Is Now The Time To Consider A C8?

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

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.

To each their own

Well if I wanted Ferrari sounds, I'd buy a Ferrari (or Lamborghini), if F1 style whine was my thing, I'd buy a McLaren, but from a Corvette I expect sweet, rumbly cross plane crank noises, I'm old school that way.

That said, I do realize the C8 Z06 is much cheaper than these exotics, so those who prefer FPC engine sounds and want an exotic looking American car, the C8 Z06 is a great choice.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

To each their own

Well if I wanted Ferrari sounds, I'd buy a Ferrari (or Lamborghini), if F1 style whine was my thing, I'd buy a McLaren, but from a Corvette I expect sweet, rumbly cross plane crank noises, I'm old school that way.

That said, I do realize the C8 Z06 is much cheaper than these exotics, so those who prefer FPC engine sounds and want an exotic looking American car, the C8 Z06 is a great choice.

The thing is Ferrari and Lamborghini have NOTHING in the Z06's price range that even comes close performance wise. I've owned a McLaren 720s which was also MUCH more expensive than the Z06 and it was quicker accelerating, but it doesn't handle quite as well as the Z06 does and the sound from the McLaren is terrible in comparison. In fact, the sound is the ONE thing I really disliked about the 720s.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

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.

I love the width of the C8 Z06, it looks super aggressive.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

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.

Not quite true. A few weeks ago my 2021 C8 spent 12 days in the service department for a valve body replacement.

At 13,000 miles and 3.5 years of ownership, the transmission in my C8 decided it didn't want to use the even gears. All required transmission maintenance had been performed. The transmission filter was replaced twice at 4000 and 7500 miles and the transmission fluid was replaced at 3 years per the manual.

Hang around the Corvette forums and you'll see lots of posts dealing with C8 transmission problems. They can occur at any time regardless of mileage.

The DCT in the C8 is poorly designed and the most unreliable feature of the car. Plus it makes the car boring as hell to drive.

I wasn't a fan of the transmission before the valve body replacement but now I absolutely dislike it. Had I known the transmission would be this unreliable, I would have never bought a C8.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by hawk02

Not quite true. A few weeks ago my 2021 C8 spent 12 days in the service department for a valve body replacement.

At 13,000 miles and 3.5 years of ownership, the transmission in my C8 decided it didn't want to use the even gears. All required transmission maintenance had been performed. The transmission filter was replaced twice at 4000 and 7500 miles and the transmission fluid was replaced at 3 years per the manual.

Hang around the Corvette forums and you'll see lots of posts dealing with C8 transmission problems. They can occur at any time regardless of mileage.

The DCT in the C8 is poorly designed and the most unreliable feature of the car. Plus it makes the car boring as hell to drive.

I wasn't a fan of the transmission before the valve body replacement but now I absolutely dislike it. Had I known the transmission would be this unreliable, I would have never bought a C8.

Sorry to hear that, all has been fine in both of my C8s. As well know though, you were certainly hear from those that have had problems compared to those that haven't.

[hawk02]

To the OP, I owned a 2017 M6 ZL1 for almost 8 years. I loved that car and would not trade it for anything BUT a CT5-V Blackwing with a manual transmission.

As luck would have it, a local high-end used car dealer had a 2023 m6 5BW for sale in May of this year. I said goodbye to the ZL1 and bought the 5BW.

For me, it was a good decision. I think the BW will hold its value over the long run better than the ZL1 because it's somewhat rare, a Cadillac, and has a manual transmission.

Even though the BW only has 18 more HP than ZL1, the LT4 in the BW feels a lot more "goosed" than the LT4 in my ZL1. I attribute it to the BW being on GM's Global B platform like the C8. With that platform, GM is finally using wideband O2 sensors. I suspect fueling is more accurate because of the wideband and as a result, the Cadillac engineers have bumped up the timing on the LT4. You can feel it in normal driving despite the BW weighing 125 lbs more than a ZL1.

OP, If you're looking at other options out there, I would not recommend at C8 Stingray. And this is coming from someone who currently owns a C8 and has for the last 3.5 years. I suggest you give a good hard look at the CT5-V Blackwing. I'll go out on a limb and say it's GM's best-performance car currently being made.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by hawk02

To the OP, I owned a 2017 M6 ZL1 for almost 8 years. I loved that car and would not trade it for anything BUT a CT5-V Blackwing with a manual transmission.

As luck would have it, a local high-end used car dealer had a 2023 m6 5BW for sale in May of this year. I said goodbye to the ZL1 and bought the 5BW.

For me, it was a good decision. I think the BW will hold its value over the long run better than the ZL1 because it's somewhat rare, a Cadillac, and has a manual transmission.

Even though the BW only has 18 more HP than ZL1, the LT4 in the BW feels a lot more "goosed" than the LT4 in my ZL1. I attribute it to the BW being on GM's Global B platform like the C8. With that platform, GM is finally using wideband O2 sensors. I suspect fueling is more accurate because of the wideband and as a result, the Cadillac engineers have bumped up the timing on the LT4. You can feel it in normal driving despite the BW weighing 125 lbs more than a ZL1.

OP, If you're looking at other options out there, I would not recommend at C8 Stingray. And this is coming from someone who currently owns a C8 and has for the last 3.5 years. I suggest you give a good hard look at the CT5-V Blackwing. I'll go out on a limb and say it's GM's best-performance car currently being made.

Thanks for the reply and your insight on the C8. First hand experience is always a plus. BTW I spoke to a friend of mine over the weekend who previously owned a C8 and he offered a similar opinion about the C8. He now has a Darkhorse with a manual transmission.

Although I've never read or heard anyone say that the BW isn't a great car, it's not really something that interests me as a weekend type car because it's a sedan. I certainly agree with you that it will hold its value and one with a manual transmission is likely to be very rare and therefore more valuable in the long run.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

I love the width of the C8 Z06, it looks super aggressive.

Agree wholeheartedly here. I love the wide stance and styling of the C8 Z06. It's quite the looker.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

The thing is Ferrari and Lamborghini have NOTHING in the Z06's price range that even comes close performance wise. I've owned a McLaren 720s which was also MUCH more expensive than the Z06 and it was quicker accelerating, but it doesn't handle quite as well as the Z06 does and the sound from the McLaren is terrible in comparison. In fact, the sound is the ONE thing I really disliked about the 720s.

Interesting take here, because the 720s is my 'Go To' if I am unable to secure the ZR1.

Supposedly, there's a rumor floating that the next C8 update might include a manual. I don't know how true it is, but if they put a manual in the Z06/ZR1/Zora, I'd be all-in and make a poor financial decision with no regrets.

Regarding handling, I feel that both the 720s and the Z06 will have you chasing the steering wheel once you push them hard. I'd argue that the ZL1-1LE with the stickiest rubber available is GMs best handling car ever mass produced. It's just so composed. The C8 Z06 laps faster solely by way of power delivery and pop off the corners.

[NG329]

For reference, here's the vid of the stock motor C8 running a 1:22 at NJMP:



Here's the same C8 in the wind tunnel getting tested
https://youtube.com/shorts/uUmhCN8x0...2sZwOpQlSAso17

Here's the vid of Andrew Aquilante running a 1:20 in his championship winning race car:




For reference, the fastest I've seen (or heard) a Z06 go around NJMP is a 1:25.

[Camfab]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I just visited the Corvette museum in Bowling Green a couple weeks ago, saw a gazillion C8s and wouldn't want to trade my SS for any of them. The seats are tiny, the interior cramped, and the Stingray doesn't have much power.

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

Then again, at least the Corvette is not discontinued, a fact that can't be ignored, so no judgment from me if someone wants to trade, it's just not a slam dunk proposition IMO. Oh, and if someone didn't like visibility in the Camaro, well guess what, you'll see absolute jack out of a C8, but interestingly nobody complains there

This 100%

[Rock-It Man]

The Camaro and Corvette are such different cars, regardless of performance package.

Muscle car vs budget super car.

I could have had either, but the choice of a ZL1 was a no-brainer for me, so it's all about personal preference.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by NG329

Interesting take here, because the 720s is my 'Go To' if I am unable to secure the ZR1.

Supposedly, there's a rumor floating that the next C8 update might include a manual. I don't know how true it is, but if they put a manual in the Z06/ZR1/Zora, I'd be all-in and make a poor financial decision with no regrets.

Regarding handling, I feel that both the 720s and the Z06 will have you chasing the steering wheel once you push them hard. I'd argue that the ZL1-1LE with the stickiest rubber available is GMs best handling car ever mass produced. It's just so composed. The C8 Z06 laps faster solely by way of power delivery and pop off the corners.

Don't get me wrong, the 720s is an amazing vehicle, and both will handle better than a ZL1. Only complaint I had with the 720s is the sound, it just doesn't sound that good until you start to wind up the engine. Just cruising around town sounds muffled and not very aggressive. Both are amazing cars to drive in their own way. You do feel the weight more in the Z06 compared to the 720s since it only weighs 3200lbs. The Z06 only handles better because of the wider tires and possibly more downforce.

[ZR1-OK]

I just picked one up on Oct 21 but I still have my ZL1. Traded in my ss. Glad I waited for better prices. Paid cash with trade in on a new black beauty 3LT

Added an extra 5 year extended GM warranty while I was at it