Z51 doesn't handle or corner better then a C7 Z06, maybe your more willing to push your C8 due to the fact you were scared of pushing the Z06 but it certainly doesn't handle better.
Driving in adverse conditions is a tire problem and a driver problem. I've driven in rain and below freezing in my Z06 on the stock tires, no issues. The all seasons on your non Z51 C8 should make it better but its hardly the cars fault you couldn't handle rain or snow in a C7.
Do you own a C8 ? You're making statements as if they are fact and if you have not owned and driven the C8 how can you be so confident?
I own a 16 z06 z07 Callaway SC757 as well as a 2020 3lt z51 HTC and can say with confident and from experience that the C8 handles much better than my Callaway.
Totally different driving experience. The Callaway is difficult to drive anywhere near its limits and the tq and Hp are far more than the chassis can handle..
The C8 is much easier to drive at or near its limit and from 0 to 100 is just as fast as the Callaway.
Anything past 100 mph and the Callaway will walk the C8 no question.
The Callaway is a brute and a hand full to drive fast and the C8 is much more refined . Maybe even a little bit to refined.
I also own a 2015 458 and the C8 driving experience is similar to that of the Ferrari just slightly more refined but very similar that both are easy to drive at the limit.
I can state without reservation that the C8 is a much more refined and much easier to drive at the limit and undoubtedly handled more like the Ferrari bs the C7 Callaway.
I am excited to see what the C8 Z06 will bring to the table. The C8 is already world class in performance and interior quality is night and day more refined and with better materials than the C7 3lt.
I think the C8 z06 will rival th euro exotics in performance and interior quality that is leaps better than the C7 or any Corvette from prior generations.
While the C7 was leap better than the rental car interior of the C6 the C8 is leaps better than the C7 in in 3lt configuration. Not yet on the level of Ferrari but very very close to the Ferrari.
C8 is undoubtedly the best value of any car I have ever owned and I expect that the C8Z06 will be a world class sports car with super car level of performance at ridiculously reasonable pricing compared to its euro counterparts. As we all know Black shows any and all imperfection. My 458 has ceramic coating and make upkeep a breeze. Would never own a black car without ceramic coating C8 older brother. 16 Callaway SC 757
For the OP, you have received a lot of feedback on the handling and performance of the C7/C8 debate, but I will try to address your specific questions. I came to the my current Z51 MSRC Z51 C8 coupe by way of a 2016 non-Z51 MSRC A8 C7 coupe.
1. Is the ride quality better? Without question YES! I never got the MSRC software upgrade on my 2016, but the ride on the 2020 with the latest generation software in sport mode is much, much smoother than the 2016 in tour. I haven't used track mode much since I still have the hold over believe from C7 days that it can damage your wheels on street roads with potholes. Not sure that is still true based on the few times I have tried it though. The C8 ride in tour is easily as smooth, comfortable and good as my wife's luxury SUV without the high center of gravity and roll. Another thing I notice in the C8 is that the ride is not as jarring. There is a bridge near home, that when I went over it in the C8, the joint was like hitting a pothole, complete with a loud thunk and a large jerk. The C8 (even in sport mode) takes the same joint no worse than the cement joints on an interstate highway. I attribute some of this to the coil over shock suspension on the C8 versus the transverse leaf spring of the C7. It just seems intuitive that the wheels are somewhat more independently sprung and more capable of working separately without a common spring connecting them. The final point I will make on ride quality is the cabin noise. You still get quite a bit (but less IMHO) of tire noise in the C8 but overall it is so much quieter than the C7. My wife and I can easily carry on a conversation and I can listen to, and hear, the radio at less than rock concert level volume. I attribute a lot of this to the lack the large echo chamber behind your ears in the C7 that also contains the rear wheel wells.
2. Wouldn't a C8 without Z51 package ride best? I can't answer from experience but suspect it will be a trade off. The suspension will likely be softer (lower rate springs, smaller sway bars) but provide less precise handling and more body roll. A compromise might be the non-Z51 equipped with MSRC. On my 2016, I did notice a significant difference in handling between the modes.
3. After getting over the new high of owning a C8, is driving a C8 more exciting? Not in the foreseeable future. My car is a little over 6 months and 4,100 miles old. Hardly a day goes by that I do not drive it. Other than the 180 miles home from the dealer, the rest of the miles have come in less than 50 mile round trip quantities. I look for excuses to drive it, and if I don't need more than two seats or more cargo capacity than the car can provide (and it is quite a bil as long as things don't get oversized) this is the car from the "fleet" that gets the call! I think my favorite feature is the DCT. I went with an A8 on the C7 due to a shoulder problem, wanted to love it but never could. With the DCT, I don't think I will miss my manual transmission cars again.
The base seats were way too tight on my shoulders - I found the the plastic shell too narrow.
My car was 2LT. In terms of visibility, I'm referring to the lack of vision over the shoulder. I was way too nervous driving the C8 no matter how I adjusted the mirrors. And backing it up as well.
This was my seventh Corvette. I know that the car is an amazing track vehicle but, in terms of the 99% of the driving it would get, it just didn't do the trick for me. I don't miss it at all.
Are you sure you had the base GT1 seats? Because I've never heard this before. They are the most "open" (so to speak) seats between the 3 options, and every review I've heard stated they are very comfortable, even for long trips. I've heard some people complain about the Competition seats being too tight, but never heard that about the base GT1 seats. Not sure how you fit fine in the seats of your other Vettes but not the C8?
And why were you nervous backing it up when it has a rear view camera??
As far as looking over your shoulder, that's something I never really do. I was taught to use my mirrors so that my head is still facing forward to see what's in front of me, so that's what I have always done. Yes, as with all mid-engine cars, the rear visibility isn't the best, but from what I've heard the mirrors on the C8 work just fine for visibility. Again, all the feedback I've seen has been it's a non-issue. And if your car was a 2LT you had the rear view camera...so...??
Gotta be honest, it sounds like either you never owned a C8, or else you just flipped it right away, and justifying the financial decision because your criticism's don't make a whole lot of sense...
06-06-2021, 11:33 AM
