Did Chevy Miss The Mark............

N

Norm

Guest
.......with the C8 customer base? Some interesting thoughts from this one fellow.

Did Chevy miss the mark on customer base with the C8? - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

C8 General Discussion - Did Chevy miss the mark on customer base with the C8? - I was watching a YouTube video which had clips from many of the engineers and design staff for the new C8. In every one of the clips each of those folks stressed on the track regarding handling traits and performance...
www.corvetteforum.com
 
z06_tim

z06_tim

Busy user
Good point, but I think they have done much better than that point suggests. They have built a car that is much more capable on track, but with class leading luggage space.

There will be a tiny percentage that use on track, but the bragging rights will be worth a fortune to the marketing and appeal of this car. Hence why a lot of the marketing is appearing to push the track aspect.

Looking at it from another angle. How many owners really use the 0-60, or 1/4mile capability of their cars. They just want a car that has the capability of all this performance, plus features like a targa roof panel, and the potential to go on a road-trip with some luggage, or play golf if that is your thing!

I believe it will be difficult to find a competitor car in this segment, and at this price.
 
N

Norm

Guest
So what are you saying, the Corvette C8 is not a true sports car? Got side by side comparisons between the two you can show? I'd like to see those stats.

The way an individual looks at something is all subjective and in the eye of the beholder. I believe the C8 has better looking lines. We can agree to disagree........:)

Does Jag have a mid-engine? ME and FE, two different animals.

I found one.

blue c8.png
silver c8.jpg
jag me.png
 
z06_tim

z06_tim

Busy user
That £53k F-type has four cylinders! Not my cup of tea. Doubt they even sell that model in the U.S.

The ME F-type looks good, but it is just an autocar rendering. Be interesting to see if they actually deliver it in 2022, as it sounds like JLR have tightened their belts.

Edit to add - seems you can get the 2.0L I4 F-type in the US. From $61k. Wonder if they actually sell any?
 
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Roscobbc

Roscobbc

Moderator
For many of us unfortunate enough not to afford a new Vette, Jag, Porsche, Hyundai or whatever its worth looking back overt the last 20 years at comparative vehicles - and specifically Jaguars and Corvettes. For the life of me (and let me apologise to any die hard Jaguar enthusiasts on here for what I am about to say) I just can't see why someone would want to own a used Jaguar 'sports car'? - a 15 or 20 year old saloon is more of less worthless if it needs the slightest bit of work done to it - the 'sports' cars (and we can't include the F type as its too new and doesn't really have have a snagging history as yet) are they much the same?......... if the reliability and cost issues of the existing saloon and 'sports' models are as poor/expensive as what I am lead to believe then there is no contest at all.
BTW - what do we all class as a sports car? MX5, MGB. TR's E Types? - are Vette really a 'sports' car? Is a Vette, Ferarri or Maserati a GT in the European idiom?
 
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N

Norm

Guest
Nice write up Ross. The Corvette, shall we say, is America's only true sports car. So I guess comparing to other countries sports cars is all subjective, and of course, I have to lean towards the Vette, 'cause that's the only vehicle of that "species" I have experience along those lines. :)
 
Redlevel

Redlevel

Well-known user
z06_tim said:
That £53k F-type has four cylinders! Not my cup of tea. Doubt they even sell that model in the U.S.

The ME F-type looks good, but it is just an autocar rendering. Be interesting to see if they actually deliver it in 2022, as it sounds like JLR have tightened their belts.

Edit to add - seems you can get the 2.0L I4 F-type in the US. From $61k. Wonder if they actually sell any?
Click to expand...
Who cares what powers an F-type, it has lovely, simple uncluttered lines, a delightful looking car.

In 2k miles around Cal/Nev (cities, coasts and deserts) last year we saw a number of Jags but only one C7 Corvette (the yellow hire hack in LV) so if C7's arent flying off the shelves, the C8 has no chance especially with that styling apart from novelty value. Doesnt matter how well it handles or how fast it goes as most will be garage queens and everyone will wait for someone else to buy one in case its full of bugs and wifi software upgrades. A car that learns/transmits/hacks your phone to GM or some agency all about you and how you live, and even where you drive to raise itself for your local speed bumps and potholes.. Do you actually own it? Something basically wrong there..

I'll take a proper look next week but from what Ive seen so far, it looks like it has no motor if the rear ride height is anything to go by.

I fear GM's sportscar future may well be Camaro shaped (..no bad thing and very popular in the US), especially if Ford are keeping the Mustang.
 
N

Norm

Guest
Invetterate said:
Err, as to sales - the entire planned production run for the first year of the C8 sold out in a week.....
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Nah.........where did you read that, was that from an official GM press release or website?
Link please, I have to tell my buddies this.
 
Invetterate

Invetterate

CCCUK Member
jalopnik.com

The 2020 C8 Corvette Is Almost Sold Out

The C8 Corvette: You love reading about it, we are okay with writing about it. But if you want to own it, to feel all 495 horsepower humming behind the driver’s seat, you’d better hustle down to your local Chevrolet dealership and get your order in as the long-fabled mid-engine Corvette is...
jalopnik.com jalopnik.com
 
z06_tim

z06_tim

Busy user
Some numbers in this link to "sporty" car sales in the US, which show just how well the C7 was doing for 2018MY.
www.goodcarbadcar.net

Sporty Car Sales In America – December 2018

Best Selling Sporty Cars in America for December 2018 Here you will find the Sporty car sales leaders in the United States for December 2018. Each month we compile the Sporty car model sales data and reports for North American markets and analyze it to create the best selling list below. Quick...
www.goodcarbadcar.net

F-type and Porsche 911 are way behind these numbers, even as Corvette sales are in decline, since everyone has been waiting for the C8.

The muscle cars (Camaro, Mustang, Challenger) do really well, and are obviously a market segment to be in, but looking at this I would keep a muscle car and a sports car in my line-up if I were GM.

My feeling is that Corvette will be used to spearhead GMs move into the hybrid hi-tech arena, and mid-rear engine will be the perfect vehicle for this. I'm expecting to see a front driven axle added to the mix, with a P4 motor in the front possibly adding anything from 100-200bhp.

Exciting times for people in the market for a new sports car, and GM are in a fantastic position to do well with the new C8.
 
N

Norm

Guest
Invetterate said:
jalopnik.com

The 2020 C8 Corvette Is Almost Sold Out

The C8 Corvette: You love reading about it, we are okay with writing about it. But if you want to own it, to feel all 495 horsepower humming behind the driver’s seat, you’d better hustle down to your local Chevrolet dealership and get your order in as the long-fabled mid-engine Corvette is...
jalopnik.com jalopnik.com
Click to expand...

Sorry, fake news.
Jalopnik is a commercial rag where their only goal is to generate money, just like Motor Trend, Road & Track, and the rest. There may be just a sprinkling of truth in the story for some sort of integrity associated with the writer, most is pablum. There is so much BS on the internet now, unless you can independently back up that story, take it for what it's worth.
My source, Mike Furman, Criswell Chevrolet. Mike is the top Corvette salesman in the country, if anyone would know, it would be him.
I sent him the above Jalopnik link, his response......fake news.
 
A

avdb

Guest
Maybe the C8 is in the same category as the Lotus Exige.

Both mid-engine, capable track cars and more exotic looking (to me) then the F-type and 911
 
Redlevel

Redlevel

Well-known user
Norm said:
Some interesting banter on C8 orders.

The TRUE waiting list at your dealer... - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

C8 General Discussion - The TRUE waiting list at your dealer... - I am curious to what you guys think the true percentage of buyers are on your dealers waiting list? I was talking to my guy at my dealer and he told me the following: * Many were on the list before the car was ever revealed and...
www.corvetteforum.com
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As its as yet untested, I think a lot of wannabe owners will be holding off until it appears to be reliable and bug free and let others possibly take the hit.
Remember the electrical problems it reportedly had. These kind of problems dont just vanish overnight especially on a car that you won't really have total charge of..
 
Roscobbc

Roscobbc

Moderator
Speaking to DP at Ian Allen Motors earlier today (and actually 'fishing' for C8 to show at London Classic) they don't expect to see a C8 (and presumably rhd) until first quarter of 2021........
 
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