Is Now The Time To Consider A C8?

[Joshinator99]

C8 Z06 is an amazing car and beyond our Camaros if you want a sports car. I’ve had the opportunity to check out a 2LZ w/ceramic brakes and a topped out 3LZ and I thought very hard about buying one of them. The price tag is steep, no question. But at the end of the day I wanted a muscle car, so that’s why the Camaro is in my garage.

[KingLT1]

I like the C8 but I don't like the gearing. The DCT gear box has a steep drop in 4th or 5th(?) gear and it's worse than the 5th in the 8l90. The C8 stingray hits a brick wall around 80-90mph. The Z06 isn't much better. It hits a wall around 110-120 which I could probably live with, but I still like V8 sound. Not sure why GM does this. Just keep the ratios close so there is only 5-600rpm drop on each gear change until the 1:1.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by Rapid_blue_zl1_22

I saw a post the other day saying a Zora test car was spotted with a manual transmission. If that is true, I would think it would trickle down to all C8 trim levels. I would definitely consider a manual transmission C8!

Very interesting. If a manual made it into the C8 it would make the decision much easier for me. One can only hope it eventually does.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

As a manual transmission diehard there are only 2 cars I’d give up having a manual transmission for. 991/992 GT3 and C8 Z06. Those cars I think are so epic everywhere else I’d be okay having a DCT. I think you’ll miss the power and shifting yourself if you get a regular C8. Yeah it launches like a bat outta hell but it won’t pull much harder than your prior SS 1LE. Your ZL1 pulls much harder at highway speeds than a c8.

I hear you. That's the main reason I'm hesitating. And you can get a GT3 with a manual. My niece's husband has a 2023 with a six speed manual.

Originally Posted by Broooster

I wasn't even going to comment but here's my little story. I went from driving a manual to getting a 2017 Chevy SS (sedan) automatic, paddle shifters and all. Bought that car because I figured the wife would drive it some. Didn't happen and I regretted buying the automatic every single day. I came up with every excuse possible to convince myself that the auto was just fine, be happy. At the end of the day, I was miserable and lying to myself. And that's how I ended up here, I traded the SS for a manual ZL1, and it scratches the manual itch.

I'm the same way about having a manual. I'm pretty sure I'd be miserable in a matter of months. I love the engagement a manual provides.

[speedyink1]

My interest for the Camaro was and still is higher then for the Corvette. The main reason is the manual, I just can't deal with automatics. I dunno, they just end up pissing me, always.

I do very much like everything else about the Corvette, it's a definitely a nice sports car.

[NG329]

Not personally a huge fan of the C8. Underwhelming power, no manual option, and won't finish a corner without tinkering. It's less practical around town and I can't take my 6 year old on drives. Can't bring spare wheels and slicks to the track unless I trailer it.... and the list goes on.

ZL1 for me. I've been on track with a few Z06s and although they pip the ZL1 in performance, 99% of them are not driven well enough to get to experience it up close. You really need a deep bag of talent to drive that car fast and keep things civil. For me, even the Z06 isn't special enough and they chased a decade old design in the Ferrari 458. Believe it or not, a 14 time National Champion (Andrew Aquilante) showed up at one of our track events with a stock motor C8, that had an aero kit, brakes, slicks, and suspension - Basically $20k in mods. His protege/tester ran faster than any Z06 has ever been around NJMP. So in spite of the new Z06 engine characteristics, seeing him do that in your run of the mill C8 made us all even question the leap that the Z06 is supposed to be over the base C8. I don't believe that it is, quite frankly. ...and that's 20 years of track experience talking.

With all that said, I am on the list for the ZR1 though. It's hard to argue with 1,100 horsepower. The car has presence, performance, and needs nothing right off the truck. As for the ZL1, I've always felt GM dropped the ball by not giving us slightly better aero, the LT5, and a better supporting fuel system for the outgoing Camaro.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

I like the C8 but I don't like the gearing. The DCT gear box has a steep drop in 4th or 5th(?) gear and it's worse than the 5th in the 8l90. The C8 stingray hits a brick wall around 80-90mph. The Z06 isn't much better. It hits a wall around 110-120 which I could probably live with, but I still like V8 sound. Not sure why GM does this. Just keep the ratios close so there is only 5-600rpm drop on each gear change until the 1:1.

Can you play with the diff ratios on the C8? On the 6th gen ZL1 as you know, the gear is welded onto the shaft and you can't swap.

[KingLT1]

Originally Posted by NG329

Can you play with the diff ratios on the C8? On the 6th gen ZL1 as you know, the gear is welded onto the shaft and you can't swap.

Not sure but a potential problem with that depending on power is even if you could it would make the lower gears much shorter. Which might not be useable on the street. For example, put a 3.73 M6 diff in a 2.85 A10 car and you wouldn't likely have traction until 4th gear at stock power.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Not sure but a potential problem with that depending on power is even if you could it would make the lower gears much shorter. Which might not be useable on the street. For example, put a 3.73 M6 diff in a 2.85 A10 car and you wouldn't likely have traction until 4th gear at stock power.

Gotcha. Thanks....and that makes total sense. I'm thinking race track use only since I'm primarily in 3rd thru 5th. Ideally, I'd mainly like 4th and 5th gears a little shorter in the ZLE.

[TTown918]

With a C8, you also get to worry about getting a defective transmission.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

The C8 does have some advantages over our cars, however, I don't find the base model attractive in any way. Maybe the ZR1 or even the Z06 would be something to consider, but then the price tag is a joke, and it still looks and sounds like a Ferrari

This is one of the most appealing aspects of the Z06, it sounds exotic but slightly deeper since it's a larger engine. In my opinion it sounds better than any flat plane crank McLaren, Ferrari, or Lamborghini.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by TTown918

With a C8, you also get to worry about getting a defective transmission.

Not really unless you it happens within the first 2-3k miles and the vast majority have no issues. Keep in mind the C8 is produced in higher volume than the Camaro SS and ZL1 so you're going to see more failures. On my second C8, first was a Stingray, second is a Z06, no issues with either car.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

C8 Z06 is an amazing car and beyond our Camaros if you want a sports car. I’ve had the opportunity to check out a 2LZ w/ceramic brakes and a topped out 3LZ and I thought very hard about buying one of them. The price tag is steep, no question. But at the end of the day I wanted a muscle car, so that’s why the Camaro is in my garage.

Its SOOOOO worth it! I have ZERO regrets on buying my 2023 Z06/Z07 HTC. I still love driving my modded ZL1 too though.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Its SOOOOO worth it! I have ZERO regrets on buying my 2023 Z06/Z07 HTC. I still love driving my modded ZL1 too though.

Congrats, the C8Z is likely the best C8 overall. I wouldn't trade my SLE in for a Stingray, I would for a Z06 but its out of my budget. I'm sure the ZR1 is amazing but unless you're a pro level driver how is this going to work out? And the cost of driving an 1000+ hp car on track has got to be insane.

I was just checking a C8Z out at a local cars and coffee, my only issue with it is it's size... about 1" wider then my SLE on 18x12s.. Made an R8 parked next to it look tiny.